My name is Gulbadanbegim Bayniyazova, and this is my first installment of my culture corner. In this culture corner, I will recommend one movie to watch, one place to visit, one book to read, and one candy to eat.
One thing to watch is the movie “Shawshank Redemption” directed by Frank Darabont. It tells a story of a banker Andy Dusfresne who was mistakenly sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for the murders of his wife and her lover. However, only he knows that he didn’t commit the crimes. While there, he experiences the brutality of prison life, forms a friendship with Red, and succeeds in escaping the prison after 19 years.
This movie is a powerful film about hope and friendship, set against the harsh realities of prison life. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman deliver unforgettable performances, making it a must-watch classic with an inspiring message.
One place to visit is the city of Samarkand located in Uzbekistan. Samarkand is one of the most ancient cities on the planet, the same age as Rome and Athens. It is over 2750 years old. Prominent landmarks include the Registan, a plaza bordered by 3 ornate, majolica-covered madrassas dating to the 15th and 17th centuries, and Gur-e-Amir, the towering tomb of Timur (Tamerlane), founder of the Timurid Empire. If you get a chance, I’d recommend visiting this place once in your lifetime.
One book to read is “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” by Irish novelist John Boyne. As of 2022, the book has sold over 11 million copies worldwide. It’s written from the perspective of Bruno, an innocent and naive 8-year-old German boy during World War II. His father becomes the commandant of a Nazi concentration camp, and the family moves to a house nearby. Bruno, unaware of what the camp really is, explores and eventually meets Shmuel, a Jewish boy on the other side of the barbed-wire fence.
This book deeply touched my heart and made me think of many injustices that happened throughout history. If you are into historical fiction novels, this book is a great read, and helps understand history from different angles.
One candy I recommend is Nerds. Despite the fact that I’m not a sweet tooth, I absolutely love this candy. It consists of a fruity, gummy center coated in small, crunchy Nerds candy pieces. What I like about it the most is its sweet and sour taste, and that they are not too sugary.
That’s the little things I enjoy doing, and hopefully you would like them too!
