My, it feels like it's been almost forever since the last ACTA - when it's only been two months really! Maybe that's because of everything that's been going on, especially here at Ancient Worlds, during that time? Let's see.....The one major event, of course, was this year's Springfest. It won't just be remembered because it was the last - as you probably already know, and as I'm sure will again be reported elsewhere in this edition, Goldfest will be the only sitewide festival from now on - but because it was such a blast. I think I can confidently speak in the name of all the oriental citizens to say thank you to all of you who have contributed to the various events that were presented to us this year. I know first hand that some actually worked all hours to ensure that it would be a success, and it certainly paid off in a spectacular fashion!

Then there are also these projects that are currently under work and which have kept some of us in the Orient pretty occupied for a while. Some should be unveiled soon (hint: keep your eyes peeled over the next couple of months!), others still need some doing, and you're cordially invited to join in the fun. Our current oriental project, the Oriental Timelines, had to be put on hiatus while most of the people involved were busy working for Springfest and/or other activities in various worlds, but as we're all reeling, we're getting ready to pick it up where we left! Check the Oriental Projects thread for details and for future updates.

But the timelines aren't the only plan in development for the Orient. You've probably all by now discovered IClaudius' Podcast, AVB. The goal is to have, in a relatively short term, all the worlds represented, either weekly or every other week. If you've always dreamed of making yourself heard, if you feel like there's a Clark Kent in you waiting to come out (without the red cap and blue spandex, that is!), now is the time! All you need to do is contact one of your local scribe.

Before we get to the contributions of two of the most brilliant ladies I've learned to know since arriving here - Rachana Khan and Feiyan Zhou, I just wanted to take the time to congratulate all the participants and the judges (who cannot have had an easy task!) of the best homes contest, one of the most debated, but also popular and expected yearly event at Ancient Worlds. Of course, our special kudos go to those who have so brilliantly represented the Orient this year:

Gold Design - Gupta Dhanya
Gold Content - Gina Nami Ashikaga

Silver Design - Akiko Feng
Silver Content - Hatsumomo Murasaka

A very special mention goes to Rachana Khan for winning Best of Best Content.
Please don't hesitate to pay them a visit, leave them a message of congratulations, and soak in their beautiful work! See all the results here.

Each issue, the Orient will bring you the work of one of our talented members. We have the pleasure to present you two of Rachana Khan's lovely poems.

Whisper Your Heart

Shall I come to you in periwinkle dreams
cast in golden slumbers of pre-dawn haze?
Shall I adorn myself for you, a banquet
on mahogany escritoire,
where I write precious memories?

Read more here...

Dream Destinations

The most incredible oriental locations brought to you by our members. This issue, Dazu (southeast Sichuan) by Feiyan Zhou.

This month, let's pay a visit to China. Dazu is located in southeast Sichuan, about 168 miles east of Chengdu. Thousands of stone figures can be found here, carved into the cliff faces at multiple sites in the hills around the town.

Read more...

10 Things to Say When You're in The Orient

Written by Rachana Khan.

This issue special feature teaches you the basics of polite conversation in japanese. Who never wondered how could you say "see you!" in the language of the Land of the Rising Sun?

10 Things to Say When You're in The Orient

Oriental Ressources

Link: Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-Lu
Book: A Brief History of India by Alain Daniélou and Musui's Story: The Autobiography of a Tokugawa Samurai by Katsu Kokichi and Teruko Craig
Music: Phases Of The Moon: Traditional Chinese Music by Various Artists
and Shahen-Shah by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Movie: The Scent of Green Papaya by Anh Hung Tran and A Bittersweet Life by Ji-woon Kim

News Corner:

CHENNAI, 1 Mai 2006 - A Neolithic stone celt with the Indus Valley script has been discovered by a school teacher, V. Shanmuganathan, in a village called Sembian-Kandiyur near Mayiladuthurai in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu. The celt, a polished hand-held stone axe, has four Indus Valley signs on it. Read the entire story at The Hindu

XI'AN, 10 Mai 2006 - Chinese archaeologists have unearthed some 30 beheaded skeletons, dating back to more than 2,000 years, from Central China`s Henan province, the cradle of Chinese civilisation. Read the entire story at Zeenews.com

Citizen Information

Do you want to participate in the Orient ACTA and you don't know how? Contact one of the Editors and we'll be happy to help you. We are also looking for members who would like to publish their works. It could be a poem, an RP story, a digital creation, a drawing,... It's up to you. This issue we want to give a special thanks to our two lovely ladies, Rachana and Feiyan for giving us the opportunity to share their talent.