Literature & Music
Library on Martinique. Photo: Tonya Fitzpatrick
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
– St. Augustine
Learning about the places that shaped and inspired writers and musicians can add deeper understanding to a work of literature or a song. Because of the significance these works have in our lives, traveling to explore the life of a famous writer or see the creative communities that produced music that defined a generation can touch and enrich travelers in profound ways.
Explore the historical and cultural impact on literature and music as you travel the globe. Literature and music go hand in hand, the beautiful verses when played with tunes bring out the most enjoyable renditions.
With the arguments in schools about Critical Racial Theory and not teaching many facts about history because they might embarrass some people, some books are being banned. Mark Twain’s books have long been on the firing line for opposite reasons, i.e. his use of prejudicial language. Because Huck Finn helped a runaway slave, Jim, and had a strong bond of friendship with someone of another race, they could be re-banned by those supporting Critical Race Theory.
The music of New Orleans is not just considered a birthplace of jazz music but carries various styles of music. It is a unique global collaboration that gave birth to an exceptional musical genre that was never experienced tradit
Perhaps no place in America has merged music from artists of all races more than The Shoals area, which consists of Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, and Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
A quiet stroll through the stretch of Rue de la Bûcherie has led me up here at Shakespeare and Company, arguably the most famous independent bookstore in the world, a literary institution that began its journey in 1919.
In fact, we can do what armchair travelers have been doing for centuries: find a good book and let it transport us to the sights, sounds and smells of somewhere far away.
David M. Rubenstein, author of The American Story, visionary cofounder of The Carlyle Group, and host of Bloomberg TV’s The David Rubenstein Show returns to World Footprints to discuss his newest book: “How to Lead: Wisdom from the World's Greatest CEOs, Founders, and Game Changers.”
Pianist Kendol Bacchus originally from the island of St. Vincent, is currently riding out the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida. He had a concert tour planned when he arrived in the U.S. two months ago and is now hunkering down until he can resume his performances.
On this date in the year 1611, the King James Version of the Bible was first published. The year 2011 thus represents 400 years of the KJV's influence on the English language. The King's Printer, Robert Barker, began the project in 1604 at the command of King who faced the Puritan faction within the Church of England.
President John Adams signed into law an act establishing the Library of Congress on April 24, 1800. The same act transferred of the seat of government of the United States from Philadelphia to the District of Columbia.
I don’t need to keep my voice down to use this library. I don’t need a library card, and I don’t even need to go inside. Actually, I can’t go inside, because the building, elevated to eye-level by a sturdy post, is only about 18 inches wide— big enough to hold two dozen picture books and a handful of novels. This is a Little Free Library, a traveling bookworm’s dream come true.
World Footprints was invited to attend the GirlUp Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. GirlUp is an innovative campaign of the United Nations Foundation that gives American girls the opportunity to become global leaders and channel their energy and compassion to raise awareness and funds for United Nations programs that help some of the world’s hardest-to-reach adolescent girls.
Step into the words and paintings of award-winning writers and artists as we celebrate black history in literary color. Award-winning artist Michele Wood’s work reflects a deep sense of history and place.
