e2
Frankie Sidky
Editor: Deputy: Rowena Ball Rosanna Quigley travel@ deputytravel@ epigram.org.uk epigram.org.uk
@e2Travel
Online: Constance Malleret travelonline@ epigram.org.uk
Christmas in the Holy Land
If Israel happens to come up in conversation, it is most likely the discussion will be focused on its relationships with its neighbouring countries, some of which are in crisis. Jerusalem itself has seen growing disturbance at the famous Temple Mount, a well-known site of religious heritage, and has witnessed a recent attack on Israeli worshippers. Although we cannot ignore the current dilemma for Jerusalem, at Christmas, it is important to remember that this is where it all began, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. A city of huge religious significance, I’ve often wondered how they celebrate Christmas in the Holy Land and how perhaps theirs is far from the commercialised Western Christmas we know today. In the run up to Christmas, many tourists flock to Jerusalem in the hope of experiencing the festive season at the heart of it all. Many go on tours with companies who provide a variety of options to cater for all needs. Religious tourism in Jerusalem is popular throughout the year, with the city being considered a spiritual centre for Christians and Jews; although there are others who go to purely explore the rich architecture of one of the oldest cities on the planet. So what exactly happens during Christmas in
Jerusalem? Last year, the Old City of Jerusalem became the home to a Christmas market, located at the Jaffa Gate where fun was to be had with singing and dancing and many interesting stalls. The market was situated next to Christ Church, where Christmas services are available in English. There are a variety of concerts, particularly at hotels and in the auditorium of the YMCA, a hotspot for tourists at Christmas time. Other essential activities include going on the Nativity trail, which marks the path Mary and Joseph took to Bethlehem, and visiting the Mount of Olives, known for its biblical relevance and as a vantage point for panoramic views of the city. Imagine spending Christmas Eve and Christmas day in Bethlehem. As well as tasteful decorations and nativity scenes, the real highlights begin on Christmas Eve with a grand procession to welcome the Latin Patriarch (the Catholic Archbishop) to the Church of the Nativity, which is believed to stand on the site where Mary gave birth to Jesus. The procession attracts an enormous crowd and leads into the grotto of the church, where a Silver Star marks the exact spot of Jesus’ birth, and Arabian horses even make an appearance, with a group of horsemen leading the procession. A
ticketed Midnight Mass later takes place, which is very much aimed at international visitors. However, outside of the Old City of Jerusalem, any signs of Christmas are difficult to find. Churches will be full and shops owned by Christians will be closed, but apart from that, Christmas is just another day for the people of Israel, and it is not a national holiday. The day of 25 December has two very contrasting meanings for the religious tourists to Bethlehem and the local inhabitants of the city. Visitors may be disappointed in the lack of Christmas celebrations and surprised that in fact on Christmas day they are most likely to spend their time visiting religious buildings, such as the Church of St. Anne and the Hall of the Last Supper. It is hard to sum up Christmas in Jerusalem. Its unique heritage makes it a key attraction for tourists, but the presence of a multi-faith population means Christmas is not quite celebrated in the way we might expect. Amy McAleavy
Starry-eyed this December
status to be given to somewhere so close. Please note that stargazing is not recommended when there is a full moon as it restricts viewing opportunities. If you are looking to plan a holiday around stargazing to detox from too many mad nights, or the dirty European strips available for a package price at Thomson have lost their charm, then here are some other perfect star-gazing locations that won’t cost nearly as much as a trip to see the Northern Lights: Broad Haven Car-Park, Stackpole, Pembrokeshire. Contrary to popular belief, there is more to Wales than dodgy hen-nights in Cardiff and hikes up Mount Snowdon. There is also this car park. A perfect stargazing spot. Views of cliffs, sand dunes, a harbour, the sea… you can’t go wrong. In Cornwall, home of English surf and second home to many city-folk, we have St Agnes and Chapel Porth, a vast beach with cliffs and plenty of stars. Galloway Forest Park also has Dark Sky status and is located two hours from Glasgow. On a good night, over 7,000 stars and planets are visible from the forest’s enormous 75,000 hectare area. Down south, Romney Marsh is perfect for Londoners, being just 40 minutes away by train from St Pancras. Yet more coast, sheep, beaches and wonderful marsh villages, inhabited by people who are surely at one with the cosmos, since they live in the midst of such an incredible starry wilderness. If I have failed to inspire you to gaze in wonder at the heavens, then I leave you with this quotation which does a better job than I ever could: ‘We are the way for the cosmos to know itself.’ Go and get back in touch with the universe.
Naomi Knight
James Wheeler
Since no travel article would be complete without a reference to the author’s gap year, I will begin with my most incredible starry moment. It was not in Thailand (I was there in rainy season and the Full Moon Party I went to was tragically lacking in moon) but in Guatemala. More specifically, it was on top of a Guatemalan volcano where I was camping. Going to the loo in the middle of the night was the most sensational peeing experience I have ever had. There is a biblical promise about Abraham having ‘more descendants than stars in the sky’, which, I can tell you, would be Jeremy Kyle Show-worthy numbers of offspring. It was truly amazing. Worth peeing outside for which, as a girl, is not a pleasant experience. As city kids, stars are a rarity for us; an incredible natural beauty that we miss out on most of the time, unless we happen to be up on the Downs. Bristol is hardly known for its stars and besides, it’s so rainy most of the time that it would end up more like cloudgazing. This means, according to astronomer Steve Owens, that ‘we have lost a deep connection with the universe around us.’ But, should there be a clear night and you fancy wondering out and reconnecting with the universe by gazing at stars, then take your Tinder match to Leigh Woods, which is just a short walk on the other side of the Suspension Bridge. Failing that, you can make do with your favourite housemate or least favourite if they’re the only one in. Worst comes to the worst, you can claim to be so awestruck that you can’t possibly talk. Why Leigh Woods? It is a Dark Sky preserve, meaning it is kept free of artificial light pollution. Perhaps it is all the green energy-saving enthusiasts, or maybe just poverty-stricken students in Bristol that don’t turn on their lights at night-time, that has enabled such a prestigious
Epigram
08.12.2014
Prides at Bristol blah blah
Jethro West talks and reviews etc.
Laura Snapes, 25, Features editor, NME I don’t know where Bristol music is going to go, which is why it’s so exciting! I’m thrilled that The Pop Group are releasing a new album. I think the DIY scene there at the moment is brilliant, and I’m excited by the noise/electronic fusion that Howling Owl are poineering with their New Noise nights. Bristol’s musical history is a perfect example of a city having a thrilling muiscal legacy without ever having to eat its own tail or repeat itself. For me, it represents the possibility that the future can be better than the past.
What does ‘Bristol music’ mean to you? We asked four former Epigram Music editors to write down anything from a stream of consciousness, bullet points to an anagram in a bid to answer this very question. Curated by Gunseli Yalcinkaya, 19, Deputy Music editor
- Music Feature -
Krissi Murison, 33, Associate editor, The Sunday Times Magazine 1. Signing Chikinki the greatest band with the worst name you’ve never heard of - to Island Records in 2003. 2. Rob Ellis, Geoff Barrow and Neneh Cherry (Does she count?) 3. Home.
Dan Faber (21) & Danny Riley (20), Students, University of Bristol
32
Living
What’sOn
Editor: Sam Mason-Jones whatson@ epigram.org.uk
What’s On
Music Snoop Dogg
O2 Academy, 11th December Daddy’s back. From his more obvious musical endeavours to his turns as Game of Thrones guru and Welsh vegetable enthusiast, Snoop has rarely strayed from the surreally entertaining. Since his name was propelled into the household by Dr Dre on album The Chronic, Mr Dogg has had a paw in the production of most of the quality hip-hop that has since emerged from the West Coast, whether featuring with nigh on every artist under the sun or knocking out stone cold classics of his own. His Bristol bow will be packed with everything of his that has even grazed the charts, but with such an array of classics a greatest hits set is hard to begrudge. Hell, he’ll probably even do ‘California Gurls’.
Poetry Blah Blah Blah
Old Vic, 8 December th
The Old Vic’s monthly night of spoken word and poetry doesn’t disappoint with its final line-up of 2014. December’s trifecta of poets is potentially the quirkiest of the year, and definitely showcases its finest facial hair - AF Harrold boasts a bright ginger beard, while eccentric stand-up poet Johnny Fluffypunk hides his upper lip with a moustache to rival Lord Kitchener. Completing the trio is the (happily) clean-shaven Rachel Rose Reid, whose forte lies in storytelling.
flickr: NRK 3P
Style
Travel
The best pick of this fortnight’s theatre, film, music and more.
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
Marble Factory, 15th December
Though the Supremes were the undisputed queens of Detroit in the 1960s, it is the music of Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, who played something of a second fiddle to Diana Ross’ gang, which has endured the better. With a hit rate to rival the likes of Stevie and Marvin, their music continues to remain relevant with tracks like ‘Dancing In The Street’, ‘Heat Wave’ and ‘Nowhere To Run’ continuing to light up both dance-floors and posthumous Motown compilations alike. Reformed for a run of five shows, expect the trio to bring it when they hit the Marble Factory next week.
Film
The Endless Summer The Cube, 17 December th
The fact that I can’t seem to escape Tom Odell’s voice - I’m beginning to go mad - suggests that we are now well and truly within Winter’s cruel grasp. And what could possibly banish these seasonal chills than a screening of Bruce Brown’s 1964 surf classic The Endless Summer? Overlooking moments when the ‘60s Californian commentary blunders well over the line of political correctness, the film is a very beautiful portait of eternal beaches that stretch from Big Sur to South Africa. This showing at The Cube also features a live performance of a score newly written by The Rumble-O’s, a beat trio who provide ‘surf sounds from the Severn delta’. Which is just as glamorous.
The Bug
Secret Location, 13th December
The only criticism you can really have of Kevin Martin is of his relative dearth of material as The Bug, having only produced four albums since he unveiled the project over eighteen years ago. Though to be fair to him, Martin has had his fingers in any number of other pies - Techno Animal, EAR and Ice to name a few. The Bug represents arguably the most revered of his creations though, serving up an angry brand of dancehall imbued with a love of grime and dubstep. This date, put on by Simple Things, comes (a relatively quick) three months after the release of latest LP Angels and Devils and will take place at a secret location to be announced shortly. It’s all terribly exciting!
Opera
When There Is Only Us Arnolfini, 13th December
So apparently sci-fi opera is now a thing. Circumstance, a body of artists who work to create cinematic experiences in controlled environments, this month bring their latest project to the Arnolfini: When There Is Only Us. The piece, which offers a conceptual look into the real possibilities and challenges of terraforming, asks what would happen if we were to start all over again? The performance will feature live music provided by Sarah Anderson and Duncan Speakman.