29.02.2020 01:44 Date: February 29, 2020 Location: Tags: , , , , , ,
28.02.2020 19:39 Date: February 29, 2020 “Literature is actually nutritious food for humans’ souls and minds. It is the basic foundation of humanity, a reflection of society, reality, knowledge, and wisdom,” said Indonesian novelist NH Dini, whose life and work are celebrated in today’s Doodle, illustrated by Jakarta-guest artist . Born in Semarang, Indonesia, on this day in 1936, Nurhayati Sri Hardinia Siti Nukatin grew up listening to her mother read stories from local magazines and went on to become a prolific author. Resisting the traditional role of women established by Javanese patriarchy, much of Dini’s work focused on gender issues and her belief that “a woman, wherever she lives, deserves to be treated equally and respectfully.” In the 1950s, while Dini was working as a flight attendant for an Indonesian airline, she met her husband, a French consul to Japan. Throughout their marriage, the two moved around the globe and lived in Cambodia, Japan, France, the Philippines, and the U.S. Inspired by her international travels and relentless pursuit for women’s rights, Dini devoted her life to writing and published dozens of novels, short stories, and poems over her 60-year career. Through works such as “Pada Sebuah Kapal” , and “Namaku Hiroko” , Dini’s fiction continues to empower women today. Here’s to a writer whose words live on in the hearts and minds of readers around the world. Guest Artist Q&A with Kathrin Honesta Today’s Doodle was illustrated by a Jakarta-based guest artist . Below, she shares her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q: Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? A: N.H.Dini’s work was so advanced in the years that they were published. They represented the total opposite sides of women that are not often reflected in public, especially in the early days of Indonesian custom, where most women are shown to be meek & submissive. I really admired her boldness, and I think she is super cool! Q: What were your first thoughts when you were approached about the project? A: When I did more research about N.H. Dini, I was fascinated by her accomplishments & her work. Not only are the main characters in her books are some really strong and independent women, but I also learned that her books are more like memoirs than fiction. They are all heavily inspired by events in her real life stories. They are so personal. It’s like giving everybody access to look in your diary. Q: Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A: I was heavily inspired by the connection between N.H. Dini, her books, the stories she wrote, and the iconic book covers where I draw my color palette from. For this Doodle particularly, I based the Doodle from her classics such as ‘Pada Sebuah Kapal’ . This book is often mentioned as one of her best works. The story is about a woman named Sri, who lives an unhappy marriage, and falls in love with a captain of a ship. There are theories that explain that Sri is actually N.H. Dini herself. “Sri” is her real middle name, and the details of the story are so similar to her true life. So for this Doodle, I illustrated N.H sitting beside a porthole, as if she was in a ship, writing her memoir. Q: What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A: I am just very honored to help commemorate N.H.Dini in this Doodle. I feel that not many youngsters recognized her contributions to Indonesia's literary scene. I hope that with her being highlighted in this Google Doodle, even more people could start to pick her books up & learn more about her. Early concepts and drafts of the Doodle Location: Tags: , , , , , ,
28.02.2020 12:11 Date: February 29, 2020 Notice anything different about today? Let’s jump right into it! Today’s Doodle is jumping for joy on Leap Day, the 29th day of February that only occurs about every four years, to keep our calendars in alignment with the Earth and sun. We HOP you have a good one—Happy Leap Day! Location: Tags: , ,
28.02.2020 01:07 Date: February 28, 2020 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 125th birthday of French filmmaker, playwright, and novelist Marcel Pagnol, often revered as one of the greatest figures in the history of French cinema. With his evocative, realist style, Pagnol painted a heartfelt and comical portrait of everyday French life, influencing generations of filmmakers in the process. Marcel Paul Pagnol was born on this day in 1895 in the town of Aubagne, just outside of Marseilles in Southern France. He followed in the footsteps of his father, a local school superintendent, and pursued a career in education. In between lessons, Pagnol worked on his own plays, novels, and poetry, and when his comedic drama “Topaze” became a major hit on the Paris stage, he retired from teaching for good. Establishing himself as an eminent playwright during cinema’s transformation from silent films to the sound era, Pagnol recognized a new world of opportunity in adapting his stories to the silver screen. By 1931, he had produced his first film, “Marius,” the leading installment of his famous “Marseilles” trilogy, which centered around life in the port town of his birth. Credited as a pioneer of the neo-realist movement, Pagnol went on to direct and produce a collection of award-winning films, helping to shape French cinema’s golden decade of the 1930s and ‘40s. In recognition of his contributions, in 1946, Pagnol became the first filmmaker ever elected as a member of the distinguished Acádemie française , France’s official authority on the French language. Early concepts and drafts of the Doodle Location: Tags: , , , , , , ,
27.02.2020 13:11 Date: February 28, 2020 Location: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Tags: , , , , , ,
27.02.2020 06:32 Date: February 27, 2020 Today’s Doodle commemorates the Dominican Republic on the 176th anniversary of its independence, as Dominicans worldwide celebrate the sovereignty of their homeland. On February 27th of each year, the country honors its Founding Fathers with a tribute at the monument of Puerta del Conde, the historic gate where the war for independence was declared. The Dominican president addresses the nation, and flags are seen waving proudly. Depicted in the Doodle artwork, the Dominican Republic’s flag was initially designed by Juan Pablo Duarte and incorporates the nation’s coat of arms overlaid on a central white cross and alternating blue and red corners. Renowned internationally for it’s warm and hospitable people, this Caribbean nation on the island of Hispaniola celebrates independence with parades, concerts, and local foods such as mangú and habichuelas con dulce . ¡Feliz día de la independencia, República Dominicana! Location: , Tags: , , , ,
25.02.2020 00:11 Date: February 25, 2020 Location: Tags: , ,
24.02.2020 23:00 Date: February 25, 2020 Today’s Doodle celebrates its 59th National Day in recognition of the day when Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah became Emir of the State of Kuwait in 1950. Originally a small fishing village, the nation has become an active voice for cooperation in the region and internationally. Located in the northern Arabian Gulf, Kuwait gained independence from its status as a British Protectorate in June of 1961. Two years later, to avoid the extreme June heat, the government moved National Day to February 25th. Also established in 1961 was the country’s modern flag with its pan-Arab colors of red, black, green, and white, as depicted in the Doodle artwork. In 2019, Kuwait set a world record for the longest flag at a whopping 2019 meters. National Day festivities often include fireworks, concerts, and music. Many locals show their national pride by donning traditional clothing, spending the day visiting Messilah Beach, or sharing the country’s national dish, machboos, with friends and family. Happy National Day, Kuwait! Location: Tags: , , , ,
24.02.2020 00:42 Date: February 24, 2020 Today’s Doodle celebrates Estonia Independence Day and 102 years since the country’s declaration as a sovereign republic. Published in the nation’s capital of Tallinn on this day in 1918, the Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia marked the beginning of a new era of freedom for Estonian people. Observed with concerts, displays of fireworks, and parades with the Estonian flag flying high, today citizens celebrate the national holiday with their family, accompanied with traditional Estonian food such as kiluvõileib possibly complemented with a glass of kali . The nation’s tricolor flag, as shown in the Doodle artwork, symbolizes its nature and cultural history, with blue representing the sea and sky, black representing the hardships of the past, and white representing snow and light. Happy Independence Day, Estonia! Location: Tags: , , , ,
22.02.2020 19:07 Date: February 23, 2020 Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Ho Chi Minh City-based guest artist , celebrates Ca Trù’s Founders Commemoration Day, a time to honor the genre widely considered to be Vietnam’s most revered traditional form of music. A style that fits somewhere in between the geisha ceremonies of Japan and the dramatic performances of opera, Ca trù’s unique sound has roots that stretch back to the 11th century. First gaining popularity as entertainment for the aristocracy of Vietnam’s royal palaces, it later made its way into the inns and communal spaces of what is now modern-day Hanoi. The ensemble is composed of at least three performers, including one female singing intricate poetry while tapping a phach , two musicians playing traditional instruments, and occasionally dancers. Ca trù is now found in cities across Vietnam. Performed in designated Ca trù clubs and at annual festivals, the genre has seen a recent revival due to a concentrated effort from state-run organizations and international agencies. Preservation of Ca trù is elusive due in part to it being a strictly oral tradition that is passed down only through one elite practitioner to the next generation after years of committed study. Taking into account the precious nature of an invaluable historical relic and the difficulty of its safeguarding, UNESCO is dedicated to protecting the practice and inscribed Ca trù on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009. Guest Artist Q&A with Xuan Le Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Ho Chi Minh City-based guest artist . Below, he shares his thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q: Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? A: Nowadays, many types of music have been formed and developed to suit the tastes of a large audience. They reach and disseminate to people faster on the mass media. Therefore, some traditional and contemporary folk music may be gradually forgotten and may fall into an urgent need for conservation. It was great to have the opportunity to convey the picture of Ca trù performers - one of the traditional music genres in my country. It has been around since the 15th century and is preserved to this day. Q: What were your first thoughts when you were approached about the project? A: Working on this Doodle is the exciting opportunity I've been waiting for. This topic is very suitable for me. Q: Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A: I watched Ca trù music clips and was inspired by the way they played. I deeply felt the lyrics and the instrument. Q: What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A: Ca trù has been included in UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and is in danger of disappearing in the future. I hope this Doodle will make people curious to learn more and love this art. Early concepts and drafts of the Doodle Location: Tags: , , , , , , , ,
22.02.2020 06:09 Date: February 22, 2020 In honor of Colombia’s Carnaval de Barranquilla, today’s Doodle features some of the colorful costumes and masks on display during this annual celebration of cultural heritage stemming from indigenous, African, and European traditions. Across four days, over a million people will visit Barranquilla on the Caribbean coast to watch floats, dance in the streets, and maybe take part by wearing a “Marimonda” mask as seen in the Doodle artwork. The modern Carnaval de Barranquilla is over 100 years old and reflects the legacy of blended cultures that have shaped the city since its establishment nearly 400 years ago. At its core, festivities derive from folk traditions that demonstrate what many consider to be the definition of what it means to be Colombian. Some of the most significant events during the four days are the Batalla de Flores , the Gran parada de Tradición y Folclore , and the Gran parada de Comparsas . In recognition of the festival’s traditions, UNESCO honored the Carnaval de Barranquilla by naming it a World Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2013. Enjoy the colorful sights and local music like Cumbia coming from the many loudspeakers and floats! Early concepts of the Doodle Location: , Tags: , , , , , ,
21.02.2020 01:31 Date: February 21, 2020 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 91st birthday of the iconic Mexican comedian, entertainer, writer, composer, television director, and producer Chespirito, best known for creating and starring in some of the most beloved television series in Mexican history. Robert Gomez Bolaños was born on this day in 1929 in Mexico City. After studying engineering, he quickly shifted focus to one of his many other passions—writing—and found early success contributing to some of Mexico’s highest-rated television and radio programs. As a testament to his growing reputation and prolific output, he earned the endearing nickname “Chespirito,” or “Little Shakespeare,” which he embraced for the rest of his life. One of Chespirito’s first big breaks came in 1970 when he launched his own self-titled, hour-long comedy sketch show. Stepping in front of the camera, Chespirito brought to life two of his most timeless characters: El Chapulín Colorado , a satirical superhero, and El Chavo del Ocho , a quirky 8-year old orphan, both of which went on to earn their own shows. For more than 40 years, Chespirito masterminded the creation of hundreds of episodes of television, in addition to movies and plays, capturing the hearts of millions with his signature style of clean and hopeful humor. His legacy lives on in the series’ reruns, which have been translated into over 50 languages and continue to run on television networks globally to this day. Gracias for all the laughs, Chespirito—your infectious smile brings joy to families around the world! Doodler Q&A Helene Leroux Today’s Doodle was created by Doodler Helene Leroux. Below, she shares some thoughts on the making of the Doodle: Q: What was your creative approach for this Doodle? Why did you choose this approach? A: A few years ago, we created a Doodle for the TV show , so this particular Doodle was really meant to emphasize the actor himself. Our local marketing partner, José Carlos, was a great help in creating this Doodle and providing local guidance. I also did research on some poses that Chespirito would often do and thought it would make sense to make him pop out of the TV and smile at the audience to reflect his well-loved personality. Q: Are there any technical tricks you used to create this Doodle that you can share with young artists? A: Most of my work is done in Photoshop; I love how it really allows you to play with different brushes and layers, as with this Doodle. Q: What do you hope people will take away from this Doodle? A: I hope that it brings back nostalgia and will make people want to watch Chespirito’s shows and movies again! Early concepts and drafts of the Doodle Location: , , , , , , , , , Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
18.02.2020 20:00 Date: February 19, 2020 "Kross introduced new themes to our poetry of galaxies, electrons, Milton, Homer .” —Estonian writer Jaan Kaplinski on Kross Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Tallinn, Estonia-based guest artist , celebrates Estonian poet and writer Jaan Kross on what would have been his 100th birthday. Widely considered one of the nation’s most internationally recognized and translated writers, his work was critical in illuminating the realities of Soviet occupation in Eastern Europe. Born in the capital city of Tallinn on this day in 1920, Kross studied at the distinguished Tartu University and eventually became an assistant professor of international law. In 1946, like many of his intellectual compatriots, Kross unexpectedly caught the attention of Soviet security forces and was sent to Siberia. Throughout this eight-year exile, Kross wrote numerous poems and translated published pieces, sowing the seeds for his later success. In the 1970s, Kross began to write historical fiction to mask his political criticism. “Kolme katku vahel” and “Keisri hull” are often considered his masterworks, with the latter selling over 30,000 copies. These novels highlight themes of censorship and state-led repression and served to foster a sense of solidarity among Europe’s Soviet Bloc writers. In 1990, Kross won the Prix du Meilleur Livre Étranger, France’s foreign book award, for “Keisri hull,” as well as the Amnesty International Golden Flame Prize. In 1992, Kross helped draft Estonia’s new constitution following their independence from the Soviet Union. Palju õnne sünnipäevaks, Jaan Kross! Guest Artist Q&A with Mirjam Laater Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Tallinn, Estonia-based guest artist, . Below, she shares her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q: Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? A: I remember first reading “The Czar's Madman” by Kross in my early adolescence and the impression it left on me. It was one of those stories that stayed with you, even if the details began to fade over time. It takes a rare talent to recreate a character in a way that makes them feel not so much a part of history as someone relatable yet unique, whose life experience adds a point of reference to your own. I have immense respect for Kross for being able to do that. Q: What were your first thoughts when you were approached about the project? A: Being a fan of Doodles, I was naturally excited to join the ranks of so much talent. Given how most of my work these days is directed at international audiences, being able to create this Doodle about someone so celebrated in my own country makes it all the more personal. Q: Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A: I was already familiar with Kross' writing, so I focused my research on the author himself, to better understand his nature, how and why he wrote the way he did. I was struck by the contrast of his life story on paper—the post-war years, being an intellectual in a time of censorship, and the surprising charm and playfulness evident from his photos and interviews. It seemed to me that writing itself was a form of freedom for him, a way of understanding life and its choices. I wanted to capture that joy and dedication, a life among books. Q: What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A: I hope people will be reminded to take up some of Kross' books, perhaps revisit some old favorites. Be inspired by life with all its choices, create their own narratives. Early concept sketch and draft of the Doodle Location: , , , , , , , Tags:
15.02.2020 23:39 Date: February 16, 2020 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 102nd anniversary of the signing of the Act of Independence by the Council of Lithuania. The holiday is also known as Restoration of the State Day, as the document reestablished the nation’s sovereignty. Located on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea, Lithuania was founded in the 13th century, and its native tongue is the closest living language to ancient Sanskrit. As the Russian Empire collapsed in 1917, Germany invited Lithuania to join them in a new partnership. Instead, on this day in 1918, the newly-formed Council of Lithuania chose autonomy. Independence Day festivities are celebrated from the capital city Vilnius in the east, to the shores of the Baltic Sea in the west, and everywhere in between. Another common sighting is the yellow, green, and red flag, as depicted in the Doodle artwork. Visitors can enjoy concerts, and local delicacies such as cepelinai potato dumplings, or traditional šakotis pastries which famously resemble pine trees. Happy Lietuvos valstybės atkūrimo diena! Location: Tags: , , , ,
15.02.2020 06:01 Date: February 15, 2020 “Men, their rights, and nothing more; women, their rights, and nothing less.” –Susan B. Anthony, The Revolution Today’s Doodle celebrates the 200th birthday of social reformer Susan B. Anthony, and 2020 also happens to mark the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in the U.S.. Anthony fought tirelessly for decades to earn women the right to vote in the U.S and is recognized as one of the nation’s most important figures of the women’s suffrage movement. Susan Brownell Anthony was born on this day in 1820 in western Massachusetts, U.S. As a child, she was inspired by the idea that all people were born equal regardless of their race or gender. An introduction through her father to prominent abolitionists like Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison first ignited her passion for social change. In 1851, Anthony met reformer Elizabeth Cady Stanton, beginning a 50-year partnership focused on women’s rights advocacy. On November 5th, 1872, Anthony walked into a voting station in Rochester, New York and cast a vote in the presidential election, defying the law at the time, which denied women the right to vote. Two weeks later, she was fined $100 , drawing national attention to the cause. She refused to pay the fine, proclaiming, “I shall never pay a dollar of your unjust penalty.” Anthony remained an active leader of the women’s suffrage movement for decades, including serving as president of the largest suffrage association in the U.S. and speaking to crowds across the country to lobby for change. In 1920, nearly 50 years after Anthony first cast her ballot, women in America were finally granted the right to vote with the passage of the 19th Amendment. Though this amendment did not include women of color, the franchise was extended through the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The U.S. Treasury Department honored Anthony’s legacy in 1979 by placing her image on the dollar coin, making her the first woman in history to be depicted on U.S. currency. Discover more about the pioneering activist, Susan B. Anthony on . Explore some of the iconic moments that helped shape the women’s suffrage movement, 100 years on from the passing of the 19th Amendment. Early concepts and sketches of the Doodle Location: , Tags: , , , , , , ,
