Jekyll&Hyde

Last Saturday my friends and I, we went to the Musical Theatre in Poznan to see musical "Jekyll and Hyde". I'm in love ! Before I saw the American version of this musical with David Hasselhoff ( to be honest, I think that he can do something more than walking in orange lifeguard swimming trunks). I was scared a little before going to watch polish version, but I'm happy that I saw this. This musical was made by Roma Theatre where the actors are really talented, e.g. M. Janusz Kruciński, who played the main role, is genius. The role of Jekyll/Hyde is one of the most difficult roles for actor, because he has to change his voice, talk to himself, etc.

I suppose that all of you know the history of this schizophrenic hero form book written by Robert Louis Stevenson. This is the history of the battle between two natures, good and bad, which is in all of us. Dr. Jekyll is a highly respected London physician who discovers the secret potion that allows to change the character. Under the cover of night, Dr. Jekyll turns into Mr. Hyde, who becomes the embodiment of evil. Dr. Jekyll, unable to come to terms with a double personality, commits suicide.

The plot of the musical is a little different. Here is also a love plot. Dr. Jekyll has a fiancée (Emma) who is a daughter of one of the most important people in London. While, Mr. Hyde is crazy about a beautiful prostitute (Lucy), who is in love in Dr. Jekyll. When Dr. Jekyll wrote a letter to Lucy asked her to leave London, because she is in danger, Mr. Hyde killed her.

I didn't find the Polish version, but here you can see the best scene from American version. This is a confrotation between Jekyll and Hyde :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1Pyjw_ZnD8

foreign languages

Today I will write something about foreign languages. I have always loved learn other languages although it isn't so easy for me. I have to be really concentrated and motivated to learn. I remember a lot of expressions and some words, but I would to speak other languages as fluently like I speak in French. In this week, I realised that I have to come back to learn German, which I had learned in the elementary school, college and high school. I loved this language, but after secondary school certificate I didn't have any opportunity to speak this language so I don't remember too much at the moment. It's so sad ! I decided, that I have to find some time for learn German, English, Japanese and Korean. Wish me luck, please ! ;)

Travels

I've always liked to travel. When I was little my parents used to take me for the trips to Poland, because they knew well that a foreign trip can be tiring for the child. I spent holidays at the campsite with my grandfather very often. I bathed the lake, I learned to swim at boat and to fish, also I was collecting mushrooms and berries.
For several years, if I have the money and the opportunity, I go abroad with my parents or my friends. My dream is to visit all the capitals of Europe. Another dream, which so far is not realistic is to visit Japan and South Korea.
So far, I've seen Paris (where I feel at home), Berlin, Prague, London, Rome and Budapest. Honestly, every time I am fascinated by the city and the culture. Budapest and Paris are cities where I have the greatest fondness. I can go back there a few times and I think I never get tired of.
Now I'd love to go to Vienna and Vilnius.

Gagakuikai

Last Thursday I had a great opportunity for participate in a concert of Japanese imperial court music and dance form 5th century, Ichihime gagakukai in the hall of university in Poznan. 

By the 7th century, the gakuso (a zither) and the gakubiwa (a short-necked lute) had been introduced in Japan from China. Various instruments including these two were the earliest used to play gagaku. It is the oldest classical music in Japan, was introduced into in with Buddhism from China.

Gagaku also accompanies classical dance performances, and both are used in religious ceremonies by a few Buddhist temples.

Gagaku is related to theater, which developed in parallel. It was developed in the 14th century.

 

This performance that I saw, it was really beautiful. I mean not only music but also the costumes of musicians and a dancer. The instruments was amazing and original.

It is a video with a dance (not in the hall of university): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRM_FNooJHc

last year

This is the last year of study and it scary me of a little. The time past really fast. I would like to profit of this year and do things like a student. For now I don't know what can I do after the study, but I hope that I will find some inspiration in this year. At this moment, carpe diem !

training

Today I would to go to the concerts, but I had spent 8 houres on the training of the tai chi chuan. We practised chan si gong, it is a spiral motion of the whole body and each body part separately and at the same time. It is really difficult but important to do right the tai chi chuan. This training was additional so there were fewer people than usual. This pleased me because the coach could focus on each one of us and say what we were doing wrong. I'm really tried (but HAPPY) now and I don't what it my name is ;) and of course I'm sending this evening at home...

Haruki Murakami

Haruki Murakami is my favourite Japanese writer. He is genius, really ! For this moment I read all his books which are translated in Polish and French. Haruki Murakami was born in Kyoto in 1949. He grew up in Kobe, a port city in which particularly easy contact with other cultures. He is interested in the others cultures, he reads an American literature, he listens to jazz. He graduated from the Faculty of Drama Classical Literature at Waseda University. In the years 1974-1981, he had a jazz club. Now he is living in New York.

He made his debut as a novelist in 1979 Encouraged by Naoma Literary Prize for Beginners Writers continues writing career. The first novel, Hear the Wind Sing was available only in Japan for a long time. In this year this novel was translated in Polish. 

His books are interesting, it's a mix of the real world with the fantastic, but in terms of the subconscious and imagination of heroes. In his books, Murakami is not focused on action, but on the internal development of heroes.

The books which I recommend to you :

- A Wild Sheep Chase

- Dance Dance Dance 

- Norwegian Wood 

- The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle 

- Kafka on the Shore

- 1Q84