October 27th, 2011
Washington: Capital of Culture
Renowned as the capital of the United States of America, notorious for its rich historical and political lineage, Washington DC is one of the most interesting cities to visit in the world. Underpinning such a wealth of knowledge and power is the culture of its inheritance, and any visitor should be aware of its recognition as a national centre for the arts. With increasingly cheap flights to Washington , more can be spent on total cultural immersion. From its theatres and concert halls to its many landmarks and works of architectural accomplishment, Washington is so much more than just a white house and some cherry trees…
The Smithsonian: The world’s largest museum¬ houses 19 separate, specialised museums and galleries in total, as well as a National Zoological Park and 9 research facilities. These include the Air and Space Museum, the Portrait Museum and a National History Museum. Among the permanent exhibitions, The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden will inform history enthusiasts, The Wright Brothers & The Invention of the Aerial Age will stun engineers and the Giant Panda Habitat will enchant anyone. There are also temporary exhibits, featuring everything from the Hope Diamond to the work of artist Andy Warhol.
John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts: Including a 2465 seat Concert Venue with its famous Norwegian Hadelands chandeliers, the flag-draped Hall of Nations and the African and Israeli Lounges, this building is a remarkable works of modern architecture. Guided tours carefully attend to the stories held in the building’s construction and the decorations within. Home to the National Symphony Orchestra and the Suzanne Farrell Ballet, the Centre brims with some of the world’s most accomplished performers in the creative arts, and also plays host to some astounding international artists of theatre, dance, jazz and opera. To save a little money, attend one of the free performances given on the Millennium Stage every evening at 6pm.
The Houses of Government: Tours of the White House are arranged in groups of no more than ten people, and must be organized around a month in advance via the embassy of your home country. You’ll need to bring your passport, and won’t be allowed to take any pictures or use a mobile phone. However, after the logistics are out of the way, there’s nothing quite like walking in the footsteps of political giants. For those who can’t make an inside tour, there are also visits to the gardens throughout the year, and a visitor centre nearby where there are educational exhibits and a gift shop.
Take in a Festival: Washington DC is host to an influx of global culture all year round by welcoming a barrage of colourful festivals. As well as one of the most patriotic and sensational fireworks displays to be admired on the 4th of July, there’s a Caribbean Carnival with costume parades, calypso music and authentic food, a Day of the Dead festival on Halloween and hundreds of other events.





