Plenty of open umbrellas colored in intimidating incarnadine aren’t necessarily a sign of an upcoming rain, snow or new-fashioned flash mob. This is the way how sex workers and those who sympathize with their fate protest against violence for the eighth year in a row. In debates concerning prostitution it is hard to strike a happy medium not so much in legal terms as on the level of public consciousness and perception or, more precisely, rejection. Although there were times when so called courtesans exerted impact not only on men’s behavior but also on the course of world politics.
In almost all times ladies of the oldest profession in this or that way (mostly by means of intrigues and seduction) managed to “break into the system”. Some of them managed to gain so much power other ladies no matter how long their blue blood was preserved in a top drawer couldn’t even dream of. Perfect example to it is Marquise de Pompadour. When she was a 9-year old girl, a fortuneteller took a king out of a card deck and predicted her huge love. Remarkably, this prediction turned out to be more accurate than a good half of modern outlooks – from weather forecasts to analytics. And a card king turned out to be a real monarch Louis XV. Feminine wiles spiced up with cute appearance made her a favorite of the august at first, and later on uncovered the access to leverages that ran the France.
Future Byzantine empress Theodora commenced her way with similar trade. Back in 11th century she advocated rights of the gentler sex and it was thank to her that laws were adopted in the country preventing involuntary prostitution. According to them anyone showing aggression towards suppliers of the pleasures were bound to come up for trial. More to it, special shelters were open to help not only prostitutes but also simple miserable women.
Many workers of sex industry, in addition to managerial skills, didn’t lack others. Talk about Mata Hari. Legendary spy with indigenous effortlessness of female grace used to combine love in a literal sense with passion to espionage and exotic dances.
As talented but in the field of pen craft was Veronica Franco who lived in Venice in 15th century. Being an alley cat, the girl surrounded herself with a solid circle of patrons: both politicians and literati. And judging by collected editions of her poetry, there also happened to be a couple of publishers in there. However, the case wasn’t only and so much about them – senorita was educated up to the nines. Due to her remarkable talents she was even nicknamed “the honest courtesan”. Some clients used to pay Veronica Franco not for her first-hand services, but for a common talk and nice company instead.
Sadly, such, if you prefer, generous approach to prostitution is water under the bridge, even the word “courtesan” itself is believed to be archaic. Sure thing, in a number of countries such as Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland (eight of them in total), the oldest trade is legalized and its representatives enjoy state protection. Unfortunately, in the centuries when the issue became topical, it wasn’t paid due attention. First world congress to raise the issue of solving the prostitution problems took place in 2001. It was then when in Venice December, 17 was proclaimed the International Day of Sex Workers Protection. The symbol (already familiar red umbrella) that was chosen 4 years later, gave rise to numerous questions like “Why not red garter?” Adherents of the movement either respond composedly to such mock cavils or don’t comment the situation at all. Have stuff to do. However you slice it, it is a laborious mission to break and move legal bounds. But even this is far easier than removing both historic and hysteric predisposition of average people who wrinkle in contempt on every hearing of the word “prostitute”.
Despite a wide-spread belief, European flea markets have little in common with both second-hand and ordinary trade rows on traditional merchandise markets. These places per se are unique due to a one-of-a-kind reflection of the country’s spirit and what at first glance seems like plain goods may tell you about its past and help feel a spirit of an era.
First exhibition of paintings in the world’s most visited museum the Louvre was opened on 1793. But its building was well-known far beyond France, though the edifice was not used with such lofty cultural purposes.
"A small territory with a great mission" is the motto under which on February 11, 1929 Lateran Treaty between the Kingdom of Italy and the Holy See recognized Vatican as a sovereign territory. It was an agreement which opened doors for curious patrons who for centuries had been trading gossip about "What is kept inside Vatican castles?".
It is said, the easier it is, the better we feel, however, is it always like that? We know that not all the nations follow this principle. OUTLOOK has found out the strangest, toughest and hard in articulation international languages and would like to share it with the readers.
Our "Peruvian cycle" is replenished with the story of the most revered animals in Peru. Being the link between the present and the past, they play an important role in the life of this nation. Wise ancestors of the modern Peruvians, the ancient Incas, were living in harmony with all life that surrounded them.
- Do you want to try some rice? - such a question is greeted by guests in China. And if the owners are also farmers, they can invite you on an unusual excursion and show you the masterpiece of natural art. The grass which we often eat without thinking about its aesthetics, at the time of growing resembles a blanket woven from multi-colored rags ...
In 1994, a cave was discovered in the mountains in the south of France, inside which there were more than a thousand rock carvings dating back to the 34th century BC. According to experts, these are traces of the first civilization in Europe. The excellent quality of the preserved drawings of the cave is due to the fact that, as a result of the collapse of stones...
After having spent merely an hour for a flight from Kyiv, I suddenly realized I reached the city where continental Europe’s oldest subway is situated. And things that Budapest underground is famous for are not limited to this. OUTLOOK sets on a trip around metropolitan of one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Want to go down?
If you like having rest in Bulgaria but haven’t picked a town to stay in, try and do it in Balchik. It will suit those who value cozy yet non-costly trips without a flow of holiday-makers and an empty pocket afterwards. And the town’s ancient age together with unique landmarks will create a great alternative to sun and sea bathes.
Merely on hearing “Silk Road” we picture valiant wanderers and caravans full of precious items and exotic articles that cross countries and continents. Today we tell about Tajik cities that acted as major transfer points on this trading artery.
Sauntering through picturesque nooks of Grand Dame Europe we look around without even suspecting how many interesting things there are beneath our feet. If you are annoyed with standard tours that include marathon race around museums and monuments, we suggest you have a look at good Old World from a different perspective. Or more specifically, look under its feet.
United Nations Organization was created in order to cease global violence, protect human rights and eradicate poverty. On October, 24, 1945 founding states ratified the treaty on creation of global body that acquired the name the UN.
OUTLOOK was lucky enough to visit the hospitable country Uzbekistan and today we will tell about a unique place - the Mausoleum of the prominent military leader and political figure of Amir Temur.
"One, who lives in the house on the fringe, is the first to protect his people", this Ukrainian proverb fits the history of the Israeli people, but instead of "house" it shall be "fortress". When the Romans attacked, Jerusalem residents fought the Romans with inhuman valour "back to back" till enemy legions pushed them to the last stand.
Human history remembers Dresden, Hiroshima, Nagasaki. The list goes on and it includes Pompeii where residents turned into stoned monuments against their will. Located near modern Naples, the city with views of Mount Vesuvius was one of the most developed cities not only in the Roman Empire, but also in Europe. Once thriving community it flourished in many spheres: painting...
After the walking along the boisterous streets of Seoul one wants to take it easy in a café drinking a cup of flavored tea, however, it never happens like that. Good teahouses are found out only near Buddhist monasteries or at the bohemian pedestrian street Insadon. Chinese ceremony in Korea that is incomparable with the rough schedule of offices and remaining the joy of wise people and privilege of the masters.
The great ones of the earth as well as not really great ones set tongues wagging significantly not only when alive but also after death. Indeed, how can one remain silent when looking at a pompous shrine of one or another figure even with Egyptian pyramids off the market? Outlook made sure that Vladimir Lenin’s Mausoleum on the Red Square is a pretty modest resting place unlike…
They are referred to differently in every other place but are loved, probably, in the same way everywhere. Sure enough, we talk about money or more precisely their “second names” because alongside official ones currencies have common nicknames which is not so well known, but clearly deserves attention!
Figurines of dodo bird “invaded” all souvenir shops of Mauritius and its image even managed to become a national symbol complementing to the country’s emblem. But the most grievous thing of all is that all this glory came to Raphus cucullatus after it was completely extinct from the face of Earth – and it took it less then a hundred years…
Words we vocalize every day seem ordinary and familiar to us. We even get the feeling that, for instance, the word “chauffeur” existed forever. There is only this slight nuance: cars themselves re a little over hundred years old… Hence, things aren’t that simple when it comes to our day-to-day vocabulary. Well then, why not recollect interesting stories of other words origin?
