Indonesian Rice Table

The Indonesian rice table is a traditional Dutch-Indonesian buffet dish, originating during the colonial era in the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia). 

It consists of a large bowl of rice served with 10 to 40 small side dishes such as satay, rendang, sambal, atjar, prawn crackers, and roast chicken. 

The meal is meant to celebrate the diversity of Indonesian cuisine, with a mix of sweet, sour, spicy, and savory dishes. 

It is often served in restaurants or at celebrations and is a symbol of Indo-Dutch culture.

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Fire

Fire is a rapid oxidation reaction in which fuel, oxygen, and heat (the fire triangle) combine, resulting in light, warmth, and combustion. 

It occurs naturally through lightning strikes, volcanic eruptions, or spontaneous combustion in dry vegetation. 

In ecosystems, fire plays a role in renewal: it clears away dead material, stimulates seed germination, and maintains biodiversity, such as in savannas or forests. 

Uncontrolled, however, it can be disastrous for the environment and humans.

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Distilling Limburg Syrup

Limburg syrup is a traditional, artisanal syrup from South Limburg (the Netherlands and Belgium), made from apples and pears. 

Distillation takes place in copper kettles over an open wood or gas fire: the fruit is washed, mashed, and reduced for hours to a thick, dark syrup with a caramel-like flavor. 

This centuries-old method, passed down through families like the Bleus and Wiertz, has been recognized as intangible cultural heritage and a Slow Food Presidium. 

Only a handful of distillers remain, who produce year-round, preferably using unsprayed fruit. 

Used in spreads, desserts, and regional dishes.

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Fès-Boulemane

Fès-Boulemane was an administrative region in northern Morocco from 1997 to 2015, with Fès as its capital. 

It covered an agricultural area of ​​19,795 km² in the north, bordering the Rif Mountains, and had approximately 1.8 million inhabitants (2014). 

The region included the provinces of Boulemane, Fès (prefecture), Sefrou, and Moulay Yacoub. 

Since 2015, it has been incorporated into the larger Fès-Meknès region.

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Parchment Making in Wierden

Parchment making is a centuries-old craft in which animal hides (primarily those of calves, goats, or sheep) are treated to produce writable parchment. 

In Wierden, Overijssel, Dick Timmerman is the last parchment maker in the Netherlands; he began in 1993 and has passed the trade on to his daughter. 

The process is labor-intensive and dirty, but the craft is recognized as intangible cultural heritage. 

Visitors come from far and wide for demonstrations and products.

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December

December is the twelfth and last month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 31 days. 

The name comes from the Latin word decem, meaning "ten," as it was the tenth month in the original Roman calendar (which began in March). 

In the Northern Hemisphere, it is a winter month, often associated with holidays such as Christmas, Sinterklaas, and New Year, and with themes of introspection and connection.

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Meierblis

Meierblis on Texel is a centuries-old tradition, celebrated on April 30th (Walpurgis Night), where bonfires ("blis" in Texel) are lit to mark the transition from winter to summer. 

Each village has a public Meierblis starting around 7:00 PM, often with storytellers, and there are also private bonfires. 

It brings the community together around the fire.

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South Korea

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is located in East Asia on the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. 

It borders North Korea and the sea, with an area of ​​100,188 km² and its capital, Seoul. 

The population is approximately 51.8 million (2020), with a high density and an aging population due to a low birth rate (0.72 in 2023).

It is a parliamentary democracy with President Lee Jae-myung as head of state and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok as head of government. 

The parliament (Gukhoe) has 300 members. 

The economy is a global leader (GDP: USD 1,665 billion in 2022, 12th largest globally), driven by high-tech exports (Samsung, Hyundai) in electronics, automobiles, and ships. 

The service sector dominates, followed by industry and agriculture. 

Currency: Won (KRW). Recent challenges: population decline since 2021, decriminalization of abortion (2021), and debates about working weeks. 

The country excels culturally with K-pop and K-drama and hosted the 1988 and 2018 Olympic Games.

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Ouwe Sunderklaas

Ouwe Sunderklaas is a traditional folkloric festival on the island of Texel, celebrated annually on December 12th (a week after Sinterklaas). 

Disguised participants, often wearing masks, travel through villages and houses to humorously and satirically re-enact the most important events of the past year. 

It's a lively spectacle for all ages, with performances in living rooms and on the streets, and has nothing to do with the real Sinterklaas. 

The festival emphasizes local culture and community spirit on Texel.

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Vosges Cattle

The Vosges cattle (also known as the Vosgienne) is a robust, medium-sized French cattle breed from the Vosges region. 

It has a black-and-white or brown-and-white coat, is good-natured and long-lived, and is adapted to mountainous terrain. 

The breed serves a dual purpose (milk and meat): cows produce approximately 4,000 liters of milk per year, suitable for Munster cheese, weighing 550-650 kg and standing 130 cm tall at the withers.

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