NordenBladet — Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge, was presented with an unusual gift during his official visit to Finland. Two handmade hobbyhorses were presented to The Duke during his visit to Slush, the biggest startup event in Europe, which takes place in Helsinki annually.
Hobbyhorsing has been sweeping the Nordic nation in recent years, with thousands of enthusiasts making and selling horses and riding them at events inspired by real equestrian disciplines such as dressage and show jumping.
Riding hobbyhorses has even taken the form of an organised sport, with the Hobbyhorse Championships held annually in Finland. The sport is estimated to have more than 10,000 followers in Finland alone.
Prince George’s hobbyhorse, named after his father’s first pony, Smokey, is a dark grey pony with a long, grey mane, friendly eyes and a dark brown bridle. Princess Charlotte’s horse, called Snowflake, is a white Finnhorse with ashen markings on its muzzle and a light blond mane. Its bridle is magenta.
Both hobbyhorses are designed and handmade by Finnish hobbyhorsing superstar Alisa Aarniomäki, who achieved worldwide visibility after she was featured in the documentary Hobbyhorse Revolution.
The hobbyhorses were presented by Emma Rispoli from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.
ThisisFINLAND, Finland’s official country website, will tomorrow launch a worldwide campaign to promote hobbyhorsing to a global audience. The campaign includes a limited edition, hobbyhorse-inspired urban fashion collection by leading Finnish labels, a website that promotes the art and sport of hobbyhorsing, and a short film written and directed by Finnish filmmaker Viivi Huuska.
“The Duke of Cambridge and his family are known for their love of horses, and with hobbyhorsing a huge phenomenon in Finland, what better present to take home to Prince George and Princess Charlotte than a pair of hobbyhorses tailored to their interests,” says Petra Theman, Director of the Unit for Public Diplomacy at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
NordenBladet — The Danish government donates DKK 2.5 million to the Danish Refugee Council in order for them to develop a new innovative model together with IBM. The model will be able to track and potentially also predict refugee and migrant flows, which will improve humanitarian response planning. The project taps into the government’s focus on technology and digitalization and the new TechPlomacy-initiative as a strategic priority in Denmark’s international engagement.
Minister for Development Cooperation Ulla Tørnæs:“I am pleased that we are able strengthen humanitarian action through innovative technology. The data model will hopefully serve as a concrete example of how innovative technology can ensure better information and contribute to a more proactive humanitarian response. There is no doubt that TechVelopment has a huge potential within development cooperation.”
The grant will enable the Danish Refugee Council to develop and test a new data model together with IBM. Danish Refugee Council will open source the solution and thereby assist humanitarian actors in developing a more proactive humanitarian response based on the model’s predictions.The project taps into the government’s focus on technology and digitalization and the new TechPlomacy-initiative as a strategic priority in Denmark’s international engagement across foreign and security policy, development cooperation, and humanitarian assistance.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Anders Samuelsen:“The project is a great example of an initiative that seeks to address some of the global challenges in a new and innovative way. The pace of technology development creates new challenges and risks but at the same time new opportunities. Denmark and Danish organizations are in a good position to seize these opportunities. The project also taps into our focus on technology and digitalization, which we have made a priority in Denmark’s international engagement since the launch of the TechPlomacy-initiative. Denmark has taken the lead by appointing the world’s first tech-ambassador and we are thereby able to be agenda setting within this field.”
BackgroundThe Danish Refugee Council and IBM have engaged in a partnership in order to co-create and test a new tech-driven analysis model under the project “Predictive Modeling of Migration Flows”. The model has the potential to predict refugee and migrant flows and thereby ensure a better humanitarian response. IBM contributes with its predictive analytics technology on a pro bono basis. The project runs until mid-2019.
NordenBladet — The establishment of the first United Nations Technology Innovation Lab (UNTIL) will be launched on Thursday 30 November in a Slush side event, co-organized by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the Office for Information and Communication and Technologies of the United Nations. The first lab will be housed at Aalto University campus, in A Grid, the new centre for growth companies. Two more labs will be launched in 2017 in Asia and Africa, and the global network continues to grow in 2018.
The side event will debate the role of technology in advancing progress towards the UN’s 2030 Agenda. There will also be a panel discussion in which keynote speeches will be held by Kai Mykkänen, Minister of Trade and Development of Finland, and Ilona Lundström, Director General of Enterprise and Innovation Department at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.
The first lab location in Finland has been selected in partnership with the Government of Finland and it focuses on the thematic areas of circular economy, education, peace and security, and health. Each of the global UNTIL labs will focus on different thematic areas that are central to the need of each individual lab’s specific geolocation. UNTIL labs create a platform for problem-solving between the UN, private sector, academia and civil society, with the help of start-ups.
NordenBladet — On Monday 27 November, Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini will visit Berlin, where he will hold a keynote speech at a gala concert in honour of the centenary of Finland’s independence, which will be held at the Berliner Philharmonie concert hall. Former President of Germany Horst Köhler will address the audience on behalf of the Government of Germany.
The gala concert will present the most wide-ranging mix of different types of Finnish music from classical folk music to jazz and modern music ever presented abroad. The composers of the music from different periods of time are all Finnish and the music will be performed by internationally renowned Finnish musicians living and working in Germany.
The concert and the reception afterwards are organised by the Embassy of Finland in Germany in collaboration with Finnish companies.
During his visit to Berlin, Minister Soini will also meet representatives of Finnish and German media.
NordenBladet — Far from boring, this phenomenon that makes the mundane mindful is now going global. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland is launching a slow-TV phenomenon, with a 12-hour-long livestream of unedited footage of the checkout counter of a supermarket.
The live footage of #checkout247 will be aired on ThisisFINLAND’s Facebook page starting December 5th at 2 pm GMT, on the eve of Finland’s 100th Independence Day, and ending at 2 am GMT on Independence Day itself. Thousands of shoppers are expected to pop into their local 24/7 supermarket for last-minute holiday treats.
The camera will be fixed on the conveyor belt of Prisma Kaari, the biggest supermarket in Helsinki, revealing what shoppers have put in their baskets, but not showing the shoppers themselves.
Viewers will be able to take part in the Finnish shopping experience by commenting on Finland’s official Facebook and Twitter channels (www.facebook.com/thisisfinlandFB/ and www.twitter.com/thisisFINLAND) using the hashtag #checkout247.
Slow TV has experienced a major renaissance in recent years, with films showing everything from knitting to log fires on TV or online streaming services.
“There’s something spellbinding about a conveyor belt and other people’s groceries,” says Petra Theman, Director of the Unit for Public Diplomacy at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
“On the eve of Finland’s centenary, we wanted to create a moment of togetherness, a global broadcast open to participation from all over the world. At the same time we are revealing the glorious tedium of Finnish everyday life and eating habits. We claim that the everyday life in Finland is the best in the world, and that’s what we aim to show – this time through grocery shopping. This is mindfulness at its best and funniest.”
The supermarket concern S Group streamed similar footage of Finns shopping last summer. The livestream became an instant hit, with more than a million Facebook video views, including tens of thousands of comments during the live event, in a country of 5.5 million people.
This time around, viewers of the live #checkout247 broadcast will also see a rolling feed of quirky facts about Finnish food and lifestyle, provided by, among others, the Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners.
“Our customers loved the first livestream last summer, so we wanted to make our second run even bigger and better and reach a global audience,” says Anne Sassi-Leivonen, Director of Publishing at S Group.
NordenBladet – while getting to know the Israeli sightseeings, I recommend paying a visit to Masada – the Jewish symbol for liberty and hope. In my previous blog I cast a look at Qumran, and today I take a glimpse at Masada, which is one of the best known Jewish symbols of rebellion against the Roman authority.
Masada is located in the southwestern top of the Dead Sea and it is a settlement on a rock 400m above the sea level, with a territory of 550 times 270 square meters. The fortified settlement was founded in the first century B.C. by Jannae Alexander. It was conquered by king Herod who also founded the fortress on the mountain between the years 37 and 31 B.C.
There are two options for reaching Masada. Either it is with a guide in the early morning, climbing the hill along a turning pathway, or like we did – also with a guide, but during daytime and using a special elevator. We had the wonderful guide Lilach Arad (Galey Kineret Tours) with us, who in a fascinating manner explained the historic events, the biographies and the daily lives of people and the stories of the buildings. I certainly recommend taking with you at least 2 litres of drinking water when getting up the hill, and not to forget to take along headgear against direct sunlight – the heat is unprecedented!
Let me also add a few words about the history of Masada. In the year 67 A.D. the Sicarii, the Jewish rebels, subdued the Masada Roman garnison and conquered the fortress. The rebels from Jerusalem joined them after the capture of the Second Temple in the year 70 A.D. in 73 A.D. the fortress was attacked by the Roman governer Lucius Flavius Silva of Judea as lead of the Legio X Fretensis. They surrounded the fortress and erected a ramp to the western wall. After the completion of the ramp and three months of struggle the Romans succeeded to break through the fortress wall on 16 April 73. It was only after the conquest that the Romans discovered that the fortress had been abandoned and all the inhabitants, 960 people – men, women and chidren, had committed suicide. Just two women and five children had survived.
The stronghold accommodated the inhabitants living rooms, dining rooms and bathing area. There was a water reservoir originating from the mountains, founded in the cave. While seated on the ruins of the Masada synagogue we contemplated on the braveness of those thousands of rebels that gave their lives in the struggle against the Roman power. The journey up the hill in the heat of 30 degrees celsius was toilsome, yet worth the effort, I had the feeling as if I had traveled in time backwards two thousand years – the ruins were preserved that well. The place is definitely worth visiting and it is a sign that life goes on – millennia later Masada is visited by local people as well as the Jews who have settled abroad, and also numerous tourists all over the world.
NordenBladet – Israel is a small Jewish state on Mediterranean coast, with a small window on the Red Sea. Israel’s neighbors are Egypt and the Gaza Strip in the southwest, Jordan and the West Bank in the east, and Syria and Lebanon in the north. Israel is a densely urbanized and economically developed society, and therefore it is most convenient for the passenger to distribute it by city, which also includes regions and other places. For a better understanding of Israel, I will give you a brief summary (translation from Estonian) of the Germalo tour operator’s newsletter.
General information for the state of Israel
National government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Jerusalem
Money: New Israeli Seekel, NIS is an abbreviation, ILS is International abbreviation
Time: UTC + 2 hours, same with Estonia.
Summertime / witertime: 1 hour, starts last Friday in March, ends on Saturday between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur holidays
Language: Hebrew (Official)
Population: 6,426,679 (including 187,000 Iiraels in the West Bank and 20,000 Israeli conquered Golan uplands and up to 177,000 in East Jerusalem, as of July 2007).
Electricity: The electrical voltages are 220V and 50 Hz.
Area: 20 770 km2
Highest point: Har Meron 1208m
The lowest point: Dead Sea – 408m
History
After World War II, the British took their troops out of Palestine and the United Nations shared the region with the Arabs and Jews, which the Arabs did not embrace. Israel’s Arabs neighbours conquered areas in the hope of restoring the borders that were the Ottoman Empire. The Israelis inflicted unfinished tensions on the two sides between the Arabs in several wars. On April 25, 1982, according to the Israeli-Egyptian Peace Treaty of 1979, Israeli troops pulled back from Sinai. The territorial disputes with Jordan were resolved on 26 October 1994 with the Israel-Jordan Peace Agreement. In addition, on May 25, 2000, Israeli troops retreated from Southern Lebanon, which they had been occupying since 1982. In October 1991, a conference was held between representatives of Israel, the West Bank, Palestine and Syria in Madrid to find a definitive solution.
Economy in Israel
Israel is a technologically advanced market economy with a large share of the government. The economy depends on imports of crude oil, grain, raw materials and military equipment. Despite limited natural resources, Israel has intensively developed its agricultural and industrial sectors over the last 20 years. Israel is largely natural-economic in the production of food products, with the exception of cereals. Polished diamonds, high-tech equipment, chemicals and chemical products, machinery and transportation equipment, rubber, plastics and textiles are the most important export articles. About half of the government’s external debt belongs to the United States, which also provides major economic and military assistance. The inflow of Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union 1989-99 coinceded with the opening of new markets at the end of the Cold War, and it gave the Israeli economy a big boost – the economy grew rapidly at the beginning of the 1990s. Later on, this growth stalled, and the current situation because of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the steady decline in high technology and tourism, as well as the fiscal rigor, resulted in rising inflation.
People in israel
The Hebrew Bible, and also the Old Testament, names the people of Israel as descendants of Jacob. His gender was also called Israel. The easiest division in the Israeli society is between the Jews and not the Jews – Israeli Arabs. There are about 90% of Jewish areas in Israel and 15-40% of Israeli-controlled areas. In terms of faith, 77% of Jews, 16% of Muslims, 4% of Christians and 2% of Druuzs (an Islam branch). In theory, all religions are equal, but in practice, Arabs have many limitations, both legal and de facto (difficulties in obtaining building permits, difficulty in security and travel conditions). The division is also in the Jewish community. First of all, the differences between the Jews who lived in Europe for almost 2000 years and who are considered richer and have better political ties and those Jews who migrated from Central Asia to North Africa. However, in recent years, the differences between these groups have decreased. When these tensions have diminished, tensions have grown between secular and Orthodox Jews. Of the population, only 15% consider themselves strictly Orthodox, but they have a lot of power thanks to Israeli politics, 50% consider themselves moderately Orthodox, and 45% consider themselves secular, although they adhere to some traditions. Although secular Jews are over the whole of Israel, there are more Orthodox people in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak and Ashdod.
Israeli culture
The Israelis often compare themselves to a sharp, fruity fruit that is harsh and sharp from the outside but sweet inside. The Israelis are straightforward in a way that may seem sudden, even rude in the world. Honesty and openness are often valued more than courtesy and goodness. The direct personal questions are normal and should not be offended. The information they collect about you here is designed to make you feel better, not to set up traps. The Israelis are accustomed to fighting for their right to exist and to remain confident in their own family, religion, military, and towards other Israelis. Fights and uprisings have been approved by society and should not be taken as signs of hostility. The Israelis are careful not to be impressed by the friar – the loser, or the weak one – that is, someone who pays too much, queues quietly when others pass by and who use to use instead of standing up for themselves. But the Israelis are very friendly and accommodating. When they get connected, they take care of their guest.
Holidays
Official holidays in Israel follow the Jewish calendar and change from year to year, although they fall more or less to the same period. Different activities stop on different holidays – for example, public transport does not work on many holidays. According to the Jewish tradition, the new day begins with three stars in the sky, which means that the Jewish holidays begin after lunch, before the official date.
The language used in Israel
In Israel, the official languages are Hebrew and Arabic. Hebrew is more common, but a large proportion of the population is Israeli Arabs speaking Arabic. It’s usually easy to speak English in Israel because it is compulsory in school. All street signs and road signs have English names besides Hebrew and Arabic. Massive immigration from NL in the 1990s led to a large Russian-speaking community, the other languages that influence the Israeli population are French, German and Polish. Some elderly and very Orthodox inhabitants speak Yiddish, Germanic Jewish.
Israeli currency and money issues
The Israeli money is Shaghel, the proper name would be New Israeli Sheqel, Hebrew shekel chadas or short shash. Seekel is divided into 100 agorots. The usual symbol for a shackle is NIS, ILS or â,ª. Agorotte has a value of 10 and 50. The tokks are 1,2,5, and 10 as coins, and the 20, 50, 100 and 200 in paper money. ATMs are available in many large cities and, if necessary, money can be easily redeemed from there. US dollars are accepted at some tourist destinations, such as Jerusalem.
Workdays
Working days in Israel are from Sunday to Friday, allowing the Sabbath to be observed from Friday’s sunrise to Saturday sunrise. On Friday, several shops will close between 14:30 and 15:00, meanwhile, allowing for a quiet time to go home. Many shops, especially supermarkets, open the doors already on Saturday night, from 19:00 in the winter and around 20:30 in the summer. The same is true for shops in tourist areas. In Arab cities, shops are generally open 7 days a week. On typical days, shops are open from 9:30 to 21:00 on the big shopping streets. Banks, post offices and some individual shops keep up with the more traditional times and open from 8:30 to 19:00, with lunch break between 13:00 and 16:00. Markets are usually open in the early hours of the morning.
Trading in Israel
Trading is common in contemporary Israel. It’s definitely harder in big stores and supermarkets, but it’s worth a try. Usually, it’s easier to make it when you buy more than one item. Trading in markets and bazaars is quite common, and in tourist places, such as Jerusalem’s Old Town, trades can lower the price by 25%.
Israeli souvenirs
Israeli wine, Kosher products, T-shirts and diamonds. And of course Israel is one of the best places to buy Jewish and Christianity-related nippers. Although purchasing antiques with authorized dealers is allowed, their exports are illegal.
Israeli national cuisine
Israeli cuisine is as varied as its ethnicity. The food here is usually very high, and immigrants from all over the world have come up with all sorts of options. Tips is expected to be 10% in regular restaurants (15% if service seems very good). Some eateries add a service charge, but in this case it is clearly indicated in both Hebrew and English. Falafel is officially a national dish. In recent years, though, it has lost popularity, but is still quite widespread. These are small fried balls, chickpea puree, usually served in pita bread with French fries and lettuce. Usually you can add salads to your choice. It is usually the cheapest available lunch, with prices from 10 to 15 NIS. Another popular choice is shawarma. Cut turkey meat, which is also served in pita or in its bigger brother Lafa, with french fries and salad. There are many other things you can put in Pita, such as Me’orav Yerushalmi (Jerusalem Mix), which contains several special sorts of meat or shnitslit, dipping the fried chicken breast. Usually more humus is added to the plate – chickpea, sesame seeds, onion, lemon and olive oil, which is eaten by hand using pitta. Another famous Iraqi food is the street – sabich – pita bread with hard boiled eggs, fried eggplant, humus and salad.
Kosher food
The Hebrew word for Kasher means legal or law, and this word is not just about food. When it is associated with food, he denotes everything food that faith allows him to eat. These laws are quite complex, but it briefly prohibits certain products, such as pork and crustaceans, and allows some others with only certain restrictions, most importantly, that meat and dairy products must not be bake or cooked with the same meal, which prohibits all Western food such as pizza and cheeseburger. In addition, firing of fire during the Sabbath is prohibited, so at that time only cold meals can be eaten. However, because Israel is already largely secular, it also finds many non-kosher restaurants. Every meal can be called kosher if it matches it, but every meal that is “Jewish food” is not necessarily kosher. For example, kreplach, cholent, kugel, latke and kishka are traditional Jewish foods, but if they are not made by the casher, they are not kosher food. According to Torah, mosquitoes that remember grass are grassy, for example. Deer, sheep and goat, while the pig and rabbit are not kosher. Animals can only be slaughtered under strict rules. Kosher in the kitchen should not interfere with the pots and pans of different foods, they should not be washed together, etc. Most Israeli hotels are Kosher, so breakfast is a dairy product for lunch, or in the evening milk is not included in the coffee, although it is a substitute for soy milk. Most large supermarkets sell only kosher goods, but more and more non-kosher stores are starting to emerge due to the large number of secular Jews who came from the former NL. The least is a kosher restaurant in Tel Aviv, on the other hand in Jerusalem they are much more common. Kosher restaurant is either a meat or dairy restaurant, the latter are great for vegetarians. One of the interesting attractions for many is kosher McDonald’s restaurants (however, one must note that not all of them are Kosher). Most Burger-King eateries are kosher, as well as Pizza Hut, so they do not offer pizza with meat, while the Domino chain is not kosher and offers similar pizza in the West.
Israeli national food
The Jews who have migrated to Israel from many different places in the world have also brought with them different dining traditions. Most of them are offered in specialty restaurants. The range includes: Ashkenazi (Eastern European Jewry), Bulgaria, Turkey, North Africa, Iraq, Iran and others. You can also enjoy Arabic cuisine, in areas where Arabs live. One of the food is known in almost the entire Jewish diaspora. It is known in Europe as Cholenty and the Middle East and North Africa as Chamini. This is a kind of stew that has been caught in for a few hours on a small fire, traditionally a Sabbath dish, has begun to ignite the fire as well as a ban on cooking during the Sabbath. The exact ingredients vary by area, but usually it contains animal or chicken, peanuts (chick peas or beans) and / or rice, eggs and vegetables – potatoes, onions and carrots. Chamini is served on some restaurants on Saturdays.
In Israel, good coffee and coffee culture are valued throughout the country. Although Starbucks is not very popular here, there are many very popular local coffee shops here. Many Israelis like to spend time drinking hafuchi (cafe latte) and telling their friends. Meanwhile, there is also a light meal – sandwiches and salads. The largest coffee card in Israel is Aroma. There are three sizes of sandwiches and can be selected from different bread varieties. Arcaffe is a bit more expensive, but their coffee is better. There is also Elite Coffe, Cafe Cafe, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Kosher Cafe Hillel. Many Israelis eagerly eat a bottle of particularly fine-grained coffee that is mixed in a cup and allowed to settle.
Krembo (hybrid from the words Cream and Bo, respectively “Cream” and “inside”) is the most common chocolate snack in Israel. It consists of a round biscuit, with a cream on it, covered with chocolate shell. They are packed in foil and are very delicate, they are not made in summer in hot weather. In Israel, it has been eaten for two generations now and there is a debate about how to eat it right – whether to cook before the cookie, holding it from the top or vice versa, eat all at once or before the top, the base, and finally the cream.
Israeli drinks
There are three kinds of beers in Israel: Goldstar – Munich-style dark beer. It is available in 0.5 and 0.3 liter bottles, KHE-tsi and sh-LISH (half and a thirdof a litre). Maccabee is a pilsner, brighter and softer than Goldstar, in both a bottle and a purse. Nesher – malt beer, in a bottle. There is also a Palestine beer – Taybeh. In addition, many foreign brands are available, among them Heineken, Carlsberg, Tuborg. The most respected liquor is Arak. This is clear, aniseed flavor, which is usually served in 0.3l glass, mixed with water and ice. Drink with grapefruit juice. Store it in ice-cold.
There are also a lot of local large and small vineyards in Israel, many of them very high quality. Most of the common soda-livers and many of their local “sister-brooms”, which are not very tasty, are available in soft drinks. Local beverages include: Tropit – inexpensive fruit flavors – usually grapefruit – a drink. It is sold packed with straw. Coconut Milk – Different brands are available and Prigat – Fruit juice.
NordenBladet — The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Anders Samuelsen, has approved a new five year Neighbourhood Programme for Ukraine and Georgia. The Neighbourhood Programme supports Denmark’s foreign policy priority of a peaceful and stable Europe. The programme will focus on key areas of the countries’ reform processes, including in particular democracy, human rights and sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Ukraine and Georgia are facing serious challenges, including from the territorial threat from Russia. Both countries are committed to increased European integration and are undergoing ambitious and difficult reform processes.
Anders Samuelsen says:”It is in the interest of Denmark and Europe that Ukraine and Georgia continue the European course that they have chosen. It is essentially about stability and security in Europe. The countries’ comprehensive reform programs are a precondition for the development of modern and well-functioning societies. They represent the best possible answer to the aggression from Russia – and are essential for the wish to continue on the path of European integration. For this reason, it is important that we continue to support their reform agendas. The Danish assistance will facilitate important steps in the right direction. This is why I have approved a new Neighbourhood programme amounting to DKK 860 million.”
The new Neighbourhood Programme builds on experiences and results from previous engagements in the region and contains a number of areas with specific Danish strengths and capabilities. This includes for instance the energy sector, where the Danish Energy Agency will engage in a government-to-government cooperation with Ukraine. It also includes the fight against corruption where Denmark will work to strengthen the capacity in Ukrainian institutions to prevent and combat corruption.
Ukraine and Georgia have entered into deep and comprehensive free trade agreements with the EU that hold substantial potential for the countries’ private sectors but also necessitate difficult transitions. The Danish programme offers technical assistance and support to small and medium sized companies to enable them to live up to applied requirements and thus fully benefit from the trade agreements with the EU.
The Neighbourhood programme also includes support to both Ukrainian and Georgian civil society organisations, which play an essential role in keeping the governments on the reform track and in securing transparency and accountability.
NordenBladet – Israel is the intersection of many cultures, religions and people. Israel is a holy land where every stone has its own story … In my travel blog today, I invite you to the roots of cultural history. I write about the Kumran (Qumran) caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found – being the oldest known Bible texts and also I write about the famous Dead Sea.
Qumran is situated half a mile from the northwestern end of the Dead Sea, and this settlement was created between 134 and 104 b.c.e. during the reign of John Hyrcanus. It is believed that caves were used to hide in the event of danger. During the 1947-1950 archeological excavations, there were discovered 900 Dead Sea Scrolls that reflect the secrets of life and beliefs of religious sect as well as an overview of the Jewish society in Israel during the Second Temple period. Dead Sea Scrolls are the oldest known Bible texts.
It was interesting to see that already two thousand years ago, the caves were dug into the rocks, there was a dwelling, a common dining room and washrooms with a bathtub cascade – the possibility of the mikvah (i.e., women’s ritual cleansing bath). Historians think this place was home to Jewish religious sect – the essenides. In the east of the settlement, a cemetery was discovered, where the remains of the males were mainly found. The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in eleven caves believed to have been in libraries, since traces of shelving systems were found there. The Scrolls were most likely to be hidden in the caves during the first Jewish-Roman war (66-73 BC). Shrouds and historic coins have also been found in settlements. When possible, I would definitely recommend visiting Qumran during your stay in Israel to get an idea of how people lived in the mountains 2000 years ago – the excitement is guaranteed!
The ride from Jerusalem to Qumran runs along the Dead Sea pier – on the left is a salty lake 50 kilometers long. On the right is the hills and oaks of Judea. The Dead Sea is about 408 m below sea level. The lake’s salt content is 25% (the world’s highest salt content water body). Ancient people called it the Sea of Salt. Local people call it that up to this day.
There is practically no rainfall there: the rainfall is 50 mm per year, and there is really hot- the temperature is 32 °and 39° C throughout the year. We walked along the Dead Sea shore and touched the water. Water leaves an oily touch, because it is so salty (34g of salt per liter of water). Therefore, it is not possible to swim in the Dead Sea; one can only hover in the water.
The Dead Sea is one of the most widely advertised health settlements in the world, with its medicinal properties known already for two thousand years. This is one of the first health resorts in the world, a place mentioned even in the Holy Scriptures. The saltiness of ordinary seawater is about 3%, while in the Dead Sea it is about 27%. Magnesium, potassium, calcium chloride and various bromides rejuvenate the skin, improve the functioning of the nervous system, accelerate blood circulation, strengthen bones and nails, and relax the muscles, while giving strength to the body and improving the immune system.
A number of kibbutzim are located in some oases of the Dead Sea. These are cooperatives in which people engage in agricultural production and live on the sale of these products. According to data from 2010, 270 kibbutzim made up 40% of Israeli agricultural output. Historically, kibbutzim have also been involved in national defense tasks.
NordenBladet – The Northeners love to select as their travel destination the places where you can find palm trees, swimming pools, market places crammed with goods, restaurants catering delicious local dishes, and warm weather.
Therefore Morocco is exactly the place where people wish to go on holiday and on mission. The sun is guaranteed and the temperatures are delightful. It is wortwhile visiting Marrakech Morocco around the year, although spring and autumn are the town’s best seasons. Midsummer might turn out a little too hot (around 38 degrees Celsius), and often during Ramadan in August the stores and restaurants will be closed.
Marrakech charms with its exotic and versatile atmosphere, defined by the peaceful coexistence of various cultures and eras. In Marrakech the cultures of the Orient and the Occident, the Middle Ages and the Digital Era meet. NordenBladet points out 5 sightseeings that are worth visiting while in Marrakech.
1. Jemaa El Fna (Jemaa el-Fnaa, Djema el-Fna, Djemaa el-Fnaa), also known as Storytellers Square
This is probably the best known locations in Marrakech old town (medina). It is an extensive market ground and the center of the town’s various enterprises. On the crowded square of Jemaa El Fna one can meet both professional and amateur musicians, acrobats, blackmagicians, storytellers, fortune-tellers, animal tamers and others kinds of entertainers. The place is also known as the Square of the Dead or the Square of the Hanged, since as late as 1912 the criminals were still publicly punished there. Marrakech old town is listed as UNESCO world heritage. Due to the town’s historic significance it is possible to observe plenty of fascinating historic architecture there. The town wall that was mainly built in the 12th century, is 19 km long. The wall is up to 5.8 m high and incorporates 20 gates and around 200 spires.
2. Marrakech Berber market (souk)
A separate sightseeing and why not also a place for beneficial purchase is Marrakech Berber market (souk) – the largest amongst its kind in Morocco. From this large market consisting of various smaller markets one can find vary varies products from Berber handicraft to modern electronics.
3. Bahia palace ( address: Medina Avenue Imam el Ghazali, Marrakech 40000, Morocco)
Bahia grand palace was built as home to the vizier Ba Ahmed Ben Moussa and his four wives in the beginning of the 20th century. It is a signpost to the greatness and wealth of Marrakech rulers. A visit to Bahia palace takes the guest back to the times of the vizier and his harem. The abundance of inner courtyards, gardens, the spaciousness and the numerous fountains make it possible for a large number of guest to visit the place simultaneously and the entire atmosphere is really worthwhile paying a visit.
4. Jardin Majorelle (address: Rue Yves Saint Laurent، Marrakesh 40090, Morocco)
The Botanical Gardens of Majorelle have a versatile collection of plants from five different continents and ot is open for tourists from 1947. The gardens are famous for the cacti collection, fountains and the more than ten endemic species of birds. The Majorelle Gardens, designed by the French artist Jacques Majorelle, are open to all interested visitors – the beautiful private property was the fruit of 40 years of the frenchman’s work. 18 years after his death the possessions were bought by Yves Saint Laurent ja Pierre Berge who restored the place. The ashes of the artist who passed away on 1 June 2008 have been cast there.
5. Koutoubia mosque (address: Medina Jamaa El Fenna, Marrakech 40000, Morocco)
Situated 200 meters from Jemaa El Fnaa, the Koutobia mosque is among the town’s most historic buildings (built back in the second half of the 12th century) and the 77m high minaret next to it is towering the town. The mosque is also known by the names Kutubiyya Mosque, Jami’ al-Kutubiyah, Kotoubia Mosque, Kutubiya Mosque and Kutubiyyin Mosque.
