What is this website mainly about?

History, Media & Communication

"History illuminates reality, vitalizes memory, and provides guidance in daily life", the Roman philosopher Cicero wrote. Having studied history, media and communication, I write essays dealing with these fields of expertise, often combining them.

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Japan

A long time interest in Japan, especially its history and cinema, and several study visits in the last few years have made the land of the rising sun one of the more prominent and interesting topics to write about in the form of essays and (travel) stories.

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Reggae

The music from Jamaica that came from the slums of Kingston as the musical voice of the poor and oppressed and eventually conquered the world. As a uplifting, inspiring and motivating soundtrack to life, reggae and especially Bob Marley and the Wailers are favorite topics to write about.

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The Hobbit: New Masterpiece(s) in the Making

According to some people the world will come to an end in 2012. Probably not, but even if it is, there is at least one good reason to look forward to Christmas next year. Nine years after the Lord of the Rings trilogy finished with The Return of the King, we can once more immerse ourselves in Middle Earth as the first installment of The Hobbit will appear in theaters worldwide in December 2012. Based … Continue reading

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Photo Time: Mammoth Posting

For something entirely different from the usual fare on my website: seven photos of… something. What do you think it is? Click (more…) to see the other photos. The answer can be found at the end of the post.

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Won’t you help to sing? Bob Marley’s Redemption Song

Officially in stores on June 10, 1980, Uprising was the last Bob Marley and the Wailers album released during Marley’s life. On May 11, 1981, less than one year after the release of Uprising, Marley would succumb to cancer that had apparently plagued his body for years. The last track on his last album is Redemption Song, a beautiful farewell by the reggae superstar who became an icon and legend in the more than thirty … Continue reading

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Tokyo: city of signs

Tokyo. Capital of Japan, the largest metropolitan area of the country with almost nine million inhabitants divided among 23 special wards. Part of a conglomeration home to more than 35 million people. One of the biggest cities in the world. Moreover, home to millions of signs and neon lights, drawing attention and reaching out to (potential) customers day and night in a city that never sleeps. The most striking signs are those translated from Japanese … Continue reading

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Interview met Anton Jongstra en Aldo Paape, makers van Wie is de Mol? (deel II)

Dit is het tweede en laatste deel van mijn interview met Anton Jongstra en Aldo Paape, makers van het populaire AVRO televisieprogramma Wie is de Mol? In het eerste deel van het interview, dat hier te vinden is, vertelden de heren onder andere hoe het programma wordt voorbereid. In dit tweede deel van het interview gaan Jongstra en Paape verder in op het 2010 seizoen dat zich afspeelde in het land van de rijzende zon, … Continue reading

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Interview met Anton Jongstra en Aldo Paape, makers van Wie is de Mol? (deel I)

Al jarenlang is Wie is de Mol? één van de populairste en meest bekeken programma’s op de Nederlandse televisie. Elk seizoen kijken er weer miljoenen Nederlanders in een poging om te ontrafelen wie van de kandidaten de grote saboteur, de Mol, is. In 2001 won het programma een Gouden Beeld toen het werd verkozen als beste amusementsprogramma. In 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010 en 2011 werd Wie is de Mol? bovendien genomineerd voor de prestigieuze Gouden … Continue reading

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Essay: ‘The Last Shogun’ – Toshiro Mifune

Toshiro Mifune (1920-1997) was the most influential Japanese actor of his time and achieved more fame than any of his Japanese colleagues in the twentieth century. With his vivid portrayals of powerful warlords, rugged samurai, noble peasants and disillusioned modern men, Mifune ruled Japanese cinema for many years. Especially under the wing of acclaimed director Akira Kurosawa, Mifune gave electrifying performances in numerous films (such as Rashomon and Seven Samurai) now regarded as classic cinematic … Continue reading

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The Jamaica Gleaner: “Going Dutch with Marley and the Wailers”

The Jamaica Gleaner, one of Jamaica’s biggest and oldest newspapers, ran a story this week about my research project Babylon By Bus. Bob Marley & The Wailers in the Netherlands. The story was written by Howard Campbell, regular writer for the Gleaner, and features a photo and excerpts from our e-mail exchange. Besides being posted on the website of the Jamaica Gleaner, it will apparently also appear in the Weekly Gleaner – which is published … Continue reading