fun hour

Tintin marathon

There’s nothing like going back home — and even Tintin, who has travelled around the world — would agree with that. Brussels, the hometown of Tintin’s creator Hergé, celebrated the intrepid, young reporter’s world-wide fame by holding a four-day-long celebration beginning July 20. The Grand Palace, a prominent city landmark, received a giant mural of Tintin, Snowy and the irrepressible Captain Haddock. The festival, aimed at every Tintin-lover between the age of seven and 77, also had shows and competitions like the fancy-dress ball, a Tintin movie marathon and other exhibitions. There was a screening of the well-known 1943 movie The Crab with the Golden Claws. And if organisers are to be believed, there will be a Tintin festival every two years. Incidentally, last year, Tintin’s 75th anniversary, was celebrated with a lot of fanfare. A commemorative 10-Euro coin was also launched to mark the occasion.

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Physics is fun

Calcutta, on the other hand, is holding a festival of a different kind. The Birla Industrial and Technical Museum is going ahead with a show titled ‘Physics for Children’ to celebrate 2005 as the World Year of Physics. This year marks the 100th year of the publication of three of Einstein’s most important research papers. The interactive show, to be held from the August 1 to 14, is open to children of classes VI, VII and VIII. It will run daily from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm and schools can book seats for their children in advance. To find out more, call up 22812654.