Mainstream Pop Culture: The Pros & Cons From a Quarantine Perspective

Words by Cerys Jones The presence of popular culture within contemporary society has become more prevalent than ever during the coronavirus pandemic. Different forms of media have adapted their content following the requirements of society, thereby molding the cultural industry into one solely focussed on education and entertainment. The execution and global dissemination of the ÔÇÿ#Blackout TuesdayÔÇÖ trend and campaign which took place on Tuesday, … Continue reading Mainstream Pop Culture: The Pros & Cons From a Quarantine Perspective

Saving The Arts of Germany

by Dill Tootill Covid-19 has seen the world hold its collective breath with the confusion of the present and concern for how the future will be shaped. Countries have taken vastly different measures in tackling the crisis: from the laissez faire features of BrazilÔÇÖs lack of intervention, to AmericaÔÇÖs anxiety ride of resistance towards offering any substantial help to workers. Yet, as Europe progresses in … Continue reading Saving The Arts of Germany

Current Affairs or Current Artfairs?

Words by Tom BennyIllustration by Sahina Sherchan COVID-19 has undoubtedly wrenched us all into a period of global uncertainty. Businesses have been shutting down left right and centre, political leaders have proven to make the situation more complex and convoluted than necessary, and hospitals have been pushed to breaking point, despite valiant efforts. In light of this seemingly ceaseless catastrophe, artists across the world have … Continue reading Current Affairs or Current Artfairs?

#SaveTheArts

By Caitlin Parr Though a ┬ú1.5 billion emergency support package has been made available to arts, culture and heritage venues following the #SaveTheArtsUK campaign, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has publicly stated that this sum will not be enough to protect all arts venues and creative spaces from closure or severe economic detriment.┬á With the grant aiming to support these venues that so many rely on … Continue reading #SaveTheArts

Did ‘Call Me by Your Name’ need a sequel?

By Sofia Brizio I remember the exact day I started reading Call Me By Your Name, the bestselling novel by Andr├® Aciman. 5th of February 2018. I had borrowed it from a friend after she had been constantly messaging me about how amazing the book was. That day we were having coffee in Cardiff city centre after an afternoon of lectures. We were both tired … Continue reading Did ‘Call Me by Your Name’ need a sequel?

Quarantine Culture: New Ways to Pass Time

By Megan Evans With the current situation being that we are stuck inside for the foreseeable future, it is hard to not worry about the things we should be doing and then the things that we want to do. The mountains of uni work seem really unappealing compared to bingeing the Netflix show you have been waiting to watch (or deciding the minute your eyes … Continue reading Quarantine Culture: New Ways to Pass Time

BANFF Online Collection 4 | BANFF Mountain Film Festival Review

By Lauren Stenning There is something to be said about watching a collection of adventure films at a time when weÔÇÖre barely allowed to leave the house. Six films into BANFFÔÇÖs fourth online collection and I have to say, I was not prepared for the level of emotional investment I had subconsciously made, so get ready to be transfixed. What ties all eight films together … Continue reading BANFF Online Collection 4 | BANFF Mountain Film Festival Review

BANFF Online Collection 3 | BANFF Mountain Film Festival Review

By Josephine von Jascheroff The third online collection of the Banff Film Festival adventure films showcases heart-warming tales of achievement and personal growth while taking you on an epic trip of some of the most beautiful, yet often over-looked, destinations in the world. The six short films vary in length and location but feature the same comedic narration that takes viewers behind the scenes of … Continue reading BANFF Online Collection 3 | BANFF Mountain Film Festival Review

Quarantine Culture: Routine For Quarantine

By Victoria Bond I think everybody felt the same sense of dread regarding the Coronavirus lockdown. We all knew it was coming but didnÔÇÖt want to admit it to ourselves. It wasnÔÇÖt until Boris Johnson said, with jurisdiction ÔÇÿyou must stay homeÔÇÖ that the question finally hit me- what exactly am I going to do during lockdown? In all honesty, I havenÔÇÖt found quarantine too … Continue reading Quarantine Culture: Routine For Quarantine

BANFF Online Collection 2 | BANFF Mountain Film Festival Review

By Amelia Field Second up in the BANFF collection of handpicked adventure films we have a range from across the world, from Kyrgyzstan to North America. A range of activities, including trail running and surfing, are included in this collection but the constant that remains throughout is the theme of endurance and a will to succeed leading to an inspiring set of films. The collection … Continue reading BANFF Online Collection 2 | BANFF Mountain Film Festival Review

Online Book Communities

By Neus Forner Book blogging has its place secured in the online community. From BookTube to Bookstagram, to traditional blogs, there is content for everyone. The online book community has been growing from quite some time. Here is your guide to navigating through the never-ending online book world! Bookstagram  Bookstagram has changed the way fiction is promoted, marketed and read. This movement has forever changed the … Continue reading Online Book Communities

BANFF Online Collection 1 | BANFF Mountain Film Festival Review

By Alexia Barrett The thrill of travel, the inspiration of a journey and the adrenaline that comes with the extreme. All of that is brought out in the BANFF Mountain film festivalÔÇÖs first online collection, which is made up of five handpicked adventure films: Sand in the Sky, The Mirnavator, The Lorax project, The Last Honey Hunter, and Snowflake. This first collection gives us 90 … Continue reading BANFF Online Collection 1 | BANFF Mountain Film Festival Review

Celebrity Culture: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

By Catrin Lewis From pop stars to reality stars, the society that we live in today is saturated by celebrities. They sing some of our favourite songs, play our favourite sports and even write some of our cookbooks. ItÔÇÖs nearly impossible to navigate through our daily lives without crossing paths with a celebrity name or two. As a society, we have become engrossed in celebrity … Continue reading Celebrity Culture: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Culture in Times of Coronavirus

By Catrin Lewis Cultural events across the country have been put on hold in response to the surge in UK coronavirus cases.┬á From concerts to premieres, many highly anticipated events will not be going ahead as planned this year. People across the globe have been left disappointed following the cancellation of their summer plans as the virus has well and truly thrown a spanner in … Continue reading Culture in Times of Coronavirus

Fill Your Ears with Culture: Top 10 Podcasts to Listen to Right Now

By Elly Savva Modern Love: Nursing a Wound with Jake Gyllenhaal The podcast that has grown from the popular New York Times column documents modern tales of “love, loss, and redemption.” Whilst the world feels scary and uncertain, this show provides the perfect antidote of humanity and love. Some of the stories are incredibly moving, but they’re all uplifting and life-affirming at a time when … Continue reading Fill Your Ears with Culture: Top 10 Podcasts to Listen to Right Now

The Age of Shifting Gender Stereotypes and the Culture of Gender

By Sarah Harris When I think about how much the culture of gender has evolved in my 22 years of life, itÔÇÖs evident that weÔÇÖve come a long way as a society. I come from a South Asian background in which an integral part of our culture is the role of the female as a homemaker. As a child, it was cultivated in me that … Continue reading The Age of Shifting Gender Stereotypes and the Culture of Gender

Graphic Novel Review: Thoreau and Me

By Sofia Brizio Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà TalingÔÇÖs debut graphic novel Thoreau and Me is the compelling tale of a Parisian painter who, after reading ThoreauÔÇÖs Walden and becoming more aware of consumerism and the climate emergency, begins to question his life choices. Incorporating original quotes from Walden into the story, the author masterfully depicts our everyday anxieties around capitalism and its effects on the … Continue reading Graphic Novel Review: Thoreau and Me

The Story of Storm Dennis ÔÇô A Personal Account

Words by Katie Waits Sunday, 16th February 2020. Who wouldÔÇÖve thought what shouldÔÇÖve been a normal February day could create such a story.  Not all stories we tell are fond reflections or pleasant trips down memory lane, and itÔÇÖs important to remember that youÔÇÖre allowed to share the bad stories just as much as the good ones without feeling like youÔÇÖre being negative or attention-seeking. … Continue reading The Story of Storm Dennis ÔÇô A Personal Account