Two Zero One Pupil Magazine - Lent Term 2023

Reflections

TWO-ZERO-ONE

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Cover made by Shivam Chawlia - Vth form

OPINION

Artificial Intelligence or Artist's Irritation?

Should we judge figures of the past by todays standards?

CULTURE

The Mathematics behind the Great Pyramid of Giza

SCHOOL LIFE

Let's Reminisce

INTERNATIONAL

How globalisation - the child of colonialism - affects languages

cultures interviews

OPINION

The Passing of Time

SCIENCE

The Mandela Effect

SUSTAINABILITY

Looking back on Sustainability Week at Bromsgrove School

CON TEN TS LITTERATURE

Book Reflections and pupils' Poetry

Editors' Notes

How the theme of Reflection came about

I’ve often thought of Reflection as a synonym for ‘looking back’ with no deeper desire to unravel the word or its meaning. I guess in my busy little mind, existing in my busy little world, I hadn’t the time to stopandreallythink.

Up until the start of January I hadn't stopped to realised the hurried pace of the upper sixth year. I’d been living through school on autopilot, unbeknownst to my last days at Bromsgrove School honing in. My timetable had grown a thickness of familiarity, like an old blanket, giving my mind the comfort of repetition once all my daily lessons had been ingrained in the back of my head. With only 6 months remaining, my attention has grown to anxiously reflect on my experiences in senior school and its influence on my earlyadolescence.

IhavealwaysbeencautiousofwhentouseReflection as a therapeutic device, ever since my first exposure to the word in Year 2, when my teacher asked us to journal our feelings for Maths. All I remember is the proud feeling of having written down my accomplishments, which, looking back retrospectively, was the first instance of self-therapy that I had performed on myself. The older I seemed to progress through school, the less I heard the word being used regularly, however I still think the practice of self reflection can be a great tool to carry on throughout the course of teenage hood - especially as our self awareness begins to dangerously warp into different typesofanxietiesfromgrowingup.

Personally, I find that all types of shame, pride or anger can be transformed under the watchful eye of Reflection,astheeventsofmyschoollifedonothaveto hang over my conscious, so long as I accept these things as truth. My technique certainly isn’t perfect, but everytimeItakeamomenttorecollecttheeventsofmy life, I am able to understand where I was in that particular moment, how I reacted, and what significance that has to me now, enabling me to move on. I like to think of these acts of Reflection as me finding my own innerpeace,notperfect,butconstantlyimproving.Asthe weeks hurdle past, I try to consciously keep an open tab on my watchlist of memories throughout the years and existinthosefondmemoriesonceagain.

I’ve learnt to let my hair down, let go, and I think as a studentintheuppersixththisappliesheavilytobothmy peers and myself. Through the course of these next few monthswe’llbereflectingonourtimeatthisschool,and by courtesy of Chloe and Thando who both co-wrote ‘Let’s Reminisce’, we’ll be using Reflection as a tool to makesenseofwhoweareinthismoment,andhowwe willevolveintoournextskin.

Whatever Reflection means to you, Memories, Astral Projection, the song from Mulan, all of our perspectives of how we tackle the past will be completely unique from each other. I thought this would be interesting theme to interpret, so the writers featured in this edition provided their own meanings of what Reflection means tothem.Fromtheaweofpyramidstostudentinterviews and book reviews, the 201 team present their own interpretationsofReflectionforyourenjoyment.

Nitya<3

By David Corcoran

Shouldwejudgefiguresof thepastbytoday’s standards?

Neel

Agrawal

-Vth Form

On the 7th of June 2020, a statue of Edward Colston was toppled and thrown into the Bristol Harbour. This act of protest was garnered as a statement against slavery and racism, both of which in today's society are considered heinous crimes. However, the 17th-century moral standards of Colston’s time are very different to the standards of today's society. So, should we judge figures of the past by today’s standards?

Well, it all depends on what (in this case) the statue represents, right? On the one hand, it could represent his philanthropy in Bristol, as in his will, he left £74,000 to charity and only £100,000 to his family. He effectively left 42% of the wealth he earned in his life to strangers, but on the other hand, it could also represent the source of that wealth: sending 84,000 African slaves against their will to work like animals till their death.

Colston, by most accounts, was a man trying to live life as an esteemed public official, remembered for the many good things he did for his town. Still, in the end, his statue was torn down and thrown into the Bristol Harbour because society deemed it to represent the latter: slavery and racism. Therefore, a ‘statue’s’ fate depends on the very subjective matter of what a given individual believes it represents (or rather what the majority of people in our society believe morally).

Should these figures be forgiven?

Another example of a controversial figure is Christopher Columbus – the man who claimed to have found India but instead ‘found a continent’, extorting and exploiting the locals of their wealth and services, despite their hospitality. Similarly, to Colston, Columbus by modern standards is immoral, yet I revisit his actions as we must remember morality is not entirely black or white.

One could argue that he was simply an intrepid explorer trying to understand the world and better his nation and himself. Moreover, most of Native American deaths had been caused by disease, a topic of limited understanding for both cultures. Yet, you could still argue that the sufferings of Native Americans directly stemmed from his evil and selfish behaviour, highlighting the extent he was willing to go for affluence and fame.

Some people are simply too evil, by both modern and previous standards, which Columbus fits into, as he sold girls into sexual slavery as young as the age of nine, causing even his own people to imprison him after abusing his crew. Although proven to be controversial amongst all cultures and time periods, Columbus remains greatly celebrated.

Throughout the age of exploration, Columbus had been seen as a unifying figure of the thirteen colonies of America, becoming somewhat of a ‘founding myth’ used for nationalism in the American Revolution.

Similarly, his name had been given to the country of Columbia, as a gift for their independence following the emancipation of Hispanic America to Spain. Likewise, the legacy of Baden Powell has been recently surveyed under a negative light. Born in 1857, the controversy surrounding Powell, regards his fascist, racist and homophobic beliefs as the leader of the scout’s movement.

His most contentious statue resides in Bournemouth. Like Colston, should Powell’s statue be thrown into the nearest harbour as well? To decide who can and who can’t be honoured, one must define morality, as an (ironically everchanging) norm decided by society that everyone must stick to. Powell without a doubt by modern standards is terribly immoral, but his statue in contrast to Colston’s, does not represent his personal life. It stands for his legacy being the scout’s movement in which there are currently over 57 million active scouts worldwide.

Hence, I personally believe that such figures do not need to be judged by modern standards. In future, perhaps we should question how we are so different from figures of the past, like Colston and Powell. We, (hopefully), believe that we are good, but who knows, perhaps in the days of our children’s’ children, ISIS will be praised as their benefactor, and we, the people who oppose such ‘terrorists’, will be branded as evil wrongdoers who refused to change.

By Alex Li - Lower VI

Artificial Intelligence: A revolutionary change or rather an artist’s nuisance?

Artificial intelligence seemes like a rather overused expression these days. Over the past few years, many people have been open to breakthroughs in these frontiers, claiming that they would bring revolutionary changes to industries thanks to unlimited computing capabilities.

However, a more negative public opinion has emerged, claiming that AI will be able to replace lowskilled workers due to their increased efficiency, that ultimately overcomes the advantages of a more personal approach. This then leads to the conclusion that jobs directly based on creative endeavours –such as designers and artists — are relatively safe from the risk of unemployment in the near future.

However, it now seems like this assumption has been proven wrong.

Earlier in the year, a piece of news about a painting painted by an AI called «Théâtre D’opéra Spatial», shocked the public.

The artpiece beat 10 people at the 2022 Colorado states Fair Fine Arts Competition, during which it synthesized futuristic elements of space travel while also coveying retro-styled Victorian undertones, and was essentially given first place. My findings from major social media showed a variety of divided opinions, but none of this was able to actually prove to the world that AI now has the capability to generate convincing and aesthetically pleasing artwork.

However, this is, without a doubt, an indication that even the pinnacle of human imagination could be interpreted by zeros and ones — a terrifying thought.

A.Igeneratedart?

Being completely realistic, the software utilized to create these ‘masterpieces’ is not completely out of reach for you and I. In fact, open-source iterations of such tools are accessible to all and can be easily found on the internet.

They are incredibly user-friendly: just type in a number of things that you want your art to have, and the AI will do the rest of the job for you. However, at the current stage, none of the software could guarantee a hundred-percent chance of success — it is possible for your input to return with an incomprehensible image.

Howdoweunderstandthis technology?

The general advice is: try and generate the image again, or change the words you are inputting if the problem still persists. Do note that the style of the art produced would vary depending on other factors, such as the software itself, and despite its occasional failures, AI-generated art is still a remarkable feat.

After the initial amazement, this phenomenon brought about some serious concerns. One primary problem is that the resources and images used to train the AI come from human artists, even though the final product may not display any traces of the original works. These artists are complaining about the possible violation of copyright laws and the fact that AIs are using their own work to undermine the stability of their jobs. Another common criticizm is that such artpieces are ‘soulless’ and ‘mass produced’, which undermines the point of art itself and takes way from its sanctity, which discourages people from working in the art industry due to the fact it seems like AI is bound to take up the vast majority of the jobs available on the market. But as of now, there aren’t any existing laws regarding the use of other people’s work to train AIs, and it can be argued that art itself is an abstract concept that has no set definition. On one hand, this process might cause art to lose its shear of mysteriousness and value, but on the other, it is able to provide people with more freedom to interpret their own ideas, making art cheaper and more accessible as a result.

Other artists hold a rather different opinion of AI. They claim that AI could be used as a tool for further creation of art, rather than a replacement of it. This is achieved by using AI to create a rough frame of the work the artist has in mind and then adding finishes or making tweaks when needed. They claim that this would massively decrease the time spent on initial planning and development and create equally impressive results more quickly.

On the subject of unemployment they hold the opinion that AI would only eliminate those who are unable to learn and adapt to this new reality. Some of the complaints also come from consumers. For example, there are already cases in which AI art is being sold at a very high price. Collectors who aren’t as fond of this type of art may be put at risk of false advertisements coercing them into paying huge sums of money for relatively cheap paintings in terms of production value.

However, people more experienced in the art industry can easily distinguish AI art from humanmade works, regardless of their quality.

Cluestolookoutforarethe following:

1. The lines that make up the painting/image are generally very uniform in shape and width. This is due to the AI’s incapability of mimicking the force applied to the working surfaces by humans.

2. The images usually lack the main body — unless these images are purposefully chosen, most of which are likely to have multiple distinctive objects at once, making the painting look unnatural.

3. Focus on little details. You may find small things in the image (such as a window in the distance) resembling very odd geometric shapes. This is caused by how the AI works: it mashes similar meshes and textures together to build up the required object's shape, causing the end result to come out slightly different than expected.

[AI Generated Picture by Dall.E]

One of my friends also had some interesting points to make about this topic. When asked about his opinion on AI art and its subsequent issues, Richard, a Lower Sixth Form student, remarked: ‘‘They are seriously nothing but toasters. They may be able to synthesize human thoughts, but they are no match for the flesh and bone of a human. There is something within us that is fundamentally different compared to the circuitry. It is honestly a bit insulting to call this art.” This is very refreshing to hear, as more vigorous ideas also deserve to be heard and discussed. I believe that the application of AI in all industries is inevitable.

Large companies will never shy away from a more efficient production method, which is a futile attempt to stop the wheel of time from rolling. This wheel is crushing the only result of attempting to do so. As someone currently studying DT, I know quite well that this could have a siginificant impact on my future, and this impact will only remain positive if the use of AI is somewhat limited and regulated. It’s safe to say that no one wants to be bombarded by lifeless art, and only the collective effort of creators around the world can prevent that from happening.

The Mathamatics behind the Great Pyramid of Giza

Neel Agrawal - Vth form

The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the greatest architectural feats of mankind. Standing at 138.8 metres tall, the oldest of the seven wonders of the ancient world has remarkable geometrical dimensions.

Firstly, half of the perimeter divided by the perpendicular height = π to 3 or 4 sig. fig. depending on the source (as the top limestone layer was removed over time).

The perimeter of the pyramid is 365.24 cubits, – the number of days in a mean tropical year accurately rounded to 2 decimal places. One method by which the duration of a mean tropical year in days could be determined, is by measuring the mean time difference between summer solstices.

This perimeter divided by 2(height) = π to 3 or 4 sig. fig. depending on the source.. Interestingly however, the Egyptians are not expected to have had such an accurate expression for pi.

By David Corcoran

The accuracy alone suggests intent not accident.

The Egyptians are not expected to have had such an accurate expression for pi. The Egyptian Rhind Papyrus (1650 BC) gives the approximate value of π as 3.1605, only correct for 2 significant figures. Yet, it is most probable that this accuracy is caused by the use of circles in ancient Egyptian measuring tools.

Another geometrical oddity is that the angles of the pyramid base are very close to 90°. This suggests Egyptian knowledge of Pythagorean triangles 2200 years before Pythagoras would discover them. Some sources could indicate that the Egyptians called them ‘Holy Triangles’. Another piece of evidence which supports this conclusion is that the king’s chamber (for Pharaoh Khufu) has the shape of a 3:4:5 Pythagorean.

To conclude, the uniqueness of the Great Pyramid of Giza is a result of not only the scale, construction and structural longevity but also the advanced math and architectural skill displayed.

Thando Best & Chloe Reijma - Uppper VI

LET’S REMINISCE Opinion

The triumphant cries when the final whistle blows, signifying the end of a victorious rugby match. The harmonious melodies emanating from the concert hall, adding warmth to an otherwise cold autumn evening. From walking into the first audition, to taking the audience on a captivating journey to the shooting streets of 1950’s New York in a school production, this school is filled with a plethora of fond memories that have shaped, and will shape students from as recently as November 2022, to back to their time in Prep School.

They say it’s best to start our stories at the beginning, so let’s rewind to September 2016 - when I joined Bromsgrove. A nervous Year 7 trying to fit in amongst 120 children in a new part of the country, away from home. Getting lost in the hallways. The homesickness. Frantically looking for a missing gumshield seconds before my match started. All common occurrences for a new boy finding his feet. Looking back however, I can’t help a sweeping feel of nostalgia, even in spite of the bad times, overcoming me as I reminisce: my first steps onto the cricket fields; the beads of sweat running down my face in competition during the rugby tour to Northern Ireland; sitting around a fire making smores on Outward Bound, which is similarly enjoyed by Year 8s now:

“I really enjoyed Outward Bound last year, because I got to go on a trip with my friends and do various fun activities such as roasting marshmallows on a bonfire.” —

Z, Lower Fourth

Andile

The Duke of Edinburgh experience is like no other: episodes trekking over the rural English landscape, too many boil in the bag meals, and the perfect walking stick making the excruciating hike that little bit more bearable. The number of times I uttered “why did I even sign up for this” seemed countless, much like the ending routes through woodlands and fields we travelled across. Yet, the positive memories thrive. Memories of getting soaked by spontaneous rainfalls during a painful uphill climb, are easily outshined by the aid of a fresh breeze at a viewpoint. Dreaded early morning rises are combated by hours lost to makeshift cricket in various campsites. I struggle to compress my feelings tied to my DofE experiences over the years, but one of my group members managed to perfectly unify our whole group’s ideas after our final Gold expedition:

“Bringing smiles to Lower Fourth’s faces with surprise water guns and water balloons during Lower Fourth camp was one of my highlights of Lower Sixth

Our memories are not limited by the borders of the country in the slightest, as a hockey tour to Barcelona was cemented in the minds of 30 students playing various games against Spanish school teams. However, they were not limited to training as trips to Camp Nou; visiting the Sagrada Familia church, and a tour through the gothic quarter of Barcelona, among others, spanned the 4 day excursion, with our Head Girl quick to mention this as one of her favourite memories during her time in School:

Walking boots in close proximity, re-experiencing Lower Fourth camp as a Lower Sixth helper was the perfect blend of a new experience and deja vu. Time turned from being pushed off paddleboards into pushing younger people off instead. Nevertheless it was still a great end to a long year for everyone, as these two say:

“A recent memory that comes to mind is the Barcelona hockey tour, as it was a mix of being with some of my favourite people, being in an amazing place, and experiencing playing different national teams”

W - Upper Sixth

Little did I know that these early outdoor memories would turn into bigger, more exciting opportunities.

“During my time on DofE, I was surrounded by my friends, who continued to uplift me, and a lot of laughs were shared”

Ruby Foster - Upper Fourth

“addleboarding during Lower Fourth camp was my favourite part of the year.”

Callum W - Upper Sixth

Jess

Anya S - Upper Sixth

As Shakespeare said, “all men and women merely players” to the stage of the world, as akin to the famous opening lines, students here are great players, perfectly portraying whatever roles they have to disappear into: star-crossed lovers in Romeo and Juliet; a lawyer with an obscenely large hubris; or even a dancer in deep Havana, Cuba, not forgetting the brilliance that is the tech crew of course. I remember myself in Lower Fourth, watching Grease being performed and thinking “I want to do that someday”, and it wasn’t until Fifth Form where I stepped onto the stage, and I haven’t regretted a subsequent performance since. Drama productions remain the heart of the fondest memories from people all over the years. I’ll let the voices of the students speak for themselves:

“I liked taking part in the Year 7 and 8 drama productions because I got to learn new skills while working backstage”

Tom

“I really enjoyed playing Romeo in Romeo and Juliet because I got to meet new people and work in a new style”

Musical life here is more than the harmonious melodies of the concert hall bringing warmth to an otherwise cold autumn evening - it is the only thing powerful enough to bring full houses together for a School calendar favourite - the annual House Song competition. Even though I’m not a musically gifted person, I would always love getting involved with my friends to add to the culmination of amazing (and sometimes very funny) performances at the end, as these two girls commented:

My favourite school event is House Song because it’s fun to watch other Houses perform”

Now let’s move away from outside activities, and onto the stage.

“My favourite event is House drama because it’s great fun and a good experience”

Tilly R, - Fifth Form

Hanna D - Lower Sixth

S - Lower Fourth

“I love doing drama productions because all year groups can get together, and make new friends”

- Ibukun O, - Upper Fourth

Hugo B - Fifth Form

Personally, I don’t think that I’ll ever forget the camaraderie and bonding that House Song always brought out in us, although the pain of rehearsing till bedtime as a Lower Fourth in the final days before the fateful day remains as powerful as ever!

As the years pass us by, one constant in School life is the presence of the chapel choir. Experiencing the musical perfection they seem to effortlessly produce first hand will surely last a lifetime in my memory; as well as hearing about how they graced the cathedral of Caius College, Cambridge and Lichfield Cathedral with their sublime voices, as one student looks back on:

“Going down the foam slide during CCF is one of my favourite memories looking back in Fourth Form”

Fiona S - Lower Sixth

It would be wrong of me to say “CCF” and “favourite memory” in the same sentence without mentioning flying a plane. Arguably my favourite memory in all my time of being here. Nothing will ever compare to the view of being one with the birds, gliding through the beautiful British landscape, not to mention the odd loop-the-loop!

Although I am biassed to my flying experiences, let’s not under-appreciate other memories that CCF has provided our cadets and I: volunteering in local rememberance services; poppy selling; live ranges; and excursions to military training areasmemories that will evoke feelings of nostalgia in the hearts of students in the coming years:

Liv M, - Fifth Form

A memory of which we share from Upper Fourth and upwards, is that of the CCF. From the field days, to the unforgettable trips; the shooting ranges, to the parades; the honour of participating in the CCF leaves many of us feeling proud. I myself can remember activities such as paintballing and foam slides, with memories from the latter not being only mine to hold dear:

“I’ve had an enjoyable time participating in the annual CCF trip to Nesscliffe where we were exposed to nature first hand, while experiencing a week of military life”

Charlie H - Upper Sixth

“I got to pilot the plane myself and it was an unforgettable experience”

“House song was fun as everyone was working together”

“I love chapel choir because it gives me the opportunities to sing at different places like Caius College and Lichfield cathedral”

Sophia T, - Lower Fourth

Maria M, - Fifth Form

....

local remembrance service”

All these incredible memories are not limited by the school week, from the competitive Saturday matches to the lively Saturday nights within the boarding houses, our school is never quiet nor empty.

There is no limit to the sports opportunities weekly fixtures across all year groups. Although I remember my Saturdays wasting away to all day away matches, the enthusiasm always made it worthwhile. The dedication and commitment within trainings resulting in the endless victories every weekend and national competitions

The genuine love for the sports and the unbreakable bonds created between teammates, as these boys say:

“My favourite event at school is House rugby because it is very competitive and interesting, because you get to see great commitment to the sport.”

The quotes here are nothing but a slice of the memories that have been made within the prominent maroon gates, and beyond. As we move on in our Bromsgrove careers and into the real world, the memories that have been crafted here will never leave us, and we can only hope that you will find here what we did, and that you will look back as fondly as we do.

“It was quite an honour to be able to bear the flag of our country in a

Ben H, - Fifth Form

Henry G - Lower Sixth

“The boys are always so enthusiastic and committed and that’s what I love about rugby.”

Harrison B, - Upper Sixth

JJ R- Fifth Form

“I love playing fixtures every Saturday as the competition is high and the team always encourages each other to do better.”

By Janice Obidi

Ruvimbo Madzingo - Vth form

How globalisation –the child of colonialism –aects languages?

Globalisation is a form of neo-colonialism which refers to how different cultures and economic systems around the world are becoming interconnected due to the influence of large international companies and advanced modern technology. Although there are benefits to globalisation such as access to new cultures and the spread of technology and innovation, rather ironically, it is these factors which contribute to the negative impacts of globalisation especially upon developing countries’ cultures and languages. Every nation has its own identities and cultures; globalisation happens at the expense of these as the lifestyle and culture of the affected cultures are not mimicked to balance out the effects which leads to the loss of cultural and linguistic diversity. As a result, languages often become displaced and abandoned for a more socially, politically and economically universal one as the more dominant languages are increasingly important for accessing jobs, education and opportunities.

Between 1950 and 2010, 230 languages became extinct, according to the UNESCO Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger. **Extinct** languages are no longer spoken or studied. They become forever lost as many were local dialects with no records of their alphabet or wording. Endangered languages are no longer studied by children, although it is their mother tongue and languages are considered critically endangered when the youngest people who can speak it are grandparents. Today, over 61% of languages around the world that were spoken as first languages in 1795 are doomed or extinct.

Throughout history, indigenous cultures and languages have been discouraged and eroded for the use of more dominant Western ones through acts such as colonialism and westernisation. For instance, for 150 years, thousands of Native American children were torn away from their homes and forced to attend “Indian boarding schools”.

Richard Pratt, the founder of the most famous of these schools, the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, is notorious for his philosophy of assimilation and the saying “Kill the Indian in him, save the man.” Indigenous languages contain important information about topics such as, zoology, mathematics, astronomy and pharmacology.

For example, in Cherokee, words exist for every last berry, frond and toadstool in the region of the southern Appalachia Mountains. These names also convey what kind of properties the object might possess – whether it’s edible, poisonous or has some medicinal value.

One of the impacts of colonisation and globalisation is the nullification of indigenous African philosophies that are crucial in forming a culturally responsive environment. An example of an African philosophy, which promotes restorative justice and a community-centric ethos and is also found in various African languages such as “unhu” (in Shona – Zimbabwe) and “vumunhu” (in XiTsonga - Mozambique), is the South African philosophy of Ubuntu – a communitarian philosophy.

Developed from the Southern African proverb **“Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” which can be translated to mean that to be human is to recognize the humanity of others, Ubuntu has been defined by** Archbishop Desmond Tutu as “My humanity is caught up, is inextricably bound up, in what is yours”. This concept of “I Am Because We Are” offers a different viewpoint from western individualist philosophies such as Rene Descartes’ “cogito ergo sum – I think therefore I am”.

No culture has a monopoly on human genius so the knowledge, philosophies, history and ideas that each language holds is truly invaluable. Out of the more than 7,000 languages spoken on our planet, [a language dies every two weeks]

(https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/04/sa ving-dying-disappearing-languages-wikitonguesculture/). When languages become extinct, we also lose diversity in art, music, literature and oral traditions, particularly as written systems currently only exist for about one-third of the world’s languages.

A French proverb states how ‘a man who knows two languages is worth two men’ reflecting how, as a globalised society, the top 10 languages in the world are increasingly deemed the superior means of communication. In my opinion, ‘a man who knows one language is worth 1000 men’ reflecting how the importance placed on the most dominant languages eradicates the importance of other languages which are left to silently slip away. The last living person of a language before it’s extinction takes with them the values, ways of thinking and culture that is encompassed within a language. Boa Sr passed away in 2010 taking away with her a 65,000 link to one of the world’s oldest cultures. She was the last speaker of Aka-Bo and the oldest member of the Great Andamanese, an indigenous group of the Andaman Islands.

Even though, there are currently over 7,000 languages worldwide, more than half of the world's population only speak 23 of them. Furthermore, 85% of languages have yet to be documented. **Language documentation is vital to preserving endangered languages from becoming extinct.** These organisations are helping to slow and stop today’s endangered languages from continuing their journey to extinction:

EIGHT

ORGANISATIONS

PRESERVING THE LANGUAGES OF OUR WORLD THAT YOU CAN SUPPORT

More languages are becoming extinct, and at current rates we will see over 90% of all languages meet this fate in the next 100 years. Today, over 7,000 languages are spoken globally, however only 3% of the world’s population accounts for 96% of all languages spoken, according to UNESCO. Moreover, out of all the languages spoken, approximately 2,000 have fewer than 1,000 native speakers. The most common methods of tackling the world’s diminishing linguistic diversity issues consist of creating recorded and printed resources, teaching and participating in language classes recording and using technology i.e digital and social media outlets. These methods are being used by several organisations who are working to preserve languages facing extinction. Here are eight organisations which you can support today:

By Jasmine Duffy

1. Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages

Over the last ten years, they have visited over 100 communities to collaborate with local speakers and educators to launch their Talking Dictionaries web program. Their research teams document endangered languages and cultural practices, publish scientific studies, run digital training workshops to empower language activists, and collaborate with communities to create language resources that will serve as a basis for language revitalization.

ELDP remains dedicated to its mission to document and preserve endangered languages by funding documenters worldwide who then conduct fieldwork and archive their documentary collections to make them freely available through the digital online Endangered Languages Archive (ELAR). Over 450 language documentation projects have been funded by ELDP globally and between 30-40 grants for documentationprojectsareprovidedeveryyear. *

3.Wikitongues

Wikitongues safeguards language documentation, expands access to mother tongue resources, and directly supports language revitalization projects. They have resources in over 700 languages and offer annual grants for language projectsaswellasfreetrainingforlanguageactivists.

4.Lanafrica

By creating a centralised hub, Lanafrica aims to mitigate the difficulty encountered whilst discovering Africanlanguageresources.

5.EndangeredLanguageFund(ELF)

ELF achieve their goal of supporting endangered language preservation and documentation projects through funding grants to individuals, tribes, and museums. Their grants have promoted work in over 60 countries and have funded a wide range of projects, from the development indigenous radio programs in SouthDakota,torecordingofthelastlivingoralhistorian of the Shor language of western Siberia, to the establishmentoforthographiesandliteracymaterialsto be used by endangered language teaching programmesallovertheworld.

By Amelie Jackson

6. 7000 Languages

7000 Languages have created 55 free online language-learning courses in 29 different languages in partnership with Indigenous, minority, and refugee communities so they can keep their languages alive. They have donated over $15 million worth of technology as they continue to empower communities around the world to reclaim, revitalise, and sustain their endangered languages.

7. The Language Conservancy

The Language Conservancy work closely with partner organizations and have utilised best practice methods, resources, and models to create world-class indigenous language-learning materials and resources. By raising funds, they increase the international public awareness of the language-loss crisis, create language tools to preserve the culture, and provide support to organizations and communities engaged in revitalizing their languages. They have supported [Ω

2. The Endangered Languages Documentation Programme(ELDP)

India

Cultures Connect

By Bijen Gurung - Vth form

Bromsgrove School is a remarkable environment unlike any other in the world. We are surrounded by the collation of numerous, fascinating cultures with an astonishing 55+ different nationalities in our school alone. Each of these captivating cultures have various different elements ranging from their language to the food that they eat. We hope that through our magazine installations that you can catch a glimpse of the wealth of diversity that we have here. We want to create a new incentive and curiosity to learn about each others’ cultures, broadening not only our knowledge, but also our views each other and acceptance. We want to re-contextualise difference to not equate to something that should be ostracised, but rather something that denotes the beauty of something.

For our incentive we want to bring to light and represent every culture through our short interviews. We hope that you will learn something new and something that fascinates or surprises you.

1. What’s your name and year group?

Vidushii Saha in year 11

2. Where are you from?

Kolkata: The East of India

3. What are some greetings in your language?

I speak Bangladeshi, so a typical greeting would be Namaskar, but there’s as many as 122 major dialects in India, so representing all of them would be difficult.

4. What is your favourite thing about your culture?

I love how colours represent so many different things . At weddings, the bride wears red to represent luck for the future and at funerals we wear white as it’s a positive colour to celebrate the person who has just passed.

5. What is your favourite thing from your country?

All the festivals!

6. What is your favourite festival or celebration that you have in your country?

“Durga Pooja” - It’s a time when families can get together and share special moments together, but the food is by far the best part for me. I Especially like the sweets, with ragulla being my favourite.

7. Do you have any family traditions?

During weddings, the whole family gets together and we sleep on the floor in one shared common room on “dhala bichana”. It really brings the community together.

8. What is a childhood story, idiom or proverb that has really stuck with you?

“The Goats who are tigers” - The goat lived in a safe haven, but her curiosity caused her to travel deep in the jungle against the advice of her mother. On her journey she was able to see sights that she had so longed for, but when night fell she needed somewhere to rest. She found shelter in a cave, however this cave belonged to a fox, and when she entered the fox demanded to know who was in his home. In a grand voice the goat said that she was a monster that ate one lion each day. The terrified fox ran away looking for the lion to help scare off the beast. The lion scoffed at this and went to the cave. When they arrived the goat said that she ate 50 lions each day! The courageous lion lost all confidence and ran away with the fox, leaving the “beast” in peace.

9. What is a song from your culture that you think people should have a listen to?

Kala Chasma

10. Describe your culture in three adjectives. Loud: People like talking lots.

Vibrant: The colours, the country, and the people within it. One festival reflecting the vibrant culture of India is Holi.

Warm: everyone feels like family in India. We all call each other brother and sister to represent our strong bonds between each other and It’s nice to always have someone to have fun with or rely on. What’s more is that we usually have big families also!

Japan

1. What’s your name and year group?

Taiga Nakamizo

2. Where are you from? Japan and half Singaporean

3. What are some greetings in your language? Konnichiwa – hello,

Ohio – hello in the morning

Konnbannha – hello in the evening/night

4. What is your favourite thing about your culture? The food, especially sushi

Taken by Vidushii

5. What is your favourite thing from your country?

Red Mount Fuji. Mount Fuji can be found in Honshu and when the sun sets it creates a tender, vibrant, red hue, which cloaks the whole mountain. This is known to be a lucky and auspicious view. It is simply breathtaking.

6. What is your favourite festival or celebration that you have in your country?

Bunnakasai. It’s an annual school festival where each class of students are allowed to set up stalls representing their class. They are also able to sell a variety of traditional or modern foods and crafts together, which helps strengthen and creating bonds between classmates and helps to let off steam.

7. What does your duality of ethnicities offer you in life?

Having experienced and seen both cultures first hand, I’m able to see social issues from multiple points of view. I think that this makes me more of an accepting person.

8. What is a childhood story, idiom or proverb that has really stuck with you?

“isogaba mawate”: if you’re rushing, don’t take the shortcut! This proverb originates from an idea of a lake in the mountains where you can either take the treacherous path across the water or take the draining, but far safer, mountain route.

9. What is a song from your culture that you think people should have a listen to?

Surges – orange star

10. Describe your culture in 3 adjectives

Polite:

Everyone is considerate of the situation of others and have great mannerisms

Adaptive: Japan used to be conservative of their traditional ways, closing their borders for hundreds of years. However, in time of economic crisis my people were able to adapt their systems and adopt the modern technology to fight crisis. Moreover, we were able to change one way of life, yet, maintain our traditions and cultures which I value very much. Enthusiastic: Japanese people are often interested in a wide range of subjects and are always trying to broaden their knowledge, even within alternate disciplines.

Nepal

1. What’s your name and year group?

Nitya Pun, Upper Sixth (our very editor!)

2. Where are you from?

Nepal – Pokhara

3. What are some greetings in your language?

Namaste – hello

In Nepal, we use body language to express different levels of formality, for example, we’ll put our hands together and bow our heads to each other, and for religious events we bow to the knees of the person.

4. What is your favourite thing about your culture? The clothing. In Nepal, we have very extravagant clothing which showcases many sequins and floral designs. We get to see many different types of dresses as there are a plethora of different ethnic groups in Nepal, each one expressing their own style of clothing.

5. What is your favourite thing from your country? The scenery. Although we are not by the ocean, we get to see beautiful lakes in the high mountain areas, for example in the tourist attractions of lakeside in Pokhara (where my parents grew up).

6. What is your experience of being a second generation immigrant in the UK?

Being in the UK, I’ve always felt lots of inclusion and compassion, since the UK already has so many different ethnicities with all of our shared experiences tying us together. You can find pockets of Nepali communities in some towns and cities which bring out our culture here and its really heartening.

7. What is your favourite festival or celebration that you have in your country?

Dashain - It’s a festival for family and religion, but to me, Dashain means celebration and partying with friends. It’s a time to meet friends that you haven’t met in so long and make new ones dancing to your favourite songs.

8. What is a song from your culture that you think people should have a listen to?

“Maiti Ghar” - Maiti Ghar is a terminology given to a girl’s childhood home, and usually referred to after she’s married. The song illustrates a tale of womanhood through telling the story of a girl returning to her Maiti Ghar. She is always welcomed back, showing the importance of family in our culture.

10. Describe your culture in three adjectives.

Expressive: everything from our body language, to mannerisms, to pronunciation of our emotions in a truly unique

Fully committed: we have been able to survive and adapt through all the hardships that we face, and always do our jobs with full of zest and vigour; nothing is halfhearted Prideful: we are prideful of our country and culture and want to show its beauty to the world

In out busy school lives, we don’t often get the chance to reach out to new people and expand our friendships. We want this to be outlet for connectivity between cultures and individuals: cultures connect. We want to be able to create a buoyant social web where students are able to interact with each other and learn even more about the cultures that have fascinated them. Learning more about the people and cultures that surround us in our daily lives innateltely encourages us to be more accepting of others. These are footsteps towards a more accepting, caring society.

By Annabelle Morrall

By Annika Koch - Lower VI

The Passing of TimeOpinion

With every ticking sound of the clock, another precious moment comes to an end. Though we do not realise it, every minute holds a new memory, ones which we cherish only after the experience is over, as if we forget the importance of every hour of our lives. Even with every month giving us at least 30 opportunities for us to reflect on our actions, we let the thoughts about the future consume us. Every year we celebrate the day another year begins, and the day another year has gone by since our eyes saw the first glimpse of life, but do we ever take the time to look back and appreciate the memories that have shaped us into who we are today?

Hereby, I invite you to let me take you on a journey. The journey of life. A life filled with memories worth remembering.

There were the first memories, those precious snippets of our lives our parents tell the story of, ensuring that we remember how our life started. How our existence began with the first squeal of a baby’s voice while tiny hands attempted to clutch onto anything that would provide us with the stability and comfort we desired, finding the hem of our mother’s clothes as she searches for her last strength of energy to hold you. Our first memory of warmth found in our parent’s arms, their eyes brimming with tears, though they are not tears of sadness, but rather of the tender love they share for you.

We spend the rest of our lives searching wishing to discover things that can replicate the feeling of warmth from our parents in our first days; travelling from our heads to our hearts into our legs, pushing us to take our first steps to reach those arms providing us with the care we instinctively crave. Indeed, even much later, those same legs, filled with excitement, pedal down that road while a shriek of enjoyment escapes our small bodies as the wind brushes through our hair and tickles the tip of our nose.

The reassuring hand on our backs suddenly disappears and we take control of our very first bicycle – our first of many rites of passage to come. Although it is only a matter of seconds before we brace our body to take the impact the ground, the tears that follow might not be the first to fall, but the first we remember and smile because it was not a memory filled with sadness, but excitement. The very first kick of adrenaline.

That chase of adrenaline is certainly satisfied on the first day of school, where all the unfamiliar sounds surround us; our brain overwhelmed, attempting to process the incoming flood of new information, yet still eager to explore the unknown. Guiding us towards new people, each encounter providing a new learning opportunity, opening our eyes to the vast perceptions of our shared world.

Alongside school comes our first friend, someone there to support us throughout the toughest times. Bringing with them the hardship of knowing our worth and valuing the compassion we receive from others. Despite the conflicts that friends and school bring along, we learn that when we get knocked down, we will find the energy to get back up again and face our issues - coping with them rather than them, beginning the long journey of self-control mastery. Yes, that friend who abandons you, the piece of gossip spread about you, the person who lets you down or the first experience of disappointment may leave wounds.

Nevertheless wounds will heal. Those kinds of memories may clutch onto us in the form of scars, and if we are confronted with the reason for their existence, we should simply tell the story of the memory that each scar leaves behind.

With time passing, school becomes the norm, finding and losing friends a routine, though we will never stop being confronted with the unfamiliar. What used to be unfamiliar can eventually become our comfort. In the way that walking becomes running, then cycling, then swimming and suddenly we do it daily. Just like the self-doubt and fear of trusting others can promptly be replaced with the first memories of love, which can slowly become the most recent memory of hurt. It can cause headaches and pain, with each memory being interconnected with our emotions, it allows us to explore the paths, leading us to slowly construct our lives. Leaving us with the opportunity to choose what we do with the finite time we have.

Of course, the fact that our childhood is slowly fading away and coming to an end, may be challenging and a reason for fear considering we are confronted with being an adult, having to accept the responsibility that comes with it and the expectations to fulfil. But never forget, you are still the same loving and laughing child that peacefully continues to prevail within photos and stories, but in memories you hold close to your heart.

Though some may say do not live in the past, it is the only time in which first memories can be rediscovered, allowing us to have an answer to the question, “how have we gotten here?” At the end of the day, the existence of you at this very moment is only conceivable due to the passing of time, and with that, the growth realized to become the person you are now.

Science

The Mandela Eect

Memory is an essential cognitive process that allows us to wallow in nostalgia, operate in the present and daydream about our future. It certainly plays a vital role in our lives, influencing our decision-making and perception of the world. But what if I told you that this seemingly flawless process isn’t as reliable as you might think?

The Mandela effect is a perfect example of how memory can be suggestible, to the point when a group of people misremembers a certain piece of information or historical event. The term “Mandela effect” was first coined in 2009 by Fiona Broom, who was working on creating a website to detail her observation of the phenomenon. She shared her memory of the tragic story of former South African president Nelson Mandela, who she was convinced died in prison in the 1980s. However, Nelson Mandela did not die in the 1980s — he passed away later in December 2013, as a result of a respiratory tract infection. As it turned out, Broome wasn’t alone in her recollection — a large mass of people had an identical memory of this event in detail, with many claiming to remember seeing news coverage of his death and even listening to a speech given by his widow. How could such a widespread coincidence occur, if this event never even happened?

The origin story of the Mandela Effect isn’t the only time that an instance of this false group memory has occurred. As the concept of the Mandela Effect started to gain popularity, other examples of such cases emerged. For example, we all remember the famous exchange in the 80s classic film from the Star Wars franchise, in which Darth Vader proclaims to his son: “Luke, I am your father.”

Kamilla Kartashkina - Lower VI

Many of us remember that quote, however, that line was never uttered — the actual line from the film was “No, I am your father.” Other debates incited due to the Mandela Effect include Curious George, a character from popular children’s literature, who many claimed was depicted with a tail, which apparently George never had. There’s also the mystery of Mother Teresa, with a large segment of the population being able to recall her classified as a saint back in the 1990s.

However, according to CNN, Mother Theresa was declared a saint by Pope Francis in 2016. The Mandela Effect also seems to have touched upon even the well-known song by the 70s British rock band Queen, called “We are the Champions”, at the ending of which many of us love to chant “of the world!”. But according to the lyrics, that line was actually never a part of the song. And what about ‘Mirror Mirror on the wall…” from the classic animated movie Snow White, where the evil Queen confronts her magic mirror?

As it turns out, the quote actually states “Magic Mirror”, which definitely isn’t identical to what became so well-known among many. A more gruesome example of this effect is the story of the Lindbergh baby, which actually had three different versions of it being recalled. In 1932, an American aviator Charles Lindbergh experienced the kidnapping of his beloved child.

People contemporary with the event claim to have grown up with the incident being labeled as a cold case, meaning that in their original timeline, the baby was never found and the crime remained unsolved.

It later turned out that the child actually was found alive and lived long into adulthood, with many claiming that they were able to find pictures of her both as a young girl and an elderly woman on the internet. The culprit was said to be a man who was never identified or caught, leading the FBI to believe that an organized crime group was involved. However, the current status of the case now states that the baby was actually male and deceased at the crime scene, with a German immigrant carpenter Richard Hauptmann being found guilty of first-degree murder.

These perplexing cases probably lead you to question: is there a reasonable explanation for this phenomenon? One likely cause of this stems from neuroscience. The means by which memory traces are stored is called the engram and the framework in which similar groups of memories are associated with each other is called the schema. When people recall Alexander Hamilton, (who many seem to believe was a president, when in reality, he was a founding father of the United States), this sets off the closely-connected neurons, causing us to perceive his persona in association with the memory of the presidents. This illustrates how when memories are recalled, our brain influences them to the point where they can eventually become misleading.

Our brain also tends to fill in the missing gaps in our memory in order for them to make more sense, the process of which is called confabulation. This leads to our memory of different events being altered when we hear information about them after they have taken place, which also explains why eyewitness testimonies are often unreliable.

Another factor that has an effect on the way our memories are formed is priming, which basically defines the factors leading up to an event. It is able to alter our perception of such events, causing us to be predisposed to accept a certain version of them, such as the difference between asking how “tall” a person is or how “short” they are. Memories are vulnerable to this kind of influence, which is why they are often affected by subtle suggestions.

A more significant theory regarding the origins of the Mandela Effect is attributed to the existence of alternate realities. This idea is derived from quantum physics and relates to the idea that there are various parallel timelines of events happening simultaneously. The quantum rules, which were mostly established by the end of the 1920s, seem to be telling us that a particle can be in two places at once. In 1955, Hugh Everett introduced the idea of the Universe “splitting’ into different versions of itself when faced with quantum choices.

The Many-Worlds Interpretation of quantum mechanics proposes that every time one outcome is observed, there is another “world” in which a different quantum outcome becomes a reality. This branching arrangement suggests that our perceived universe splits into nearly infinite alternatives.

In theory, this would result in large groups of people having the same memories as the timeline alters and we shift between these different realities. Although this may seem like a stretch, the idea of alternate realities remains to be unfalsifiable, meaning that there is no way to entirely disprove the existence of the multiverse.

And so, the heated debate continues as scientists clash over the true origins of these consistently false memories and ponder whether what drives them depends on our environment or merely our subjective experiences with the world. We can only hope that one day, this strange confluence of perceptions will be able to fully shed light on the unsolved mystery of the Mandela Effect.

By Tom Lyevashov

Sustainability Week

Looking back on Sustainability Week

Written by Annika Koch -

Lower VI

In light of the current global struggle to fight climate change and global warming, the School's Eco-Committee took the time between October 3-7 2022 to host this year’s Sustainability Week. A brilliant program was introduced, containing activities that ranged from a vegan cake sale to tree planting, hoping to enlighten our peers and alter the mindset that being environmentally friendly is only about animal rights or weekly meat intake. This year the committee focuses on educating the community about small actions that can enrich the prospects of a long-lasting sustainable future.

The week started with members of the committee selling small handmade recycled bracelets, and selling vegan cakes and snacks during lunch and break times. Now I’m sure most of you are wondering, only real chocolate can be delicious right? Can chocolate cookies really be vegan? Well, of course! Vegan food, although often overlooked, can also taste great, meaning with a vegan diet, you can support the environment without sacrificing great flavour. If you didn’t get a chance to try some vegan Reese’s or banana bread, look out for any updates for our upcoming Eco-Christmas events, with any luck you’ll be able to find a sustainable way to kick off the Christmas season.

By Amelie Jackson

The greatest achievement we are excited to share with the whole of Bromsgrove is the success of our pop-up shop. From new joggers to vintage jumpers, the pop-up shop rails contained every person’s daily need for clothes. If you ever wanted to shop for less or create a unique style of fashion, this is your chance to do your part for the environment. With your active participation in supporting our mission to create a recycled economy for everyday clothes, the eco-committee raised roughly 100 pounds from this event alone.

The money raised throughout the week was then contributed to the charity ‘Twinning Toilets’ an initiative which invites people to "twin" their toilets with latrines in poor communities. Now Bromsgrove School can proudly say we will be helping with “flushing” away poverty while we are refurbishing our wardrobes with renewable fashion. Don’t worry about missing out on any thrifting adventures, as the pop-up shop is going to be running every Wednesday lunchtime in the dining hall. Why don’t you stop by and see if anything is to your liking?

Making sure to leave a mark, the committee presented the food waste created by us pupils in the dining hall. During breakfast, lunch, and dinner a large transparent box was displayed in the school’s cafeteria, showing the vast amount of waste from each meal of the day. Becoming aware of the consequences of our daily decisions is a huge part of realising how we can personally take responsibility as an individual. Our motivation is to ensure that students are aware of the effect of their food choices. Apart from that, there was also the lunch hall’s introduction of the 50% plantbased food push, meaning meals such as lasagne will contain more lentils instead of beef, however, there’s no adjustment to the taste, simply a difference in the ecological impact.

By Graham Ng

The eco-committee wasn’t the only part of the School to take action towards a greener future, as the Estates Team were kind enough to host interested members to plant trees and crocuses, brightening up the chapel walk and restoring some of the historical orchards by the LRC. Even the school's Bursar got involved as she presented the sustainability plan, explaining the school Net Zero Movement.

Through digitalization, less paper waste is created and lighting around campus is replaced with sustainable LED lights with all electricity across the school now coming from renewable sources. Recycling stations are also planned to be installed. We urge you to not take these for granted as you can be part of reducing the amount of recyclable waste placed in general bins.

The week ended with a fabulous talk from Mr Quentin Tchakhotine, Healthcare Commercial Director of Danone in the UK and Ireland. Danone is a multinational food-products corporation aiming to bring health through food to as many people as possible. Lately, they have launched their energy and decarbonisation programme, acting as an example to many of how the economy can become renewable and sustainable, nevertheless, remaining competitive and successful. It was an excellent presentation on how to make a business a force of good due to our social and environmental responsibility to take a stand for our world.

That being the key takeaway, no matter how insignificant the work or choice might seem, if each of our 2500 Bromsgrovians contributed to our project to evolve as a community and rise and meet the challenge our generations face, we will become an unbeatable force collective effort. It is our reasonability to wake up, take responsibility and act now!

Remember there is no Planet B. Every choice matters so let’s make sure we start by protecting the grounds we all walk on every day.

In case you are interested in finding out more, contact eco-committee@bromsgroveschool.co.uk, come to our weekly Friday meetings at 8:30 in the LRC or simply ask around your house as there will always be at least Eco-Rep ready to offer help at any time. We’d love more members ready to reform our future!

To keep updated with all our latest actions and plans follow @broms.eco.committee

By Jasmine Duffy

By Amelie Jackson

By Nigel Gurung

Book Reflections

TuesdaywithMorrie, aBookReview

Written by Johnny Yang

In "Tuesday with Morrie”, Morrie, who is 78 years old and terminally ill with ALS, describes his understanding of the following elements of life based on his personal experiences:

1. death and the feelings follow it (fear, compassion, self-pity, regret)

2. love, marriage, family and children

3. materialism culture

4. make peace

5. a perfect day

Of all of the aspects discussed in the book, the one that I felt resonated with me the most was Morrie’s refined insights on culture. Morrie believed in the inherent good of people — he stated that “People are only mean when they are threatened and that is what our culture does.

That’s what our economy does. Even people who have jobs in our economy are threatened because they worry about losing them. And when you get threatened, you start looking out only for yourself. You start making money a god. It is all part of this culture.” In modern society, the endless competition and struggle for success, money, and fame are as prevalent as ever.

People drive luxurious cars to show their endowment and wear beautiful clothes to show off their taste and social status. It seems like without their materialistic valuables, a person’s worth is reduced to the belittling label of a failure.

And once people start to believe in this narrative, they set out on a journey of the endless struggle to escape this state, becoming entirely preoccupied with shallow gains and losses.

Morrie urges us to battle this cycle, challenging the culture of modern society. This also led me to reflect on my own behavior: Am I realizing my worth in my current life?

By Janice Obidi

Am I walking the path I laid out for myself or am I simply following the path that this materialistic society has made me walk on? Throughout the book, Morrie encourages his readers to create their own subculture and implement it into their daily lives.

This suggestion drives me to alter my own attitude towards even the simplest fragments of my day, motivating me to put more effort into contributing to the lives of people around me by taking care of them and always offering a helping hand, which makes me feel alive in a way that feels real and sincere.

All in all, it is truly an essential book that not only ponders the meaning of life but also creates an understanding of the parts of it that matter most.

Written by Alex Gueorguieva - Upper VI

NorwegianWood anovelby

HarukiMurakami

In 1978 Murakami was in the bleachers of Jingu Stadium watching a baseball game between the Yakult Swallows and the Hiroshima Carp when Dave Hilton, an American, came to bat. According to an oft-repeated story, in the instant that he hit a double, Murakami suddenly realized that he could write a novel. He went home and began writing that night

Mitch Albom.

Norwegian Wood is a timeless classic by Haruki Murakami written in 1987. The title is taken from the famous 1965 Beatles song “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)”. Throughout the book Murakami is focusing on the themes of memory, reflection, and loss.

The novel follows the life of protagonist Toru Watanabe from his teenage years to adulthood. Murakami paints a vivid picture of life in Tokyo during the 1960s, with its bustling streets and vibrant culture. The novel is filled with wonderful descriptions that make the reader feel as if they are right there in the city alongside Toru and Naoko.

Throughout the novel, Watanabe is constantly reflecting on the past and his relationships with his friends and family, in particular the death of his close friend Kizuki. The novel focuses heavily on Watanabe's memories, particularly his relationship with Kizuki and his girlfriend Naoko. The writing of Norwegian Wood is beautiful and lyrical, and the characters are vivid and complex. The descriptions of Watanabe's memories are vivid and often heartbreaking, and Murakami's portrayal of grief is both honest and deeply moving.

By Gabriella Billig

Norwegian Wood not only serves as an exploration of the past, but of growing and changing as well. As Watanabe's relationships with friends and lovers evolve through the novel, Watanabe must learn to adapt and accept the changing dynamics.

This is especially evident in Watanabe’s relationship with Naoko, as he must learn to accept both her mental illness and his own changing feelings for her over time. In addition to exploring memory, reflection, and growth, Norwegian Wood also delicately examines the duality of life.

Murakami emphasizes the importance of reflection to Watanabe’s journey, often placing him in situations which require him to confront his past and learn more about himself. For example, Watanabe travels to Naoko’s home and discovers more about her past, almost as if it is his own. The emphasis on memory and reflection adds an extra layer of depth to the story, allowing Watanabe to learn more about who he is and where he fits in the world.

Despite all that Watanabe has gone through, he still finds joy and beauty in his environment, finding peace in his surroundings.

Overall, Norwegian Wood is an exquisite exploration of memory, reflection, and the complexities of life. Haruki Murakami masterfully crafts his story, weaving together multidimensional characters and poignant themes to create an unforgettable novel.

Norwegian Wood will likely stay with readers long after they have finished the last page.

Literature

We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all who contributed their beautiful poetry to our volume's poem competition. After much deliberation, we have chosen six contribution that are featured on the following pages. We thank you for your willingness to share your work and for your passion which can be clearly seen.

- Henri <3.

By Aarush Thapa

Atdawniwentoutside dawn,Iwentoutsideandfelt, Raindropsfallingdownmyface. Lightasafeather,softasacloud. Arefreshingmomenttoembrace.

Atdawn,Iwentoutsideandsaw, Aheavyandmistyfogaround. Mysterious,ominousgloomyitwas. Iclosedmyeyesandliftedfromtheground.

Atdawn,Iwentoutsideandheard, RustlingleavesasItookastep. Brown,dull,depressingitbecame. Butonedaywe’llfallandthendecay.

Atdawn,Iwentoutsideandsmelt, Freshlycutgrass,therefreshingscent. Istrolledthroughonepathoutofmany, Tillnobodyfoundmetobepresent.

By Michael Lam

By Johnny Yang

Memory

Memoryisacupofhotchocolate. It’sSweet Drinkitafterstir.

Memoryisaboxofjewelry. It’sFragile Handleitwithcare.

Memoryisasteadyferry. It’sSteady Takesustofarawaystars.

By Emily Appleton

Leaveshavefallen

Leaveshavefallenfromtheirbranches

Frostcoveringthelawn

Cobwebscollecticydroplets

Shortdaysstartwithdawn

Winterclingstonakedtrees

Weaksuntriestoburnthefogaway

Butthemistrefusestodisappear

Shortdaysarebrokenatmidday

Robinsarethemostlifeoutside

Aseveryoneelsehidesfromthesquall

Snowdriftsdownslowlyas

Shortdaysendatnightfall

By Neel Agrawal

OnceIwasASeed

OnceIwasaseed; Formiles,Iwascarriedbythewind’sinexorableforce, Butunlikemykin,mylifehadnotendedasbirdfeed. Myoncehardexterior,wassoonshed,liketheleavesofAutumn.

OnceIwasaseed; Throughcountlesswinters,myinnateyearningforsurvivalprevailed. Soonmytrunkwouldstandtallasitisproud,(Iamsureallwouldhave agreed) Mybranches:ahomewithinahomeforbirds.Myrootsforworms.

OnceIwasaseed; Ihadleaves-leavesofcoloursnopaintbrushcoulddojustice. Mybuttressroots,prominentlyerectandoftheutmostesteem Howtiresomeitmusthavebeentomeasurefrommyrootstomy chutes.

Now,hereIlie,rottingasnomorethananunsightlyseatforhim

Thesmellofgasoline,plaguingtheveryairIoncecleaned,forhim. Seeingmeinasuchastate,helikelydoesn’trememberthat. Once,Iwasaseed.

By Lucy Nguyen

By Emily Appleton

Anepiphanyofepiphany

HereIsitbemused

Strugglingforanepiphanyofepiphanies

Imustcontinuetowritewithoutclues

Myeyeswanderoutofawindow

Dreamingforareasontoprocrastinate

Perhapsthedandelionswhichdroop Ortherain,whichcauseditto…

Imusthurry,elseI’llbelate

PerhapsIwillfindmysparkinhistory Formanygreateurekashavecomefromityousee.

Ofcourse!WhoelsemorefittingthanArchimedes, TheGreekJackofAlltradeswhocoined‘Eureka’ Anexclamationthatcanonlybedescribedasanepiphany

Regardlessofifyouhave‘found’thesolutiontoexposea silvercrown

Oranideaforsomepoem

Epiphanywillalwaysbeafeeling

Inaleagueofitsown

By Julius von Loeper

WhenIrefelct

WhenIlookbackandreflect OnthememoriesIselect Thegood,thebad,theinbetween ArewhatIhavelivedandseen

ThelessonsI'velearnedinlife

Notjustthethriveandstrife Thepeople,theplaces,andallthethings Memoriesthatwillforeversing

ThememoriesIcherishdeep AndallthatIhavetokeep Thosemoments,oncelostintime Nowremaininmyheartandmind Once,Iwasaseed.

By Isla Sutherland

Thankyou

FOR READING OUR PAPER

Nitya Pun

Chief Editor

Alex Gueorguieva

Editor

Annika Koch Writer

Henri Klein

Deputy Editor

Kamilla Kartashkina

Editor

Thando Best Writer

Chloe Reijmer Writer

Neel Agrawal Writer

Further Contributions from : Bijen Gurung// Ruvimbo Madzingo // Alex Li// Johnny Yang // Aarush Thapa // Emily Appleton// Julius Von Loeper // Isla Sutherland // Lucy Nguyen// Michael Lam// Gabriella Billig// Janice Obidi// Nigel Gurung // Jasmine Duffy // Amelie Jackson// Graham Ng // Tom Lyevashov // Annabelle Morrall// David Corcoran // Shivam Chawali