Known for its distinctive improvisational style and unique fusion of Eastern musical traditions with Western jazz, Azerbaijani jazz covers a broad range of styles, including traditional, post-bop and fusion. It often blends seamlessly with traditional Azeri music.

The best-known form of Azerbaijani jazz is jazz mugham, a sultry combination of Mugham and traditional American jazz.

A Brussels audience this week was treated to a taste of this unique musical heritage during a special concert dedicated entirely to Azerbaijani jazz at Flagey.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AzEmbBrussels (@azembbrussels)

The concert, held on Monday, was organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Belgium and took place at one of Brussels’ most renowned cultural venues, itself known for a rich jazz tradition.

The event featured distinguished Azerbaijani jazz musicians Rain Sultanov, Shahin Novrasli, Nicat Pashazade and Hasan Bilalov, who performed selected works from Azerbaijan’s musical repertoire.

In his opening remarks, Mammad Zulfugarov, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy, described Azerbaijani jazz as “an integral part of the country’s rich musical heritage”.

He stressed the importance of such cultural initiatives in promoting Azerbaijan’s culture and traditions internationally.

Belgian musician, jazz artist and composer Quentin Dujardin praised the Azerbaijani jazz school for its “distinctive style”.

From Soviet prohibition to ethno-jazz

Jazz became hugely popular in Azerbaijan in the 1920s, with pianist Tofig Guliyev and conductor Niyazi creating the country’s first jazz orchestra in the 1930s. However, after the Second World War, the genre was banned across the Soviet Union, forcing many musicians underground.

During this period of prohibition, pianist and composer Vagif Mustafazadeh began incorporating mugham elements into jazz from his apartment in Baku’s old city, creating an entirely new subgenre. Mustafazadeh is today considered the founder of Azerbaijani jazz, also known as jazz mugham. Although he was unable to freely perform his music internationally at the time, his legacy endured and evolved into what is now known as ethno-jazz.

“Just like jazz, mugham is multifaceted, inexhaustible, based on improvisation and possessing different forms. In Baku, a new and already local subgenre of jazz organically and subtly merged into one, wisely and philosophically revealing to us the intricacies of jazz improvisation in mugham stops,” Rain Sultanov wrote about the emergence of ethno-jazz.

A flourishing jazz scene in modern Azerbaijan

Following the end of the Soviet-era prohibition, jazz resurfaced and flourished once again in Azerbaijan.

In 1969, the first jazz festival was held in Baku. Since the 2000s, the country has seen a growing number of jazz and music festivals held annually. The Baku Jazz Centre was also created to support the development of jazz culture in Azerbaijan.

The Baku International Jazz Festival, organised every year since 2005, celebrates jazz music while encouraging and supporting young emerging musicians.

Recalling his participation in the Baku Jazz Festival, Quentin Dujardin also shared positive impressions of Azerbaijan’s vibrant jazz scene, talented musicians and the festival’s high level of organisation.

The concert in Brussels was warmly received by the audience and widely appreciated as a valuable contribution to promoting Azerbaijani musical heritage and jazz culture in Belgium.

The event was attended by diplomats, Belgian and European Union officials, representatives of cultural and artistic circles, members of the music community and representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora.

Louis Armstrong once famously said: “If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.” In Azerbaijan, it seems people do not simply listen to jazz, they feel it.

L’article Azerbaijan brings its unique jazz fusion to Brussels est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Whether shepherd songs, the melodies heard at village festivities, or the drumbeats of local processions, the traditional music and instruments of the Central Asian republic are being captured or recreated for the digital record by researchers working with Uzbektelecom.

The “Ohang” initiative makes these haunting mountain calls and rhythms available to contemporary creatives who are increasingly seeking out inspiration from the Uzbek cannon but come up against barriers or labour under misperceptions about the origins of the folk music they hear.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @ohang.loyiha

“Non-specialists often confuse local motifs with Arabic, Azerbaijani, or Turkmen music,” said Uktam Khakimov, an Uzbek singer, musician, composer, and international performer who is an intangible cultural heritage specialist. “When searching on music stock platforms using queries like ‘Uzbek music,’ relevant results are often missing, or platforms suggest unrelated tracks.”

To address this, the new Ohang catalogue offers a free digital archive of Uzbekistan’s traditional music, embracing base melodies, rare instrument recordings, and samples in a one-stop, open resource.

“Our goal is to bring together the key traditional Uzbek melodies and make them accessible,” said a spokesperson for Uzbektelecom. “We want to share the musical culture of Uzbekistan and promote it among the younger generation.”

Musicians who still perform traditional pieces and artisan instrument makers have been brought together in a professional studio to deploy 24 traditional instruments and create a bank of over 200 recordings. These include the “gajir nay,” a “rare and distinctive” wind instrument made from the wing bone of a scavenger bird,” Khakimov explained.

As well as providing grist for the modern musical mill, Ohang aims to faithfully preserve the sound of traditional instruments, despite taking them out of their natural habitat. “For us, it was important that professional recording did not change the authentic sound,” Khakimov said. “We worked with sound engineers who understand how these instruments sound in real life.”

The project has also managed to capture for perhaps the first time material that has not been performed for around half a century and that might otherwise have passed out of human memory, such as “ancient surnay melodies,” Khakimov said, highlighting that “as far as we know, such recordings do not exist elsewhere.” He went on: “These recordings are important not only for creators, but also for future research.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @ohang.loyiha

Future additions and interpellations are invited. The researchers hope that users of the platform will download and re-use tracks in video, film, music, or even promotional content—and perhaps undertake their own field expeditions to track down rare ancient grooves.

Material from initial field recordings will be launched officially on the platform in June 2026, but, as project coordinator Maftuna Abdugafurova says: “This is only the beginning.”

L’article New digital archive of Uzbek folk music to inspire future journeys into sound est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

On 11 May 2026, Apple Corps Ltd, the company founded by The Beatles, announced it would be opening an official seven-floor fan experience on 3 Savile Row. The central London location is well-known to avid fans of the pop group; not only did it serve as Apple Corps Ltd headquarters from 1968 to 1972, but it was also the location where Let It Be was recorded and where The Beatles gave their last public performance on 30 January 1969.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Beatles (@thebeatles)

“It was such a trip to get back to 3 Savile Row recently and have a look around. There are so many special memories within the walls, not to mention the rooftop. The team have put together some really impressive plans, and I’m excited for people to see it when it’s ready,” Paul McCartney said about the upcoming project.

The concert on 30 January 1969 has since become an important part of music history. In the middle of the day and after insistence by group member John Lennon, The Beatles gave their last public performance from the rooftop of 3 Savile Row. The gig, which included songs such as Don’t Let Me Down, I’ve Got A Feelin’, and Get Back – quickly created chaos as fans gathered around, and after 42 minutes, the police put an end to the matter. In 1970, the band broke up.

“Wow, it’s like coming home,” drummer Ringo Starr commented on revisiting 3 Savile Row.

The immersive experience, which will be called The Beatles at 3 Savile Row, should open its doors in 2027. Allegedly, the idea was first introduced by Tom Greene, CEO of Apple Corps since 2025, who worked on the Harry Potter franchise in the past.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Beatles (@thebeatles)

 Although not all details about the project have been unveiled just yet, fans will be able to visit a recreation of the basement studio where Let It Be was recorded and to relive the Beatles’ rooftop concert in the exact same spot. The Beatles at 3 Savile Row will also include a shop where fans can buy licensed Beatles products.

“Well, you go in on the ground floor, and there’s memorabilia and stuff like that. Then you work your way up through the building, and [see] various things that happened here and there, until you get to the top, where you go out on the roof and pretend to be a Beatle,” Paul McCartney summarised the experience.

The Beatles at 3 Savile Row will be the first The Beatles experience. Neither Liverpool‘s Beatles Museum nor the Beatles Story are officially licensed, while popular The Beatles spots such as Abbey Road are easily visitable but not necessarily adapted to the crowds that often gather around.

Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram

Публикация от Tudor Smith (@tudorsmith)

Fans who are eager to visit The Beatles at 3 Savile Row can already register online in order to be kept up to date once the venue opens its doors. In the meantime, Peter Jackson’s documentary series The Beatles: Get Back includes a fragment of the epic rooftop concert, and Sam Mendes is producing four separate biopics about The Beatles at the moment of writing.

L’article London to open first official The Beatles immersive experience in 2027 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Performing her high-energy anthem “Bangaranga”, Dara secured a total of 516 points, ahead of Israel’s Noam Bettan, whose song “Michelle” reached 343 points. Romania’s Alexandra Căpitănescu came third.

Hosted at the Wiener Stadthalle by Austrian broadcaster ORF, the anniversary edition brought together 25 finalists and millions of viewers worldwide under the theme “United by Music”, with votes cast from 148 countries across participating nations and the rest of the world.

Bulgaria’s breakthrough moment

Dara’s victory marks a historic milestone for Bulgaria, whose national broadcaster BNT first entered the competition in 2005. It is the country’s first win in the contest’s 70-year history.

“Bangaranga”, written by Anne Judith Stokke Wik, Darina Yotova, Dimitris Kontopoulos and Monoir, topped both the jury and public vote. It is the first time since 2017 that a winning entry has achieved this double success.

With its infectious rhythm and tightly choreographed performance, the song stood out in a highly competitive final. Despite not being among the early favourites, Dara built momentum throughout the evening and ultimately secured one of the largest winning margins in Eurovision history.

Israel leads before final vote

Until the final public vote was announced, it appeared as if Israel’s Noam Bettan was set to win the contest.

Bettan was loudly cheered during his performance of “Michelle”, a rock ballad sung in Hebrew, French and English, although there was also a smattering of boos inside the arena. His entry received strong support across Europe and beyond, with many countries awarding high points.

The final public vote ultimately shifted the result in Bulgaria’s favour, delivering a dramatic conclusion to the night.

Strong performances across the board

Australia’s Delta Goodrem finished fourth with “Eclipse”, while Italy’s Sal Da Vinci placed fifth with “Per Sempre Sì”. Finnish favourites Pete Parkkonen and Linda Lampenius ended up sixth.

The United Kingdom, represented by Sam Battle, finished last after receiving no points from the public vote for the fourth consecutive year.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Eurovision Song Contest (@eurovision)

A politically charged edition

The 2026 contest was also marked by political tensions linked to Israel’s participation. Demonstrations took place in Vienna in the days leading up to the final, with protesters gathering near the venue.

Five countries, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Iceland and Slovenia, chose to boycott the contest, raising concerns about the event’s political dimension and its potential impact on audiences and funding.

Despite the controversy, organisers emphasised the contest’s role as a global platform for cultural exchange, bringing together millions of viewers around a shared celebration of music.

A landmark anniversary

The 70^th edition of Eurovision showcased major advances in live production, including energy-efficient lighting systems and enhanced broadcast technology. Around 11,000 spectators attended the final inside the Wiener Stadthalle, with millions more watching worldwide.

As Eurovision marks seven decades on stage, Bulgaria’s breakthrough victory confirms once again that the contest remains unpredictable, competitive and globally influential.

L’article Bulgaria wins Eurovision 2026 with Israel finishing second in dramatic final est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

New York

American Museum of Natural History

One of the locations featured both in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ and its sequel is the American Museum of Natural History. The scene of the Runway Gala was filmed on the steps in front of the building and turned into a true mob scene.

“But last time we filmed, no one knew the movie, and now it’s, you know, a moment. Twenty years ago, there wasn’t really social media, either. This time, someone posts something, and suddenly everybody is running over [to see]. So when we returned to the steps of the Museum of Natural History to film for the sequel, it was a mob scene. Although really, in a good way, because we needed a big crowd like you would have outside the Met Gala, with everybody watching across the street from Central Park West,” production designer Jess Gonchor told Condé Nast Traveller.

Address: 200 Central Park W, New York, NY 10024

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Anne Hathaway Archives | Fansite (@annehathawayarchives)

Waldorf Astoria

After six years of renovation works, the famous Waldorf Astoria was just about to open when ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ crew filmed inside its refurbished lobby.

Address: 301 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022

Hudson Yards

Back when the first movie was filmed, Hudson Yards did not yet exist. However, the new neighbourhood is clearly featured in ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ when Miranda drops Andy, pointing her from the chauffeured car to the 7 train station.

Address: Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001

House of Dior store

Filming at a not-yet-existing store is not an easy task, yet still, ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ managed to do so. As Dior is heavily featured in the movie, the filming team managed to secure Dior’s flagship store as an actual filming location for the advertising meeting between Andy Sachs, Miranda Priestly, and Emily Charlton. However, as a flood delayed the renovation works of the store, the crew and construction workers were at the construction site at the same time.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dior Official (@dior)

“It was fun, but a little nerve-wracking. They were polishing things and putting in window displays, just like in the movie, to the last second,” Jess Gonchor explains in an interview with ELLE Decor.

Address: 23 E 57th St, New York, NY 10022

Marlow East

Andy and Emily share some fries over lunch at the Marlow East restaurant on the Upper East Side.

Address: 1022 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10021

The Long Island Bar

Although the Long Island Bar has been famous for a long time, the date scene between Andy and architect Peter is likely to attract even more enthusiasts to the Brooklyn-based bar.

Address: 110 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MovieWalks (@moviewalkscom)

Long Island

Billy Joel’s old Long Island mansion in Oyster Bay, on the market at the time of the pre-production of the sequel, is featured as the house of Sasha Barnes, while the scenes in Miranda’s mansion were filmed at a waterfront estate on Centre Island Road. The hotel room scenes at Milan’s Palazzo Parigi were actually shot at Woolworth Estate, also on Long Island.

Italy

Milan

‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ wasn’t just filmed in New York; it also includes a myriad of locations throughout Italy, particularly in Milan. The most important Milanese location is undoubtedly the Accademia di Brera, home to Runway’s fashion show. Other spots that are well worth a visit include the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Villa Arconati, the Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa, and the Palazzo Clerici.

Address: Via Brera, 28, 20121 Milano MI, Italy

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cosmo Laera (@cosmo_laera_official)

Lake Como

“Lake Como is just such a beautiful place, and we knew that Emily and Benji would arrive by boat, and we also wanted viewers to see the house from the lake, too, so that they were really brought into this lush environment. We scouted the whole lake to find the amazing villa we ended up using, and we got to do it all by boat so that we could see what all these homes looked like from the water. I spent a lot of time on that lake,” Jess Gonchor told Condé Nast Traveler.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Travel Tomorrow (@traveltomorrow.eu)

In the end, the stunning Villa Balbiano – also featured in ‘Casino Royale’ – stood in as Benji Barnes’ villa. The lawn and sculpture garden were additions made especially for ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’.

Address: Piazza Cardinale Durini, 22010 Ossuccio CO, Italy

L’article The Devil Wears Prada 2 filming locations: From Brooklyn streets to Milan fashion week est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

36,431 – that’s exactly how many movies Stephen Follows analysed before appearing on the podcast The Town, hosted by Matt Belloni. His goal was simple: to determine whether or not movies have actually gotten longer over the years, as many cinema enthusiasts feel like they have.

The outcome of his analysis is less straight-forward then one might expect. Since 1980, when simply looking at all films produced worldwide, not a lot has changed. Average movie length has fluctuated a little from one year to the other, but stayed within the 100 to 103-minute region.

However, when looking at so-called theatrical releases  – defined by Follow as movies that open in hundreds or thousands of cinemas across North America – things start to look different. In the early 2000s, those movies went on for 106 minutes on average, whereas by the 2020s that number had already risen to 114 minutes.

Moreover, while around 14% of wide releases ran over two hours in the 1980s, that percentage increases to 32% in the 2020s. And when looking at wide releases that ran under 90 minutes, the number shrank from 13% in the 1980s to 7% in the 2020s.

“The whole distribution has shifted upwards. While there are some outliers dragging the average up, it’s more the case that the entire middle ground has moved. The 105-to-119-minute film is now the most common runtime bracket for a wide release, and the two-hour-plus film is no longer unusual,” Stephen Follows writes.

When looking at specific genres, action movies seem to be massively driving the average length increase, going from 103 minutes in the 1980s to 128 minutes in the 2020s. Making movies that go one for longer than three hours on end also seems to have become more popular over the years. Follows mentions The Batman (175 minutes), Oppenheimer (180), Avatar: The Way of Water (190), Killers of the Flower Moon (206), and The Brutalist (215) in particular.

Why, oh, why?

Only one question remains: why did movies get longer while mid-movie pauses have gone extinct? Audiences feel like they get more value for their money, as most cinemas don’t charge extra for longer movies, while studios get to turn their movie into a big event.

“My read on this is that a studio spending $200 million on a film wants every set piece on screen and for the audience to feel they got their money’s worth from a premium-priced cinema ticket. Cutting twenty minutes might make for a tighter film, but it doesn’t make for a bigger event,” Follows explains.

However, there are other explanations too. For example, digital projection has removed the impractical need to change film reels and streaming may have taken over the shorter movie market. In his analysis, Follows provides yet another few possible explanations with explanatory graphics for the fact that theatrical releases movies have, indeed, become longer.

L’article Movies are getting longer and action films are to blame est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Trump Organization has teamed up with architecture studio Gensler and Biograpi Living, Archi Group, The Sapir Organization, Blox Group, and Finvest Georgia to develop a new Trump Tower project in Tbilisi, Georgia. It will be the first Trump-branded project in the region, including a business centre, a hotel, luxury housing, retail shopping, dining, and a range of entertainment options.

“The Trump name is synonymous with some of the most luxurious real estate developments in the world, and Trump Tower Tbilisi stands as a continuation of that legacy. We are proud to bring this globally recognised standard of excellence to Georgia and are especially pleased to collaborate with such respected and professional developers on this project,” said Eric Trump, EVP of The Trump Organization.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Trump Organization (@trump)

In the first image, Gensler has revealed a general overview of the site. The development, which will be located next to Tbilisi’s Central Park on an area spanning over 600,000 square metres, will count six towers. One of those will be a 70-storey Trump skyscraper with a rooftop garden, set to become Georgia’s tallest building. Additional details about the development, including architecture, design, and sales information, should be announced in the coming months, as per the Trump Organization.

“Georgia has long been a nation shaped by a rich historical legacy and bold ambition. With Trump Tower Tbilisi, we are bringing that ambition to life in its most iconic form – creating a landmark that will transform the skyline and elevate Georgia’s presence on the global stage. Together with the Trump Organization, Archi is proud to play a key role in shaping its future as a premier destination for global investment and luxury living,” stated Ilia Tsulaia, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Archi Group.

Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram

Публикация от Travel Tomorrow (@traveltomorrow.eu)

Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, counts approximately 1 million residents at the moment of writing, representing about a third of the country’s total population. Over the past few years, the city has been attracting new inhabitants, making it a popular bet for property developers. According to the press release, the Trump Tower Tbilisi “signals the city’s emergence as a key business hub and gateway to international business in Eastern Europe and Asia, as well as its growing profile among global buyers of luxury properties.”

“Collaborating with the Trump Organization is a distinct honour for our group. This landmark development reflects robust international confidence and creates enduring value for the market. We are proud to participate in such a defining milestone in Georgia’s economic evolution,” commented Lasha Kvachadze, Co-founder of Blox Group.

Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram

Публикация от Lev M. (@lev_m_vision)

The Trump Organization, owned by U.S. President Donald Trump and run by his son Eric Trump, already has an international portfolio. Residential towers can be found throughout the U.S., India, and Uruguay, while new projects are being developed in Romania, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia. Plans for the Trump International Hotel in Belgrade, Serbia, however, were cancelled in February 2026.

L’article New Trump Tower planned for Georgia with design by Gensler est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

BRUSK, in the heart of the UNESCO city, is designed by Robbrecht en Daem architecten, the firm that previously designed the iconic Concert Hall. With strong eco-credentials, the new museum boasts “monumental exhibition spaces” that will “host Musea Brugge’s exhibitions of ancient, modern, and contemporary art, always in dialogue with current themes,” a press release reveals. The in-house collection and the Bruges context will usually serve as the starting point, the museum states, while masterpieces and loans from renowned institutions and museums around the world will complement the offer.

Starting on 8 May, the art gallery opens with a digital art experience titled Latent City, by Turkish-American artist Refik Anadol, as well as a “cultural-historical exhibition” named Bigger Picture. Connected worlds of Bruges 900-1550. Introducing the two shows, the museum notes that Latent City will be “Refik Anadol’s first solo exhibition in Belgium, an international pioneer in AI-powered art. At the same time, Bigger Picture will shed new light on Bruges as a medieval metropolis.”

Running from 8 May to 8 November 2026, Refik Anadol Studio brings the fruits of its bespoke trained AI models: transforming the idea of the metropolis with over five million images of global cities and unique algorithms.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BRUSK (@bruskbrugge)

Bigger Picture meanwhile engages museum goers with the notion of the metropolis in the Middle Ages, looking at Bruges as a “world city, a hub in global networks of trade, culture and politics.” The exhibition materials draw attention to the way “Bruges seemed to be the epicentre of the world. But the city was never isolated. Bruges was constantly in contact with other regions and cultures through trade, travel, faith and ideas. And it was precisely these connections that gave it an important role in world history.” Visitors will experience “five chapters full of unique, historical objects and stories from different ages and continents” that “highlight the interactions between medieval Bruges and the rest of the world.”

BRUSK’s opening weekend (8-10 May 2026) is being branded as an “unmissable city festival” called “BRUSK FEST” that will “unfold in and around the art gallery over the course of 3 days.” The programme includes free performances, workshops, theatre, live performances, and music for all ages. One ticket allows guests to discover all the current exhibitions in BRUSK in one day, for a standard price of €20.

L’article Bruges inaugurates BRUSK art hall with major exhibitions and festival weekend est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Held on 23 April at the prestigious Cercle Royal Gaulois, the exhibition, titled The Colors of Azerbaijan: Land of Multiculturalism, showcases the work of Azerbaijani photographer Etibar Jafarov and offers visitors an insight into the traditions, lifestyles and coexistence of the many communities that make up the country.

“A lived reality”

Opening the evening, Vaqif Sadiqov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the Kingdom of Belgium said multiculturalism in Azerbaijan is not merely an idea, but an everyday reality.

“Azerbaijan has, for centuries, stood at the crossroads of civilisations,” he told guests. “Our geography has shaped our history, but it is our people who have shaped our identity, an identity built on coexistence, mutual respect, and openness.”

He added that representatives of different religions and ethnic groups continue to live together peacefully across the country, with mosques, churches and synagogues functioning side by side.

“This is a conscious choice, one that reflects our belief that diversity strengthens nations rather than divides them,” he said.

Photography as cultural diplomacy

The ambassador described the exhibition as part of Azerbaijan’s broader efforts to promote understanding through culture and international engagement.

“Through international forums, partnerships and cultural diplomacy, we seek to build bridges of understanding, trust and collaboration,” Sadiqov explained.

The photographs on display capture scenes of daily life, religious heritage, traditional customs and the human stories behind Azerbaijan’s multicultural society. According to organisers, the collection has previously been exhibited in Finland and Spain, including Barcelona.

Guests attending the opening included members of the diplomatic corps, cultural figures and representatives of Brussels’ international community. The evening also featured contributions from Azerbaijani musicians studying in Belgium.

Strengthening ties through culture

The exhibition reflects Azerbaijan’s continued use of cultural initiatives abroad to deepen people-to-people ties with European audiences.

By hosting the event in Brussels, home to the European institutions and one of the world’s most international cities, organisers placed dialogue, diversity, and mutual understanding at the centre of the conversation.

The evening offered visitors an opportunity to discover Azerbaijan’s story through photography, using culture as a universal language that connects communities across borders.

L’article Brussels hosts exhibition celebrating Azerbaijan’s multicultural heritage est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Kruunuvuorensilta bridge not only stands as Finland’s longest at 1,191 metres across, but also marks a new record for the country’s tallest at 135 metres, beating the highest residential building by one metre. It connects the waterfront residential neighbourhood with the island of Korkeasaari, the district of Laajasalo, and central Helsinki.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @kruunuvuorensilta

City mayor Daniel Sazonov said: “Kruunuvuorensilta bridge is the new, unique and exciting landmark for Helsinki. A sight that will draw visitors from near and far. The new bridge reshapes how we look at Helsinki. It attaches the areas of Kruunuvuorenranta and Laajasalo in a completely new way to the larger central city area. The bridge reflects our commitment to sustainable solutions and embraces Helsinki’s unique maritime setting.”

Started in 2021 and coming in at a cost of around €326 million, according to official figures, the bridge now cuts the distance between neighbouring city districts by nearly six kilometres, and by 2030, it is predicted to be serving around 23,000 tram trips and 3,750 cycling trips per day. Work on a light rail system is ongoing.

@markhactar #helsinki #finland #suomi #kruunusilta #urban ♬ Eshgam (Love) – Khrystalist

Helsinki is implementing a long-term vision to prioritise public transport, walking and cycling in urban mobility. The majority of journeys in Helsinki are made using sustainable modes: around 41% on foot, 25% by public transport and 11% by bike, while only about 20% are made by car.

With a design life of 200 years, Kruunuvuorensilta aims to boost tram and active mobility for future generations. The bridge’s sustainability credentials can also be seen in a carbon footprint of approximately 129,000 tCO₂e, of which 76% originates from construction and 24% from operation and maintenance over a 50-year period. Emissions have been reduced through the use of low-emission materials and renewable energy sources.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @kruunuvuorensilta

The structure also features weather-proofing approaches suited to Helsinki’s cold, coastal location, with stay cables that the wind keeps in constant, slight motion, preventing ice formation. Combined with a special coating, it means the bridges can shiver away flakes of ice as they form. Like the best of Finnish design, in a country known for the happiness of its citizens, it combines practicality with a sense of fun and joy, with different colours of LED lighting up at different times of day.

For fans of Finnish architecture, one of the oldest indoor swimming pools in the Nordics re-opened in the capital earlier this year, combining Classicism and Art Deco and offering not just a place to do laps, but a heritage taste of Finland’s sauna culture.

L’article Helsinki inaugurates world’s longest pedestrian bridge capable of shivering away its own ice est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.