July 22: Travel Month

“Beyond the North wind lives a happy race known as the Hyperboreans, who survive a ripe old age and are famous for marvellous things… It is believed that here are the hinges on which the world turns and the extreme limits of the circuits of the stars. The Hyperboreans enjoy six months of daylight. The sun rises once a year, at midsummer, and sets once, at midwinter. It is a sunny region with an equable climate, free from all harmful gales. The Hyperboreans live in the woods and groves and worship gods both individually and in groups. All disharmony and sorrow are unknown. Death does not come until they have had their fill of life…” This is an advertisement for the luxury, all-inclusive resort of Hyperborea, where the god Apollo spent a few months every year, while his halfbrother Dionysos took over his oracle duties at Delphi. The retreat would be situated somewhere far North, yet with lovely weather all year round. So, it would combine snow fun and glühwein with lounging at the pool. Count me in.

Offering, amphora, Brooklyn-Budapest Painter, Musée du Louvre, Paris, France

Dancing, pelike, Athens painter, Gallerie d'Italia, Napels, Italy

Did you know?

• Hyperborea means “beyond the North”, and “Boreas” is the name of the Greek god of the North wind. (Cfr. “Windy Conditions”, “Blowing in the Wind” and “Oh Christmas Tree”)

• The description of Hyperborea is from Pliny the Elder (1st cent. AD).

• About the oracle at Delphi: cfr. “The Dolphin Oracle”

• About Apollo: cfr. “Home Alone”

• About Dionysos: cfr.”Stimuli”