Noted scholar Edward Said has died at the age of 67. “His writings have been translated into 26 languages and his most influential book, Orientalism (1978), was credited with forcing Westerners to re-examine their perceptions of the Islamic world. His works cover a plethora of other subjects, from English literature, his academic speciality, to music and culture.”
Tag: 09.26.03
Star Spanish Writer Accused Of Plagiarism
“Spain’s top-selling novelist, Arturo Perez-Reverte, was called before a judge yesterday to answer allegations of plagiarism in a battle with a fellow Spanish novelist over the script of the film Gypsy.”
Germany’s Posh New Opera House
A lavish new opera house in Germany has ambitious aspirations. “Lavish the new opera house may be, but its start has not been painless. It was meant to be part of a new deal for opera, theatre and ballet involving Weimar (pop. 65,000) – whose Deutsches Theater (where Germany’s first democratic constitution was launched) is a mere 15 minutes train ride away. Under this so-called ‘Weimar Model’, Erfurt was to specialise in opera, touring to Weimar, while Weimar specialised in spoken theatre, it being the city of Goethe, Schiller and Herder. However, the people of Weimar strongly objected to the loss of their opera .”
Madonna Book Breaks Record
Madonna’s first literary effort – a children’s book – has become the fastest selling children’s picture book of all time.