GOLDENROOM Issue 13

EDITORIAL

GOLDENROOM Issue 13 is now live at http://www.goldenroom.co.uk

This month we are delighted to feature our second GOLDENROOM wedding; Christine and Mohamed share their story and their insight into navigating interfaith relationships. For a more pointed piece about cross cultural relations relations we talked to the Christian- Muslim Forum and also the Corrymeela community. As well we uncovered the real St. Nicholas  and visited Titanics in Manchester to bring you great ideas for cross cultural catering- all to help you and yours celebrate this season. Of course ‘Celebrate’ GoldenRoom’s Cross Cultural Calendar is all updated too keeping you in the loop until February.

Don’t miss our complementing pieces about Swirling- this is the new term for cross cultural dating, romance and relationships and we have interviewed author Christelyn D Karazin who coined the term and tells us how to live happily ever after by ‘Swirling’ as well as sharing how her own life led her to write this amazing book, in the second of this month’s My Story.

This month we welcome new contributors Ben Acheson, Elisabeth Erwin and Estafania de la Torriente Labayan. Each has a distinctive style to enjoy; from Acheson’s analytical piece on religious slaughter which we have intriguingly titled, ‘Food Labels’; to the philosophical standpoints of Erwin’s ‘The Humanity of Language’; or de la Toriente Labayan’s highly informative piece about Community Art. And in that intellectual vein learn about deaf culture and the ups and downs of deaf-hearing mixed relationships or reconsider community by immersing yourself in our revealing comparative analysis on ‘Suspect Communities’.

Two great recipes and a selection of book, music and film recommendations, plus our GoldenRoom ICON this month, John Lennon and Yoko Ono; a tribute thirty two years after Lennon’s assasination make this issue an inspiring resource.

Whatever and However you Celebrate this month and with Whomever, on behalf of all of us here at GOLDENROOM  I like to thank all of our readers for their interest, comments and support and wish everyone the Very Best and Brightest of the Season and in the New Year to come.

Kind Regards,

Dr. W.J.Tuinstra

Editor in Chief

GOLDENROOM
Online Journal for Cross Cultural Relations

Under the Stars

A traditional Frysan saying goes, ‘ No matter where in the world we are, over us shines the same sun.’

Most commonly the saying expresses continuing family connection and affection in the face of immigration and the creation of one of the world’s most quietest diasporas. The saying also reflects a deep connection amongst the Frysans- as with many minority peoples- to the natural world, an identification with  great mysterious creative forces that govern our lives.

Equally, the saying also has a resonance in modern political thought on equality and solidarity. In essence, it can be read as expressing an ethos of common and united humanity. No matter what side of the world one lives on, one’s colour,  creed, or nation, we are all humans, living under the same sun. Where monotheistic faiths would say, ‘God has created everyone‘ this  simple yet profound Frysan observation can even include in its expression of oneness, people of polytheistic religions and none.

In addition to its tolerance of plurality, this saying is also sweetly, beautifully optimistic. It does not proclaim that for everyone life is a struggle, nor say that it rains on everyone, regardless.  Rather that the sun shines on us all. From empirical fact, this Frysan saying is edified to a universal blessing.

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, this time of year is marked by a shortage of sunshine, both in hours and intensity of lux. Hence the same sun might shine on us all, but not in equal amounts. But for those who can recall their science lessons, the sun is a star, and at this time of year the night sky is perforated by the clear diamond brilliance of stars- or an array of tiny suns if you will, shining down on all of us, no matter where we may be in the world.

It is a marvellous experience to wrap up warm and with someone special see the  greatest show on earth. But a  handy little tool can make the experience so informative as to render astronomy addictive, as well as obviate the need for thermals. Stellarium is a free planetarium that you can download from http://www.stellarium.org. By entering your latitude and longitude it shows you a realistic night sky in 3D, just like you would see were you to venture outside on a cold winter’s night.

Astronomy can be a fascinating science but also a moving, transcendent experience of sharing and connection. Gazing up at the night sky as so many have done for millennia across cultures -or at the Stellarium programme- might also prompt reflection on all the other peoples who share our planet, in all their beautiful diversity across the world, upon whom the sun, moon and stars also shine.

 

RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS REQUIRED

Miriam Torrico, University of Tilburg, Department of Human Resource Studies is conducting research for her thesis about the cultural sensitivity of the ex patriot, in particular  their ability to function effectively in situations that are characterised by cultural diversity.How does this affect the interpersonal relationship with employees and does culture play an important role in this relation?

If you would like to assist with this important research, please answer the following survey at:

www.thesistools.com/web/?id=304530