Through the lens of my Historical Eye, I saw a formidable composition of towers, a mosaic of solid brick embraced by stones, standing sentinel against time. The white tops of the Alps as a majestic backdrop, guarding the secrets of Chillon Castle by the shores of Lac Léman. The roots of the site where theContinue reading “What did my Historical Eye enjoy seeing?”
Tag Archives: history
The woman behind the success of Vincent Van Gogh.
Several years ago, my oldest daughter came home from kindergarten and told me `Mam we saw the painter who cut off his ear`. I realized then that this painter is famous among different generations. How did this happen? I once had heard, he only sold a few paintings while he was alive. This year the VanContinue reading “The woman behind the success of Vincent Van Gogh.”
What was seen by my Historical Eye?
Is this green-coloured dome with a small tower something you recognize? You might have seen this shape or material somewhere. Is it a castle in Austria or a church in Italy? It could have been, but this is located at one of the most important Swiss buildings. It is the roof of the Parliament buildingContinue reading “What was seen by my Historical Eye?”
The Olympic Games
Last summer Tokyo was the centre of the sports world, this winter it will be Peking with the Olympic Games. Seeing the athletics, feeling the release or the disappointment when the race is over, I wonder how it all started. Lausanne, the city at the north side of the beautiful lake Geneva, where you canContinue reading “The Olympic Games”
Watching the Night Watch.
One morning my 9 year old wasn’t feeling very well. Over this covid-period I have experienced that every cough or sneeze makes me wonder if there is a virus in our house. So after I had a good look at my daughter, I decided there was no school for her that day. As a lotContinue reading “Watching the Night Watch.”
British tourism in Switzerland?
Have you ever wondered why there are so many British people on a holiday in Switzerland? I didn’t, until I came across an exhibition ‘The royals are coming’ in the Forum Schweizer Geschichte in Schwyz. Recently I found this picture, which is from the British Royal archive. It shows us a group of wealth people,Continue reading “British tourism in Switzerland?”
La Grange Geneva in the spotlights of the world.
La Grange Geneva in the spotlights of the world A historical presidential summit is held on the 16th of June in Geneva. Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin are meeting each other face to face. Swiss media is all excited and it is seen as an opportunity for Swiss diplomacy. Reference is made to the historicContinue reading “La Grange Geneva in the spotlights of the world.”
Dutch history for a child living abroad?
Four years ago, when our oldest daughter was 6 years old, we moved to Switzerland. As a history and art lover, I worried if she would miss out on Dutch art and history. How would she be able to identify herself with our culture if she wasn’t taught in school? Dutch people always had toContinue reading “Dutch history for a child living abroad?”
Why study history?
Years ago, when I was a little girl, I loved to listen to my grandmother. She would tell me her stories, born in 1899, she came from an other century, that was like magic for me. Her stories were simple. She told me one story about red shoes that she bought from her first selfContinue reading “Why study history?”
I spy with my historical eye 