Jean Sibelius is undoubtedly Finland’s most celebrated composer. While typically remembered for his passionate symphonic works and concertos, Finnish conductor Osmo Vänskä’s latest show at the Sydney Opera House reveals a more enigmatic facet of the composer’s style. Working with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Vänskä sought to showcase Sibelius’ fascination with Finnish myths and legends through a programme of orchestral and vocal pieces centred around ancient folklore. The concert opened with the mystical Pohjola’s Daughter (1906). Sibelius composed this piece about the Finnish lege ..read more

Women’s achievements, their economic potential and persistent inequalities, came under the spotlight when Independent federal MP for North Sydney Kylea Tink addressed an International Women’s Day forum on March 6. Joining her at the Kirribilli Club event were influential women and community leaders. Speakers included Catherine Fox, a journalist, author, and Board Member at Australians Investing in Women; Michelle Lim (林敏诗), Organisational Culture and Change Lead at the Reserve Bank Australia (RBA); Melanie Fernandez, GM Policy, Communications, and Research at Chief Executive Women (CEW); and S ..read more

The word ‘wog’: exploring its derogatory origins to its positive reclamation in today’s Australian vernacular. Read the transcript here The post the w word first appeared on Salience ..read more

I was initially sceptical about going to see Justine Triet’s latest film Anatomy of a Fall. The story seemed like it had been done before. A husband and wife share a complex relationship, one of them ends up dead and we are left to wonder if it was an accident or something sinister. There are innumerable films and TV shows that share this basic premise. Take, for instance, Jean-Xavier Lestrade’s famous documentary series The Staircase which follows a husband’s pursuit to clear his name in the wake of his wife’s suspicious fall to her death. But, not even ten minutes into Triet’s film, it was c ..read more

In the age of the future, humans have been able to make cosmic flights. Captain Tom, a soldier, meets the spirit of his favourite writer Kafka at the end of his life, and they will have a conversation about regret and fatherhood in the vastness of the universe. And what will be the end of Captain Tom. The post Midnight Storytime first appeared on Salience ..read more

I’ve never been comfortable around symbols of power. Growing up as I did you learn to be wary of police and men in suits, and they learn to be wary of you too. I remember feeling that sense of unease as I stepped off the train at Martin Place and crossed the road at the top of the hill. I knew where the security gate was; I’d passed it many times, but this time I was going in. I took a breath. “Is this NSW Parliament House?”, I chirped, trying to sound confident. Aware of the uncertainty in my voice, a police officer’s eyes flashed with scepticism as he lifted himself from his chair to engulf ..read more

Kandinsky is an artist famous for his bright colours and bold abstract forms. While many may have seen a few of his best-known paintings, it is rare to be able to appreciate his body of work in its complete and vibrant glory. The Art Gallery of NSW’s latest show, simply entitled ‘Kandinsky’, is a retrospective exhibition that showcases Kandinsky’s works from the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum in New York. As the largest Kandinsky collection to be held in Australia, it is a breathtaking display that spans the painter’s entire artistic life. Born in 1866 to a wealthy family of Moscow tea merchants ..read more

Indie Games’ Room Podcast is your digital space where you can get knowledge of inner work of indie games. Whether you’re an indie game lover or a curious newcomer, my podcast opens the door to every one of you. Welcome to the Indie Games’ Room. “Do you enjoy playing indie games? Which genre do you prefer? Recommend an Interactive Fiction game to me?” This episode focuses on Interactive Fiction Games within the realm of Indie Games. My friend Nixi and I delve into a recently released game, Mandemon, primarily discussing its content, narrative motives, interactive experience, existing controvers ..read more

Taiwan elected its new president and vice-president on January 13. The country also voted for both district legislators and their preferred political party, and held Taiwan’s Highland and Lowland Indigenous Legislator election. Presidential Election Taiwan’s presidential election saw incumbent vice-president Lai Ching-te (賴清德) elected as president, and former US envoy Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) elected as vice-president. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) duo secured 5,586,019 votes (40.05 per cent), marking the party’s third consecutive presidency after Tsai-Ing Wen’s two terms. Upholding the DP ..read more

A young Indigenous activist who has adopted a 34-character-long name shouting her demand is ready to shake Taiwan’s January 13 Legislative Election. Savungaz Valincinan recently changed her official name to ‘Lee I want to exclusively list my tribal name, my Bunun tribal name is Savungaz Valincinan (李我要單列族名我的布農族名字是Savungaz Valincinan)’. She is now running for Mountain Indigenous People Legislator (山地原住民立委) as an unaffiliated candidate. The 36-year-old Bunun woman is known for her decade-long participation and leadership in various Indigenous rights movements, including the Lan Yu Island Anti-nu ..read more