Cultural Activities

Whether the interest lies in theatrical performances or enjoying the sweet sounds of the opera, Copenhagen offers several venues where one can experience the Scandinavian culture of arts and entertainment. Since it can be overwhelming to pick the venue, one could visit three well-known theatres in the city. The Royal Theatre, the Opera House and Nørrebro Theatre, however, are just three of the many venues in central Copenhagen. apartment in lviv

The Royal Theater
Over the past 250 years, the Royal Theatre has experienced many changes in terms of expansion and appearance. When its doors were first opened, the theatre proudly invited the public to experience the plays and arts performed on the stage. The original building was designed by Nicolai Eigtved, but after just ten years, the building had to be rebuilt. The new design was to accommodate a larger public audience and the new theatre was designed by C.F. Harsdorff. Read more…

The Arts and Culture Scene in
A Vibrant Art and Cultural Destination in Provincial New Zealand
As a tourist destination New Plymouth, on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island, is a convenient central location from which to discover Taranaki’s spectacular national parks, legendary surf beaches, magnificent lakes and gardens and the iconic volcanic cone of Mt Taranaki with its ski fields and wilderness walking tracks.
In recent years New Plymouth has added to its reputation a flourishing and vibrant art and cultural scene with internationally recognised galleries, museums, performing arts, visual arts and garden festivals and a wealth of gourmet cafés and restaurants. Here are some of New Plymouth’s ‘must see’ arts and cultural attractions:
Puke Ariki
First stop on any visitor’s itinerary should be the magnificent Puke Ariki visitor information centre which is appropriately described on its website as “world-class knowledge centre where library, museum and visitor information are combined to tell the stories of Taranaki – past, present and future.”
Permanent and regularly changing temporary exhibitions provide fascinating information about the geology, natural history, environment and cultural history of the Taranaki region – from the arrival of tangata whenua (native ‘people of the land’), through European colonisation to Taranaki in the 21st Century.
The New Plymouth Visitor Centre (i-Site) provides information and booking facilities for accommodation, travel and visitor activities for both visitors and local residents – and before embarking on their journey visitors may take time to relax in the café/bar/restaurant with magnificent views over the Tasman Sea.
Govett-Brewster Gallery and Len Lye Centre
The Govett-Brewster Gallery promotes itself as New Zealand’s premier contemporary arts museum and is most widely known as the home of the Len Lye Collection.
Len Lye (1901-1980) is one of New Zealand’s most famous creative expatriates along with painter Frances Hodgkins and writer Katherine Mansfield. Born in New Zealand but living most of his life in New York, Lye is best known internationally for his hand-made films whilst in New Zealand he is most recognised as a kinetic sculptor.
In 1977 the Govett-Brewster Gallery hosted the first major retrospective of Lye’s works and as a result of its success Lye chose New Plymouth as the home for his extensive collection of films, drawings, painting and kinetic sculptures. From 2010 a new Len Lye Centre, adjacent to the Govett-Brewster Gallery, will provide a dedicated exhibition space for Lye’s collection.
Admission to the gallery and museum is free, though visitor donations help to support the development of its collections and exhibitions program.
A famous example of Lye’s kinetic sculpture is Wind Wand 2000, realised posthumously by the Len Lye Foundation according to Lye’s original concepts and designs. The bright red, 45m high flexible pole topped by an illuminated sphere is located on New Plymouth’s waterfront opposite Puke Ariki. The pole sways dramatically in the wind and at night the illuminated dome creates an eerie effect.
Pukekura and Brooklands Park
Pukekura Park is New Plymouth’s most popular green space with 52 hectares of woodlands, parklands, formal gardens and lakes in a valley framing an iconic view of Mount Taranaki. Recognised by the New Zealand Gardens Trust as a “Garden of National Significance” the park’s main art and cultural links are with the annual WOMAD festival and the Christmas time Festival of Lights (see below). Movie buffs may recognise Pukekura Park cricket oval as one of the filming locations in the movie The Last Samurai (2003) starring Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe, much of which was filmed in Taranaki, New Zealand.
WOMAD New Zealand
Each year New Plymouth hosts the three-day WOMAD (World of Music Arts and Dance) festival organised by the Taranaki Arts Festival Trust (TAFT). Described by the Trust as “an exhilarating mix of sounds and sights from around the world… with great performances and food in the stunning Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl of Brooklands,” WOMAD 2010 captivated almost 35,000 world music fans with around 32 acts from 19 countries.
TSB Bank Festival of Lights
Every summer, from mid-December to the end of February Pukekura Park is transformed into a spectacular illuminated night-time wonderland. The park’s majestic trees, bridges, waterfalls, fountains and the park’s waterwheel are illuminated by over 1000 dynamic and colourful lights creating a fairy tale world which attracts over 150,000 people every year. Pathways strewn with fluorescent pebbles sparkle beneath ‘black lights’ and digital artwork projections and the sleeping, snoring giant are guaranteed to enchant visitors of all ages. Admission is free.
This award winning festival coincides with New Plymouth’s outstanding Christmas Lights displays throughout the city streets.
Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival
Each spring, during the first week of November, over 50 of the most beautiful gardens in New Zealand are opened to the public. It is a wonderful opportunity to visit many magnificent private gardens which are accessible only during the festival. The most famous is the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust Garden, one of the worlds finest collections of species and hybrid rhododendrons and azaleas set in 360 hectares of rainforest on the slopes of Mt Taranaki. Pukeiti and other public gardens such as Pukekura Park, Hollard Gardens and Tupare are open to the public throughout the year.
New Plymouth and Taranaki has something for everyone, which is possibly why New Plymouth was judged the “best place to live in the best country in the world” by North & South magazine in 2008.

Los Angeles has no shortage of distinguished art museums, but those looking for a more unconventional alternative can turn to the Downtown Art Walk. Every second Thursday of each month, thousands flock to what is usually a drab section of downtown Los Angeles, until it is transformed into an eclectic outdoor festival, replete with a motley hodgepodge of art, music, food and people. For fans of the Los Angeles art scene who are getting a little disenchanted with traditional settings, Art Walk is a welcome feast for all five senses. Read more…