Podcasts




10 Song, Liao, Jin and Yuan Dynasties——134 Society (Liao)

Duration: 0:02:46.325941

In summary, the society of the Khitan people in ancient times was unique and different from the Han Chinese. They had a blend of traditional Khitan customs and Han Chinese influences, which created a distinct way of life. Their clothing, rituals, and religious beliefs were a mix of their own traditions and Han Chinese customs. The Khitan people also had specific festivals and rituals related to their traditional way of life, which showed their deep respect for their ancestors. Their daily life included traditional clothing, rituals, and diet, which reflected a mix of Khitan and Han Chinese influences. Overall, the Khitan society was a blend of unique customs and traditions that evolved over time through a mix of influences from different cultures.


Symbolism in cultural codes: how does it affect us?

Duration: 0:35:30

The more a person is socialized, the more he absorbs the rules and laws of the society in which he lives, the stronger these symbols, transformed into concepts, act on him and, most likely, control him. Svetlana Stoyan, Doctor of Philosophy, Associate Professor of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.


Radio-T 839

Duration: 0:46:08

In this podcast, the speaker discusses the increasing use of virtual assistants and predicts that they will become more prevalent in the future. She believes that virtual assistants will become more advanced and capable of handling tasks beyond simple assistance. The speaker also mentions the possibility of a new competitor entering the market and spurring healthy competition. The speaker then talks about the importance of testing virtual assistants and how they can improve over time. She specifically mentions the Voskhod-3M virtual assistant and how it has improved with updates. Finally, the speaker discusses how the virtual assistant can handle complex tasks, but still has room for improvement in terms of accuracy and precision.


"Ballet Composers". Ludwig Minku

Duration: 0:29:23

The radio show "Orpheus" featured a program by author Evgenia about ballet composers of the 19th century, specifically Ludwig Minkus. Minkus, like Adolphe Adam, was criticized for his music being lightweight or too frivolous, though some recognized the grace and appeal of his melodies. Minkus was born in Vienna in 1826 and grew up surrounded by music, as his father was a restaurateur with a small orchestra that played popular tunes. Minkus showed prodigious talent from an early age, playing the violin and composing music. At age 12, he performed for the Zephirine Society of Friends of Music, and by his teenage years, he was already creating music for ballets.


Blackwater City, looted by foreign explorers, is the key to solving the mystery of Western Xia

Duration: 0:17:09.411655

Hello everyone, welcome to Chen's History 1909. An exploration team entered a long-abandoned ancient city in western Inner Mongolia, China, which they later named Heichang in Mandarin Chinese, also known as Blackwater City. They excavated many artifacts throughout the city, possibly unaware that their excavation would uncover a mysterious dynasty that had been sealed for centuries. This was the team's second visit to the site, led by Russian explorer Kozlov. Supported by the Saudi government and the Russian Royal Geographic Society, they were led by a guide from local Mongolian King Ye. They unearthed ancient coins, artifacts, sculptures, and more, filling ten boxes with their findings. After shipping the artifacts back, they left for Qinghai Lake. Kozlov received high praise from the Russian Royal Geographic Society for their findings at Heichang, prompting them to conduct a more detailed excavation. After finishing their exploration of the Tibetan areas, they returned to Heichang for a second excavation. The scope and duration of the second excavation were larger, resulting in a greater number and value of artifacts discovered. A significant number of cultural relics were found, with over 2,000 books and manuscripts from the Western Xia Dynasty discovered in a pagoda just 500 meters west of the city. After the excavations, over 11,000 artifacts were collected, with some now housed in various Russian institutions. This discovery of the Western Xia artifacts led to the formation of the discipline of Western Xia studies and extensive research in Russia. The artifacts provided crucial information for understanding the history, language, art, and religion of the Western Xia Dynasty. As the artifacts were shared and researched, they shed light on the mysteries surrounding the Western Xia Dynasty. The destruction of the Western Xia remains by the Mongols and subsequent looting left many historical questions unanswered for centuries. Despite efforts to recover the artifacts, the publication of Western Xia texts in the 1990s allowed for further research by scholars. The publication of these texts opened up new avenues for research and understanding of the Western Xia Dynasty. Excavations at Heichang revealed a treasure trove of Western Xia-era documents and artifacts, offering insights into their culture and history. The deciphering of the Western Xia script and subsequent research helped researchers gain a deeper understanding of the Western Xia Dynasty. The artifacts unearthed at Heichang provided valuable information about the daily lives of the people living there, including household information, naming customs, and tax records. These discoveries offered a window into the unique societal practices of the Western Xia Dynasty, shedding light on their customs and way of life. Overall, the excavations at Heichang were instrumental in uncovering the mysteries of the Western Xia Dynasty and provided valuable insights into their history and culture.


Language: Chinese
Topics:

Banned pesticides pollute European roses

Duration: 0:10:14

The French have a tradition of giving roses on Valentine's Day and Mother's Day, but many people are unaware that the roses come from large-scale industrial production in countries like Ethiopia, where pesticides and chemicals are used extensively. These chemicals not only harm workers' health but also pollute local rivers. Additionally, the carbon footprint of the transportation of the flowers is very high. While roses are abundant in French flower shops, most of them are imported, and many come from farms that do not use environmentally friendly methods. The situation is similar in Belgium, where popular flowers like roses and chrysanthemums are found to have high levels of pesticide residues. The global flower industry is a profitable business, but it has negative environmental and health consequences for workers and consumers alike.


Language: Chinese
Topics: EthiopiaSociety

Mohamed Baraka publishes a novel that monitors people’s relationship with the religious authority in Egypt

Duration: 0:13:02.933333

Welcome to our cultural program. Today our guest is the Egyptian novelist Mohamed Barki, who will be talking about his latest novel "Throne on Water." The novel revolves around two controversial characters, a religious preacher and a sheikh in Cairo. Mohamed Barki has written three novels in less than five years, each exploring different worlds. The common thread among these works is the theme of removing sanctity, apparent in his depiction of the famous singer Umm Kulthum in "Night of the Six" and his portrayal of the afterlife in "Throne on Water." The character of the religious preacher, who wears traditional Islamic attire, uses his spiritual authority for personal gain, showing a contrast between his moral corruption and religious zeal. Barki's novels delve into societal transformations in Egypt over the past half-century, examining the rise of extremist ideologies and the decline of tolerance. Through the character of Sheikh Mashur Al-Wahsh in "Throne on Water," Barki explores how an individual can evolve from a young man in religious garb to a symbol of societal conservatism. Barki's works reflect on the changing dynamics in Egyptian society and the erosion of traditional values, leading to radical ideologies. He emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural heritage and promoting artistic and literary expression as tools for challenging extremist beliefs.


110 Xinhai Revolution

Duration: 0:07:51.992018

Welcome to listen to Chinese history, but that's it. The author and the podcaster discuss how the Xinhai Revolution unfolded on the day before the death of Emperor Guangxu. Empress Dowager Cixi summoned the military ministers to the Zhongnanhai to discuss the selection of the heir to the throne. Eventually, they chose the three-year-old Aisin Gioro Puyi and appointed his biological father, Prince Chun, as regent. The political situation of the Qing Dynasty was precarious with the nation on the brink. Patriots from all walks of life united to form revolutionary organizations. In 1905, Sun Yat-sen established the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance, whose principles can be summarized as the Three Principles of the People: nationalism, democracy, and socialism. Under the leadership of the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance, the bourgeois revolution in China took a new leap forward. In Wuhan, revolutionary organizations like the Literary Society and the Youth Party were formed, and they planned to launch an armed uprising on October 6, 1911. However, unexpected events led to delays, and the uprising was eventually moved to October 10. Despite setbacks and unexpected incidents, the revolutionaries in Wuhan finally launched the uprising on the night of October 10, 1911. By morning, the whole city of Wuhan was under their control. The subsequent events and uprisings in other cities led to the establishment of the Hubei Military Government and the declaration of the Republic of China. This Xinhai Revolution successfully overthrew the corrupt rule of the late Qing Dynasty and paved the way for a new era of democracy and republicanism in China. On January 1, 1912, the temporary government of the Republic of China was established in Nanjing, with Sun Yat-sen elected as the provisional president. On February 12, 1912, the last Qing emperor, Puyi, abdicated, bringing an end to the 268-year-old Qing Dynasty and over 2000 years of feudal imperial rule in China.


Language: Chinese