Catalogue

1. Johannes Vermeer: A 17th-century Dutch painter renowned for his mastery of light and colour.

2. Girl with a Pearl Earring: One of Vermeer's most famous paintings, created around 1665.

3. Tronie: A type of painting depicting a character or expression, rather than a specific individual.

4. Mystery: The identity of the girl in the painting remains unknown, sparking much speculation.

5. Artistic Techniques: Vermeer’s skillful use of light, colour palette, and intricate detailing enhance the painting's realism.

6. Cultural Impact: The painting has inspired various interpretations in literature and film, notably Tracy Chevalier's novel.

7. Timeless Masterpiece: Celebrated for its beauty and emotional depth, it is a significant work in art history.

8. Emotional Expression: The girl's subtle expression captures a moment in time, resonating with viewers.

1. Jiaxing: A vibrant city in Zhejiang province, China, known for its historical significance.

2. Geographical Location: Situated about 80 kilometres west of Shanghai, along the Grand Canal.

3. Historical Importance: Birthplace of the Chinese Communist Party; site of the first National Congress in 1921.

4. Cultural Heritage: Rich in cultural experiences and traditions, reflecting local history.

5. Tourist Attractions: Includes the Nanhu Revolutionary Memorial Hall and Jiaxing South Lake Scenic Area.

6. Natural Beauty: Features picturesque landscapes, serene lakes, and lush greenery.

7. Water Towns: Nearby traditional towns like Xitang and Wuzhen, known for their canals and architecture.

8. Culinary Scene: Famous for local dishes, particularly rice dumplings and regional wines.

9. Recreational Activities: Offers opportunities for boating, walking, and exploring scenic areas.

10. Modern Significance: A key location for understanding contemporary Chinese history and culture.

1. Origin and Cultivation:
- Native to South and Southeast Asia (India, Bangladesh, Myanmar).
- Grows in tropical regions like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil, and parts of Africa.

2. Size and Appearance:
- Largest tree-borne fruit, weighing over 35 kg.
- Distinctive rough, green or yellow spiky skin; can be up to a metre long.

3. Taste and Texture:
- Ripe fruit has a sweet, slightly pungent flavor, reminiscent of banana, pineapple, and mango.
- Shredded jackfruit resembles the texture of pulled pork or chicken.

4. Culinary Uses:
- Unripe jackfruit is used in savory dishes; ripe jackfruit can be eaten raw or in desserts.
- Popular in vegetarian and vegan diets as a meat substitute in various dishes.

5. Nutritional Benefits:
- Low in fat, high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

6. Market Growth:
- Increasing demand has led to greater availability in supermarkets.
- Products like canned, frozen jackfruit, and jackfruit-based alternatives (e.g., vegan jerky) are becoming more common.

7. Sustainability and Recognition:
- Considered a nutritious and sustainable food option, contributing to plant-based diets.

1. Biography: J.S. Bach was born on March 31, 1685, in Eisenach, Germany, and came from a family of musicians.

2. Musical Education: He received early training from his older brother after losing his parents.

3. Career: Bach held various musical positions, including organist and conductor, in cities like Weimar, Köthen, and Leipzig.

4. Significant Works: Notable compositions include the "St. Matthew Passion" and "Mass in B Minor," created during his time in Leipzig.

5. Counterpoint Mastery: Bach is renowned for his use of counterpoint, allowing multiple melodies to intertwine, as seen in "The Well-Tempered Clavier."

6. Religious Influence: His deep faith significantly shaped his music, often reflecting theological themes.

7. Posthumous Recognition: After his death in 1750, Bach's work was largely forgotten until revived by composers like Felix Mendelssohn in the 19th century.

8. Enduring Impact: Bach's influence on later composers, such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms, highlights his importance in Western music history.

9. Technical and Emotional Depth: His works are celebrated for their precision and ability to convey deep emotions.

1. Historical Significance: The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest covered markets, established in 1461.

2. Size and Structure: Spanning over 45,000 square metres, it includes more than 3,600 shops and features a blend of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture.

3. Cultural Hub: The market serves as a vibrant centre for trade and a social gathering place, reflecting Turkish heritage.

4. Shopping Experience: Visitors encounter a wide range of goods, including textiles, carpets, ceramics, and jewellery, with a focus on traditional bargaining.

5. Community Role: Historically, it was a meeting place for merchants and artisans and has hosted various cultural events.

6. Tourist Attraction: The Grand Bazaar attracts millions of visitors each year and remains vital to Istanbul’s economy and culture.

7. Modern Influences: While traditional goods are prevalent, some vendors also offer contemporary designs, showing the market's evolution.

1. Definition: Island bagging involves visiting and collecting experiences from various islands.

2. Hobby: It's a unique recreational activity that serves as an alternative to traditional hobbies like sports or collecting items.

3. Criteria for Islands: To qualify as an island in the UK, land must rise at least 30 metres from the sea or be larger than 300,000 square metres.

4. Preparation: Planning is essential, including deciding which islands to visit based on accessibility and size.

5. Popularity: Island bagging is gaining traction, with some individuals even publishing books about their experiences.

6. Record-Breaking: There are established records, such as bagging 518 islands in England, highlighting the competitive aspect of the hobby.

7. Global Island Count: Many countries have numerous islands, with Australia having over 8,000 and Indonesia more than 17,000.

8. Environmental Awareness: The hobby promotes appreciation for natural environments and the histories of remote islands.

9. Exploration: Visiting islands allows for the discovery of new places without the need for air travel.

10. Historical Interest: Many islands feature derelict buildings and sites of historical significance, enriching the experience for island baggers.

1. Origin and Importance: Greek tragedy originated in ancient Greece around the 5th century BCE and is crucial to Western theatre.

2. Religious Roots: These performances were linked to festivals for the god Dionysus, associated with wine, fertility, and theatre.

3. Themes: Common themes include fate, morality, human suffering, and the complexities of existence.

4. Structure: Greek tragedies typically consist of a series of acts that build emotional tension and engage the audience.

5. The Chorus: A group of performers that comment on the action, providing societal insights and adding emotional depth.

6. Prominent Playwrights: Key figures include Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, each contributing unique elements to the genre.

7. Theatrical Innovations: Aeschylus introduced a second actor, while Sophocles added a third, enriching character interactions and dialogue.

8. Influence on Modern Theatre: Greek tragedy continues to affect contemporary literature and performances, highlighting universal themes of love, loss, and fate.

1. Discovery Date: The significant date of 19th October 2017 marks the first sighting of 'Oumuamua' at the Haleakala Observatory in Hawaii.

2. Initial Observations: Using the Pan-STARRS telescope, scientists identified an unusual object 33 million kilometres from Earth, measuring 230 metres long and 35 metres wide.

3. Misidentification: Initially classified as a comet (C/2017 U1), it was later reclassified as an asteroid (A/2017 U1) before being recognised as an interstellar object.

4. Oumuamua's Name: The name 'Oumuamua' means "messenger from afar" in Hawaiian, reflecting its origin from outside the solar system.

5. Global Interest: Within a week of its discovery, 34 observatories worldwide began studying Oumuamua, measuring its orbit, brightness, and colour.

6. No Radio Signals: Scientists checked for any radio transmissions to rule out the possibility of it being a spacecraft but found none.

7. Unstable Spin: Oumuamua was found to be spinning erratically, suggesting it had previously collided with another object, which may have ejected it from its original solar system.

8. Longevity in Space: Scientists believe Oumuamua has been travelling through space for millions, possibly billions, of years.

9. High Velocity: The object is moving at an impressive speed of 38.3 kilometres per second (156,428 kilometres per hour).

10. Elusive Future: As of March 2023, Oumuamua has passed Neptune's orbit and is moving away from the solar system, likely never to be observed again.

1. Insects: The largest group of animals on Earth, found in diverse environments.

2. Arthropods: Insects belong to this group, which also includes spiders and crabs.

3. Body Parts: Insects have three main parts: head, thorax, and abdomen.

4. Habitat: Insects thrive in various habitats, including forests, gardens, and deserts.

5. Pollination: Insects like bees and butterflies help plants reproduce, essential for food production.

6. Nutrient Recycling: Insects break down dead matter, returning nutrients to the soil.

7. Ecosystem Roles: They serve as food for other animals and contribute to environmental health.

8. Variety: Insects come in many shapes, sizes, and colours, offering unique behaviours and adaptations.

9. Creepy Factor: While some may find them unsettling, insects are interesting and important.

10. Nature Appreciation: Learning about insects fosters a greater appreciation for nature and biodiversity.

1. Global Hunger: One in seven people worldwide experiences hunger, highlighting a significant global issue.

2. Rice Dependency: Over half of the world's population relies on rice as a staple food, underscoring its importance in diets.

3. Future Demand: In less than 20 years, the demand for rice is expected to exceed supply, raising concerns about food security.

4. Beihar, India: Beihar is one of India's poorest states, with a population of around 100 million, where many families live below the poverty line.

5. Traditional Farming Challenges: Farmers in Beihar often lack modern equipment and resources, relying on basic methods and farmyard manure for cultivation.

6. World Record Crops: A village farmer in Beihar achieved record rice yields, followed by another farmer breaking the potato record, attracting government attention.

7. System of Rice: The farming method that led to these successes is called the System of Rice, developed in Madagascar in the 1980s, which optimises seed and water usage while increasing crop size.

8. Government Support: Following the records, the village was rewarded with electricity, illustrating the potential for support through innovative farming.

9. Education and Training: Farmers are now being trained in the System of Rice method, aiming to enhance agricultural productivity in the region.

10. Resource Allocation: India occupies 2% of the Earth's land but must feed 17% of the population, highlighting the need for improved agricultural techniques to address this disparity.

1. Historical Origin: Canned food was developed in 1810 when the French government sought preservation methods for military supplies.

2. Nicolas Appert: A sweet maker who discovered that cooking food in sealed jars allowed it to last for extended periods, winning a cash prize for his invention.

3. Microbial Spoilage: It took 50 years for Louis Pasteur to explain that microbes spoil food, enhancing the understanding of food preservation.

4. Canned Food in Homes: Canned goods, such as baked beans and corned beef, are common in households, valued for their long shelf life and convenience.

5. Mr Kanso Restaurant: A unique restaurant chain in Japan that exclusively sells canned food, allowing customers to choose from over 350 varieties.

6. Dining Experience: At Mr Kanso, patrons eat directly from the can, creating a straightforward dining experience with minimal staff requirements.

7. Variety of Options: The menu includes unconventional items like sea lion curry and bear curry, highlighting the diverse range of canned foods available.

8. Business Model: The success of Mr Kanso lies in its innovative approach to dining and the appeal of exploring unique canned food options.

9. Cultural Perception: Canned food often carries a stigma, but Mr Kanso challenges perceptions by showcasing its variety and culinary potential.

10. Sustainability and Convenience: Canned food is not only practical for emergencies but also contributes to reducing food waste and extending the longevity of food products.

1. Édouard Manet: A prominent French artist associated with the Impressionist movement, known for his innovative style.

2. Impressionist Movement: Initially faced ridicule when first exhibited in Paris, but eventually became highly valued.

3. Paul Durand-Ruel: An art dealer born in 1831 who played a crucial role in supporting Impressionist artists.

4. Art Gallery: Inherited his parents' gallery and faced financial difficulties while promoting new artists.

5. Support for Artists: Offered monthly salaries and acted as a business manager to struggling Impressionist painters.

6. Business Strategies: Developed a new management style with four key rules focusing on protecting art, creating networks, promoting artists, and connecting art with finance.

7. Exhibition Success: His New York exhibition was a turning point, leading to successful shows across major European cities.

8. Art Collection: Acquired over 12,000 Impressionist paintings, including works by Monet, Renoir, Manet, and Degas.

9. Legacy: Recognised by artists like Claude Monet, who credited Durand-Ruel for their survival and success despite financial risks.

10. Art Market Impact: Helped transform Impressionism into a respected and lucrative art movement.