The Deeper Meaning Behind Berlin's Brass Cobblestones

While walking the Berlin streets you will have no doubt come across a Stolperstein, or ‘stumbling stone’, a concrete and brass cube inscribed with a family name and dates, that now forms part of the pavement. These little cubes are actually memorials to the Jewish lives lost during the Nazi extermination. However, there is much more to the memorial than meets the eye.

These cobblestone plaques that bear a tragic chapter of German history are the open-ended project first initiated in 1996 by the German artist Gunter Demnig. Not only is their message one of remembrance and of personalising the victims by honouring their names, but their purpose is also thought-provoking, aiming to initiate discussion and stimulate thought.

Each Stolperstein that is embedded into the pavement is ten by ten centimetres, and their position is not random. The plaques are laid in front of would-be homes of the Nazi victims, so instead of being one big memorial erected in a location known by everybody, these small and scattered plaques pierce the memory when they are literally ‘stumbled upon.’

Their presence takes on an even deeper meaning when the connotations of the name Stolperstein are considered. Metaphorically speaking, the German term can be interpreted to mean ‘potential problem’, while ‘to stumble across something’ in both German and English means to ‘to find out by chance’. Therefore, the anti-Semitic ‘Jewish problem’ of the past is presented in such a way as to stimulate thought and discussion around these issues in the present. According to the artist, because the Stolpersteine are embedded into ordinary, everyday life, stumbling upon them cannot be bypassed or avoided.

The inscriptions on the handmade brass plaques begin with ‘Here lived…’, followed by the name and date of birth of the resident, followed by the name of the concentration camp to which they were taken. At the bottom of the plaque is their date of death. The plaques are financed by private donors, and the decision to make one each by hand is deliberate.

Fondation Cartier Pour l’Art Contemporain

Unlike other corporately-sponsored exhibition spaces, the Fondation Cartier is an unique example of corporate philanthropy gone right. Exhibitions here are not only expertly curated but also cover a range of interests from Patti Smith (2008) to the most recent Beauté Congo (2015). Each exhibition creates a striking melange of different artistic media; music, dance, photography, and art are successfully organized in order to create a complete image of whatever subject is on display at that moment. This center for contemporary art is on a fast track to great success, as evidenced by the enthusiasm of the Paris public for its most recent exhibits.

The Grande Galerie de l’Evolution is a must see for anyone traveling with children. Created in 1889 and re-opened in 1994 this museum is a modern testament to our pre-historic roots. It includes simulated rain and thunder-storms, interactive lessons and a breathtakingly life-like inventory of the animal kingdom. Any visit to the Galerie must also include some time in the Jardin des Plantes: a veritable splendor of botany and landscaping. This garden also has a little playground and benches to enjoy lunch or a snack. Furthermore, just across the street is the Grande Mosquée de Paris where for two euros patrons can sip authentic mint tea and enjoy some heartwarmingly splendid baklava.

Musée Picasso

The Musée du Quai Branly is a monument to indigenous art and culture located in the center of Paris. It includes work from Africa, Asia, the Americas and Oceania with over 450,000 objects. It was opened in 2006 and is the newest of the major Paris museums. The building is meant to reflect the spirit of openness that the museum itself exemplifies. As such there are no barriers or railings – it is an open space both physically and artistically. Even the garden of this museum is designed to be the antithesis of a French formal garden: it has neither lawn nor gate but instead seems almost jungle-like in its deliberately overgrown facade.

The Musée de Cluny is a must-see for any enthusiast of the medieval period. Located in Paris’ Latin Quarter in a 13th-century abbey townhouse, the building is an excellent example of medieval architecture in Paris. At any one time, visitors can see 2300 paintings covering the Gallic period until the 16th century. The collection includes Romanesque and Gothic sculptures as well as stained glass windows from the Saint Chapelle.

The Musée Picasso is located in a private mansion, the Hôtel Salé, in the heart of the Marais. It was founded in 1974 after the artist’s death and houses over 5,000 works and tens of thousands of archived pieces. It is a testament to Pablo Picasso’s love for Paris that he and his family have left such an extensive collection to the city. Furthermore, the artist himself once said: ‘I am the greatest collector of Picasso’s in the world.’ The paintings include such masterworks as the Self-portrait, La Celestina, Man with Guitar, and Memento Mori.

The Maison Européene de la Photographie is also located in the Marais. It boasts an extensive library of contemporary photographic art, an auditorium, a library and a café located in an 18th-century vault. The exhibitions have included works by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Andy Warhol, and Annie Leibovitz. This museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in contemporary photography.

Palais de Tokyo

The Musée de l’Orangerie is a veritable treasure trove of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings. It is the site of Claude Monet’s famous Water Lillies (Nymphéas), to this day organized in the manner outlined by the artist himself. Some other painters displayed in the museum’s permanent collection include Cézanne, Matisse, Modigliani, Picasso, and Renoir. The building is located in the heart of the Jardin de Tuileries and (unlike some other Paris museums) is unique in its ability to give the viewer space to breath and move while exploring its incredible collection.

Opened in 2002, the Palais de Tokyo considers itself an ‘anti-museum.’ Although it does not have a permanent collection it nevertheless acts as a site for contemporary art exhibitions and creation. As this museum remains open until midnight, an evening or night-time visit is highly suggested. This art space is located in a massive building constructed for the Paris Exhibition of 1937 and functions as a network of cavernous spaces where monumental contemporary installations are brought to life. Young, up-and-coming artists are given creative residencies at this museum and as such the Palais de Tokyo remains at the forefront of contemporary art creation in the city.

The Musée du Quai Branly is a monument to indigenous art and culture located in the center of Paris. It includes work from Africa, Asia, the Americas and Oceania with over 450,000 objects. It was opened in 2006 and is the newest of the major Paris museums. The building is meant to reflect the spirit of openness that the museum itself exemplifies. As such there are no barriers or railings – it is an open space both physically and artistically. Even the garden of this museum is designed to be the antithesis of a French formal garden: it has neither lawn nor gate but instead seems almost jungle-like in its deliberately overgrown facade.

Improve your writing and communication skills

Work ethic in Japan is a double-edged sword. On one hand the dedication and pride many workers take in Japan is something to be admired, however it can be taken to the extreme. In fact many people work so hard, that the Japanese have the word‘karoshi’ which translates to death from overwork.

In terms of working yourself to death, that’s definitely not an encouraging prospect, however what you can draw from spending some in the Japanese workforce is a sense pride and commitment to your job, which in turn gives many workers a true sense of purpose or ‘ikigai’. In Japan the term ‘ikigai’ means (in a very vague description) your life’s purpose, or reason for living. There is a little more to the ikigaiphilosophy and it’s worth investigating but essentially many have attributed this sense of pride and purpose to the long a fulfilling lifespan of the Japanese population.

For westerners learning Japanese can be an incredibly daunting task. Lack of English speakers and lack of personal Japanese skill may make living in Japan seems like a near impossibility, however in a number of cases it can be a personal benefit.

Teaching, writing and jobs that require English skills are increasing in demand as the country becomes more globalised meaning that if you can write and speak English really well there’s high probability of employment. Also what better excuse to drown yourself in fascinating anime and catchy J-Pop jams than under the guide of ‘studying’ Japanese.