Cathedral of St. James of Compostela, Spain

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The cathedral of St. James of Compostela, dedicated to the Apostle James of Zebedee (saint patron and protector of Spain) is a cathedral located in the historical center of the city of St. James of Compostela, purpose of one of the great pilgrimages of medieval Europe; initiatory way in which people followed the wake of the Milky Way. At the beginning of the ninth century, Alfonso II had built the first church; in 899, Alfonso III replaced it for a greater pre-Romanesque church. The present cathedral is a Romanesque building built in granite, which work began in 1075 and was finished in 1211. It is dedicated to the relics and pilgrimages. The two towers of the western façade (Baroque churrigueresque) are from the Middle Ages and its monumental staircase of 1606. Its chapels form a museum of paintings, sculptures, reliquaries and altar pieces accumulated over the centuries. The cathedral has a plan of three naves, a large transept with aisles and stands and a sanctuary with ambulatory surrounded by a ring of chapels. The original plan had additions of the Renaissance and Baroque. A sumptuous statue of St. James is in the main altar; the crypt is below with the remains of St. James and his disciples, St. Theodore and St. Athanasius. The ambulatory, the beautiful gates, the vault of the Chapel of Mondragón, the Renaissance door of the sacristy and the cloister are the most outstanding items. Above the transept of the cathedral stands a lantern tower from whose summit is hung by steel cables a brass censer of 54 kilos which is used in special ceremonies as in Compostelan years. The treasure is housed in a Gothic chapel in the south transept of the cathedral; it has a tympanum representing the equestrian figure of the Apostle (XIII century). The King of France, Charles V had made a very important gift for it to be celebrated daily a mass for the prosperity of France, so the San Salvador chapel is also known as the Chapel of the King of France; this is where the pilgrims after confessed, received the Compostela; certificate of pilgrimage.

 
Tips

Pilgrims can go to kiss the holy mantle by a staircase behind the altar.
You can also visit the library which displays the censers and tapestries (it’s part of the cathedral museum), even as the pieces found in the excavations .
The archives of the cathedral has a copy of the Codex Calixtinus (set of texts dated around 1140); in the texts you can find practical advice for pilgrims.

Pow Wow Odanak, Canada

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WELCOME EVERYBODY

The 3rd, 4th and 5th July 2015 will be held the annual Pow Wow of Odanak Abenaki (32 km east of Sorel). Several traditional flavor events will be held these three days, such as singing and dancing benefits offered by members of different nations, as well as a day dedicated to the family. Please note that access to all Pow Wow activities is free and open to everybody at any time.

Samian on Friday night show

Always from a perspective of celebration and fun for the whole family, Pow Wow presents the free show of Aboriginal rapper Samian from 21h, Friday, July 3rd, 2015. A native of Pikogan, small Aboriginal community in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Samian claims and compliance recognition for its origins. The documents to be presented at his show reveal the more entrenched than ever, combining a sometimes jazzy sound, sometimes more rock, for a mix of genres that will convince everyone. His performance will be followed by DJ Nicolas Langlois.

Activities on Saturday and Sunday

Several activities will take place throughout the weekend. Indeed, it will be possible to visit various craft booths and attend the benefit of traditional songs and dances, as well as demonstrations of traditional skills. This will also be the opportunity to taste typical native dishes. During the family day on Saturday, toddlers will be honored: entertainment and inflatables will be on site.

About the Pow Wow of Odanak

Although modernity has taken the place of a traditional way of life, the Abenaki never really detach their identity. That is why they try to keep a time during the year to remember the rich culture of their ancestors. The Pow Wow of Odanak is an opportunity to celebrate during this cultural exchange between contemporary and several First Nations that will be present for you to discover their culture.

The Hassan II mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

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The Hassan II mosque, inaugurated in 1993, is located in Casablanca and is built partly on the sea, it is a religious and cultural complex, built on nine hectares and includes a prayer room, a room of ablutions, baths, a Koranic school, a library and a museum. It is the fourth largest mosque in the world. Its minaret is 201 meters. Hassan II had the wish to connect the building to the air, considered one of the four elements beneficial to life with earth, fire and water, that’s why there is a large sunroof that moves in five minutes thanks to a self-propelled wheel bearing system. It is adorned with 124 fountains and marble vanities, it has more than fifty chandeliers and there are some from Murano; it has 18 exterior doors and is equipped with a laser beam indicating the direction of the Mecca with a range of 30 kilometers. On one side and on the other of the central nave, there are two granite columns that have inlaid in gold lettering the pedigree of King Hassan II.

Tips

To visit the mosque, you can buy tickets on site. Removing shoes is mandatory at the entrance to the prayer room (plastic bags are available to the visitors). Video cameras, and any kind of radio receiver and / or sound equipment is forbidden inside.