Women on Nordic Track Exhibit Brings Together More Than 200 Pieces of Scandinavian Design by Carolyn Chapman Maybe it’s the all-too brief Nordic summers, with their long days and sunny nights—and then the quick jump into the endless cold, dark winter days—that does something to stir the creativity of Nordic women designers. Or perhaps it’s the strong tradition of gender equality in Nordic countries that has brought Nordic women to the forefront of the design world. Whatever it is that has inspired Nordic women designers, over the last century these women have created their own easily identifiable style—from jewelry and clothing to house ware and furniture. Two of a Kind Wives of Spanish, Jordanian Ambassadors Find Common Ground by Gail Scott They were born on the same day, one year apart. One born in Macedonia but reared in Toronto, and the other thousands of miles away in Amman, Jordan. But these two diplomatic wives, Rakela Ruperez and Luma Kawar, feel so much at home with each other that when they talk, they finish each other’s sentences. They even share their precious private weekend family time together. Doctors of Doom Exhibit Shows German Medical Profession’s Role in Holocaust by Gary Tischler To this day, when contemplating the horrors and the mystery of the Holocaust, it comes as a surprise to be confronted with the raw material and necessary ordinary ingredients that buttressed the murder of millions of people. Time and again, the people you see among the executioners and facilitators of the Holocaust and Nazi Germany are judges, lawyers, farmers, laborers, housewives, diplomats, policemen, aristocrats, professors—and, perhaps most frighteningly, doctors. Refreshing ‘Fountain’ Kreeger Hosts Daring Collection of Beat-Inf luenced Work by Lisa Troshinsky For local art lovers who at times sacrifice the culture of Washington’s museums as a way to shun the crowds and tourists, there is a gem you may want to check out: the Kreeger Museum. Once the residence of David and Carmen Kreeger, the museum is tucked away on a residential street, camouflaged among the other mansions and abundant greenery. Once you step into the cool, contemporary building, the fast-paced quintessential nature of Washington quietly fades away. Austrian Scenery Inge Morath’s Images Capture Beauty of Everyday Events by Amy Schoenberger Images capturing celebrated photographer Inge Morath’s native Austria are currently on display at the Austrian Embassy. Overlooked American Exhibit Shows Joel Barlow Played Important Role in Founding of U.S. by Amy Schoenberger The Woodrow Wilson House is currently celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of Joel Barlow—an ambassador, author and little-known historical figure who played a significant role in the founding of the United States. Important Anniversary Refugees International Celebrates 25 Years of Humanitarian Work by John Shaw More than 350 guests attended a glittering gala on May 4 at the McLean, Va., home of James V. Kimsey to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Refugees International. Shaken, Not Stirred Downtown Restaurant Ortanique Mixes Caribbean, American Cooking by Rachel Hunt and Stephen Qualiana Good fusion cuisine is a bit like a good cocktail: Everything is in the mix. Ortanique on 11th St., in downtown Northwest Washington smoothly mixes Caribbean cuisine with American cooking for one of the more unusual combinations we have tried. And just as James Bond preferred his martinis, the combination is shaken, not stirred. The mix is seamless, sometimes frothy, and not jarring as are some other fusion experiments.

Events Listing Featuring art, dance, lectures, music, receptions and theater, our comprehensive listing offers an array of options for those interested in international events. Included is a list of all major event locations in the Washington, D.C., area... Events Locations Grapes for Afghanistan Roots of Peace Works to Rebuild Industry, Eradicate Land Mines by Larry Luxner When most Americans think about Afghanistan, starving children, bombed-out villages and turbaned Islamic jihadists usually come to mind. What they don’t think about are grapes, even though Afghanistan was once among the world’s most important exporters of grapes and raisins. Since 1997, Gary and Heidi Kühn have been trying to revive that war-ravaged industry through their nonprofit organization, Roots of Peace. The Reign in Spain ‘Caliphs’ Exhibit Shows Contributions of Arab Culture to Europe by Carolyn Chapman When the wives of the Mosaic Foundation decided to make last month’s annual benefit dinner more elaborate than usual, they turned to Julian Raby, director of the Freer and Sackler art galleries, and asked him to host and organize an exhibition celebrating al-Andalus, the theme of their benefit dinner. The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery became an eager partner with the Mosaic Foundation, and the resulting exhibition, “Caliphs and Kings: The Art and Influence of Islamic Spain” opened last month at the gallery—less than a year after it had even been proposed. Devil of a Story Synetic’s Unorthodox ‘Master and Margarita’ Surreally Beautiful by Deanna Murshed If you’re looking for a standard-package play, complete with a linear story of introduction, conflict, subplot, climax and resolution, then Synetic and Classika theaters’ joint production of “The Master and Margarita” is not for you. If you can suspend your normal theatrical expectations long enough for this performance, however, what you will experience is nothing less than a feast for the senses—an operatic, whimsical fantasy rather than situational drama. International Film Clips Film Locations Sweet Fluff Miramax’s ‘Valentín’ Enjoyable, Light Argentinean Comedy by Ky N. Nguyen The light Argentinean comedy "Valentín" is like cotton candy that a moviegoer might buy at the concession stand. Filmmaker Alejandro Agresti’s largely autobiographical tale is a sweet, enjoyable and fluffy treat. See Also: ‘Zatôichi’ by Kitano Low Man on Totem Pole ‘The Mother’: Radical Story Repertory Notes Young and Old ‘Valentín’ Centers on Child Comedy; 'Mother' Examines Sexuality of Older Woman by Ky N. Nguyen Argentinean writer-director Alejandro Agresti was recently in town as the featured guest at Filmfest DC’s tango-filled opening night gala, spotlighting his semi-autobiographical movie "Valentín." The Washington Diplomat caught up with Agresti ("A Night With Sabrina Love," "Wind With the Gone") at the Fairmont Hotel.