Issue 666, 27 February 2017

exepose.com

EXEPOSÉ

What staff really think: survey results revealed

New VP slams “anti-Semitic” accusations Susannah Keogh & Rachel Ashenden Editor & News Editor

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EXCLUSIVE

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ATIONAL staff union UCU has reassured University employees that they will support actions to improve their wellbeing - after a recent survey revealed worrying low levels of staff satisfaction at Exeter.

3,306 staff members took part in last November’s Employee Engagement Survey, an annual run-down of staff satisfaction levels at Exeter. The University refused to grant Exeposé access to the document, but one academic who was concerned about what the survey revealed decided to share the results.

The University scored highly in many areas, with 93% of respondents saying they had “good working relationships” with colleagues, 88% believing their work made a difference, and 82% feeling they were “treated with respect.” Meanwhile 75% of respondents felt “proud to work at the University of Exeter.”

“We were a mid-ranking provincial university,” the academic - who wished to remain anonymous - told Exeposé. “The

senior management team have in effect worked a miracle in transforming us.”

“We’re now a top ten Russell Group university, and this has been achieved by essentially two things,” they said. “One, very directive top-down management, and two: staff who have just worked incredibly hard.” Noting: “The University has invested in that,” they added. “It really is an exciting place to work.”

However, not all of the findings were so positive. “At the moment, what I think academics feel most strongly is that their voices are being excluded from decision-making processes,” the academic said. “There is a strong sense that this is actually incompatible with the status of the University as a high-achieving institution.”

This sense of exclusion is nothing new: back in 2012, a group led by Exeter Professor Nicky Britten conducted an investigation into staff dissatisfaction at the University, after a survey found 36% of employees feeling unduly stressed and 60% unable to voice opinions.

The resulting Britten report - which received national attention - criticised the University’s top-down management style. Major decisions were “made by a small group of people behind closed...

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COMMENT Students against racism, anti-Semitism and facism

PAGEs 3 & 7

Photo: Wang Yong Yan

• 14% of staff think Uni has managed change well • 1 in 5 think VC’s advisors listen to their views • Just 31% think any action will be taken

Hannah Butler & Susannah Keogh Editors

Photo: Wang Yong Yan

E E FR ISSUE 666 27 FEB 2017

Shades is Guild Pres FULL SABBATICAL ELECTIONS ROUND-UP ON PAGE 5

HE election of Malaka Shwaik to three roles in the recent Students’ Guild elections has caused controversy, with the postgraduate student accused of anti-Semitism.

However, the student insists she “will fight against all forms of racism, including antisemitism.”

Shwaik, a 26-year-old Palestinian refugee from Shijaia, Eastern Gaza, was elected as VP Research Postgraduate uncontested, NUS delegate, and a Students’ Guild Trustee. Since her election, numerous social media posts by Shwaik have been uncovered, which can be classified as anti-Semitic.

Back in 2013, Shwaik allegedly tweeted that “Zionism ideology is no different than that of Hitler’s”, though she insists her Twitter account was hacked when a series of anti-Zionist tweets, some of which have been picked up other media outlets, appeared on her account.

In 2014, she also tweeted: “When #Palestine was declared as a Jewish land, countries start planning to send their Jews citizens there #ConfrontingIsraeliApartheid”.

More recently, in 2017, on the Holocaust Memorial Day, she tweeted: “the shadow of the Holocaust continues to fall over us from the continuous Israeli occupation of Palestine to the election of Trump.”

A spokesman for Campaign Against Antisemitism told Exeposé.: “It is clear that Malaka Shwaikh has breached the...

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL

From #We Are All Exeter to studying abroad, we celebrate the wonders of a multicultural outlook

Photo

EXEPOSÉ

Devonshire House, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4PZ

Editors Print: Jeremy Brown, Hannah Butler, Susannah Keogh & Ben Londesbrough Online: Theodore Stone & Jessica Stanier News Editors Print: Rachel Ashenden & Natasa Christofidou Online: Georgia Roberts & David Smeeton news@exepose.com Comment Editors Print: Bea Fones & Matthew Newman Online: Olivia Horncastle & Rowan Keith comment@exepose.com Features Editors Print: Georgina Bolam & Katie Jenkins Online: Samuel Fawcett & Kate Jones features@exepose.com Lifestyle Editors Print: Jade Beard & Laurel Bibby Online: Alma Crespo & Lucy Ronan lifestyle@exepose.com Arts + Lit Editors Print: Emma Bessent & Tash Ebbutt Online: Anna Blackburn & Izzy Hilliard artsandlit@exepose.com Music Editors Print: Rory Marcham & Helen Payne Online: Sam Norris & Harry Williams music@exepose.com Screen Editors Print: Mark Allison & Zak Mahinfar Online: Cormac Dreelan & James Hands screen@exepose.com Games + Tech Editors Print: Jabez Sherrington & Sam Woolf Online: Ben Assirati & James Freeth games@exepose.com Science Editors Print: Victoria Bos & Beth Honey Online: Rebecca Broad & Marti Marks sciandtech@exepose.com Sport Editors Print: Owain Evans & Lara Hopkins Online: James Angove & Ollie Lund sport@exepose.com Photographers Sachi Minami & Wang Yong Yan photography@exepose.com Copy Editors Amy Batley, Jack Morgan Jones & Ashton Wenborn Proofers Maddy Parker, George Pope, Rosie Shepard, Sakshi Raizzada, Elly Angeloua, Evan Jones, Lauren Geall, Molly Gilroy, Emily Garbutt, Alex Brammer, Matthew Phillips, Megan Davies, Natalie Keffler.

@ exepose facebook.com/exepose issuu.com/exepose Advertising Ross Trant R.Trant@exeter.ac.uk (01392) 722607 The opinions expressed in Exeposé are not necessarily those of the Exeposé Editors nor the University of Exeter Students’ Guild.

While every care is taken to ensure that the information in this publication is correct and accurate, the Publisher can accept no liability for any consequential loss or damage, however caused, arising as a result of using the information printed.

The Publisher cannot accept liability for any loss or damage to artwork or material submitted. The contents of this, unless stated otherwise, are copyright of the Publisher. Reproduction in any form requires the prior consent of the Publisher.

NEWS

Editorial.

Exeposé hidden on University Open Day

All around the world...

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E'RE going on a little trip this week.... international style, around the globe. Exeter has a really vibrant and diverse community made up of students from all around the world, and this issue celebrates different cultures and countries.

Our front page this week deals with staff satisfaction at the University. Although we normally focus on issues specifically about students, it's important to draw attention to issues of staff wellbeing. We were shocked when given a copy of the 2016 Employee Engagement Survey, which students normally can't access.

Meanwhile, following Exepose’s revelation about anti-Semitism on campus (which went national), Exeter has been hit by another anti-Semitism storm - this time over recently elected VP Research Postgraduate Malaka Shwaik. Shwaik has been accused of posting allegedly antiSemitic tweets, and the Union of Jewish Students says it is important that Exeter Guild take steps to ensure the safety and welfare of all Jewish students.

We’d also like to thank the University for removing the copies of Exeposé and hiding the newspaper bins on the recent University Open Day. A Uni spokesperson told us this was because they were concerned the sex issue would be inappropriate for underage children, and “nothing to do with any other stories in that issue.” Absolutely nothing, then to do with the front page exposing anti-

semitism and racist signs that the University knew about for almost a week before acting. So, a huge thank you to the University management for looking out for the welfare of all the underage children that come to University open days.

In the rest of the paper, it’s our international themed issue. In the spirit of #WeAreAllExeter all our sections, from Lifestyle to Games, include articles on everything from international fashion to music around the world. Meanwhile, Music check out Laura Marling’s new album at a student preview with the singer herself, and Arts + Lit take a trip to get the lowdown on books that have been lost in translation.

Screen discuss English language remakes of classic international films and television, from The Office to The Departed. Features take a more serious look at international politics (and for once, Trump is a no-show) with an article on the future of democracy in Australia, Austria and South Korea.

Over in Sport, the team take a look at some of the biggest shocks in sporting history and review the last Exeter 1's netball game of the season. ...and that's all from us! Next week, we'll be writing this editorial for the last time, as our new committee prepare to take over. If you're reading this and thinking "Hey, I could do this!" then it's not too late to run for a role on committee, whether that's Print or Online. Email editors@exepose.com for more info!

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COMMENT Womens' Varsity: it's about time!

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FEATURES The future of Democracy PAGES 10-11

SCIENCE Robotic bees scientific fact?

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WRITE FOR US!

Join all of our writers' groups on Facebook to be first to know about content calls and (free) press pas ses Then, just pitch your idea to the relevant section (emails in the left hand column)

send your comments to editors@exepose.com

Worldwide university news Student rioting at Delhi University

Anti-Semitic posters on campus in Canada

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ELHI University’s North Campus held witness to a number of violent clashes between two groups of students. Students from Ramjas College, who are supported by members of left organisations, called for a protest march against the University's Students Union and a disruption of a seminar titled ‘Cultures of Protest’.

The planned march never happened, however, as rioting between the two groups broke out in which at least 30 people were injured. Amongst those injured included a University professor and 10 policemen. Eight students were detained briefly, and according to Times of India, the ‘journalists covering Wednesday's clashes outside Ramjas College were slapped, punched and kicked by about a dozen policemen...’

N 13 February, a dozen of text-filled pages that questioned the Holocaust were found on windows and doors at the University of Calgary, the Calgary Herald reported. The posters expressed doubt that six million Jews were killed in the Nazi’s Second World War enocide. In a statement, the University said there’s no longer an investigation into these posters, as ‘security did investigate initially but nothing materialised.’

The posters on the campus asked ‘Did the ‘six million really die? and ‘truth does not fear investigation’.

The posters claimed to be authored by a group known as the Committee for Open Debate on the Holocaust, whose website contains literature denying Nazi extermination, although their name could have been fraudulently affixed.

Vice Chancellors earn Nephew of Kim Jong6x average uni staff pay un turns down Oxford

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new report by the Universities and College Union found that vice chancellors receive an average salary packet of six times more than their staff. Vice chancellor of the University of Bath, Dame Glynis Breakwell, was the highest paid University head in 2015-16, receiving £451,000. UCU’s general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “Those at the very top in our universities need to rein in the largesse that embarrasses the sector and the government needs to enforce proper scrutiny of their pay and perks.” “Telling staff that there is no money for pay rises while signing off golden goodbyes worth a quarter of a million pounds or handing out pay rises in excess of 10% to 24 university heads is quite outrageous.”

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IM Han-Sol, the nephew of North Korea's leader Kim Jongun, turned down a place at Oxford University after fears he would be assassinated. His decision to pull out from the university was reportedly made after his father was the victim of an assassination in Malaysia, who was poisoned at Kuala Lampur International Airport on 13 February 2017.

A Beijing source said: "North Korea depends heavily on Chinese aid and Kim Jong-un wouldn't dare kill his nephew on Chinese soil. In Britain, however, Han Sol would be at far greater risk."

Han Sol will not be able to join his girlfriend, who allegedly already studies at Oxford University.

Stories by Susannah Keogh and Ben Londesbrough, Editors, and Rachel Ashenden, News Editor

News

27 FEB 2017 | EXEPOSÉ

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Uni blocks Friends of Palestine event F

RIENDS of Palestine Society have had an event cancelled by the University over “safety and security issues”, despite gaining Guild approval for it to go ahead. Exeposé understands that the University has not previously exercised its power to ban a student-society event.

The society appealed the decision, yet this was rejected by University Provost, Professor Janice Kay. A letter issued by the Uni’s Registrar & Secretary, Mike ShoreNye, explained that the decision aimed to prevent the unlawful discrimination or harassment of staff and students, despite acknowledging the right to freedom of speech and legitimate protest.

Friends of Palestine had planned a street theatre piece outside the Forum, stimulating the experience of Palestinians crossing the checkpoint, with actors dressed as Israeli soldiers. They had hoped to raise awareness regarding their position on checkpoint human rights violations.

Full report online at exepose.com.

Jessica Stanier and Theodore Stone, Online Editors

£60m fundraiser launched

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HE University has launched its largest ever fundraising campaign.

“Making the Exceptional Happen” will aim to raise £60 million by the year 2021.

The project will support research and investment in six areas of interest: Health, Living Systems, Sustainability, Society and Culture, Tomorrow’s Leaders and Sport.

The flagship campaign is being spearheaded by Vice-Chancellor Sir Steve Smith who acknowledged that the University needed to do more to “achieve its long-term goals on a sustainable basis”.

Making the Exceptional Happen has already managed to raise £24.6 million over 40% of the target. The campaign website lists several ways donors’ money can be used, even clarifying the amounts required for certain commitments. This ‘wish list’ is extensive. The campaign website details things like £200,000 for refitting the M&D room or £81,000 to support a PhD student. To get a chair named after yourself costs £2 million!

The campaign marks a commitment to maintain the University’s place in the top 10 UK league tables through investment in research, sport and student facilities.

Its launch suggests the University has no plans to decelerate its rapid growth.

Benjamin Durston, Contributor

NEWS EDITORS:

Rachel Ashenden Natasa Christofidou

Staff feel “their voices are being excluded” CONTINUED FROM FRONT

...doors without consultation” it claimed. It reported “a pervasive culture of secrecy” at the University.

Similar themes emerged in this year’s results - especially when it came to the Vice Chancellor’s Executive Group (VCEG).

An advisory board for Exeter’s Vice Chancellor Sir Steve Smith, the VCEG meets weekly to advise Sir Steve. But while 57% of staff surveyed said the VCEG had “set out a clear vision for the future of our university,” just 34% felt the VCEG communicated effectively - and worryingly, only 20% thought the VCEG listened to employees’ views.

“We’ve got international expertise in so many areas at the University - so why would senior management not want to listen?” the anonymous academic asked.

“We’re the ones who teach students, we’re the ones who do the research. Why would senior management not want to listen to our direct experiences before driving through change?

The result suggests worryingly little has improved since 2012 - when the Britten report stated there was “an increasing perception among staff that the real power at the University of Exeter resides in the hands of an unusually small number of people, principally VCEG.” Only 31% of staff surveyed this year believed “meaningful change” would come of their response. Yet when contacted by Exeposé, Exeter UCU voiced hopes that this year’s survey would bring

about change.

UCU welcomed “the University’s commitment to engaging with staff about the results of the survey,” they said. “We believe that the Unions on campus need to be part of the process of interrogating the results and diagnosing the underlying issues, as well as helping to design and implement the initiatives,” a spokesperson told Exeposé. “We are ready to engage with the Senior Management and support their actions in working to improve the wellbeing and engagement of staff on campus.”

We’re the ones who teach students. Why would management not want to listen?

Anonymous academic A recurring issue in this year’s survey was lack of communication: when asked whether they thought that “on the whole, communication at the University is effective,” only 40% of respondents agreed – while just over a third actively disagreed. Meanwhile just 42% of staff surveyed thought their senior management team communicated effectively.

However, by far the worst-scoring area of this year’s survey was “Change.”

The University has undergone substantial and far-reaching change in recent years, following the push to enter in the Times Top 100 Global University Rankings. Part of this included the

controversial Professional Services Transformation, which led to a loss of more than 200 jobs in 2015 to make cuts of £25 million.

There’s a culture of stress distributed around the whole institution Anonymous academic Yet only 14% of staff surveyed felt that recent changes had been “managed well,” while just 15% thought these changes had positively impacted their work - and only a quarter said they could see the benefits of recent change.

The results echo the findings of the Britten report - in which one contributor said: “We seem to have lost our humanity somewhere along the road to top ten and Russell Group.”

Disappointment was also clear in other areas: only 44% of respondents felt they had enough resources to work effectively, while just 41% agreed that the University offers sufficient opportunities for career development. Meanwhile, just

46% felt their pay was fair.

A University spokesperson said the survey results were “currently being discussed, analysed and actioned by colleagues in a number of areas across the University.

“Making improvements in this way means that our colleagues, the very people who shared their views in this survey, are able to create and drive forward positive and lasting changes in their area and across the University as a whole,” they said.

UCU Regional Support Official, Philippa Davey, told Exeposé: “We are seeing increased workloads leading to stress and ill health across the Higher Education sector. Where we have been able to work constructively with management we have seen an increase in staff satisfaction. UCU will ensure staff views are heard and listened to, to ensure the University is one of choice for both staff and students.”

“Why do you think students are so stressed here?” the academic Exeposé spoke to added. “Because there’s a culture of stress. Stress is everywhere, it’s distributed around the whole institution and we’re feeling it as staff as well.”

É Extensive wellbeing guidance for Exeter employees is available at exeter.ac.uk/staff/wellbeing For staff experiencing discrimination, bullying or harassment, a team of Dignity and Respect Advisors is also on hand to provide a confidential and informal listening service.

Last term alone, these Advisors recorded 10 informal complaints of bullying and harassment by staff members.* *does not refer to formal complaints of harassment and bullying.

Students march against fascism on campus Suzanne Barrett Contributor

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N Monday 20 February, a March targeting Fascism took place on Streatham campus, followed by a discussion in the evening on ways to tackle the problem directly.

The march was organised in reaction to an earlier report being made about a swastika carved into a door in Birks Grange halls, the sign was only removed after an Exeposé contributor investigated and sent evidence to the University.

Similarly, a sign stating “Rights for Whites” had been discovered on campus as well as an anti-Semitic slogan being declared “the Holocaust was a good time” – during a social last term.

The march was led across campus, with hopes to encourage “a community which values justice, community, and hope”. Various individuals and students

made speeches about their personal experiences of anti-Semitism and the need to fight fascism on campus. One of the speakers claimed that the University has a persisting stereotype among the Jewish community as a place to “not send their children” to further their education.

I hope it got people talking about fascism, racism, and anti-Semitism

Beth Pitcher, a member of the University’s Feminist Society and organiser of the event, commented: “There were people sticking their heads out of windows all over Birks, so I really hope it got many people talking about fascism, racism, and anti-Semitism on campus. The speakers were really diverse and well versed and you can still listen to what they had to say on FemSocs livestream, the crowd was

enthusiastic and strong, and the media coverage has meant it’s made an even wider impact than we anticipated!”

Pitcher also told Exeposé that a statement would be released, “asking for better reporting systems, clearer consequences for racist behaviour and training for staff on how to deal with complaints and call out discrimination.”

Beth Pitcher, FemSoc

Another emphasis of these speeches was the solidarity of the Jewish and Muslim students on campus. This follows the controversy surrounding the election of Malaka Shwaik to three Guild positions. She has since been accused of anti-Semitism, and been subject to abuse online. At the event, Shwaik gave a speech about the abuse she has been receiving online, which she deems “islamaphobic”.

Photo: Sachi Minamii

NEWS

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Hannah Butler Editor

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HE Students’ Guild has said it was “disappointed” that the University removed copies of Exeposé from the Forum on a recent open day without informing the paper’s editors. The issue’s sex-themed content was “inappropriate” for children, the University claims. However, the Guild has told Exeposé it advised against removing the papers.

This year’s Exeposé Valentine’s Day special was published on Monday 13 February. The issue, featuring themed content along with a 12-page insert on the week’s Sabbatical Elections, ran with the headline: “Swastika found in Birks” – a story which soon received national Photo: Hannah Butler

attention and sparked an anti-fascism march on campus.

However, the University has said the removal of papers from the Forum during an open day the following Wednesday was “nothing to do with” this story.

“During the offer holders’ open day, held during the half- term holidays, there were many underage children – some of them related to potential students - in the Forum,” a spokesperson told Exeposé.

Organisers were “concerned that the adult themes in the special Valentine’s Day edition of Exeposé – entitled Sexpose in large pink print on the front page with a ‘Sexpose special’ about getting ‘down and dirty’ advertised on the cover - would be inappropriate for their age group,” they continued.

We’re disappointed the event organisers didn’t contact student editors Students’ Guild “The paper included a photograph of a topless girl, discussion about dildos, Tinder, lube, personal accounts of sexual encounters and other explicit sexual matters which were felt to be inappropriate for under-age children.”

They therefore decided to “make the newspaper less visible for a very short period of time,” they said.

Just before midday on 15 February, Exeposé members noticed the three bins

usually on display in the Forum had been made completely inaccessible.

One was found tucked behind the Student Ambassadors’ welcome desk, while the other two (pictured) were hidden between two noticeboards and underneath the Forum stairs.

Organisers decided to make the newspaper less visible University Spokesperson “Exeposé was still readily available around campus for both current and potential students,” the University argued.

“The University informed a staff member at the Students’ Guild that the Exeposé newspaper bins were to be moved throughout the offer holder open day,” a spokesperson said. “The Guild advised against this and explained that the newspaper bins in Guild space should not be moved or covered, due to important information within them.”

É Sexeposé over the years...

In 2016.... we conducted a survey into students’ sexual habits, and interviewed porn star Lance Hart In 2015... “dildos” and “butt plugs” featured in the list of “explicit content” we warned readers about on our sex issue cover This year... the Guild approved all our content as usual, but for the first time ever, Sexeposé disappeared from campus...

Sustainability events to hit campus this March Megan Davies Contributor

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HE Students’ Green Unit has planned two events focusing on students making a positive impact on the world before the end of term. Fairtrade Fortnight will run from 27 February to 10 March, followed by Go Green Week from 13 to 17 March.

The Green Unit is taking part in Fairtrade Fortnight to promote Fairtrade produce on campus. Fairtrade is a global model that provides a fair deal for farmers and supports and creates community development projects. Exeter has been a Fairtrade University for nearly 10 years (Fairtrade status was first awarded to Exeter in 2007), meaning that it is committed to stocking as many Fairtrade products as

possible in Guild and university shops and outlets. For example, all tea and coffee sold at Guild and university outlets is Fairtrade.

Additionally, they are committed to holding Fairtrade events and campaigns, such as Fairtrade Fortnight.

The Green Unit has planned promotions on Fairtrade produce, including on chocolate.

March 10 should be the biggest day of events, with the visit of Ghanaian cocoa farmers, as well as a Fairtrade fair, “a chocolatey surprise” and a raffle.

Go Green week will run from the 13 to the 17 of March and will be based on Streatham campus. It is organised by the Students’ Green Unit and the Guild Sustainability Council.

Go Green Week’s aims are to inform students about environmental issues, the

The newspaper bins in Guild space did remain on show – but the Guild was unable to prevent the University removing Exeposé from the Forum.

“We’re disappointed that the event organisers didn’t contact the student editors to inform them of this decision,” the spokesperson added.

The University is “committed to supporting independent student journalism,” a spokesperson added, “and recognises the hard work which goes into producing Exepose each fortnight, and the important role the newspaper has in keeping students informed about important issues.”

They failed to explain why no communication with editors had taken place prior to moving the papers. However, the University’s Marketing and Communications department later apologised for being “not able” to contact editors “to discuss the best course of action.”

Photo: Hannah Butler

Censored on campus: Exeposé removed during open day

Guild’s sustainability project, and to let student voices be heard.

“Now more than ever, it’s so important to know about the environmental issues that face us today. Go Green Week … presents us students with possible solutions to some of these challenges”, according to Luciana Edwards at the Students’ Green Unit.

The week will see activities including a nature walk around campus, a clothes swap in conjunction with Fashion Society, talks, documentaries, debates, and stalls in the Forum. Previous editions have seen activities organised in collaboration with societies such as Slow Food on Campus, Xpression FM, and Vegetarian Society.

Information about Go Green Week will soon appear on the Students’ Guild website and the SGU Facebook page.

Exeter celebrates its student volunteers Daphne Bulgar Contributor

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HIS month saw Exeter Student Volunteers organise a week-long event promoting and celebrating different opportunities for students to get involved. A national program that ESV takes part in every year, the week included one-off events and visits from different charities, alongside ESV’s regular projects.

This year’s activities included painting a mural for The Jelly Shop, a children’s charity shop, and renovating a garden at OrganicARTS farm which helps people with mental health issues. The events also target students who may not have been involved in volunteering before, and those who cannot commit on a regular basis.

Charities including Alzeimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends initiative, and the Maasai Youth Outreach Organisation were also

invited to talk to students on campus about their initiatives.

In the past, the society has also worked with FoodCycle, with volunteers cooking and hosting a meal in order to help tackle homelessness in Exeter.

‘The majority of our events have been fully booked and it has been great to see so many people get involved in volunteering’, a representative for ESV told Exeposé.

‘We hope that this week has encouraged students to try out more volunteering opportunities in the future, whether with ESV or other organisations’ they added. ESV also emphasised the importance of volunteering, remarking on how it has ‘amazing benefits for both volunteers and those they are helping and even small acts can make a difference to somone’s life.’

Almost all of the events this week have been fully booked. The details of future volunteering projects can be found on the Students’ Guild website.

NEWS

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Photo: Wang Yong-Yan

“I will represent all students equally,”says Malaka

CONTINUED FROM FRONT ...University of Exeter’s disciplinary code for staff and students. We understand that she both studies and teaches at the university. Additionally, she is a trustee of the Guild which places her under obligations incumbent upon all trustees of charities under British law. Furthermore, the university has obligations under the government’s Prevent counter-extremism strategy. And naturally Ms Shwaikh can

be held accountable for any crimes she has committed. We will be pursuing all of these avenues until we are satisfied that the university and the guild have dealt exhaustively with this matter and done all that is necessary to protect their students.”

However, the Campaign against Antisemitism is currently under a charity commission investigation following complaints such as a national petition ‘To get the charity commission to deregister the Zionist campaign against antiSemitism’, too.

There have been multiple articles about Shwaik, including one by an Exeter student for the Times of Israel in which she was called a “terrorist supporter”.

During Shwaik’s PhD studies, she has also been travelling around the UK as a human rights activist to speak about her experiences as a refugee, and the IsareliPalestinian conflict.

On the election of Shwaik, the Union of Jewish Students told Exeposé: “You seriously have to question how someone who has used deeply anti-Semitic rhetoric on social media can be elected in an SU election. There’s no way that any individual who compares the Israeli government to the Nazi regime, a comparison recognised as anti-Semitic according to the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism, can adequately represent the Jewish students at their university or in their Students’ Union.

They added “Whilst the recent statements from the Vice Chancellor and Guild President were a welcome response to the recent escalation in incidents, it is important that the University of Exeter

and Exeter Guild take steps to ensure the safety and welfare of all Jewish students at Exeter.”

Students’ Guild President Toby Gladwin said the Guild “are passionate opponents of antisemitism in all forms; overt or subtle. Instances of discrimination in any form have to be relentlessly fought wherever they appear.”

Someone who compares the Isareli government to the Nazi regime cannot represent Jewish students National Union of Jewish Students However, Jewish student Marcel Golten, a Jewish student studying MA Politics, spoke up at the Exeter FemSoc’s Anti-fascism on campus about the antiSemitic accusations levelled against Shwaikh: “The cyber-bullying of our newly elected VP is unacceptable. Jews and Muslims are not natural enemies, and we must not let the Right divide us – we face the same threats: racist abuse against our communities has skyrocketed since Brexit.”

Yara Hawari, Palestinian activist and friend of Shwaik has said that the harassment “will have serious implications when she returns to Gaza” and her “freedom of movement” because “a simple Google search of Malaka reveals many inflammatory and abusive articles calling her a terrorist”. Hawari emphasised how “serious this is in the global atmosphere of Islamaphobia”.

In an official statement from Shwaik, she stated that her latest tweet on Holocaust Memorial Day was to follow up a tweet that said “the Holocaust was one of the bleakest chapters in the history of the 20th century.” She said that the tweets cannot be separated.

Shwaik told Exepose, “I have never denied the horrific crime of the Holocaust that was inflicted upon the Jewish people... the Tweet in question was referring to how following this genocide in Europe, and in an attempt at making amends, European powers supported a settler colonial project which would see Palestine wiped off the map. The gist of the tweet was that Palestinians have been made to pay for a genocide that was committed in Europe.”

The student further claims that the tweets from 8 February 2013 were a result of a hack. She said “If you notice the tweets follow the same format and content, and they were all tweeted in a short space of time…It is very common for social media accounts of activists to be hacked.” Shwaik says she deleted the tweets once she noticed the hack, and changed all of her passwords for her social media accounts. Following the recent cyber-bullying, Shwaik has deactivated her Twitter account. The Campaign Against Antisemitism have since adopted her Twitter handle.

Regarding the recent online defamations, Schwaik said: “Other social media posts that have been brought up by individuals attempting to discredit me were written between 2012-14.”

Shwaik reasoned that her tweeting

during this period was a result of the “trauma and devastation” she encountered when the Gaza strip were recovering from heavy bombing campaign, which saw the death of 2000 civilians. She said: “Many family members, friends and neighbours of mine were killed by the Israeli Army.”

Reflecting on the tweets, she confirmed that she would “phrase them differently if written today.”

She concluded “I would like to reiterate that I will fight against all forms of racism, including antisemitism. My activism for Palestine is not contradictory to this. In fact, the struggle for Palestinian human rights is part of a struggle against racism and for all human rights globally.

My tweets from 2013 were the result of a hack Malaka Shwaik, VP Postgraduate Research Elect “Rest assured, in my newly elected positions as Trustee, NUS delegate and VP Postgraduate Research I will represent all students equally regardless of their faith, race, gender and sexual orientation.”

There is now a letter of support for Shwaik, which has been signed by over 130 Exeter students, to “show support and solidarity” for her since the online abuse.

The petition states that her intentions are to “seek justice and defend the rights of Palestinians”. It reads: “Smears of antisemitism to counter this and digging up tweets from several years ago and taking them out of context are disingenuous.”

Students #GetTheirShadesOn for new Guild Sabbatical team Natasa Christofidou News Editor

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HE Students’ Guild witnessed a record-breaking Sabbatical election result on Friday 17 February. This year’s elections turned in more than 1,000 more votes than last year, with a total of 8607, placing Exeter’s turnout above that of Bristol, Bath, and Plymouth.

Shraddha Chaudhary, more commonly known by her campaign name ‘Shades,’ secured the position of Guild President 2017-18, with 1437 first preference votes.

Contrasting this year’s all-male Sabbatical team, the results have paralleled a sabbatical office from 2015-16, where only the AU president was male - a position won this year by James Balshaw, with 1548 votes.

Shades will be joined by Becca Hanley as VP Activities, Bry Loveless as VP Education. and Katalina Karamani - who won VP Welfare and Diversity against competition of seven other candidates.

There are also two new part-time Sabbatical positions this year: Malaka Shwaikh was elected as VP Research postgraduate (see above story), and Caitlín Rankin-McCabe as

VP Taught postgraduate.

According to the Guild’s online live statistics, Flexible Combined honours students were the most engaged, with an overall 56.5% of students casting their vote. The College of Humanities was not far behind, with just under 50% of its 4174 students voting. Similar to last year’s statistics, the election turnout was highest for first year students, with 3244 voting.

The figures also revealed that 56% of the electorate were female.

Shades spoke to Exeposé after her win, praising her campaign team and the “35 hours of work that went into the campaign video, along with all the time spent on t-shirt designs and campaigning itself.”

As an international student myself, I believe it’s all about inclusivity Shraddha Chaudhary, Students’ Guild President Elect When asked which manifesto point she was most excited about, Shades said that: “I think it’s definitely got to be the bouncy castles on campus during deadline week, as

there’s so much stress relief activities during exam week but students are just as stressed during deadlines.”

Moreover, Shades believes introducing a compulsory employability module is one of her most innovative manifesto points.

When asked about Exeter’s international community, Shades told Exeposé: “As an international student myself, I believe it’s all about inclusivity. We should lead by example. It’s not just about hosting international events but about integrating all students. I’ve worked really hard on my manifesto points as DVP International this year and can’t wait to continue that as a sabb.”

Other Guild positions announced on Friday evening included DVP International Sophie Stieglitz, DVP Sustainability Cora Hurley, DVP campaigns Kam Gopal, DVP wellbeing David Pugh. The new Student Trustees are Talin Aslanian, Malaka Shwaikh, Azhar-Jamal Chaudhry, and Jack Hindson. Moreover, NUS Delegates were elected: Shades, Harry Reeve, Charlotte O’Halloran, and Malaka Shwaikh secured positions for next year’s NUS conference, as Exeter representatives.

Photos: Wang Yong-Yan

27 FEB 2017 | EXEPOSÉ

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Comment

Tristan Gatward VP Activities

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Bea Fones Matthew Newman

Exeter: a home from home

THE SABB

HY should I vote for you?

“I want a campus music festival.”

“That sounds great but surely it’ll never happen.”

Every other conversation I had around this time last year, when trying to become one of the new Sabbs, seemed to go like this. I suppose it’s the natural consequence of standing on a hill each day of the week holding a banner with your own face on it… Especially when it says “I want a campus music festival.”

There’s an atmosphere of distrust in Exeter of when anyone says they’re going to do something out of the ordinary, from Forum Hill water slides, to ski slopes, to more study space… To a campus music festival.

With that in mind, we couldn’t have been happier to announce a few weeks ago that ExeFest, the University of Exeter’s first campus music festival (and first allstudent event), was on its way. And then with even more excitement, last Thursday we were able to reveal our line-up of some of the biggest and most-loved names in music.

Example heads the bill; he’s even on brand with the “Ex” at the start of his name. Aside from that, he’s topped the charts globally, released around 15 huge Top 40 tracks and is about to drop his sixth album. We’re expecting big things, and couldn’t be happier to welcome him to Exeter.

Example will be joined by Cascada, The Hoosiers and Wheatus, providing the best tour of your childhood and teenage years. Amber Run are coming back straight from a sell-out gig at the Phoenix a few weeks ago, with a huge new album in hand.

What I’m really excited about though, are the two smaller names on the poster so far, which you might not yet recognise: SWEAT and Private Agenda. Two types of live disco await Exeter – from the Berlin underground to the post-apocalypse. We’re predicting big things from these guys, in that you might just look back in ten years and remember that time you saw the band everyone’s now talking about before they were cool. That’s the dream, right?

As a friend of Toby, our Guild President, said: “Not a bad line-up considering it was set up by a bloke in DH1.”

Earlybird tickets have sold out.

General admissions can now be found at exefest.co.uk/tickets. See you there!

COMMENT EDITORS:

Elly Angelova Contributor

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HERE are you from? It’s one of those very standard, straightforward questions, like “What’s your name?” or “How old are you?” A question most people don’t really think twice about before they answer. Well. Most people, maybe. Not me.

It’s a question that has always made me second-guess myself. I was born in Veliko Tarnovo, a small city in Bulgaria - the old capital, in fact. But I was raised in Sofia and, except for the childhood holidays spent in my hometown, Sofia was all I knew. So when someone asked me where I was from, I would say Veliko Tarnovo; but clarify that I had never actually lived there.

But then came the whole year abroad situation. Never in my life had the seemingly simple “Where are you from?” question been more complex.

Where I am from? Do you mean that as in my home country, or where my home university is? What’s higher education like in Bulgaria? What’s my course like back in Sofia? Well, funny you should

ask that, actually… And then there was meeting British people doing Erasmus at the same university. There, I would say: “I’m from Exeter, I go to university in the UK, I’m not some random international person on an exchange, I’m one of you!”

Well, kind of.

And don’t get me started on being scrutinised at Stansted when I visited the UK from Berlin. The border control lady very carefully inspected my Bulgarian ID, taking much longer than she had with the person in front of me. She flicked her gaze from me to my ID several times, then finally asked: “So, where do you actually live?” Bam. Another question that should be simple enough to answer but wasn’t. At that point, I lived in Berlin. I was due to move to Spain in two weeks’ time for the second part of my year abroad. And I was a full-time student in the UK. But where did I actually live?

“In Bulgaria?” is what I finally said. “Ah.” More staring at me, then my ID, then me, then my ID. “So, like, are you going home now?”

“You know what, yes,” I felt like saying. “In fact, I am going home, because Exeter is very much home for me.” The UK does really feel like home to me, even

though I won’t have an address in this country until September. “And you know what else, maybe you should, like, look at a map or something, because believe me, if I want to get to Sofia from Berlin, rest assured that I won’t be flying from London.” Imagine if I had lashed out at her like that. I might have actually been held up at the airport. I said I was a student at a UK university, and she let me go. Not that she should have been quizzing me in the first place, as I do have an EU passport.

Exeter is where I found it easiest to make friends Fortunately, that’s one isolated incident. I have never not felt welcome here.

All my stereotypes about the UK were shattered in my first week at uni. The food stereotype? Rubbish. The reality?

Pretty good. The weather stereotype?

Constantly rainy and cold. The reality?

Often much better than what I was used to in Bulgaria. And finally, the people.

Stereotype? Very cold and reserved. Reality? Friendly, open, always up for a chat.

Especially the last one; whoever came up with the British being cold and reserved must not have ventured to other places much! I can’t speak for everyone, but in my own personal experience - having spent time at universities in Berlin and in the south of Spain - Exeter is where I found it easiest to make friends.

Which brings me to our University’s national reputation of being a very white, middle-class place and being “hostile” to international students (in a bitchy-bordercontrol-lady-at-Stansted kind of way).

Let me tell you, I don’t know a single person, international or otherwise, who’ll find a grain of truth in that. I’ve had the most vibrant, incredible years of my life here - a place that has always made me feel like I belonged no matter what - and one part of the answer to “Where are you from?” will now forever be Exeter, where I learned how to be an adult (ish) and where I met some of the most important people in my life.

“Are you going home?”, however, is a question that really hits, well, home. Now, whether I’m flying to the UK or flying to Bulgaria, I always feel like I’m going home. I’m always home, and I’m always not home.

Women’s varsity? It’s about time Owain Evans Sport Editor

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F you speak to anybody who played for EURFC in the recent South West Rugby Derby, they’ll surely tell you that there was something particularly special about playing under the lights at Sandy Park for the University. Some may go as far as to call it an “honour”.

Yet, this special feeling continues to be refused to our female teams. When we go to Football Varsity, there is no talk of EULFC. When we go to the South West Rugby Derby, there is no talk of EUWRFC. When we go to Cricket Varsity, there is no talk of EULCC. The few events which can be salvaged are perhaps Hockey Varsity, which was played in a back-to-back fashion last year; Boxing Varsity, which is thanks to the nature of the club being mixed (although even then only one female boxer took part) and EUNC’s Spotlight Fixture. But none of these are quite as prestigious as the male-only events, and they certainly don’t allow for the opportunity to play in professional stadiums.

So, why can’t we allow the squads of EUWRFC and EULFC loose on Sandy Park and St James Park? The argument that seems to crop up is the feasibility of it; there’s an illusion that people simply wouldn’t turn out for a women’s game because it isn’t as established, and therefore they should simply end up having a token gesture of a “varsity” match at Topsham.

The notion that people wouldn’t come together in this way seems ridiculous In my opinion, the main flaw in this is that it assumes that people turn up to a varsity solely for the sporting event. Sure, the fans will go home happy if Exeter win, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves and pretend as though it’s the be-all and endall. At the recent South West Rugby Derby, I seriously doubt that the majority of the fans present could tell me what exactly ‘Super Rugby’ is, let alone the permutations that allowed Exeter to leapfrog Loughborough into second place.

The majority of the fans simply

weren’t there because their life’s worth depended on the outcome of the game; they wanted to go along because these matches are more than just there for the sporting side. They aren’t just games; they’re events. It’s a social event to turn up to Varsity, and as one person described it to me, “it’s great to see everyone just kind of coming together”. The notion that people wouldn’t come together in this way because the players are female seems ridiculous, and EUNC’s Spotlight Fixture somewhat proved that, as it was pretty much filled to the rafters.

Even if we were to think that people turned up to the games on sporting merit, this means that we have an expectation that games featuring women aren’t as exciting as those contested by their male counterparts. At a professional level, perhaps there is an argument here, but it exists thanks to the very turbulent world

that is female professional sport which simply makes it infeasible as a career path for many. At a university level, to argue this is would be pure nonsense. In rugby union and football, we see that our female side competes at the same level as their male counterparts. EUWRFC have beaten some teams by over 90 points this season, and they feature some of the top young players in women’s rugby in the country. It just is not valid to question their talent.

So maybe it’s time for a change.

Maybe we should follow in the footsteps of other events such as the Varsity between Oxford and Cambridge, where both men and women play games back-to-back. It’s time to give our female sport teams the recognition that they deserve, and that definitely doesn’t mean another trip to Topsham.

COMMENT

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Anti-Semitism: Not a laughing matter Barnabas Balint Contributor

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HE sight of a swastika carved on a Birks Grange door, and a ‘Rights for Whites’ sign in Llewellyn Mews is not something that many of us expect to see. Moreover, it is a sight that we should never see. While it is comforting that the University has affirmed that ‘racism in any form is not tolerated’, the suggestion that these events may have just been an ‘ill-judged joke’ remains worrying.

Making the Holocaust and blatant racism into a ‘joke’ is an offence The Holocaust and racist language are things that must not be trivialised and dismissing this incident as an ‘ill-judged joke’ comes dangerously close to that. Anyone of the calibre of students at the University of Exeter should be able to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong.

The acts of those who can’t are disgraceful, and must be called out as such, for ‘ill-judged jokes’ are very little less offen-

sive than the acts themselves. Making the Holocaust and blatant racism into a ‘joke’ is an offence not just to those who have suffered and died as a result, but to those who have had to live with its memory and impact. In some countries, ‘grossly trivialising’ crimes of genocide is illegal and punishable by law.

For Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) this year, the theme was ‘How can life go on?” This reflective and optimistic theme asked audiences to think about what happens after genocide, and of our own responsibilities in the wake of such a crime.

Over 20,000 people watched the 2017 video, in which Holocaust survivors called upon people to have social courage and take responsibility for their actions. Across the country, thousands of activities took place for HMD, including one that I ran, hosted by the University of Exeter.

At our Holocaust Memorial Conference a couple of weeks ago, we were honoured to hear from Holocaust survivor Ernest Simon. If there is one thing that can be said for sure, it is that the experiences of survivors like Ernest are no joke.

Survivors are truly remarkable people; they have faced some of the very worst adversity that humans can endure, yet they continue with a strength, resilience

and optimism which is unwavering and extraordinary. Actions like those revealed last week threaten to question that optimism.

At times like this, it is important that we call out such shameful acts That is why, at times like this, it is even more important that we call out and challenge such shameful acts. We must make renewed effort in our own lives to do so, and to ensure that we defend the rights of those who suffer from persecution and hatred. We all have a duty to never allow our fellow men and women to be seen as anything less than equal human beings.

For us in Exeter, we have the added responsibility of proving that our University is not a place in which racism and antiSemitism are welcome. Such language as that seen last week, and indeed at a Snowsports social in September, is dangerous and intimidating. It has no place in our civilised University. We must also show that we never trivialise issues like these.

Calling what happened an ‘ill-judged joke’ is no excuse. Such ‘jokes’ are not acceptable and must not be tolerated.

We all have a duty to never allow our fellow men and women to be seen as anything less than equal human beings

More than just ‘all Exeter’...

Jasmin Wade Contributor

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I am angry at white people who dare to suggest that racism is not a problem anymore

ONESTLY, when it comes to the subject of prejudice and diversity, I don’t really know where to start. Yes, I do. I am angry.

I am angry at the white people who dare to suggest that racism is not a problem anymore. Because I have the freedom to attend non-segregated schools, be openly Hindu and maintain my seat, even when white people have to stand up on the bus.

I am not a slave.

I am appalled when white people call each other “n*gga” because a black rapper said it in their favourite song, so it must be OK; when they think they can call me a coconut because they’ve heard me say it before, so it must be OK - it’s not OK. I am speechless when I see white girls wearing bindis, thinking it demonstrates cultural appreciation and tolerance, it’s “aesthetic”, it’s “trendy”, but all I see is you flaunting your disturbing ignorance rather than embracing my culture as you may think (#reclaimthebindi).

Finally, I am flabbergasted when people are shocked that I, an English-born British woman of colour, have experienced racism. 9 years old; I go home, sit

in my room and cry because I’m not white like everyone else at school. 13 years old; I am walking in the park with my Nanni, my aunt and my 2-year-old cousin, and some boys on bikes yell “Let’s run these P*kis over!” and they almost do. 16 years old; my first house party, I walk out into the garden for some fresh air, some party crasher starts getting hysterical, pointing at me, yelling “She’s a terrorist! She’s going to blow up our country!”. These are but a few examples.

The level of ignorance with regards to racism in our country is on the rise It has become increasingly clear to me that the level of ignorance with regards to racism in our society is on the rise. People of colour are vulnerable. To stereotypes (“you’re Indian? But you don’t stink of curry!”). To feeling displaced (“you don’t belong here, go back to where you came from!”). To the 21st century (“racism really doesn’t exist in this day and age!”).

Yet these problems are more specific to myself and other citizens of the developed, Western world. So let’s consider the racial intolerance being experienced by refugees escaping their war-torn countries, asylum seekers seeking a safe haven,

immigrants who need money to put food on the tables back home, all of varying ethnicities and religions. Think of that word, “immigrant”. What image do you see? A person of colour, foreign, alien.

Collocated words may be illegal, blue collar, flood of, deportation of. Stereotypes of immigrants which feed racism include “they come here and steal all our jobs”, “they come here and steal all our welfare”, “they come here and steal all our children’s seats in local schools”. Every day, there are human beings experiencing all this and worse. Living, breathing proof that racism is still a problem in our society.

I have to applaud the University of Exeter for its efforts in highlighting diversity and breaking down prejudice. The #WeAreAllExeter campaign; the Women of Colour Poetry Night which I performed at for the second year in a row; the outcry against the swastika graffiti found in Birks Grange. While this is all most definitely better than nothing, I can’t shake this feeling that a key message is still lacking. Yes, we are all Exeter, but we are also all unique individuals from a variety of ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds, with an ardent need to be able to express these aspects of our identities, without feeling marginalised, oppressed, targeted or harassed. It shouldn’t be easier

Responses to fascism:

COMMENT

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Threatening free speech or fighting for equality?

Raresh Moldovan Contributor

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N Monday 20 February, a large group of students met outside the forum for a march against fascism, following the discovery of a swastika and a ‘rights for whites’ sign in Exeter halls of residence. Aside from the occasional chants of “Tory, Tory, Tory… scum, scum, scum” the march was moderately amicable, and the speeches coherent. The final speaker, however, ended his peroration with the shocking instruction, “So go punch a Nazi!”. The audience eagerly whooped, cheered, and clapped this sentiment.

Whilst I, along with everyone else I have ever met, deplore Nazis, they are a tiny and insignificant fringe minority. I wish to draw attention to a much greater danger, which threatens the very institution of the University because, unlike Nazism, it is on the rise across campuses: the subversion of free speech.

The final speaker ended his peroration with the shocking instruction, “So go punch a Nazi!”

There has been a concerning rise, in recent years, of campus movements which are inimical to free speech. A debate about the ethics of abortion was shut down by angry protesters at the University of Oxford. Maryam Namazi, an Iranian-born human rights campaigner, was no-platformed from Warwick for her views on Islamism. Julie Bindel (a writer and feminist) was set to debate Milo Yiannopoulos (journalist and public speaker, and former editor of Breitbart News) at Manchester University, before the event was cancelled by the student union, citing their views on transgender women and rape culture respectively as in breach of the university’s safe-space policy. The magazine ‘No Offence’ was banned by the Oxford University Student Union, in case it caused offence. This list is by no means comprehensive, and leaves aside the horror show currently taking place on campuses in the United States, where these practices have regrettably metastasised much further than in the UK.

These movements have mainly been successful because of the conflation between defending the right of people to express certain opinions, and defending the opinions themselves. Students who speak out against censorship are often slandered by association with the opinions of the person being censored.

I do not doubt that the pro-censorship activists themselves are good people, with good intentions. However, good people are capable of holding terrible ideas; and as the old cliché goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Here, the good intention is to spare people from having their feelings hurt, and to make students feel ‘safe’. Practically, this is extremely dangerous, as offence is by definition subjective.

This is a serious betrayal of the student, and an undermining of the purpose of university.

To paraphrase Thomas Paine, he who denies to another the right to speak his mind freely, makes himself a slave to his present opinion, and precludes himself the right of changing it.

The corollary is also true. If you are correct in your present position, then it can do you no harm to have it tested. Rather to the contrary, you will know better why you are right, and will be able to strengthen your opinion as a result of its collision with another.

It is for this reason that the thinking person has a duty to protect dissent, rather than crush it. As Rosa Luxemburg noted, freedom is always and exclusively for the one who thinks differently.

Everyone starts off with the best of intentions, but people consumed by self-righteousness are so often blind to their own wrongdoing. If you find yourself inciting violent retribution through a megaphone to an eager and frenzied crowd, then you have become the very thing that you claim to despise, and you may find in yourself the same bigotry which you oppose in others.

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HY would someone with a cold and a temperature, who hates crowds and noise, spend their afternoon stomping round campus holding a banner and shouting? Well, there are lots of reasons. The trigger factor was, of course, the swastika carved into a bedroom door in Birks Grange. I don’t care,

rea l l y, if you think it was just a drunken joke, or “banter”. That symbol represents a regime that deliberately murdered millions of Jews, Roma, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people and political opponents, and the people who put it on our campus know that.

The University is our home, our place of work, and our social space; it should go without saying that we respect one another so everyone can feel safe here, but apparently not. I was humbled by the speeches given by the presidents of Jewish Society at the start of the march, in which they detailed just a few examples of the antisemitism they have faced while pursuing their higher education here in Exeter. For all its oddities, I love Exeter, and I will do anything it takes to make sure that students from minority backgrounds and oppressed identities are able to study here free from physical or psychological harm.

But sadly, the march had to be about more than that. The next morning, I woke up to the news that over 100 gravestones in the Jewish cemetery at St Louis in Missouri had been vandalized. It was brought to my attention by a Muslim friend on Facebook, who posted to express his solidarity with the Jewish community in these difficult times. And the reason he knows how difficult these times are, is that Muslims have been on the receiving end of discrimination too. If we’re honest with ourselves, we know this didn’t start

with Dona l d Tr u m p ’s election; he represents the logical conclusion of decades of mounting prejudice and racism. Do you know how many innocent Pakistanis have been killed in the last month by terrorists targeting them on sectarian grounds?

Have you been following the ongoing revelations about the crimes of the Assad regime in Syria, or the mistreatment of migrants in Libya, or the famine in South Sudan? We’ve been conditioned only to care about the suffering of those who look and think like us, and that is one of the foundation stones of fascist bigotry, because if you don’t care about people, it’s much easier to hate and persecute them.

I think Exeter needed Monday’s march. Our student politics has become too complacent, with too many of us giving up on standing up for fundamental values because we may get accused of being anti freedom of speech, or mocked for being too passionate in a cynical age. When students organised a protest against Donald Trump and the values he espouses, others attacked them online, saying that they were being anti-democratic, or simply wasting their time. Well, I’m sorry, but protests, marches and sit-ins have been a vital part of politics for at least the last century, and in many cases, it’s been students like us who have led the way.

There is nothing inherently censurious about disagreeing with bigotry.

Expressing a strong point of view is not a waste of time; it’s vital if we want to see positive change. As for the “freedom of speech” nonsense, there is nothing inherently censorious about disagreeing with bigotry. When I say I don’t want to see or hear racism and anti-Semitism on my campus, it’s not because I’m a fragile liberal snowflake. It’s because I don’t recognise your right to dehumanise other members of society, and that’s what the march against fascism was all about.

Helena Kate Bennett Contributor

POSTGRADUATE OPEN DAY SATURDAY 4 MARCH:

THE EXCHANGE, PENRYN CAMPUS

WEDNESDAY 15 MARCH:

A postgraduate degree can give you the edge in the jobs market, open up an academic career path, or just allow you to explore the subject you love in even more depth.

www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/opendays

2017CAMS054

PETER CHALK, STREATHAM CAMPUS

27 FEB 2017 | EXEPOSÉ

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Features

FEATURES EDITORS:

Georgina Bolam Katie Jenkins

Demotion of democracy

In light of the assassination of Kim Jong-nam, Foreign Correspondents Coordinator, Zeena Starbuck, George Siddons and Katie Costello discuss the future of democracy in South Korea, Australia and Austria South Korea

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ESTERN news agencies, including CNN, seemed perplexed that South Korea did not adopt a hardline response to Kim Jong-nam’s untimely death. North Korea’s democratic counterpart has sought unification throughout its history; the nonpartisan Ministry of Unification opened in 1969, and all South Korean leaders have tried to work towards unification in some capacity. However, South Korea’s Blue House declined to comment directly on Kim’s death or criticise Kim Jong-Un for what many are calling a political assassination. Precaution is necessary for security reasons, with the two countries still technically at war with each other, but there is another reason that this story is getting less condemning coverage. Since late October 2016, South Korea has been facing a crisis within its own democracy.

President Park Geun-Hye has been suspended from her office and is facing impeachment trials for giving political favor and power to a private civilian, Choi SoonSil. Park is accused of letting Choi meddle extensively in political affairs, while Choi is accused of manipulating Park for her own personal gain. Among the examples of political malpractice, Park’s government coerced chaebols (Korean conglomerates) into donating millions of dollars to Choi’s foundations, and Park admitted that Choi edited some of her public speeches. The streets of Seoul have been filled with protesters, one demonstration on 27 November drew between 270,000 and 1.5 million people, all calling for Park to step down and be held accountable.

Kim’s death and the Malaysian investigations surrounding it are covered in Korean media. However, this is alongside and often secondary to the upcoming trials and fallout from the scandal, which has affected South Korean businesses and educational institutions alike. Samsung’s acting head Lee Jae-Yong

was arrested on 17 February as part of the corruption investigation; he is accused of paying Choi 40 million dollars in bribes for governmental favor. The scandal also caused Ewha Womans University’s President, Choi Kyung-hee, to resign back in October following accusations that Ewha gave Choi Soon-Sil’s daughter special treatment. Park’s collusion with Choi is one of the furthest-reaching political scandals in South Korea’s history and seemingly, there is more to be unveiled.

South Korea’s democracy was... perhaps not a democracy at all While the global community may view South Korea as a democratic haven sandwiched between authoritarian China and totalitarian North Korea, South Korea has a long-standing history of authoritarianism and its present democracy has been riddled with scandals and charges of undemocratic practice. South Korea was not an authentic democracy until 1987. Its leaders manipulated elections, created selffulfilling constitutions, and used coups to retain power.

Park Chung-Hee was one of these authoritarian leaders. He is remembered in two ways. On one side, he helped transform South Korea from one of the world’s poorest countries into an economic powerhouse; his first five-yearplan saw a 7.8% growth rate, and his second 9.6%. However, he was also an autocratic leader who achieved economic success by colluding closely with business.

He cracked down on civilian freedoms, installing the Yushin constitution in 1972 that gave him dictatorial powers and led to widespread, sometimes violent, public oppression. His reign only ended when he was assassinated in 1979.

Park Chung-Hee was also Park GeunHye’s father. This relationship if anything made her a more popular candidate, since

What’s illegal in North Korea?

Drinking alcohol: A North Korean officer was executed for

he is a figure of nostalgia for much of the older Korean generation. However, her administration came under fire in 2015 for trying to install government-issued history textbooks that critics feared would whitewash the past and portray Park Chung-Hee as an economic saviour, not an autocratic leader who violently cracked down on civilian freedoms and repressed democracy. There were widespread protests against Park Geun-Hye for this policy before the scandal even came to light.

Perhaps it is this undemocratic past and alarming turn back towards it that has made many South Korean college students more concerned with their own country’s affairs. EunSeo*, a student at Ewha Woman’s University, said Kim Jong Nam’s death is not as important to her or her friends as the impeachment trials “Park Geun-Hye stole and lied.

Her father was a dictator but she wanted us to forget that.

She abused democracy and was never a real leader

because of Choi. This matters more to us right now than what North Korea is doing.”

South Korea has had a long road to democracy, with a history of authoritarianism and dictatorships in recent memory. The current scandal around Park Geun-Hye has shaken South Korea’s government to its core and reverberated in countless elements of society. Kim Jong Un’s policies may seem alarming and immoral, but they are following in line with the policies of his father and grandfather. What is more concerning is how under Park Geun-Hye, South Korea’s democracy was manipulated and embroiled with corruption, and perhaps was not a democracy at all. *name changed per request of student.

Zeena Starbuck

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Australia

HEN asked to list democratic countries, most people would include Australia amongst their choices. Indeed, it is a democracy in almost every measurable way; it operates under the rule of law, it has a

parliament which is accountable to the people and all citizens over the age of 18 are entitled to vote. Yet the development of the familiar style of democracy that we see in Australia today has a darker side.

Before the arrival of European settlers in the late 18th Century, Australia – or the land which would eventually become known as Australia – was populated by Aboriginal tribes, each with their own system of laws and beliefs. These laws governed all aspects of life, from the areas we now consider to be in the legal domain to ones we do not such as what could be eaten. They were, and still are, closely linked to Aboriginal belief systems and the land itself. British settlers, by contrast, were to be ruled by a British-style system of common law. When the area now known as New South Wales was initially claimed in the name of the Crown, it came under the domain of British law and by 1829 the entire continent w a s

subject to the British legal system.

Indigenous Australians who had, for thousands of years, lived by their own laws were now subject to those of a foreign power. Initially, the settlers were unable to make their own laws and were ruled

..

Watching TV: Last year North Korea reportedly publicly executed 80 people for watching a South Korean television Driving: Only state

disrespecting late Kim Jong-il by drinking alcohol during the

officials are allowed. to

mourning period.

own a car.

Watching porn: Viewing or selling porn is punishable by death.

Political dissatisfaction: Those who criticise the regime are sent to an educational

by Governors who executed the will of the British Crown. However, one by one the colonies established parliaments and began to operate under a restricted form of democracy. As more colonies were established and began to consolidate, it was clear that common law and Aboriginal law would be on a collision course. From the start it was clear that Aboriginal people and customs would be on the losing side of this clash; for the British, who saw Aboriginal society as highly primitive, this was a victory for democracy over tribal law.

Yet what the British missed then, and what many Australians still miss today, is the fact that Aboriginal society featured many of the aspects of democracy that we now consider necessary.

The development of democracy in Australia is often simplified and whitewashed Although it is difficult to source information due to the oral nature of Aboriginal tradition, there is evidence of a fairly advanced system of law which was, in many respects, democratic. For instance, Victorian clergymen noted in the 1880s that amongst the Aboriginal people there was no sense that one person was higher than another. At the time, this would have been a concept alien to European settlers, most of whom travelled from countries in which a strict social and political hierarchy remained in place. Aboriginal societies may not have been democratic in the sense of electing legislatures but it seems as though they lived by the premise that people were fundamentally equal; a factor we now consider to be crucial in democratic society.

It is easy to slip into the common narrative that European settlers spread democracy around the world, modernising primitive societies.

However, digging a little deeper into the history of Australia shows that democratic ideas existed long before European settlers first arrived on the shores of Australia. In order to make

1. Norway Norway is ranked first in the World Democratic Index, scoring 9.93/10.

room for the new system of European democracy, a social system stretching back many thousands of years was sidelined. This is an uncomfortable truth with which Australia seems to still be coming to terms, made all the more difficult by the long history of discrimination faced

by Aboriginal people. For many years Indigenous Australians faced formal restrictions on their voting rights; it was not until 1965 that Queensland became the final state to remove all formal restrictions.

Even today with all formal restrictions abolished, Indigenous Australians remain underrepresented; it was not until 1971 that Australians elected Neville Bonner – the first Aboriginal person to be elected to Australia’s parliament. Currently there are only four politicians of Indigenous descent in the Australian federal parliament; to put that in perspective that is the same number as the far-right One Nation party.

To label Australia as undemocratic would be wrong, obviously in many ways it falls amongst the most democratic countries on earth. Yet the development of democracy in Australia is often simplified, whitewashed and presented as a European import. In actual fact, the complex society existing before white settlers reached the shores of this continent had many of the features of modern democracies. In order for Australia’s current system of law and government to be put in place, these traditional systems were pushed out, and the people who lived under them marginalised by a foreign system. To this day, Indigenous Australians struggle to be granted the right, in both a legal and de facto

sense, to have their culture and way of life recognised. So yes, Australia is a democracy, but for many the arrival of European settlers did not hail the start of a

bright, democratic future. When talking about Australia’s democratic development, it is vital to remember this fact, however uncomfortable it may be.

George Siddons

F

Austria

IRMLY settled in liberal western Europe, democracy may feel like a well-established norm for Austria, but despite its rejection of an extremist, and arguably more autocratic, Presidential candidate in December, democracy has not always been Austria’s choice.

Freedom, liberalism and democracy were rejected in favour of protectionism Now in its Second Republic - after the first ended with the welcoming of Hitler in 1938 – Austria remained a monarchy until the end of the First World War. Austria may have flirted with the idea of Prime Ministers, but the Kaiser still retained ultimate power and voting was not widespread until the 20th century.

The monarchy may have been dissolved since 1918, but in the tourist shops of Vienna, the Habsburgs are still relevant and clearly still lucrative. Franz Joseph and his wife Sissi have become major cultural icons, with images of them plastered on tea towels and fridge magnets across the city. Despite his huge cultural reach, Franz Josef governed the Austrian Empire in an era of decline. Under his rule there were major rebellions, the Empire was forced to become a dual monarchy with Hungary and eventually, unrest within his Kingdom led to the First World War and the end of the monarchy itself. And yet the legend of

Franz Joseph lives on. Like many

dictators, Franz Joseph used public areas to celebrate himself. Much of Vienna was expanded and rebuilt under his rule and he personally contributed to some of its most famous sections. He built two great museums, both adorned with his name.

One of Franz Joseph’s new museums was for art and the other for natural science with the two imposing imperial structures facing each other on a square named after another Habsburg ruler, Maria Theresia.

Franz Joseph’s legacy in Vienna stretched further. He rebuilt the Opera and the Hofburg, the imperial palace, which would later be the backdrop to Hitler’s entrance to Vienna. The Kaiser created a cult which still exists to this day. The imperial style of the capital city is synonymous with a failing dictator. But its relevance today is immense. Vienna attracts over 4.5 million visitors a year, making up around a fifth of total Austrian tourism.

As the monarchy was dissolved at the end of the first world war, the Kaiserreich relics were reduced to tourist attractions.

But Austria’s road to democracy was still to encounter some demagogues.

The first few years of Austrian democracy were reasonably successful.

Parties were created and coalitions were formed. However, by the 1930s Austrian voters had tired of middle-ground democracy and began to turn to more autocratic leaders. Engelbert Dollfuss was elected as the majority leader of a new conservative coalition. Dollfuss engaged in many dictatorial-like activities, crushing rebellions, banning parties and relying on support from other dictatorships, namely Mussolini’s fascist regime in Italy. He relied on identity politics, appealing to Austria’s Catholic roots to distinguish the country from its German neighbours. But even this did not calm a growing disillusionment amongst the Austrian people. The Austrian Nazi party were gathering pace and even Dollfuss’s catholicised version of the swastika could not sate the appetite of an angry interwar Austria.

The last real dictator, Adolf Hitler. It’s now accepted that the Anschluss of 1938 was desired by the majority of Austrians.

For years Austrians argued that they were victims of the Nazis, occupied as the French or Dutch were. Yet footage of cheering Austrians welcoming Hitler and forcing Viennese Jews to scrub the streets with their toothbrushes debunked the victimhood myth.

Hitler offered them security and identity, in return for policies filled

2. Iceland

3. Sweden

Iceland is currently ranked

Sweden is ranked third,

second, rising one place from

scoring fully on a supportive

2015.

democratic political culture.

with hate and persecution of minorities.

Freedom, liberalism and democracy were rejected in favour of protectionism and nationalism.

It all sounds uncomfortably familiar.

The FPÖs Norbert Hofer stood on a platform of isolationism. Retreat from the EU, reduction in immigration and closer unity with other “Germanic people”.

So has Austria’s patchy history with democracy meant it’s at risk of falling into dictatorship again? Probably not. For one thing Hofer didn’t get into power.

Despite the election being run twice due to his complaints over dodgy glue on the postal vote envelopes, the independent Alexander Van der Bellen sealed victory in the vote. Unlike in the First Republic, democracy is now very much the norm.

Austria has its own identity, increasingly forged over the last 60 years, meaning that Hofer’s German nationalist outlook would provoke controversy from Austrian’s pride to distinguish themselves from their bigger and more powerful neighbour.

Austrians are not going to give up on their political system without a fight And Austrians have proved they’re not going to give up on their political system without a fight. Last year’s dramatic presidential election led to widespread political engagement in the country.

Marches were held for, in the words of Van der Bellen, “the reputation of Austria”. In February Hofer’s FPÖ party held its ball in Vienna, accompanied by the annual protest march against the party and its principles. There is a considerable counter-movement to the current bend towards the extremes.

However, it is worth remembering that Hofer only narrowly lost, and Austria is far more conservative than its German cousins. The “Willkommenskultur” towards the refugees crossing into Germany has been far less enthusiastic from the Austrians, and the Schengen zone has broken down across many of Austria’s borders.

But at the moment, all of this is being kept at bay. On the whole, Austria is a centrist country, ruled by two parties: centre left and centre right. Normally they govern together in coalition, forming a “Groβe Koalition” and swapping majority power and leadership roles. It’s centrist, it’s safe, it’s nice and boring, which should all keep the autocrats out and keep democracy going.

Katie Costello

International Democratic Rankings: the top 3 Data found in World Democracy Index 2016

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LIFESTYLE EDITORS Jade Beard Laurel Bibby

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GAMES + TECH EDITORS Jabez Sherrington Sam Woolf 27 FEB 2017 | EXEPOSÉ

lifestyle

So you think you can France?

L

Laura Leichtfried and Katherine Watson share their experiences living abroad in France

IVING abroad in Strasbourg, France, this past year has really challenged everything I thought I knew about myself.

I have seen myself become the beer-drinking, efficient map-reading individual I never thought I’d be. Anyone who knows me also knows I like a good bargain. Whether it’s a free pen from the forum or an overripe mango left behind in the reduced section of Tesco, the thought of saving money has always appealed to the stingy student in me. It therefore came as a surprise when I spent €7.50 on a ball of string a few weeks ago that I only used a few metres of to hang up photos. Pre-year abroad me would find this outrageous. French me finds little indulgences a daily occurrence. If I have a choice between croissant or no croissant, the choice will always be croissant. It really goes to show that spending a significant time abroad will inevitably change you.

I like to compare this year in France to a year long Fresher’s Week: you find yourself simultaneously having the time of your life galloping around in your new found freedom whilst also feeling very overwhelmed and secretly seeking stability. Throw in a completely new culture which sees you facing a shortage of cheddar cheese and baked beans, people who ignore the concept of queuing which we Brits love so much and a language you are still getting to grips with, and you can start to get a picture of life here

F

RANCE: land of wine, the Eiffel Tower and the most romantic language in the world. Although not without its problems (did someone say bureaucracy?) France fully lives up to its romantic stereotypes. I lived in the historic Breton capital of Rennes on my year abroad, and everything I learnt about the language and culture has secured la France a very special place in my heart. This is my whistle-stop tour of the Hexagon; be prepared for clichés, pretentious French words, and squishing a year of experiences into two short lists: Four must-see places 1. Paris.

The City of Lights stole my heart from the

in Strasbourg. Although, I must admit the vast majority of my experiences here have been positive: I’ve developed a lot of confidence through teaching for the British Council and I’ve been very lucky to find a close group of English-speaking friends, whilst also having a few French friends scattered around who really give me an insight into the Alsatian culture.

Strasbourg is the largest city in the Alsace region and is just next to the German border.

In fact, the closest city to us is Kehl which takes about 20 minutes to get to by bus. I used to find it bizarre that French people would pop over the border to do their shopping at Lidl or Aldi, but it really is so much cheaper!

Especially frozen food, and toiletries like shampoo and

conditioner which normally cost €4 or €5 in France. Although Strasbourg is very much a French city now, in the past the Alsace region was passed between France and Germany multiple times, and it’s easy to see the German influ-

first time I went, and continues to delight me every time I go back. I like to go full tourist and see the sights on an open bus tour, sample as many cafés as I physically can, and visit one of my favourite places: Shakespeare and Co., a gorgeous little bookshop with plenty of nooks and crannies to lose yourself in for an afternoon 2. Aix-en-Provence.

A town in the South of France with sundrenched cobbled streets, a famous Saturday morning flower market and so much French charm you’ll never want to leave.

3. The Palace of Versailles.

A tourist attraction that truly lives up to its reputation. Full of astounding beauty, splen-

ence on Strasbourg's culture. Particularly when it comes to the regional food and language, which is Alsatian.

The most famous dishes in Strasbourg are often seen on German menus, such as sauerkraut, which is served with a

variety of porkbased meats, and spaetzle, a bready-pasta a bit like gnocchi, which can be served as a side or a dish on its own, often with a cheesy sauce. Another speciality, which is served in almost every restaurant, is tarte flambée, or “flammekueche”, which is an Alsatian pizza made with dough, crème fraiche, onions and lardons. At the beginning of the year I fell in love with tarte flambée, however, because I ate so many I accidentally overdosed and now I find it slightly too rich with all the cream. My friends have taught me some of the Alsatian dialect, which is spoken by both older and younger people in the region. I personally think it’s quite amusing to listen to because it is such a mixture of French and German. I learnt the

dour and class and with a rich history, much more than just one visit’s worth!

4. St Malo. A seaside Breton town complete with a beautiful harbour and walled historic town that looks like something out of a film. Plus it’s easy to get to: just stay for a few hours after your ferry gets in!

Three cultural things I miss 1. Faire la bise.

This is the French tradition of kissing everyone on the cheek, which despite initially finding odd I grew to embrace. It takes away the awkwardness of what to do when meeting someone for the first time, and means new people immediately feel welcomed into a group.

very useful phrase “bière buche” which means beer belly, and if you meet some friends in a bar the expected greeting is “ça gehts?” which is a mixture of the French “ça va” and the German “wie gehts”.

According to a French friend, the Alsatian language sounds a bit like Welsh (although it sounds like Flemish to me).

I am trying to take part in as many cultural activities as possible whilst I am in Strasbourg. So far, I’ve been to wine-tasting events, a French opera, a play, the cinema to see a few French films and some English films dubbed into French to compare, an ice hockey match between Strasbourg and Lyon, and a few gigs. I am also currently reading Harry Potter in French, which is quite funny seeing as all the names are different. I also can’t talk about life in Strasbourg without mentioning the famous Christmas markets, which take over the city in November/December. The city centre is like a scene from a movie with its rows of wooden chalets adorned in lights; it becomes the Winter Wonderland of every child’s dream.

It’s sad to think that there are only a few months left of my time in France. But there’s no point dwelling on the future when there are still many cheeses to be tried and wines to be tasted. If you need me I’ll be buying jeans in the next size up - I blame the bière buche.

Photos: Laura Leichtfried

2. The food.

I’m not talking about frog’s legs and snails, but the regional delicacies that you find all around France. Whether it’s quiche lorraine in Alsace, moules marinières in Marseille or pâtisserie in Paris, the best way to experience France is through its food (and of course, its wine).

3. Crêpes.

So good that they deserve their own bullet point. Brittany’s speciality is savoury galettes, especially galettes saucissons, the French take on hot dogs. My favourite combo is a ham and cheese galette followed by a chocolate and frangipane crêpe (if you ever happen to find yourself in Rennes, visit Crêperie Sainte-Anne for the best crêpes in the city).

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EDITORS: Jade Beard and Laurel Bibby

LIFESTYLE

27 FEB 2017

| 15

Welcome to New York

Harriet Idle shares the best bits of her year abroad in the USA

W

ILLIAMSBURG is the poster-girl of NYC's hipster movement. The artsy urban landscape has become so sought after that the rent prices have become equal to that of Manhattan lofts. I, ever the shameless lover of hipster culture, couldn’t resist exploring the neighbourhood whilst on my year abroad in New York. It definitely did not disappoint me; I completely fell in love with the slightly rough-around-the-edges feel of the city streets. Having made many a trip there during my year, I've curated a small, handy guide to the absolute best places to see, eat and shop in this exciting part of Brooklyn:

Sights to see

Eat

Shop till you drop

The best way to experience a city like NYC is to walk the streets and get lost. The main hot-spot is Bedford Avenue, located by the only subway station that connects the area to Manhattan. You'll be greeted by colourful store fronts, local restaurants, and street stalls selling clothing and home-ware. You can admire the art murals that adorn the ground, the walls, the doors; the entire space is like one big street art gallery.

As for an amazing view, you can do no better than the East River State Park, which has one of the best views of the skyline.

There is no shortage of great restaurants in this neighbourhood.

My personal favourite was a tiny yet adorable Japanese fusion café on North 6th Street, named House of Small Wonder. Unassuming on the outside, the interior looks and feels like a Japanese garden and serves both continental breakfasts (I always picked the croissants and fruit salad) and traditional dishes such as Kobe Beef and sticky rice.

If you were just looking to grab a coffee though, Sweet Leaf coffeehouse is offbeat, quirky and cosy.

This area is known for its vintage shopping opportunities, and it really lives up to its reputation. From the outside market stalls to the indoor stalls of Artists and Fleas, flea markets are definitely the way to go. The friendly sellers are always willing to negotiate and I have found some truly unique pieces. On Bedford Avenue, there is an alleyway that houses a plethora of irresistible shops, from bath bomb stores to cosy second-hand bookstores. Even if you can’t bring yourself to loosen the purse strings, just admiring the oddball decorative charm of Williamsburg shops is rewarding in itself!

Photos: Harriet Idle

This is England

S

International student Camille Thoumyre gives her perspective on English culture

OME people go abroad expecting to experience a complete change in culture and lifestyle. Others leave thinking the destination will probably not be that different.

I was part of the latter group: having lived in London as a child, I considered myself already somewhat familiar with England, and didn’t think I would have much of a culture shock when arriving here from France. Little did I know how wrong I was.

The first challenge happened when I met my flat mates in first year. I realised I didn’t how to greet people in England. Do you hug them even though they are still strangers to you? Do you sternly shake their hand? Or do you just awkwardly stand in front of them and give a slight wave?

Needless to say, I was

Photo: visitexeter.co.uk

already uneasy by simply greeting the people I was going to live with for the next year. Not the best start.

I GOT VERY CONFUSED, VERY QUICKLY I then had to learn names, and it’s not as easy as it sounds. With all the abbreviations like ‘Abby’, ‘Gabby’, ‘Tom’ and ‘Dom’ sounding so similar, and pre-drinks starting at 6pm during Fresher’s week instead of 10pm like I was used to, I got very confused, very quickly.

Then came the “guess where I’m from in the UK” game. How is it possible for such a small country to have so many variations in accents? To

me, it all sounded just the same, even though I was repeatedly taught how to differentiate the Welsh from the Londoner, the Londoner from the Southerner, and so on.

Next, I did what most of us do in an uneasy situation, and went to find something familiar and comforting. I made my way to the shops to buy cigarettes. But to buy tobacco here, you have to name the brand you want before actually seeing the product shelf. Turns out, England and France barely have any brands in common, so you can imagine how relieved I was when I finally managed to get one name right! However, smoking cigarettes with French people was not going to help me discover the British culture I came to experience, so I decided to go full out and taste the renowned English breakfast. Since then, bacon and beans on toast have been the highlight of my mornings. Yes, I would rather have bacon

than a croissant for breakfast, and that probably says a lot.

BEANS ON TOAST HAVE BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY MORNINGS I realised the simplest things such as greeting people or buying the weekly shopping were what destabilised me most, instead of the big changes like language and location.

The hardest part about being abroad is probably losing the everyday habits you had before, but that creates possibilities to engage in new experiences, and discover new ways of life that may be much more enjoyable!

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lifestyle

EDITORS: Jade Beard and Laurel Bibby

27 FEB 2017

| 16

The little fashion weeks T

Jasmine Prasad outlines the international fashion shows to keep an eye on

HE fashion industry is one that is, at its core, international. A trend only becomes a trend if huge swathes of people choose to follow it, and in our globalised world, it isn’t enough for just one country to see the beauty in a piece.

As the months of February and September unfold, the four fashion capitals exhibit the best work of their designers in Autumn and Spring fashion weeks. New York, London, Paris and Milan are watched worldwide on social media, with industry professionals dissecting every collection. The ultimate aim is to determine what the greatest consumer trends will be, mainly by cross-comparing the work produced in each country. These four represent fashion’s elite, and yet, the impact and expression of dress is far bigger than their boundaries. I've always wondered why no other cities get as much buzz as these do.

As of 2017, more countries are choosing to

host Fashion Weeks to showcase their own talent. While such shows may not get the same media buzz that Paris and Milan shows get, they make no less money, and are certainly no less influential or beautiful. In fact, you’re probably obsessed with a trend that debuted on a Copenhagen catwalk by a designer you’ve never heard of, or maybe you love an aesthetic born from a country’s specific celebration of their fashion culture. We’re going to give you a rundown of some of the international shows that have probably helped shape your wardrobe, without you even realising.

São Paulo Fashion Week Famous for: Swimwear. São Paulo is probably the biggest fashion hub in South America with established designers such as Karl Lagerfeld flocking to work with its boutique, Brazil-centric brands. Underrated at the moment, but with any luck, soon to blow up everywhere.

Designers to watch: Lenny Neimeyer, Helo Rôcha.

Find it in your wardrobe: In a vast majority of swimwear trends, but mostly in luxe swimsuits. Look to Niemeyer for an example in fabrics that shouldn’t be used to make swimsuits being used to make them look fabulous, combinations of classic textures, such as velvet and lace, for a romantic, Neo-Victorian feel.

Tbilisi Fashion Week Famous for: Incorporating its region’s history into its design efforts.The international reach of fashion means that designers are often inspired by those in other countries. French influences pop up in Japanese works all the time, and American influences in Korean. But the Spring 2017 Tbilisi show all exhibit traces of the Georgian city’s Soviet past to varying extents. Presentation at Tbilisi is by no means limited by these themes, but Georgian identity definitely seems to be something that designers in this region wish to work through in their creations.

Designers to watch: Datuna Sulikashvili, Nino Babukhadia.

Find it in your wardrobe: Honestly, probably nowhere (at least if you’re shopping on the British high street). The works of designers showing at Tsibilisi is specific because of its self-reflexive awareness of its own identity. Basserion takes influence from Soviet era schoolgirl bibs and military motifs, while Lako Bukia took photos of buildings in her home country of Georgia and used them as prints for her Spring 2017 collection. Georgia is a case in point of how far from British and American fashion this platform allows designers to go.

Photos: wikepedia commons

Seoul Fashion Week Famous for: Street style. If there’s anywhere that photographers are going to be willing to jump into the path of moving transport to snap a pic of a cool Fashion Week attendee, it’s Seoul. With an emphasis strongly on originality in its audiences, actual collections shown seem to be a reinterpretation of Korean traditional dress, as it has been influenced by an American look. Design houses tend to be established post 2005, so many of these young creatives are still working out their artistic voice.

Designers to watch: Pushbutton, Münn.

Find it in your wardrobe: In the use of unconventional colours or fabrics, looks that are laser cut and oversized. Shapes that are clean and sharp, but above all, fun.

Berlin Fashion Week Famous for: Its many interpretations of the “Berlin Woman.” Berlin’s Spring shows exhibit undertones of decadence with overtones of sleek elegance. Think the city in its 1920s heyday, but instead of a done caricature, a version that’s so 2017. As one of the countries that is nearing the same level of influence as the Big Four, looks shown at Berlin most certainly

have huge influence, and are all over this season’s high street.

Designers to watch: Cushnie et Ochs, Marcel Ostertag.

Find it in your wardrobe: This season in the layers upon layers of tulle and soft pastel chiffon. Otherwise, underwear as outerwear, an abundance of cutouts and for this Autumn, some seriously well tailored suits.

The Fashion Weeks I’ve outlined are those that play a big part in the development of trends on our high street. The way we dress here in the UK is hugely shaped by so many different worldwide influences. But Fashion Weeks happen all over the world, not only to influence trends and encourage buyers. In countries like Lagos and Seoul, their fairly new Fashion Weeks are held to establish their own fashion industries. The adoption of the Fashion Week model far and wide is evidence that nations outside of the Big Four want to foray into this business in ways that they might previously would not have been able to. As this mode of exhibition becomes more and more popular, and smaller fashion weeks gain more traction, soon we’ll be paying attention to creators in countries much further and wider that New York, London, Paris and Milan.

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lifestyle

27 FEB 2017

EDITORS: Jade Beard and Laurel Bibby

Better than beans

| 17

Paige Evans' global menu will take you out of this world

U

NIVERSITY can be eye-opening in many ways, and one of the biggest concerns when moving out is very close to our hearts, and stomachs – how, and what, you're going to feed yourself.

Regardless of the lies you were told before going to uni, you can’t eat Domino's every day. Unless you’re a foodie like me, the likelihood of you turning towards Super Noodles, soup, and baked beans is high. If you’ve spent all your budget on going out, or you just haven’t learnt how to turn the hob on, your diet, your health, and your parents’ high aspirations for you will start to deteriorate.

However, this can easily be avoided. No, there’s not a lot of effort involved, either. At the University of Exeter, approximately 20% of our students are international (based on international fee status). In my first year, I was the only non-international student in my flat, and the food cooked within those walls were not only good for the body, but that it was good for the soul. Introducing culturally diverse dishes into your meal intake will not only improve your diet, but also improve your taste buds, your flatmates’ opinions of your sololiving ability, and will make your dinnertimes a lot more interesting.

So, here are some tasty ideas for how to embrace different cuisines, whilst also embracing your dietary needs – i.e. not just beans.

Starters Japanese

Teriyaki Beef or Tofu Lettuce Cups I’m never going to shoot down Wagamama. Wagamama is always top choice when considering a Deliveroo order. Still, when you’re feeling the pennies less and less in your pocket, you can still enjoy Japanese cuisine at home, to the surprise of both your belly and your housemates.

Japanese food is generally light and healthy, making it a perfect starter if you’re trying to impress. Teriyaki Beef and Lettuce Cups are ideal nibbles and take very little time to make. Marinate your beef, cut up some onion, chilli, and cucumber, add some lime and coriander, assemble – and then yum. For a veggie option, swap out the beef for tofu, and enjoy.

Caribbean

Jerk Chicken or Sweet Potato and Mango Kebabs Caribbean food, for me, is always associated with something fun. Think of carnival, colour, and heat – and all of these things can be present in your kitchen, rather than popping to Turtle Bay or reverting to the bland, basic

meals that students are associated with.

The balance of sweet and savoury is key to most Caribbean dishes, and having a starter dish to show these subtle tones is

The only beans I will advocate in this article.

To make it veggie, swap out the meat for lentils or more beans. One of my good friends at uni did this exact dish for her birthday meal at home, and it’s so easy to cater for everyone’s dietary needs. A big bowl of one, a big bowl of the other, and happy tums all round.

Italian

Spaghetti Bolognese

ickr Photo: fl

ideal. The ‘jerk’ flavour can be bought rather than made for extra ease, and then you put however much you want on the kebabs, and have extra fun making a salsa side. It’s fun, vibrant, and looks impressive to whoever you’re cooking for!

No, Italian cuisine doesn’t always mean pizza from the freezer. Turn to your friend pasta.

Whilst pasta is an essential in every student’s cupboard, it doesn’t mean that it needs to be the same every time. Pasta is one of the most versatile starches available to us, and you can do really fancy things with it without having to go to a fancy restaurant, and without getting scared and reaching for the microwave meal.

However, if you’re not quite ready to tackle cannelloni, spag bol is always a safe bet. Using minced meat or a Quorn substitute, you can take your bolognese past the mundane by adding oregano or mixed herbs, or giving it that extra kick with Worcester sauce. Trust me, it works. Easy to make in bulk, you can serve to friends or freeze it for desperate times, saving money.

Turkish

Falafel or Lamb Mini Flatbreads We’ve all eyed up the falafel van on Fridays on campus. It always looks really good. So why don’t we do the same at home?

I’m not saying get-your-bake on and magically make some flatbreads. If you’re not feeling particularly skilled, you can buy some flatbreads from most supermarkets, and then prep for your toppings – sort of like a Turkish flatbread pizza, but mini. Add garlic, cumin, coriander and mint to your choice of lamb or falafel, and then finish it off with some natural yoghurt on top. It’s refreshing, full of flavour, and definitely a unique alternative to Domino's or Chicago Town minis.

Mains Mexican

Black Bean and Beef or Veggie Chilli Mexican is the food for friends. From tacos, to nachos, to fajitas, to guacamole, right down to the sour cream and salsa, Mexican food always feels like a party. The great thing about it, as well as being the best food choice for a themed birthday, is that it’s simple but tasty.

Chilli con carne is the staple dish to demonstrate this. You can pretty much put anything you want in it – spices, vegetables, and any other wacky flavours and sauces – with the statement pinto, black, or kidney beans, which are needless to say, incredibly cheap.

Greek

Moussaka

Fun fact: Greece is my favourite place in the entire world. Mostly because it always puts a smile on my mother’s face, but also because of how beautiful everything is, including their food. I’m sure if you made a top notch Moussaka, it would put a smile on your mother’s face too.

With a main base of aubergine, artichokes, and lamb (if you’re meat-inclined), a Moussaka is fragranced with herbs and spices that will

get your stomach craving for a slice – oregano, bay leaves, and even a cheeky cinnamon stick if you fancy.

Desserts American

New York Cheesecake The U.S, more specially the Big Apple, was inevitably going to appear somewhere on this list. But don’t fret – I’m not proposing you eat anything as healthy as a fruit for your dessert.

You’re watching a film with your flat and it’s all winding down. It’s too late to accomplish your five-a-day; now is the time to treat yourself.

Whilst you’ll need some time on your hands for this one, cheesecake is always worth your time. And when the ingredients name items such as digestive biscuits, vanilla essence, lemon, sugar, and the heavenly Philadelphia cheese, you know the only place that they belong – in your belly.

In all seriousness, this is a rewarding dessert to prepare, and definitely impressive if for an occasion. Your flatmates will owe you big time, if you’re willing to share.

French

Crème Brulee The French are known for their sweets, and their ability to address the stress that that uni can bring. Yes, it’s easy enough to buy a croissant or a pain au chocolate from the Market Place, or when you walk past the shop on your way home. But it won’t taste as good as something made at home, ever. Making and baking food is therapeutic in itself.

With a crème brulee, the stress is reduced further by the short list Photo of ingredients needed. It’s : flick r creamy and self-indulgent, letting you have a little ‘me’ time and giving your stomach some self-care.

Oh, and don’t forget that satisfying feeling of breaking through the caramelised sugar into its gooey centre. If that’s not happiness, I don’t know what is.

arts + lit

All the world’s a stage Hannah Weiss breaks down borders with a bit of breakdance...

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T began in the Bronx. In the early 1970s when street DJs, led by Kool Herc, began to mix dance records like James Brown’s ‘Get On The Good Foot’, looping the breakdowns to create a baseline of pure beats. The dancers who used these breakbeats as a foundation to experiment with Brown’s acrobatic moves were the first break-boys – or B-boys. They created a new dance form originally dubbed ‘rocking’ by mixing Brown’s high energy moves – uprock – with downrock – when they took the acrobatic style to the floor. African American and Latino kids across the Bronx laid down cardboard in the streets to practice their new moves and the dance style quickly evolved into a form of mock combat to settle territorial disputes among rival gangs. But these gangs were foregoing traditional fighting to form dance crews. Among them were the Zulu Kings, the very first breakdance crew, created by Afrika Bambaataa. The Zulu Kings performed in local dance clubs and won talent shows, making a name for themselves and growing in number.

They became Zulu Nation, 5000 members strong, and breakdance joined rap, DJing and graffiti art to become one of the four pillars of hip hop culture.

THE DANCE STYLE QUICKLY EVOLVED INTO A FORM OF MOCK COMBAT The Rock Steady Crew, formed of original members of Zulu Nation, further developed the style to include power moves, and are credited with inventing the headspin, windmill and handglide. Word soon spread. Breakdance gained the attention of mainstream media, and battles between larger crews such as Rock Steady

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and Dynamic Rockers were filmed for national television. Breakdancers were featured in movies like Flashdance and Beat Street, spreading the movement across the world. By the late 1980s, breakdance was beginning to lose traction and head underground in the states. But on the other side of the Atlantic, the Second To None crew, inspired by American dance films, was formed in South West England in 1985.

They went Britain’s on to become most eminent crew, winning the UK B-boy Championships for two years running. Meanwhile, in the banlieues of Paris, hip hop gained momentum among disaffected North African immigrants as a form of opposition to the French government, who turned a blind eye to inner city poverty. Decades later, France remains one of the global hubs of breakdance, with Battle of the Year, one of the premier

breakdance battles, held annually in Montpellier.

Today, breakdance has shifted eastwards.

South Korea and Japan are pioneering a new generation of dancers. The breakdancers of Tokyo and Osaka were inspired by Wild Style, a dance film featuring the first wave of American rappers, DJs and B-boys.

Breakdance is at its core an improvisational dance form, with B-boys and B-girls coming up

with endless variations of moves to create their own signature styles. The Japanese took what they saw and imitated and improved it, so much so that in 1996, Stefan ‘Mr. Wiggles’ Clemente, the eminent popper and locker, praised Osaka for being home to one of the best dance scenes in the world. The Japanese have adopted hip hop culture with perfect precision, but some feel that their respect for the origins of hip hop jar with the western desire to bring originality to the dance floor. Instead, the B-boys of Osaka prize technical expertise over personal style.

HIP HOP TRANSLATES AND TRANSMUTES ITSELF And far from the streets of Harlem, in South Korea, breakdance is a government approved pastime. The Korea Tourism Organisation sponsors competitions and pays the top

B-boys a salary to train full-time, while leading corporations often feature breakdance in commercials or events. The government has identified the prowess of Seoul’s B-boys as a way to showcase the dynamism and energy of modern Korea. At R16, the nation’s annual hip hop festival, top crews Jinjo and Drifterz showcase why the Koreans are currently leading the global breakdance scene.

Fiercely competitive, with a commitment to eight hour training days, these B-boys have turned the dance form into an athletic sport.

With the internationalisation of breakdance, hip hop translates and transmutes itself as it is interpreted differently by cultures across the world. Far from reppin’ their street, professional B-boys feel a new desire to stand for their home country; Algerian champion Lilou often dances wearing a traditional keffiyeh scarf while LatinAmerican B-boy Roxrite has shoes with Mexican and American flags on. At the top level, dancers travel across continents for competitions, which bring together judges, DJs and crews in a multicultural mélange of talent. Battles are frequently followed by workshops, where the pros share their secrets with the new generation.

And if you haven’t got the money to take a plane to attend Battle of the Year, YouTube tutorials and breakbeats shared via SoundCloud mean that hip hop culture has become universal.

But with the profusion of global contests and ever more countries joining the race, there is a fear that breakdance is losing its roots. Back in 80s-era New York, B-boy crews from opposing neighbourhoods could be differentiated by having their own unique flavour. Today some say this individuality is being lost as more value is placed on achieving the most acrobatic power moves at the expense of any signature style.

Nonetheless, one thing is clear – hip hop has now spread across the globe, thanks not only to new technologies, but the culture itself.

Breakdance is a communal art form, with dancers training in circles, known as cyphers, throwing down one after another in an attempt to outdo each other. B-boys and B-girls gather for jams on a local and global scale to share their moves.

At its core, breakdance is a level playing field. All you need is a beat and floor to make up a new move and keep the art of hip hop ‘rocking’ on.

...And Zoe Case looks at how British theatre borrows from other cultures

OMING from the other side of the Atlantic, I would be the first to say that British drama has had a great effect on other countries’ theatres - but this island’s theatres also owe plenty to international influence.

THIS ISLAND’S THEATRES OWE PLENTY TO INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE Pantomime, a tradition that is typically thought of as inherently English, actually traces its roots back to the 16th century and Italian commedia dell’arte. The first commedia dell’arte performances, characterized by their stock character tropes, slapstick comedy and carnival masks,

were professionally performed almost fifty years before English theatre really took off.

Henrik Ibsen, playwright of A Doll’s House, is actually Norwegian and was one of the fathers of European modernist theatre, influencing the Irishmen — Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, and James Joyce — and unsettling the strict morality of Victorian theatre.

A culturally-entrenched English playwright, Harold Pinter, may attribute much of his conversational, social realist, rationalist style to the work that was being done in America in the 40s and 50s with the emerging group of postmodernist Broadway playwrights including Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee, and Arthur Miller. Then again, they can attribute some of their comedy and much of their influence from the large-scale vaudeville movement that swept the U.S. pre-Civil War

which can then trace its beginnings back to commedia dell’arte. Well, all roads lead to Rome.

SOME OF BRITAIN’S MOST SEMINAL WRITERS HAVE DUAL HERITAGE “Purity”of culture does not exist at any level.

Some of Britain’s most seminal writers have dual heritage - for example Samuel Beckett, a playwright who had both French and Irish roots. Beckett was the playwright of Waiting for Godot and father of the Theatre of the Absurd, the postmodernist movement occupied with the struggles of survival in an increasingly unfathomable world. Tom Stoppard, author of Arcadia and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead are founded on Beckett and I assume

a letter of gratitude to the man himself is forthcoming from Black Mirror. Then again, Beckett should give kudos to Ancient Greece and Aristotelean tragicomedy for his own style.

The lesson to be learned here is that there is no discernible beginning to theatre and there cannot be any end. Personally, I would be glad to see a break from Euro-centric theatre. Anyone up for some Japanese Kabuki?

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Twelfth Night

Grandad and the Machine

Graham Moore gives a glowing review of a Shakespearean classic

Tash Ebbutt, Arts+Lit Editor raves about the show that puts Grimm’s fairytales to shame.

TWELFTH NIGHT Cygnet Theatre, Exeter 17th February

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WELFTH Night has long held a special place in some very Shakespearean ventricle of my heart. There are endless interpretations and ways to play out its farcical, gender-swapping twists and turns, and a good production can counter the script’s frequent hilarity with strong narrative and emotional resonance. It seems that the folks at the Sun & Moon Theatre company feel similarly, because this was one such excellent production.

Sun & Moon, founded by University of Exeter alumni Melissa Barrett and David Johnson, have taken the play’s most famous line to heart.

‘If music be the food of love, play on’ – and so they do, with three of the cast providing musical accompaniment both in scene and aside.

This serves to introduce the production’s unusual setting, with a medley of songs ) opening the play in the middle of the First World War. 1916 is an interesting anachronistic choice but then Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s particularly anachronistic plays to begin with, taking place in the classical and long defunct region of Illyria. Shakespeare’s original Illyria is so very Renaissance: a little fantastical, a little dreamy, so supposedly foreign yet so familiar.

It speaks volumes then that this modern production opts for a far more raw and real Illyria.

TWELFTH NIGHT IS ONE OF SHAKESPEARE’S ANACHRONISTIC PLAYS The change in chronology is effective, if a little underplayed. Military clothing is worn by almost all characters; Viola and Sebastian are realised more as conflict refugees, Orsino struggles with an evident war-wound, and Antonio’s shady background takes on a deeper meaning (‘As black as Vulcan in the smoke of war’). If one is watching out for it, the wartime setting is effective – yet it yearns for a slightly fuller realisation, tending (to the

casual eye at least) a little towards the superficial. The fault, perhaps, is in the script; a true sense of wartime would have been easier produced with the likes of Much Ado. To my mind, the characterisation was spot on. Viola, swept along by her own moustachioed deception, served up copious amounts of dramatic irony to great comic effect. As any Shakespeare fan not so far placed up their own behind as to pontificate through their small intestine would attest, Twelfth Night is approximately 90% penis jokes, and with this in mind the production played the script up with great hilarity. Feste, in true Fool style, provides the comedic lynchpin to the play. The Malvolio subplot brought forth raucous laughter, with physical comedy suitably exaggerated and comic timing spot on. Sir Andrew, characterised as a bumbling Brit abroad complete with boater hat, strikes a contrast amongst the military greatcoats of the other characters; again the anachronistic setting is toyed with.

A stranger in a strange land is Andrew, ever confused, so very detached from constant reminders of ongoing war. The perpetually drinking Toby, meanwhile, has an undercurrent of melancholy as he drags a bemused and hapless Andrew along in his merry-making.

With a plot as farcical as Twelfth Night’s, there lies a fine line between the hilarious and the overtly ridiculous, and this was well-treaded in the main romances. The script leaves plenty of opportunity for homoeroticism, and this theme was used amply with several near-kisses for Viola, with both Olivia and Orsino; Antonio’s professed love for Sebastian, meanwhile, was more than just friendly affection. The decision to have both Orsino and Antonio played by the same actor, did result in some difficulty when both characters shared the stage.

At the end of the day, Twelfth Night is chiefly a comedy and in that the production found resounding success. However, the innovative choice of setting did allow for further depths to be explored, even if it could have benefitted from further integration in some areas. With Sun & Moon establishing their presence in the local theatrical scene, I am very excited to see how they follow on from this production.

GRANDAD AND THE MACHINE Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter 14th February - 18th February

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ALFWAY through my degree and I still had yet to visit The Bike Shed Theatre.

Located on Fore Street, this quaint bar come theatre hosts an abundance of theatrical and comedic productions. From amateur to professional performances, there is always something to capture the imagination. And my imagination was certainly ensnared by Jack Dean’s creation known as Grandad and the Machine. This whimsical two-man show had me laughing, almost crying (both from joy and utter heartbreak) and holding onto the edges of my seat in gripping anticipation. It tells the story of Imogen, her father and their adventure to Grandad’s house in order to stop a machine that is seemingly terrorising England. A steampunk fairy tale, Dean and musician Josh Lucas create an enchanting scene through a utilisation of puppetry, limited props and costume as well as an impressive use of voice and sound.

MY IMAGINATION WAS CERTAINLY ENSNARED To begin with, credit must be given to the puppetry. I was aware before I saw this production that it had a limited cast so it was of interest to me how Dean would present this protagonist. Enter Imogen, a quintessential, presumed papier maché figure who Dean breathes character into with his incredible, interchangeable voice. But do not be fooled by Imogen’s exterior, it may only be her eighth birthday but she is indubitably a strident feminist icon in the making. Constantly asking why she can’t do things that boys at school can’t do and always questioning traditional gender roles that tend to make women the supposed inferior of the sexes. I absolutely loved it, especially with the crude swearing that emerged from such a young mouth. Just brilliant. Contemporary society

needs such productions that enable young women to challenge gender construction.

Even though this is an tale targeted at adults, you could say that the views permeated through such characterisation would have a trickledown effect from older generations to their younger counterparts.

Impressions and the effect of having a voice, which has the immense power to weave into the audience’s very being, is a talent which Dean possesses and the fact he became various characters through accents and minor costume changes really did justice to this amazing story. A particular favourite of mine was the use of a farmer’s cap to symbolise Imogen’s father. .

GRANDAD HOARDS A GOLDMINE OF INFORMATION AND PLOT TWISTS But I could not continue this review without a commendation of soundman Josh Lucas.

The musical set up could be seen by the audience and allowed a creation or emphasis of certain emotions within Dean’s voice. Sound also played an integral part of telling the story itself. Lucas’ masterful utilisation of voice and instrument allowed the audience to be further engrossed in such a magical tale, experiencing every feeling of the crazy journey.

Where would this review stand if Grandad himself was not mentioned? The infamous relative appears relatively late within the show but like Christmas he is worth the wait. Grandad hoards a goldmine of information and plot twists that I will never detail for I desire any who read this to go and see this incredible show. The only hint I will give you is that an effective use of UV reveals a secret about Imogen. A secret that concerns her Grandad, her father and her country. More dates for this spectacular show will be released this summer, so keep your eyes peeled and join Imogen and her father on their magical journey. You will not be disappointed.

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Culture vulture

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George Pope debates the idea that British writing about non-English speaking countries is innately pernicious

N last year’s build up to the new Harry Potteruniverse film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, national (Exeter) treasure and allround star J.K. Rowling got embroiled in a row about cultural colonialism. Working to publicise the upcoming film, she created a backstory on her website - Pottermore - for the American wizarding world, including its own school of magic, Ilvermorny. The houses in this school were all named after figures of Native American mythology: Pukwudgie, Wampus, Horned Serpent, and Thunderbird. Alongside this, she released an arguably insensitively handled version of a legend about a Navajo skin-walker. This created a backlash amongst some fans who accused her of cultural appropriation. Dr Adrienne Keene’s blog ‘Native Appropriations’ makes the good point that indigenous peoples are often equated with fantasy (such as in Peter Pan), positioning them as “not real”.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ARE OFTEN EQUATED WITH FANTASY Now while I very much doubt that J.K. Rowling was aiming to appropriate Native American culture, her example exposes that anyone, even with the best of intentions, can be guilty of doing just that.

Apologies in advance if I use the rest of this

article as a way to plug my favourite author (David Mitchell - not of Peep Show fame, go and read his stuff ), but I do believe that authors like him are important when considering the subject matter: a huge (some might even say disproportionate) amount of what we call ‘English’ literature is in fact set outside of not only Britain, but all English speaking countries. This prevalence of international spaces leads to conflict both within the texts themselves and between the wider cultures in which they are set.

It seems obvious to me that the way in which the work is written is key here; when international issues are respected, well incorporated into the story, and not limited to crude stereotypes, they can bring a huge amount to a story without taking away from their source country. Enter David Mitchell. As well as being one of the most creative writers I have ever had the joy to encounter, his stories also often span the entire world, jumping from character to character and place to place. However, it is often when the location stays fixed that he is at his best, such as in his fifth novel, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. Set in Japan at the close of the 18th Century, the story is about a Dutch trader in Nagasaki, exposing the clash of two hugely different cultures and the different ways they both struggle to adapt to a rapidly modernising world.

As well as being a great novel, in my opinion, this is a perfect example of how the use of international spaces can really enhance a story’s

quality and interest. Mitchell spent over four years researching and writing the book, and he has previously lived in Japan himself, which contributed both to its accuracy and the respect that he holds for Japanese culture. However, I don’t think that this kind of experience is a prerequisite for writing fiction set in foreign countries.

for some very boring reading. So the important thing to remember is that international settings should be handled with care, but they absolutely should be handled, and even more importantly, the canon should be expanded to include works by people who are writing from a non-British perspective. But that’s an argument for a different day.

ONE PERSON’S ADMIRATION IS ANOTHER’S APPROPRIATION Obviously a basic personal understanding of your novel’s setting is welcome, although not entirely necessary. I think that it can add a sense of wonder and disorientation, a freshness of experience felt when travelling in the unknown, not to know the place that you are writing about - not at first at least. If you then go on to include “local” characters, you need to know certain things to avoid misrepresentation. But if one of the aims of fiction is to replicate real life, then not knowing the place where you are writing about can add a degree of authenticity to your writing.

This will always be a contentious point - one person’s admiration is another’s appropriation.

But think about a literary canon made up of only books set in the British Isles because we’re scared of offending people. That would make

What’s in a language?

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Maddie Davies reminisces over the Shax interlude in her Thai travels

N 2015 I set off to Thailand to soak up a culture that I expected to wildly contrast the lifestyle of the previous eighteen years of my existence in the valleys of South Wales. I explored temples, island hopped, snorkelled, went to the infamous full moon party – the list goes on and on. However, the last thing I expected to stumble upon was a production of Romeo and Juliet. I was told prior to my trip to expect anything in Bangkok, but I didn’t quite picture Shakespeare’s most famous play as a huge tourist attraction in South-East Asia.

ROMEO + JULIET WAS TREMENDOUSLY POPULAR AMONG THAI ROYALTY Obviously, I had to see it; I was intrigued by the idea of a play that is so centrally British being performed and adapted in Thailand. Driven by my curiosity, I took it upon myself to do some research prior to the performance. From this research (a loose term - I found one page from the British Library Online in an internet

café) I found that Romeo and Juliet was actually tremendously popular among Thai royalty at the beginning of the 20th Century - so popular that King Vajiravudh often took part in many of the performances himself.

When I got to the theatre, the building and set paralleled ancient Greek set ups, requiring no scenery at all but a variety of very elaborate props and costumes; the costumes were traditional Thai garb, which is beautifully bright and heavily embroidered.

There were many candles that within the original text were presented in opulent gold candelabras – very different to the tea lights used at Blackfriars in Shakespeare’s day.

The cast doubled-up on a lot of roles, helping the audience to navigate their varying roles by wearing

ostentatious masks that were all distinctively different and I was later informed were made in traditional Siamese style. It was only the villainous characters that wore the masks as they were decorated with sharp edges and often black and red colours, which made them visually more threatening. The whole production was performed in both the Thai language and English… It was so wonderfully weird!

For example, the prologue and opening scene were performed purely in Thai (or Siamese, as it is also known) and the following scene in English, then Siamese and then English - so on and so forth. As Romeo and Juliet is (arguably) the most famous play to grace the globe, the story was firmly

cemented into my mind and actually allowed me to follow it with ease despite this bilingual jumping around. Interestingly, the scene featuring the deaths of the two protagonists was performed once, but in both languages.

For example, when Friar Laurence enters in the final scene exclaiming “Saint Francis be my speed!” the actor actually exited the stage and re-entered to say the line in English. So, as you can imagine, this poignant scene actually became humourous; the company were playing on this, mocking the actions of the two teenagers. I felt as though this approach actually appealed more to a modern day audience as we can appreciate the ending may be a little more dramatic than needs be.

THIS POIGNANT SCENE BECAME HUMOROUS Despite the whole thing being absolutely off-the-wall weird, I would absolutely recommend the whole experience to anyone looking for drama in the chaos of Bangkok.

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Gerard Murray

Natalie Keffler

HERE are certain parts of Norwegian Wood that most readers, I imagine, would rather forget. The novel, originally published in Japanese, includes a particularly vivid sex scene involving its student protagonist and a middle-aged, mentally ill woman called Reiko. This moment might not be so unnerving if Reiko had not been the former carer of the protagonist’s girlfriend—who had only just killed herself.

Norwegian Wood has an intense atmospheric draw. Although set amidst the student protests of a 1960s Tokyo, the characters appear to exist permanently in a setting like the remote mountain sanatorium featured in the text. The novel wraps around you and detaches you from reality in much the same way as its characters sink deeper and deeper into themselves.

Translations are always complicated, but reading Norwegian Wood in English is more complex than most. In an introduction to his first novel, Murakami describes his early attempts to shed a superfluous writing style.

He began experimenting in English—of which he knew only enough to write very basic sentences. He then translated his own work into Japanese. This stylistic echo is maintained in the English translation of Norwegian Wood –

PON initially picking up Anna Karenina you notice its hefty weight, however the bulk of this book is what makes it such an incredible text. It is packed with fascinatingly complex characters as well as following the magnificent settings of Russia throughout the 19th Century. The Protagonist, Anna Karenina is unhappily married to Karenin, however she quickly begins an illustrious affair with Vronsky, thus gradually being further and further shunned by society for her adulterous behavior.

However, due to Tolstoy’s incredible depiction of Anna’s character we don’t purely condemn her, but rather are also encouraged to pity the situation she has placed herself into, with no way out due to the helpless position women were in during this era. Many of the characters in the novel have this appeal; none being purely black or white but rather Trotsky allows us to see their reasoning for making what can initially be classed as shocking prepositions.

There is no point where it is jilted or confusing to understand after being translated from Russian- although understanding Russian historical context at the time - for example the vast expanse of its country and the different class and governing systems - enhances ones

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first read ‘Kiffe Kiffe Demain’ by Faïza Guène for my French A-Level, and although this kind of intense, elongated study can drain any enthusiasm for the book out of you, this was far from the case here. It may be because the narrator, Doria, has such a lively voice that it really stuck with me, but I think the principal reason was the way in which it dealt with teenage life. From the insanely trivial, to the side-splittingly hilarious, to the gutwrenchingly tragic, everything is laced with a witty sarcasm that lifts it back up as soon as it gets low. Focusing on an impoverished, Moroccan-born teenager who lives on a council estate with her Mum after her father deserted them to remarry and get the son he always wanted, it overturns social stereotypes and debates a number of issues that are at the centre of current discussion, such as immigration, extremism, racism, and women’s rights. Although ‘Kiffe Kiffe Demain’ has been published and enjoyed in many languages, including English, in my opinion it can lose some of the nuances that come from its heavy use of French slang, but that said, it is an important, eye-opening read that shouldn’t just be kept for French speakers: its messages and themes are universal.

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N the vast world of global literature, unless we want to laboriously flip flash cards or be glued to Duolingo for years on end, we are forced to accept translation as the only version of foreign texts that we can ever get. It is a prerequisite, I think, that the translation is not the actual text; the nuances of Pablo Neruda’s fingernails as ‘piedras pálidas’ in his love poem ‘Anhelo su boca’, for example, loses its plosive subtlety when we think that we would pore over ‘pale stones’, not the original sounds of ‘piedras pálidas’. However, bashing translated texts gets us nowhere; whether they be Russian, Persian, Quechuan or French originally, the painstaking swapping of idioms and the juggling of sentence structures is often an underrated achievement. It allows us to escape the bonds of foreign tongues, so that a British teenager may read Neruda’s beautifully unadorned words in one of his most famous poems, Sonnet 17: ‘Te amo sin saber cómo, ni cuándo, no de dónde’. The speaker’s painting of how he loves without knowing how, or when, or where from, is so simply stated, yet is an intrinsically piercing line. If it weren’t for the converted words, monolingual English speakers would not have any access to the genius of Nerudatherefore, although translation is not cloning and is certainly not a flawless art, is it not better to have lost something in translation, than to not have gained anything at all?

Sophie Norton

Ellie Cook

Lost in Translation Arts + Lit writers celebrate novels borrowed from bookshelves around the world

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HE Unbearable Lightness is just one of those books for me. It’s a favourite of mine (if not the favourite); part philosophical discourse, part historical commentary but ultimately, a story of flawed characters I genuinely care about.

The intimate nature Kundera’s writing style means I can almost hear him retelling these events, like an old friend over afternoon tea.

His characters became answers to questions I did not know I was asking. To this day, the book challenges me to really look at how I see things instead of what I see. But am I really seeing the image Kundera is communicating through words? The question of how to read Kundera is complicated. A Czech-born writer, he wrote the original in his mother tongue but published his French translation before the original text. Kundera himself considers his work to be French Literature. I wonder if my English translation from the Czech is lacking.

Should I read a French to English translation?

Read it either original forms? Alas, I love it all the same. Anything lost in translation would only elevate it further in my affections. But perhaps it’s time to brush up on my Czech –or French.

Mweeba Mubanga

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RIGINALLY published in Danish under the pseudonym ‘Johannes de Silentio’, Fear and Trembling is now recognised as a cornerstone of existentialist philosophy. Existentialism holds that a true philosophy must have basis in the individual self, and to this end Kierkegaard takes the biblical story of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac and uses it as a nexus for his discourse on subjectivity, absurdity and faith. By its nature, Fear and Trembling verges on the abstract, and Kierkegaard weaves his concepts often through metaphor. This potential obscurity can sometimes be exacerbated by reading through translation, as some of the more subtle nuances may struggle to carry across.

To this end it is a text best read with some appreciation of context; some knowledge of contemporary philosophy is advantageous.

That said, there is no definitive meaning to draw from Fear and Trembling. Interpretations are still debated even now, and one can’t help but feel that this is would make the author proud. The title refers to Philippians 2:12 – ‘work out your own salvation with fear and trembling’ – and I think perhaps Søren would approve of us even now using his work to work out our own salvations.

Graham Moore

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E Silence de la mer, or The Silence of the Sea, is a French novella written and published clandestinely during German occupation of France. At first distributed to only a couple hundred readers, it was later parachuted into France from London, and became central to the Resistance. The story follows an old man and his niece whose house is requisitioned by a German officer.

While the two French characters, tired of Nazi propaganda, pretend that nothing has changed, they can’t help but listen to the officer talk to them about his love for both countries, his adoration for their art, and his hopes to unify them. Every character is depicted as a human. Its compassion for the German, coupled with the strength of the resistant French characters, who stay silent the duration of his stay, make The Silence of the Sea a poignant read that is still relevant today. A bilingual edition of Le silence de la mer exists, but if you can understand French, Vercors’ other short stories are worthwhile as well. This book is short enough to be read in one sitting, and still convey the heartbreak of the officer’s adoration of both countries coupled with the violence and destruction of war.

Megan Davies

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HE Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, originally written and published in Swedish, is the dictionary definition of a page-turner. Harsh and raw like the Nordic landscapes at its backdrop, the first instalment of the Millennium series follows the unlikely partnership of controversial journalist Mikael Blomkvist and computer hacker Lisbeth Slander as they try to get to the bottom of a disappearance that has remained unsolved for 40 years. The issue of translation begins with the title – the Swedish version directly translates to ‘Men Who Hate Women’ and you don’t have to read much of the book to realise this is a more fitting summation of the book. While dragon-tattooed Lisbeth Slander is a fascinating character, this is not solely her story. The Swedish title arguably also gives the reader more of a heads-up of the graphic, disturbing elements of the novel.

Ultimately, this is a story about men who hate women. The book is apparently a better read in Swedish as well, but as my lingual capabilities are limited to what I’ve been given by the ever questionable British curriculum, I’m more than happy to make do with the English translation. A good plot transcends language barriers, after all.

Emily Garbutt

music A bassist with bite Helen Payne, Music Editor, catches up with Toothless, formerly known as Bombay Bicycle Club’s bassist Ed Nash, and his soaring new solo career

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F you’re a fan of Bombay Bicycle Club, their announcement of indefinite hiatus would’ve come as a worse piece of news than Donald Trump’s presidency. But luckily, out of the shadows of a dark world lacking a shimmering Bombay, Toothless, the solo project of bassist Ed Nash, has emerged. The Pace of the Passing is playful, full of delicate finger picking, mythological references, and hints of that beautifully textured Bombay sound that makes me feel a summery vibe bleed through my speakers, comforting me in this harsh February weather. Here’s what happened when I caught up with Toothless.

The long awaited Pace of the Passing was released yesterday – I’ve been listening to it on repeat and have honestly really enjoyed it! How does it feel to finally have finished it and released it to the music world?

Thank you so much! It feels fantastic. It’s the album I have been wanting to make for years.

There’s definitely hints of Bombay Bicycle Club influences on the album, how do you think Bombay fans (still in mourning for their indefinite hiatus) will react to the Toothless album?

There are certainly hints of Bombay on the record, I guess that’s inevitable having played in that band for ten years! I don’t think this is the new Bombay and certainly won’t fill that hole, so it shouldn’t be treated as such. Hopefully people can get behind this for its own merits – not looking for their next Bombay fix.

I read somewhere the name Toothless came from the self-deprecating thought that the bassist’s solo project would lack bite – do you still think this is the case now you’ve produced this incredibly broad and thoughtful album?

Ha. Yeah I guess it seems quite self-deprecating. My idea with it was more that. I thought it would bite myself and that people would underestimate me… More cocky than selfdeprecating! I’m really happy with the album that I have made. Hopefully I have exceeded people’s expectations of me.

NME called it “dreamy folk-pop” – It is tricky in these days of micro-genres to find a specific one-size-fits-all genre, but how would you define the band’s sound to someone who hadn’t listened to you before?

I have no idea, I find it so hard. Dreamy Folk Pop isn’t such a bad way of putting it I guess.

It’s pop music with lots of fingerpicked guitar and reverb.

What got you starting listening to music in the first place? Did you always know you wanted to be a musician?

When I was about 13 all I did was play guitar, I spent days learning classic rock solos note for note (I was not a very cool 13 year old). I never thought I would be a musician at all, it’s just something I did for fun and it worked out.

What was your biggest inspiration for the album? Are there any particular artists that influence you that listeners may not have expected?

As I mentioned above, I loved learning classic rock guitar when I was younger. I particularly loved Randy Rhodes’ playing, and learning his songs basically taught me to play guitar. I’m not sure you can hear his direct influence in Toothless but a huge amount of what I do on guitar is based on his playing.

What’s your process when writing new music?

I try not to force it and just work when an idea come to mind. The rest of the time I try and stay as interested in art/culture as possible, I think it’s incredibly important for collecting ideas for your own work.

What’s your favourite track on The Pace of the Passing? Is that the same track you like to play live best?

My favourite track on the record is ‘The Midas Touch’. I’m really happy with how the intensity builds throughout and how it fits with the other songs on the album. It’s probably my least favourite song to play live, as it’s so quiet at the beginning my singing needs to be completely on point for the harmonies (which it rarely is).

What’s been your favourite gig to date – both as performer and audience?

I saw Sufjan Stevens when he was touring the Age of Adz and it was insane. He was dressed as a swan and has worked out dance routines to all his new songs. It was in a seated venue and every single person in there was up and partying in the aisles. As for gigs I have played about five years ago I supported Broken Social Scene in Rio… I can’t think of any gig that beats that!

I once chatted to you at an exhibition of your artwork in Hackney alongside Slaves, Alt-J, and Gengahr. Will any of your artistic talent be used for future Toothless albums as on Flaws?

Yes actually! I’m planning on painting the cover for the next Toothless album. I really wanted to for this one but I just didn’t have enough time.

The inevitable final question: what’s next for Toothless?

This is my full-time thing now and I plan to treat it as such. Ive already started working on the next record which hopefully I will finish within the year. I’m also planning on touring as much as possible! I’ve got a UK tour booked for Feb/March and I’m looking into other tours after that.

THE PACE OF THE PASSING IS OUT NOW ON ISLAND RECORDS

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EDITORS: Rory Marcham and Helen Payne

27 FEB 2017

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An afternoon with Laura Marling

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Rory Marcham, Music Editor, heads to London for the songstress’ student press conference

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OME artists are worth the 254 kilometre journey from Exeter to London. Laura Marling is one of those, as Exeposé Music hop aboard the Megabus to catch the British folk songstress perform at an exclusive student press conference at Goldsmiths University in South-East London. With the guiding hand of BBC Radio 1’s Jen Long and a number of the nation’s other student newspapers, the afternoon proved a unique insight into the workings of her latest upcoming album, Semper Femina, and far more than a cheap promo of Marling’s impending 6th record.

A MEANDERING QUALITY TO HER HEARTFELT VOCALS Marling cut a rather shy figure as she took to her stool, acoustic guitar in hand. “The title comes from a Virgil poem”, she whispers, detailing the

meaning behind the album’s title, with its best translation reading as “always a woman”. In fact, the idea of feminism and femininity is a theme that is largely apparent on the new record, with Marling spending much of the previous year involving herself with her very own podcast series entitled ‘Reversal of the Muse’. A project that has seen her interview the likes of Dolly Parton as she questions the relationship between feminine creativity and the production of music and why there aren’t more women working in studios. Commenting on this, Marling spoke of the need to “have a more balanced understanding of the world, because these are the mediums by which we understand the world around us now” and the fact that “there’s a lot more to catch up on for women in this industry”. This is clearly a topic Marling is very passionate about and one she has looked to address on Semper Femina, as she looks “to keep asking questions about these things”.

Marling comes across every bit as intelligent as you’d expect from such a nuanced song-writer, as she shares her very own literar y

inspirations and in particular, her love for poetry. “Now that I have my own emotional experiences, many of them, I like drawing on them and delving into poetry more, as well as literary fictional fantasy”, she openly shares, citing Rainer Maria Rilke as her “favourite poet”.

SOME OF MARLING’S FINEST WORK TO DATE It seems clear that this is a far more mature and formed Marling. Whilst she has always been a clever and personal lyricist, it appears from conversation that she truly has developed and is now reflecting upon her own stories and influences from a decade of touring, her move to America, and a life growing up in the public sphere. “I think whereas Short Movie was more based on a landscape, this album was more based in thought”, she ponders

when comparing the thought-process behind Semper Femina in comparison to 2015’s Short Movie. Something that is unsurprising when you contrast the fixed LA location recording of her previous album to the fact that Semper Femina was recorded whilst on the road. An aspect that has contributed enormously to the meandering quality of her intimate and heartfelt vocals on news tracks such as ‘Nouel’, ‘Wild Fire’ and ‘Nothing Not Nearly’. All three being stark, contemplative folk tracks and some of Marling’s finest work to date.

From just spending an hour listening to Marling it was clear that this was a folk musician who despite a successful decade long career was still searching for her place in the muddled music industry and still posing necessary, thought-provoking questions on femininity, literature and how important it is to reflect on one’s own life and work. Whilst on the surface she appears a calm, quiet and complex character, it is when she performs so majestically that we can gain the greatest insight into the psyche of Marling, coupling her angelic voice with airy folk chords to devastating effect. Semper Femina looks to be the blossoming of a mature artist, whose creative ability is ever ascending.

LAURA MARLING PLAYS THE LEMON GROVE ON 26 MARCH

SEMPER FEMINA IS RELEASED ON 10 MARCH 2017

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EDITORS: Rory Marcham and Helen Payne

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27 FEB 2017

Somewhere over the billboard

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Theo Stone, Online Editor scours the globe in search of world-class music

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HANCES are that the majority of songs on your iTunes will be from two countries: The United Kingdom and the Untied States. It isn’t a leap to say that these two countries dominate popular music, to an extent unknown to the rest of the planet. The success of music hinges on the UK charts and Billboard, and, for most, if you want to be big, you have to be popular in either of these two nations.

Eight of the ten highest-selling artists in history are from either of these two nations, nine if you count the composition of Rihanna’s writing team and marketing campaigns. The only other nation to come close is Canada, whose presence is notably smaller on these lists, although being the home of Rush, Leonard Cohen, The Tragically Hip, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young is never a bad thing.

Still, it begs the question of what else is out there. What else can we listen to which is not from this anglo-centric world? What can we listen to which lies outside of the borders we typically confine ourselves to? Beyond North American and Western Europe, is there anybody out there? Short answer; yes. Long answer; my, my, have you been missing out. In Scandinavia, bands such as Opeth, Mew, Katatonia are able to achieve some degree of mainstream success over here, whilst bands such as Riverside and iamthemorning can likewise attest to strong champions in the British press. But let’s go a bit further. Here are three countries that might be worth taking a look at.

MALI

Mali is a strong starting point. Bands such as Songhoy Blues have recently catapulted the nation’s musical output back into the spotlight, in part due to the atrocities committed by the current regimes and their relentless hatred of expression. However, it should not be denied that the band itself consists of staggeringly groove-heavy guitar licks and world-class musicianship that would make even the finest blues players take note. Their debut Music in Exile, is well worth checking out to get a glimpse of just how staggeringly capable the band is. Amadou & Mariam is another strong example, thanks to their blend of contemporary electronics, blues worldbeat, and catchy, energetic pop that fuses multiple influences to create a sprawling, discography. Start with ‘Welcome to Mali’, and then let loose.

highlight. Considered by many to be the “father of Argentinian rock”, Spinet practically defined his nation’s output, writing songs that stretched from psychedelic flamenco-drenched folk to distortion-laden hard rock and back again. Albums such as Artaud, Kamikaze, A 18’ Del Sol, and Estrelicia MTV Unplugged are perhaps the best places to start, but his vast output is such that you’ll probably find something.

BANGLADESH And finally, Bangladesh. This might come as a surprise, but this nation has produced a lot, and I mean a lot, of metal and progressive music in the last couple of decades. Artcell is a strong starting point, blending long, techni-

cal songs with flavourful guitar passages and moody atmospherics. Songs such as ‘Dukkho Bilash’, ‘Ei Bidaye’ and the sprawling, 15-minute ‘Aniket Prantor’ are an excellent place to start if you’re into that sort of thing. Alongside that, Bangladesh have fused a good number of Western Contemporary influences with their own to create a unique form of folk-rock, one that blends folky passages with heavier escapades, to create an energetic and adventurous heteroglossia. Their second album, Protutponnomotitto, even saw them invited to play in Germany alongside Bob Geldof.

So there you have it. Three nations, six artists, and a few day’s worth of listening. Plug in your headphones and let loose, these artists don’t disappoint.

ARGENTINA Argentina, meanwhile, has produced some utterly incredible musicians over the past few decades. Gustavo Cerati’s blend of Iberian and American influences to create introverted, melodic rock, and an unshakeable urge to blend as many genres together as humanly possible, producing a long string of gems across a 28-year-long career. Bocanada, a blend of triphop with dream pop and alternative, is a fascinating listen, and is a milestone in the development of Iberoamerican Rock. Natural Force and It’s Always Today are other strong starting points in order to fully embrace his sprawling, innovative career. Luis Alberto Spinetta is another

Cool Britannia

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Chloe Edwards looks at the best of the British in our current music scene

WO decades ago, the end of year album charts for 1997 painted a clear picture of the British music scene at the height of its Britpop era. The top ten alone included Oasis’s third album ‘Be Here Now’, after the success of its 1994 and 1995 predecessors, plus magnum opus ‘Urban Hymns’ from The Verve, as well as Radiohead’s ‘Ok Computer’ and The Prodigy’s ‘The Fat of the Land’. Oh, and two from The Spice Girls, in case you were wondering.

Twenty years on, however, it’s interesting to see the legacy of these iconic home-grown albums, especially in comparison to British music today.

Is it true the nation has lost its Cool Britannia reputation?

IT’S NEVER BEEN THIS EASY FOR LISTENERS TO FIND WHAT THEY LIKE Britpop is still huge today – ten minutes listening to Radio X is peppered with British rock

of the millennium as well as 90s classics fans know inside out (Parklife, I’m looking at you).

Perhaps it’s the pride and essence of ‘Britishness’ about it – no category of music since has had the UK’s name carved into it. Additionally, its influences spill into upcoming and charttopping groups today, however, nonetheless, a comparison of the genres in 1997 and 2016’s end of year charts shows more diversity and an impressive growth in the British music industry.

Arguably, British music has never been so varied, nor accessible, thanks to the internet and new music platforms. Streaming, downloading and more specialist radio stations mean there have never been such fluid methods of music

consumption – it’s never been this easy for listeners to find what they like. With the addition of social media, fans can easily stay up-to-date with their favourite artists and follow what they’re doing, regardless of whether they’re from the same country or not. International and domestic appreciation for British music is immortal, with every genre is having its moment in the sun, and for that reason, the catalogue of British music is rapidly growing; a varied, brimming mix, all of which slots together so well.

In this respect, its dual ability to hold its own and blend together is another strength for the power of British music.

For example, last month’s

issue of Q magazine sees interviews with The xx, Richard Ashcroft and Clean Bandit, spanning several genres within a mere few pages. With this in mind, the past month of January alone saw many British musicians making headlines for different reasons. Ed Sheeran announcing his third singer-songwriter LP and dropping two brand new singles, Kasabian and Muse headlining Reading and Leeds in August, and grime artist Ray BLK winning BBC’s Sound of 2017 Award mean the talent and potential of UK artists is ever-popular and well-rounded.

Die-hard fans may continue to debate that late 90s British music reached a sort of peak in terms of how it was viewed by the world, yet this isn’t necessarily the case. Whilst the ‘Cool Britannia’ period was certainly a timestamp in the history of this fascinating industry, British music has peaked and troughed in the eyes of the world since before its Beatlemania days, and continues to do so. Ultimately, whether or not it’s viewed as ‘cool’ as it was two decades ago, it continues to give it its best shot.

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Breaking the language barrier F

Jonathan Chern llooks at English-language remakes of international cinema

OREIGN-LANGUAGE films are sorely under-watched in the English-speaking world. Go to your local cinema and you’re far more likely to find a remake of a foreign film than an actual foreign film. Most recently, it was announced that the critically-acclaimed German comedy Toni Erdmann would be remade in the US, prompting a number of critics to cry in unison: “What’s the point? The first one was perfect!”

FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILMS ARE SORELY UNDER-WATCHED Whether it was perfect or not, the fact remains: hardly anyone outside of Germany has seen or even heard of it. Hollywood has capitalised on this language divide ever since it became the capital of film-making, and to varied success. Sometimes the remake is considered far worse, sometimes it’s far better, and sometimes both the original and the imitation go down as classics. Occasionally the remake follows the original shot-for-shot, but the best remakes tend to take the vertebrae of a story and place it within a new context. Take, for example, the 1960 classic The Magnificent Seven (not the 2016 one, which I suppose is now a remake of a remake) which exchanged Samurais in feudal Japan, as in the original Seven Samurai, for gunslingers in the Old West.

The trend exists in reverse too: Dangerous Liaisons was remade in both Korea and China, and My Fair Lady was reimagined in Japan. The same goes for TV, with Ricky Gervais’ The Office being remade in seven different countries, including the English-speaking United States.

So why is this the case? Could it be that people don’t want to read subtitles? I don’t buy that, to be frank. It seems patronising and elitist to assume that audiences who don’t watch foreign films are that shallow.

Maybe it’s another barrier. A lot of countries and regions have their own cinematic c h a r a c t e r, which may not translate well to British or American audiences.

Can we really expect the pomp and dancing of Bollywood (which takes place in so many of its films no matter the tone) to go down well with people not used to spontaneous song and dance? Of course, though not a remake, it is by far the biggest film set in India as far as British audiences

are concerned is Slumdog Millionaire, from Manchester-born director Danny Boyle.

But it would be foolish to pretend that there aren’t foreign influences in English-speaking cinema.

A lot of Hollywood’s writers and directors are foreign, from Alfonso Cuarón to Denis Villeneuve. Moreover, Hollywood’s top American filmmakers are hugely influenced by foreign films. Quentin Tarantino constantly cites films from France and China as his main influences, Star Wars would not exist if it were not for the films of Japan’s Akira Kurosawa, and there are clear parallels between Tim Burton’s work and German expressionism of the 1920s.

What it comes down to is nothing to do with cultural or language barriers. But it is the complexities of film distribution. Cinema chains like Vue and Odeon are often connected to major distributors, which in turn are connected to major Hollywood and British studios, and tend not to pick

up foreign films. This means that when a brilliant film comes out in, say, Hong Kong, it’s fair game for Hollywood to seize on its success and produce a remake, with most Western audiences remaining oblivous to the existence of the original. Such was the case with The Departed, which won Best Picture at the 2007 Oscars and was actually based on the Hong Kong-made hit Infernal Affairs.

IT COMES DOWN TO THE COMPLEXITIES OF FILM DISTRIBUTUION This may not be such a bad thing. One could certainly argue that cinema is richer for remakes like The Departed. . But it is emblematic of a greater problem.

The Westernisation of cinema narrows the audience’s scope and teaches people to only take films from specific countries seriously. It is a way of overwriting the achievements of foreign-made films which should be watched by English-speaking audiences.

For this to change, distributors, cinema chains, and TV networks need to diversify, and everyone will benefit. There’s no real reason for this to carry on. We’ve got into a long-standing precedent of foreign films not escaping their country of origin, and there isn’t much holding this trend together other than the mere expectation for it to continue.

Exeposé Screen’s top foreign-language picks M

The Edge of Heaven

Dir. Fritz Lang (Germany, 1931)

Dir. Faith Akin (Turkey/Germany, 2007)

Ran

Dir. Akira Kurosawa (Japan, 1985)

A Seperation Asghar Farhadi (Iran, 2011)

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EDITORS: Mark Allison and Zak Mahinfar

27 FEB 2017

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The latest binge?

Evie Salter reviews the most bloodthirsty Netflix original yet THE SANTA CLARITA DIET Creator: Victor Fresco Drew Barrymore, Timothy Olyphant 2017

THREARSAAA

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F you feel as though you have procrastinated your way through the entirety of Netflix’s offerings, they have something new for you, so push those looming deadlines from your mind once more and listen up. On 3 February 2017, Netflix expanded its Originals collection, and introduced us to Santa Clarita Diet. Across the ten episodes, we follow the transformation of Sheila (Drew Barrymore) and Joel (Timothy Olyphant) Hammond’s suburban, Californian lives when Shelia dies – but it’s not quite what you think.

From finding stray human fingers in the garden to manoeuvring fresh corpses under the nose of their law enforcement neighbour, macho-American sheriff stereotype Dan (Ricardo Chavira), all the while searching for a cure for her unique condition.

Hesitant? Or just tired of the rinse-and-repeat Hollywood zombie interpretations? (Yes, The Walking Dead, that shade was most definitely thrown in your direction). Don’t turn away quite yet. The vibe here feels completely fresh and original: think of it as a mix of

Dexter, with the setting of Desperate Housewives, with dark comedic relief reminiscent of Arrested Development. Sound strange? Well, that’s just the beauty of it.

Although, I do have a slight confession to make. In the clutches of a desperate need to find a new show to watch, and not having the heart to re-watch either The Office or Parks and Recreation for the umpteenth time, I stumbled across the show a couple days after its release. I felt wary, doubtful even, and after approximately five minutes, I gave up and switched off. The scenario seemed too immaculate, and the jokes

THE VIBE HERE IS COMPLETELY FRESH AND ORIGINAL Right from the first episode, we are confronted with her death and the ensuing obstacles she encounters in her new, undead lifestyle. Not only does she have to swap the green juices and the quinoa for human flesh, her family are forced to deal with her new dietary requirements, too.

were served to us on an obvious platter. I thought it would just descend into a forceful attempt to deliver ‘edgy’ one-liners, one after the after. Yet, a day or so later, I revisited and persisted. The immaculate scenario of a sunny Californian life gave the show a surreal, yet relatable touch. The humour started to click, especially as Barrymore and Olyphant have excellent on-screen chemistry, to the point in which their relationship is as believable as this show could be. The chemistry served their comedic timing well, and delivery in the later episodes was off-hand with dry, sarcastic one-liners such as “Please, eat the foot”. Are all the jokes laugh-out-loud? No. But, it’s worth watching through for the ones that matter.

Although this comedy-horror relies largely on humour, there is a deeper meaning within its distinctive approach to relationships, family and love. Through all the fluff, it is essentially a message of loyalty, acceptance, and the lengths to which we will go for loved ones, best exemplified in the line “From now on, we will fuck everything up, together”. Who doesn’t want someone to say that to them?

So, if you are looking for a show which you can binge on, in the dreary light of a postCheesy’s hangover, or something to keep you going until season five of House of Cards hits, this light-hearted, unique comedy may just hit the spot. So go ahead, press play and sit back with a fresh human smoothie, or if that doesn’t take your fancy, some smashed avocados on toast, and enjoy.

Another brick in the wall Jack Devoy gives his verdict on the follow-up to 2014’s Lego Movie

THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE Director: Chris McKay Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis 2017, 104 minutes

THREARSAAA

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F we cast our minds back to a year ago, many of us had the extreme misfortune of sitting through the turgid, mess of a film that was Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but it appears that as a reward for our suffering we have been given the cinematic gift of The Lego Batman Movie. It stands as a perfectly comedic antidote to the dark boredom of Batman v Superman.

The movie opens with Batman once again saving Gotham from the Joker, and driving back through the streets packed with adoring crowds in his Batmobile - it’s not difficult to see why he has such a large ego. Yet, after saving the city he returns home to an empty mansion to have lobster thermidor for one and watch romantic comedies. Not what you expect of Batman,

but this incarnation is unlike any that have preceded it, it’s difficult to imagine Ben Affleck’s version of Batman kicking back to watch Jerry Maguire.

This film is a near non-stop barrage of jokes, you barely have time to register a gag before another one comes along. The opening title sequence is funnier than most comedies on its own. Despite being a kids film the vast majority of the jokes will work best for an adult audience, with repeated references to previous Batman and DC films (there is a particularly good Suicide Squad joke), while also poking fun at Marvel. For the ci n e - l i te rate viewer there is much enjoyment to be had.

The voice cast give the quality of performance you would expect from a group of this quality, with Will Arnett doing an expert pastiche of Christian Bale’s deep voiced caped crusader. Also, a special mention to the Ralph Fiennes for his great work as the long-suffering butler Alfred.

If I had one criticism it’s that this film does become a bit didactic towards the end; it doesn’t tell us the moral message that we should all work together, so

much as it beats us over the head with it.

While it’s something of a necessity for children’s films to have a clear moral underpinning, this one lays it on a little thick at times.

Having said that it, is a message that certain politicians could do with hearing right about now.

IT HAS A MESSAGE THAT CERTAIN POLITICIANS COULD DO WITH HEARING The Lego Batman Movie is an excellent spin-off from 2014’s equally brilliant The Lego Movie. With more than enough jokes to satisfy children and adults alike, it more than lives up to the high expectations placed upon it. Coming at a time when cinemas are filled with self-important awards contenders, The Lego Batman Movie acts as the perfect comic relief. Once again in the world of Lego, everything really is awesome.

games+tech

Around the world in four podcasts The New Statesman Podcast

A History of the World in 100 Objects

Politics is fun, isn’t it? Everybody has opinion, and everybody can now broadcast it. Political broadcasts have sprung up across the vestiges of iTunes, and you can see why: they’re popular. The only problem is, many of them aren’t that good. The Guardian’s is too brief, the FT’s podcast veers between strong interviews and bland, accountancy seminars at an incalculable rate. The Spectator, meanwhile, continues to be the smuggest publication, and through that, the smuggest podcast, this side of the Atlantic. So what can we listen to? The Answer: try the New Statesman.

Hosted by Stephen Bush and Helen Lewis, the NS Podcast is pretty much everything you want out of this genre; clear-cut debate with topical issues, without letting themselves get carried away with personal preference. Bush, in particular, is able to provide witty and laser-sighted analysis on certain issues, and if you want to lay down any political bets, this is the person you should follow, thanks to his almost unworldly ability to predict elections.

Lewis, meanwhile, delivers incredibly strong and wondrously barbed attacks on politicians from across the spectrum. Occasional presenter Anoosh Chakelian is equally good, making the podcast just as much a joy to listen to as it is to analyse the content of. If you want a podcast that actually talks about politics and criticises any and all politicians (except for the 19661970 cabinet), then look no further.

Growing up in the United Kingdom meant that I was exposed to a fairly narrow view of the world’s history. Be it the exploits of the empire, or the detrimental effects of some past conflict on the British way of life, everything was explained to me from the perspective of the brits.

With A History of the World in 100 Objects, then, it is refreshing to find a podcast that offers a much broader understanding of the historical goings on of the rest of the planet. In each 15 minute episode, Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor, explores the details surrounding a noteworthy archaeological item taken from the museum’s collection.

Instead of simply describing the history specific to the item in question however, MacGregor places the history of the object in a global context. For instance, a 7,000 year old Japanese cooking pot may only appear to offer historical insight with regards to the culinary practices of select few individuals, whereas in actuality, such a pot reveals that the obsession with cooking food is one that has been collectively shared by humanity as a whole for several millennia.

Spearheads, ancient works of art, credit cards even; all these items have a story, and MacGregor is a fantastic storyteller. At the very least you should come out of this one with a few cool tidbits.

Theodore Stone, Online Editor

Sam Woolf, Games + Tech Editor

Myths and Legends

Jessica Stanier, Online Editor

My Perfect Country

James Angove, Online Sports Editor This podcast from the BBC World Service imagines we are building our perfect country from scratch and looks across the world for examples of innovative policy that could form a part of our new nation. The programme looks at a wide variety of issues, including famous policies like Shanghai’s model for teaching maths or Portugal’s decriminalisation of drugs. But also amongst the episodes are hidden gems, such as Tunisia’s ‘state feminism’ or Peru’s approach to cutting poverty, which demonstrate the cornucopia of ideas to be mined throughout the globe. In each episode they take to the streets, citizens under these innovative policies what they make of it, ensuring always to present both sides. The show then returns to the studio where a panel discusses the history, context and results of the policy with measure and clarity. By considering whether to adopt policy for our perfect country, the podcast provokes us to consider how we should legislate in the future and what we could be doing about difficult problems. But mostly crucially it shows the importance of looking beyond your borders so that you might improve life within them.

BYTE-SIZE blast from the past

by Sam Woolf

Ninjabread Man Data Design Interactive Nintendo Wii

2007 bB

One of my go-to escapist listens is the Myths and Legends podcast, written and hosted by Jason Weiser. Each week we’re treated to a meticulously researched story from international literature. These are retold in a disarmingly charming fashion; he’s done his homework but remains down-to-earth in his renditions of world classics. Whether it’s the Mesopotamian epic of Gilgamesh, childhood favourites like Jason and the Argonauts, or learning about Japanese or Nepali fairy tales and folklore, Weiser’s passion for storytelling is both audible and infectious. He’s one of these podcasters who has succeeded in reaching a wide enough audience to quit the day job and pursue his passion. It shows. I have happily whiled away many hours listening to this show, globetrotting (and time travelling) through my headphones. The narration is artfully cut with music to give a sense of pace, with Weiser frequently offering asides, historical details, and offhand comments along the way. There is much to learn and appreciate in Weiser’s work. I heartily recommend dipping into the back catalogue of over 90 episodes to see where it takes you.

If there was a videogame manifestation of the idea that too much sugar is bad for you, this would be it. With its sticky non-functional controls, far from glace polish with regards to level design, and sickly sweet colour scheme and character designs, Ninjabread is a platformer that will more than likely dampen your sweet tooth for good.

You play as Ninjabread Man, a gingerbread man who - to quote the official promotional material for the game - has gotten smart and learnt selfdefense. Pit against an evil cupcake army, you must guide ninja bread man as he traverses what can only be described as a seriously limited series of 3 samey feeling levels. Levels which consist of big open spaces, the most basic of platforming obstacles, and enemies who are virtually invincible on account of the broken motion controls.

The saving grace of Ninjabread Man is the fact that it is mercifully short. You’d be hard pressed to spend more than a hour with the game and still have anything left to do. So I guess that’s one positive it has going for it? However in spite of its sugary aesthetic and welcome brevity Ninjabread Man will ultimately leave you with a sour aftertaste.

EXHIBIT

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GAMES + TECH

EDITORS: Jabez Sherrington and Sam Woolf

27 FEB 2017

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31

Dive to the Heart Jack England drops in to review the latest Kingdom Hearts compilation KINGDOM HEARTS 2.8 HD FINAL CHAPTER PROLOGUE Square Enix PlayStation 4 2017

AAA

W

RITING a review for Kingdom Hearts 2.8 HD- Final Chapter Prologue is a monumentous task, because it's actually two games and a movie on one compilation disc. Similar to the Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 and HD 2.5 Remixes released in the past few years, players can experience the joy of wading through the darkness to save countless Disney worlds from utter destruction.

Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth By Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage – This is it, the game that everyone is buying this collection for. Another chance to see our beautiful, blue-haired protagonist, Aqua, fight her way through the endless hordes of Heartless within the World of Darkness.

I was always skeptical of Square Enix's decision to move to Unreal Engine, as this series has always been characterised by its cartoony style, whereas Unreal is associated with very realistic animations. However, my worries were falsely grounded, as the development team has done a beautiful job of creating a

game that is bright and lively. From the lights of streetlamps that bounce off puddles, to blood red vines darting across a shadowed forest, through to the cinders of a Firaga spell, all the visuals give an eerie yet jawdropping aesthetic experience.

For those who played Kingdom Hearts Birth

By Sleep, you'll know that Aqua is very magic focussed and this is maintained in 0.2. Being a demo, you'll start at level 52 with three of the traditional end-game magics unlocked: Blizzaga, Thundaga, Firaga and Curaga. Reflect is still in the game too, but instead now replaces the default block mechanic – a very pleasant change. In addition to this, there is now the option for finisher spells, which can only be used after performing three combos in a row.

ALL VISUALS GIVE AN EERIE, YET JAWDROPPING, AESTHETIC EXPERIENCE This won't help you all that much from the reoccurring boss fight against the Demon Tower; a disfigured, congealed bastion of Heartless that is akin to the Rat King from The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents.

It's a terrifying boss, and does provide a hefty challenge, but unfortunately it seems like the development team got lazy as it is reused consistently and that by the fourth time you're fighting it you can almost predict every move with ease.

Combatting the Demon Tower every other minute may get a bit dull, but at least it can be done in a completely different outfit each time.

Providing a total curveball to fans, 0.2 introduces a wardrobe full of unlockable costumes so you can bring a splash of colour to the darkened world. Unlocking these costumes is a lot of fun too – as a new objective system gives cryptic hints to bonus activities that will add a couple of hours to the overall product. Additionally, completing the game itself will provide you with a little treat just for your PS4 that you can keep long after Final Chapter Prologue has been abandoned to the shelf.

Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance HD Remastering games has become the next big thing and Square Enix have also hopped onto that bandwagon.

Dream Drop Distance was originally released for the 3DS but looks gorgeous upscaled and beautified on the PS4, and it plays like a dream at 60 frames per second. The 'flowmotion' mechanic, which lets Sora and Riku fly through the air and bounce off walls at blinding speed transfers well too, as there is now no lag when going at top speeds as compared to the 3DS. What would be nice though, is that while flying through the new worlds of La Cité des Cloches (The The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Symphony of Sorcery (Fantasia) Fantasia) and Country of the Musketeers (The The Three Musketeers), there was at least more to do. The worlds feel so empty and barren, with large open spaces that make travelling around needlessly dull. Even in areas with no enemies, there aren't any NPCs to talk to, so you find yourself just walking around not entirely sure if you're enjoying yourself or not.

AT LEAST IT CAN BE DONE IN A DIFFERENT OUTFIT EACH TIME The Heartless are also gone this time around, replaced with Dream Eaters (colourful creatures that attack sleeping worlds). You can even tame some of them to fight beside you, as Donald and Goofy – your regular pals in Kingdom Hearts' adventures – are nowhere to be seen. All of this is just fluff though, as the Dream Eaters simply don't hold the same weight as the Heartless. They're just not as threatening and you don't get the same sense of gratification from hitting a bunch of multicoloured bears in the head with an oversized key as you do a creature that literally spawned from the shadows around you and twitches creepily before diving on you.

For those who want to pick up on where the story left off, Dream Drop Distance is a vital part of the Kingdom Hearts puzzle and its story is very good (albeit confusing if you don't have some kind of timeline on your hand at all times), but it's let down by subpar enemies, barren spaces and a convoluted plot.

Kingdom Hearts χ – Back Cover A few years ago, a Kingdom Hearts game appeared on browser in Japan with Kingdom Hearts χ, which was then transferred to the rest of the world on mobile as Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ. Originally, these two games were the same, followed the same story and were updated simultaneously. This all changed in 2015 though, when Kingdom Hearts χ and

Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ split in their story, with χ being canon. As most of the world are unable to experience the canon Kingdom Hearts χ for Japanese browsers, Square Enix came up with the idea to create a full length animated film that details the events that occur.

This is a good idea in theory, as it allows everyone to experience the game regardless of where they are.

What actually happens though is that an already complicated series becomes even more confusing and it raises more questions that it intended to resolve. The only real positive behind the addition of the film is that it looks nice, as it's made completely in the new engine and does give a good impression of what Kingdom Hearts III will look like. Aside from that, I'd avoid it.

A COMPLICATED SERIES BECOMES EVEN MORE CONFUSING So, for around £35, you can pick up a very good demo that takes about six hours to complete, an alright game that last about 40 hours and ties up some important plot points, and a two hour film that's a waste of time.

I enjoyed it, but for most people, Kingdom Hearts 0.2 HD - Final Chapter Prologue isn't worth the money unless you love games with long titles, but even then I'd recommend picking up Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition instead.

Kingdom Hearts 2.8 HD - Final Chapter Prologue is out now on PlayStation 4.

EXHIBIT

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GAMES + TECH

EDITORS: Jabez Sherrington and Sam Woolf

27 FEB 2017

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32

A new dimension

Sam Woolf, Games + Tech Editor, explores the latest culinary technology

3

D printing has always seemed to me one of those futuristic technologies too far removed from the realms of everyday life to actually be viable. I’d be outright lying if I claimed to have a solid understanding of how the process works, but from what I can tell it involves formulating a computer aided design, pressing print, and then watching your three dimensional creation take shape.

3D PRINTED FOODS ARE PORTABLE, NUTRITIONALLY DENSE, AND RELIABLE Thankfully, for those of us who are less creatively inclined, you don’t even have to draw up the original design yourself. Sites such as Thingverse and Pinshape have literally thousands of 3D print files that are free for users to download and use to their hearts content.

Everything from visual spectacles such as figures and ornaments, to more practical creations such as phone cases and fully functional musical instruments.

So long as you have the kit, you

can go 3D printing crazy!

In addition to this undeniably cool novelty of being able to print your own consumer goods, 3D printing is even getting to the stage that certain specialist 3D printers are able to make food.

Foodini, for instance is an upcoming open capsule model 3D printing device that is capable of printing virtually any foodstuff. All you do is prepare your ingredients, place them inside the device, and then you can relax as all the nitty gritty details of actually cooking the food are sorted for you. Again, this idea sounds cool if nothing else; who wouldn’t want to have their own personal mechanical chef in the kitchen?

But the advantages of being able to 3D print food extend far beyond an improved quality of domesticated life. In fact, 3D food printers may offer a permanent solution to certain global food crises.

Traditionally prepared food is problematic in a number of ways. It takes up excessive amounts of space, is dependent on weather and climate, and is frequently wasted. As such, an ill-timed drought

or flood will often prove disastrous for secluded regions that rely on steady yields of locally farmed food.

Comparatively, 3Dprinted foods are portable, nutritionally dense, and reliable. What’s more as the technology gets cheaper, so too does it become more viable as an option to combat malnutrition and hunger worldwide. Even the poorest people around the world will normally have access to rice, but this carbohydrate merely forms a singular part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. It is not sufficient to make up a person’s diet on its own. Nevertheless, there are millions of people across the world who live solely on a diet of rice. However, if we throw 3D printing into the mix, then a solution to this problem becomes clear. Through the advent of a mass produced dissolvable stock cube that is rich in nutrients and

vitamins, malnutrition on a global scale could one day be a thing of the past.

AN OPTION TO COMBAT MALNUTRITION AND HUNGER 3D printing even has its potential benefits with regards to climate change. Roughly 18% of greenhouse gas emissions come from livestock.

However, companies such as Modern Meadow are working towards a future in which artificially created proteins, made through 3D printing, are the norm. Just imagine: artificial meat that has never been a part of any living animal.

A lot of these ideas for 3D printing are still in their conceptual stages, and the technology – whilst always getting cheaper – isn’t quite at that consumer price point just yet. You won’t be finding a 3D food printer in your mate’s house anytime soon I imagine. But it is becoming increasingly clear to me that my initial view of 3D printing as a futuristic novelty was misled. Instead, now I see 3D printing as a well of potential just waiting to be tapped.

Food for thought...

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This is PancakeBot, the world’s first 3D printer capable of printing pancakes. Following specific designs that can be loaded into the printer via a SD card, batter is dispensed directly onto the griddle and then cooked to make deliciously fluffy pancakes. With a $300 dollar price tag, you may have to go without PancakeBot this Pancake day (28th February), but as 3D printing technology is set to get cheaper and cheaper in the coming years, is it possible that you will have a device similar to pancake bot in your kitchen one day?

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27 FEB 2017 | EXEPOSÉ

Science 34

SCIENCE EDITORS:

You won’t bee-lieve it

Victoria Bos Beth Honey

Ruth Braham takes a look at robotic bees - previously science fiction, now becoming science fact

A

NYONE who has seen Charlie Brooker’s dark anthology series will tell you that Black Mirror does an excellent job of mixing realism and Science Fiction concepts to create a world that, whilst technologically advanced is still recognisably our own.

Throughout the series Brooker addresses concepts such as the growing impact of social media on our lives and how public frustration with the system can lead to the rise of, shall we say, extreme political characters.

Occasionally this series has proved to be eerily prescient, for example, with certain revelations about the alleged porcine antics of our ex-PM David Cameron, or the comparisons being drawn between the political situation in “The Waldo Moment” and the election of another, frankly cartoonish, character across the pond. But Black Mirror has done it yet again, as a recent paper released from researchers at Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology shows.

The episode I specifically refer to is

called “Hated in the Nation”. In this episode the extinction of bumblebees has led to the development of drones called Automated Drone Insects (ADIs). This is exactly what the researchers have been developing.

These drones are miniature flying robots designed to assist with the pollination of the 75% of flowers that rely on bees to reproduce. Pollination refers to the transfer of pollen between flowers and is essential for reproduction. Many flowers rely on certain members of the insects and particularly bees for pollination, offering up the incentive of nectar in return for this vital role.

Recently the Bee population has faced several threats, attack by pesticides and the destruction of their natural habitat, along with the prevalence of certain parasites and the aptly named Colony Collapse Disorder, a mysterious phenomenon which occurs

when the majority of worker bees in a colony disappear, leaving behind their queen, the foundation of their hives.

The mechanisms of CCD are poorly understood, but many factors, such

as pesticides, mites, fungi, beekeeping practices, starvation, other pathogens, and immunodeficiency may all have an impact (alternatively, as Whovians will tell you they’re returning to Melissa Majora).

The sum of all this is that the bee population is declining rapidly, with an estimated loss of approximately 3 million honey producing colonies in the last 50 or so years.

This has had a significant effect on agriculture, as the loss of pollinators leads to decreasing crop yields and financial losses.

This is where the drones come in, these miniature robots are designed to deal with the pollination demand, with gel coated hairs on the base of the drone brushing up against the anthers, picking up pollen, which it then leaves on the stamen of the next flower it visits.

The aim is for these drones to eventually be outfitted with GPS, high resolution cameras and basic Artifi-

cial Intelligence, becoming almost fully autonomous. Though it is likely to be some time before this becomes an option. There also remains the question of whether or not the plans will be economically feasible at the large scale required or whether alternative strategies designed to conserve and promote bee populations would be better from both an environmental and an economic perspective.

“We hope this will help to counter the problem of bee decline,” says Eiljiro Miyako, one of the project developers. “But importantly, bees and drones should be used together.”

It remains to be seen whether or not these drones will be released on a wide scale in the near future. However, one must admit the project is certainly intriguing . The prospects for further integration of robotics into daily life providing fuel for the imagination, as the we move closer to the world of Science Fiction.Though, hopefully it will prove more Utopian than Dystopian.

Athletes beware

Leah Crabtree examines Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and its long term effect on athletes

C

HRONIC traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive degenerative disease found in the brains of athletes with a history of repetitive brain trauma, has been known to affect sportspeople such as boxers since the 1920s. Repeated traumatic events such as punches lead to the progressive degeneration of brain tissue that can begin years or even decades after the end of an athlete’s career.

Studies in the past couple of decades have looked at the effect of repetitive mild traumatic brain injury on dementia in athletes from a wide range of sports including ice hockey, rugby and boxing.

As probably the most high-profile of all the CTE-related sports, the link between CTE and American football has been well documented in recent years both in news stories and legal cases. Researchers in the US have repeatedly made headlines across the globe by revealing the strong link between playing American Football and an increased risk of CTE.

At least 90 former N.F.L players have donated their brains to the Boston University CTE centre and been discovered to have the symptoms of CTE. Just last year, after years of denying any connection between their beloved sport and CTE, a top N.F.L official acknowledged that playing football and having CTE were “certainly” linked, effectively stopping any public dispute over whether the disorder could be caused by concussive events.

Repeated traumatic events such as punches lead to the progressive degeneration of brain tissue Until now there had only been a few individual case reports of footballers (or as Americans would call them- ‘soccer players’) with CTE in the UK. All that

seems to be changing due to a new paper published in the journal Acta Neuropathalogica last fortnight.

Researchers from University College London and Cardiff University examined the brains of five professional footballers and one dedicated amateur.

All six had played football since a young age and gone on to develop dementia in their 60s. Average players head the ball between 6 and 12 times a game, meaning footballers over a 20-year career could be heading the ball over 2000 times during matches alone.

A diagnosis of CTE cannot be confirmed until after death so post-mortem studies were carried out on each of the ex-players to confirm the diagnosis.

The brains were revealed to have nearidentical pathology to that of long-term boxers.

The researchers discovered signs of Alzheimer’s disease in each brain alongside CTE pathology so suspect that the patients’ dementia was due to a combi-

nation of neurodegenerative diseases.

While the two diseases share some neuropathological similarities, the pattern of protein tangles and plaques differ, allowing objective diagnoses of each disease.CTE has some clinical similarities to Alzheimer’s disease but generally presents itself earlier in patients, emerging in one’s 40s as opposed to the septuagenarian onset seen in most Alzheimer’s patients.

Rather than initially affecting memory processes as in Alzheimer’s, CTE generally affects reasoning, problem solving and impulse control. Sufferers might be recognisable due to their impaired speech, motor skills or behavioural changes that often begin decades after the period of repeated trauma.

In response to the study, a number of neuroscientists have cautioned against the extrapolation of the findings to casual footballers. The sample size of only six footballers is small and so largescale case-control studies are still needed

to definitively confirm the causal link between headers and brain damage.

Sufferers might be recognisable due to their impaired speech, motor skills or behavioural changes .

Regular games of football for local teams or in the park with friends are unlikely to cause the long-term damage seen in the study. In fact, many of the neuroscientists took the opportunity to emphasise the fact that retired footballers actually have lower mortality rates than the rest of the population through the general fitness benefits gained from such a healthy lifestyle.

It seems as though the 265 million people who play football globally needn’t hang up the boots just yet.

Designer Genes

SCIENCE

35

Alina Ivan looks at new research and guidelines relating to gene altering in foetuses and its possible medical uses

T

HE National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has given a free pass to a DNA editing tool to alter the human genome. This opens the way over unprecedented control over the human genome, and the possibility to prevent, or even cure, genetic diseases.

Back in 2012 Professor Jennifer Doudna and her colleagues were spending long hours in their lab at University of California, Berkeley perfecting the so-called CRISPR/Cas9 system. Not long before, they were conducting studies looking at how bacteria defend against viruses. Drawing upon more than a decade of research on the CRISPR immune adaptive system in bacteria, they developed CRISPR-Cas9, a new technology for gene editing. Unlike previous methods, CRISPR allows modifying genes at specific locations with precision and can be applied to edit the DNA of any species.

Just like a missile, enzyme Cas 9 breaks down the DNA strands at specific locations. It does so by binding to a predesigned sequence of RNA search string

which guides it to the target location in the genome. Once it reaches its destination, the enzyme makes a cut across the DNA at that site. The break is immediately detected, and a host of processes are initiated to repair the broken strand. As a result, a new sequence is synthesized that replaces the original piece of DNA at the site of the cut.

It shows that Crispr/Cas9 holds promise in treating a range of medical diseases The discovery was met with tremendous excitement. Soon after, scientists around the world have started using the technology for different purposes. Some used CRISPR/Cas 9 to repair flawed DNA in mice. And they have done so successfully. Others used the technology to breed enhanced crops. Last year, Chinese scientists at Sichuan University

injected edited immune cells directly into a patient in an attempt to cure metastatic lung cancer. They disabled the gene codes for a protein which stops an immune response. A number of oncologists have praised the rationale, expecting the edited cells will attack cancer and prevent it from proliferating.

A turning point followed when researchers at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm publicly acknowledge using Crispr/ Cas9 to insert edited genes into healthy human embryos. This was done in an attempt to devise infertility treatments that would help prevent infertility. However, in a NPR report they have been clear in saying that the embryo will be allowed to survive for 14 days at the most. This means that it would not be implanted into a woman’s womb and develop into a baby.

This breakthrough took the world by storm. On one hand, it shows that Crispr/Cas9 holds immense promise in treating a range of medical diseases that have a genetic component. Yet, these advances are not without ethical ramifications. Some fear that targeted mutations

to the human embryo may go beyond fixing broken genes in to enhancing them beyond their natural function.

Designer babies have received a resounding no One may want to manipulate genes to carry desirable features such as enhanced intelligence and better bones, for instance. Others may want to use Crisprbased therapies to prevent aging.

Can we be forgiven for seeing a dystopian world of genetically engineered human beings on the horizon? Most likely not. In a report published last Tuesday, NAS has given permission for genome editing research to proceed only if it contributes to preventing disease or disabilities. They believe that human genome editing is justified when medicine does

not offer a “reasonable alternative”. Besides, they have shown scepticism in the ability of this technology to go beyond repairing defects.

For now, designer babies have received a resounding no. However, we have to wait and see what regulatory agencies have to say in response to their definitions of “prevention” and “enhancement.”

However, one thing is clear. Once the subject of science fiction stories, human genome editing has now begun, in and out of the public eye, and it has the potential to pave the way for a new era of genetic disease prevention.

The science of queuing Owain Evans, Sports Editor, explores the psychology surrounding everyone’s favourite pastime; queuing!

Q

UEUING – a quintessential British pastime…don’t make me laugh. There are few things that are enjoyable about standing around for excessive periods of time. It’s something that we spend an awful lot of time doing, but how often do we really dwell on the psychology behind it?

When it comes to queuing, a group of professors at University College London believe that six is the magic number.

On average, people will wait in a queue for around six minutes before they decide to give up, and six people is about the cutoff for the length of a queue that they’ll join.

This ‘rule of six’ is a bit of a simplification – as Adrian Furnham, one of the professors behind the study, said: “there have been observational studies where 95% of people will join five, then it goes down to 85%, then at seven it goes down further.”

When you start to look at the length of time that people are willing to wait, again the “rule of six” can often fail to hold up hold up. In fact, one factor that plays into how long a person will wait

in the queue is the number of people behind them. Taking this at face-value, it seems somewhat absurd; after all, the number of people behind you doesn’t affect the amount of time you’ll have to wait. However, it does have a psychological effect. The more people that are behind you, the further along in the queue you feel as though you are, and such people have been proven to be willing to wait

longer to get to the end. The more people that there are behind you, the more desirable the outcome appears and hence the more patience that people have to wait.

Still, if we assume that the length of a queue is one of the main factors in whether people will join it, we’d be better making lots of small queues for each cashier than a single, long queue, right?

In fact, a ‘serpentine’ queue has actually

been shown to be the best option, despite it appearing more daunting. With multiple queues, the subject has to make a decision as to which to pick, which become frustrating if they make the wrong choice and end up seeing the others moving faster. With just one queue, everyone moves at a faster rate, which keeps people happy as they get a sense of progress. In fact, we can see such queues forming without us

evening thinking about it – think back to the last time you went to the Ram, and the tendency of people to form one large queue, much to the dismay of staff.

The more people that there are behind you, the more desirable the outcome appears This brings us on to our final point – queue jumping. There is little more annoying than seeing someone push their way in in front of you; as Furnham put it: it leads to a “sense of injustice”. Yet when faced with it, how do people react?

A study in the 1980s saw people cutting into queues, and whilst it did prove stressful, most were only greeted by tutting In fact, only 10% of the time did someone protest – so it looks like, with queuing, cheats may prosper!

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Imp-ressed? You should be

Lincoln's FA Cup run in numbers

38

On the back of Lincoln City's historic FA Cup run, Exeposé Sport takes a look at some of the biggest sporting shocks in history

8

The number of games that Lincoln have played to reach this stage

14

The number of goals that Lincoln have scored

4

The number of teams from higher divisions that Lincoln have beaten

103

Years since a non-league team has made the FA Cup Sixth Round (QPR)

1912 The last time that a non-league

side made it to the FA Cup Semi Final (Swindon Town)

Lincoln City make the FA Cup Quarter Finals

Leicester City take the Premier League crown

Greece winning Euro 2004

England winning "Botham's Ashes"

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Bob Champion's 1981 Grand National victory

Japan beat the Springboks at RWC 2015

Young Federer defeats Sampras

Record Super Bowl comeback for the Pats

OR football fans in Lincoln, 28 January 2017 was a bit of a special day.

This not-actually-northern-butabove-London-so-northern-by-Exeter-standards town might be famed for sausages and its Christmas market… but football? Not so much. That day, though, Lincoln had nailed it. After not reaching the FA Cup final 16 since 190102 (as in, Victorian times), they cracked it with a 3-1 win over Brighton. My Facebook feed had exploded.

It wasn’t over, though: Lincoln kept their form going in the league, with a 1-0 win over Solihull Moors...Welling toppled next, then Woking - and 18 February saw the Imps beat Burnley 1-0, reaching the final eight for the first time ever. Manager Danny Cowley called it a “football miracle.” And after a 1-0 win over North Ferriby on 21 Feb, the surprise quarter-finalists remained three points clear at the top of the league.

Their next game in the Cup might be against giants Arsenal, but hey: Lincoln's surprised us all in the last month.

Who knows what they've got up their sleeve next? Guess I can stop saying I’m from “somewhere near Nottingham” now: Lincoln’s on the map.

Hannah Butler, Editor

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N the summer of 1979, Bob Champion, a 31 year old jump jockey in the prime of his career, was diagnosed with testicular cancer and given less than a year to live. Choosing to undergo an orchidectomy and treatment with a cutting edge cocktail of chemotherapeutic drugs despite his damning medical prospects, Champion made a miraculous recovery and was back in the saddle within a year.

His horse, Aldaniti, had taken a similar period of recovery to his jockey after sustaining a serious injury at Sandown in November 1979, worsening chronic leg problems, but was restored to full health in time to qualify for the 1981 Grand National.

On 4th April, the incredible pair rode to victory at the handicap steeplechase with a lead of four lengths. They won various honours and even inspired a television series and a film with their incredible victory, but sadly their return to the National in 1982 saw the pair fall at the first fence. At the end of the day though, that's racing, always full of shocks and surprises.

Emma Bessent, Arts+Lit Editor

EICESTER City. Champions.

This was simply an inconceivable, 5,000/1 thought the previous season when the Foxes narrowly escaped relegation. Over the summer, the appointment of Claudio Ranieri as the club’s new manager, coupled with the signing of unknown N’Golo Kante, filled few fans with confidence. However, as the season progressed, it quickly became clear how influential the dynamic French midfielder was. The exploits of Jamie Vardy early on, including his record breaking 11 match goal scoring streak, fired the Foxes to the top of the table come Christmas. Title talk? Still the stuff of dreams. Yet following their convincing win against Manchester City at the Etihad in February, those dreams were slowly nearing reality. A series of 1- 0 victories grinded out by Raneri’s men towards the season’s conclusion certainly was the hallmark of champions and Eden Hazard’s dramatic late equalizer against Spurs clinched the title in early May. It left Gary Lineker presenting Match of the Day in his underpants and Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler describing it as “the greatest story ever told” – that it definitely was.

Kieran Jackson

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HEN Japan beat South Africa after the clock turned red during the 2015 World Cup, the rugby world was stunned. Karne Hesketh’s 86th minute try was not just a thing of beauty, but came after courageous decisions were made from the team.

After turning down one penalty attempt that would have drawn the match and still delivered a shock result, Japan kicked to the corner and thought their 13 man maul had driven the ball over and secured the victory.

However, the TMO could not award the score. Another penalty was given, easily kickable, but Japan took scrum after scrum and eventually reaped much deserved rewards.

Before the match Eddie Jones believed his team, who had only ever won one World Cup match 24 years previously, could beat the Springboks if they controlled the scrums, could beat a team that had won two World Cups and was ranked second in the world at the time. People thought he was mad. Now we know he may be mad, but he’s also a genius.

Lara Hopkins, Sport Editor

ACK when Leicester City had Les Ferdinand and Muzzy Izzet as opposed to Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, another plucky underdog stunned the world of football. Cast your minds back to Euro 2004, a tournament that many expected the French to dominate entirely, yet ended up in the hands of the Greeks They went in to the tournament as heavy underdogs aiming to win just one game under the austere disciplinarian Otto Rehhagel. An opening match victory against Portugal was built upon by even more impressive victories against a French side that included Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane in the quarter-finals and then the Czech Republic in the semi-finals.

It set up a final against Portugal - a repeat of the opening match. In Lisbon, everything seemed set for the hosts to claim their first major tournament victory. Angelos Charisteas, however, had other ideas scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory that sent an unexpecting nation into pure elation.

The slogan on Greece’s team bus captured it perfectly; “Ancient Greece had 12 gods, Modern Greece has 11.”

Ollie Lund, Online Sport Editor

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HE world of tennis was very different in 2001. Djokovic, Murray and Nadal had yet to enter the fray, and Pete Sampras was on top of the world. The seven-time Wimbledon Champion had emerged as the victor of the tournament every single time since 1997, and looked set to win again. Enter newcomer Roger Federer, a 19-year-old Swiss tennis player who had impressed many of his contemporaries with his impressive playing style. Nonetheless, it was expected that Sampras would ease by to his eighth victory. The five-set match, however, did not end in the way the punters expected. After five hard-won sets, Federer defeated Sampras 7-6(7), 5-7, 6-4, 6(2)-7, 7-5. The man many had regarded as the finest player on the planet had been vanquished, without reaching the Quarter-Finals, by somebody who hadn’t even reached his third decade. The defeat marked the end of Sampras’ incredible run, and ushered in a new age of tennis players, and, two years later, Federer’s domination began.

Theodore Stone, Online Editor

ESPITE being 1-0 down after the first two tests, the England cricketers turned round the series emphatically to defeat the Aussies 3-1 in "Botham's Ashes". The third test victory at Headingly was remarkable. Australia scored 401-9 declared in their first innings to which England could only muster a meagre 174, and were asked to follow on 224 runs behind.

Botham came to the crease at 1045, with England still requiring 122 runs to avoid an embarrassing innings defeat. The controversial Botham bludgeoned a sensational 149 not out to set Australia a target of 130 to win. This should have been routine for the Aussies - but no one told Bob Willis that.

Willis bowled a remarkable spell of 8-43 to reduce the opposition from 56-1 to 111 all out, cue scintillating scenes as England became only the second team in history to win a match after being forced to follow on. This momentum swing carried onto the next 3 test matches as England performed brilliantly to regain the Ashes with a 3-1 series win. Never write a team off, especially a courageous and tenacious England.

Ted Mahon

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HE New England Patriots were the favourites. Tom Brady, the Patriot’s quarterback, looked destined for a fifth Super Bowl. The Atlanta Falcon’s offense was the best in the league, and NFL history, but the Patriots would deal with that, apparently.

Imagine the shock then, when three quarters into the match the Falcons led 28-3. The Patriots had emphatically collapsed and they lined up on the side looking defeated men.

The final 9:44 minutes will go down as one of the greatest sporting comebacks, and thus upsets, in history.

Incomprehensibly, Brady took his team to three touchdowns, two of them accompanied with two point conversions, taking the game into overtime: for the first time in NFL history. For football fans, this is the equivalent of scoring five goals in the last ten minutes of a Champions League final.

It was inevitable that Jamie White who tunnel through the Falcons’ defence and make it 34-28, handing yetanother Super Bowl to the Patriots. It was fate.

Michael Jones

Natasa Christofidou, News Editor, chats to Swimming Club Captain Lydia Smith

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HO doesn’t love constantly smelling of chlorine? That wasn’t the only reason that Lydia Smith, swimming club captain, gave for choosing swimming as a sport.

With the swimming varsity coming up on the 4th March 2017, I met up with Lydia on what seemed to be the warmest Wednesday of February so far, where we spoke about the club’s fundraising events in the run up to varsity and recent BUCS successes. In hindsight, the clear skies were probably a missed opportunity for a quick dip in the Cornwall House pool.

We began by talking about the benefits of being involved in sports, especially at University, where our stress levels can reach an unexpected peak quite quickly. Lydia highlighted how important this is to her, as she’s been a member of the swimming club for the past four years, throughout both her undergraduate degree and masters.

The important psychological benefits of swimming presents the sport as a great way to “de-stress” in a “social atmosphere, where you can be an individual in the pool as you can dive in and forget about everything else”. Lyd-

Men's Squash Exeter 1s ..................................... 1 Imperial 1s .................................. 4 Michael Jones Sport Team

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HE Men’s Squash 1s were eliminated from the BUCS Premier Championship by a strong Imperial College of London side, who headed into the match having won their last seven.

The round of 16 tie saw Exeter lose 4-1, with the sole victory coming from number one seed Peter Joyce.

Indeed, Joyce gave Exeter a promising start when he dispatched of Imperial’s opposite number in a composed and assured fashion. An early drop shot set the tone for the match; Joyce and his opponent were very well matched, but Joyce’s extra ounce of quality was evident and was enough to separate the two. The final point of the match crystallised such superiority: efficient build up play left his opponent stranded, with Joyce then able to expose his opponent’s vulnerability.

ia also mentioned the physical benefits of swimming, as the sport itself uses so many different muscles.

With 6pm ends to our short spanned sunlit days, being part of a team is a great way to “get out the house, release some energy, and to see your friends,” according to Lydia. She went on to explain how the community oriented atmosphere that swimming creates lasts far beyond members’ time at university, with alumni coming down for the club’s Christmas dinner and for Varsity.

EUSC’s Varsity involves athletes from Bristol, Bath, and Falmouth who will be coming down for a friendly day of competitions and socialising. Prior to varsity the club held a bake sale in the forum, raising £149. Similarly, a pub quiz has been hosted this month and members are running a charity fun run, in collaboration with the wind riders club, on the 1st March in order to raise money for ‘cardiac arrest in the

young,’ the club’s chosen charity this year.

In contrast to other AU sports clubs at Exeter, the swimming Varsity is less competitive and more of a social experience, aiming to include as many members as possible. Lydia mentioned that it’s one of the most important cub events in a year that “members always look forward to.”

Last year the swimming club’s chosen charity for their varsity was ‘MIND,’ where the club successfully raised £1629.72. Lydia couldn’t have been more excited about the amazing line up of events in preparation for the varsity and mentioned that she “hopes the club can raise even more this year”.

Briefly touching upon the swimming team’s successes at the BUCS long-course; the club was able to see one of their athletes, Dominic Wooldbridge, make it to the men’s finals for the 100m fly event, securing a silver medal. Similarly, Dayna Riordan

Squash bow out

Joyce commanded the match, winning in straight games and never looked like slipping up, despite the constant vigour and determination from Imperial’s number one seed.

Unfortunately, for the men in green, this was a false dawn.

Exeter’s Will Sargeant, the second seed, came closest in replicating Joyce’s victory, falling 3-1 in a game of narrow margins. Sargeant look to be on the verge of an impressive comeback in the final game – at 6-1 down, he managed to pull the score back to 8-8. A few c o n t e n tious decisions later and Sargeant’s fight-back sadly ended. However, it did not mar what was a competitive and entertaining spectacle.

Rory Duthie, Exeter’s 3rd seed, will also count himself u n lucky.

His opening game saw him lose 11-3, but the following two games were much closer, and Duthie – who donned a flamboyant

bandana - could have easily come back into it, if only he had the luck of the bounce.

Imperial proved too much for an Exeter side who had lost their last six ties 4th seed Akshaye Wadhwa’s match followed the same pattern as he slumped to a 3-0 defeat; by this time, Exeter knew that they had lost the tie.

Alex Lightbody, the number five

'S IN A ER PT N A R C O C

Take the plunge with EUSC...

SPORT

reached the women’s finals for 50m breastroke, and the women’s medley relay team was successful in reaching the B finals of the competitions. Overall, swimmers broke six club records across the weekend of 17-19 February. Lydia emphasised the versatility of swimming, which includes “both individual and team aspects to the sport”.

Swimming Varsity aims to include as many members as possible Upcoming events for the club also include the BUCS team championships on the 17-19th March, where an A and B team are entered. This event is probably as inclusive as it can get, as it’s not exclusively catered for the BUCS squad. My chat with Lydia was a great example of bringing awareness to the inclusivity and excitement of sports that aren’t always in the public eye - not to mention that being half naked and permanently wet is probably as exciting as it can get.

seed, also suffered a 3-0 loss – however, Lightbody was making his 1st team debut and was performing at a level he was unaccustomed to, with Exeter losing several key players in the build up to the match.

Imperial College London proved too much for an Exeter side who had lost their last six ties. It was a battle between one of the best teams in the Championships and a team who have struggled to find form, and an upset was never likely.

The result was another low-point for an Exeter outfit who have failed to meet their expectations thus far this season.

They currently sit bottom of their respective league and look destined for relegation.

Disappointment was clearly etched upon Exeter faces, but there were several moments of brilliance that bode well for the future. The quality is there, and thus the potential, but Exeter will have to begin to show these moments of quality on a consistent basis if they are to realise their ambitions.

BUCS Roundup: Wednesday 22 February Mixed Golf 1s.........................6 Nottingham 1s........................0

Northumbria 1s.....................15 Men's Rugby Union 1s..........29

Women's Squash 1s ..............5 Oxford 1s................................0

Men's Tennis 1s....................12 LSE 1s.....................................0

Plymouth 1s............................1 Men's Hockey 2s....................2

Southampton 2s.....................0 Women's Rugby Union 2s.....55

Surrey 1s................................0 Women's Table Tennis 1s......5

Women's Tennis 1s...............12 Oxford 1s................................0

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EUNC 3s beat Marjons CONTINUED FROM BACK PAGE After just getting their head around this adjustment, another spanner was thrown in the works when the Marjon WD did not come back on after half time due to an underlying back injury. This left two floating Exeter players, a huge advantage over even the strongest team.

However, the 3rd quarter began rather erratically for Exeter, with changes to attack breaking the former rhythm of the side. But after a few mistakes the 3s found their mojo, with GS Rosie Fleming and GA Hill-Smith switching in the circle tightly, confounding their defenders.

They remained unnerved, calmly working the ball around until they were set up.

Turnovers were plentiful, especially since the Exeter side was one player up in defense. These were easily converted to attack through rapid Katy Hills now at Centre. Hills’ speed superseded her player and made the attacking third all the more fluid, with her and WA Meg Hughes flitting around each other effectively.

Marjon’s defense picked up their pace, gaining a few much needed turnovers for the side which they also converted to goal. This was not enough though to bridge the gap, finishing the 3rd quarter with a score of 35-15 to Exeter.

Turnovers were plentiful, especially since the Exeter side was one up in defence Strange tactics were employed in the 4th quarter from Marjon with the defenders and shooters on the side switching over. This was alongside joking laughter about their prospects for the rest of the game, setting an odd tone for the end of the match.

Nevertheless, this ended up being a very successful tactic, with their onceGK, now-GA dominating their attacking end and scoring a number of goals in succession. But tight defense from Exeter GD Lucy Roberts, playing out of position, shut down a number of opportunities that could have even further closed the gap between the teams.

The strong end from Marjon in drawing the final quarter was not enough to regain lost ground from the 2nd and 3rd quarters, making EUNC 3s victorious with a final score of 45-24.

Captain Rhiannon Phillips, who also got man of the match, said, ‘I think despite the unfortunate injuries from Marjon, the parts of the match where both teams were playing at full capacity was a great contest.

‘I am really proud of how far this team has come and how we have all gelled both off and on court.’

The 3s are now 3rd in the League with one more game to play.

Sport

27 FEB 2017 | EXEPOSÉ

In for a shock? Exeposé Sport looks back at some of the biggest surprises in history

Captain’s Corner: Natasa Christofidou catches up with Swimming

Page 38

Page 39

SPORT EDITORS:

Owain Evans Lara Hopkins

Photo: Yong Yan Wang

3s win with ease Netball Exeter 3s .................................. 45 Marjons 1s ................................ 24 India Crawley Sport Team

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FTER a marginal win for Marjon’s the last time these teams came head to head, EUNC 3s came back fighting this Wednesday, winning their last home game with an overwhelming 45-24 victory.

This was a significant game for the 3s who lost away 25-23 to the same opposition in January, and were just one place

below them in the Western 3A League before this match.

For many of the team this was their last home netball game for Exeter, so the stakes and emotions were extremely high before the first whistle blew.

Exeter took an early lead with defense forcing an error on Marjon’s first centre and the attack easily converting to goal. Despite an extremely strong and pushy defense from the other side, shooting pair Sian Seccombe and Sarah Hill-Smith settled into harmonious partnership. Their swift movement in the circle combined with accurate and strong

feeding from WA Katy Hills and C Sam Cadwell proved too much for the defenders to work against. This was bolstered by formidable defense from the Exeter side, with GK Sarah Murphy taking a number of strong interceptions in the first few minutes of the game.

EUNC finished the first half with a ten point lead After some pacing problems at the beginning of the quarter, Exeter soon

settled into a steady rhythm and finished the first quarter with a goal from GA Seccombe with a convincing lead of 13-8.

Minutes into the second quarter saw the WA for the Marjon side on the floor with an ankle injury. The away side did not bring any bench players with them, leaving Exeter to play against a 6-player team.

This catapulted new energy into the Exeter side; the team quickly capitalized on their advantage. The Marjon side began panicking, leading to a few long passes easily picked off by Exeter GD Heidi Thorne.

It became a downward spiral for the Marjon side for the last few minutes of the second quarter; they began taking out their frustration at the score on each other. The strong GK couldn’t dominate GS Sarah Hill-Smith, who was far quicker in the circle, leading to a stream of contact calls from the umpire as the GK became more frustrated. EUNC finished the first half with a ten-point lead, 22-12.

Half time was much needed for both sides after an extremely physical fifteen minutes compounded by the tough mental adjustment needed when playing a side with only 6 players.

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