Stories about Arts & Culture
Jamaican activist filmmaker takes on extractive industries in the Caribbean
"In 2020, there was a very popular narrative that the COVID-19 pandemic was saving Planet Earth [...] I created GEFF 2021 to counter this narrative, because it is simply untrue."
The construction of Chinese patriotic masculinity: ‘sissies will ruin the nation’
The Chinese regulators have banned effeminate images and idols on both television and video streaming sites since September 2, 2021.
The origins of ‘liming’ in Trinidad and Tobago
"A most interesting ‘thread’ bringing out all kinds of intriguing prejudices (positive and negative) and biases."
Literary translation from South Asia lags in international markets
Global Voices talked to Jenny Bhatt, an Indian American writer, literary translator, and book critic about her recent literary translations and South Asian literature's prospects in the international market.
Is a revival of Tatar selfhood possible despite Russia's identity politics?
Can the political limitations on the use and teaching of native languages in Russia propel the revival of Tatar national identity?
Eccentric reggae pioneer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry dies at 85
"Jamaica has lost the rhythm and soul of a prolific music icon who has inspired many. Perry was one of the most important creative figures to come out of Jamaica."
Belly dancing class in Kuwaiti ladies gym stirs uproar, prompting government intervention
The gym, located in the northern city of Al-Jahra, infuriated its conservative and tribal residents who saw belly dancing classes as violating their traditions and values.
New homophobic attacks in Kazakhstan rally support behind activists
Over the course of three months, LGBTQ+ activists were targeted three times by conservative mobs in various cities across Kazakhstan. An artist was bullied online for drawing same-sex kisses.
The decline of Occitan: A failure of cultural initiatives, or abandonment by the state?
A setback for Occitan, spoken by more than half a million people in France, due to failed cultural initiatives or to the policy of the French State?
Netflix animation “Trese” brings Filipino supernatural beings to our screens
"It’s so inspiring and hopeful to think about how Trese is going to open so many doors for other local artists who are dreaming to get their works published."
Graffiti in Almaty between scandals, competition, and trolling
Graffiti in Almaty have become a contested space between state authorities, commercial companies, and independent artists. As the competition continues, Kazakhstan's largest city is enjoying a renaissance in street art.
Ukrainian library reinvents itself for a New Age
A youth library in Kherson shows the way to thriving in uncertain times as an educational and literary hub for the local community and wider region.
The first woman dub poet, Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, dies at her rural Jamaican home
Reflective of Jamaica’s storytelling tradition, her work involved repeated chanting in a narrative style.
‘I demand 100 percent freedom’ — Hong Kong political artist leaves for Taiwan citing crackdown
Wong sought to push the boundaries of art as a means of political dissent on the streets and was a regular attendee at the annual July 1 pro-democracy rallies.
In Georgia, a book with stories to empower women written by men garners criticism
"Love yourself," a book featuring 13 women who share their stories of stigma over body image, may have had all the good intentions at heart.
The essence of LeRoy Clarke, Trinidad and Tobago's master artist who died this week
"The art of being LeRoy Clarke is a discipline, cultivated by an artist equally inspired and terrified of the society that has hammered his art into existence."
Hong Kong Pro-Beijing camp finds fault with Olympic badminton player's black outfit
In Hong Kong, the hottest topic about the Tokoyo 2020 Olympic Games in recent days has been badminton player Angus Ng Ka-Long’s monochrome black outfit.
The French government’s U-turn on regional languages
A new law passed in May 2021 has reignited the debate around France's regional languages
The “ticket to happy life” politics of Indian marriages in the context of dowry-related violence
The recent death of 24-year-old medical student Vismaya Nair in the Indian state of Kerala has sparked widespread outrage and renewed discussions over dowries and domestic violence in India.
Street art protest in Kazakhstan becomes routine
Since Nazarbayev’s resignation in 2019, new protest movements in Kazakhstan have chosen street art as their preferred tactic. In this case, the target is a public utility hut in Almaty.
