标签： Europe

In a historic moment for architecture and religious heritage, Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia has officially been crowned the tallest church in the world. Workers recently placed the first section of a cross atop its central tower, bringing the structure’s height to 162.91 meters. This achievement surpasses the Ulm Minster in Germany, which had held the record since 1890. Designed by the legendary architect Antoni Gaudí, the basilica has been under construction for over a century, with its main building slated for completion next year. The central Tower of Jesus Christ will eventually reach 172 meters once the cross is fully installed in the coming months.

The Sagrada Familia’s journey began in 1882, with Gaudí taking over the project a year later. His visionary designs transformed the original plans into a grand architectural masterpiece, initially funded by donations from devout worshippers. However, the project faced numerous challenges, including Gaudí’s untimely death in 1926, when only one of the planned 18 towers had been built. The Spanish Civil War further disrupted progress, as Catalan anarchists destroyed Gaudí’s models and plans. More recently, the Covid-19 pandemic halted construction due to a sharp decline in tourism and funding.

Despite these setbacks, the Sagrada Familia Foundation has persevered, relying on contributions from visitors and private donors. General Director Xavier Martínez announced that the Tower of Jesus Christ will be completed by 2026, marking the centenary of Gaudí’s death. The foundation plans to host commemorative events to honor the architect, who is buried in the church’s crypt. Over the next decade, work will continue on decorative elements, sculptures, and a grand stairway leading to the main entrance, ensuring the basilica remains a symbol of resilience and artistic brilliance.

In the quiet woods on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, a solemn ceremony unfolds as names of victims from Joseph Stalin’s Great Terror are read aloud. The Levashovo Wasteland, believed to hold the remains of 20,000 to 45,000 individuals, serves as a grim reminder of the dictator’s brutal purges in the 1930s. Portraits of the executed are nailed to pine trees, evoking the haunting ghosts of Russia’s past. Yet, the present tells a story of continued repression under the current regime. While Russian authorities downplay Stalin’s crimes, they enforce stringent laws to suppress dissent and silence criticism, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine. Critics are increasingly labeled as ‘foreign agents,’ a modern twist on Stalin’s ‘enemies of the people.’ This narrative of control extends to the arts, where young musicians like Diana Loginova face severe consequences for their public performances. Diana, an 18-year-old music student and lead singer of the band Stoptime, has been detained multiple times for organizing street concerts that authorities claim disrupted public order. Her performances, which include songs by exiled Russian artists critical of the Kremlin, have drawn significant crowds but also the ire of the state. Despite the crackdown, supporters of Diana and other dissidents continue to voice their solidarity, albeit at great personal risk. The story of Ludmila Vasilyeva, an 84-year-old survivor of the Nazi siege of Leningrad, further underscores the ongoing struggle. Ludmila, who has publicly protested against the war in Ukraine, was fined for ‘discrediting the Russian armed forces.’ Her defiance, however, remains unshaken, as she continues to speak out against the growing authoritarianism in Russia. The parallels between Stalin’s era and the present day are stark, highlighting a nation grappling with its past while navigating the challenges of modern repression.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have successfully won a legal battle against the French magazine Paris Match, which published intrusive photographs of the royal family during a private skiing holiday. The images, captured in April, depicted William, Kate, and their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—enjoying a break in the French Alps. The photos showed the family on the slopes and relaxing on a chalet balcony, prompting the royals to take legal action. The Nanterre Judicial Court ruled that the publication of these images and an accompanying article violated the family’s right to privacy and their control over their personal images. Kensington Palace, the couple’s office, condemned the magazine’s actions, describing the article and long-lens paparazzi photos as a gross intrusion into their private family time. In a statement, the palace emphasized the couple’s commitment to safeguarding their children’s upbringing from undue public scrutiny and interference, vowing to take necessary steps to enforce these boundaries. This case echoes a previous legal victory in 2012, when William and Kate sued the French magazine Closer for publishing topless photos of Kate during a private holiday. The British media has largely respected an informal agreement to protect the privacy of the royal children, but international outlets have occasionally disregarded such norms.

Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia basilica has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the world’s tallest church. On Thursday, a section of its central tower was successfully installed, elevating the structure to a height of 162.91 meters (534 feet). This surpasses Germany’s Ulmer Münster, a Gothic Lutheran church that previously held the title at 161.53 meters (530 feet). The Sagrada Familia, designed by the visionary architect Antoni Gaudí, is now just over a meter taller than its German counterpart. The central “Tower of Jesus Christ” is still under construction and is expected to reach its final height of 172 meters (564 feet) in the coming months. Construction of the basilica began in 1882, and Gaudí, who passed away in 1926, never anticipated its completion within his lifetime. Over the decades, the project has gained momentum, fueled by its status as a global tourist attraction. Last year alone, 4.9 million visitors, including 15% from the United States, contributed to its funding through entrance fees. The church’s intricate facades and interior decorations will continue to be developed over the next decade, with full completion anticipated around 2035. Next year marks the centenary of Gaudí’s death, and the basilica plans to host events honoring his architectural legacy, which includes other remarkable structures in Barcelona and across Spain.

Guy Kopelowicz, a revered figure in photojournalism and a key contributor to The Associated Press’s visual storytelling in France for over four decades, has died at the age of 89. His family confirmed his passing on Sunday. Kopelowicz’s illustrious career spanned some of the most pivotal moments in modern history, including the 1968 Paris uprising, the 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis, and the 1998 World Cup. Born in Paris on October 28, 1936, he joined the AP in 1964 as a photo editor, eventually rising to become Paris Chief Photo Editor in 1984, a role he held until his retirement in 2005. Beyond his professional achievements, Kopelowicz was a lifelong jazz aficionado, writing for Jazz Hot and Jazz Magazine in the late 1950s and later photographing jazz performers post-retirement. His passion for jazz was matched only by his love for fine wine, particularly Bordeaux grands crus. Kopelowicz leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Denise, and their son, Marc. A memorial service will be held at Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris on Friday.