The vertical part of the cross is closer to the hoist side (left).
It is a classic Nordic cross flag, officially established in the 16th century and still in use.
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Flag of Sweden
The flag of Sweden is a blue field with a yellow (golden yellow) Scandinavian cross that extends to the edges.
Broadway
Broadway (Worcestershire) is a picturesque village in the Cotswolds in England, often called the “Jewel of the Cotswolds.”
It is located in the southeast of Worcestershire, close to the border with Gloucestershire, below Fish Hill.
The name comes from the wide High Street (one of the longest in England), lined with horse chestnut trees, strips of grass, and typical honey-colored Cotswold stone houses and cottages from the 16th century and later.
Historically, it was an important stagecoach stop on the route from Worcester to London and flourished on the wool and later silk trade.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it attracted artists and writers of the Arts and Crafts movement (including John Singer Sargent, William Morris, and others).
Today, it is a popular tourist village with shops, galleries, restaurants, tea houses, and accommodations.
Key attractions include the Broadway Tower (an 18th-century folly with a view), the Broadway Museum & Art Gallery, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, and walking opportunities in the surrounding area (including the Cotswold Way).
In short: a classic, photogenic Cotswolds village with historical charm, scenery, and a lively High Street.
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Flag of Switzerland
The flag of Switzerland is a square red field with a white Greek cross in the center.
The cross has arms that are of equal length and slightly shorter than the width of the flag (the ratio is fixed: the arms are 1/6 longer than wide).
It is one of the few national flags that is square (along with that of Vatican City).
The colors and the cross date back to the Middle Ages (Old Confederacy) and were officially established in the 19th century.
Sweet Potato
Sweet potato (batata) is a tuberous vegetable from the plant Ipomoea batatas, native to Central and South America.
It is not a true potato, but belongs to the morning glory family.
The tubers have a sweet taste and are rich in fiber, vitamin A (beta-carotene), C, and potassium.
They come in orange, purple, or white varieties and are versatile in use: baking, boiling, mashing, or fries.
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Flag of South Ossetia
The flag of South Ossetia is a horizontal tricolor with (from top to bottom) white, red, and yellow stripes.
These colors are established in the Constitution of 1990 and the Flag Act of 1992.
White stands for intelligence and moral purity, red for courage, and yellow for wealth and prosperity; they also refer to the three historical layers of Ossetian society (aristocracy, clergy, and people).
It is the same flag as that of North Ossetia.
Anıtlı (Mardin)
Anıtlı (also known as Hah or Ḥāḥ) is a small neighborhood/village in the Midyat district of the Mardin province in southeastern Turkey, in the historical region of Tur Abdin.
It is located approximately 22 km from Midyat and 87 km from Mardin city.
The population numbers around 165 inhabitants (2024) and consists mainly of Assyrian/Syrian Christians of the Syriac Orthodox Church.
Anıtlı is known for its old stone architecture, traditional houses, and important historical churches, including the Meryem Ana Church (Yoldath Aloho / Church of Our Lady, possibly from the 5th century) and the ruins of the Mor Sobo Cathedral.
The village has roots reaching back to the Assyrian period and played a role in the early Christian history of the region.
In 2025, it was included in the UNWTO list of “Best Tourism Villages” thanks to its cultural heritage, religious tourism, and well-preserved traditional way of life.
Monday, July 27, 2026
Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centers of repression to places of peace and reflection
Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centers of repression to places of peace and reflection is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since July 2025) consisting of three sites from the Khmer Rouge era (circa 1971–1979): the former M-13 prison (early phase of repression),
the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (former S-21 prison in Phnom Penh),
the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (former execution field / “Killing Field” of S-21).
These locations were centers of detention, torture, and execution within the regime's repressive security system, where an estimated quarter of the Cambodian population perished.
After the fall of the Khmer Rouge, they were preserved and transformed into memorial sites for remembrance, education, reflection, and peace.
Milano Centrale
Milano Centrale (Stazione di Milano Centrale) is Milan's main station and the second busiest train station in Italy (after Roma Termini).
It is also the largest station in Europe by volume.
It opened on July 1, 1931, replacing an older station from 1864.
The monumental building (designed by Ulisse Stacchini) features 24 tracks, a façade approximately 200 meters wide, and a high canopy.
The architecture is a mix of Jugendstil/Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and elements intended to express the grandeur of the fascist regime.
Approximately 320,000–330,000 travelers pass through daily.
It is a major hub for high-speed trains (including to Turin, Venice, Bologna, Rome, and Naples) and international connections (including to Switzerland).
Sunday, July 26, 2026
Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago
Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago – Omati Minho This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 2025) in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa.
It encompasses the best-preserved coastal and marine ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago (approximately 88 islands and islets), particularly the shallow sea, intertidal, and delta areas.
It is the only active deltaic archipelago on the Atlantic coast of Africa.
Characteristic features include mangroves, mudflats, sandbanks, and intertidal zones.
These are formed by sediments from the Geba and Corubal rivers, tides, upwelling, and coastal currents, ensuring high productivity and nutrient richness.
The area harbors rich biodiversity: Important nesting sites for sea turtles (especially green turtles on Poilão; also leatherback turtles and others), one of the most important in Africa and worldwide.
Manatees, dolphins (including Atlantic humpback dolphins), sharks, rays, and other elasmobranchs.
More than 870,000 migratory birds (especially waders) – one of the most important foraging areas along the East Atlantic Flyway in Africa.
Also “marine” hippos (unique in seawater) and various fish.
It is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (since 1996) and includes protected areas such as Orango Islands National Park and João Vieira-Poilão.
The local Bijagó communities play a role in sustainable management.
Ardez
Ardez is a picturesque village in the canton of Graubünden (Switzerland), located in the Lower Engadin Valley at an altitude of approximately 1460–1467 meters, on a terrace above the Inn River.
It was an independent municipality until January 1, 2015, and has since been part of the municipality of Scuol (together with Guarda, Tarasp, Ftan, and Sent).
The village has around 400–430 inhabitants and is known as a typical example of a Romansh (Rhaeto-Romansh) village, where the Vallader dialect of Romansh is still widely spoken (alongside German).
Ardez is particularly known for its well-preserved traditional Engadin architecture: houses with typical sgraffito decorations on the facades.
There are also historical sights, such as the ruins of Steinsberg Castle (Chastè) and a prehistoric settlement.
In 1975, the village was chosen as a model village for heritage preservation, which contributed to the careful renovation.
It is a quiet place with strong cultural traditions, ideal for those who want to experience the authentic atmosphere of the Engadin.
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