ROUX - Issue 11, Feb 2024

ROUX Student Magazine EST 2022 Issue 11, 22nd February 2024 Luxembourg Print run: 515 copies



Chief Editor: Veronica Lafeuqueuse

Contents 2

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Casino Luxembourg

Introducing OSL

The Blue Book

What does a Doula do?

Two libraries,

At your service, students

Interview

Mothering the mother

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one museum

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Centrefold Poster Strawberry feels forever

Ulysses

Calma la Alma

Ugly Fashion

Book review

Imagine…

Crocs are forever

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Submarine

D’Quirinuskapell

Eternity Bites

Film Review

Local photography

Hidden Track

Starring: Auriane MÖCK – your friendly commie neighbour Cailan HARRIS – stand-in for Howard Moon Eleni MOUZAKITI – social networking empress Elise LACOURT – mullet haircuts appreciator Fabio CONCEIÇÃO – cultural gentlemen Jacopo MOGLIA – chief contemplative officer Jason BILLARD – post-medieval gleeman José FERNANDES MAIA – poster boy; Mr. Inker Upper Jo Yi HOON – feminine overseer; post-modern tease Kristina SHATOKHINA – woman of vision; high priestess Nancy LAMBERT – landscape shutterbug Sofia MILLER – entertains the primordial Hylemxylem Valère GAUBE – homme à tout faire et n’importe quoi Zoltan TAJTI – Eastern machinations We are thankful to: Ramona Ventimiglia and the Office of Student Life, Veerle Waterplas, Sonja Di Renzo, Antonio Tavan, Repro Team, Espace Cultures, Anouk Wies, Karin Langumier, Bianca Pirrelli, Andy Adams of the Alumni Network, Véronique Heitz and Rotondes, Student Lounge Belval and all children of SAUL, Dalmat CoffeeHouse, Julie Toussaint, LLC, Julie Jephos, Inès Planchenault, Stilbé Schroeder, Virginie Dellenbach, Melissa Dalton from RTL Today and Silvia from Café Saga.

ROUX is thrilled to announce its partnership with RTL Today Radio.

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Unless otherwise noted, all images in the magazine are public domain as described in the Creative Commons CC0-1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication licence, and fall under no copyright obligations.

Direct all copyright claims to: paper.roux@gmail.com Find us at: campus buildings (reception areas, magazine stands), Student Lounges, chill-out-zones, Dalmat CoffeeHouse, and LLC. Join us! We are looking for graphic designers, writers, artists, photographers, reporters and all sorts of sailors willing to man the good ship ROUX. Contact us: paper.roux@gmail.com and paper@roux.lu Find the magazine online: https://issuu.com/rouxmagazine Instagram: @roux.magazine Certain pages designed using images from rawpixel.com Cover hand-drawn by Jason Billard Poster p. 12-13 hand-drawn by José Fernandes Maia ©ROUX Student Magazine All rights reserved

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On guest writers and prospective members La dernière chose qu’on trouve en faisant un ouvrage, est de savoir celle qu’il faut mettre la première.

Blaise Pascal, Pensées Maintaining a magazine is no linear matter. The fewest things are, to be fair. And he, whose endeavour patiently thrives and never falters, growing in steady increments like the mound of sand in an hourglass, it is unsure whether the congratulations he deserves should not come accompanied by some muted words of commiseration; because, though fortune blessed him with but favourable winds, it never taught him to wrap his sail around contrary gusts. A stall can provide the opportunity to think again one’s action through, and a step back can turn out to be the first of a much wider leap forward.

ROUX has been taking strides since its foundation, but it is also still getting its sea legs (to pursue the maritime metaphors). This is why we have updated our policy on guest writers, which you can find below.

1. You are a student or alumnus of the University of Luxembourg? You would like to publish a text in ROUX but cannot commit to being a full member of the team? Send us your text in PDF format to both email addresses paper@ roux.lu and paper.roux@gmail.com. If it is prose, make sure its length is 500–600 words. Regarding content, ROUX is bound by one rule: no religion nor politics.

3. If your text is approved, we will communicate to you in which month’s issue its publication will happen (attribution to an issue depends on available space).

2. The ROUX team will review your text to ensure it is appropriate for publication.

Once a decision has been reached, you will be informed of it through the same channel you contacted us.

As you will by now have noticed, ROUX is fairly eclectic in its selection of articles; so do not be shy, show us what you have got.

4. If we need you to attend one of our meetings (e.g. to consult on your text’s design), we will contact you to settle on a suitable date.

More interesting and rewarding than submitting a text, however, is joining ROUX as an official member. This keeps the magazine alive, as more ancient students graduate and move on. You will thus be involved in the various aspects of running a magazine, – from organisation to distribution, as well as all the creative stuff in between, – which demands some commitment, but is already enriching by itself. Furthermore, your articles will be given priority when it comes to publication. More duties: more rights, – it is only fair.

Contact us at the email addresses mentioned above or on Instagram at roux.magazine if you want to join us. We are especially looking for people who can do graphic design, but anyone with a useful set of skills is most welcome.

Finally, ROUX wishes you ee gudde Rutsch in 2024 and best of luck for the new semester!

Enjoy the present issue.

by Valère Gaube

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T W O L IFBIRLAMR IPE ASN OORNAEM AM U S E U M

Art and Creativity in Casino Luxembourg's Libraries

by Jo Yi Hoon

Casino Luxembourg is an innovative art forum that has been bringing art exhibitions from a younger generation of artists to Luxembourg since 1996.

It is an experimental space for creative activities and conversation in both the main gallery and the studio for upcoming artists, the latter known as the Casino Display. There is also a bookshop, a cafe, and the main library called InfoLab, which specialises in contemporary art.

I would like to focus on the small library of books inside the Casino Display and the InfoLab, the larger library of the two. Virginie Dellenbach is responsible for looking after both spaces and has the desirable power of selecting which books and artistic magazines are shown in those spaces.

She also works together with the exhibition artists, looking at which books they referred to, and putting them on display, so people can understand how the artists work, thus creating another relationship with the public.

The Casino Display is primarily an artistic studio – it provides a vital space for young resident artists to collaborate, produce work and hold exhibitions. Due to the absence of a dedicated art school in Luxembourg, the Casino Display is truly an essential platform for fresh creatives to not only develop their practice but to help connect them with other art schools. There is a selection of books in this cosy space, hence a small library.

The space holds publications both from the Casino and the surrounding art schools in the greater region, plus literature the artists used as a reference and inspiration.

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Meanwhile, the Infolab in the main building of the Casino Gallery, is an ideal place for open conversations between people from all areas of life, both creative and academic.

There are also artistic magazines and journals in different languages, including your beloved ROUX magazine, which we are very grateful to them for displaying. A multilingual book club has also been running since October 2023, open to everyone. Virginie has recommended two of her favourite titles, kindly explaining why in her own words: Devet, Annelys et al. Subjective Atlas of Luxembourg.

Sint Pieters Leeuw: Subjective editions, 2019 (Book’s language: English) “The Subjective Atlas of Luxembourg is part of the editorial project series "Subjective Atlas" initiated by Annelys Devet.

These atlases explore specific places or themes, through personal and subjective perspectives.

In Luxembourg, this collaborative project brought together over 100 creative minds at Casino Luxembourg, all contributing to map their country through maps, infographics, photos, texts or drawings. Each participant brought their interpretation, experience, or personal vision of Luxembourg.

Thus, this atlas doesn't guide the reader to find their way, but from these multiple viewpoints, it offers a poetic and pluralistic vision of Luxembourg.

I enjoy recommending this book to people who are not familiar with or know little about Luxembourg because many people have a very negative image of the country. I greatly appreciated discovering each piece of history developed in this collaborative project.”

© Casino Luxembourg. Photography: NOLA

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T W O L I B R A R I ES O N E M U S E U M

Verna Jean-Luc et al. Jean-Luc Verna: "Vous n'êtes pas un peu beaucoup maquillé? - Non".

Vitry sur Seine: MAC VAL, 2016 (Book’s language: French) “This book is a monograph about the French artist JeanLuc Verna, published on the occasion of his exhibition at the Mac-Val, in Vitry-sur-Seine, in 2016. Verna is known for his work in performance art, photography and drawing.

He uses his own body as an artistic medium. His work explores themes such as sexuality, gender, religion and the subversion of social norms. His work is often characterised by a provocative, raw, dark aesthetic and a deep reflection on existential and social issues. His work also shows how art provides an opportunity for artists to express their traumas. As for the artist Verna, he is an artist who fascinates me because he is complete. He is touching, and provocative, but also he shows his vulnerabilities. And I believe that art has that power to allow us to feel multiple emotions.”

Meanwhile, my recommended books available at the InfoLab are summarised below, including discussions on artistic practices, theory and aspects of art history: Nicolas Bourriaud. Relational Aesthetics.

Dijon: Les Presses Du Reel edition, 1998 (Book’s language: French, English translation available) This essay on the art term “relational aesthetics” was coined by the French curator and art critic Nicolas Bourriaud. He argues that art should be judged on its ability to stimulate social interaction and dialogue, rather than its meaning or content. Performative art, street interviews, and interactive sculptures are among the types of artwork available that fall under this category. Besides being an important book on art, it has a personal significance to me, as it was my first encounter with art theory (alongside Rosalind Krauss): I am forever grateful to a former tutor Dr Christian Edwardes, who introduced me to not only art theory but also aesthetics.

© Casino Luxembourg. Photography: Patty Neu

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Sophie Calle. Did You See Me? Munich: Prestel, 2004 (Book’s language: English) When I first encountered French artist Sophie Calle's book Did You See Me? whilst studying at Central Saint Martins, I was in awe of her conceptual art practice, and this particular title is a retrospective of Calle's exploration. She is acting as not only an artist, but also a documentarian, photographer, and flâneuse, chronicling intimate moments in strangers' lives. Photographs, diary pages, and film stills are included in the book, and they are a pleasure to look through. In particular, I appreciate her photographs and film stills because they embody an essence that cannot be captured by any other medium, let alone photography.

Despite the controversial nature of the subject matter she interacts with, it contains a flair which, as mentioned, is hard to come by, especially with the extreme availability of modern technology today, making us nostalgic for the days when technology was simpler.

Midori Matsui. The Age of Micropop: The New Generation of Japanese Artists.

Tokyo: Parco co, ltd and Isamu Ito, 2007 (Book’s language: Japanese and English) Micropop is an attitude of late post-modernism that reorganises fragments of many communication processes without regard to a major philosophy, ideology or aesthetic. As well as pointing to marginalised subjects within a dominant culture, the term was influenced by French philosophers Felix Guattari and Gilles Deleuze, and French anthropologist Michel de Certeau's thoughts on everyday life. In other words, it means focusing on little moments of daily life, which is part of the Japanese culture as a whole.

The book covers 15 renowned Japanese artists including Yoshimoto Nara, Aya Takano and Chihiro Mori. Admittedly, there is a unique style to this book that is common in Japan, creating a mystical feel for nonJapanese readers. However, its gentleness goes a long way towards understanding Japanese art, and what we may need for ourselves.

To sum up, the Casino, the InfoLab and the Casino Display are hidden gems worth visiting to take a pause. And not only when a change of pace is needed from student life, but when the urge to discover art’s past, present and future hits you, which I humbly hope this recent discovery inspires you to do so.

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A T Y O U R S E R V ICE, STUDENTS

Make the Campus your own!

Student Support by the Office of Student Life

for student-run projects on campus, and With the stress of the arduous exam With the stress of the arduous exam they’re the ones you should contact if period stillperiod fresh still on our minds and the and the fresh on our minds new semester having already new semester havingstarted, alreadywe started, we you have any questions about student may all feel a bit You do You do soprojects. They are also the organizers of may all overwhelmed. feel a bit overwhelmed. much the university, butdoes what does thethe Campus Sport and Campus Wellbeing so much for thefor university, but what university for you? the Office of programs that you may have seen in the university do fordo you?

Well, Well, the Office Student Life may have some answers to your emails or on posters around the of Student Life may have some answers that question. university. to that question.

The Office of Student Life is a part of the Student Services As part of the Student Services Team, Team and has as its goal the support and the Office of Student Life supports and development of student engagement andand develops student engagement initiatives.initiatives.

Hence, they organise a couple Hence, they help to organise of activities for students and support all activities for students and support all types of student projects, like student associations or student clubs like our magazine. They are a tremendous asset

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Campus Sports and Campus Wellbeing offer several classes and workshops for types of student projects, like student students throughout the semester. These associations or student clubs like our classes are all taught by aexperienced magazine.

They are tremendous instructors at least once a week asset for student-run projectsand on are free of charge.

Their offer is very campus, and they’re the ones you varied, ranging fromif football and dance to should contact you have any questions about student projects. meditation and Tai Chi. These classes are They also the organisers of and almost all are in the south of Luxembourg the Sport andyou Campus close to Campus Belval. However, need to be Wellbeing classes that you may quick and register via Affluences, as have these seen in your emails or on posters classes are in high demand. And that is not around the university. all, this year, the Office of Student Life is expanding theinformation Campus Wellbeing program.

For more on that, you As acan response to the need for stay tuned forrising our March issue mental health support within the university, though! there are going to be new classes and That is not all though: this upcoming workshops.

Campus Wellbeing already 7th of March, the Office of Student offers some classes that help students is organizing a flea market with Life stress, time management, and other issues. Beginning this March and running up to June they are planning on offering

more specialized courses with sessions only for students and sessions only for for students. The purpose of this flea staff, some of them in cooperation with market is to sell things specifically the Inclusion Office and Psychological aimed towards the students of the support.

These classes should be ideal university. for anyone who feels that they are stressed or generally Of overwhelmed, course, the Office of Student Lifefeeling has many more diverse, future unwell. projects planned that are worth checking out. If you are aofstudent Of course, the Office StudentorLife staff member of the university, youprojects has many more diverse, future should follow them on their social planned that are worth checking out. If media to not miss out on any of their you are a student or staff member of the future projects. university, you should follow them on their social media toBy notFabio missConceição out on any of their future projects.

By Fabio Conceição

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INTERVIEW

Blue Book Trainee

– Its natural habitat and dietary habits Also: What it has learnt blued, mostly about itself

by Zoltan Tajti

Jānis Laucenieks is from Latvia and was a fellow translator trainee during my traineeship tenure at the European Commission (EC) from October 2016 to February 2017. We were stationed in Luxembourg and had spent five months at the EC’s Directorate-General for Translation (DGT) – me in the Hungarian, him in the Latvian department.

Jānis was kind enough to sit down with me to talk about what prompted him to apply for the traineeship, how he spent his Luxembourg months, and what he has learned from his traineeship experience.

First things first: why did you apply for the traineeship?

I had just completed my second Bachelor. A friend of mine had done an EC traineeship, and she loved the experience, so I thought I’d give a shot at applying. I was a fresh graduate of Musicology then but my first Bachelor’s was in International Communication, and I had had a few courses in interpreting and translation. Thus, I chose DGT – which meant that if I got accepted, I would move to Luxembourg, as most of DGT is stationed there.

What was the experience like?

I learned a lot about myself. Most importantly, I learned that I love working with people, and do not like sitting in front of a screen very much. I am very social, and I like it when my work is not fully individual.

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Jānis Laucenieks, provided by Jānis Laucenieks Also, I now have a firm grasp of how the EU works and what its institutional structure is.

Because of that, I now also understand better how Latvia – my home country – fits into the framework of the EU. I have since found this knowledge very useful.

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Were you involved in any activities outside work?

I was. Trainees are taken care of very well by the EC; a part of this is providing a framework of subcommittees they can join for various purposes. There are subcommittees for all kinds of things: culture, entertainment, language learning, and also charity. I was involved in the charity subcommittee.

We organised intercultural dinner events, pub quizzes and charity concerts for our fellow trainees from the then-27 EU member states. It was a very rewarding experience. It was during my subcommittee work that I realised how much I need people around me in my work, and how much I love being in an international environment.

Has the traineeship experience had any influence on your life since?

I would say so, yes. I applied to the traineeship on a whim and expected to develop my translation skills, then go home. Instead – as I’ve already mentioned – I learned a lot about myself, which is the most important thing one can hope for during any experience in life.

I also learned that we need to jump on opportunities and let ourselves be surprised by what the experience brings; and by how things seem to always fall into place. When I returned to Latvia I started a Master’s programme in Management of Culture. Then, I worked a bit for the Riga circus, because one of my friends suddenly became its CEO and she was very passionate about it.

Fancy a Blue Book Traineeship at the European Commission?

Visit traineeships.ec.europa.eu to know more and to apply.

I researched the development of contemporary circuses, and thanks to that, I got the opportunity to spend a year in San Francisco with a scholarship.

My learning experience was manyfold: Firstly, I have learned that it pays off to jump on an opportunity because you never know what advantages it will bring. Secondly, I have also learned that the best opportunities always come as surprises; they do not follow an expected curve of events.

And thirdly, I have since learned that knowledge is always convertible – whatever you learn, whatever skills you acquire, you will most probably be able to apply them in environments and contexts very different from where and why you acquired them in the first place.

So.. Was the traineeship worth it?

Oh, yes. It most definitely was – concluded Jānis, and we hung up on Zoom.

Just like that. That’s a lie, though, we did talk about shared memories at

DGT. Joy, joy, joy. We once shared a playground.

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M O T H E R I N G T H E M O T H E R

The best way to describe a doula would probably be as the best friend of a woman giving birth, although a doula does not only support the birthgiving woman but also the bond with her partner.

She offers emotional, physical, and informational support before, during and after childbirth for the becoming mother and her family. The idea is to offer holistic healthcare and support, where the doula complements the care provided by midwives and other health professionals, all of them working together as a team to support the women giving birth.

Even though this profession has been gaining more and more importance since the 1980s as part of the societal movement towards natural and womancentered birthing experiences, the profession of doula is by no means a new concept. The term “doula” was first used in Ancient Greece, where it meant „woman who serves“.

Today, the term could also be explained as „one who mothers the mother“. The doula today replaces the multigenerational home of the past. In the past, it was standard practice for a woman giving birth to be supported by other women who usually had already given birth themselves. The whole village was involved as babies were born and families grew – and if we still lived in such a multi-generational, communal way, there might be no need to hire a doula.

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How well do you know what a Doula does?

By Auriane Möck Other cultures also offer rituals and routines for new mothers to heal from birth and to transition into motherhood. But nowadays, as we are living in a more and more individualistic society with smaller family structures, women in the Western world often feel left alone and isolated while going through the process of becoming a mother.

Therefore, the need for doulas increases. Unlike midwives, who are healthcare providers trained to manage the medical aspects of childbirth, doulas focus primarily on the emotional and psychological well-being of the birthing person.

They are a non-medical companion during childbirth, more like a friend, mother or coach, but still offer a profound knowledge of childbirth.

Illustrations adapted from @ododua.aum

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However, one must consider that a doula is not a substitute for a midwife or doctor since they do not have any medical training. Also, the professional title „doula“ is not a protected term and there is no official recognition of the profession. Anyone looking for a doula must therefore check the doula‘s training, background and techniques.

Nevertheless, a competent doula gives

Doulas also support in the event of unexpected difficulties during labour and help to calm down fears and anxiety. It is therefore hardly surprising that the presence of a doula has been shown to reduce the likelihood of a caesarean section.

a woman the confidence to express her wants and viewpoints and realise her desire for a healthy, satisfying birthing experience. They offer empowerment through personalised care, as a doula stays at the side of the birthing woman and her family throughout the whole process of the labour and if wanted, also in the subsequent process of becoming a mother. In contrast, a midwife in a hospital often has to take care of two or three birthing mothers at the same time and is therefore not able to attend to the woman’s needs at its fullest.

During pregnancy, doulas offer education on various birthing options, helping individuals

Postpartum doulas further offer support and instructions in newborn care and breastfeeding.

make informed decisions about their labour and delivery preferences. As labour unfolds, doulas provide non-medical techniques, such as massage, breathing techniques or acupressure, easing the physical challenges of childbirth and helping with pain management. Their unwavering emotional support contributes to a positive birthing environment, reducing stress and anxiety. In a clinical setting, they form the bridge between the woman and the healthcare professionals, helping her to understand the medical terminology and give informed consent, fostering a sense of empowerment.

Women working with a doula were found to have greater breastfeeding success, more confidence in their abilities as mothers, and lower rates of postnatal depression.

The rise of doulas aligns with a broader cultural shift towards recognising the importance of emotional well-being in healthcare.

But more importantly, doulas promote a paradigm shift in childbirth experiences towards a more naturally rooted, selfdetermined and empowering birth experience.

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BOOK  REVIEW

Why should anyone read

A BOOK REVIEW of Irish writer James Joyce’s ULYSSES, a MODERNIST NOVEL, published on the 2ND OF FEBRUARY 1922 - Review written

by FÁBIO CONCEIĈÃO for ROUX MAGAZINE in January 2024

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James Joyce

ULYSSES?

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James Joyce’s Ulysses is a book you have probably heard about.

When you talk to people about it, whether they have read it or not, they may tell you it is a masterpiece, one of the most difficult reads, and a book that functions as a literary rite of passage for up-and-coming literary geniuses. There is a lot that can be said about it, which is already made clear by the sheer number of literary professors and students dedicating entire parts of their lives to the analysis of this book. What is it that draws people to this book one may ask. For some, it is Joyce’s genius and peculiar character, others are drawn in by the sheer amount of praise the book gets, yet others may want to scratch an intellectual itch with what they perceive to be an intellectual endeavor. Some may just be drawn in by a book banned for its profanity (we don’t judge).

But why should you want to read it? Talk to a Joyce fan and they will tell you how difficult it is and hand you three guides by an obscure modernist literature professor. So why bother? Well firstly, like many of the finer things in life, literature is often perverted by the human need to feel superior. So do not fret, the book was indeed written to be read and not only written about!

But enough about the seeming barriers to reading the book, what does it have to offer?

Ulysses offers the reader a seemingly ordinary plot, presenting the lives of three people on a June day in Dublin.

In the entire book, one could say that plot-wise not much happens, which would be a true statement, , not even an entire day passes in the plot. However, that is not a negative thing.

Ulysses’ plot does not shine in what happens, but the style in which the seemingly mundane is elevated to a level that makes the reader marvel at what Joyce was able to produce. The characters and their surroundings are brought to life by vivid descriptions of what goes on around them and by the unique stylistic choices that Joyce makes.

When you are reading a chapter, the book quickly takes you from the ordinary physical world of the characters and makes it into an epic journey through their minds. This is done masterfully through well-crafted references, vivid descriptions, and a witty writing style. Some would claim to visit Dublin and explore the places mentioned in the book just to immerse themselves in Joyce’s Dublin, which makes me think I may have to visit Dublin now. And of course, how could one glance over, what in my opinion, makes this book shine, that is the different literary styles in use here. They make the reading of the novel akin to a museum visit for literary students. Whereas one chapter may take you through periods of English literature, another one makes you read a play out of seemingly nowhere.

Consequently, the reading of Ulysses becomes a truly memorable experience. Of course, you will need to look into the background of many things to fully grasp the book, but do not be shaken off by this, you need not try to understand every reference that some Ulysses fanatics saw in the book contrary to what some may tell you.

There are many simple guides available online that seamlessly guide you through the book and its references without seeming too overwhelming.

Now why should you read it?

Well, if anything written here piques your interest and you see yourself as one of the people who want to engage with this type of literature, then I would advise you not to think twice and pick it up. It is a literary experience that, in my opinion, will stay with the reader, as long as he finds pleasure in the artistic usage of language or even if he only finds interest in reading through a vivid retelling of a particular June day in Dublin and hey, there is merit to both. So do not fear the barriers created by professional readers and hobby-intellectuals and see for yourself why it is worth reading. And who knows, maybe after reading it, you too will perpetuate the never-ending cycle of recommending Ulysses to innocent readers.

by Fábio Conceição

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I M A G IN E . . .

Calma la alma Sometimes I feel like I just want to escape. To escape this society full of people that I can see but that I can’t see. I want to escape this society where I feel lonely in the middle of a crowd because everyone is so concerned with him*herself that no one sees me.

I wonder if there is still any true connection in this world. I wonder how it would be if we could all just support each other instead of being in constant competition, always wanting to be the best at everything.

For me, supporting each other is like going back to the roots. We all came from that form of life where living in a group was the only chance of survival, where we had to split tasks depending on our individual strengths and weaknesses.

And then I start to dream ...

Dreaming of finding a group of people to go back to the roots with.

Imagine there are over 20 people, consisting of friends, couples, sisters and brothers, parents, or whoever comes up.

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All together, they decide to buy an old farmhouse or an old mill somewhere outside the city, outside the hecticness, the noise and the crowds. They start to renovate the property. Everybody brings in what he*she can until they finally build the home that everyone dreamed of. They create their little world together. Everyone would have their own space, but they would still live with their friends and family as neighbours. There would be one big kitchen where everyone comes together at least once a week to share a meal, and to discuss some new projects that might have come up in the garden. But also just come together to be together, sing, make music, dance…, because that’s why they have created their community. Of course, they would be self-sufficient and grow most of their vegetables on their own, have solar panels, to be the most autonomous possible. But they are not shut out from the world – their children would still go to school, and the adults might work somewhere in the city.

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But there would be a community to come home to. People who truly care, people that one has a real deep emotional connection with, someone who is not their partner. Children would grow up and always have someone to turn to. They would have plenty of role models to choose from to inspire them to go their own way.

They would grow up in acceptance of everyone and everything. Being a parent wouldn’t be as overwhelming in a collaborative society as it is in an individualistic society because one has a community that can catch him*her.

But this is not just true for parenting but for every problem: there would always be someone to catch you. And if you feel overwhelmed by everything one day, you are still free to find peace in the nature that you‘re surrounded by.

I imagine coming home to this one day and feeling fully embraced by this place that we built and by the love all those beautiful people give me.

Peace of mind. Peace in my soul because she finally found home.

by Auriane

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T h e Eternal E t e r n a l Comeback C o m e b a c kof The Theo f Eternal Comeback of Ugly Fashion Ugly Fashion

Ugly Fashion C O M M EN T A R Y

There is no longer any shame in taking out your bin bags in a dressing gown and There is slippers. no longer shame in taking out your bags in inWinter a dressing bunny Uglyany fashion has risen… again! Courtesy of bin Balenciaga gown and bunny slippers.

Ugly fashion has risen… again!

Courtesy of 2022, the trash pouch is one of the many manifestations of this trend defying all Balenciaga in Winter 2022, trash pouch is one ofwith thethe many common sense of good taste.

But the can we all carry out our rubbish samemanifestations of this trend defying all common sense of good taste.

But brazenness as high-fashion models? can we all carry out our rubbish with the same brazenness as highRepulsive garments have always So, although beauty and ugliness fashion models?

been part of fashion. Even in are almost impossible to define

Repulsive have always Ugliness we hashave a bad reputation, painting,garments staging, music and even universally, a mutual and but been partugliness of fashion.

Even in intuitive artistsunderstanding love it. Choosing poetry, and unexpected of them.the odd, painting, staging, music and even the disturbing, over the pretty associations of colours, textures, poetry, ugliness and unexpected and pleasing, is a way of stanwords or sounds, are what make art Ugliness has a bad reputation, but associations of colours, textures, ding out, of creating something so fascinating — probably as much it. Choosing the odd, words or sounds, are what make artists new. love A successful example of or more so than beauty. the disturbing, over the pretty art so fascinating — probably as this is Miuccia Prada, who broke and is a wayrules of standing much or more so than beauty. all pleasing, the traditional of fashion Now, you may recall your high out, of creating something new.

Now, you may recall your high by working with cheap Amateschool philosophy essaysandand example of this Miuccia school philosophy essays re- successful rials usually used foris tablecloths, tortretort «But, isn’t beauty eye Prada, combining clashing patterns and «But, isn’t beauty in in the the eye who broke all the traditional of the beholder?»

Thisisishowever howe- rules creating old-fashioned of the beholder?» This of fashion by working secretary with ver only onlytrue true to a certain extent, silhouettes.

She felt that to a certain extent, as the cheap materials usually used forthere as the beholder is always of tablecloths, was something very human beholder is always part of apart larger combining clashingin the a larger group in which shared investigation of ugliness; through group in which shared practices patterns and creating old-fashioned practices and opinions are dee- it, we can truly perceive our comand opinions are deeply embedded. secretary silhouettes. She felt ply embedded. Whether we like plexity; it is a way of catharticiWhether we like it or not, our that there was something very it or not, our thoughts are always sing our odd and disturbing but thoughts always rooted in a human the investigation rooted in a are sense of community. deeply in human thoughts. of sensewhy, of community. why,the if ugliness; through it, we can truly That’s if you That’s visited you visited the Mudam Mudam exhibition After exhibition Laughter perceive our complexity; it is a AfterTears Laughter Tearshad lasta way of catharticising our odd and Comes lastComes year, and year, to andsee hadthe a chance to seebody the disturbing but deeply human chance drowning in adrowning black bathtub you thoughts. body in sculpture, a black bathtub probably all felt a little unsettsculpture, you probably all felt a led little and unsettled didn’t find particularly andit didn’t find it pleasant to look at.

So, although particularly pleasant to look at. beauty and ugliness are almost impossible to define universally, we have a mutual and intuitive understanding of them.

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Many subcultures have therefore She felt that there something expressed their was rebellion against very human in the by investigation of social norms wearing clothes ugliness; through it, we can truly usually perceived as unflattering perceive complexity; is a way andour strange; from theitIncroyables of catharticising our odd and disand the Merveilleuses who, during turbing but deeply human thoughts. the French Revolution, cut their Many subcultures have therefore hair into ears’’ toagainst symbolise expressed their’’dog rebellion sentenced to the clothes guillotine, to social those norms by wearing influencers who are bringing usuallytoday’s perceived as unflattering back into fashion the epitome of and strange; from the Incroyables ungracefulness: the mullet cutand the Merveilleuses who, during the French Revolution, cut moustache look and, for their hair into «dog ears’’ the boldest…crocs.

to symbolise those sentencedThere to the guillotine, is something to today’s influencers almost humorouswho and are bringing back into cynical about embracing fashion the epitome of ugliness in fashion. ungracefulness: the mullet Today, I seelook uglyand, fashion cut-moustache as a contemptuous for the boldest…crocs. and reaction almost to the There bold is something unhealthy promotion of humorous and cynical perfection, homogeneity about embracing ugliness in fashion.

I see on and Today, impersonality ugly fashion a contempsocial as media.

For a tuous and bold reaction to disenchanted generation the unhealthy that grewpromotion up surrounded of perfection, homogeneity by over-consumption and impersonality on social and fast fashion on one hand, and media. For a disenchanted geneits consciousness for ecological ration that grew up surrounded by preoccupationsandonfastthe other, over-consumption fashion unpopular clothes is a on onewearing hand, and its consciousplayful way of showing they don’t ness for ecological preoccupations anything seriously anymore, on the take other, wearing unpopular that everything is soofchaotic that clothes is a playful way showing they don’t anything seriously they take no longer care about pleasing anymore, that everything is so norms of decency. chaotic that they no longer care

Paradoxically, this strange will to about norms of decency. wear pleasing intentionally unattractive Paradoxically, this strange clothes often emanates from thewill to wear intentionally unattractive elite rather than from the most clothes often emanates from marginalised. The ugly movement is the elite rather than from the most less inclusive and empowering than marginalised. The ugly movement it seems to be; only when it is worn by is less inclusive and empowering wealthy does trash pouch than it people seems tothe be; only when it suddenly become cool.

According is worn by wealthy people does to the French sociologist Pierre becothe trash pouch suddenly Bourdieu, good and bad taste me cool. According to theare French socially constructed: the dominant sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, good and taste what are socially class bad determines is constructed: the dominant legitimately desirable, class determines while what is considered what is legitimately desirable, as bad taste is reflected in while what is considered the taste of the working as bad taste is reflected class. After a while, in the taste of the working when the masses start class. After a while, when accessing the codes the masses start ofaccesthe Bourgeoisie, the sing the codes oflatter the Boursuddenly rejects them, geoisie, the latter suddenand begins to absorb and ly rejects them, and begins revalue outdated pieces outto absorb and revalue dated pieces of them clothing, of clothing, making making them seem seem outrageous and outrageous and subversive. subversive.

Although it may be easier for socially privileged people to adopt a casual attitude when rejecting traditional good taste, I believe this reAlthougha it mayforbealleasier forto be mains way of us socially privileged people to adopt creative, experiment and express a casual attitude when rejecting our uniqueness… until the fashion traditional good taste, I believe this and trend cycle starts again remains a way for all ofthe us to be cool! that ugly becomes new

creative, experiment and express our uniqueness… until the fashion trend cycle starts again and that ugly becomes the new cool!

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SUB MA RI NE FILM  REVIEW

SUBMARINE A FILM REVIEW

by Jo Yi Hoon

Submarine is Richard Ayaode’s directorial debut film, initially released in 2010, adapted from Joe Dunthorpe’s novel of the same name. It focuses on the weeks of joy and happiness of the precocious couple, Oliver Tate and Jordana Bevan. Oliver is also simultaneously attempting to improve the rocky patch of his parent’s marriage, exacerbated by the arrival of his mother’s ex-lover in the neighbourhood.

The story begins in an undisclosed time period in a Welsh industrial town, exploring everyday subjects such as marriage while learning about oneself in a difficult school environment.

Meanwhile, it explores more positive topics such as teen freedom, first love, and heartbreak that come without thinking of the consequences.

Many interesting topics are squished into its run time of 97 minutes.

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CHARMING AND WITTY

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Still, I would like to focus on the eccentricities of the protagonist and the meaning of the word ‘submarine’ depicted in the film.

There are many references to submarines, oceans and marine wildlife For instance, Oliver Tate’s father, Lloyd Tate, is a marine biologist who was dismissed from his professorship at the open university, and forced to change career due to his ‘awkwardness’ in front of the camera. Lloyd has also suffered from repeated bouts of depression, going through its highs and lows. This could be related to submarines that dive deep into the ocean but always surface with positive results.

Another reference to submarines is the relationship between Oliver and Jordana; it develops organically, but as it progresses deeper, Oliver unconscionably pushes away Jordana, who needs emotional support (as he was focusing on dealing with his parent’s marriage which at this point of the story was at a pivotal point). As a result of his actions though, Oliver unfortunately becomes increasingly sad, even needing to be excused from class because “his tiny heart is broken”.

Submarine has subtle references to aquatic life, such as the diving helmet in the Tate’s hallway and the song “Stuck on the Puzzle”. Specifically, the lyric “the dark half of the blue” refers to the sea, and the night sky is theoretically, the lighter half of the blue.

This suggests Oliver would talk to Jordana about the ocean, as “he’s not the type to sing about stars”, confirming the allusion that he would talk about the ocean and not the sky. It also suggests that Oliver is a character who focuses straight ahead, and does not allow himself to be defeated – even though the ocean, as his father said, is “six miles deep”.

Ayoade explained in an interview the decision to use original songs for the film.

It would help to carry viewers into the world of Oliver, adding to the exclusivity of the undisclosed time period. As a film consumer, I agree with this choice, as it helps to pepper fragments of nostalgia in small doses. This brings us nicely to the film’s protagonist, Oliver, a wise romantic, with a comical run. He proclaims pockets of wisdom, even bravely admitting that his relationship with Jordana may not matter when he is 38. As a 16-year-old youth, this is very difficult to confess aloud – heartbreak is very difficult to repair, even impossible. The lyrics of one of the songs “It’s Hard to Get Around the Wind” speak to heartbreak. The total amount of heartbreak could be served in a giant white porcelain bowl of yellow custard, but the pain can only be dished up in minuscule portions, despite possibly how “they want the world on a dessert spoon” because it is palatable.

The film is a wonderful directorial debut, whilst being melancholic, and makes you wish for better things. Finally, Oliver Tate’s exploration of love is a unique and wonderful beacon of hope for individuals of all ages.

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SC E L ORCIATLI QPUHE  O TTHOEGARTARPAHL Y

D’Quirinuskapell, déi sech tëschent der Rue de Prague an der Rue Saint-Quirin am Péitrussdall an der Stad befënnt, ass eng Pilgerstätt, déi dem chrëschtleche Märtyrer Quirinus vun Neuss geweit ass. Dat gotescht Fundament gouf am 14. Joerhonnert gebaut an Enn vum 19. Joerhonnert duerch e Klackentuerm ergänzt. Seng Popularitéit huet dëse Site senger Fielsquell ze verdanken, där d’Kraaft, Aakrankheeten ze heelen, zougeschriwwe gouf. Dat kann och de Grond sinn, firwat dës Plaz eng laang Zäit Wallfaartsuert war; am Ufank war et eng heednesch Kultstätt, déi d’Réimer spéider als fréichrëschtlecht Hellegtum veréiert hunn.

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The Quirinus Chapel, located between the Rue de Prague and the Rue Saint-Quirin, next to the Pétrusse River in Luxembourg City, is a pilgrimage site dedicated to the Christian martyr Quirinus of Neuss. The Gothic foundation of the chapel was built in the 14th century, and the bell tower was added at the end of the 19th century. The site owes its popularity to its rock water source to which has been ascribed the power to cure eye diseases. This may also be the reason why this place has a long history of pilgrimage; starting as a heathen shrine which the Romans later began to worship as an early Christian sanctuary.

by Nancy Lambert

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H I D D E R T R A C K

ETERNITY BITES

by Kristina Shatokhina and Zoltan Tajti artwork by Kristina Shatokhina

“WHAT DO YOU PLEAD FOR? DON’T YOU REMEMBER WE’VE MET BEFORE? DO YOU REMEMBER ME? IN THAT DARK AND HOT NIGHT AT THE HANGING GARDENS OF BABYLON, THE NIGHT YOU KISSED MY PALE CLAY LIPS FOR THE FIRST TIME, FOR THE LAST TIME –

NOW I SHALL KISS Y O U R S. . .”

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I went to school yesterday. School, as in to the uni. Had a few classes, had a big old steak in the canteen — food house, or lab, or court or whatever — and popped in to my favourite coffee place. Jill was sitting there, biting her nails and stroking the ends of her hair. Not the ends that end in follicles; the other ends. She seemed a bit anxious, but doesn’t she always? I sat down at her table and ordered what she was having: a matcha latte with three gummy bears in it.

“What a psychotic thing to order” – I thought. Of course, I hadn’t had the slightest wish for a matcha latte or anything of that sort, that hipster crap… It was blood that I craved. Her beautiful skull, its round shape would crack open so sweetly and tenderly in my hands, that and so much more when she’s finally mine. It was blood that I craved, and a kiss maybe.

I usually go for the neck; you know, that thin vein that becomes visible when one is panting from sorrow or pleasure. Textbook paradigm creature of the night. But this time I felt different. This time... I wanted the blood given to me voluntarily, from whatever vein, or artery, or capillary vessel of flesh and skin.

This kiss I’ll take by force, anyway – even though they always think they are offering it to me. It tastes sweeter this way…

My dear darling, I adore your nervous smile.

That tortured look in your eyes – I can read your silent plead, and it almost intoxicates me. Nothing can feel as fragile and tender, as endearing as this plead… What do you plead for? Don’t you remember we’ve met before? Do you remember me? In that dark and hot night at the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the night you kissed my pale clay lips for the first time, for the last time – now I shall kiss yours.

Your glance turns dark and heavy. What is it that you see? What is it that they see that always makes their eyes so dark? My sweet love, we created a storm within ourselves; you never wanted to leave, so I made you.

Darling, don’t fight – hate me if you want to, haunt me… please, haunt me. All I ever wanted was you.

From now on, we belong to each other in Eternity.

And I know Eternity very well, or at least the threat of it. Everyone yearns for it; its hope has been poisoning human desire since the beginning of time. But its looming reality, its taste and swampy smell are foreign and unfathomable to the yearners; they are the extended present, future and past at once only for me. And now, alas, by a gift from the dead – I have made it available for you, as well.

As I left the building, it was already dark outside. The hot southern wind embraced me with its vile, violent caress, and the lumbering shadows concealed the holy marks of our love battles. At last, my hunger had been satisfied. I felt almost alive again. In fact, nighttime has always been our time – it is when the campus is the most beautiful, when all kinds of strange creatures come out to play.

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