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Culture, art, faith, and popular tradition come together every year on July 2nd in the extraordinary setting of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Southern Italy. The Feast of the Madonna della Bruna, the Patroness of the city, is a centuries-old celebration that exemplifies both tangible and intangible heritage. Central to the event is the grand Triumphal Cart: an elaborate machine in papier-mâché that carries in procession the statue of the Madonna. Each year, this baroque work of art is newly created by lo...

As a probable consequence of some Thraco-Dacian population movements in the north of today's Italy (dating back to the time of the Roman Empire, starting with the 3rd-4th centuries), a Thracian-Dacian-Roman community was established in the Alpine-Padan area, evolving towards a Romanian nucleus by the 9th century. Later, at the latest in the 12th-13th centuries, the Romanian element here was assimilated, primarily by Italians, but also by Rhaeto-Romans, Slovenes, Croats, Austrians, however, documentary, onomastic a...

Land-art, as an art movement that started in the USA in the 1960s is also known as Earth art or environmental art. Is Land-art installation on golf courses more than just decoration of space? Is these Land-art returning to the ethos of protest? These questions are connected with purpose of this case study: A demonstration of how Land-art can be adapted for non-traditional spaces, such as golf courses. The methodological and practical issues surrounding the creation of new spaces for land art are demonstrated in th...

This paper offers a case study-based analysis of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) implemented in the museums located in the city of Brasov, Romania. Through direct, on-site observation conducted in several key cultural institutions within the city, the study examines the types of digital tools used in museum environments. The research focuses on how technologies such as interactive displays, digital kiosks, virtual tours, and mobile applications contribute to visitor accessibility, and educationa...

This paper presents an intersectional project where I, as an academic, connect transmission between a research project and my artistic pursuits—both as an academic and as an amateur artist. Over the past three years, I have been writing a book about the effects of maritime disasters on rural farming communities along Iceland’s Southeast Coast. Due to the lack of natural harbours an sandy coastline and lack of natural harbours, farmers relied on open rowboats for fishing under dangerous conditions, making these boa...

The rural landscape of Southern Italy is the result of centuries of interaction between natural resources and human practices. In the areas between Basilicata and Apulia, livestock farming was central from the Middle Ages until the early 20th century, shaping a territory organized around transhumance. This seasonal movement of herds across long distances required an articulated system of infrastructures, including tratturi (routes), masserie (farmhouses), and jazzi (sheepfolds). These elements formed a cultural an...

Byzantine music is today, in Romania, undergoing a profound process of rediscovery and revival, after approximately 130 years marked by political changes which, more often than not, exerted a negative influence upon the life of the Orthodox Church and its culture. This return to the psaltic chant of Byzantine tradition, in order to be fully embraced, requires a thorough understanding of the historical events and of the sinuous path which, on many occasions, endangered the very practice of this ecclesiastical music...

This article explores a significant cartographic achievement by John Amos Comenius, his map of Moravia that extends beyond the realm of education. Initially, the article will discuss the creator of the map, his life, sources of inspiration, educational contributions, and his significance for Moravia, where he was born, as well as the reasons for his exile. After that, we will focus on the significance of Comenius’s Map of Moravia. We will examine the historical background of the creation of the map in the 17th cen...

This paper aims to investigate borrowings among Latin-based L1 learners of English as a foreign language analyzing the interference of L1 and positive transfer of Italian and Spanish so as to provide significant empirical evidence which could contribute to SLA research and identify potential implications for L2 pedagogy. The focus of this investigation is to help move opinions on borrowings or L1 transfer from superficial to detailed and analytical insight into a specific group of EFL learners. The stimulus for th...

The paradox of places that are beautiful but have been the background of negative events and sorrowful tragedies have intrigued artists through the ages. The author wants to reflect on his experience as a professor working on a research project in Iceland using photography and filming with drones. The setting is the beautiful south-coast of Iceland where many tragic disasters have happened in the 17th to 19th centuries when seamen drowned in open boats rowing to fish. There are famous examples of this dialectic na...

The Icelandic art community is a small, interconnected group that often presents challenges for newcomers, especially those lacking formal training, established contacts, or family ties in the field. This paper adopts an autoethnographic approach to explore how an emerging artist in rural Iceland constructs her identity and develops her brand. Although the findings may not be broadly generalizable, they provide a detailed case study illustrating how an enthusiastic amateur artist shapes her identity. Storytelling ...

This study aims to trace the ideological transformation from the idea of reforms and autonomy for Armenia to the creation of an independent state, spanning approximately 40 years - from the internationalization of the Armenian Question in 1878 to the signing of the Treaty of Sèvres in 1920. The research was conducted through the study and analysis of scientific literature, archival materials, published documents, as well as the memoirs of contemporaries. The research materials were covered using the historical-com...

This paper presents the issue of ceramics created in Lubycza Królewska, Siedliska and Potylicz (ukr. Potelych), three towns located on the current Polish-Ukrainian borderland. It mainly discusses the history of the establishment and further fate of the manufactory in Lubycza Królewska, which is the most documented of those three places. It operated at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, and brought to life one of the most interesting examples of pottery in this part of the modern day Poland. This article show...

This paper investigates Argimpasa, the Scythian serpent goddess of fertility, divination, and chthonic power. Identified by Herodotus as the Scythian „Aphrodite Urania”, she represents a syncretic archetype integrating Scythian, Greek, and Near Eastern religious traditions. Unlike classical Aphrodite, Argimpasa appears as a telluric, half-woman, half-serpent being, embodying both generative and underworld forces. Her cult involved the enarees, mystical androgynous diviners whose ritualized afflictions were interpr...

The growing interest in ritual underscores the relevance of this study as a fundamental aspect of human existence in Kazakh culture, as well as its intricate relationship with the art of theatre. In this context, the unique features of ritual text reproduction through diverse artistic mediums are unveiled. These symbolic codes have effectively created a universal language system, reflecting the symbolic form of human behavior with a clear orientation: ritual – play – theatre. In this article, we aim to explore the...

The cave sanctuary of St. Michael of Tancia is a natural cave located at a strategic point along a major road between the Lombard dukedom of Spoleto and Rome. The sanctuary has been the subject of multidisciplinary research within the framework of the Italian FIRB Project (2012–17). This research included a 3D survey to create a comprehensive 3D representation of the cave and its surroundings. This methodology enabled the delineation of surfaces, including frescoed plaster and incised elements associated with the ...

Twentieth-century art remained under the influence of ancient cultures, with artists frequently reinterpreting classical myths and employing mythological motifs. For instance, James Joyce, in his novel Ulysses, presented a classical myth within a modern context. Artists also used figures such as Niobe and Icarus to express universal truths about the human condition. Polish artists – sculptor Igor Mitoraj and composer Krzysztof Baculewski – likewise drew inspiration from antiquity. Mitoraj’s sculptures, renowned fo...

The aim of this paper is to investigate whether educational apps that utilize Artificial Intelligence can help students with specific learning difficulties to facilitate English language learning. The interest for this research stems from our experiences in teaching English as foreign language in learning environments where students, particularly those with learning impairments, manifested several difficulties during the acquisition process, therefore we conducted this investigation in order to explore whether AI ...

This paper explores the duality between matter and energy, understood simultaneously as physical and imaterial, visible and invisible. These dimensions are examined conceptually and artistically through the intersection of art with chemistry, plant neurobiology and anthropology. Natural elements, such as minerals and plants are mobilized to stimulate a (re)awakening to the forces that have shaped, and continue to shape, our planet. Through them, natural and artificial phenomena including temperature, humidity, vis...

The study discusses how the national liberation struggle of the Balkan peoples contributed to the rise of the idea of autonomy for Western Armenia. The research is based on scientific studies, archival materials, and memoirs of contemporaries, which have been analyzed and illustrated using the historical-comparative method. The liberation struggle of the Balkan peoples and the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 gave Armenians hope that Western Armenia could be liberated from brutal ...

The aim of the paper is to consider the ‘modern motet style’ on the examples from contemporary Warsaw’s composers output. I explore the above features in connection with the vocal pieces by Warsaw’s 21st century composer Dariusz Przybylski. His sacral and religious music gained the renown around the world. The prestigious ensembles form Europe perform his music. Based on Polish contemporary vocal sacral music I distinguish the phenomena which I call ‘modern motet style’ (which is my own research proposal). The nam...

The aim of this paper is to conduct a psychological analysis on Franz Kafka (1883-1924), an eminent figure of the 20th century, known for his disturbing and dreamlike works. This study takes its place in the current landscape of Kafka studies, which often focus on philosophical or sociological interpretations, by proposing a novel psychological perspective on his creativity. The Bohemian writer’s creative and literary thinking will be analysed and the short story Absent-minded Window-gazing from Contemplation (191...

The study analyses the role of the Orthodox Church in raising public awareness and promoting community involvement in environmental issues in a global context marked by the ecological crisis. Methodology includes analyses of official Orthodox Church documents, interviews with religious leaders and case studies of local environmental projects. It examines the theological foundations of creation care and how these are concretised in educational, liturgical and social action. Initiatives such as reforestation, recycl...

The purpose of this article is to research to what extent teachers of English as role models could exert influence on the process through which Italian undergraduate students tend to attribute their success in learning English as a foreign language. The trigger for this investigation comes from articles of TESOL that we read when we were studying for the MA in Applied Linguistics in the UK. This study was conducted at the University of Malta and the data gathering process consists of a quantitative approach throug...

This paper explores the SORS (Survey of Reading Strategies) instrument, a tool developed by Mokhtari and Sheorey [5] to assess metacognitive awareness of reading strategies among learners of English as a second or foreign language. Adapted from the MARSI instrument, SORS categorizes strategies into three groups: global, problem-solving, and support strategies. The paper outlines the development and structure of SORS, emphasizing its role in helping educators evaluate students' strategic reading behaviors and get i...

Urban environments are at the forefront of climate change impacts, making airflow simulation a key tool for shaping resilient and sustainable cities. This research investigates the integration of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations into architectural and urban design workflows. The study aims to connect architectural and planning processes with CFD-based analysis of urban airflow. Simulating wind patterns, ventilation, and pollutant dispersion in dense urban environments provides valuable insights for a...

The study is a Christian theological analysis of environmental protection issues, emphasising the notion of the spirit of communion (???????a) and man's responsibility towards nature. Orthodox tradition has the capacity to propose its own approach to the relationship between man and the environment. Orthodox theology can contribute to the contemporary dialogue on sustainability and environmental protection by proposing an understanding of man's spiritual responsibility towards nature – God's gift – and how this re...

This paper examines the embodied dimension of gesture and movement in painting through an interdisciplinary dialogue between artistic practice and neuroaesthetics. It explores how brushstrokes, textures, and compositional rhythms convey the artist’s presence and elicit embodied and affective responses from viewers. While painting remains a static medium, its gestural qualities evoke sensations of motion and resonance within the observer’s body. Methodologically, the study adopts a qualitative and phenomenological ...

This paper investigates the potential of character design in digital games as a medium for the preservation and reinterpretation of cultural heritage, using Slavic mythology as a case study. Despite its rich symbolic meaning and narrative complexity, Slavic mythology remains underrepresented in the global video game industry. By engaging with mythological deities, heroes and supernatural creatures from Croatian traditions, this research demonstrates how digital art practices can revitalize neglected cultural narra...

This article examines the emergence and the failed implementation of the idea of Western Armenia’s independence in the aftermath of the Bolshevik Revolution. The study explores the political dynamics, internal and external factors, and the overlooked opportunities that could have shaped a different outcome for the Armenian cause in this critical period. While previous scholarly works have extensively addressed the reasons behind the failure of this initiative, they predominantly interpret the events through the le...

After an older documentation, which led to the sketching of electoral developments for (more than) seven centuries, we have delved deeper into the issue, at the level of local elections. Thus, starting from the medieval era – more precisely, from the 15th century – we have information, it is true, incomplete, regarding the designation of local leaders. Thus, based on both documents and statistical and fiscal records, we can cover this interval (more precisely, the 14th-18th centuries) with information regarding, o...

This article focuses on the analysis of situational and linguistic satire in Josef Škvorecký’s work The Life of Czech Society. Škvorecký, known for his sharp wit and critical perspective on Czech society, utilises satire as a tool to depict the absurdities and shortcomings of everyday life. The article examines how Škvorecký effectively combines situational humour and linguistic play to create incisive social commentary. Emphasis is placed on how characters and dialogues reflect and parody the Czech cultural menta...

Historical landscapes represent an intersection of cultural heritage, ecological value, and social identity. This study focuses on the proposed restoration of Kvitkuv Dvur, a historic manor farm and its adjacent gardens, located near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ceský Krumlov (South Bohemia, Czech Republic). Once an important productive area connected to the castle complex, the site is currently neglected and overgrown by invasive vegetation. The research objective was to design restoration strategies combini...

The article elaborates on a specific aspect of my PhD research by analysing the influence of metaphor on constructing meaning and communicating it in digital fashion criticism. The study employs Conceptual Metaphor Theory [1] and Multimodal Discourse Analysis [2] to systematically identify and interpret verbal and visual metaphors. The research methodology applies qualitative coding of relevant sequences of research corpus, Metaphor Identification Procedure (https://www.researchgate.net/ publication/ 42797372_MIP_...

In the context of the relationship between humans and space, sacred spaces offer a unique insight into the social and cultural history of a region. This study examines the sacralization of landscapes in Apulia, with a particular focus on the Hermitage of San Nicola, located on the Gargano promontory. The Hermitage is a notable case study of the intersection of natural elements, religious practices, and cultural identity. Through a combination of historical analysis, archival research, archaeological surveys and co...

Being interested in the idea of ascension, the focus of the present article is to shed light on the topic regarded from an interdisciplinary perspective: literature, arts, religion, mathematics. Therefore, the elements which are truly essential (from a subjective perspective) are: the ladder, the spiral, Fibonacci and the golden ratio. We have briefly touched upon the motif of the spiral in Dante’s Divina Comedia. Furthermore, we have also shed light on the same motif found in Matya Ghyka’s book The Geometry of Ar...

The rocky landscapes of central Sicily show a long-standing tradition of using carved spaces for funerary, residential, productive and religious purposes. This study presents the initial results of a multidisciplinary study of a key area in north-eastern central Sicily, where rock-cut habitats meet major historical routes. The research explores settlement dynamics, Byzantine and Greek influences, Italo-Greek monasticism, and Norman reorganization. It examines rock-cut churches and frontier landscapes, as well as t...

This paper investigates the role and evolution of Anglicisms in Romanian intelligence discourse, focusing on their linguistic adaptation and operational significance. The research is grounded in a lexicographic project initiated with the publication of a bilingual English–Romanian intelligence dictionary and currently expanded through the development of a second, annotated dictionary offering semantic, contextual, and functional explanations. These resources serve as both corpus and analytical framework for identi...

Our study analyses the representation of childhood in the works of art by Marc Chagall, Jean Dubuffet and Gian Carlo Riccardi, highlighting how, despite their different styles and approaches, all three artists used this theme for a profound iconographic and psychological exploration. This theme is present in the expressive research of numerous artists who have captured the immediacy, nostalgia and carefreeness of the world of childhood. The methodology is based on the principles of Art and Literature Psychology, w...

The purpose of the present article is to offer an in-depth analysis of the narrative techniques that Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt used in order to underline the deep transformations through which the main character, Oscar, a ten-year-old boy who suffers from leukemia, has to face on his journey towards his own death, also making comparisons with another literary work that has cancer as an essential element of the narrative composition: "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green. Moreover, we believe that a major part of this...

This paper examines how chaos and order interact across evolutionary and cellular biology and the visual arts, proposing that creativity in both natural and artistic systems emerges from their dynamic tension. It presents a collaborative project in which a robotic drawing machine and a human painter co-created artworks, representing structured and unpredictable processes respectively. By comparing biological mechanisms such as mutation and repair with compositional strategies in visual art, the study positions cha...

One of the oldest manifestations of the human being is singing. Along with the evolution of civilizations, musical instruments began to appear, having diversified and developed over time. From the earliest musical performance practices in various contexts and at different moments of the human life, to the grandiose concerts, recitals and opera performances in the world's most prestigious concert halls, using the most advanced instruments and techniques, the phenomenon of music performance has followed a complex pa...

This paper investigates the enarees, a group of Scythian diviners described by ancient authors as „effeminate” or androgynous men afflicted by a „female disease” sent by Aphrodite-Argimpasa. Drawing on Herodotus, Pseudo-Hippocrates, and other classical sources, as well as comparative evidence from Near Eastern and Indo-Iranian cults, the study examines the religious and symbolic significance of this phenomenon. Rather than a physiological condition, the enarees’ feminization is interpreted as a form of sacred tran...

The title of the following essay was inspired by the first English written monograph about the personality of Milan Kundera which has the same subtitle “A Voice from Central Europe”. ?1? Critical vision of Europe in the second half of the last century in Kundera’s novels and essays is generally known. Ivan Wernisch (born 1942) is internationally less famous than Kundera, because he did not emigrate after the Soviet invasion to Czechoslovakia in 1968, he published mostly in samizdat and began to be highly appreciat...

This study examines the theme of silence in the Hebrew canonical texts, understood as a rupture in communication between God and humanity, manifested both as divine silence and human inability to hear. Beginning with the Genesis narrative, the acquisition of the “knowledge of good and evil” triggers shame, fear, and exile from Paradise, marking the onset of God’s silence. The research critically analyzes key biblical passages highlighting this dialectic of unheard voices: the silent God and the suffering, unheard ...

The Bucharest Pinacotheque has become the foremost repository of Romanian artistic heritage, documenting national artistic developments from the mid-19th century to the present day. Alongside its extensive Romanian holdings, the institution also preserves a smaller but significant collection of European art, comprising over fifty works by foreign artists dating from the 17th to the early 20th century. The aim of this research is to analyze the European art collection donated by Ioan I. Movila, with particular atte...

The study analyzes television advertising discourse in Slovakia from the perspective of pragmalinguistics. The theoretical framework draws on and further advances previous research on advertising discourse. The advertisements are subjected to content analysis and narrative discourse analysis. The aim of these analyses is to reveal the occurrence and frequency of indirect nominations, which are strategically employed within advertising discourse. The advertising language plan includes functional collocations, which...

The reign of Alexandru Ioan Cuza (1859–1866) marked the onset of profound political, social, and ecclesiastical transformations within the Romanian Principalities, characterized by accelerated modernization and Westernization, as well as a deliberate transfer of power from Church to state. These measures will have a direct impact on Church culture, including musical culture. The early decades of the 20th century continued this process of Westernization in Romanian church music, amidst a gradual erosion of the oral...

The purpose of this study is to provide a deep and original view of the subject of the Great Spanish Navy and the men who surrounded it in the 18th century, stopping as a culmination at the Emancipation of the United States. The navies of France and Great Britain will also be involved in this. All of this in order to analyse, among other topics, the protonationalisation of Spain in the last third of the 18th century through the Navy or the mentality of the naval officers at that time. For the first part of the tex...

The aim of this study is to offer some psychological reflections on the work of Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, physician and renowned writer, one of the leading figures in European theatre at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Our work will, which draws on the Fusco method, focus in particular on the short story Fat and Thin, first published in 1883 and followed by a second version published in 1886, analysing how the themes of loneliness and alienation, recurrent throughout Chekhov’s work, reflect the human and s...