This Week in Culture

Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia Basilica: The Tale of an Unfinished Masterpiece

Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia Basilica is finally nearing its completion, with five of its six central towers now fully-built as of last week. The tallest one, representing Jesus, is yet to be finished.

Designed by Antoni Gaudi, a Catalan architect, the Sagrada Familia is a timeless masterpiece with the incorporation of gothic and Art Nouveauelements, attracting millions of tourists annually. Gaudi spent the later half of his life designing and building the church. From the beginning of its construction in 1882 up until his death in 1926 after being struck by a tram, Gaudi worked tirelessly on overseeing the project. (Although he never got to witness the completion of his masterpiece, his efforts are acknowledged and carried on by the Junta Constructora del Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, a church foundation responsible for overseeing this ambitious project.)

After Gaudi’s death, the construction of the building came to an abrupt halt as decades of delays and controversy got in the way. Critics argued that successive architects were unable to replicate Gaudi’s style or realise the true intent behind his original vision, thus making them unworthy of continuing the project. Some even argued that the building’s incompleteness has become part of its enduring appeal among tourists.

However, in recent years, the Sagrada Familia Foundation has taken a substantial amount of initiative in ensuring the church’s completion, even paying the Barcelona municipality 41 million dollars over the course of ten years to settle a dispute regarding improper building permits.

As construction is expected to continue, would-be visitors can expect the completion of the structure in 2026 at the very earliest, although the Covid-19 pandemic can push back the date of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, as restrictions have cut off the steady flow of visitors that pay for the tickets that help fund the building operation.

The four main towers of the church, currently the third-tallest towers in the world with a whopping height of 135 metres, have also been completed over the course of the past two years. Depicting the four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the four completed towers are crowned with sculptures of winged figures, including an ox, an eagle, a human, and a lion. The church foundation plans to hold a special Mass to commemorate this special occasion.

Shakespeare-Era Floorboards Possibly Graced by Shakespeare Himself, Discovered in England. 

The discovery of timber boards dating back to the 15th century beneath the layers of flooring during the renovation of St. George’s Guildhall in King’s Lynn, England, sparked significant interest among experts. Jonathan Clarke, a senior archaeologist, played a crucial role in examining the hall and the flooring. He was able to determine that the floor dated to between 1417 and 1430 by studying the growth rings in the wood. In combination with that, Dr. Clarke took the method of construction and other elements into consideration when confirming that the floor found hidden underneath all the layers of flooring was in fact the original flooring.

Tim FitzHigham, the creative director of St. George’s Guildhall, highlighted the excitement surrounding the possibility that these floorboards may have been where Shakespeare once performed.

Historical research indicates that in 1593, Shakespeare performed at the guildhall together with the Earl of Pembroke’s Men due to the closure of theatres in London during a plague outbreak. The guildhall even had an account book further substantiating that the theatre company had been paid to perform at the venue. Also notable is that one of Shakespeare’s leading actors, Robert Armin, who has been credited with influencing the playwright, was native to King’s Lynn and lived close by to the theatre.

Critics argue that the discovery of these floorboards is not significant given the fact that it is unsure whether or not Shakespeare even touched the boards. Siobhan Keenan, a professor of Shakespeare and Renaissance literature at De Montfort University in Leicester, raises doubts about whether Shakespeare personally performed on these floorboards, given the limited historical certainty before 1594. Keenan considers claims of Shakespeare’s connection to the guildhall speculative.

While the discovery is certainly remarkable, there exist far more important structures tied to Shakespeare that are open to visitors, including his birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon and his old schoolroom where he wrote his first works. These sites are of more historical and literary value, seeing as they offer a more valuable and tangible insight into the life of Shakespeare.

“Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé,” is set to hit movie theatres on the first of December

Beyoncé fans are in for a treat as the singer’s latest film, “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé,” is set to hit movie theatres on the first of December. The film will follow the conclusion of her 56-show Renaissance World Tour, which came to a close in Kansas City, Missouri. This is not the first time Beyoncé has released a concert film or documentary, as she has previously shared collections on streaming platforms suc HBO and Netflix. Some of her notable works include “Life Is but a Dream” in 2013, “Lemonade” in 2016, and “Homecoming” in 2019.

The upcoming Renaissance film will showcase the tour’s journey, from its opening in Stockholm in May to its final show in October. The film will highlight Beyoncé’s hard work, creative mind, and dedication to creating her legacy and mastering her craft. It will also feature behind-the-scenes footage of her rehearsing with her eldest daughter, Blue Ivy, as well as interactions with her husband Jay-Z and their twins, Rumi and Sir.

Fans can also expect to see highlights from the world tour, documentary footage of the album’s recording, and the highly anticipated music videos for the rumoured accompanying visual album.

It’s estimated that Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, with her upcoming Eras tour movie, will have generated a whopping 9 billion dollars in sales and other economic activity.