Showing posts with label Asia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Asia. Show all posts

August 22 - Russian Flag Day

   Posted on August 22, 2022     

This is an update of my post published on August 22, 2011:



Today Russians commemorate the 1991 hoisting of their new flag.

You probably already know that Russia used to be largest state in the communist nation called the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

Did you also know that Russia is the largest nation on Earth? It covers about one-eighth of all the land area in the world, which means that most of the other 195 other nations do not have their “fair share” of land!

Of course, Russia is only the 9th largest nation by population.


This map cuts off parts of Russia (in the north) - but you get
the idea. Russia's vast land houses fewer people than much-
much-much smaller Bangladesh!


Unlike the Soviet Union's red flag (seen above), which was almost entirely red, decorated with a yellow star, hammer, and sickle, Russia's flag features three broad stripes, one each of red, white and blue. Of course, these colors are associated with the U.S. flag, as well...but did you know that more than 30 countries have tri-color red-white-and-blue flags? Here are some of them:


This website has tons and tons of links you can use to learn about the Russian language and other aspects of this huge nation. 




I cannot talk about Russia without restating that its horrible leader, Vladimir Putin, has wrongfully invaded Ukraine and has killed many innocent people. Russia's government is guilty of crimes against humanity, and its military is guilty of war crimes. It must stop!




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July 27 - Lu Pan Day in Hong Kong

Posted on July 27, 2022     


This is an update of my post published on July 27, 2011:



Have you ever heard of Lu Pan, the Chinese Leonardo da Vinci?

He is said to have invented the drill, plane, shovel, saw, lock, and ladder. And his wife is credited with inventing the umbrella!

Today is the traditional birthday of this Taoist hero and inventor, who is said to have been born on this day in 507 B.C.E. Lu Pan was an architect and engineer and is considered the patron saint of carpenters.


These photos show traditional Chinese
(and Japanese and Korean)
carpentry tools.

Try your hand at carpentry!

Here are a few ideas. 
Here is a book that can help with lots more ideas. 




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July 25 - Yalong Cultural Festival in Tibet

   Posted on July 25, 2022     


This is an update of my post published on July 25, 2011:





National sports contests, singing, dancing, Tibetan opera, ethnic costume shows, and trade fairs are just some of the cool things offered during this important festival.


Tibet is located in the northern portion of the Himalaya Mountains. It is ruled by the People's Republic of China, but many people in Tibet and the world think that Tibet should be an independent nation. The Dalai Lama, leader of Tibetan Buddhism, lives in exile, and there is off-and-on political unrest and violence about Tibet's situation.



Here is a short You-Tube video about the growth of tourism in Tibet. Since the video was created in 2016, I checked to see how the global pandemic had changed the situation - and Tibet is booming with tourists, apparently, once again.

I also found an interesting music video by Tibetan singer Dowa Tskeyi. I found it cool partly because it shows a mixture of traditional and modern clothing and of urban and natural settings.



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