A representative approach to Colombian music…

Colombia is a country of 47 million inhabitants established on 1 million and 150 thousand square kilometers. The country is dominated by the Andes mountain range which contains the majority of the country’s urban centers.

As result of the diverse origins of the Colombian population there is a melting pot of people very ethnically diverse; additionally of its origins, the culture has also been influenced by Colombia's varied geography. Colombian territory is characterized by striking variety in temperature and precipitation as results principally from the differences in the elevation (height above sea level) of its different human settlements. The temperature range from very hot at sea level to relatively cold at higher elevations but vary very little with the season. As a consequence of those characteristics Colombia is also a strongly multicultural country.

Through a song "La Tierra del Olvido" (The Land of The Forgotten) composed by Carlos Vives, the foundation “Playing for Change”, got together native musicians, famous and unknown who have used music as a way of inspiration, social change and reconciliation. They performed across the country and produced this remarkable work. I like to share this video with my bloggers...

On the 12 0ctober 2011 the foundation uploaded to You Tube the video of that work with this presentation: “This video features over 80 musicians across the country of Colombia. Throughout our journey we have learned that music is the greatest tool for healing broken countries, cultures and hearts. With this video we set out to unite and inspire the people of Colombia so they can move forward from years of conflict and create a positive future. Listen to the music, see the smiling faces and remember we are going to make it as a human race!! One Love, Mark”

Just click on the link below: 

"La tierra del Olvido"

Aquitania, Boyaca, Colombia, February 2006

Firavitoba, Boyaca, Colombia, Feb 2006 by Patrick Gibbons

Cartagena, Colombia, Feb 2006 by Patrick Gibbons

Cartagena, Colombia, Feb 2006 by Patrick Gibbons

The Four Courts, Dublin (2)

There are, however, some other architectural elements around the Four Courts building which should be mentioned since they create a whole architectural ensemble.

August 2010

St. Paul's Church, Arran Quay, February 2009

November 2011

For example, a nearby graceful and solid parapet winds alongside the banks of the River Liffey on the present quayside; it runs continuously from Heuston Station to Butt Bridge. The present parapet was erected in the middle of the 19^th century by the Dublin Port and Docks Board. This fine stone wall with its curved top is only broken at the Four Courts, where the parapet was replaced with a classical balustrade. 

November 2010

October 2011

Observing the two flanking bridges to the building, O’Donovan Rossa Bridge (1816), standing at the east of the Four Courts and Fr. Mathew Bridge (1818), standing at the west of the Four Courts, we can see that both carry a classical balustrade with a granite coping. The same  balustrade style is the one which continues along the quay in front of The Four Courts and it is a very elegant feature of the River Liffey at this point, which provides a kind of transparent low screen emphasizing the height to the Four Courts building, adding stylishness and complementing the Gandon’s noble masterpiece.

October 2011

 

O'Donovan Rossa bridge, April 2007

July 2006

Additionally, there are also many mature trees along these quays, which lend a sense of grace to the Four Courts building and to the River Liffey.