Highgate Cemetery and Karl Marx

This picture shows the original grave where Karl Marx was buried together with other four people including his wife Jenny von Westphalen, their grandson Harry Longuet, their housekeeper Helena Demuth and one of their daughters Eleanor Marx.

This great philosopher, sociologist, economist and revolutionary socialist died on the 14th of March, 1883, only 15 months after his wife's death. Eleven people attended to his funeral, which took place on the 17th in the Highgate Cemetery. 

Shakespeare in love

Shakespeare in love, a 1998 film, was directed by John Madden and starred by Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow. It was one of the most successful English films of all times. The movie is placed in 1593, a period in which William Shakespeare was suffering from writer's block. It is a story about true love and love about theatre, so bringing it on the stage seemed like a natural fit. 

Last year, it was the 450th anniversary of the birth of the English author, so it was the perfect moment to perform this adaptation. The chosen theatre to bring Shakespeare back to the West End was the Noël Coward. This stage was only about one mile away from where the playwright worked so, probably, he walked pass this theatre many times in his life to get to the Globe Theatre, in Southbank. 

The premier was the 23rd of July of 2014 and today, 18th of April, the curtain dropped for the last time. The play was really fun, from the beginning to the end, with some romance, tears and love. And all of this is possible thank to the work of one of the largest companies ever seen on a play on the West End with 30 performers and a dog.

The magical Winterville is open

Winterville opened today, for the very first time, at Victoria Park. This new town can be a great alternative to Winter Wonderland. It has "an outdoor Ice Rink, Horse-Drawn Carriages, a Fairground, Ferris Wheel, an On-Site Pub, a Wall of Death, a Food Hall, a Christmas Market with a twist, Street Food traders, a Craft Beer area and more Bars than you can shake a yuletide stick at". You will enjoy with the Cabaret, the Comedy, the Pantomimes and the Live Music. Everything will be possible in East London. 

Do you live in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets or in the E9 Hackney postcode area? Winterville wants to thank to his neighbours with some discounts. Check online and buy your tickets in advance.

If you want to live a perfect experience and you don't want to miss anything, plan your visit before going. And remember that Winterville will only be open until the 1st of January.

Merry Christmas!

HippopoThames at St Katharine Docks

At the beginning of September, coinciding with the launching of the inaugural Totally Thames season, HippopoThames, the 21 metre wooden river horse sculpture, arrived at South Bank. From there, and during 28 days, he was anchored at the Battersea Power Station.

Now, the Hippo has decided to swim down and sail the Thames. St Katharine Docks will be his home from the 29th of September until the 3rd of November.

The artist, Florentijn Hofman, is well known for his large works. One of his most important sculptures, a 26 metre high inflatable yellow rubber duck, has been travelling around the Globe since 2007.

And thanks to this Dutch artist and his friendly pet, not only we had fun but we also learnt that hippos inhabited these waters a long time ago.

Germany: memories of a nation at British Museum

Volkswagen Beetle Type 1, 1953

Germany, the country where the biggest forced migration in Europe’s history took place, will be the new protagonist at the British Museum. The exposition Germany: memories of a nation will be open from the 16th of October until the 25th of January in the Room 35. The display will gather around 200 objects that will showcase the history of this country from the past 600 years. 

The exhibition coincides with the commemoration of the D-Day, the start of the Great War and the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall (the 9th of November, 1989). It will be planned around four different themes: floating frontiers; empire and nation; arts and achievement; crisis and memory.

The show will display the technological, historical and art achievements that defined Germany's development. Gutenberg, Hitler, the Bauhaus artists, Kafka, Martin Luther and Napoleon are just some of the protagonist of this spectacular exhibition.

Liverpool Street Station, circa 1890

 Liverpool Street Station, circa 1890

The Open House London 2014

Lutine Bell.  Lloyd's of London Building

The Open House weekend is on. It is the perfect chance to explore for free over 800 buildings in London. Londoners pass by modern, old, or weird constructions every day but today you will have the last opportunity to visit all of them from inside.

To get ready, print the latest Open House London newsletter, buy the guide or download the app to enjoy this great experience.

But where to start? It happens in London wants to recommend The Leadenhall Building, also known as The Cheesegrater, and the Lloyd's of London Building.

Scotland says NO

4.2 million Scottish voters have decided to stay part of the United Kingdom. A 55.3% of the voters have said No, while a 44.7% of the electors wanted Scotland to become an Independent Nation. 

The poll is over and the decision was taken, but the Government have to still solve the problem. An alarming rate, almost half of the population, doesn't feel identified with the UK. 

So today it is the best day to launch this new quiz. Where is it?