The Second World War began 85 years ago. And the “sitting war” in Alsace.
The war began on September 1, 1939 – in the East. Strasbourg was evacuated on the same day. 400,000 people had to leave Alsace and Lorraine. Ghost towns, cats and dogs were left behind. More here.
August 23: International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
Even before Europe’s colonial rulers divided up Africa, Africans hunted Africans and sold them to Muslim slave traders who exported them to the Arabian Peninsula or further. While the Europeans ruthlessly exploited their colonies, they also abolished human trafficking within Africa. More here.
August 9: 30th International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples
As part of the exhibition “Matriarchs of Wounded Knee – the strong Indigenous women” in Munich, a Zoom call with activist Marcella Gilbert and film director Elizabeth Castle (“Warrior Women”) will take place at 1pm EST via Link.
July 27: 30th anniversary of Kevin Carter’s death
His photo from Sudan went around the world in March 1993: a child, emaciated to the skeleton, crouches in the sand while a vulture lurks behind him. Kevin Carter received the Pulitzer Prize for this work. Two months later, the South African committed suicide in Johannesburg. More here.
An extraordinary music festival once again in Montana.
It’s that time of year again: from July 25 to 28, a cattle pasture in the Montana outback is transformed into the venue for the Red Ants Pants Music Festival. The venue, created by women’s pants manufacturer Sarah Calhoun, is THE event for music lovers – and fundraisers for women’s projects and community projects every year. More here.
75 years SERVAS International: an old idea stays young.
Founded in July 1949 by the US-American conscientious objector Bob Luitweiler, the network is dedicated to bringing together travelers and hosts from all over the world. Interpersonal encounters are to build understanding, tolerance and world peace. More here.
The Family Search Library in Salt Lake City
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, commonly known as Mormons, operates the Family Search Library in the US state of Utah: the world’s largest genealogical data collection. Visitors can search for their ancestors – free of charge. Genealogical research is also possible via home computer. More here.
Encounter with a group of Jewish “Reconstructionists”
Guest post by Volker Seitz on the occasion of the European Championship
The enthusiasm for soccer in Africa is almost limitless. There are even two championships on the continent: the Africa Cup and African Nations Championship. Only players who play in the national leagues of their home countries are eligible for the latter. More here.
27 years ago: death of singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley
On June 4, 1997, the body of Jeff Buckley was found on the banks of the Mississippi. Accident or suicide? He was 30 years old. Unforgotten: his version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”.