33 Latest
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33 Latest
ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2014 33 Museum traces detective from Victorian times to present Exhibition probes the mystery of Sherlock Holmes LONDON, Oct 18, (Agencies): Sherlock Holmes is among the most famous Londoners of all time. Many tourists still see the bustling city through his eyes, and seek out his address, 221B Baker Street. It seems a logical deduction that the fictional detective’s creator, Arthur Conan Doyle, must have known the city intimately. In fact, historian David Cannadine said Thursday, “Conan Doyle himself didn’t spend that much time in London. When he wrote the early stories, he got the topography out of a street atlas.” That is just one of the surprises provided by a myth-busting new Museum of London exhibition that explores a character who has been endlessly adapted while retaining his essence: He’s a cerebral sleuth, forensic scientist, drug-taking bohemian and archetypal Englishman. Through film clips, costumes, 19thcentury forensic equipment and more, it follows Holmes from an idea in Conan Doyle’s notebook — at one point he was called Sherrinford Holmes — to the smartphone-toting modern detective played by Benedict Cumberbatch in the BBC TV series “Sherlock.” The exhibition also looks at the relationship between the detective and London. Holmes is an icon of the Victorian metropolis, a place of horse-drawn hansom cabs, dark corners, gaslight — and fog. Artworks Fog gets a whole room of its own, lined with atmospheric images by American photographer Alvin Langdon Coburn and other artworks, including a painting of the River Thames by French Impressionist Claude Monet. Cannadine, who has contributed to a book that accompanies the exhibition, said Conan Doyle’s stories give a sense of the city — “the gas lamps and the clattering of horses and the fogs in Baker Street” — that is vivid but in some ways misleading. “He doesn’t write about the traffic jams, he doesn’t write about the smell of horse-droppings, he doesn’t write about the filth of the pavements,” Cannadine said. “It’s a much cozier image, in a way.” For fans, the most exciting exhibit may be a yellowing notebook showing the moment Holmes was created. It bears notes for a detective story in Conan Doyle’s handwriting. The author has crossed out his original title, “A Tangled Skein” and written “A Study in Scarlet” — the name under which Holmes’ first adventure was published in 1887. Conan Doyle, who died in 1930, probably didn’t imagine that his creation would long outlive him. He tried to kill Holmes in 1893, sending him tumbling over the Reichenbach Falls while grappling with archenemy Moriarty. Readers were outraged, and the author resurrected the sleuth a decade later. The exhibition’s lead curator, Alex Werner, said Holmes endures because he was strikingly modern. Visitors enter the show through doors masquerading as bookshelves in a physical embodiment of the engaging blend of reality and fiction that characterises British author Arthur Conan Doyle’s tales of the world-famous detective. The displays include everything from the specially designed Belstaff coat worn by Benedict Cumberbatch in the recent BBC series to original manuscripts written in Conan Doyle’s careful cursive. The author, who aspired to be an eye doctor before turning to literature, can be seen in a 1930 clip of what is believed to be his only filmed interview. Creation In contrast, his creation has hogged the limelight for over a century. The show’s curators say Holmes is the most-filmed character of all time, starring in over 200 adaptations. The earliest film on display is a French version from 1912. “The only two characters I found that came close were Dracula and Frankenstein,” curator Alex Werner said. The museum traces the evolution of Holmes, from the arrival of the famous deerstalker hat in Sidney Paget’s illustrations for the short stories that appeared in the Strand Magazine, to the curved pipe in the theatre performances of William Gillette as Holmes. Gillette was so intent on impersonating Holmes to the hilt that he even injected himself with liquid cocaine on stage as part of his 1900 portrayal of the opium-loving detective. The exhibition also devotes a sizeable chunk of space to Victorian London - dubbed by Werner the “third character” in the books after Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson. “This was a character who was using scientific methods to unmask the incredible complexity of the modern world,” Werner said. “He’s the only one who can do it. We would all like to be Sherlock Holmes.” “Sherlock Holmes: The Man Who Never Lived and Will Never Die” is at the Museum of London from Friday until April 12. Breast Cancer click Latest Continued from Page 30 Every Thursday @ 5pm (ladies only) Islam 101 by Hassan Bwambale If you are interested to know more about Islam, join the TIES Center for information, discussion, and a chance to ask any question about Islam regarding Muslims’ beliefs, acts of worship, Quranic verses, and the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) life. Every Thursday @ 7pm The TIES Center is the social and educational hub for English Speaking Muslims in Kuwait. For more information, please call 25231015 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.tiescenter.net. Oct 21 AWARE events schedule: AWARE Center will be holding following events in October and November: ■ Through an expat’s eyes: a photographic journey through Kuwait on Tuesday, Oct 21, 2014 at 7:00 pm Moving to a new country can be intimidating: both scary and thrilling at the same time. Linda Young uses photography to explore her new home. Some photos are fun, some are serious. All are Kuwait through her eyes & lens. Refreshments Provided ■ Guided tour: Hamad Al Fuzia Museum for Antiques Monday, Oct 27, 2014 @ 5:00 pm Fee: KD 2 per person Opened by a Kuwaiti gentleman in his own home, this museum has an excellent collection of Kuwaiti antiques with a section of the museum dedicated to his relatives who died during the invasion of Kuwait. Join us as he recounts stories about Kuwait and about the antiques housed in the museum. Advance reservations required at [email protected] ■ Guided tour: Arab Organization Headquarters Saturday, Nov 1, 2014 @ 9:30 am This tour is a marvel of innovative architecture displaying modern technology combined with traditional artisan craftsmanship from Tunisia, Syria, Morocco, Egypt & contributions from Kuwaiti designers. This tour meets directly at the Arab Organization Headquarters. Cameras are welcome. Limited Seats. Advance reservations are required at [email protected] Children below 14 years & Pets are not allowed. Oct 23 Indian Embassy closures: The Indian Embassy will remain closed on the following dates during the month of October 2014. Deepavali: Thursday, Oct 23, 2014. Emergency and limited consular, labour and attestation services will, however, be available at the Embassy. Oct 25 FOCUS Fest 2014: Focus KuwaitForum of CADD Users will be celebrating its 8th Anniversary with “Focus Fest2014” on Oct 25, 2014 (Saturday) 2.30 pm at Indian Central School, Abbasiya Kuwait. The programme is structured as full day event with inaugural session, meritorious award distribution, honouring eminent personalities and a variety of arts and cultural programmes. Famous artist “Kalabhavan Navas show” will be highlighting the event. Oct 31 Prathibha Kuwait awards: Prathibha Kuwait, an association of Malayalam writers in Kuwait has decided to felicitate Babu Kuzhimatam, who is completing his 40th year in short story writing. In this occasion, Prathibha Kuwait will distribute awards to ten Malayalam writers in Kuwait. Short story books are invited from the writers to consider for the awards. A distinguished panel will select the ten books from the entries. Last date of receipt of the books is Oct 31. Further details can be availed at phone numbers 99653638, 97258308 or by email to [email protected], [email protected]. The award ceremony will be held on Dec 26 at Fahaheel. 41st monthly meeting of Prathibha Kuwait has released its little magazine by Continued on Page 34 Photo by Claudia Farkas Al-Rashoud Presenting a life-saving message: (Seated, from left to right), Sheikha Azza Ali Al Jabar Al-Sabah, Dr Shafika Al Awadi, and Irene Lau.(Standing, from left to right), Shebina Amlani, Karen Webster, and Manal Al-Shadeed. Centre to hold Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Oct 21 Be aware, show you care: Al Sidra Centre By Claudia Farkas Al Rashoud Special to the Arab Times Decorated with balloons, ribbons, and flowers in pretty shades of pink, Al Sidra Centre is marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a variety of special events and activities. Among the highlights is Breast Cancer Awareness Day, “Be Aware, Show You Care!” to be held on Tuesday, October 21st at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Clinic Coordinator Shebina Amlani and Information Officer Karen Webster offer a warm welcome, along with a choice of pink tea or pink lemonade, to those visiting the cancer patient support centre. At the top of their agenda today is a meeting with Sheikha Azza Ali Al Jabar Al Sabah, Medical Oncologist Dr Shafika Al Awadi, and Community Liaison with Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) Irene Lau to plan the final details of this important program. Sheikha Azza is the Chairperson of the Society for Cancer Psychological Support and Patron of Al Sidra Centre. She plays an active role and is a steadfast source of help and guidance for the centre. “Sheikha Azza pays us frequent visits. She is always checking to see if we need anything and we greatly appreciate her regular involvement,” Dr Shafika says. parent organisation, Al Sidra Association, joins the group of professional ladies who are eager to make the awareness day an unforgettable event. During its first year of operation, Al Sidra Centre has earned the respect and appreciation of the local community for the many beneficial services it provides to cancer patients and their families in a warm, caring, confidential environment. Located in the Al Sabah Hospital compound, the non-profit centre takes its name from the native Kuwaiti tree that traditionally provided shade, shelter, and sustenance to local residents. Nowadays, Al Sidra Centre serves as a comfortable retreat where patients and relatives can have a rest, a cup of tea, and a friendly chat with other patients or staff. Along with psychological support it offers the Look Good Feel Good program, lectures, classes, and other relevant activities. The upcoming breast cancer awareness day will provide the centre with the opportuni- ty to reach many women with their life-saving message. “Women need to know that if breast cancer is caught early the disease can be beat. Everyone is welcome to attend the event but we especially want to send the message out to young women who may be frightened or embarrassed to seek treatment. Therefore we have sent out invitations through many local high schools and universities” says Dr Shafika. All the ladies agree that education and awareness are vital tools in combating cancer. So are communication and support. “We are encouraging women to speak to their families and friends about breast cancer screening and urge them to get checked. I have two friends who are afraid to go alone to have their mammograms done so I promised to go with them this month. If everyone does their part we can really make a difference,” says Shebina. Irene Lau, who was diagnosed with Risk Dr Shafika is the centre’s founder as well as head of the breast cancer unit at Hussein Makki Jumma Centre for Specialised Surgery. Irene Lau, a breast cancer survivor and former long-time resident of Kuwait, will be the keynote speaker at the breast cancer awareness day. Dr Faisal Al Terkait, Consultant Breast Oncologist, will also address the audience on breast cancer risk factors and treatment in Kuwait. Manal Al Shadeed, Manager of the Irene Lau (left), and Dr Shafika Al-Awadi preparing materials for cancer awareness events. breast cancer in 2009, received training as a Community Liaison from BCNA and now carries a message of hope and encouragement to countless other women. She underwent months of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, medication, two lumpectomies, and a full mastectomy. Happily, she is now feeling well and leading an active and fulfilling life. “Being treated for cancer is a lifechanging journey. You never go back to the same life you had before but you do enjoy a good life afterwards,” she says. Community Having lived and worked in Kuwait from 1975 to 1986, Irene is particularly eager to raise cancer awareness among women in the community she once called home. She met with Dr Shafika on a visit to Kuwait in 2011 to offer her services in this respect. At that time she started a program with the Kuwait Textile Arts Association Quilt Group to provide soft, cotton filled bra inserts worn by breast cancer patients after surgery, a popular program that is ongoing at Al Sidra Centre with the help of Quilt Group member Haifa Al Mughni. “At that first meeting with Dr Shafika three years ago I was explaining to her what we do for breast cancer patients and their loved ones in Australia,” Irene recalls. “She then told me about her dream of having a place where cancer patients and their families can get the social-psychological help they need. To walk through the doors of Al Sidra today, to see her dream as reality and to meet the lovely women who work here, has been a heartwarming experience.” When Irene was asked to be the keynote speaker at Al Sidra’s educational event she felt quite emotional about receiving such an honor. “I am so pleased to be doing this on three accounts: for women, for breast cancer patients, and for Kuwait,” she says. Dr Shafika and her team are very interested to hear Irene describe some of the recent events and activities being held for breast cancer awareness in Australia. “Here at Al Sidra we are just starting out, so we welcome ideas,” Dr Shafika remarks. Progress “We have made a lot of progress in our first year, but there is still so much more we can do,” Karen adds. Sheikha Azza echoes this sentiment. “Yesterday I was watching Egyptian television and there was a program about the children’s cancer hospital in Cairo. They were saying they are collecting donations so they can have more beds because now people from all around the Arab world are coming to their facility for treatment. This made me think that hopefully one day we will also reach this stage and be able to be of service to large numbers of cancer patients from different countries. Something may start small but with a lot of effort it can become something great.” Al Sidra Centre staff would like to thank their generous sponsors, the Body Shop and Marks & Spencer, who are contributing to the success of their upcoming event. Appreciation also goes to the Makulay Artists Guild of Kuwait and Al Raisi Group. The artists’ group will be exhibiting works depicting the cancer journey in the foyer of the Radisson Blu on the day of the event. Al Raisi Group will be providing professional lighting. To reserve your seat for Breast Cancer Awareness Day at the Radisson Blu Hotel on October 21st from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, call 51550689 or email [email protected] For more information on Al Sidra Centre go to www.al-sidra.net, Instagram account @alsidra_kwt, or Twitter @alsidra_kwt.