People: France
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Hitler’s private albums sold for 10.000
A World War II veteran from France, Paul Gerbi, has auctioned four photo albums from Adolf Hitler. He had taken them as loot from Berchtesgaden, the former residence of the Führer on the Obersalzberg, at the end of the Second World War. The albums contain photo’s of the fallen dictator and fan-mail send to him…
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Today the last member of the French royal family was buried
Today, the remains of an unknown woman are buried again, after they were exhumed two months ago. They were dug up by a group of scientists who wanted to solve a more than 200-year-old mystery: was this woman of royal blood? A mysterious noble lady grips Hildburghausen A mysterious woman arrived in Hildburghausen in 1807.…
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Charlemagne not so great after all
The historical image of Charlemagne, of Charles the Great (747-814) is as positive as it gets for a medieval king. Charlemagne was one of the most striking personalities throughout the Middle Ages. He was a tough warrior, but especially a man of the church, a state-builder and cultural reformer. He won most battles he fought, so he…
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The Crusades
Ever wondered why just naming the crusades still sparks anger in Middle Eastern countries? After watching this documentary, you will understand. Terry Jones (yes, the Monty Python-guy) takes the journey medieval knights made, from Western Europe to Jerusalem. The battle against the infidels started in Worms and Cologne, where the jewish population became the first…
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Chivalry and Betrayal: The hundred years war
A documentary on The Hundred Years’ War, produced in 2013 by the BBC. Presented by cultural historian Janina Ramirez. This documentary takes us back to the time when the ruling classes of France and England were relatives. They shared the same values, had the same codes of behavior and language, and disputed the same lands. France…
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The power of art (7): Picasso
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) was born in Spain, but lived most of his life in France. His artist career started in 1900, when he left for Paris and studied. He was so poor during this period, that he burned most of his early work just to heat the room he lived in. Picasso is best known…
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The power of art (6): Van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh, born in Groot-Zundert in the Netherlands (1853) started painting at an older age, nearing his 30’s. Although he wasn’t famous during his lifetime, he would be one of the greatest artist of all time. Van Gogh is the typical mad genius, the tortured artist. At least, that’s his reputation. This documentary shows…