WORLD WATCH
Amazing images that celebrate the beauty and diversity of the incredible world we all share.
JANTHO, INDONESIA
Today she is swinging joyfully on a line in the forest. Yet it has been a long road to recovery for young Sumatran orangutan Elaine and others like her.
Kind, curious and loving, these large apes are our closest living relatives, and share up to 97 per cent of our DNA. Their name in Malay translates into ‘person of the forest’. However, across such areas as Borneo, Indonesia, Sumatra and parts of Southeast Asia, the species is sadly in retreat. The mature tropical rainforests that the orangutans rely on to make their homes are being decimated by farmers and loggers – largely for the palm oil industry. Palm oil is the planet’s most widely used vegetable oil, found in everything from processed foods to cosmetics. Demand is insatiable.
Fortunately, change is on the way. Many have recognised the need to preserve endangered species such as the orangutan, the rhinoceros and the Sumatran tiger. Supermarkets and scientists are therefore trying to find suitable alternatives to the ubiquitous oil. Rehabilitation centres for displaced orangutans and those rescued from the illegal pet trade are also popping up around the region.
In Elaine’s case, she and another four-year-old primate spent nearly two years learning to fend for themselves at a rehabilitation centre and forest school before they were returned to the wild at Pinus Jantho Forest Reserve in Aceh, Indonesia. The area is full of rich forest, with a high density of fig trees, one of the orangutan’s staple foods. Just perfect to put you in the mood to swing.
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Discover three Malaysian destinations you must visit, including the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan – it’s a truly unforgettable experience. mindfood.com/must-visit-malaysia
MARCHE-EN-FAMENNE, BELGIUM
A pair of ‘Wooden Statues’ take part in the Statues en Marche festival in Belgium. This annual event has emerged as one of the world’s largest gatherings of living statues, and the streets of the city were flooded with characters that you’d almost believe were made from metal or stone.
A living statue is a form of street art. With detailed costuming, make-up and props, the performers emulate statues, and must keep still for long periods of time to create the desired illusion. Individual ‘statues’ are a common sight in many city centres – however, seeing a diverse range of characters together is a rare spectacle. More than 100 statues hailing from across Europe were present at this year’s Statues en Marche. There was a Charlie Chaplin and a Sherlock Holmes from the United Kingdom, King Poseidon from Ukraine and Nefertiti from Poland. There was also a pirate from Moldova, a maid from Slovakia and a sailor from Portugal – all grouped together to delight and surprise passers-by.
However, the Statues en Marche isn’t the only living statue festival. Each year, Arnhem in the Netherlands hosts the World Living Statue Festival, complete with the World Championship of Living Statues. There is an amateur group for those just starting out, as well as one for children, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Smaller festivals have also emerged in various other countries – and since 2011, Romania has hosted the International Festival of Living Statues, where the focus is on developing the form through artistic research.
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Becoming a living statue is a highly artistic process. While it’s not for everybody, anyone can benefit from a creative hobby. Here are some top reasons to take up arts and crafts. mindfood.com/arts-and-crafts
PARIS, FRANCE
As little as four months ago, Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris would have been filled with worshippers and tourists admiring the beautiful Gothic architecture and stained-glass windows. But now, it’s a different story. Following the devastating fire in April, the world-famous monument is eerily empty. A glimpse inside reveals the extent of the damage, from the piles of rubble on the floor to the parts of a destroyed scaffolding overhead.
The cathedral, part of a UNESCO world heritage site that covers the banks of the River Seine, lost its spire, lead-covered wooden roof and many religious artefacts in the blaze. Despite the French parliament approving a bill to carry out repairs on the much-loved monument – and President Emmanuel Macron saying that he hopes to see the reconstruction completed within five years – the restoration work has yet to begin, as there is still a risk of collapse in some areas. According to the Ministry of Culture, the vault in particular is in danger of caving in, and the process of securing it may last a few more months. Only once this is done can an architect carry out a thorough check of the edifice, and then the hugely sensitive rebuilding work can finally start.
Currently, protective nets have been hung to prevent objects falling from the roof and causing damage, and workers must guard against lead poisoning due to the contamination caused by the old melted roof. A robot is also helping to clear the debris on the lower level of the cathedral, as there are areas where it is still not safe for humans to tread.
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Notre-Dame may be closed to tourists, but there is still plenty to see and do in the City of Love. We share some of the best bars in the French capital, with something for every mood. mindfood.com/best-bars-paris