Sunday 22 February 2009

Lucid Magazine is launching next week!

Lucid is the place to find interesting, provocative articles that stimulate debate and inspire free thinking on everything from arts and culture to ideas and current affairs. Our tagline is “Clear Opinion, Sound Debate.” Interaction is key. Don’t be passive. Get involved in the discussions and leave your mark.

In the first issue, online on Monday, 2nd March:

· 15 years after the genocide in Rwanda what has the world learnt?
We speak to the authors of a new book on the plight of survivors of the 1994 Rwandan genocide that saw one million people killed as the world looked away and left a nation physically and psychologically scarred. But there remains hope. Plus, we ask what can be done to help those in the neighbouring Congo from suffering a similar fate.
· In search of the essence of Japan
When you think of Japan, the world’s second largest economy, what do you think of? Neon, Manga and high-technology? Or Geisha, Buddhism and quiet contemplation? Paul Knipe finds the essence of Japan, a country with the longest life expectancy in the world, coexisting in the traditional buildings and modern skyscrapers of the mighty Honshu cities.
· Hidden Histories
Between 1838 and 1917 over half a million Indians were transported to the Caribbean to work on the sugar plantations. Promised wages and rights, 240,000 of these migrants were taken to Guyana and today, East Indians make up 44% of the Guyanese population. Athena Kugblenu examines the reality of indentured labour and uncovers the truth about Caribbean Indians.
· Almighty Meltdown
In the first installment of a new series, Francis Kaikumba writes that the world is going through unprecedented change, not just economic but social and political, and offers his perspective on what the legacy of this period of upheaval will mean. Major institutions will crumble, systems of governance will collapse but, ultimately, people power will prevail.
· London: Capital of Cool
Twelve years after Britpop, Britart and Britfashion dominated the world’s media Sylvia Arthur argues that London is still the capital of creativity with its music, arts and culture scenes thriving despite the onset of a recession. The UK’s image may be in decline but the current economic crisis will serve as a catalyst for an outpouring of creative expression similar to that of the mid-1990s.

Sign up to the site now at http://www.lucidmagazine.co.uk/ to be notified when Lucid goes live and join our Facebook group here.

Lucid Magazine: Clear Opinion, Sound Debate

Wednesday 11 February 2009

Paris, February 09

Graffiti, Paris style! I love it! I spotted this while taking a detour down a narrow side street just off the plush Boulevard St. Germain. This interesting piece of street art was above an Accessorize shop. Parisian subversives sure understand irony-:) Angela Davis would be proud.

Monday 9 February 2009

The Lost Libraries of Timbuktu

12 Feb 2009, 21:00 on BBC Four

Aminatta Forna tells the story of legendary Timbuktu and its long hidden legacy of hundreds of thousands of ancient manuscripts. With its university founded around the same time as Oxford, Timbuktu is proof that the reading and writing of books have long been as important to Africans as to Europeans.

Saturday 7 February 2009

Athena Kugblenu by Paul Knipe

Saturday evening near London Bridge.

Lucid editorial meeting


The team gathered at Amano to discuss the launch issue. Athena was the first one there, Francis was an hour and a half late. Paul came with the goods. I came with my mind in check and my money right-:) All in all, a productive afternoon...

Sunday 1 February 2009

Truly Hypnotic Brass

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble is a 9-piece, Chicago-based jazz group featuring 8 sons of Phil Cohran on horns. Originally from Chicago, the brothers started as a street ensemble before recording in 2004. They have performed with Mos Def, Aquilla Sadalla and Phil Cohran. In late 2007 they recorded with Erykah Badu and Maxwell and played at the North Sea Jazz Festival.
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