Cultural Heritage

Most of us probably remember from history class that Spanish explorers brought horses to North America in the 14th century. Many people are surprised to learn native horses existed before the Spanish arrived, at least in Canada. Ojibwe Spirit Horses, also known as Lac La Croix Indigenous Ponies, are the only known indigenous horse breed native to Canada. Thousands of them lived in harmony with Indigenous communities in (mainly) Northern and Western Ontario and roamed the forests that surround Lac Le Croix.

I marvel at the cavernous interiors of the room, chiseled from the soft tuff rock, formed millions of years ago by the eruption of the volcanoes that once dominated the landscape of Cappadocia.  The lava flows formed tuff rock, which the wind and the rain sculpted into winding valleys of craggy cliffs and conical fairy chimneys dotted with pockmarked caves and towering ravines. The earliest settlers in this part of Central Anatolia curved their humble homes in these caves – a tradition followed to date. And many of the Cappadocian homes, like that of my host Okhtai, have been converted into boutique cave hotels. For my 3-day sojourn in Cappadocia, I am staying at such a cavern hotel in the small town of Goreme, which has a history that is as fascinating as its landscape.

The Romanov family was infamously and brutally murdered by the Bolsheviks at the end of World War I. Czar Nicholas II, his wife, and their five children were executed to make way for the new ruling hierarchy under the communist leadership of Vladimir Lenin.

With 20.1 bookstores per 100,000 population, Buenos Aires is a haven for literature fans. People read on the subway, at cafes, and on park benches. And, despite the rise of digital formats, print books continue to be relevant and cherished. So, if you are planning to visit Buenos Aires and are a keen reader, you must visit these bookstores.

Nestled deep in the enchanting region of Transylvania, Romania, the town of Sighisoara is home to one of Europe’s last inhabited medieval fortresses. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, often overlooked by tourists, boasts a rich history spanning centuries and a cultural heritage that far exceeds its modest size.

Music has long been a passionate harbinger of change and social activism. From Woody Guthrie’s “This machine kills fascists” message emblazoned on his beat-up acoustic guitar to Bob Dylan’s powerful political messages in “The Times They Are A Changin’,” to the Woodstock era’s desperate and eloquent pleas for peace during the Vietnam War, and up to Bruce Springsteen’s Vote For Change tours in the 21st century, the musical community has consistently used its platform to advocate for a better world. Perhaps no single musician has had a bigger influence on a larger audience than the brilliant Senegalese musician/percussionist/activist Youssou N’Dour.

Heidi Hill and Jessie Serfilippi from the Schuyler Mansion State Historical Site share the stories behind the stories about the Schuyler family and Alexander Hamilton.

The rich culture and heritage of the Cherokee people and the story of their forced removal from their homeland is sometimes lost amid undifferentiated accounts of indigenous people in the United States. Three stops along the Georgia section of the Trail of Tears, a National Park Service site that documents the Cherokee journey, will dispel any ignorance about their distinctive history.

Sri Lanka has emerged as the "it" destination, catering to visitors of all kind. The island nation, with its warm, welcoming people, abundant wildlife, hidden beaches, and quaint mountain hamlets, packs a hefty punch for its small size.

Entering the Dwight Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum through the Visitors Center and Gift Shop, my tour began at the Place of Meditation.  Designed as a place for veterans to meditate, this section also serves as the final resting place for Eisenhower and his beloved wife, Mamie along with their first-born son, Doug Dwight Eisenhower who died as a young child.

The last of the sun’s rays fade behind the Aravalli mountain range leaving a heavenly afterglow. A somber melody with rhythmic rhapsodies reverberates down the vast expanse of the plains of Ranthambore and fades away beyond the mountains. It is fascinating to watch how skillfully Tularam plays the Ravanhatha, one of the world’s oldest stringed instruments. The red-turbaned 50-something man swiftly moves his fingers on the holes of the protracted wind. He also uses a curved bow to play the folk instrument and the plaintive melody seems to synchronize perfectly with the twilight hues.

World Footprints was honored to attend the opening day of the 68th annual United Nations General Assembly in New York. This prestigious event began with a warm welcome from the Secretary General