Refugees Look For Hope in a Forgotten Place
When the Ukraine war started, you might have asked yourself what you would do if war broke out in your own country. Would you sit tight, and wait for the bombs to drop? Would you sign up and fight? Or, would you look for a way to keep your family safe? At least 12 million people have fled their homes in Ukraine since Russia invaded. Many people in the UK even opened their homes to these refugees, through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
While opening their arms and their borders to refugees from Ukraine however, European governments have been waging war against refugees from other countries. Back in 2015, the global media alerted us to a ‘migrant crisis’ in Europe – but were they calling it a crisis for those fleeing, or for the countries receiving them?
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: An Epic Journey through Ancient Greece
Assassin’s Creed is one of the most successful video game franchises of all time. Originally a spin off from Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, the game has pioneered new gameplay elements such as stealth and parkour in an open-world environment. Games within the franchise have covered a variety of historical themes including pirates, Ancient Egypt and most recently the Viking invasion of Britain.
Since the launch of the first game in 2007, which had some clunky gameplay mechanisms, Ubisoft has perfected the format to create a seamless experience with amazingly detailed worlds to explore. In 2018’s Odyssey, there is an incredible level of detail both visually and in terms of historical research. This game truly brings Ancient Greece to life – from its awe-inspiring buildings to the clothing, art, weapons and religious practices.
Review: Birds Without Wings by Louis de Bernières
As it says on the cover, this book truly is a masterpiece. Birds Without Wings is an incredibly insightful and well researched piece of wartime history, shining a light on the customs and daily life of people in Greece and Turkey during the early twentieth century. De Bernières captures the foibles and the beauty of the human condition from birth to life and in death. Some of the passages were so moving they brought me to tears. I would recommend this to anyone interested in the great Turkish leader Ataturk, this period of history and the culture of Greece and Turkey during this time. Even if you have no knowledge of this time or region, it will resonate with anyone simply interested in what it means to be human.