Step inside the Czech Republic’s art, architecture and design scenes. Discover Alphonse Mucha, Toyen, Kupka and other great Czech artists.
What comes to mind when thinking of the beautiful country of Slovenia? Its fresh air, clean water, amazing green landscapes, breathtaking views from the mountains and charming beaches. You cannot spell Slovenia without ‘love’ and it's for a reason. It’s sometimes referred to as a mini version of Europe as it has all the natural diversity one could dream of, making it a perfect destination for any types of tourists.
This year, to inspire people all around the world when it comes to picking their next travel destination, Google Arts & Culture partnered with the Slovenian Tourist Board and a handful of cultural partners, like the National Library of Slovenia, Beekeeping Museum Radovljica and Slovenian Alpine Association to release the project ‘Slovenian Stories’. This online exploration takes you through the country in the most unexpected ways: users will meet the locals and discover the crafts of one of Europe’s most forested countries. Let’s dive in!
1. The Crafts and Traditions
Have you ever wondered how to chase away winter and welcome spring? Slovenes are great at that! Be a guest at one of the most recognizable carnivals in north eastern Slovenia, where impressively dressed kurents (Slovenian mythical figures) from all across the country gather to scare the winter away. Then say ‘hello’ to spring during St. Gregory’s Day, as some of the local rivers get magically decorated with little lights.
Another tradition that survived hundreds of years is the one of salt production in Sečovlje and Strunjan. These saltworks are one of the last in the Mediterranean to use the traditional medieval method of manually harvesting salt by ranking it with wooden scrapers into heaps. It’s an arduous, yet beautiful and rewarding process, yielding three different types of salt.
2. The Experiences
With its focus on natural ingredients and the great care that is given to its land and water, Slovenia is teaming with taste! Discover a potica dessert that you would find on the holiday menu of Slovenians, or stroll across the famous and the lesser known vineyards of Slovenia. People here have always had a special love for wine. The tradition is that entire families get together to pick grapes at harvest, visited also by family friends and relatives who gladly lend a helping hand in exchange for great food, great company, and some wine!
3. The Nature and Art
You can’t go any higher up in Slovenia than the top of Triglav, its highest mountain, which is one of the favorite destinations of every true Slovenian. So, we partnered with the Alpine Association to create the first 360 panoramic digitization of the top of Triglav. You will now be able to navigate your way up to the top of Triglav and admire the vistas. Are you already feeling dizzy?
Slovenia is also the land of bees and it has one of the oldest in Europe traditions of beekeeping. It is also known for a unique folk art not to be found anywhere else — decorating beehive panels, some of which date back to the 18th century!
Curious to see more? Stroll around these six Slovenian Experiences you cannot find anywhere else and immerse yourself inthe lush naturescapes of the country. Alternatively, check out g.co/travelslovenia, download the Android or iOS app or visit Google Arts & Culture. Uživajte!
Did you know that Chopin was a child star? He was writing and composing poetry at the age of 6, and performed his first public concerto at the age of 7. By the time he was 12, Chopin had already performed in the drawing rooms of countless Polish aristocrats and created multiple original compositions.
This is just a snippet of what you’ll discover through "Chopin Forever", an original online retrospective dedicated to the life, legacy and music of Chopin — brought to life through a collaboration between The Fryderyk Chopin Institute, twelve partners in 6 different countries and Google Arts & Culture.
And today, as the winners of the 18th InternationalFryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw are announced, we are publishing a digital hub to bring the Polish composer even closer to his fans.
Put all your soul into it, play the way you feel!
Were you ever curious what benefits Chopin’s music could bring to your body and mind? Would you be interested to take a quiz on which actors playedChopin in the movies? How about taking a virtual trip through the places where he was born, lived and worked, or discovering flowers that accompanied him in the key moments of his life?
Users all around the world will now be able to explore over 50 expertly curated stories, more than 20 videos, over 1200 high-resolution images of objects, personal belongings and photographs related to the composer. We have also created a special Chrome extension — “Chopin Everywhere” — to delight music lovers.
The first-of-their-kind stories and exhibits in “Chopin Forever” offer an opportunity to take a deeper look at the Polish composer’s life and music, and explore his work from new angles:
Piano genius
It is impossible to imagine Chopin without the piano and the piano without Chopin.Both are one. The composer developed his skills guided by intuition and it was the instruments of Pleyel, Erard and Broadwood — piano builders and fellow composers — that Chopin knew best. However, it wasPleyel who managed to earn Chopin’s friendship. The history of thethree Chopin pianos in the collection offers a glimpse into the world in which Chopin found himself when he visited London in 1848, giving the last performances of his life. And a treat for music lovers is the opportunity to take a closer look into the details of Chopin's manuscripts. Zoom into alullaby Berceuse in D flat major, Op. 57 ordeep dive into Etude Op. 10 No. 3.
A man of emotions
Chopin’s life can also be uncovered through the objects he was surrounded by — from the most personal to the most mysterious. What stories do his personal belongings tell? The candy box, a golden pocket watch with a dedication, pearls and other treasures are brought to life in this new exhibit. Even interior design tips can be found in his letters. Chopin was also well-known for his exquisite taste. Where would he eat, what would he drink? Many Parisian celebrities would invite Chopin to make the social rounds. George Sand even sketched a satirical drawing in which we see the composer rushing to a dinner party, a few steps at a time.
Everlasting influence
Chopin was a man of many talents and a romantic superstar who inspired many. Listeners gave him many names, such as the poet of the piano or Ariel. Chopin and his music have inspired paintings, portraits, monuments and sculptures of all genres. One of the unique art series is the magical world of the 24 Preludes seen through the eyes of the unjustly forgotten German artist Robert Spies.
Chopin and pop culture
Most people don’t realize it, but Chopin has left a mark on modern culture. There are lots of his traces in the movies. One of the most important films featuring Chopin’s original music is Roman Polański’s “The Pianist,” starring Adrien Brody. You can also hear the Polish composer's music in Nelson Riddle’s soundtrack to the Batman series! Chopin has not only become part of the world of cinema and television, but even entered the realm of video games. The official soundtrack of “Gran Turismo 5” features famous piano works by Chopin.
Restored and digitized
Hear some of the oldest existing recordings. Deutsche Grammophon and Google Arts & Culture teamed up to restore and digitize six previously unpublished cultural treasures. Now those historic shellac recordings are accessible to the public for the first time in high-quality. Some of them are dated back to 1905, like the one by Alfred Grünfeld — a gifted composer who became the first pianist of note to make gramophone recordings.
Music’s influence on emotions
New research in music psychology and therapy shows that Chopin's tunes can evoke positive emotions, improve psychological well-being, regulate emotion, and even reduce stress. Try this amazing “musical medicine” feature that contains Chopin’s Berceuse in D flat major Op. 57. Feel how the piece has a relaxing and calming effect on the body.
Learn together
In order to make a living in Paris, Chopin had to take up a job that gave him a regular income. Fryderyk became a teacher. Over time, his lessons became one of the most expensive in Paris. Now, we give all teachers and parents an easy way to introduce Chopin to their young ones. Using the lesson plan and Google Arts & Culture resources you will find out what led Chopin to be hailed as a musical genius from the age of seven.
Chopin Competition and young masters
Why do musicians from all over the world love Chopin? Hear pianists sharing their feelings, including Jan Lisiecki and Yulianna Avdeeva among others. Get to know the 10 winners of the Chopin Piano Competition in the United States. Read Chopin competition winner Seong-Jin Cho's reflections on the composer and his influence and discover the history and world behind this exceptional music event.
Unique web experience
‘Chopin Everywhere’ is a Chrome extension that proposes a more intuitive way to learn about the incredible connections between Chopin and the world, as you’re browsing the web. Every time you open a new tab, you reveal an interesting fact about Chopin, and how that’s connected to other artists and concepts, across time and space. The extension enables you to transform any Wikipedia page related to Chopin into a wellbeing moment, making the letters and images on the page beautifully react to the rhythm of Chopin’s compositions.
Explore “Chopin Forever” on the Google Arts & Culture app on iOS or Android or online via g.co/Chopin. Subscribe to the Chopin Institute channel on YouTube to enjoy great performances of Chopin’s compositions and to watch concerts of the 18th edition of competition prize-winners.
Spanning 17 million square kilometers and 11 time zones, Russia is teeming with taste. The stunning landscapes of the Southern District are littered with vineyards. The Northwest has a growing reputation for seafood, and a long-standing tradition for the innovative culinary use of cod liver. Siberia is abounding with pelmeni (known as “the heart of Russian cuisine”), as well as rustic flavors with roots in hunting--such as smoked wild meats with taiga herbs, fruity, berry-laden accompaniments and sliced raw fish (stroganina). And, of course, Moscow and St. Petersburg, cosmopolitan centres of fine cuisine, have it all.
Thirsty for more? Explore the section about Russia’s wine, craft beer and cocktails that beats all the stereotypes about the bar culture in the country. The exhibits tell stories about nastoika culture and its origins in the 19th-century liqueur making, reconstruct a 300-year history of kvass and highlight the key moments of the craft revolution led by local beer, cider and medovukha. Or do you prefer tea? Find out more about how tea got to Russia and how it stayed. Or maybe you have an appetite for art? Explore meals of classical Russian literature, see the Russian fairy tales through a foodie’s eyes, or spend a day with Russian paintings to see a traditional Russian feast. The projects also highlight the traditions of khokhloma, gzhel, imperial porcelain, crystal and other tableware that was used for Russian banquetes.
On November 17, 1939, in Prague, a chemistry student named Jaroslav Franc woke up to blasts of machine gun rounds and nearby shouting. His college building was being stormed by Nazi soldiers, who were retaliating against Czechoslovak students for their repeated revolts against the current Nazi occupation of their country. Jaroslav and 1200 other university students were soon arrested and transported to a concentration camp. Czechoslovak universities were ordered to shut down.
After being released by the Nazis in 1942, Jaroslav Franc (pictured here with his wife) became a manual worker in a dairy factory. When the war ended, he was finally able to finish his university studies. He then became a recognized chemist with several dozen scientific patents.
To commemorate these events, November 17 was declared International Students' Day in 1941 by the International Students' Council meeting in London. Today, 79 years later, students around the world still celebrate the day, one of many times throughout history when young people have been willing to stand up and defend freedom and democracy, sometimes risking, and even losing, their lives.
To honor the important role of students in history, Memory of Nations, one of Europe's most extensive archives of life stories, has partnered with Google Arts & Culture to create a new exhibition exploring the Czechoslovak roots of International Students' Day through the eyes of witnesses.
The International Students’ Council in London in 1941 decided to name November 17 International Students’ Day.
Through newly digitized photographs, rare documents and, most importantly, interviews with the participants, the new exhibit tells the stories of the 1939 uprisings against the Nazis, as well as those that took place exactly 50 years later, on International Students’ Day 1989. That’s when Czechoslovak students again made history by organizing a march in protest of the oppressive Communist regime. Their peaceful demonstrations were met with violence from the state police. But the movement they started became known as the Velvet Revolution, and ultimately led to the transition to democracy. We hope that this new collection of their stories can inspire anyone, anywhere, on the value of freedom, as well as remind those who were born into it of its value.
Croatia, the country of a thousand islands, is well known for its spectacular beaches and national parks, and as one of the sunniest places in Europe. But it also has a rich cultural history, with one of the highest counts of items on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Google Arts & Culture partnered with the Croatian National Tourist Board, the Museum of Arts and Crafts in Zagreb and the Museum Alka of Sinjto let the world experience the colors and sounds of Croatia. Learn about the local crafts, dance like there is no music, join best-in-class festivals or learn about the national delicacy strukli.
Decorating licitars Photo: Luka Smuk / Croatian National Tourist Board
Toy making from the region of Hrvatsko Zagorje Photo: Julien Duval / Croatian National Tourist BoardIt’s the little things that give a place a distinct personality. In virtually every gift shop and souvenir stand in Croatia, the sweet biscuits called licitars are ubiquitous. The bright red, decorated hearts, birds and other shapes aren’t just colorful mementos—they’re part of Croatia’s intangible cultural heritage and a symbol of the country itself. Another tradition that survived centuries is the skill of handcrafting wooden toys. They are ubiquitous to the region, so much that in 2009, the traditional manufacturing of children’s wooden toys in the Hrvatsko Zagorje region of Croatia was inscribed to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Check out the whole toy-making process.
Ljelja singing Photo: Ivo Biočina / Croatian National Tourist Board
Slavonika beret Photo: LFP Studio / Croatian National Tourist BoardWhen people think of the cultural heritage of Croatia, they often look to centuries-old traditions being kept alive by a small handful of practitioners. Croatia is vibrant with colors and traditional regional costumes, from Dalmatia’s floral handkerchiefs to Gorjani’s hats literally made out of flowers. Historical men’s fashion includes Alkar lancers, whose dark blue uniforms and plumes in their hats will take you back in time to the Ottoman Empire. And for an unforgettable celebration of color, there is nothing quite like the Rijeka Carnival. A new wave of young Croatian designers is taking inspiration from the country’s rich history of folk arts and crafts and applying it to contemporary fashion and accessories. See herehow Croatian crafts are influencing today’s design and fashion.
Bell ringers festival Photographer: Ivan Vranjić / Croatian National Tourist Board
Croatia is rich in music festivals, historic reenactments and religious festivities. Throughout the year, but especially in the spring and summer, annual festivities celebrate Croatia’s local, regional and national traditions. There is the loud and empowering Bell Ringers’ Pageant in Kastav, a historic Alka Tournament in Sinj, the beautifully costumed Spring Procession of Ljelje and the hilarious donkey race in Tribunj. On the opposite side of the country, on far-off Korčula Island, the locals cultivate the saber dance, a choreographed mock sword battle between two kings fighting for the love of a princess—quite a spectacle to see!
Dry stone wall on Kaprije island Photo: Ivo Pervan
Though Croatia is full of beautiful beaches and vibrant cities, the country’s foundations rest on dry stonewalls, which dates as far back as the 9th century BCE. That was when the ancient Liburnians began to erect defensive hill forts and walls using stone but no mortar or other binding material. They were such good builders that remnants of these constructions remain even today. Bavljenac Island has the densest concentration of dry stone walls, and when viewed from above it looks like a giant fingertip.
Curious to see more? Stroll around these top five locations and immerse yourself in the lush naturescapes of the country. Alternatively, check out g.co/travelcroatia, download the Android or iOS app or visit Google Arts & Culture. Uživaj!
Culture is the glue that connects us, even when we can’t be together. Right now people around the world are learning, exploring and finding joy in unexpected places and things, and cultural organizations everywhere are responding with new ways of staying connected to audiences digitally.
Supporting cultural organisations online
To mark this year's rather unusual International Museum Day, together with the International Council of Museums, we’re supporting cultural organizations to continue their cultural programs online with our multi-language resource “Connected to Culture.” It has been inspiring and humbling to see creative cultural organizations from around the globe reimagining the way people interact with art and culture, and adapting to the virtual world. Together, they’re helping to keep our communities connected through shared, digitized cultural moments.
Launching new things to explore for everyone
Also today, more than 80 museums from over 25 countries are sharing new collections and stories on Google Arts & Culture, joining over 2000 partners already onboard. Discover the Beijing Contemporary Art Foundation (China), Parsons School of Design (USA), Meiji Jingu Forest - Festival of Art (Japan), Patronato Ruta de la Amistad A.C (Mexico) or the Casa Buonarroti (Italy). Together, they contribute 250 new stories and over 10,000 artworks as well as virtual Street View tours to exciting places such as the sacred grounds of the Meiji Shrine in Japan.
Offering tools to teachers and parents
To support teachers, parents, and curious minds throughout this period of quarantine, we’ve launched new educational content—from the Family Fun on Google Arts & Culture hub, to lesson plans, and virtual field trips with digital skills lessons.For many art lovers, culture vultures, creators and curators, the idea of spending International Museum Day at home may not be a familiar one but we hope these new additions to Google Arts & Culture will inspire you to explore and learn more about arts and culture, with the whole family while at home.
Culture is the glue that connects us, even when we can’t be together. Right now people around the world are learning, exploring and finding joy in unexpected places and things, and cultural organizations everywhere are responding with new ways of staying connected to audiences digitally.
Supporting cultural organizations online
To mark this year's rather unusual International Museum Day, together with the International Council of Museums, we’re supporting cultural organizations to continue their cultural programs online with our multi-language resource “Connected to Culture.” It has been inspiring and humbling to see creative cultural organizations from around the globe reimagining the way people interact with art and culture, and adapting to the virtual world. Together, they’re helping to keep our communities connected through shared, digitized cultural moments.
Launching new things to explore for everyone
Also today, more than 80 museums from over 25 countries are sharing new collections and stories on Google Arts & Culture, joining over 2000 partners already onboard. Discover the Beijing Contemporary Art Foundation (China), Parsons School of Design (USA), Meiji Jingu Forest - Festival of Art (Japan), Patronato Ruta de la Amistad A.C (Mexico) or the Casa Buonarroti (Italy). Together, they contribute 250 new stories and over 10,000 artworks as well as virtual Street View tours to exciting places such as the sacred grounds of the Meiji Shrine in Japan.
Offering tools to teachers and parents
To support teachers, parents, and curious minds throughout this period of quarantine, we’ve launched new educational content—from the Family Fun on Google Arts & Culture hub, to lesson plans, and virtual field trips with digital skills lessons.For many art lovers, culture vultures, creators and curators, the idea of spending International Museum Day at home may not be a familiar one but we hope these new additions to Google Arts & Culture will inspire you to explore and learn more about arts and culture, with the whole family while at home.