Editor’s Letter
Our editor in chief makes the case for a clearly signposted return to longed-for summer joys.The opener
Whether it’s a cosy corner shop or a well-delivered joke, there’s plenty to write home about even when we’re confined to our ’hoods. Plus: our correspondents check in from afar.
1. Taming the beast
When faced with unexpected and unfamiliar situations, our instinct might force us to panic. But as the Stoic philosophers of Rome explained, there is another option: keep calm and carry on.2. Bedding in
How I rediscovered my home.3. Think different
Nobel Memorial prize-winner Daniel Kahneman understands our behaviour better than most. So has our response to coronavirus been at all rational?4. Seeing is believing
Infographics raise the bar. That’s the line at ‘La Repubblica’.5. We will still be social
We might be physically far-flung but our community ties are stronger than ever – and this could be an opportune time to seek even more robust connections.6. Are we nice?
We’re finally discovering our softer side.7. Plus point
It’s not all doom and gloom. We should ensure that enforced behaviours can bring about positive changes to the ways we interact.8. There goes the neighbourhood
Across garden fences and from open front doors, the new community connections being forged during lockdown must endure.9. No more denial
In the US, the dogma of individual freedom is too often accompanied by disdain for expert opinion. Coronavirus should teach us that this mindset just isn’t worth the risk.10. Missing in action
The temporary suspension of global sport only highlights the values that it brings us: camaraderie, team spirit – and how being a supporter for life is a form of life support.11. Word up
The lexicon of lockdown.12. Guiding light
At a time when everyone is seeking unwavering leadership, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I explains how the Orthodox Church has the sway to mobilise, inspire and guide believers into positive action.13. After sun
Tilting your chin up and away from your phone gives time and space to reflect.14. Know thine enemy
By quickly and decisively acting on the lessons of previous outbreaks, three East Asian nations have dodged the worst of the pandemic. The West must take heed.15. Rise again
Despite the upheaval, Italy will get back on its feet.16. Altered states
Former UN ambassador Samantha Power on why the Trump administration has got it all wrong.17. What’s in your basket?
The pandemic has made us all think more about where our food comes from and how it is grown. Canadian farmer and educator Jean-Martin Fortier explains why we should all be feeding the hands that feed us.18. Keep the door open
Roberto Azevêdo, chief of the World Trade Organization, is urging nations to reject the lure of self-sufficiency. It’s bad for everyone, he insists.19. Trust the doctor
Health officers and medical advisers have become the unlikely star performers of the pandemic.20. Was it China’s fault?
Experts weigh in on the narrative suggesting that China misled the world – and what that means for the future balance of power between east and west.21. Speaking up
Taiwan offered a masterclass in how to detect the virus and stop it in its tracks. Trouble is that a spat with China and the World Health Organization meant that the lessons were not widely shared. Foreign minister Joseph Wu explains why countries and global institutions should be paying attention.22. Speech, marked
Citizens the world over have been looking to their leaders to offer clear, rational guidance more than ever before. So who has conveyed the message well and who has failed to meet the most basic of requirements?23. Fact or friction
Press briefings have seen the White House play politics with the pandemic. Margaret Brennan is out to cut through the bluster.24. We’ve seen this before
Though melodramatic comparisons with the great plague and fire won’t wash, post-lockdown London can still learn much from their aftermath.25. The party is over
Brazil’s leader, Jair Bolsonaro, is denying the severity of coronavirus to keep his country’s economy ticking over. But as he continues to pose for selfies and shake hands, will the outspoken populist bring the nation to its knees?26. Step change
Civic leaders must build their cities’ resilience through people-focused infrastructure, says urban specialist Michael Berkowitz.27. Core values
The mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, tells us why we’re all better served by inner-city living and that Australians should embrace holidaying at home.28. Night of terror
Can we really be ‘at war’ with a virus? There are no shortage of challenges but, as this report of an air raid in 1940 London illustrates, life during wartime was very different: fragile, unforgiving and, at every moment, perilously close to its end.29. Built to last
Will the pandemic change our cities? Perhaps, says Danish architect and urban designer Jan Gehl. But humans like being together and this moment will pass. The good news? We can kill off the cruise ships.30. Is it time to take control of cruises?
Already under fire for overwhelming port cities and polluting air and water, megaships were ill-equipped for a pandemic. Cruise expert Monty Mathisen tells us how the industry might adapt to stay afloat.31. How we roll
This is the time to fix public transport and get people walking and cycling. Let’s go.32. Radical departures: rethinking air travel
As the aviation industry struggles with the fallout of the pandemic, it should seize the moment to ground its worst impulses and make passengers fall back in love with flying.33. I miss my desk
Now that we’ve all proved we can work from home, are we done with the office? Not even remotely.34. Out of my house
Is that the sound of the door closing on Airbnb? Will anyone ever want to ride in an UberPool again? Futurists are predicting a return to ‘cocooning’ as we seek spaces free from strangers – and that could spell suspension of the sharing economy. Question is, do we care?35. Shop’s a keeper
If you use your loaf (and pick your pastries wisely) this could be the making of independent food stores.36. Next on the menu
Italian chef Massimo Bottura – holder of three Michelin stars, founder of Food for Soul charity dining halls and host of the ‘Kitchen Quarantine’ cookalong – concocts a recipe for how restaurants can adapt to survive the pandemic.37. Local hero
Businesses are most resilient when they have strong communities around them.38. Staying the course
Hong Kong-based hotelier Sir Michael Kadoorie on why optimism and openness will be key assets for his business.39. Signs of the times
Museums across the world are gathering the artefacts that will stand as symbols of the lockdown.40. Only the beginning
Artists are grappling with the extent to which coronavirus should colour their creativity but the pandemic’s true cultural impact won’t be clear for several years.41. Art’s just a click away
As galleries and museums remain closed, institutions have headed online to display their wares. But what happens to the art – and the way we experience it – when virtual is all there is?42. Page break
Writing a contemporary novel? Dave Eggers, founder of publishing house McSweeney’s, says that you should shelve it – at least for now. Instead, focus on ridding the world of Trump and then search for utopia – in fact and fiction.43. Canvas conversations
A quiet night at the Louvre might be a welcome break from the gawking crowds but the enigmatic Mona Lisa is missing her admirers more than she’d like to admit.44. Why radio matters
The airwaves can shock, inform and entertain. And now, more than ever, it pays to listen.45. Armchair travel
Who better to guide us through our downtime than Kunichi Nomura, the host of weekly Tokyo radio programme ‘Travelling Without Moving’?46. Showing resolve
This year’s art and design graduates might have had their opportunity to display their work to the world snatched from their grasp but that is unlikely to affect their determination – and their teachers believe that it could well be the making of them.47. Cutting it fine
There are few incentives to wear our finery while working from home. Designer Paula Gerbase says that we should emerge from the lockdown with renewed vigour to dress up and buy smart.48. Not just lip service
Fashion is often dismissed as an industry that ‘doesn’t save lives’. But now it has – and we should take notice.49. Can we fix it?
Yes, says architect Sir David Chipperfield. The pandemic has shown us that we can build a better future.50. Home remedies
Lockdown has proved to be the ultimate test of what we want from our living spaces. Interior designer Ilse Crawford tells us how simplicity, cleanliness and communal thinking should inform how housing is developed from now on.
Hope: It’s for the best
‘Hope’ – the theme of the 2019 Prix Pictet – comes in as many forms as there are people breathing air. These photos by the shortlisted nominees capture life in places that are remote and perhaps forsaken – but that contain a kernel of optimism.Life through a zoom lens
Lockdowns and physical distancing have left our cities all but deserted and fellow citizens out of reach. But the temporary absence of the hubbub that usually characterises the places in which we live has allowed us to view them in a different light. And these intrepid photographers have been on hand to capture the beauty and humanity of the moment.
Think again
Good wine, a happy garden, a book to curl up with. Here’s our roster of early summer treats.New views
This month’s cultural recommendations will keep you in the know, from South Korean crime drama to the latest pop releases.Pride of place
Although design fairs the world over are on hold for now, there’s no shortage of handsome furniture to display, both new and reissued. We highlight eight elegant pieces that will enhance any home – long after the lockdown is but a distant memory.Front lines
Vivid swimwear, original Italian tailoring and a charitable collection are among the cuts and collaborations proving that fashion can keep its head in a crisis.Growing gains
One rewarding way to soften our cityscapes and add life to our homes is with plants. Here we offer a few fail-safe tips for growers and a call to action to let your civic pride spread beyond your four walls.Tuck in
Our simple recipes are easy on the eye and the palate.Message in a bottle
We recommend a few tipples to try plus top cellars with which we think you should be know, from Old World classics to must-trys from Lebanon and UruguayHunger pangs
Five Monocle writers reveal the dining spot to which they’re most relishing a return to once restrictions are finally lifted.
Monocle’s worldly-wise June issue is a special issue for special times. We hand over our pages to 50 leading voices and ask what’s next for our cities, our homes, our businesses and much more. We have contributions from leading figures across the board; you’ll want to know what they say. Elsewhere, we’ve amassed the ultimate cultural to-do list, including films, design finds, books and recipes. Plus: five talented photographers capture the essence of their cities in a state of flux. Curious? Then dive right in.
Issue 134
June 2020
Other
Essays
1. Taming the beast
When faced with unexpected and unfamiliar situations, our instinct might force us to panic. But as the Stoic philosophers of Rome explained, there is another option: keep calm and carry on.2. Bedding in
How I rediscovered my home.3. Think different
Nobel Memorial prize-winner Daniel Kahneman understands our behaviour better than most. So has our response to coronavirus been at all rational?4. Seeing is believing
Infographics raise the bar. That’s the line at ‘La Repubblica’.5. We will still be social
We might be physically far-flung but our community ties are stronger than ever – and this could be an opportune time to seek even more robust connections.6. Are we nice?
We’re finally discovering our softer side.7. Plus point
It’s not all doom and gloom. We should ensure that enforced behaviours can bring about positive changes to the ways we interact.8. There goes the neighbourhood
Across garden fences and from open front doors, the new community connections being forged during lockdown must endure.9. No more denial
In the US, the dogma of individual freedom is too often accompanied by disdain for expert opinion. Coronavirus should teach us that this mindset just isn’t worth the risk.10. Missing in action
The temporary suspension of global sport only highlights the values that it brings us: camaraderie, team spirit – and how being a supporter for life is a form of life support.11. Word up
The lexicon of lockdown.12. Guiding light
At a time when everyone is seeking unwavering leadership, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I explains how the Orthodox Church has the sway to mobilise, inspire and guide believers into positive action.13. After sun
Tilting your chin up and away from your phone gives time and space to reflect.14. Know thine enemy
By quickly and decisively acting on the lessons of previous outbreaks, three East Asian nations have dodged the worst of the pandemic. The West must take heed.15. Rise again
Despite the upheaval, Italy will get back on its feet.16. Altered states
Former UN ambassador Samantha Power on why the Trump administration has got it all wrong.17. What’s in your basket?
The pandemic has made us all think more about where our food comes from and how it is grown. Canadian farmer and educator Jean-Martin Fortier explains why we should all be feeding the hands that feed us.18. Keep the door open
Roberto Azevêdo, chief of the World Trade Organization, is urging nations to reject the lure of self-sufficiency. It’s bad for everyone, he insists.19. Trust the doctor
Health officers and medical advisers have become the unlikely star performers of the pandemic.20. Was it China’s fault?
Experts weigh in on the narrative suggesting that China misled the world – and what that means for the future balance of power between east and west.21. Speaking up
Taiwan offered a masterclass in how to detect the virus and stop it in its tracks. Trouble is that a spat with China and the World Health Organization meant that the lessons were not widely shared. Foreign minister Joseph Wu explains why countries and global institutions should be paying attention.22. Speech, marked
Citizens the world over have been looking to their leaders to offer clear, rational guidance more than ever before. So who has conveyed the message well and who has failed to meet the most basic of requirements?23. Fact or friction
Press briefings have seen the White House play politics with the pandemic. Margaret Brennan is out to cut through the bluster.24. We’ve seen this before
Though melodramatic comparisons with the great plague and fire won’t wash, post-lockdown London can still learn much from their aftermath.25. The party is over
Brazil’s leader, Jair Bolsonaro, is denying the severity of coronavirus to keep his country’s economy ticking over. But as he continues to pose for selfies and shake hands, will the outspoken populist bring the nation to its knees?26. Step change
Civic leaders must build their cities’ resilience through people-focused infrastructure, says urban specialist Michael Berkowitz.27. Core values
The mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, tells us why we’re all better served by inner-city living and that Australians should embrace holidaying at home.28. Night of terror
Can we really be ‘at war’ with a virus? There are no shortage of challenges but, as this report of an air raid in 1940 London illustrates, life during wartime was very different: fragile, unforgiving and, at every moment, perilously close to its end.29. Built to last
Will the pandemic change our cities? Perhaps, says Danish architect and urban designer Jan Gehl. But humans like being together and this moment will pass. The good news? We can kill off the cruise ships.30. Is it time to take control of cruises?
Already under fire for overwhelming port cities and polluting air and water, megaships were ill-equipped for a pandemic. Cruise expert Monty Mathisen tells us how the industry might adapt to stay afloat.31. How we roll
This is the time to fix public transport and get people walking and cycling. Let’s go.32. Radical departures: rethinking air travel
As the aviation industry struggles with the fallout of the pandemic, it should seize the moment to ground its worst impulses and make passengers fall back in love with flying.33. I miss my desk
Now that we’ve all proved we can work from home, are we done with the office? Not even remotely.34. Out of my house
Is that the sound of the door closing on Airbnb? Will anyone ever want to ride in an UberPool again? Futurists are predicting a return to ‘cocooning’ as we seek spaces free from strangers – and that could spell suspension of the sharing economy. Question is, do we care?35. Shop’s a keeper
If you use your loaf (and pick your pastries wisely) this could be the making of independent food stores.36. Next on the menu
Italian chef Massimo Bottura – holder of three Michelin stars, founder of Food for Soul charity dining halls and host of the ‘Kitchen Quarantine’ cookalong – concocts a recipe for how restaurants can adapt to survive the pandemic.37. Local hero
Businesses are most resilient when they have strong communities around them.38. Staying the course
Hong Kong-based hotelier Sir Michael Kadoorie on why optimism and openness will be key assets for his business.39. Signs of the times
Museums across the world are gathering the artefacts that will stand as symbols of the lockdown.40. Only the beginning
Artists are grappling with the extent to which coronavirus should colour their creativity but the pandemic’s true cultural impact won’t be clear for several years.41. Art’s just a click away
As galleries and museums remain closed, institutions have headed online to display their wares. But what happens to the art – and the way we experience it – when virtual is all there is?42. Page break
Writing a contemporary novel? Dave Eggers, founder of publishing house McSweeney’s, says that you should shelve it – at least for now. Instead, focus on ridding the world of Trump and then search for utopia – in fact and fiction.43. Canvas conversations
A quiet night at the Louvre might be a welcome break from the gawking crowds but the enigmatic Mona Lisa is missing her admirers more than she’d like to admit.44. Why radio matters
The airwaves can shock, inform and entertain. And now, more than ever, it pays to listen.45. Armchair travel
Who better to guide us through our downtime than Kunichi Nomura, the host of weekly Tokyo radio programme ‘Travelling Without Moving’?46. Showing resolve
This year’s art and design graduates might have had their opportunity to display their work to the world snatched from their grasp but that is unlikely to affect their determination – and their teachers believe that it could well be the making of them.47. Cutting it fine
There are few incentives to wear our finery while working from home. Designer Paula Gerbase says that we should emerge from the lockdown with renewed vigour to dress up and buy smart.48. Not just lip service
Fashion is often dismissed as an industry that ‘doesn’t save lives’. But now it has – and we should take notice.49. Can we fix it?
Yes, says architect Sir David Chipperfield. The pandemic has shown us that we can build a better future.50. Home remedies
Lockdown has proved to be the ultimate test of what we want from our living spaces. Interior designer Ilse Crawford tells us how simplicity, cleanliness and communal thinking should inform how housing is developed from now on.
Expo
Hope: It’s for the best
‘Hope’ – the theme of the 2019 Prix Pictet – comes in as many forms as there are people breathing air. These photos by the shortlisted nominees capture life in places that are remote and perhaps forsaken – but that contain a kernel of optimism.Life through a zoom lens
Lockdowns and physical distancing have left our cities all but deserted and fellow citizens out of reach. But the temporary absence of the hubbub that usually characterises the places in which we live has allowed us to view them in a different light. And these intrepid photographers have been on hand to capture the beauty and humanity of the moment.
Inventory
Think again
Good wine, a happy garden, a book to curl up with. Here’s our roster of early summer treats.New views
This month’s cultural recommendations will keep you in the know, from South Korean crime drama to the latest pop releases.Pride of place
Although design fairs the world over are on hold for now, there’s no shortage of handsome furniture to display, both new and reissued. We highlight eight elegant pieces that will enhance any home – long after the lockdown is but a distant memory.Front lines
Vivid swimwear, original Italian tailoring and a charitable collection are among the cuts and collaborations proving that fashion can keep its head in a crisis.Growing gains
One rewarding way to soften our cityscapes and add life to our homes is with plants. Here we offer a few fail-safe tips for growers and a call to action to let your civic pride spread beyond your four walls.Tuck in
Our simple recipes are easy on the eye and the palate.Message in a bottle
We recommend a few tipples to try plus top cellars with which we think you should be know, from Old World classics to must-trys from Lebanon and UruguayHunger pangs
Five Monocle writers reveal the dining spot to which they’re most relishing a return to once restrictions are finally lifted.
