Hatshepsut Project

After Cleopatra, Hatshepsut is probably the most famous female ruler of Ancient Egypt and her legacy seems phenomenal. Initially acting as regent for her young son Thutmose III, she soon assumed the role of Pharaoh in her own right. To consolidate her leadership, she often projected a masculine image. Her reign was characterized by peace, prosperity and numerous high-profile building projects such as the Karnak Temple complex and the visually distinct Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. The media in this group focusses on a fascinating chapter of Egyptian history, and features not only visual representations of Queen Hatshepsut herself, but also other figures associated with her, such as her son and other important courtiers. Additionally, you will art and personal items from the ancient royal household. A 360-degree panoramic photograph allows you to experience the Temple of Hatshepsut as if you were present yourself, whereas a digital reconstruction uses the famous female pharaoh's mummy to show what she might have looked like. There are also posts about upcoming lectures and other Egyptology news items. The group is closely associated to a blog dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut, which can be found here. 

Members: 8.9k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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Wait... This is Wholesome

Wait... There are two Facebook groups with exactly the same name?? To avoid confusion (or perhaps to compound it), here's what I experienced during my (not so brief) visit to one of them. The magic memories of grandfathers - and how to preserve them for posterity. The art of transforming a simple tablecloth into a priceless heirloom infused with generations of memories. An innovative take on work wardrobes. How a conspiracy across the generational gap can serve to save teenagers from tight and uncomfortable situations. How random strangers can share extraordinary moments in your life. Or, better yet, how misdialed texts can send good vibes to perfect strangers or reveal the hidden charms of casual acquaintances. A modern take on paid mourners. Bromance vibes. The importance of acknowledging the emotional lives of sons with the same consideration as that of daughters. How consolation can be woven into the yarn of a crochet toy. There is a common thread of kindness that runs through these posts, most of whom are curated by the group admins. Go here when you want your faith in humanity restored.

Members: 204.5k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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PS - The other group called Wait... This is Wholesome can be found here.

Home Groan Puns

You can't describe or explain a joke. You either get it. Or you don't. Which makes it rather difficult to do the smiles this group gave me justice. I could hum along to the Age of Asparagus, for example. That's an easy one. But there are a few other musical ones which are harder to transcribe. For example, the one about different vinyl standards takes a moment to sink in, before you get, well in the groove of what it's all about (sorry, couldn't resist).Could you imagine Easter Bunny Island? Or, here's one for you: change one letter of a fairy tale hero's moniker and you've got yourself a barbeque. Or what about Sherlock Holmes as a geographer. Few topics seem to be off limits. This merry band of Punsters can find humor in accident scenes, celebrity deaths and business slogans taken way too far. Even Freddie Kruger gets to consider a new career he would be perfect for. A perfect antidote to boredom.

Members: 540.2k, at the time of writing. 

Trigger Warnings: Dark humor, puns.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Egyptomania: Ancient Egypt in Modern Culture

From its rediscovery in the early 1800s, Ancient Egypt has beguiled the modern world with its visually distinct and instantly recognizable cultural legacy. Georgian and Victorian artists wasted no time to appropriate its motifs, sometimes creating anachronistic and fanciful fusions of past and present that encapsulates the spirit of Egyptomania, if not always of Egypt itself. There is, for example, a lovely early 19th century French tea service, using hieroglyphs as artistic styling, but without any knowledge of the linguistics behind the symbols. A late Victorian illustration shows an impression of statues of Sekhmet at the Temple of Mut at Karnak. A portrait of Isis by Lily Moses. One artistic impression blends Egyptian pharaoh figures with chubby cherubs. Another painting pays tribute to Khonsu, a lesser-known deity also known as "The Traveler". There are early twentieth century cigarette ads that borrow Egyptian inspiration to emulate exotic sophistication. Gilt furniture that wouldn't look out of place in a temple. Many of the images are time capsules of fragmented past comprehension. Yes, they are flawed. But they are beautiful too. 

Members: 9.5k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: Cultural Appropriation

Go here to visit or join. 

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Actors, Actors, Actors! Wanted!

Do you need a new voice for your YouTube channel? A few faces to bring a music video to life? Collaborators on a student project? Are you keen to join a regional theatre company, but don't know where to start? Looking for an opportunity to intern as cinematographer on a film set? Or just want to put your skillset out there, in case someone might tap you for their latest project? Here's a hub for potentially making that extra-special connection that could take your career to the next level. Posts featured a diverse range of wish-lists and casting calls from different locations, although US and UK based projects dominate. Some productions make appeals for brand partners, investors or technical skills. There are also updates from members sharing recent successes and offers to help develop attention-grabbing showreels. Here and there workshops or coaching opportunities are on offer. This group is recommended interested in movies or theatre.

Members: 62.9k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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DUBAI EXPATS

 If news media - particularly on YouTube is to be believed - then vibrant Dubai has become a ghost town ever since the current conflict in the Middle East began. But this Facebook Group, which functions as a support hub for foreigners living in Dubai or planning to come, presents a more complex image. One post of someone looking for a domestic worker still gets a fair amount of attention from hopefuls. There are listings for cars and apartments available for sale and rental. Particularly insightful was one thread with over a hundred comment on whether relocating to Dubai was still viable. Several commenters spoke of Dubai's culture of resilience and the general quality of living, while also expressing appreciation for the government's handling of the crisis. There are also practical threads for social get-togethers, tips for travelling to the United Emirates as a neurodiverse person or social media resources to help newcomers "make soft landings". One really important post highlighted the higher incidence of abandoned pets with the current tension in the Middle East, which places a tougher burden on animal rescues active in the region, and another made an appeal for human flight-buddies to help reunite pets being with families relocated abroad.

Members: 146.3k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None

Go here to visit or join

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A Garden Gnome's Advice Service

Many, many years ago, at the very dawn of this blog, I featured the Garden Gnome Liberation Front, a loose organization who famously stole garden gnomes, took them on holiday and very occasionally returned them to their garden domicile. Ah, those were far more innocent times, but perhaps we need the garden gnome far more now with his wholesome world view, his apple-cheeked smile, long white beard and distinctive red hat. The group showcases a wonderful variety of artwork by illustrators such as Tony Wolf, Cornelia Haendleer, Marie Laure Viriot, Mili Weber Polina Tsymbalova, Heinrich Schlitt, Margaret Winnifred Tarrant and Linda Lammers as well as an anonymous artist or two (who certainly deserve to have been remembered) featuring gnomes and fairies at work and play. One highlight is Italian artist Antonio Lupatelli's Tarot of Gnomes and Fairies, which is beautifully conceived. There is also a selection of photographs showing off gnome statues, as they can be viewed in the Polish city, Wrocław, doing everyday things such as playing cards or enjoying an ice cream. The city has over 800 gnome figures in total. If nothing else, the merry, whimsical nature of the gnome serves as an antidote to the doom and gloom permeating current world affairs. 

Members: 17.4k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None

Go here to visit or join.

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