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How architecture influences the culture of a place

By Ummema Nazim

Let us understand the difference between modern and contemporary architecture. They are not the same. There’s world of difference between them. Modern Design refers to the period that has passed, while contemporary design is all about the present and the future.

Arches have been used since pre-historic age by many civilizations and they are still being used in the contemporary age. Islamic architecture is a combination of many elements in which Arches remains one of the most influential features. Architecture in Saudi Arabia has passed through a dramatic transformation over the years. Vernacular architecture (local architecture) is slowly being replaced by modern or contemporary style. Thus diverting attention from the main design elements of a place which leads to the disappearance of tradition and culture and that is the reason why it is important for the developers and planners to understand local architecture of a place and incorporate those elements through their design development proposal in context with contemporary architecture. Modernization can also be achieved in building construction without erasing the old style of architecture to develop the concept of contemporary design. Social and economic changes are emerging thick and fast in Saudi Arabia from building the world’s tallest tower to being the first country to grant citizenship to a robot. Increased travel and the use of social media has exposed a significant portion of Saudi society to western culture. This is also reflected in their architecture and design. We urge the designer and urban planners to appreciate and cherish local architecture of a place and develop it further with contemporary style without erasing the old building elements.

Architecture can be a powerful tool. It can offer its users the possibility to create shared memories and can connect their memories to a physical space. People identify themselves with public building and public spaces and connect them to their personal stories their cities. It is significant to maintain the culture and history of a city to make it their own because every city has its own accomplishments and tradition. As Arna Mackin says “Can we see a city as a book that constantly being written- without losing any old chapters”.

Conclusion

The architecture of a country is like a mirror. It gives an insight into the country’s development over the years. Many times architecture also helps us predict what type of traditions have been followed in the country over a large span of time. Hence it is important for a country to retain its architecture to keep the culture of a country intact.

Cities often exist for centuries.

Languages and nation are often short-lived-generations pass through,

Foreign people, new rulers, a multitude of languages,

The city survives it all.

Chris Keulemans

About the author:

Ummema Nazim is a licensed architect and interior designer who loves to explore new places and study them. To know more, follow her blog on www.allaboutarchitecture.org . She also loves travelling, reading and cooking and has her YouTube channel “Hyderabadi Pakwan” and tune in for some authentic Hyderabadi biryani and much more.

Celebrating the holidays our way

By Sairah Zubair Khan

Celebrating the Holidays in a Muslim household in the UK, our way… How did we do it?!

Quite easily actually! For a start, we as a family of doctors could not always achieve holidays on the same day, to celebrate Eid as a family. However, the December Holiday festival was a non-negotiable, ‘get your selves’ round to Mum’s affair! My Mum or Ami as we called her, loved this season!

She would make sure that the house was clean and tidy, up to three days before. Ready for those visitors ‘who turned up’ at a moment’s notice. We would always have fresh flowers on the table, sometimes a big display. Other times in small mason jars. Ami would make a special breakfast of omelette with tomato and coriander. We would also have a traditional bread called ‘paratha’. She would ask, ‘who is hungry?!’ The paratha is rising and becoming all puffy in my pan! After breakfast and clearing up the plates, we would start the cooking for lunch.

Usually the night before the festival… my Ami would marinade a turkey, if it was the whole family. Otherwise, it would just be a chicken. Aromatics would be infused into the bird, she would use her Mother’s recipe from Lahore. As we became bigger in numbers, different family members were in charge of the vegetables and gravy. The table was laid by the younger members, under my Mum’s watchful eye! We would take a break for prayer and then have a tea break. That was the best time as Ami would serve rose Turkish delight. This was my favourite. She would finally allow us to open the chocolates, we received from neighbours! At Eid, we gave presents and food, sometimes homemade gifts to our community. In return, they would have a present ready for us, under their tree at home.

By the afternoon, the food would be permeating a delicious aroma around the house. The Grandkids would be playing and the adults chuckling, at yet another family anecdote. My Mum loved this aspect, the family all around her. She would be in her favourite chair, with a comfy shawl wrapped around her.

As it became closer to 3pm, we would settle down at the family table and wait for The Queen. As we had lunch, we would listen to her broadcast. My Mum would remark, how nice she looked and how her Grandchildren had grown up! As we finished the delicious meal, we would offer the afternoon prayer. The family would be together in unison.

Then it would be time, to find a comfortable seat on the sofa for an afternoon siesta. We usually had visitors early evening. Our neighbours would bake a mince pie for Mum. She in return would give some food she had prepared the day before, some rice or kebab. Tea would be served and there would be constant chatter, how are things…

At night time, after the visitors had gone home. We would watch a family movie or play a board game called ‘carrom board’. This is a game found in South Asia, competitive, fast and very fun! If we were still hungry, Ami would make us some wraps with the left-over turkey. A spicy mayonnaise, turkey and lettuce wrap, delicious!

Then it was time for the ‘finale’. My Ami made a delicious dessert called ‘ras malai’. Little rounds of cottage cheese, in a perfumed cardamom and rose syrup. She would adorn the dish with pistachios and sliced almonds. Only the ‘most favourite’ family member, would be given the honour to slice the nuts and decorate the dish!

Now the chair sits empty at my Parent’s home. My Ami sadly passed two years ago. The memories and love for each other, she installed in us will live on.

The festive season is about family, spending time with a loved one. Regardless of the faith and creed that you belong to. We honour our Mum’s memory by continuing her traditions and love for this special day.

Celebrate like a Bulgarian

Once, our population used to be mostly rural and our economy – mostly agricultural oriented. Hence, we used to work hard predominantly in the summertime and to feast during the winter. For that reason, we have a plethora of holidays all winter long, like the so-called name days, when people are celebrating different saints, they have been named after. Later on, under the Communism, our economy was industrialized and our religious feasts were put on standby mode. After 45 years of communism in Bulgaria, the regime was substituted by democracy and the country was opened for the western world and…western lifestyle and festivities

That explains the eclectic in our holidays – a mixture of pagan rituals, orthodox and catholic customs with new western nuances.  We lead up to the December Holiday Festival with 40 days of fasting beforehand. That night we are dining with vegan dishes again and they should be odd number – 7, 9, 11. Specialties like vine leaves and peppers, stuffed with rice or beans, the obligatory bread with fortunes, are among them. After the dinner is finished, we do not put our dishes away, they are left on the table overnight. People would even dine on the floor, instead of on the table, at some households, to revive the authentic atmosphere from the past.

Another old Slavic ritual, which also is happening nowadays in some regions, is Koleduvane. The custom takes place from midnight on December 24th till dawn on 25th. It`s a carolling ritual, performed only by young men, the koledari. They are usually led by an elder one (preferably married), called stanenik. Each caroler carries a stick, called gega and is dressed in a traditional attire. While singing folkloric songs, they are going from house to house, visiting neighbours and relatives to wish everyone health and good luck.

The festive morning is always awaited with anticipation, especially from the kids.  Everyone would find a present under the decorated tree. Then comes the next family gathering around the lavish festive lunch, and that is on repeat for three days in a row. Off course eating is not the point, getting together with the loved once is…

Recently we have added various foreign rituals to our manners of celebration, such as the gingerbread decoration, or the black Friday shopping before the holidays. This is happening partly under the powerful influence of social media and some of my compatriots are not happy with the latest festivity trends. For example, every year, there is a controversy in our society, around celebrating Halloween or Valentine`s day.

While I really don’t mind westernising my feasts or to experience different cultural celebrations,I do have some worries, regarding the social media effects. Besides the Holiday ads and movies, we own the growing holiday hysteria and depression to Instagram and Pinterest. To beat these psychological disorders amidst the holidays, we could just spend more quality time offline, paying attention to our family and friends, than spending money in the mall, on presents for them.

The gifts and the stylish tables are essential for a proper festive mood, but comparing with Instagram celebrities will not make you feel happy.. Try to handmake your holidays, instead . Create or cook something for your loved once, not with the goal to impress them, but to get together and to feel the real vibe of the feast.

If you are an expat, away from your family, you can understand what it means, to be apart from loved once during that time of the year. For sure you will join them via video calls and exchanged pictures, but you will appreciate your time together like never before. Don`t let the blues to invade you if that is the case this season. Don`t hesitate to connect with other people, offer your company and don`t let the lack of snow ( if you are based in Middle East, like me), cause a lack of good mood. Happy holidays everyone!

How Social Media Is Turning Us Into A Fake Generation

By Syeda Maria Sarfaraz

I remember the days before social media when I would get 20 phone calls per day and 50 or 60 emails, and felt exhausted by the communication. Now we’ve traded the telephone for other connection points (I only get 2-3 calls per day).

We do it because we believe that more relationships provide more opportunity.

When people think of social media, it’s thought of as posting photos, telling people how we feel or catch up with friends. Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong.

The problem social media platforms have given us is we hide behind screens, allowing others to judge us for the lives we want them to think we have, the lives we portray online.

It’s easy enough to do. Why would you post a photo of yourself you think is unattractive?

Social media is a world. We live through our screens, and many of us feel the need to pretend to do and have whatever we want and wish for.

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” 

“Social media makes a big world smaller.” 

“Linkedin is for people you know, Facebook is for people you used to know, Twitter is for people you want to know.”

The reality is, we don’t KNOW hardly anyone.

The world was easier when we didn’t have to prove anything to anyone. We certainly shouldn’t nowadays, anyway..

We want to prove something. We want to show our friends that even though our lives probably aren’t as interesting in real life, maybe we can create something cool online, instead.

Most of us don’t have perfect lives. So why say otherwise online? Maybe because that’s the fun of it too.