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Winning Hearts & Tongues: A Polish to Lemko Case Study (2023)
When minority and local languages are lost, national security suffers: not only are significant increases in suicidality, depression, diabetes, assault, and substance abuse often documented, a void is created that has historically been exploited by adversaries. For example, millions from minority language communities ahistorically assume the Russian language and/or identity as their own…
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Dhritarashtra at the Chumon Gate in Koyasan, Japan
The Chumon Gate in Koyasan, Japan is a very sacred place that was founded in ~815. They just rebuilt this gate 10 years ago for the 1200th anniversary of this place. So this place is older than Poland. Behind me, I think, is Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the Buddhist guardian king of the East. His name is interesting.…
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Arashiyama Bamboo Forest of Kyoto, Japan
The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest of Kyoto: these trees are about 20 to 30 meters high. And when the wind blows, you can hear them rustling at the top. And that sound is one of the 100 official soundscapes of Japan. This is actually one of the busiest spots of the city. If you want peace…
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Sacred deer at Great Buddha Hall in Nara, Japan
The sacred deer in Nara at Great Buddha Hall: It used to be the death penalty if you killed one of these deer. And now they kind of roam freely among the people.