31.08.2023 09:45 Date: August 31, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates Trinidad & Tobago’s Independence Day. On this day in 1962, the twin island officially declared independence from British rule. On that fateful day in 1962, Trinbagonians raised their national flag for the first time, as seen in today’s Doodle. The flag features a diagonal black stripe and white borders atop a red field. Black represents strength, white symbolizes the equality of people and red stands for the nation’s vitality. Trinbagonians celebrate Independence Day throughout the country. Port of Spain’s Queen’s Park Savannah, the oldest recreational ground in the West Indies, features the biggest parade. Steel drums ring out as bands play calypso music while members of the military march through the heart of the country’s capital. After an annual ceremony where national heroes accept awards, citizens return to the park to watch fireworks splash across the night sky. Happy Independence Day, Trinidad & Tobago! Location: Tags:
30.08.2023 23:30 Date: August 31, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates Lake Toba, or Danau Toba, in Sumatra island of Indonesia! It’s the world’s largest crater lake and one of the deepest lakes in the world. Lake Toba is a natural result of a massive volcanic eruption from Toba Caldera thousands of years ago. Lake Toba also boasts beautifully scenic sights and is home to a UNESCO Global Geopark. On this day in 2020, Lake Toba was designated as UNESCO Global Geopark. Toba Caldera erupted more than 74,000 years ago and created Lake Toba. The mega-eruption caused the volcano’s magma chamber to collapse, which eventually formed the island now known as Samosir. The island is a well known tourist destination and home to several Indigenous ethnic tribes. In celebrating Lake Toba, it’s also important to recognize the Indigenous Batak Toba people who are the lake’s native inhabitants. Their traditional villages riddled with local markets and wondrous houses attract curious visitors from far and wide. In the villages it's common to see traditional dancing like the Tor-Tor and authentic wood carvings souvenirs. Many tourists also visit Lake Toba for its variety of outdoor activities and breathtaking natural wonders. Those who aren’t afraid of heights visit Huta Ginjang to go paragliding, while others who prefer the water can relax on beaches or kayak through the lake. The nearby Sipiso-piso waterfall is also said to be an extraordinary experience that washes away all worries. Early Doodle Drafts Location: Tags:
30.08.2023 23:30 Date: August 31, 2023 Today's Doodle celebrates Hari Merdeka, Malaysia’s National Day. On this day in 1957, Malaysia's predecessor, the Federation of Malaya, declared independence and became free from British colonial rule. Over 20,000 people gathered to hear the national anthem and watch government officials raise the Malayan flag. The first Prime Minister shouted “Merdeka” seven times, which means “free” in Malay. The public holiday falls on the 31st of August, but Merdeka celebrations are seen throughout the whole month and extend to Malaysia Day on September 16th. In the morning, parade marchers gather at Merdeka Square and set off in decorated cars and traditional clothing. Cultural performances display a range of backgrounds in the country, and patriotic songs like Tanggal 31 and Satu Malaysia are sung. Photography, singing, and athletic competitions take place and school children put on performances. Patriotic decorations and Malaysia’s flag, like the one waving in today’s Doodle, adorn office and government buildings, homes, and cars. Selamat Hari Merdeka, Malaysia! Location: Tags:
27.08.2023 04:15 Date: August 27, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates Moldova’s Independence Day. On this day in 1991, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova adopted the Declaration of Independence and left the Soviet Union. To celebrate 32 years of independence, Moldovans attend concerts, fairs, parades, and speeches. In the morning, people gather at the monuments of Stefan cel Mare or Maica Indurerata to lay flowers on the pedestals. The president addresses the nation with a patriotic speech, and the Grand National Assembly Square puts on a patriotic concert with folk dances and lively music. Each year a parade showcases traditional clothing, and on notable anniversaries, a military parade files through the capital, Chișinău. Moldova’s flag, which is featured in today’s Doodle, adorns many homes and public spaces. The tricolor flag has a coat of arms depicting the national animal, an extinct wild ox called an auroch. As night falls, fireworks of red, yellow, and blue illuminate the sky. Happy Independence Day, Moldova! Location: Tags:
25.08.2023 13:00 Date: August 25, 2023 Today's Doodle celebrates Uruguay Independence Day! On this day in 1825, the South American country declared its freedom from Brazil. Celebrations typically begin the night before Independence Day with a popular tradition called the Night of Nostalgia , as old pop, rock, and disco tunes play in dance halls and radio stations across the country. The next day, people enjoy festivals, patriotic ceremonies, dazzling firework shows, and national anthem performances all throughout the country. Fun fact: Did you know Uruguay’s national anthem is nearly five minutes long? It’s the longest one in the world! As pictured in today’s artwork, the Uruguayan flag flies proudly across the sky as its people remember the sacrifices their ancestors made to achieve independence. Many get together with loved ones to celebrate their hard-earned freedom, reaffirming their commitment to build a better country for all. Happy Independence Day, Uruguay! Location: Tags:
25.08.2023 03:00 Date: August 25, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates French actor Habib Benglia’s 128th Birthday. Benglia was the first African-born actor to land significant roles in both film and theater. Benglia was born in Oran, Algeria on this day in 1895. He grew up in Timbuktu before moving to France for school. He hoped to one day be an agricultural engineer but loved theater and regularly attended performances. After a talent scout saw him reciting poetry to friends, he was encouraged to audition for plays and starred in Le Minaret, Aphrodite, and L’Oedipe Roi de Bouhélier. After being demobilized from the WWI, Benglia continued to pursue acting. In 1923, he was cast as a lead in The Emperor Jones. This made 27-year-old Benglia the first black actor to star in a main role at the national French theater. He then wrote several plays, including Un soir à Bamako , which later showed on television in 1950. Benglia starred in lead roles for films like Dainah la Métisse, Sola, and Les Mystères de Paris. Colonial cinema, however, largely stifled Benglia’s attempts to play more versatile characters. Despite prejudice and racism during this time, Benglia performed in over a hundred plays. One of the pioneers of Black theater and film in France, Benglia's legacy remains at center stage for underrepresented performers everywhere. Happy birthday, Habib Benglia! Location: Tags:
24.08.2023 06:45 Date: August 24, 2023 Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Kyiv-based guest artist , honors Ukraine Independence Day 2023. This national holiday honors the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people, and remembers all who’ve given their lives for their country — including those still fighting now. On this day in 1991, Ukraine gained its independence and joined the world stage as a sovereign nation. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the Ukrainian people voted 92% in favor of independence in a referendum for the Act of Declaration of Independence in December 1991. Since then, Ukraine has continued to build up a democratic state that values freedom and integrity. The nation has also made several notable global contributions to space exploration, medicine, art, music, technology, and more. Ukraine’s blue-and-yellow national flag, like the colors represented in today’s artwork, symbolizes the open sky above its endless wheat fields seen throughout the country. Beyond that, it also represents the people’s unbreakable spirit, devotion to the land, and love for freedom. The Doodle artwork depicts a parade representing all Ukrainians showing their pride and confidence, moving into the future. This year’s Independence Day holds particular significance as the country continues its struggle against the ongoing Russian invasion. Guest Artist Q&A with Polina Doroshenko Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Kyiv-based guest artist . Below, she shares her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q. What was your creative process for this Doodle artwork? . A. My creative process was to do first research and then develop an illustration to represent Independence Day. My goal was to showcase both diversity and unity. Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? Are there specific elements of the artwork that have symbolic meaning? A. I embedded meaning in most of the details. For example, the color of the sneakers, details from traditional clothing and embroidery, and the ceramic rooster which has become a symbol of indomitability, stability despite all the challenges of today. In the illustration, we can see prototypes of both contemporaries and people who met the Independence of Ukraine 32 years ago. Location: Tags:
24.08.2023 06:45 Date: August 24, 2023 Location: Tags:
22.08.2023 03:31 Date: August 22, 2023 Love is in the air! Today’s annual Doodle celebrates Qixi Festival 2023. This holiday, also known as the Double Seventh Festival, Magpie Festival, or Night of Sevens, is observed in Taiwan . On this day once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, couples old and new share their love and affection for one another. Qixi Festival origins trace back to an ancient folk tale about the weaver girl Zhinü and the cowherd Niulang. There are several versions of their love story, but a popular story goes like this: One day, Niulang’s old cow revealed that a group of beautiful fairies would be gathering in a nearby spring. Among the fairies was the heavenly weaver, Zhinü. Struck with love at first sight, Niulang stole her magical clothing that helped her return to heaven, turning her into an earthly woman. They married and had two children. When Zhinü’s parents heard of this news, they sent down heavenly escorts to retrieve her. Niulang tried to chase after her with a flying coat, but Zhinü’s mother created the Silver River to stop him. Fortunately, the magpies were so inspired by their devotion that they gathered and formed a bridge over the celestial river to help them reunite. Moved by this phenomenon, Zhinü’s father agreed to let the two lovers meet on the seventh day of the seventh month each year. Qixi Festival traditions include operatic plays that retell the folk story, handmade gift exchanges, intimate date nights, and more. Singles hoping to find a partner also visit Yuelao temples, where the God of matchmaking is worshiped, on this day to pray for good fortune in finding their ideal partner. Happy Qixi Festival to all! Location: Tags:
20.08.2023 20:30 Date: August 21, 2023 Location: Tags:
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17.08.2023 02:45 Date: August 17, 2023 Today’s Doodle, illustrated by West Java-based guest artist , celebrates Indonesia’s Independence Day, known locally as Tujuhbelasan. On this day in 1945, Indonesia officially declared independence from Dutch rule. Independence Day starts with a live broadcast of festivities at the State Palace. With the president and national heroes in attendance, marching bands parade through Jakarta before the military performs a gun salute. During the ceremony, Indonesians wave the country’s red and white national flag. Red stands for courage, and white represents honesty. This year's Independence Day national theme "Terus Melaju Untuk Indonesia Maju" embodies the spirit of gotong royong , togetherness to accelerate the country's growth, while maintaining local wisdom. All these messages are often found in the nation's local sports like sepak takraw and badminton, or Tujuhbelasan-specific games like sack races, cracker eating competitions, and panjat pinang. Today’s Doodle artwork represents the Indonesian community coming together to play traditional Independence day games, remembering the importance of collaboration. Happy 78th Independence Day! Early Drafts Location: Tags:
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15.08.2023 10:45 Date: August 14, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates Turkish astronomer, Nüzhet Gökdoğan, who is widely recognized as one of Türkiye’s first female astronomers. On this day in 1910, Gökdoğan was born in Istanbul, Türkiye. The Doodle artwork was illustrated by İzmir-based guest artist . During her schooling, she learned French, German, and Turkish. A college scholarship brought her to Lyon University in France, where she completed her undergraduate degree in mathematics, and in 1933 received her graduate degree in physics from the University of Paris. She interned at the Paris Observatory and they invited her to continue her research there, but Gökdoğan chose to return to Türkiye. Channeling her passion for astronomy into teaching in this field, Gökdoğan became an associate professor at the Institute of Astronomy at the Faculty of Science at İstanbul University. When she joined as the first Turkish employee, both the textbooks and lectures were in foreign languages like English and German. Multilingual Gökdoğan stepped in and translated course material and six books on topics from Celestial Mechanics to Spherical Astronomy. In 1937, Gökdoğan wrote her dissertation on interstellar dark matter around the sun and completed her Ph.D. She went on to become a professor at Istanbul University, and in 1954, she was elected as the Dean of the Science Faculty, making her the first female university dean in Türkiye. Gökdoğan authored scientific papers for national journals and three introductory textbooks on astronomy, algebra, and cosmography before retiring in 1980. The professor is remembered for advancing the astronomy profession in Türkiye and for founding several groups dedicated to science, notably the Turkish Astronomy Association, the Turkish Association of University Women, and the Turkish Mathematics Association. Happy birthday to the stellar Nüzhet Gökdoğan! Early Drafts Guest Artist Q&A with Ali Çetinkaya Today’s Doodle was illustrated by İzmir-based guest artist . Below, he shares his thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q. Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? A: It was wonderful to become acquainted with Nüzhet Gökdoğan, learning about her life and her accomplishments as a pioneering scholar in the history of the Turkish Republic. Her achievements serve as an inspiration and instill hope for the future of scientific thought in Türkiye. Q. What were your first thoughts when you were approached about working on this Doodle? A: When I received the initial offer for the project, I was genuinely thrilled by their approach, which highlighted my artistic practice. It resonated with me and added an extra layer of enthusiasm to my involvement as I realized that I had the creative freedom to portray and connect with Nüzhet Gökdoğan through my illustration. Also, knowing that I could play a role in a project of significant impact and reach was both humbling and motivating. Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A: Space and academia were the two main topics I chose as sources of inspiration. Space has always been a subject that deeply excites me. The ongoing human effort to understand and explain the vast unknown has archaic roots and fosters hope for a future where the mysteries are diminished. Q. What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A: I hope my Doodle instills in others the same sense of hope and inspiration that it has given me. Location: Tags:
15.08.2023 00:45 Date: August 15, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates India’s Independence Day and is illustrated by New Delhi-based guest artist On this day in 1947, a new era dawned as India became independent from British rule. Symbolic of this first day of independence, an annual flag-raising ceremony is held at Red Fort, Delhi, with the Prime Minister in attendance. Citizens sing the national anthem and commemorate leaders of the independence movement. Movies about freedom fighters are broadcast, and various cultural programmes are held in schools and neighborhoods, with children participating in plays and competitions. Many choose to spend this national holiday with family, friends, and their communities. Flying kites is a long-standing Independence Day tradition, so don’t forget to look up and spot a few tricolor kites soaring high in the sky. Happy Independence Day, India! Explore the Google Doodle in on Google Arts and Culture Guest Artist Q&A with Namrata Kumar Today’s Doodle was illustrated by New Delhi-based guest artist . Below, she shares her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle Q. What was your creative process for this Doodle artwork? . Step 1: Identified the textile craft forms: Researched and identified the diverse textile craft forms present in India. I sought to cover a broad spectrum of techniques, encompassing embroidery, different weaving styles, printing techniques, resist-dyeing techniques, hand-painted textiles, and more. Additionally, I wanted to ensure that I represented different geographical regions of the country in a balanced manner. Step 2: Selected visually engaging textiles with an extensive list of textile craft forms. Step 3: Composed the patchwork from all of the selected textile swatches: This step required thoughtful consideration to achieve a balanced arrangement of textures, colours, and patterns. Step 4: Perfected colours and visibility: Accurate representation of the particular hues used in each textile was crucial to retain their true essence. Additionally, ensuring the visibility of each textile swatch within the larger patchwork was a priority. Throughout the creative process, the overarching goal was to honour and celebrate India's textiles and their profound connection to the nation's identity. My hope was that through this artwork, I would be able to shed a light on the rich cultural heritage and artistic brilliance of India's textile traditions and create something that would resonate with audiences through the Google Doodle platform. Q: Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? Are there specific elements of the artwork that have symbolic meaning? A. Indian textiles have held a profound significance in my life, thanks to my mother's profession as a textile designer. Growing up surrounded by textiles from diverse regions, I developed a deep connection to these craft forms. Now, presented with the opportunity to create the Google Doodle for India's Independence Day, I see it as the perfect occasion to celebrate the country's rich and diverse textile traditions. In this artwork, each textile showcased is a testament to the collective craftsmanship of skilled artisans, cultivators, weavers, dyers, printers, and embroiderers. Together, they create these extraordinary textiles that embody the essence of India's creative spirit. Behind the Doodle Textiles used in today’s Doodle and their regions: Location: Tags:
