Van Cleef Magic Alhambra is a collection of jewelry created by the luxury French brand, Van Cleef & Arpels. This collection takes inspiration from the beautiful Alhambra palace in Granada, Spain. The Alhambra is known for its stunning Moorish architecture and intricate tile work, which is reflected in the design of the jewelry pieces. One of the defining features of the Magic Alhambra collection is its use of the quatrefoil motif, a four-leaf clover shape. This motif is often crafted using various precious materials, such as mother-of-pearl, onyx, and diamonds. The combination of these materials creates a striking and elegant contrast.
Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission has called for curricula in publicly funded schools to teach histories of residential schools and to acknowledge injustices committed against Indigenous Peoples.
In Canada, those schools were managed by the Roman Catholic, Anglican, United and Presbyterian churches before some Methodist and Presbyterian formed the United Church in 1925, the Methodist Church was an operator of schools. Pagan is an umbrella term that includes a number of different spiritual beliefs, often lumped in with primitive beliefs, which was used to describe people from rural areas who had not adopted Christianity.
The combination of these materials creates a striking and elegant contrast. The collection includes a range of jewelry pieces, such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. Each piece is meticulously crafted, with attention to detail and precision.
Hagia Sophia controversy goes beyond Muslim-Christian tensions to treatment of ‘paganism’
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
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The recent uproar from within Turkey and globally about changes to Hagia Sophia — a 1,500-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site of religious significance to both Christians and Muslims — is justified and understandable.
A Turkish court revoked the site’s status as a museum while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered the space open for Muslim prayer. The move effectively claimed Hagia Sophia as a mosque and is seen as part of Erdogan’s push to assert his version of an exclusionary religious Islamic identity in Turkey.
The Greek Foreign Ministry characterized the changes as the “religious and nationalist fanatic ramblings of today’s Turkey.” Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual head of many Orthodox Christians, said the change would be divisive and Pope Francis expressed sadness and disappointment. UNESCO says revoking the museum status undermines an important “symbol for dialogue.”
But missing from this debate is acknowledgement that the controversy implies more than the need for deeper Christian-Muslim dialogues. Some believe that the Hagia Sophia, first a Christian cathedral in the eastern Roman Empire, was built on the site of an ancient pagan temple.
Today, while there are contentious scholarly debates about how to understand contemporary efforts to study or reconstruct older pagan religions and their meaning, pagan refers to those who follow a polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion. Some contemporary people follow forms of paganism. (In Canada’s 2001 census, more than 25,000 people identified as pagan.) But the pagan label is also continually used to inaccurately lump together an arguably diverse group of non-Abrahamic belief systems.
We believe that with the right will and attitude, global communities could channel the Hagia Sophia controversy to push for deepening dialogues among the major Abrahamic religions about how their religious histories have intersected with what they viewed as paganism, and what this means today. Such dialogues would rightly also mean a much-needed critical and fresh global engagement with Indigenous rights, justice issues and spiritualities.
Visitors look at one of the ancient Christian mosaics inside the Byzantine-era Hagia Sophia (‘Holy Wisdom’), in Istanbul, October 2010. The mosaics will be covered with curtains during Muslim prayer, officials have said. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
The combination of the quatrefoil motif and the use of high-quality materials gives the jewelry a timeless and luxurious appeal. The Magic Alhambra collection has become iconic for Van Cleef & Arpels, and it is often associated with sophistication and glamour. The pieces have been worn by numerous celebrities and have become collector's items for jewelry enthusiasts. Overall, the Van Cleef Magic Alhambra collection is a testament to the brand's commitment to craftsmanship and design excellence. The jewelry pieces in this collection capture the beauty and elegance of the Alhambra palace, making them a true work of art. Whether worn for a special occasion or as an everyday accessory, these pieces are sure to make a statement and elevate any outfit..
Reviews for "The Allure of Van Cleef's Alhambra Collection"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Van Cleef Magic Alhambra perfume. The scent is too overpowering and gives me a headache. It has a very strong floral aroma that lingers for hours. I prefer subtle and light fragrances, so this one definitely didn't suit my taste. I also found it to be quite expensive for the quality. Overall, not a fan of this fragrance.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I had high expectations for the Van Cleef Magic Alhambra perfume, but it ended up being a complete letdown. The scent is way too sweet for my liking, almost sickeningly so. It reminds me of cheap, synthetic perfumes you find at discount stores. The lasting power is also quite poor, barely lasting a couple of hours on my skin. Definitely not worth the price tag, in my opinion.
3. Mike - 2 stars - I purchased the Van Cleef Magic Alhambra perfume based on the positive reviews, but it just didn't work for me. The scent is very generic and lacks any uniqueness or depth. It smells like a typical, run-of-the-mill perfume that you could find in any drugstore. Additionally, the longevity is quite poor, as I find myself needing to reapply it after just a few hours. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend it.
4. Emily - 3 stars - While the Van Cleef Magic Alhambra perfume has a pleasant scent initially, it tends to change drastically after a while. The floral notes become overpowering and give off a synthetic smell that is not appealing. I was drawn to this fragrance for its elegance and sophistication, but it didn't live up to my expectations. It's not a terrible perfume, but it's not one that I would repurchase or recommend to others.
5. David - 2 stars - The Van Cleef Magic Alhambra perfume is just too heavy and overwhelming for my taste. The scent is quite musky and has a strong oriental vibe, which is not what I typically go for. It also lacks longevity, as the scent fades away within a couple of hours. I was expecting something more elegant and refined from a brand like Van Cleef, but this fragrance missed the mark for me.