I had visited and admired many Muslim countries, but I had yet to observe daily life in the Gulf nations, which pair great wealth and deep conviction to Islam and have played a critical role in world history, both past and present.
The 100th anniversary of the end of World War I will be marked on Nov. 11, 2018. Special events will be held throughout Europe, particularly at battle and memorial sites.
The American Battle Monuments Commission (Arlington, VA; 703/696-6900, www.abmc.org) will be hosting ceremonies at US cemeteries and monuments throughout Europe on the armistice date. Visit www.abmc.gov/news-events/events.
At least 18 bagpipe bands from across Europe are scheduled to attend the “1918-2018 United Pipers for Peace” event in Amiens, France, July 7-8, 2018, in commemoration of the bagpipers who participated in the Battle of the Somme in World War I.
The event begins the afternoon of the 7th with concerts held at sites throughout the city. On the 8th, the bands will gather for a parade followed by a “remembrance ceremony” at the Amiens Cathedral. Visit www.unitedpipersforpeace.com/english.
The European Union (EU) opened the House of European History (Rue Belliard 135, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; www.europarl.europa.eu/visiting/en/
brussels/house-of-european-history) in May 2017.
Located in Brussels’ Parc Léopold, just north of the European Parliament, the museum’s 1,500 exhibits chart how European countries have interacted, covering the late 19th century, 20th-century wars, the formation of the European Union, efforts at continental cooperation and the outlook of the EU’s future.
Warsaw was the topic of our latest essay contest, and it is notable that everyone who wrote in was struck in the same way by a particular dynamic aspect of that city.
