Memorial ceremony in Fuzhou

On the 6th of April there was a memorial ceremony held in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian province. The 420th anniversary of a death was celebrated this day. So you ask who is this lucky one? Well he is called Qi Jiguang, a general in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). He is famous for his fighting against Japanese pirates!

It's very clear indeed that China's still don't like Japan, so you have to honour your heroes with a memorial day! But ofcourse it is wonderful tradition is still being continued. Maybe I even will look for further information on this man, this Qi Jiguang.

A different kind of film (Fitna by Geert Wilders)

Well, this time I wanna talk about a different kind of film. A film that is responsible for a big commotion and haven't even been shown yet.

It's the anti-Koran film 'Fitna', made by Dutch politician Geert Wilders. All over the world people demonstrate to get this film forbidden but why exactly? Probably it will be an anti-Koran film but nobody knows really what it will be about.

More interesting is.... did Geert Wilders shoot the movie himself? How will he handle problems like shooting in the right light, background music (I guess it won't be quietfull traditional Islamic music, but who knows...), will the story be linear and exciting or will we just see still after still with an anti-Koran message. I'm curious about the camerawork, the artwork and will there be beautiful clothes in it? If it's really a film to be discussed about it can't be only about the contents, filmmaking is about so many different subjects.

The islamic world is upset and even the dutch government already apologized for this movie.... Do they really think Wilders will shoot a really disturbing or maybe a revolutionary movie? Or will it just be propaganda that will be forgotten the day after it's shown and maybe will be selected for the worst films ever made?

Why doesn't everybody relax and take it easy, all this fuss about something that never has been shown. We won't get rid of all young dogs because maybe in a few years one will get rabbies and hurt a child.

Discovery of ancient porcelain of South Korea

Well... because I am an archaeologist I just have to mention this find of porcelain in a South Korean shipwreck. It makes my world a little more brighter hehe.

"Ancient Korean porcelain from a shipwreck is seen in this undated handout released by the National Maritime Museum in Mokpo, South Korea. The collection includes hundreds of well preserved celadon cups, bowls, plates and other works that Yun said were for the noble class and government officials in the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled from 918-1392 and was known for its porcelain."

Rare solar halo in Liu Panshui

Pictures of a rare solar halo in downtown Liu Panshui, southwest China's Guizhou Province (China).

Sea water turns red in Xiamen

The sea water turns red in Xiamen. According to an oceanographer of Xiamen university this is probably the result of red tide, but it's not sure yet. It looks pretty weird, it almost looks like the biblical passage: "and the water will change into blood "!

Sandstorm in Lanzhou

I found these pictures of a sandstorm in China, the pictures really have some weird atmosphere. Northern China was blanketed in dust on Saturday as the first sandstorm of the year struck the region, including the capital Beijing.



A woman walks amid sandstorm in Lanzhou, Northwest China's Gansu Province, March 28, 2007. Northern China was blanketed in dust on Saturday as the first sandstorm of the year struck the region, including the capital Beijing.



Cyclists ride amid sandstorm in Jilin City, Northeast China's Jilin Province, March 31, 2007. Northern China was blanketed in dust on Saturday as the first sandstorm of the year struck the region, including the capital Beijing