Busted Halo is a website for outreach to the younger generation, kinda wide mix. They have been running a lot of Jewish material like this. and here. The former Jewish article is a sweet one. There are three questions that struck my eye. The first is that whenever I am overseas in religious areas, I can buy Catholic head coverings as gifts like mantillas. What happened to head covering for Catholics in America? My wife actually wanted to know. If I was more of an entrepreneur, I would be importing hats from Italy and Spain. (I see the potential mark-up from the pottery cost there and the mark up in the NYC store Sur Le Table) Basically they just let the requirement for women to cover their hair fall into disuse but it may still be technically required. The second one is how do they explain do not make a graven image.Answer- Roman custom. The final question is on the source of Christmas. Jews have always wondered about its relation to Saturnalia. Well, here is the Catholic take on it. Yes, the date is arbitrary and connected to Springtime, Mitra, and Saturnalia.

Why do women no longer have to have their head covered while at mass? And why do some still do it?

There has long been a practice of women covering their heads in public, and especially in holy places, across religious traditions.  Paul makes note of it in 1 Cor 11:4-16.  Drawing upon this, as well as tradition and local custom, as in the Middle East, the 1917 Code of Canon Law originally required women to cover their heads in church (#1262).

Especially after Vatican II, the practice of wearing veils has largely faded away among Catholics in the West; non-Western Catholics and those who prefer a traditionalist or Tridentine observance of the faith here may still wear them more regularly.  Some say this veil was a casualty of feminist resistance as well as the decline of hats as part of fashion and social custom more generally.  But the 1983 Code of Canon Law omitted any ruling on veiling, perhaps as an accommodation to Vatican II’s attempts to modernize the Church. There is some dispute on whether this omission cancels out the 1917 canon on this matter.

Christianity emerged from Judaism, which itself rejected figurative religious art as being too much like idol worship (see Ex 20:3).  But once Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire under Constantine in the 4^th century CE, it was not long before Roman practices of portraying and honoring the divine (their gods and emperors) would make their way into Christian practices as well.

Although the saints are portrayed in statues, icons, paintings, and other media, they are not worshipped as God is.  Rather, we venerate the saints, meaning that we honor them, give them respect, and show them devotion for what they have accomplished in their lives of faith.  John Coleman, SJ sees saints as generally having five characteristics:
exemplary model
extraordinary teacher
worker of wonders or source of benevolent power
intercessor
possessor of a special, revelatory relation to the holy.
In short, they invite to see and relate to God anew. Asking saints to intercede for us is not idol worship because they themselves are not the object of worship.  We are asking for their help to make our case before God, just as you might have a friend advocate for you.

Third Question

How did December 25th get to be Christmas Day?

An exact date was attempted to be calculated for the Nativity of the Lord but it was deemed impossible (there was/is not enough information available to determine this).  So originally, March 25th the first day of spring was discussed as an appropriate day to celebrate the birth of Christ to coincide with the re-birth of the spring!   However, other scholars noted that this would be a better day to place Jesus’ conception, as we believe that God becomes incarnate at the moment he is in Mary’s womb.

Therefore, if we add 9 months to that date we get…December 25th!

Secondarily, many Romans were sun worshipers.   Many celebrated a kind of sun feast day on Dec. 25, while others note a virility god named Mithra with the same birthday.

Lastly, the Romans observed a debaucherous time of year called Saturnalia Dec. 17-23. Thus, Dec. 25 offered a date with a good theological basis that also would counter several pagan holidays.In 336, the Emperor Constantine officially named the “birth day of Christ” Dec. 25.

Lots of girls love fairies. And if you’re like me, then you probably believe they exist. I go through little obsessions with fairies at times, wanting to dress like them, or create gardens in the back yard. Just never have the time to do it though. But that doesnt mean You cant become a fairy. And you dont have to be a 7 year old to be a fairy either. In order for me to become a fairy, (without wearing a full costume and wings to my school or out of the house, which I’d like to do, but cant) I’ve come up with some ideas (for little kids, teens, and for whoever else) that wont take you too long to do, but will give you that fairy feel. Enjoy!

* Remember, three things that are essential to a fairy like essence is glitter, nature, and color.

# 1 – Costume – Ok, so the first thing you need is a costume!! So pick a color that looks good on you: blue, pink, green, orange, purple, etc. If you want, find ones that have flowers or leaves on them. Those are typically called “nymph” costumes, and you can find ones for each season. Most costume stores have wings. Claire’s store in the mall has some smaller ones, but just as cute. If you decide to make your own costume find patterns at a craft store, or Wal-Mart, and then buy the fabric. Usually the fabric you’ll use can be velvet, tulle, sheer, iridescent, etc. You can probably find used dresses and skirts at thrift shops which can be altered and decorated to your liking. For wings, there are many easy directions for making wings, such as these: Wings 1, Wings 2 .  To make a fairy skirt, you can simply take ribbon or an elastic band (the size of your waist or hips, depending on where you wear it), and then take pieces of tulle or mesh fabric (the length depends on how tall you are), and tie them to the ribbon or elastic. Do enough of it so that when you wear it, its not see-through. (But please do wear shorts underneath, we cant take any chances.) With the ribbon you can simply tie it, with the elastic you’ll need a way to fasten the back, either with velcro, or a snap button. You could make large petals out of felt or fabric and attach them before, or after, you tie the tulle. Whatever works for you. As for a top, you can create one if you’re good at sewing, or find a renaissance style shirt (which can be dyed if need be), or a top thats airy and isnt too heavy. Wands can be bought, or made. You can make wands using wooden dowels with foam stars, styrofoam balls covered in fake flowers, with ribbon, and whatever else you can find. Use your imagination! If you want a “crown”, thats simple! Take a headband and glue a fake butterfly, and/or some fake flowers to it. Or, take a few hairpins, or bobby pins, and glue it to that. Put them throughout your hair. Pretty! (Find a few more fairy crafts here.)

# 2 – Make-up - Glitter!!! Glitter!!!!! Glitter!!! I cant say it enough. Glitter makeup of any kind will work. Plus lots of bright colors (unless you want to be a dark fairy, then go with purples and blacks) Paint your nails, use blush and eyeshadow, face paint, etc! Whatever you want, will work just fine. (Make some glitter gel with the recipe here.)

#3- Your Environment - Well you cant be a real fairy, if you’re not anywhere near where a fairy should be. Woods, streams, and a backyard full of flowers and hiding places will do. Or you can create your own fairy garden (which I will tell you how in an upcoming post). You cant fly, but you can sure as heck feel mystical and magical. And in your costume, (and in your mind) you can feel a part of something you never knew before. When you believe you are a fairy, and you sit outside and you create your own magical world, you’ll know when you feel something strange. Its that chill up your spine. That feeling that something is watching you. And the tiny hints of laughter, that dance among the wind. Only then, can you truly be in a fairy environment.

#4- Fairy Perfume – Part of being a fairy is having your own fairy smell. Now sure, you can buy any ‘ole perfume (and I recommend Fairy Dust by Paris Hilton), or you can make your own. You can buy a perfume kit, which include different smells that you can mix and match to create one as unique as you are. You can also buy natural oils, which come in most health food stores, and add them to some water, in a spray bottle. Add a little fine glitter in it for some sparkle. Most fairy smells include flowers, fruits, chocolate, rain, cotton, etc. Depending on the type of fairy you are, create a perfume to match. 

#5- Picking your Talent – You’ll notice that the fairies in the Disney series, all have talents. Animal, Water, Garden, Earth, etc. Whats yours? To determine this you need to pick one that you love most. Do you love animals? Then you have an animal talent. Do you love flowers? Then you have garden talent. Knowing your talent will help you determine the smell of your perfume, the color and accents on your costume, and in your make-up, and how to set up your garden. Take a quiz to find your fairy talent. Or read what the talents are here.

#6 – Using Your Talents – Now that you found your talent use your talent. Help animals, clean water, tend to gardens, etc. In an upcoming post I will explain how you can use your talents to create a fairy garden. The fairy garden will have elements of all the talents.

#7 – Decorating – If you plan on creating a fairy like aura in your home or room, or even your backyard, you’ll need a few tips. Fairy yard art, and statues will bring a little fairy magic to your home. You can also find fairy doors and windows for your trees, or fairy homes, also try fairy homes 2, and fairy homes 3. (I’ll tell you more about the fairy homes in the next post) Now if you’ve got a lot of money, and you want to spend a lot of money, there are three things you can buy to deck out your backyard. There’s the toadstool chair and table set, the giant butterfly yard art, and the fairy castle.

#8 – Fairy Dust – Now what would a fairy be without her fairy dust? Just as unique as your perfume is, your fairy dust is too. Now, sure you can buy some glitter at the craft store, but you’ll want to add things to it, to make it magical. Make sure the glitter is fine, as fine can be. Chunky glitter is a fairy no-no. Pick a color of your choosing (similar to the colors you picked out before, and your fairy talent). Add a few drops of your natural oils (same as perfume, for the most part). You can also add in some dried flowers crumbled up (crumble them nicely please!) for an added touch. Shake it up good. Put your fairy dust in a cute necklace container, or in a jar (which you can decorate) or wherever you want. Use it for decoration, for fairy trails, etc.

#9 - Signatures! – You can come up with a fairy signature. Not a writing signature though, a physical one. For instance, if your fairy talent is garden, then your signature can be little dried pansy flowers. Or if your talent is water, you can do little pearls. You get it? Something small to represent your talent, and you. You can use your signature when you create things, including your fairy homes, and in your garden.

#10 – Names! – Oh my! What would a fairy be without a name???! Now you can create a name based upon your talents too, or colors, surroundings and what not, or you can use the fairy name generator. Please note that if you do not like your fairy name, you cant start over because its going to give you the same name again! But you might get an idea using it.

Now you know a little bit about what it takes to be a fairy. Of course what I’ve told is only a little bit about what there is to know. Do some research on fairies, and on your talents. Find out where they live and hide, and more! If you still need help, use these fairy books to get you going:

How to Find Flower Fairies

Fairy Houses…Everywhere!

Fairyopolis: A Flower Fairy Journal

The Great Encyclopedia of Faeries

Fairy Crafts

The Secret World of Pixie Hollow

The Hidden World of Fairies

Graces at Maymont

When it snows (at least in the South), it makes almost any photo look special. Even a bland scene can turn into artwork after a good snow storm. 

Graces at Maymont, with the Dooley Mansion at left

One of my favorite places to visit in Richmond is Maymont. If you’ve been there, you know the landscape itself is artwork. The big snowstorm this past weekend in Richmond left a white blanket of photographic enhancement.   

The ‘Graces’ statue at the Dooley Mansion is a reminder of the Victorian Age, and looks even more lovely in an icy blue tone.

Here is the information from my “Statues & Monuments” page, from researcher Kathy Albers:  

“GRACES” [see slideshow]   

'Graces' statue at Maymont

LOCATION: Maymont Park, just south of the Dooley Mansion Porte cochere.  

ARTIST: Antonio Canova.  

DEDICATION: Late 1800’s.  

DESCRIPTION: Three marble females standing figures approximately 5 1/2 foot high on an 2 foot high marble base. The three graces, Splendor, Mirth, and Good Cheer are carved in the Roman tradition intertwined with garlands, ribbons and drapery.

While I’m mentioning it, Maymont is known for its holiday decoration and a tour of the inside of the Dooley Mansion in its Victorian splendor is a unique treat. Or, take an evening carriage ride!

When I was studying at IPA (Instituto Pan-Americano) during 1962-1965, the major TV stations in Panama would broadcast the Sunday mass from the Church of Cristo Redentor on top of one of the many hills of San Miguelito.  I remember that nearby, there was an imposing metal statue of Jesus with his arms extended as if to embrace the world.  I would say, it closely resembles the gigantic statue of el Cristo Redentor del Corcovado of Río de Janeiro in Brazil.

After several years, the TV broadcasts were made from other modern locations of Panama City, and the iconic statue lost its charm and faded into oblivion.  No body spoke, or even remembered, that this structure existed in San Miguelito, specially the young generations of Panamanians.

On Sunday, December 13, 2009, my wife and I decided to find the whereabouts of this forgotten statue of San Miguelito.  I could hardly remember where it was located, so I had to depend on my wife’s memory.  She was right on the dot, and in less than 15 minutes, we were parking our car in front of the Iglesia de Cristo Redentor in San Miguelito.  Once there, we asked a person there, where we could find the statue.  He looked worried, and said, “If I were you, I would not go there.  It’s not a safe place.  Many persons have been mugged in this insecure place, and others have been killed.”  “Please stay away from this place, it is considered una ‘zona roja’” (red zone, meaning a extremely dangerous place).

We followed his advice.  While we approached the area from a respectable distance, a spokesman of the church whose name is Absalom, approached us and said he would accompany us to the safest place to view the statue.  At approximately 200 feet away from a hill, infested with weeds, we saw the figure of Jesus Christ with his arms extended.  Only he was looking in the opposite direction.  I could only see his back.

Absalom explained that the area had been taken by local gangs and drug dealers.  Even the  wide walls of the church were painted with graffiti, representing the territorial claims of the gangs.   Nobody dared to climb the hill to enjoy the view or visit the statue.  Jesus was there, alone, ostracized by crime and drugs.  We felt very sad of this situation.  Absalom noticed our  sorrow and gave us a small sermon about the absence of God in modern societies.

He said, the origin of violence, drugs, hatred, wars, gangs, and other social evils; originated by the vacuum of spiritual beliefs  by the people.  They have been hypnotized by the glare of consumerism.  Greed was the energy propelling societies around the world.  Family values have been forgotten.  Father and mother have been displaced by grandfathers and grandmothers, and by local gangs.  This was the new family of the XXIst century.  The nuclear family of the Industrial Revolution has been crushed by new institutions created by capitalism with a barbarian face.  In Spanish it’s called, “capitalismo salvaje.”

After listening to Absalom’s words of widsom for about half an hour, we prayed together holding hands.  Then we departed homewards.  Before leaving, I aventured taking a couple of photographs of the distant statue using my camera’s zoom feature.  That was the best I could do, considering the aforementioned unfavorable circumstances.  Here we go.

Photograph of the Cristo Redentor de San Miguelito lost in the middle of a vacant park, filled with tall grass and weeds. He could hardly hardly be seen. (Credit: ©Omar Upegui R.)

A distant picture of the Jesus Christ of San Miguelito taken from the premises of the church under the hill. The statue is a diminute dot in the middle of a lush tropical vegetation. He looks so lonely there without his followers. He has been currently kidnapped by crime and drugs. (Credit: ©Omar Upegui R.)

When we got home, we prayed together for our country, for our families and for our marriage.  We were certain that without God in our lives, we were headed for chaos.  Now that the Christmas Season is coming, we need God in the middle of the festivities.  Christmas is not about Christmas trees, presents, lights, toy soldiers, spirits, parties, or Santa Claus.  Christmas is about the birth of baby Jesus Christ in a humble manger who came to teach us the value of Love.  Good Day.

I feel very fond of statues today. They only talk if you care to listen.

No statue bothered me without my prior approval.

the roadside beauty

Although a lot of things impressed me during my ultra short vacation on the island of Bali, but a fortnight later, the place that leaves strongest impression is Ubud. Located at the foothills, amidst valleys and rice paddies, Ubud is a little town, which is unofficially the cultural district of Bali. Wikipedia says that the population of this town is only 8000, but when I stepped into the town on a hot Sunday afternoon, it seemed bursting of people. Understandably, most of them were tourists just like me.

As we drove into the town on the narrow road, I could only see small cottages lining up on both sides, with a display of art pieces outside. The art ranged from intricate statues of unbelievable sizes and skill to vivacious paintings. Every now and then the lush green paddy fields would peep from in between those cottages. It was refreshing to see colorful flowers on the roadside – it’s a forgotten pleasure.

We started our Ubud tour with a walk in the Monkey Forest, which true to its name was full of monkeys and their statues. The thick green forest had a few temples that one needed to climb up or walk down to; we visited two of those. The first one was an ancient temple that is not used by the locals any more. Its architecture and elaborate designs of demons and Gods held us spellbound. But as we continued to walk, we grew more and more accustomed to complex designs on the walls, parapets , and most importantly on the doors.

the ancient temple

There were also comparatively new statues to be seen around the temple. Some, like the one seen here, were actually work in progress. One can imagine that the government understands the need to continuously maintain the temple as it is one of the major tourist attractions in Bali.

the shiva-parvati statue

At the same time, one also notices that the actual temple appears to be in ruins without any repair work. Maybe they like to maintain the ancient look of the whole place. I found this particular demon head was very striking.

the demon head

As we walked down to a comparatively less frequented temple, we saw some more work in progress. Men were hard at work here creating really ancient looking new statues. Fascinating, is it not?

the construcion in progress

Around this point, I lost track of what was really ancient and what was created last year and began to enjoy the art for what it was worth. Right about then, we spotted the Indiana Jones’ caves. Well, this is just a name the husband and I gave to those caves because that is exactly what they looked like.

the Indian Jones' caves

The crocodile heads on the caves, complete with the green moss added to the mystical feel of the area. But soon as we stepped out of the Monkey Forest, we found ourselves surrounded my art and crafts shops with amazingly tricky designs. If you are a connoisseur of art, this is your heaven. We walked further into the town, and I spotted some very quaint lanes that lead one away from the market into the native houses. Just a peek, okay?

the lanes of Ubud

Next, we went to the Royal Palace of Ubud. The Royal family still inhabits it, so tourists are allowed only into a small part of it. The entrance is magnificent as usual, with a remarkable door that one cannot open.

door of the royal palace temple

We walked around the palace, looking at the various musical instruments at display and wondered into a quiet part. Soon as we spotted the gorgeously decorated porch, we went shutter happy. It must have been the sound of our fingers going click-click-click that brought out a very unhappy man who announced that we were in the private part of the palace. Seriously, we had no intention to be there, but somehow it had not occurred to the Royal Family to put up a sign somewhere. So, here is a stolen picture.

the royal palace temple

Once outside the palace, we continued to walk down the road and spotted this grand door, which is the main entrance to the private temple of the royalty. Speechless, yes?

the grand door

This door held us bewitched for many minutes; we stood on the street looking up at the door, sun in our eyes and traffic sounds deafening our eardrums. From there, we walked down to the other popular temple that the Lonely Planet had informed us about. And look what we spotted en route?

arjuna on the crossroads

A mammoth statue of Arjuna in the middle of the street. Located at a very busy crossroad, this statue is just one of many depicting some mythology or the other. Of course, being familiar with the subject of the statue made us appreciate it more.

the saraswati temple

Next stop, the Saraswati temple. The cobbled path leading to the temple is surrounded by lotuses on both the side. The temple holds certain events in the evening, but we were there at the wrong time. Nevertheless, we got to admire a few more architectural wonders and a couple of other gorgeous doors.

the Indian statues

Our last stop was the Goa Gajah temple, recommended to us by our driver. The temple was in a valley of sorts, and we had to walk downhill quite a bit. The temple is inside a cave, with the lingas of the Trinity. Outside the cave are the many destructed monuments reminding everyone of the numerous earthquakes that have hit the area. Seen in the picture above are three of the seven statues imported from India centuries back; only six stand now, one having been completely destroyed. We then walked down some more to see a couple of remains of the older structure and for a quick walk across the paddy fields. Bliss for the urban girl.

I left Ubud with these and many other beautiful memories and a tug in my heart asking me to come back. Maybe some day.

the battlefield of mahabharata

The last picture here is actually not taken in Ubud. This is a humongous statue (not completely visible here) very near to the Denpasar airport in Bali. It depicts the battlefield of Mahabharta and stands strikingly white against the green trees and the blue sky. All grand and compelling you to stay back.

Note: Most pictures (specifically the impressive ones) taken by my mild-mannered gamer.

This statue, seen recently in San Francisco, seems to depict a tired Christmas Shopper.

Statues from a restored palace in Berlin

These statues of prisoners from a restored palace in Berlin appear so lifelike. The expressions on their faces showing the agony of bondage.

…was the first man to prove that it was possible to sail through the Northeast Passage from Europe to Asia on the icy waters north of mainland Russia. Global warming could mean that the route discovered in 1879 becomes more usable in the future.

Today the Finnish explorers name is still heard very often in Helsinki as the capital’s top ice hockey team HIFK plays its games on an arena that is commonly called “Nordenkjöld street ice hall.” (There is also another team in Helsinki for those who find Nordenskjöld too difficult to pronounce)

Read more from wikipedia

• Adolf Erik Nordenskjöld
• Northeast Passage

Earlier photos of Nordensköld street ice hall

• Exterior
• HIFK poster

Later …

Eventually …

Photo #120:  One of many statues and fountains on Texas Tech Campus.   I usually see all kinds of wildlife in the area usually.  The day I went I didnt’ see much except all the students busy going to lunch and leaving class. 

Such an awesome PF. I definitely can’t wait for this one! Sideshow has posted their 360 view of this amazing piece. To check it out, click the link below the image!

http://www.sideshowtoy.com/mas_assets/mov_qtvr/300001-QTVR.mov

The Exclusive is only available on Wait List, but you can still order the regular version.

Matosinhos – Oporto following the Atlantic Ocean and Douro River (map)

Please check the path I followed in this post: HERE

Matosinhos

Fisherman along the coast - Matosinhos

Matosinhos is a city in the metropolitan area of Oporto. It’s located northwest of Oporto near the Atlantic Ocean. This location made the city a reference in fishing and sea transport industries but it is being converted into a tourism destination in the last years. It houses the biggest artificial port in Portugal: “Leixões” which was built in the end of the 19^th century and continuously improved until present day.

It is a regular destination for people from nearby Oporto city for jogging or biking along the coast line; for surfing; for drinks at the bars at the weekend; and because of the restaurants.

This connection between Matosinhos and the ocean lead to the creation of multiple restaurants serving fresh fish and seafood dishes.

Leaving "Matosinhos Sul" towards the beach

Leaving from “Matosinhos Sul” metro station and following the avenue towards West you’ll reach Matosinhos beach. During winter the sand is usually empty except for the surfers getting their daily fix from the sea (photos taken a few days ago… December). On the northern side of the beach there is a group of statues dedicated to the suffering of the wives and daughters who remain at land waiting for their men to return from the sea in times of storm.

“Praça da Cidade do Salvador”

Fisherman's roundabout

Also known as “Fisherman’s roundabout” has a giant hanging net in its center dedicated to the fisherman from Matosinhos. It is sometimes mistakenly referred to as “Anemone roundabout” because of the shape of the net.

Note: Photos taken 1st – 12th December, 2009

One of my favorite activities to do at the Hermitage museum was drawing/sketching.

Whenever I had time, I headed from Petrograskii Island over two bridges to reach the Hermitage , usually on foot.  It was one of my favorite walks, that I will have engraved in my head for a good while. Sadly I didn’t reach my goal of completing my Russian sketchbook with studies at the museum, but I think I managed to get some good drawings and studies.  I thought it was more meaningful to draw rather then photograph the artwork, I guess because it feels like I interact more with the art if I draw it.

And so I spent an hour or two drawing when I would go.  I was actually teaching someone how to draw but we had scheduling trouble and she never got back to me about it, but regardless, I found the time to draw because it is my passion.

Sometimes it was hard to focus; The museum is always full of tourists and overwhelming and too fast pace for me.  So many times I found I was not in the right mindset to begin drawing, so I had to warm up with sketches to turn my right-brain on.  I sometimes still could not flip the switch and get into the mood, it was as though my muse was gone.  But I think it was the overall experience of feeling overwhelmed in the streets of Russia.  It drained me at first, but toward the end of the trip I managed to overcome that.

I am rambling on.  But for now enjoy these drawings of mine ( they are photos, not scanned unfortunately. I was also lazy and didn’t want to change the copyright.)

A while back I bought this lovely handmade book. It has the look of an old book with handmade paper pages. The cover had me immediately think of ink sketches, particularly olf etch-like drawings…statues, architecture…all things I love to sketch. I’ve started doing some statues in it…the paper isn’t very forgiving and not ideal for sketching and it doesn’t take watercolour at all, but maybe it only adds to the “ancient” look that I’m after. In any case this book is not about art, but about a look – I am looking forward to see it one day when it is done, filled with ink drawings, thick and used! by then, it might be REALLY old…

I use only ink and a pen with nibs and afterwards I wash gently with a little ink and water to just add a shadow and a stain here and there. The book is 11.5 x 17cm and I found it at Les milles feuilles in Paris.

…an old touch…

…statue 1-St sulpice…

…statue 2-…

…statue 3- chateau de vincennes…

…statue 4-chateau de vincennes…

Jason deCaires Taylor, a British sculptor has designed the largest underwater gallery to date.

The ancient-looking figures in the picture (see left) are only some of the 400 life-size statues that will be laid on the bed of the Mexican Caribbean, off Isla Mujeres.

Jason, 35 hopes to create an artificial reef that will eventually attract algae and develop the aesthetic quality of the figures further.  His highly commended sculpture park aims to explore the relationship between modern art and the environment.  There is a need to preserve and protect our natural environments and this is certainly what is being promoted by this internationally recognised gallery.

Part I/II. Parte I/II.

When photographing churches, it is quite natural to visit on local cemeteries. What is eye striking, are war memorials or as we call them: “Pro Patria” in English “For the Fatherland” statues. Some of them are great, some less great, because some villages are poor. This is quite understandable because total number of deaths was 90 000 and wounded nearly 200 000. This means that in many small villages there were after war nearly young children and old men. Women had to do same work than their decedent husbands and also their own work. But the war is not the only one thing were people died. In 1866–1868 we had great famine. During those years eight percent of total number of our population died. In numbers that is 115707 persons. Also in 1695—1697 we had bigger famine and then 150000 died. That number was about one third about the whole population.

Al fotografiar iglesias, es bastante natural visitar en cementerios locales. Lo que salta a la vista son monumentos a los caídos o como nosotros los llamamos: “Pro Patria” o en español “Por la Patria” estatuas. Algunos de ellos son espectaculares algunos no lo estan, porque algunos pueblos son pobres. Esto es bastante entendible porque el número de total de muertes fue 90 000 e hirió casi 200 000. Esto significa que en muchas pequeñas aldeas allí habían después de guerrea solamente niños y a ancianos casi jóvenes. Las mujeres tuvieron que hacer mismo trabajo que sus maridos difuntos y además sus propio trabajo. Pero la guerra no es el cosa único dónde fue personas muertas. En 1866–1868 tuvimos el gran hambre. Durante esos años ocho por ciento del número total de nuestra población moría. En los números eso hace 115707 personas. También en 1695—1697 tuvimos más gran hambre y entonces 150000 morían. Ese número estuvo acerca de la tercera parte acerca de la población entera.

En photographiant des églises, c’est tout à fait naturel pour visiter les cimetières locaux. Lequel frapper l’oeil sont des monuments aux morts ou comme nous les appelons : “Pro Patria” ou en français “Pour la patrie” statues. Certains d’elles sont grandes, quelques-unes moins grandes, parce que certains villages sont pauvres. Ceci est tout à fait compréhensible parce que le nombre total de morts était 90 000 et a blessé presque 200 000. Ceci signifie que dans beaucoup de villages petits il y avait après la guerre presque jeunes enfants et les vieil hommes. Les femmes ont dû faire le même travail que leurs défunts maris et de plus leur propre travail. Mais la guerre n’est pas le seul chose quand des gens mouraient. Dans 1866–1868 nous avons eu la grande famine. Pendant ces ans huit pourcent de nombre total de notre population mourait. Dans les nombres c’est 115707 personnes. Aussi dans 1695—1697 nous avons eu la plus grande famine et alors 150000 mouraient. Ce nombre était d’un tiers de la population entière.

Alahärmä

Alajärvi

Haapajärvi

Halikko

Heinola (rural municipality)

Huittinen

Hyrynsalmi

Ilmajoki

Isokyrö (new church)

Kalanti

Kangasala

Kangasniemi

Kankaanpää

Kannonkoski

Karttula

Kauhava

Kauvitsa

Kemi

Kemijärvi

Kokkola

Kortesjärvi

Kuortane

Kuortane (again))

Kuru

Kyyjärvi

Lapua

Lemi