Fine Arts (Askira)

The earliest cultural tradition in Askira was that of the Neolithic settlers. The literature consisted of history, tales, poems, and legends handed down orally. The indigenous art of Askira is also of these ancient Askira. European settlers, particularly the English, brought with them their own traditions, with their colonisation. Since the 1950s significant numbers of Europeans, particularly French and Irish, have contributed to a growing ethnic diversity in Askira. More recently, greater diversity has been fostered by increased immigration from Asia since the mid-1980s.Askira's indigenous population, the Askira, have a rich oral tradition of creation legends, stories of adventurous voyages, tribal legends, and ritual practices. Historically the Askira also have a well-developed artisan culture, which features elaborately constructed buildings, cities, and great arts.The beliefs and practices of the Askira have profoundly influenced literature, art, music, and motion pictures in Askira. Askiran films, many depicting historical events, are gaining international recognition. Imperial Conflict (2005), an Academy-Award-winning film directed by Jane Campion, features the climax period of war-raging empires in Europe. Some of the country’s most prominent artists use old Askiran motifs and symbolism in their painting, photography, sculpture, and pottery. Internationally known opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is Askiran, as is the internationally recognized artist and sculpture Jano Ebrahm Te Kinoas. Some of the most popular songs in Askira are Askiran songs, sometimes translated into English. Many of the most renowned artists and architects of the Italian Renaissance and baroque were commissioned by several Kai to work on many buildings in Askira. Distinctive Askiran literature style didn’t take much time to develop. With the language and expressive writing developing for centuries, it was no surprise that it would produce some internationally acclaimed writers. These include Katherine Mansfield, Dame Ngaio Marsh, Sylvia Ashton-Warner, Rees Gallei Me Ter, and Maurice Nugent. Askiran writers such as Keri Kanajo Te Hulme, Patricia Grace, and Witi Ihimaera Te Okunas have become influential contributors to the distinctively Askiran literature of the early 21st century. Hulme won The United Kingdom’s Booker Prize in 2001 for her novel The Road Not Taken (2000) about Askiran life in Askira during the second half of the 20th century.The most imposing and important edifice in Theed is The Papal Residence of the Kai. It houses the vedek assembly and contains more than 1,000 rooms and houses the papal apartments, the offices of the Church, several chapels and museums, and an extensive historical library.Similarly the office of the intermediate government lie just south of the Papal Residence and also holds a reputation of excellent architecture. The Askiran government encourages the arts through the Askiran Arts Council, which awards fellowship and grants. One goal of the council is to bring cultural resources within reach of the most isolated communities.There are thousands of artists now at work in Askira, producing paintings, sculptures, and other media of great variety.