The 24th edition of the International Literary Festival of Paraty, known as Flip, is offering a rich cultural program, bringing together prominent figures from contemporary literature. In addition to literary debates, the historic city of Paraty has several natural and cultural points of interest for those wishing to extend their stay.
Flip will feature a total of 21 literary panels. One of the notable events is the debate on democracy, scheduled for July 24th, where Minister Cármen Lúcia will discuss her book, Pela mão do povo. On the same day, there will be a meeting between Drauzio Varella and the German writer Carmen Stephan, addressing topics such as tropical diseases and near-death experiences.
This edition's tribute is dedicated to Orides Fontela, a São Paulo poet who passed away in 1998, recognized as a fundamental voice of modern Brazilian poetry. Her work is notable for its formal rigor and creative reinterpretation of Brazilian modernist elements. During the event, there will also be the relaunch of her works by the Hedra publisher, including award-winning titles such as Alba, which won the Jabuti Prize in 1983, and Teia, released in 1996.
Another highly anticipated highlight is the conversation with British writer Zadie Smith, scheduled for Saturday at 7 pm. Zadie Smith, author of White Teeth, is expected to discuss issues such as racism and colonialism, in addition to commenting on her latest novel, The Fraud, published in 2023.
Visitors can begin their experience by exploring the historic center of Paraty, the location of the literary fair. This area is considered a historical stretch of Brazil, characterized by narrow stone streets and impressive preserved colonial mansions.
Among the historical landmarks in the center are the old churches. The Church of Santa Rita, built in 1722, impresses with its simple colonial facade and its privileged position by the sea. The Main Church of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, located in a central square, features elegant neoclassical architecture, having begun construction in the 17th century.
The Paraty House of Culture is also a recommended place to visit. Located in a restored mansion, this cultural center promotes exhibitions, workshops, artistic shows, and a variety of activities related to local art, culture, and literature.
Paraty, a historical and natural heritage site protected by Unesco, charms with its landscapes on the Green Coast, an area known for the conservation of the Atlantic Forest and crystal-clear water. The city offers several leisure options on the Fluminense coast.
The beaches include Cachadaço Beach, famous for its wild scenery and natural pools. Other popular options for tourists are Ilha do Pelado Beach, Saco do Mamanguá, Lula Beach, and Vermelha Beach. It is important to note that all these beaches are outside the central area and require land or sea transport to reach.
The Banyana Banyana team is preparing for the start of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament in Morocco. The team's goal is to win a second African women's championship title in three tournaments, as well as qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup.
The South African national team is among the 16 participating countries. The four best teams in the tournament will guarantee themselves a spot in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Coach Dezi Ellis is focused on maintaining the title won in 2022, but many players on the team are approaching significant personal milestones with the national team.
Midfielder Linda Motlalo is just one match away from reaching 100 appearances for Banyana Banyana, which will allow her to enter the elite group of South African international footballers. The player, based in Scotland, shared memories of the beginning of her journey under the guidance of former coach Vera Pau. According to the latest FIFA rankings, Sasol Banyana Banyana ranks 57th in the world ranking and 2nd in the CAF ranking in Africa.
Motlalo recounted that she first joined the senior national team at the age of 16 as a training player before making her debut against Cameroon in 2016. She noted that she did not experience difficulties because she remembered all the training sessions conducted in 2015 and understood that coach Vera knew when she was ready. Previously, the graduate of the High Performance Centre represented South Africa in two FIFA Women's World Cups and the Olympics, and also played a key role in Banyana's historic victory at WAFCON four years ago.
Her main goal now is to win another continental title. Motlalo stated that any team playing against them will give 120%, and she is confident in her team's readiness for any opponent. She emphasized the importance of the first match, as it sets the tone for the entire tournament. She also noted that the atmosphere in the camp is very good, and although the main focus is on the World Cup, the ultimate goal is to win gold regardless of the outcome.
Motlalo is not the only one approaching an important milestone. Gabriela Salgado needs only two matches to reach 50 games after an impressive return from a serious injury sustained at the previous WAFCON. Forward Hilda Magaia, whose brace in the 2022 final secured South Africa's first continental title, is only three matches away from this same milestone. Versatile defender Bongeka Gamede is also close to a significant achievement, needing six more matches to reach fifty caps for the national team.
However, these personal achievements will be secondary, as Banyana will begin its group stage with a match against Tanzania, followed by encounters with Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso. Since a place in the World Cup is also at stake, a successful campaign at WAFCON will strengthen South Africa's position among the continent's elite and add a new memorable chapter to one of the country's greatest football stories.
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has included the archaeological monument of Sebastia, located in the Palestinian territories controlled by Israel, in both the World Heritage List and the World Heritage in Danger List.
This decision was made despite objections from Israel. Israel called on the committee to reject the applications during the meeting held in Busan, South Korea. The nomination review was conducted urgently due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
The commission also decided to include five castles located in the Amel mountain region of Lebanon in the lists. It was noted that these castles date from the medieval period and the 19th century and demonstrate successive stages of occupation and adaptation carried out by Crusaders, Ayyubids, Mamluks, Ottomans, and local feudal rulers.
Aishwarya Thakre, the grandson of Shivsena leader Balasaheb Thakre, is preparing to start his acting career in Hollywood, distancing himself from his family's political life.
Aishwarya Thakre, son of Smit Thakre, is ready to present himself in the world of cinema. He is beginning his acting journey with Anurag Kashyap's film 'Nishanchi'. Furthermore, he will appear in a major Yash Raj Films (YRF) project directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. In this romantic-action drama, which has yet to be titled, the lead roles will be played by Ahan Pande, Sharvari Waghm, and Bobby Deol. This film, the fifth joint work of Aditya Chopra and Ali Abbas Zafar, is scheduled for release in theaters on March 26, 2027 (Good Friday), and will be Aishwarya's second film as an actor.
Aishwarya Thakre's background is entirely connected to politics. His grandfather, Balasaheb Thakre, and the entire family have always held significant influence in Maharashtra's politics. Nevertheless, Aishwarya decided not to follow the established political lineage but to create his own identity. Since childhood, he has shown a particular interest in art and cinema, so he chose a career path in the film industry instead of politics.
Before entering the world of acting, Aishwarya studied the intricacies of film production. His debut in the entertainment industry was in 2015 in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's blockbuster 'Bajirao Mastani', where he worked as a director's assistant. After that, he spent considerable time honing his skills and acting abilities before appearing in front of the camera. His acting debut was in Anurag Kashyap's film 'Nishanchi'.
Unlike stars who are actively present in the public sphere, Aishwarya prefers to avoid excessive social media activity. He has about 17 thousand followers on Instagram, and only 8 posts have been published, including an old photo with his grandfather and a movie announcement. Despite low activity on Instagram, his excellent dancing talent is often demonstrated in videos where he is tagged. Moreover, he takes his physical condition very seriously and works diligently at the gym on his physique.
Before his film appearances, Aishwarya's personal life attracted media attention. Rumors previously circulated about his relationship with actress Alaya F, but Alaya denied these rumors, calling him just a good friend. Additionally, Aishwarya is a close friend of Ahan Pande, Chanki Pande's nephew, and they are often together. Interestingly, these two friends will now appear on the same screen in this big YRF romantic-action film.
