France sprucing up cultural treasures

 

(Tribune Media Services) -- Mixing an abundance of cultural treasures and national pride, France is spiffing up its sights and museums from the Rhine to the Pyrenees. Of course, the biggest news is in Paris, where 2010 brings important changes that smart travelers will want to know about.

The Eiffel Tower's new online reservation system should help on-the-ball travelers minimize time spent in the tower's notorious lines. Facing the Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars Park used to be the scene of families lounging on picnic blankets and kids chasing Frisbees. No longer, as keep-off-the-grass signs have returned. Thankfully, zones on the periphery still let you enjoy a sprawl on the lawn.

Folk Music - Maldives

The Maldives, being a sea-faring island nation, has since time immemorial been open to different cultural influences. Such influences especially from maritime cultures of countries bordering the Indian Ocean, such as east Africa, southern India, the Arab world, as well as Malaysia and Indonesia are clearly found in the Maldivian music. But centuries of environmental and social effects have created a mix which expresses the life style of Maldivians, their hopes and their aspirations. This type of music is regarded by everyone as a very indigenous element of the true Maldivian culture.




The folk dance and music which we see and hear today are only art of the wider range of music played by the old Maldivians.