Schwules Museum

On March 11th, a sunny Sunday afternoon, the participants in the course An Intellectual History of Feminist Thought went on an excursion to the Schwules Museum: Berlin’s unique museum depicting gay life. As it was made part of our yearly Berlin programme, other ECLA students were also given the opportunity to sign up and join Ryan

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Gerhard Richter Panorama

On March 1st, a group of ECLA students, faculty and staff made their way to the Neue Nationalgalerie amidst long queues of eager spectators, where an exhibit of works by famous German artist Gerhard Richter was being held. The visit was part of ECLA’s Berlin Programme where members of the college pay visits to the city’s

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Their Spirit Longed for War

In the late 19th century, when the German Empire had just been formed, a railway engineer excavated the city of Pergamon in what is modern-day Turkey. There he discovered an ancient sacrificial altar and took it with him to Berlin. Built to represent the Attalid dynasty’s power in the Second century BC, the temple symbolised

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The Brillo Box Of History

The beginning never ended. Here we stand now and from here we move on. History has shattered. I was brooding on this, when together with other ISU students, I went on a tour of the Berlin Museum of German History—a journey spanning over two thousand years of history, the living ashes of the Phoenix of

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Soak Up The Sun

I am about to make a bold claim—that for ECLA’s Italy trip, the experience is much sweeter in hindsight. Our professors warned us that the trip was no spring vacation, and rightly so. I believe I recited several litanies of complaints along the way to Florence and in the city itself: about the inhumane 3a.m.

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A Tourist In Florence

A tourist here, a tourist there, there are tourists everywhere. Before going to Florence, just like any other good tourist I researched in detail what the web had to offer about the Italian customs, you know, the little nifty tricks that could save one a euro or two. Some websites recommended having quick breakfasts, coffee

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Kulturforum Speaks

Shortly before the end of last term I investigated the three exhibits showing jointly at Kulturforum Berlin. Sadly, the show has just closed its doors, but for those who missed it, I’d like to guide you through the scopic metamorphosis I experienced from this compelling Austellung, because it left a truly extraordinary impression on me.

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