CONTENTS Serendipity

The kiss by Gustav Klimt 29 Alexander Nikolayevich

4 M E
(1907–1908) Ostrovsky

6 Brain on music E Dragon, rat, and tiger what do

30 these animals have in
common? E
10 Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven, H
but how about today?
33 Colour of the year H

13 Royal Danish Library, M

Copenhagen, Denmark 37 Cancel culture M

CONTENTS
15 Alone Home 11 facts E 41 Minitext: Flora Yukhnovich E

18 There is no Nobel Prize M 43 Resilience - a skill of M

for mathematics
21th century
21 Finland H 45 How to study for exams E
HELLO Serendipity

Welcome to Serendipity
This magazine is created to help you learn
English, make your studying process more
gripping, diverse and efficient.
Feel free to read everything you want,
memorize interesting facts, recall familiar
vocabulary, grammar constructions and learn
new words!
We hope this magazine will be your right-hand
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Good luck, dearest reader!

!!! In the magazine you will find texts for 3 levels

EASY MIDDLE HARD

Choose EASY
if you only started learning English
Choose MIDDLE
if you can watch “Friends” and understand
Chandler’s sarcasm (even time to time)
Choose HARD
if you look for a little challenge
 Serendipity
ART
MINI TEXTS

october 2023

The kiss
Gustav Klimt (1907–1908) MIDDLE

This work is the ultimate symbol of eternal love. Gustav Klimt depicts the couple
locked in an intimate embrace against a gold, flat background. The two figures are
situated at the edge of a patch of flowery meadow that ends under the woman's
exposed feet.
Actually, Klimt himself made no statement on the subject. Many suspect that it is a
self-portrait of the artist together with his lifelong partner, Emilie Flöge. Emilie
Flöge was a confident, modern woman who ran a successful fashion salon in Vienna
together with her sisters. She was by Klimt's side in all official outings.
The Viennese government purchased the piece, deeming it to be of national
interest. There is a couple kissing each other, wrapped in a golden cloak whose
contrasting patterns reflect the Arts and Crafts design movement of the era.
ultimate (adj) edge (n) outing (n)
most extreme or important the outer or furthest point of something a short journey made by a group of
because either the original or people, usually for pleasure or
final, or the best or worst
meadow (n) education
a field with grass and often wild flowers
in it to deem
eternal (adj)
lasting forever or for a very long to run to consider or judge something in a
time to be in control of something particular way
4
ART
MINI TEXTS Serendipity

The kiss
Gustav Klimt (1907–1908)
5
 Music Serendipity

Brain on music
About the influence of music on our brain. Experiments
and science about Mozart effect.

EASY

The Mozart Effect refers to a popular After the news got out about
scientific theory that listening to Rauscher’s experiment, the theory was
Mozart’s compositions (and other quickly distorted by the media.
classical music) will increase spatial Though there are still claims that
intelligence. Most studies focus on listening to classical music raises IQ,
children and their reactions when what is the scientific consensus?
listening.
Firstly, it should be noted that IQ or
In 1993, psychologist Francis Rauscher intelligence have nothing to do with
created an experiment to test the the so-called Mozart effect. It might
relevance of listening to music and impact one's ability to spatial
taking tests. He sat 36 college students reasoning. It is in charge of our highly
in a room and played them 10 minutes valued ability to think abstractly, or
of a Mozart Piano Sonata. After doing "outside of the box," when solving
so, they were told to take a test of problems.
spatial reasoning (mentally
manipulating objects and imagining spatial (adj)
them in different locations and relating to the position, area, and size of things

positions).
relevance (n)
the degree to which something is related or
Rauscher then took a group of students
useful to what is happening or being talked
and played 10 minutes of silence and 10 about
minutes of a monotone voice. A spatial
to score
reasoning test was given after both
to get a particular number of points on a test
recordings to each of the groups. or in an examination

The results showed that the students significantly (adv)

scored significantly higher on the tests in a way that is easy to see or by a large amount

after listening to Mozart’s Sonata - to distort

opening the floor to hundreds of new to change the shape of something so that it

experiments. looks strange or unnatural

so-called (adj)
used to show a word that is used to describe
someone or something is not suitable or not
correct

in charge (of something/someone) (idiom)

responsible for something or someone

6
 Music Serendipity

Because the brain processes both music If we enjoy it, we'll do better on these
listening and spatial reasoning exams and experience other
similarly, scientists believe that the two advantages like lower blood pressure
are connected. While music stimulates and stress. Therefore, rock music will
many different parts of the brain, the have the same effect on the
temporal, prefrontal, and parietal experiment as Mozart music if that's
cortex are the main areas affected. your preference.

The prefrontal and temporal brain

However, it has been demonstrated
regions that overlap with music
that Mozart's music lessens the
processing are involved in spatial
intensity of seizures in those who have
reasoning. Therefore, the same brain
epilepsy or Alzheimer's disease. It also
regions involved in problem-solving are
has a significant impact on lab rats' IQ.
directly activated when one listens to
None of these discoveries could have
music.
been made with any other composer
According to some research, our
or performer. Hence, there is some
feelings regarding the music we are
kind of miracle in Mozart’s pieces!)
listening to are what really count.

to overlap seizures (n)

to cover something partly by going over its edge; to a very sudden attack of an illness in which someone
cover part of the same space becomes unconscious or develops violent
movements
preference (n)
the fact of liking or wanting one thing more than miracle (n)
another an unusual and mysterious event that is thought to
have been caused by a god because it does not
intensity (n)
follow the usual laws of nature
the quality of being felt strongly or having a very
strong effect

Daily activities to improve your

Spatial Intelligence
MIDDLE

While it might be the simplest, there to hone

are other ways to hone this ability to make something better or completely suitable

outside music. Perhaps you'll

for its purpose

discover a new interest or revive an to revive

old enthusiasm in one of them. The to come or bring something back to life, health,
existence, or use
key idea is that spatial reasoning is a
skill that can be improved and to enhance
to improve the quality, amount, or strength of
enhanced rather than a natural
something
ability.

7
 Music Serendipity

Playing Chess
When playing chess, it's always a good idea to
plan ahead a few stages. But before you can
accomplish this, you need to imagine how the
board will gradually change without moving a
single chess piece. It takes a lot of practise to
be able to generate and maintain several
spatial possibilities simultaneously in your
mind, but it's a great talent to have when
comparing multiple options.

Use Memory Palaces

Many people argue that space and memory
are essentially connected, and memory
palaces certainly support that argument. You
ahead (adv)
can associate names, numbers, items, and
in or into the future
lists of things you need to remember to
specific locations by mentally going through a to accomplish
to finish something successfully or
sequence of spaces, like the rooms in your flat.
to achieve something
It helps you recall and recover spatial
to maintain
knowledge and is an entertaining approach to
to continue to have; to keep in
remember anything from phone digits to existence, or not allow to become
today's grocery list. less

simultaneously (adv)
happening or being done at exactly
the same time

Play Video Games sequence (n)

a series of related things or events,
Navigating through a video or computer game
or the order in which they follow
is often used as one of the primary examples each other

of how to train one’s spatial intelligence. One

entertaining (adj)
recently released game was even designed funny and enjoyable

specifically to test spatial perception. With the

perception (n)
unlimited universe allowing you to experiment
someone's ability to notice and
beyond our physics restrictions to design and understand things that are not

transform your own spatial creations, active obvious to other people

members already have a large list of their own

Minecraft spatial wonders.

8
 Music Serendipity

Create a Mental Map of Your City

Our ability to make our own mental maps has

been hampered by the accessibility of GPS to hamper
systems such as Google Maps, which we can to prevent someone doing something
easily
access while on the go. Try resisting the urge to
plan your route through an app the next time to resist
to refuse to accept or be changed by
you have an outing, and use your own
something
knowledge of your city or local area to construct
your own routes. urge (n)
a strong wish, especially one that is
difficult or impossible to control

outing (n)
a short journey made by a group of
Sketching people, usually for pleasure or

Finally, as architects, we cannot leave out education

sketching. Since everyone enjoys doodling, why doodling (n)

not use it as an educational tool? Try sketching to draw pictures or patterns while
thinking about something else or
fictional locations, wacky mazes for your pals to
when you are bored
solve, three-dimensional geometry from
consistent (adj)
different perspectives, and perspective
always behaving or happening in a
exercises. You can even memorise the layout of similar, especially positive, way

your own flat. You get better the more you

practise, but the secret is to stay consistent.

9
Music Serendipity

Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven,

but how about today?

Numerous prominent composers, including Chopin, Grig, and Mozart, are well
known to us. You may not be familiar with this new generation of exceptionally
gifted composers.

HARD

The classical music of the twenty-first century borrows styles and inspirations from
everything that came before it, including minimalism, Romantic music, choral and
religious masses, electronics, and much more. It may be heard in movie soundtracks,
jazz clubs, concert halls, and video game soundtracks.

These composers are among the most notable of the past 22 years, and hopefully there
will be more to come.

Max Richter
Max Richter is a German-born British
composer and pianist. He stands as one of
the most prodigious figures on the
contemporary music scene, with ground-
breaking work as a composer, pianist,
producer, and collaborator. From
synthesizers and computers to a full
symphony orchestra, Richter’s innovative
work encompasses solo albums, ballets,
concert hall performances, film and
television series, video art installations and
theatre works. He is Classically trained,
studying at Edinburgh University, the Royal
Academy of Music, London, and completing notable (adj)
important and deserving attention, because of
his studies with composer Luciano Berio in
being very good or interesting
Florence.
prodigious (adj)
Berio’s influence can be heard in Richter’s extremely great in ability, amount, or strength

music, especially with his use of looping

ground-breaking (adj)
and phasing techniques, heard in his original and important; showing a new way of
famous work Recomposed by Max Richter: doing or thinking about things

Vivaldi – The Four Seasons, which was to encompass

premiered in 2012. In 2022, Richter released to include different types of things

a new version with Chineke! Orchestra and

looping (adj)
Elena Urioste, which was featured in series a short section of recorded music that is

4 of the hit Netflix period drama Bridgerton. repeated all through a song or part of a song

10
 Music Serendipity

Ludovico Einaudi
Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven,
Ludovico Maria Enrico Einaudi OMRI is an
Italian pianist and composer. Ever since the

but how about today?

1996 publication of his solo piano debut album,
Le Onde, the name Ludovico Einaudi has come
to represent hypnotically minimalist piano
music.

His work, which has included soundtracks and

scores for ballet, theatre, and film, is known for
its straightforward yet eerily beautiful
melodies. His music has appeared in
commercials for well-known household brand
names as well as prominent 21st-century film
and television productions, such as Doctor
Zhivago and Nomadland.
straightforward (adj)
Einaudi has shifted his focus to environmental easy to understand or simple

action in more recent times. In partnership eerily (adv)

with the environmental charity Greenpeace, he in a strange, frightening, and mysterious way

raised awareness of melting ice caps and prominent (adj)

increasing sea levels in 2016 by performing very well known and important

Elegy for the Arctic on a floating platform amid amid (prep)

icebergs in Norway. in the middle of or surrounded by

Hildur Guðnadóttir
Hildur Guðnadóttir, an Icelandic composer,
cellist, and vocalist, was raised in a musical
family and is most recognised for her highly-
regarded film and television scores. Her
soundtrack for the Joker, starring Robert de
Niro and Joaquin Phoenix, took home a BAFTA
for Best Original Music in 2019 in addition to
Golden Globe and Oscar awards for Best
Original Score. Guðnadóttir became the first
Icelander to win an Oscar and the first woman
to win in all three categories thanks to her
historic accomplishments.

The same year, her score to the HBO mini-

series Chernobyl won yet another BAFTA
Award, as well as a Grammy Award, and a accomplishment (n)
Primetime Emmy Award. Her most recent something that is successful, or that is
achieved after a lot of work or effort
project, TÁR, which stars Cate Blanchett as the
tyrannical conductor of a major German conductor (n)
orchestra, has already been submitted for someone who directs the performance of
musicians or a piece of music
consideration to the Academy Awards for 2023.

11
 Music Serendipity

Hans Zimmer
Hans Florian Zimmer is a German film score
composer and music producer. Hans Zimmer is
the author of many of the best-known movie
soundtracks of the twenty-first century,
including those for Gladiator, Inception, Pirates
of the Caribbean, and The Lion King. He has
won 23 industry accolades for his soundtrack
work, including an Oscar, two Golden Globes,
four Grammys, and three Classical Brits.

His work hasn’t stopped at film scores, either.

Every episode of the Netflix series The Crown
begins with his majestic theme. He has also
created custom ringtones and a new aural
identity for the well-known Netflix "Ta-Dum."

Alma Deutscher
She is a 17 year old British composer, pianist,
violinist and conductor. Alma Deutscher is one
of the brightest young stars of her generation.
At the age of five, she composed her first piano
sonata. Two years later, she penned a little
opera titled The Sweeper of Dreams.
Cinderella, Deutscher's first full-length opera,
had its European premiere in 2016 at the age of
eleven, thanks to sponsorship from Zubin
Mehta.

Having grown up surrounded by the music of

Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven, and Haydn,
Deutscher moved to Vienna with her family
when she was thirteen years old. She has
described the Austrian capital as her "musical accolade (n)
praise and approval
homeland." At the age of sixteen, she was
majestic (adj)
accepted to the esteemed University of Music
beautiful, powerful, or causing great
and Performing Arts Vienna in 2021, where admiration and respect

notable alumni include Kirill Petrenko, Claudio to pen

Abbado, and Zubin Mehta. to write something

esteemed (adj)
highly respected
So, enjoy listening to modern world composers)
alumni (n)
We should be aware about talents that change men and women who have completed their
the globe and develop our civilization. studies

12
 MINI TEXTS Serendipity

ARCHITECTURE
october 2023

The Black Diamond, Copenhagen MIDDLE

Royal Danish Library's buildings on Slotsholmen, better known as The Black

Diamond, are more than just a popular library. Both inside and outside the
Diamond, there are works of art that can be seen and heard: Most spectacular is Per
Kirkeby's 210 m2 large ceiling decoration over the bridge that connects the Diamond
with the library's older buildings.
At 1 pm., the Diamond's central atrium is filled with sound art for a few minutes via
a specially designed, built-in 12-channel speaker system. The composer Fuzzy has
written the work "CATALOG" with 52 pieces - one for each week inspired by some of
the library's greatest treasures. Outdoors there is Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen's
expressive sculpture "Mermaid" with Olafur Eliasson's poetic "Circle Bridge" as a
background.

spectacular (adj) fill someone/something with pieces (n)

very exciting to look at
atrium (n)
a very large room, often with glass
walls or roof, especially in the
middle of a large shop or office
building
something (ph. verb) something that has been
to cause a person, place, or period of created by an artist, musician,
time to have a lot of something or writer
via (prep) treasure (n)
using a particular machine, system, very valuable things, especially
or person to send or receive pieces of art
something

13
 MINI TEXTS Serendipity

october 2023

14
 facts Serendipity

october 2023 Home Alone 11 facts

This article contains facts about the much loved New
Year's Eve film. A reason to rewatch the legendary film)
EASY

Even the film's creators were surprised by how

successful and humorous Home Alone would humorous (adj)
become when it made its cinematic premiere in funny
1990. Thirty years later, the holiday classic continues delight (n)

to delight. All ages will find the plot to be (something or someone that gives) great
captivating, and the great cast provides an additional pleasure, satisfaction, or happiness
reason to see this film. captivating (agj)

holding your attention by being extremely

interesting, exciting, pleasant, or attractive
Whether it's the first or hundredth time viewers,
Catherine O'Hara, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, and, of ridiculous (adj)
stupid or unreasonable and deserving to be
course, Macaulay Culkin bring the ridiculous laughed at
characters to life in a way that makes them laugh. leave something/someone behind

Here are the facts, from the filming tricks behind
your favourite moments to funny interactions
between the cast (including the sweet name
Macaulay calls Catherine to this day).
1/ The movie was inspired by a real family trip
The movie's writer was on his way to Europe for the
first time with his family and just happened to think,
"What if one of the kids were left behind?" As his son
James Hughes recalls, he jotted it down, and wrote
the first draft of the movie's script in just nine days
after he got back home.
2/ Snow was not in the film's budget — but
then a blizzard happened
The producers really couldn't afford it, but after
snow covered the entire set on the second day of
shooting, they had no choice but to call in the snow
machines for the remainder of the film's production.
(ph. verb)
to leave a place without taking someone or
something with you
to jot something down (ph. verb)
to write something quickly on a piece of paper
so that you remember it
draft (n)
a piece of text, a formal suggestion, or a
drawing in its original state, often containing
the main ideas and intentions but not the
developed form
blizzard (n)
a severe snow storm with strong winds
remainder (n)
the part of something that is left after the
other parts have gone, been used, or been
taken away

15
 facts Serendipity

3/ Joe Pesci avoided Macaulay Culkin on set "But on the first take, he slapped his face
and kept his hands glued to his face as if he
The actor apparently wanted to ensure
had just put superglue on his face, and his
Macaulay was actually afraid of him (and,
hands stayed completely still as he
consequently, Harry).
screamed like the Edvard Munch painting,"
he said. "That's why he was such an
4/ Catherine O'Hara spoke some of her lines
interesting kid: No one else would have
to a tennis ball
done that."
The Beetlejuice and Schitt's Creek star
didn't always deliver her dialogue to
Macaulay, due to restrictions on the 6/ Macaulay Culkin's now-famous little

working hours of child actors. "We'd shoot brother makes an appearance.

a scene with one of the kids; then, as late as Succession's Kieran Culkin made his acting
one in the morning, we'd shoot my close- debut as Kevin's cousin, Fuller. They

ups" she recalled. "They'd have a tennis ball starred together again in Home Alone 2:

on a stand, the height of the kid's head, and Lost in New York.
the script supervisor would read the
children's lines." 7/ Macaulay Culkin barely watches the film.
It's hard for him to watch it from an outside
point of view. "When I'm watching it, I'm
5/ Culkin improvised one of the most iconic
seeing like — I'm remembering that day on
"Home Alone" moments
set," the actor told Ellen DeGeneres in 2018.
"You know, like, how I was hiding my Pepsi
Chris Columbus told Entertainment

behind the couch. I can't watch it the same

Weekly the aftershave scene was conceived
differently in the script.
way other people can."

apparently (adv) close-ups (n) to conceive

used to say you have read or been a photograph taken from a short distance to imagine something

told something although you are not that gives a very detailed picture
certain it is true
to star
supervisor (n) If a film, play, etc. stars someone, or if
consequently (adv) to watch a person or activity to make someone stars in a film, play, etc., they
as a result certain that everything is done correctly, are the main actor in it
safely, etc.

16
 facts Serendipity

8/ None of the house scenes were filmed on

a sound stage
The McAllister home is a real house
located outside of Chicago in Winnetka,
Illinois. What's more, the real owners
continued to live there (mostly confined
to the house's primary suite) for the five
months of filming.

9/ Macaulay Culkin had a 30-year-old

stunt double
A man named Larry Nicholas was the one
behind all of Kevin's biggest falls and
stunts. He also served as the stunt
coordinator for Lizzie McGuire!

10/ There was extra safety in place during

the popcorn scene
While Macaulay jumps up and down on
the bed eating popcorn, crew members
laid on the floor on either side to catch
him just in case he fell.

11/ The stunts were real — and one was

even named in honor of "Home Alone."
Though Culkin, Pesci, and Daniel Stern
weren't responsible for all of the falls and
hits their characters took throughout the
film, their stunt doubles did them for
real.

They didn't use any special-effect tricks,

and there weren't any pads built into the
ground, according to the episode of "The
Movies That Made Us," so the film crew
to confine
was under a lot of pressure to get the shots
to limit an activity, person, or problem in some
right on the first take. way

stunt (n)
Pesci's stunt double for the film, Troy an exciting action, usually in a film, that is

Brown, said on the docuseries that for his dangerous or appears dangerous and usually
needs to be done by someone skilled
first fall on the icy stairs, he "just launched
pad (n)
myself as far and as high as I could."
a piece of soft, thick cloth or rubber, used to
protect a part of the body, give shape to
"Now when someone does a fall where they
something, or clean something
get a lot of air, and they fall on their back,
to launch
they'd call it the 'Home Alone,'" the director
to jump with great force
of photography Julio Macat said on the
episode.

17
 Events Serendipity

There is no Nobel Prize

for mathematics

Why is there no Nobel Prize for mathematicians?

And what is the alternative?

MIDDLE

There is no Nobel Prize for mathematics. The name of the award honours the
We may find a few reasons for this. For Canadian mathematician John Charles
example, it is believed that a woman to Fields, a professor of mathematics at the
whom Alfred Nobel proposed rejected University of Toronto, as organiser and
him because of a famous mathematician. president of the 1924 International
However, there is no evidence for this Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) in
reason. Toronto.

It also can be explained that A. Nobel did In 1924 John Fields as the president of
not consider a practical science in maths International Mathematical Congress
from which humanity could benefit. (Toronto) proposed the idea to award two
Anyway, there is The Fields Medal. Let’s mathematicians a gold medal to
learn what it is. acknowledge their outstanding
achievements by the world mathematical
The Fields Medal is awarded every four
community at every meeting of the
years on the occasion of the International
Congress (which is held every four years).
Congress of Mathematicians to recognize
The organising committee of the next
outstanding mathematical achievement
international congress of mathematicians
for existing work and for the promise of
unanimously supported the proposal.
future achievement.

The Fields Medal is a prize awarded to Fields’ proposal was finally approved at

two, three, or four mathematicians under the international congress of

forty years old at the International mathematicians in Zurich in September

Congress of the International 1932. He did not live till this momentous

Mathematical Union (IMU), a meeting that event just a month.

takes place every four years.

evidence (n) to acknowledge to approve

facts, information, documents, etc. to accept that something is to have a positive opinion of
that give reason to believe that true or exists someone or something
something is true

unanimous (adj) momentous (adj)

outstanding (adj) agreed by everyone very important because of
excellent and much better than most effects on future events

18
 Events Serendipity

The Fields Medal is regarded as one of The chair of the Fields Medal Committee
the highest honours a mathematician can is publicly announced, but the other
receive, and has been described as the committee members are not identified
Nobel Prize of Mathematics. The prize until after the prize is awarded.
includes a monetary award (nowadays it Nominations, which are made to the
is 15,000 Canadian dollars). committee’s chair, are confidential and,
according to the prize’s statutes, “must
The medal was first awarded in 1936 to not be disclosed to the candidate.” The
Finnish mathematician Lars Ahlfors and statutes also express a “strong preference”
American mathematician Jesse Douglas. for four prize recipients and encourage
The next ICM was in 1950, and it has since the committee to choose recipients that
been organised every four years. An reflect the breadth of the study of
anonymous donation allowed the number mathematics.
of medals awarded at each congress to
increase, from two to as many as four,
starting in 1966.

honour (n) to disclose to encourage

a reward, prize, or title that to make something known to make someone more likely to do
publicly expresses admiration or publicly, or to show something something, or to make something
respect that was hidden more likely to happen

donation (n) breadth (n)

to give money or goods to help a recipient (n) the range or areas of knowledge or

person or organization a person who receives something ability that someone has

19
 Events Serendipity

The Fields Medal is made of gold and shows the head of Archimedes (287-212
BC) together with a quotation attributed to him:

"Transire suum pectus mundoque potiri" ("Rise above oneself and grasp the world")

The reverse side bears the inscription

"Congregati ex toto orbe mathematici ob scripta insignia tribuere"

("The mathematicians assembled here from all over the world pay tribute for
outstanding work")

Notable recipients of the Fields Medal

Jean-Pierre Serre, who Maryam Mirzakhani was the In 2022 Maryna Viazovska,
won it in 1954 at age 27, first woman to win the who was born in Ukraine,
making him the youngest Fields Medal (201 ). 4 became the second woman
winner. to win.

to atribute to bear to assemble

to say that a particular person to hold or support something to come together in a single
was the first person to say place or bring parts together in
something, do something, invent a single group
something, etc. inscription (n)
words that are written or pay tribute to someone/
to grasp cut in something
something (ph. verb)
to understand something,
to praise someone or something
especially something
difficult

20
country Serendipity

Finland: the happiest

country in the world

Have you ever wondered where Santa Claus lives? It is definitely in
Finland (maybe that is the reason for this country to be one of the
happiest in the world:))! We suggest you to know more about Finland
right before Christmas and New Year’s Eve! Have a great time
reading this article!

HARD

21
 country Serendipity

Finland is divided into four main regions:

Helsinki Region, Coast and Archipelago,
Lakeland and Lapland. We are about to
start with urban life of Helsinki Region.

The Helsinki region includes the capital

city, which is believed to be one of the
world's most liveable cities! Here, nature
and city life are both never more than a
stone’s throw away, and the area is
overflowing with good food, great design,
interesting museums and unique
architecture.

Helsinki is one of the most sustainable

cities in the world with plenty of parks,
green spaces, and fresh air.

The population of Helsinki is 658,457 (Dec

31, 2021). However, there are more than 1.5
million people living in the Helsinki
region.

The population of Helsinki is 658,457 (Dec

31, 2021). However, there are more than 1.5
million people living in the Helsinki
region.

Now, best sights in Helsinki

Oodi, Helsinki Central Library is the best

place to study and meet friends that is
located on the Kansalaistori Square. The
architectural masterpiece is not a typical
library where one goes to take out books
but it is in fact a meeting place. Apart from
the traditional library services, Oodi also
features a café, restaurant, cinema, art,
studio facilities, etc.

a stone’s throw away (idiom)

a short distance

to overflow
when a place overflows, some people
or things have to come out because it
cannot contain them all

sustainable (adj)
able to continue over a period of time

to feature
to include someone or something as
an important part

22
 country Serendipity

The Helsinki Olympic Stadion, built in 1938,
was designed in functionalistic style by the
architects Yrjö Lindegren and Toivo Jäntti.
The Olympic Games were held in 1952 in
Helsinki. Today the Olympic Stadium hosts
both national and international sporting
events and outdoor concerts. The Stadium
Tower is 72 meters (235 feet) high and at
the top tourists can admire the urban
landscape and all of central Helsinki.
The Senate Square and its surroundings
form a unique and cohesive example of
Neoclassical architecture. The square is
dominated by four buildings designed by
Carl Ludvig Engel (1778-1840): Helsinki
Cathedral, the Government Palace, the
main building of the University of Helsinki
and the National Library of Finland. A
statue of Alexander II (1894) stands in the
middle of the Senate Square.

The Helsinki Cathedral, by Carl Ludvig Löyly is a public sauna and restaurant
Engel, rising on the northern side of the complex. The complex includes a
Senate Square is the stage of national and traditional Finnish smoke sauna and two
academic services and one of the most other wood-heated saunas, a year-round
popular tourist sights. The church is part terrace and a restaurant. The saunas offer
of Helsinki's Empire era centre and a direct access to the outdoor seating area
landmark for those arriving by sea. and the sea, where it is possible to enjoy a
Sculptures of the twelve apostles guard refreshing swim, all year round.
the city from the roof of the church. It has
become the symbol of the whole of cohesive (adj)
Helsinki. Moreover it is arguably Finland's united and working together
effectively
most famous and photographed building.

23
 country Serendipity

Coast and Archipelago is a region full of What is more interesting, second-hand

maritime culture and an easy-going and vintage shops are greatly on-trend
lifestyle. With more than 50,000 beautiful there. Many second-hand shops in Turku
islands scattered across the sea, this is the now have specific styles and selections,
world’s largest archipelago. but there are still traditional sales where
you can discover vintage cloth at a low
Bengtskär is one of the best-known
price.
lighthouses in Finland, it is the highest
lighthouse in the Nordic countries and is
rich in history. Bombs and grenades have
been hurled at it, and battles have been
waged inside it. After decades of decay, the
lighthouse was reconditioned in 1995.

Turku – the oldest city in Finland

brimming with art, culture, and cuisine.

There's a saying in Finnish that goes: why

visit Paris when you have Turku? As
Finland’s oldest town, the city is full of old
city charm and a thriving urban scene rich
in art and culture.

Turku is an interesting mix of the old and maritime (adj)

the new. Located in the Southwest of relating to ships and sea travel

Finland by the river Aura, Turku has scattered (adj)

always been a significant harbour and covering a wide area

therefore also the gate to the west. The lighthouse (n)

a tall building on the coast containing
influence particularly from Sweden is
a large light which warns ships that
present to this day, which is noticeable there are rocks

also in the new fashion trends that the decay (n)

locals have caught up on. the process of gradually becoming
bad or weak or be destroyed, often
because of natural causes like
bacteria or age

to be brimming with smth

(phrase)
to be full of something

24
country Serendipity

Finland has the world’s largest

archipelago, consisting of over 80,000
islands off the coastline! We picked a few
to talk about.

Kaunissaari, Pyhtää (“the beautiful

island”) is renowned for its beautiful
sandy beaches and traditional fishing
village. Kaunissaari has a view of the
charming red boathouses that line the
harbour.

Pellinge islands, Porvoo is a group of

islands that have been inhabited since the
1500s, and today is home to an active
community of almost 300 people. More
than 120 events are organised on the
islands during the summer, including a
midsummer festival, a children’s day, an
agricultural flea market, boat
competitions and an ancient fire dance.
Many people are drawn to Pellinge
because of the place it held in Tove
Jansson’s heart, who created the Moomins
and is Finland’s most beloved writer and
artist of all time.

Suomenlinna, Helsinki was established in

the mid-18th century as a fortress. Today
Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Kids and adults alike love scrambling
about the old walls, ramparts and tunnels.

renowned (for) (adj)

famous

fortress (n)
a large, strong building or group of
buildings that can be defended from
attack

25
 country Serendipity

Lakeland is where Finns come to recharge
and reconnect with nature. The region
offers things to do all year round, from
cruises to fishing, paddle boarding, ice
swimming and skating.
Finland is also known as the land of
thousands of lakes. There are almost 188
000 lakes or ponds in the whole country,
and Lakeland is home to numerous of
them.
Lakeland includes numerous
Tampere has many unique features. The
city is most famous for all of its public
saunas, the Särkänniemi amusement park,
the only Moomin museum in the world,
and "mustamakkara" (a special local
delicacy). Tampere is also famous for its
long-spanning industrial history that is
still visible today in the city's architecture.
Jyväskylä is a vibrant university city in
Central Lakeland. This region is home to
two UNESCO World Heritage sites: The
Petäjävesi Old Church and the Struve
national

Geodetic Arc at Oravuori, which offers

parks. The landscape in Helvetinjärvi
National Park is dominated by geological
stunning views of Lake Päijänne.
features created millions of years ago. The
park’s majestic cliffs and lakes have
The internationally acclaimed architect
inspired many artists over the centuries.
and designer Alvar Aalto has left a

Liesjärvi National Park: the picturesque significant impact on the city's

Kyynäränharju Ridge is the best-known architecture. Despite its relatively modest

natural attraction in the area. This estate z Jyväskylä
si e, provides a wide array of

belonged to a real park ranger from the festivals, events, and cultural experiences.

1910s onwards, and now it’s a home for

cows, sheep, chickens, and a rooster in the paddle boarding
summer. a sport in which you travel across
water or ride on waves using a board,
Tampere is a unique combination of which you can sit or stand on

Lakeland charm and the urban Nordic city. laid-back (adj)

Many public saunas, cultural events, laid- very relaxed and not seeming worried
about anything
back locals, and the old red-brick
industrial buildings next to the
Tammerkoski River, which runs through
the city, are some of the ingredients that
make Tampere one of the most attractive
cities in Finland.

26
 country Serendipity

Lapland is the northern-most region of In 1985, Santa Claus’ Main Post Office
Finland and an active outdoor destination received over 17 million letters. In 2014
that's known for its incredible, year-round Santa Claus received most letters from
light phenomena, vast arctic nature, and China, Italy and Poland. In Santa Claus'
Santa Claus. Main Post Office visitors can also read
letters sent to Santa. A letter writer can
Northern Lights are most visible from the
arrange to have a letter mailed to them
end of August to April in northern Finland.
from Santa before Christmas.
Auroras, caused by solar winds, occur
year-round. Many people associate the Each letter, card and parcel mailed at
Northern Lights with winter, but the most Santa Claus’ Main Post Office is franked
active seasons are actually autumn and with a special postmark and stamp. The
spring. This is when the earth’s logo of Santa Claus’ Main Post Office was
orientation towards the sun maximises the designed by Finnish graphic designer
probability of solar flares interacting with Pekka Vuori. The postmark contains a
the planet’s magnetic field, which creates stylized logo that was changed to its
this mesmerising phenomenon. The current form by graphic designer Jukka
Northern Lights are visible on roughly 200 Talari in 2012. This special Arctic Circle
nights a year – or every other clear night – postmark is a popular collectable and
in Lapland. souvenir.

Since Santa is a mysterious fellow, you
might want to ask him your questions in
person. Travel directly to his home in
Lapland, northern Finland, where you can
see him for yourself any day of the year!
You can meet Santa Claus in Rovaniemi,
the official hometown of Santa, on any day
of the year. He spends his days at the Santa
Claus Office. It is the only official Santa
Santa Claus’s personal post office has
received thousands upon thousands of
letters from children in 199 countries. You
can send a letter to Santa using this
address: Santa Claus, Santa Claus’s Main
Post Office, 96930 Napapiiri, Finland.
aurora (n)
a natural appearance of coloured light
in the sky that is usually seen in the

Claus´ Post Office and part of the Finnish latitudes (= parts of earth) nearest the
Arctic or Antarctic
postal services. It is open all year and over
to mesmerise
100 international media and about half a
to have someone's attention
million visitors from around the world are completely so that they cannot think
welcomed by Christmas-dressed postal of anything else

elves. to frank
to print a mark on a stamp or to print
a mark on an envelope

27
 country Serendipity

The official Santa

Claus´ Post Office

28
minitext Serendipity

Alexander

Ostrovsky EASY

(12.04.1823 - 14.06.1886)

Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky was a

Russian playwright, the author of 47
original plays. His dramas are among the
most widely read and frequently performed
stage pieces in Russia.

He served as the first president of the

Society of Russia Playwrights, which was
founded on his initiative in 1874, and in 1885
he became artistic director of the Moscow
imperial theatres.

Ostrovsky wrote several historical plays in

the 1860s. His main dramatic work,
however, was concerned with the Russian
merchant class and included two tragedies
and numerous comedies, including the
masterpiece Bednost ne porok (1853;
“Poverty Is No Disgrace”). His Snegurochka
(1873; “The Snow Maiden”) was adapted as
an opera by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov in
1880–81.

stage (n)
the raised area in a theatre where
actors perform

artistic director (n)

the person with overall responsibility
for the selection and interpretation of
the works performed by a theatre,
ballet, or opera company

this year A. Ostrovsky’s the 200th

anniversary of the birth

29
 Facts Serendipity

Dragon, rat, and tiger what do these

animals have in common?

About Chinese zodiac animals and where they came from

EASY

They are Chinese zodiac animals and there are 12 of them. According to myth, the 12 animals
of the Chinese zodiac were selected by a race organised by the Jade Emperor - an important
god in the Chinese religion. The 12 animals who were winners in the race were: a pig, dog,
rooster, monkey, goat, horse, snake, dragon, rabbit, tiger, ox and rat.

Legend

A long time ago, in China, the Jade Emperor

decided that there should be a way to
measure time.

He told the animals they were to compete in

a race. The first 12 animals would be
rewarded by having a year named after
them.

On the day of the race, all the animals lined

up beside the river. The rat and the cat, who
were good friends, were worried as they
were not very good at swimming. They
asked the ox if he would carry them across
on his back.

The ox agreed and they jumped on his back.

When the race started, the rat and the cat
were very pleased that the ox took the lead.

Just when they were about to reach the

riverbank, the rat pushed the cat into the
water!

The rat jumped off the ox and landed on the

other side - finishing first.

to compete
rooster (n) ox (n)
to try to be more successful than
an adult male chicken a bull (= male cow)
someone or something else

to line (someone) up to reward to please

to give a person, company money
to arrange people or things to make someone feel happy or
or other advantages because they
in a row or to stand in a row satisfied, or to give someone pleasure
have been successful

30
 Facts Serendipity

“Well done!” said the Jade Emperor to the

rat. “The first year of the zodiac will be
named after you.” The poor ox was tricked
into second place, and so the second year of
the zodiac was named after him.

Shortly after, the exhausted tiger arrived at

the riverbank. Swimming the river had been
very difficult, as she had to fight strong
currents.

The next to arrive was the rabbit, who hadn’t

swum across but hopped across on some
stepping stones and then onto a floating log
that carried him to the riverbank. “I shall
name the fourth year after you,” the Jade
Emperor said, cheerfully.

Taking fifth place was the dragon. “How

come you didn’t win the race, when you
could fly across?” the Emperor asked

“I stopped to help some animals,” the smiling

dragon explained.

Next, travelling quickly towards the finish

line, was the horse. Just as the Jade Emperor
thought the horse would cross, the snake
wriggled around one of the horse’s hooves.
The horse was so surprised that they jumped
back, giving the snake a chance to slither
forward and take sixth place. The horse made
it for seventh place.

exhausted (adj) riverbank (n) to hop

extremely tired the land at either edge of a river a short jump by a person on one foot,
or by a small animal, bird, or insect on
all or two of its feet at the same time

log (n) to wriggle hoof (n)

to twist your body, or move part
a thick piece of tree trunk the hard part on the bottom of the feet
of your body, with small, quick
or branch, especially one of animals such as horses, sheep, and
movements
cut for burning on a fire deer

31
 Facts Serendipity

Not long after, a rather well- All the animals and the Emperor had
constructed raft made its way to the their eyes on the horizon, waiting for
riverbank carrying the monkey, the the last animal to appear...
rooster and the goat. They explained
All of a sudden, everyone heard a
how they had worked as a team to get
scuffle, a squeak and an oink.
across. The Emperor was very pleased.
He said the goat would be the eighth The pig turned up! “You took a long

year, the monkey the ninth and the time. What happened?” the Emperor

rooster the tenth asked.

Splashing happily onto the shore next “I was hungry and stopped to eat, then I

was the dog. “What took you so long, fell asleep,” said the pig. And so, the

when you’re such a good swimmer?” twelfth year was given to the pig.

asked the Emperor. As for the poor cat, he finally crawled

“The river was so lovely and fresh that I out of the river, soaking wet and tired.

decided to have a bath along the way,” But, he was too late to have a year

the dog explained. She was rewarded named after him. The cat was very

with the eleventh year. angry with the rat for pushing him in
the water. Since then, cats have disliked
There was one place left in the zodiac.
water and have never been friends with
The sun was setting, and the Emperor
rats!
wondered who the last winner would be.

Following this myth, there are 12 Chinese signs of the zodiac, represented by 12 animals

for each Lunar New Year in a repeating 12-year cycle. The zodiac animals have been used
alongside the lunar calendar for well over 2,000 years. The Lunar New Year begins on the
first new moon that appears between 21st January and 20th February.

Each Lunar New Year animal has its own distinct attributes, which people use to predict
and understand the events of the year as they unfold. What's more, the Lunar New Year
animals are also used to interpret people's traits of character.

raft (n) squeak to soak

a flat floating structure for travelling to make a short, very high cry to make something very wet, or

across water, often made of pieces or sound (of liquid ) to be absorbed in large

of wood tied roughly together and amounts

moved along with a paddle oink (n)

alongside (prep)
used in writing to represent the
shore (n) noise that a pig makes next to, or together with

the land along the edge of a sea,

lake, or wide river attribute (n)
to crawl a quality or characteristic that
scuffle (n) to move along on hands and someone or something has

a short and sudden fight, especially knees or with your body

one involving a small number of stretched out along a surface

people

32
 TOPS Serendipity

Colour of the year

What is the philosophy of colour of the year? It turned out that thi is
not just nomination, but program with a global goal

HARD

PANTONE is an American company that They develop a comprehensive set of

is best known for its Pantone Matching solutions that leverages the power of
System (PMS), a proprietary colour colour, increasing colour confidence
space used in a variety of industries, and achieving brand goals.
notably graphic design, fashion design,
product design, printing, and
manufacturing, and supporting the
management of colour from design to “Colour is a critical element of the
production in both physical and digital
design process, increasing brand
formats, among coated and uncoated
recognition by 87% and influencing
materials such as cotton, polyester,
nylon, and plastic.
up to 85% of product purchases.”

@Pantone
In particular, Pantone Colour Institute
provides trusted colour leadership.
Founded in 1985, the Pantone Color
The Pantone Colour Institute originally
Institute educates, inspires, and
created the Pantone Colour of the Year
promotes fluency in the language of
educational programme in 1999 to
colour. Executive Director Leatrice
engage the design community and
Eiseman, who helped to start the
colour enthusiasts around the world in
Pantone Color Institute, has a
a conversation around it.
background in colour, design and
psychology. The ongoing colour To arrive at the selection each year, this
preference study research which she global team of colour experts at the
conducts through the Pantone Color Pantone Colour Institute comb the
Institute serves as the foundation for world looking for new colour influences.
who we are and all that we do.

proprietary (adj) to leverage

owned and legally controlled by a particular company to use something that you already have in order to
achieve something new or better
coated (adj)
thickly covered
to engage
to interest someone in something and keep them
fluency (n)
thinking about it
the ability to speak or write a language easily, well,
and quickly to comb
comprehensive (adj) to search a place or an area very carefully in order to

complete and including everything that is necessary find something

33
TOPS Serendipity

This can include the entertainment relevant social media platforms, and
industry and films in production, even upcoming sporting events that
travelling art collections and new capture worldwide attention.
artists, fashion, all areas of design,
Anything and everything taking place in
aspirational travel destinations, new
our culture during the year can
lifestyles, playstyles, or enjoyable
influence Pantone Colour of the Year
escapes, as well as socio-economic
selections for the upcoming year, with
conditions. Influences may also stem
each source carrying a different weight
from new technologies, materials,
from year to year, depending on what is
textures, and effects that impact colour,
taking place in our culture at that time.

aspirational (adj) escape (n) to capture

showing that you want to have a holiday that takes you away to represent or describe
more money and a higher social from your ordinary life, or a place something very accurately
position than you now have where you go on holidays like this using words or images

Selection process of colour of the year

The Pantone Color of the Year selection

What’s especially fascinating about the
process entails thoughtful consideration
Pantone Color of the Year selection
and trend analysis.
process is that although Pantone Color

There’s also a misconception that they Institute members reside in disparate

just gather a bunch of colour influencers locations and are involved in differing

in a room one day and emerge with the areas of design, they are always able to

decision. Conversations relating to our come to a consensus. Sure, there are

Pantone Color of the Year selection do various perspectives that come up and

not take place in one isolated meeting at they carefully explore them all, but

a specific time of year. It is one long, because the Pantone Color of the Year

continuously flowing conversation reflects what is taking place in our

among a group of colour-attuned global culture at that moment in time,

people. many of observations are quite similar.

to entail to emerge to reside

to make something necessary, or to to become known or develop as to live, have your home, or
involve something a result of something stay in a place

misconception (n) attuned (adj) disparate (adj)

an idea that is wrong because it has
able to understand or recognize
been based on a failure to understand different in every way
something
a situation

34
 TOPS Serendipity

They discuss colour psychology and

colour trend research looking to
connect the mood of the global
zeitgeist with the corresponding
colour family. From there, company
drill down further to identify the exact
right shade. And as the Institute did
for the first time for Pantone Color of
the Year selection in 2022, PANTONE
17-3938 Very Peri, if there is no exact
right colour to convey the message, it
will be created.

Why is Pantone Color of the Year important?

It’s important to remember that the Colour is the most important powerful
goal of the program isn’t to push a communication tool. It is the first thing
certain colour. Although It is obvious we see and the first thing we connect
that colours named as Pantone Color to. It is a visual language we all
of the Year increase in popularity. understand, one whose message
Afterbeing integrated into the cultural crosses genders, generations, and
mindset, they sometimes become even geographies. Learning more about the
more influential the following year. unique meanings particular colours
give voice to helps us to be a more
The goal of the program is to help
expressive, closely connected society,
companies and consumers better
one that provides people with a more
understand the power colour can have.
holistic understanding of their peers
We want to teach them how to leverage
and communities alike. As a globally
colour’s power and expressiveness to
recognized visual language, colour can
influence perception — whether it be
say what words cannot.
to create a more successful design
strategy that will increase consumer
engagement, or to use it to better
showcase your own personal identity.

zeitgeist (n) mindset (n) to showcase

the general set of ideas, beliefs, to show the best qualities or parts
a person's way of thinking and
feelings, etc. that is typical of a of something
their opinions
particular period in history
perception (n) holistic (adj)
drill down (ph. verb) a belief or opinion, often held dealing with or treating the whole
to look for something on a computer or by many people and based on of something or someone and not
website by moving from general how things seem just a part
information to more detailed
information

35
 TOPS Serendipity

Leatrice Eiseman (Executive Director) about colour of the year 2023

“In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real. PANTONE
18-1750 Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one
of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and
brightest the world has known.

Rooted in the primordial, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta reconnects us to original matter.
Invoking the forces of nature, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta galvanizes our spirit, helping
us to build our inner strength.”

to descend primordial (adj) to galvanize

to go or come down basic and connected with an early to cause someone to suddenly take
stage of development action, especially by shocking or
exciting them in some way

36
 fashion Serendipity

Cancel culture - new right or new storm?

In this article you will know the roots of cancel culture and how it
developed over time.

MIDDLE

“Cancel culture,” as a concept, feels The concept of cancelling a person

inescapable. The phrase is all over the originated in the 1991 film New Jack
news, tossed around in casual social City, in which Wesley Snipes plays a
media conversation. gangster named Nino Brown. In one
scene, after his girlfriend breaks down
The idea of canceling began as a tool for
because of all the violence he’s causing,
marginalized communities to assert
he dumps her by saying, “Cancel that
their values against public figures who
bitch. I’ll buy another one.”
retained power and authority even after
committing wrongdoing — but in its But cancelling seems to have gotten its
current form it is warped and first big boost into the zeitgeist from an
imbalanced. episode of VH1’s reality show Love and
Hip-Hop: cast member Cisco Rosado
To many people, this process of publicly
tells his love interest Diamond
calling for accountability, and
Strawberry during a fight, “you’re
boycotting if nothing else seems to
cancelled.” The quote began to appear
work, has become an important tool of
on social media shortly after this
social justice — a way of combating,
episode.
through collective action.

But conservative politicians and pundits warped (adj)

have increasingly embraced the strange and unpleasant

argument that cancel culture, rather accountability (n)

a situation in which someone is

than being a way of speaking truth to
responsible for things that happen
power, has spun out of control and and can give a satisfactory reason for
become a senseless form of social them

media rule. to combat

to try to stop something unpleasant or

But conservative politicians and pundits harmful from happening or
have increasingly embraced the increasing

argument that cancel culture, rather pundit (n)

than being a way of speaking truth to a person who knows a lot about a
particular subject and is therefore
power, has spun out of control and
often asked to give an opinion about it
become a senseless form of social
to embrace
media rule. to accept something enthusiastically

break down (ph. verb)

toss smth around (ph. verb) /informal/ if a system, relationship, or
if you toss ideas, suggestions, or discussion breaks down, it fails
phrases around, you mention them because there is a problem or
and discuss them with other people disagreement

to assert zeitgeist (n)

(1) to say that something is certainly the general set of ideas, beliefs,
true; (2) to do something to show that feelings, etc. that is typical of a
you have power particular period in history

37
 fashion Serendipity

From there, the idea of cancelling began

to spread via Black Twitter throughout
2015, used as a reaction to someone
doing something you disapproved of —
either jokingly or seriously.

As it caught on, however, the term

began to evolve into a way of
responding not just to friends or
acquaintances, but also to celebrities
whose behaviour offended you.

And even early on, cancelling someone

often involved boycotting them
professionally. For example,

“Travis Scott is homophobic trash. His

music is cancelled... He's cancelled
guys!! If u still like him plz unfollow
me”
— published on twitter on September 7,
2015

“I was blasting fade by kanye and

then I remembered he's cancelled and
changed”

— published on twitter on December 15,

2016

Even though these early examples are

distinct from one another, they
contained the seeds of what cancel
culture became: a trend of calling to
boycott a celebrity whose behavior was
perceived as going too far.

catch on (ph. verb)

to become fashionable or popular

homophobic (n)
harmful or unfair things a person
does based on a fear or dislike of gay
people or queer people (= people who
do not fit a society’s traditional ideas
about gender or sexuality)

"Fade"

Kanye West's song

to perceive
to come to an opinion about
something, or have a belief about
smth

38
 fashion Serendipity

Celebrities who got cancelled

Kanye West

His appalling anti-Semitic comments

have cost him a literal fortune in 2022.
Kanye has been dropped by everyone
from his lawyer and agent to partners
like Adidas, and Forbes reported his
estimated worth has plunged from US$2
billion to US$400 million.

JK Rowling

The “Harry Potter” author caused a

storm with her social media posts about
the transgender community, starting in
December 2019 when she supported a
British woman who was fired from her
job for tweets that were seen as
transphobic.

In addition to the ongoing online

backlash from fans, “Harry Potter” stars
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and
Rupert Grint have taken her to task
publicly.

She skipped an HBO reunion special for

the 20th anniversary of the movie
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”
called “Return to Hogwarts”. Even some
Potter fans were so shattered by her
opinions, they had their Hogwarts-
themed tattoos removed.

appalling (adj)
causing shock or a feeling of
unhappiness and disappointment

to plunge
to become lower in value or level very
suddenly and quickly

transphobic (adj)
coming from or having a fear or
dislike of transgender or non-binary
people

backlash (n)
a strong feeling among a group of
people in reaction to a change or
recent events in society or politics

shattered (adj)
extremely upset

39
 fashion Serendipity

Will Smith Balenciaga

After presenter Chris Rock made a joke The fashion brand suffered a major
about Jada Pinkett Smith’s baldness at design flaw in November after it was
the 2022 Oscars — not realising, he has slammed online for “creepy”
said, that she suffers from alopecia — advertisements that featured children
her husband, Will Smith, took to the alongside bears wearing BDS M-style
stage and slapped Rock on national TV, gear.
then sat back down and yelled, “Keep
Balenciaga designer Demna addressed
my wife’s name out of your f–king
the comments and vowed to “engage
mouth!”
with child protection organisations.”
Among
against
celebrities
Smith’s
who
actions
spoke
were
out
Judd
“I want to personally apologise for the
wrong artistic choice of concept for the
Apatow, Jim Carrey, Oscar co-hosts
gifting campaign with the kids and I
Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes and Zoe
Kravitz, though others came to his
take my responsibility. It was
inappropriate to have kids promote
defence. Tiffany Haddish, Denzel
objects that had nothing to do with
Washington and Jameela Jamil
them,” the 1
4 -year-old wrote on
expressed their support.
Instagram.
Sony is said to have put “Bad Boys 4” on
hold. CAA reportedly discussed baldness (n)
the condition of having little or no
dropping Smith as a client, but has not
hair on the head
done so.

quitting the
on hold
Smith cancelled himself by temporarily not being dealt with

Academy of Motion Pictures Arts &

alongside (prep, adv)
Sciences, meaning he can no longer vote next to, or together with
in the Oscars race. The Academy then
banned him from the ceremony for 10 to vow
to make a determined decision or
years. promise to do something

40
 minitext Serendipity

Flora Yukhnovich (born 1990) is a British

Flora painter. Yukhnovich is known

contemporary interpretation of the Rococo
for her

painting style.

Yukhnovich Yukhnovich's paintings have got high prices

at auction. Her painting “Pretty Little

birth 1990 Norwich, UK Thing” was sold for $1.2 million USD in
2021. In October 2021 her painting “I'll Have
What She's Having” was sold for £2.3m at
EASY
auction.

contemporary (adj) Her painting Imagination, Life is Your

of the present time Creation is held by the United Kingdom
Government Art Collection.

In early 2022, Rishi Sunak, before he was

elected British prime minister, had one of
Yukhnovich's paintings in his Downing
Street home.

41
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I'll Have What She's Having
Serendipity

Flora Yukhnovich
minitext
 country Serendipity

How to study for exams

You must have heard this advice many times: “study smarter not
harder”. But what does it actually mean?

EASY

Study techniques are … Actually, you It starts to seem that you do not have
definitely know a lot of them. But do you enough time, so you study in small hours,
practise them on a regular basis? have sleep deprivation and bad mood.
Remember, they may ensure that you are Days after days. As a result it affects both
fully prepared for tests or exams. These your grades and, what is more important,
techniques might not only improve your your life.
marks but also your mood and outlook
Focus time will help you to get out of this
towards study.
vicious circle. The time that you choose as
ku Set some focus time during the day your focus time is up to you. Dealing with
yourself will help you be more committed.
When you do not have a particular
Tell your family and friends about your
schedule for your homework, university
focus time. They will appreciate it and not
tasks, you will probably be interrupted
disturbed you. So, divide your day into
many,many times. In this case every day is
study time, work time and chill-out time.
different. One day you want to watch your
Then stick to it.
favourite series, the other day you want to
have a nap. The list is endless. But the
result is the same - you become to ensure
to make certain that something is
disorganised and not able to finish tasks.
done or happens

outlook (n)
the way a person thinks about
something

small hours (n)

the early hours of the morning,
between twelve o'clock at night and
the time when the sun rises

vici ous ci rcle (n)

a situation in which one problem
causes another problem, which then
makes the first problem worse

c ommitted (adj)
loyal and willing to give your time and
energy to something that you believe
in

stick to smth (ph. verb)

to continue doing or using something
and not change to anything else

43
 country Serendipity

%! Find the best place for study If your phone is not necessary for the task
that you are doing - keep it at bay.
It might be super comfortable to study
laying on your bed, but it will not make All in all, spend 5-10 minutes organising
your study process quick and efficient. It is your workspace, and it will make you very
not a discovery, but you need a flat surface productive.
with a suitable height and a comfortable
We do not forget that life keeps going even
chair.
when we have to study. That is why, our
What is more, your study place has to be family or roommates or even cars outside
cleaned up. Creative chaos is a great may interrupt us. There is a way out of you
excuse, but it is still not for your good. being nervous - try to wear your
headphones and turn on classic music/
What do you need on your desk?
sound of birds twittering/sound of
I Laptop or some books? drizzling rain - anything you like. As we
I Stationery? learned before in this magazine - classical
I Notebooks? music makes us more concentrated. It is
I Water and snacks crucial for studying.

Studying can be hard. When it feels like

excuse (n) this, remember - consistency leads to
a false reason that you give to explain
success. Sleep well, stick to your focus
why you do something
time and get yourself out of a bad mood.
stationery (n)
things that you use for writing, such
as pens and paper

“I find that the harder

I work, the more luck
I seem to have.”

Thomas Jefferson

“Learning is the only

thing the mind never
exhausts, never fears,
and never regrets.”

Leonardo da Vinci.

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 personality Serendipity

Resilience - a skill of 21th century

In this article you will know the main features of resilience, why it is
important and how to become more resilient.

MIDDLE

Why do some people suffer real Researchers Boniwell and Tunariu

hardships and not falter? Resilience is identified three factors, which are
a subject none of us will ever essential to resilience:
understand fully. Indeed, it is one of the
y Recovery. Returning to the pre-
great puzzles of human nature, like
stressor degree of functionin{
creativity or the religious instinct.
o Resistance. Limited or no signs of
People can survive the most challenging disturbance following the stresso€
ordeals—some even thrive. And yet, j Reconfiguration. Finding new
they may be unaware or unclear exactly stability according to the change in
how they got through the challenges certain circumstances
they faced. Inner resilience is an
Unlike recovery or resistance,
important resource that appears to be
reconfiguration is an essential part of
the secret to success in the outer world
the process of transformation the
and the basis of good mental health.
individual experiences when a return to
The resilient individual often does more their original path is difficult or
than simply bounce back. Instead, unthinkable.
psychology recognizes that resilient
individuals, who go through significant puzzle (n)
life events, do not recover effortlessly - a situation that is very difficult to

they find a new path. The darkest times understand

still typically lead to growth. ordeal (n)

a very unpleasant experience
Resilient people become aware of
outer (adj)
unexpected abilities as they rise to each
on the edge or surface of something
new challenge. During difficult times,
bounce back (ph. verb)
they recognize true friends and
to be successful or happy again after a
prioritize positive relationships.
failure, disappointment, etc
Moreover, they sign perspectives that
disturbance (n)
can remove what is unimportant and
smth that interrupts what you are
motivate meaningful values, life goals, doing, especially something loud or

and priorities. annoying

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 personality Serendipity

What is the way to build resilience? All in all, resilience is the capacity to
remain flexible and adaptable while
Positive psychology offers proven
facing life’s challenges. It is a vital
interventions and approaches for
resource that can protect individuals
benefiting individuals’ mental wellbeing
from the harmful effects of stress and
and resilience. Scientist Boniwell,
help them regain a sense of control in
Tunariu and Shapiro grouped several of
their lives, even leading to growth and
approaches to build resilience as
positive change.Resilience can be
follows:
developed and maintained through
Exercise, particularly high-intensity various techniques, including seeking
exercise. It positively affects support, setting goals, learning from
psychological and physical wellness and experiences, etc. Overall, resilience is
reduces the impact of stress. It can important because it helps people,
provide a foundation for coping with communities, and systems to thrive in
stress and adversity. As we know, the the face of adversity, to manage stress
skill to manage stress improves ability and uncertainty, and to continue to
to be resilient. develop and improve over time.

Mindfulness, deep breathing, and

relaxed activities. Such relaxations are approach (n)
a way of doing smth
effective at managing existing and
future life challenges. to nourish
to allow a feeling, an idea, etc. to

Overcoming a lack of confidence. We develop or grow stronger

can grow confidence by focusing on s elf-esteem (n)

past successes and recognizing our confidence in yourself and a belief in
your qualities and abilities
strengths. At the same time, positive
role models and supporting lg
to a i n

environments are essential to nourish to change something slightly so that it

is in the correct relationship to
self-belief.
something else

Overcoming low & negative self- harsh ly (adv)

esteem. Self-esteem closely aligns with in a cruel, severe and unkind way

resilience and, as such, is greatly to ass rt e /formal/

influenced by the mindset we adopt. to say that something is certainly true

According to Carol Dweck and her to r egain

research into growth mindsets, a fixed to get back something you no longer
have, especially an ability or a quality
mindset can lead to poor self-esteem. If
we think we are only of value when we a dversity (n) /formal/
are successful, then we are at risk of a di fficult or unpleasant situation
harshly judging ourselves when things
go wrong. Dweck asserts that we should
recognize that none of our skills or
abilities are fixed or limited. We can
grow, learn, and unlearn through hard
work and determination and can
change how we see ourselves and the
opportunities around us.

46
SOCIAL MEDIA Serendipity

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december 2023