AH Cultural Descriptions

Inspired by this thread, the idea is simple: I'll start by posting the name of a cultural object from an alternate history. The next person will reply with a description of that thing and then their own name.

This could be anything - a song, a painting, a statue, a book - even a food item or propaganda poster.

For example:

Opus Eleven: Timbuktu

The most famous of Debussy's Empire Sonatas, composed in 1898 for the 25th anniversary of the accession of Napoleon IV. The sonatas comprised a musical tour of the French Empire, with each highlighting a different colony or possession. The Timbuktu Sonata's subversive connotations - including the interpolation of Sufi resistance hymns with the Marseillaise - went unnoticed until the actual jubilee celebration, and resulted in Debussy's compositions being banned in France for almost a decade. However, he was ultimately rehabilitated during the reign of Napoleon V, and today, the Timbuktu is the most often played of his 19th-century pieces.

So, to start:

The Fields of the Peasants

Cheers,
Ganesha
 
A famous book published in England in the late 1700s which denounced the practice of serfdom. The book, though not widely read in its time, became extraordinarily popular in the 1840s onward and led to the emancipation of the English serfs in 1861.

800

(PS do these all have to be from the same timeline?)
 
The Fields of the Peasants

A masterpiece by Soviet architect Karo Halabyan, the monument was constructed in 1946 over the Forbidden City in Peking, which was destroyed in a Japanese air raid. While the 720,000 Meter-square star-shaped "square" is made entirely out of granite, two life-sized bronze statues of a Soviet and Chinese infantryman is erected at the centre of the square. Representing the amity and friendship between the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union during and since the Second Sino-Japanese War, the two statues also represent the Peasant's Army regiments from both countries that were destroyed with the Forbidden City during the bombings. Civilian and military personnel are refrained from stepping on the monument.

Victory Museum(Built in New York, 1950. Designed after the Moscow State University.)
EDIT: lol too late
 
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This painting of Vincenzo di Luna was a commission for the city of Rome in order to commemorate the Battle of Tusculum that opposed the papal forces supported by the Empire and the roman aristocraty and city after it was declared a free commune.
The name comes from the aristocratic army led by Gian de Caste that charged with, according the accounts, 800 kinghts.
The battle itself concerned more people, but the role of the roman urban militia was toned down after the Caste takeover of the council and the celebration of their ancestors became a cultural stereotype during their rule as "Primi" of Rome that laster 139 years, between 1250 and 1389.

The broken pillar
 
A famous book published in England in the late 1700s which denounced the practice of serfdom. The book, though not widely read in its time, became extraordinarily popular in the 1840s onward and led to the emancipation of the English serfs in 1861.

800

(PS do these all have to be from the same timeline?)

A soviet propagandistic tale of the ~800 women who organized the resistance against the Japanese in Vladivostok

The Tablets of Samarkand
Edit: Ok, twice in two sets of replies so far in this thread. Just go with the first in all double-cases, I suppose.
 
A soviet propagandistic tale of the ~800 women who organized the resistance against the Japanese in Vladivostok

The Tablets of Samarkand
Edit: Ok, twice in two sets of replies so far in this thread. Just go with the first in all double-cases, I suppose.

A set of stone tablets telling the legendary origin story of the Uzbek people - captured by the Persians in 1725, the tablets have never been returned to Samarkand since. They have been a point of considerable contention between the Second Persian Republic and the Turkic Confederacy since Turkey's (ooc: Central Asia) revanchist government took power in 2009, led by Rustan Dostum.

My Mice and My Wife

Cheers,
Ganesha

P.S. No, they don't all have to be from the same timeline. :) Zepplinair, yours is really good.
 
My Mice and My Wife

An autobiography by famed and highly controversial artist Adolf Hitler, the book focuses on how he had the idea of Michaelmaus and the hardships he endured as an artist. In the 1944 book, Hitler asserts that "without my Eva's support...all this would have been impossible". It should be noted, however, that after the independence of Israel in 1948 Hitler shot himself and Eva Brown in a fit of anger. His works, most notably Michaelmaus, is famous for having a tinge of Antisemitism. The comic book was banned from the Children's section in bookstores for 15 years until Hitler's grandchild Heinreich Hitler filed a lawsuit and won the case in 1989.

The East is Blue

P.S.Thanks Ganesha! XDD
 
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The East is Blue

Known as 東面是藍 in the original Chinese, The East Is Blue is known as one of the five great classical Chinese novels. It was the latest to be written. Composed by Yao Nai (姚鼐) in 1801, the work draws heavily on Journey to the West. The East Is Blue tells the story of an intrepid band of adventurers led by an idealized (and reincarnated) Zheng He, sailing east instead of west and exploring the coast of North America. Along the way, they encounter new creatures and lands. Considered one of the first works of science fiction, the 2000-page novel spawned a new Chinese genre of modern science fiction that was later influential in the Old Modernization movement of the Qing dynasty. It contained prescient descriptions of electric railroads, airships, and even the telegraph.

Who's The Cop On Top?

Cheers,
Ganesha
 
Who's The Cop On Top?

Who's the Cop on Top? is a highly controversial novel written by British author George Orwell. Set in Chicago during the bootlegging years, Orwell makes satyre on several politicians of his time in his famed sardonic tone. The 1945 novel was listed at number 2 on the ANN's survey The Big Read on 2010.

Take Care of Father
note: read this first Please Look After Mom
EDIT: I've changed url to a book review, would be more helpful :D
 
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Take Care of Father

A young woman abandons her father in a mental clinic and spends the next 10 years of her life worrying about how he's doing and whether she can be a good person after what she did. She goes to see him one last time, but he died 7 years ago. Much melodrama ensues, over responsibility, guilt, and the strength to move on from what you have done despite your unresolved emotions and questions.

Kill(er) or be kill(ed).
 
A young woman abandons her father in a mental clinic and spends the next 10 years of her life worrying about how he's doing and whether she can be a good person after what she did. She goes to see him one last time, but he died 7 years ago. Much melodrama ensues, over responsibility, guilt, and the strength to move on from what you have done despite your unresolved emotions and questions.

Kill(er) or be kill(ed).

The Bible of the Radical Darwinist movement, this testament to survival of the strong inspired many to abandon society and live ferally, and many others to revolt agaisnt ineffective governments. It is supposed that it may have influenced many of the 1920's eugenics programs.

The Roman Radio
 
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Known as 東面是藍 in the original Chinese, The East Is Blue is known as one of the five great classical Chinese novels. It was the latest to be written. Composed by Yao Nai (姚鼐) in 1801, the work draws heavily on Journey to the West. The East Is Blue tells the story of an intrepid band of adventurers led by an idealized (and reincarnated) Zheng He, sailing east instead of west and exploring the coast of North America. Along the way, they encounter new creatures and lands. Considered one of the first works of science fiction, the 2000-page novel spawned a new Chinese genre of modern science fiction that was later influential in the Old Modernization movement of the Qing dynasty. It contained prescient descriptions of electric railroads, airships, and even the telegraph.

Who's The Cop On Top?

Cheers,
Ganesha
A series of essay's written by White Social Historian Rodney King that supported the increase in funding for the Los Angeles Police Department after the Sa-I-Gu Riots where 4 African American policemen beat a Korean-American construction worker which would spark a 6 day riot that ended with over 14 killed and 75 wounded.

"Homo Sapiens: A History of Futility
 
The Bible of the Radical Darwinist movement, this testament to survival of the strong inspired many to abandon society live ferally, and many others to revolt agaisnt ineffective governments. It is supposed that it may have influenced many of the 1920's eugenics programs.

The Roman Radio

A popular work of uchronic fiction written in French by Michel Verne, the son of Jules Verne. The story depicts French time-travelers bringing the radio to Augustus, in the belief that this is the best way to unite the world in peace. Unsurprisingly, things don't turn out as planned. Initially derided by critics as derivative and not up to the standards set by the elder Verne, The Roman Radio has since gained favor among fans of uchronie for its groundbreaking exploration of the genre.

The Land of Sad Songs

Cheers,
Ganesha
 
A series of essay's written by White Social Historian Rodney King that supported the increase in funding for the Los Angeles Police Department after the Sa-I-Gu Riots where 4 African American policemen beat a Korean-American construction worker which would spark a 6 day riot that ended with over 14 killed and 75 wounded.

"Homo Sapiens: A History of Futility

A comedic history book written collectively by the authors at cracked dot com meant to collect together a history of human stupidity throughout history. Unfortunately it suffered from long standing problems with research and a lack of actual willingness to look into the reasoning behind the decisions they write about.

The Red Flag
 
The Land of Sad Songs

An epic novel detailing Mexican History post-Benito Juarez up until the novels publication in 2002. Over 2,000 pages long, and 22 years in the making, it has been hailed the greatest novel written about Mexico in all of American literature, for those willing to slug through the behemoth.

The Red Flag

A Soviet Rock Opera set around the Bolshevik Revolution. Notable for featuring Lenin and Inessa Armand as a secretly married couple hiding their love from the world as a subplot (which takes up a third of the Opera).

I Truly Know-Nothing!
 
An epic novel detailing Mexican History post-Benito Juarez up until the novels publication in 2002. Over 2,000 pages long, and 22 years in the making, it has been hailed the greatest novel written about Mexico in all of American literature, for those willing to slug through the behemoth.



A Soviet Rock Opera set around the Bolshevik Revolution. Notable for featuring Lenin and Inessa Armand as a secretly married couple hiding their love from the world as a subplot (which takes up a third of the Opera).

I Truly Know-Nothing!

A heartwarming Amerique classic about the struggle of A group of Louisiana slaves who go on an epic journey up the Mississippi to find one of the main character's father. Along the way they face various trials and nearly face capture, but eventually their freedom is bought by a rich abolitionist under whom the father is (freely) employed. The title comes from their Cherokee ally who along the way is questioned repeatedly about the possible runaway slaves and says "Sir, I truly know nothing!"

The Reign of Fire
 
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The Reign of Fire

A monumental painting by modern Arab/Berber artist Hassan Habib Boughaly, a native of Algerie. When the painting, measuring 40 by 20 feet, was displayed at the Louvre, a radical French nationalist attempted to destroy it with a grenade due to its controversial subject matter. The painting depicts French forces committing brutal war crimes during their struggle to control Algerie, and the ethnic cleansing that followed. One Amerocan critic called Reign of Fire "a brutal dagger to the heart of France, to the times and crimes it has tried to forget."

Tu Se Morta, Mia Vida (You Are Dead, My Life)

Cheers,
Ganesha
 
Tu Se Morta, Mia Vida (You Are Dead, My Life)

A painting of a mans dead wife. 30 years of marriage imprinted her image in his head, but the haunting visage of her black eyes, translucent cheeks, and her deadly pale image is said to peer into you at night.

Killing in the Name
 
A painting of a mans dead wife. 30 years of marriage imprinted her image in his head, but the haunting visage of her black eyes, translucent cheeks, and her deadly pale image is said to peer into you at night.

Killing in the Name

Refers to the autobiography of ex-Templar Michael de la du Tour Pin describing his actions during the War of Two Popes in the Christian Republic of Jerusalem. The book is a memoir of his childhood in the city of Ascalon, his service in the Holy Father's Army, 10 year captivity in Rhodes, his activities with the Neo Templars, up to his assassination of Pope Paul VII. Michael kept the manuscript a secret from his friends and family, only requesting that it be published on his deathbed.

This painting of Vincenzo di Luna was a commission for the city of Rome in order to commemorate the Battle of Tusculum that opposed the papal forces supported by the Empire and the roman aristocraty and city after it was declared a free commune.
The name comes from the aristocratic army led by Gian de Caste that charged with, according the accounts, 800 kinghts.
The battle itself concerned more people, but the role of the roman urban militia was toned down after the Caste takeover of the council and the celebration of their ancestors became a cultural stereotype during their rule as "Primi" of Rome that laster 139 years, between 1250 and 1389.

The broken pillar

A painting made by an anonymous Revolutionary at the height of the Hesperian Rebellion. The painting depicts the starving people of New London standing atop a platform that begins to topple as its foundation, General Gion di Gwent, waits hungrily below.

Twilight of Atlantis
 
Twilight of Atlantis

A videogame depicting a dying civilization. The player creates an avatar who is an ordinary citizen living in an ordinary city of Atlantis. As time passes, events begin to grow out of control and the player can choose what actions to take in response. An open-ended game, the only possible way to end playing is to die more than 50 times in one day or to leave Atlantis for good - requiring the player to construct and sail a ship across the ocean. Twilight of Atlantis was a moderate hit and sparked a prequel, Dawn of Atlantis, where the player colonizes the virgin continent of Atlantis 600 years before Twilight picks up.

Godmother cake (Marenn gato in Haitian creole)

Cheers,
Ganesha
 
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