· March, 2006

Stories about Arts & Culture from March, 2006

Bolivia, Chile: Who Invented the Potato?

  31 March 2006

Maria Passo has a long list of what she believes are Peruvian cultural inventions that have been “stolen” by Chile. One commenter, Danica says jokingly, “chile sucks. I'm bitter. gimme my ocean back!”

Japan: Kawaii culture

  31 March 2006

The Japundit takes us into a discussion on the aesthetic sensibility of kawaii. (Kawaii translates approximately as “cute“.)

Pulse of the Saudi Blogosphere

Mohsen Al-Awaji was freed after 11 days of detention, and Aya thinks this action by the government is a tangible lesson for Saudis: “Don’t you dare to criticize the government because we are capable, at any time, of stripping you from your freedom and dignity.” Riyadhwai seemed happy about the...

Singapore: Inreases of failed marriage

  30 March 2006

Ryang Wong doubts that telling people to work hard on their marriage is sufficient to prevent divorce. Statistics show that half of the marriages in Singapore these days do not last more than 10 years, and he writes that the changing nature of societal pressures means peoples mindset toward marriage...

Vietnam: Annoying government loudspeaker

  30 March 2006

Vietnamese God posts a picture of government's loudspeaker that repeats announcements constantly in his home area. He feels that although in some ways it is helpful, but you will wish it gone, especially on weekend when you trying to relax.

Dangdut music and dance in Singapore and all about Home

  29 March 2006

Singapore is a good place to explore cultures from all over South East Asia. The blogger at licencetospill took some of her friends to a Dangdut club. Dangdut is a form of music from Indonesia. The blogger explains the main difference between a DD song and any other indonesian song...

China: Contemporary art rising

  29 March 2006

In “Has China's Time Come?,” the black China hand blogs on this Friday's Sotheby's art sale in New York which will feature works from some of hottest names in contemporary Chinese art: “Has the dragon landed or is this just some China Hand wannabes’ flavor-of-the-month club campaign?”

China: Revolutionary irony

  29 March 2006

In “So-called…,” Massage Milk blogger Wang Xiaofeng assigns labels with a contemporary context and a heavy dose of irony to Cultural Revolution-era propaganda posters. [ZH]

Pakistan: When in Lahore..

  29 March 2006

That McDonald's takes on local flavours is not news. Metroblogging Lahore shows the local outlet going a step further to celebrate Basant.

North Korea: Prison-camp musical

  28 March 2006

The Marmot Hole‘s Robert Koehler fingers North Korean apologists in the South Korean government with a look at the smash new musical Yodok Story, which portray's life in North Korea's Yodok camp for political prisoners.

Haiti: Music video

  28 March 2006

Filmmaker Frankenbilly posts a music video he created for a lovely reggae-flavoured song by the Haitian singer Belo.

African Music Roundup #5

  28 March 2006

yay! summer is upon us over here in the UK and that only means one thing. concerts, festivals, showcases. An abundance of music, sunshine and outdoor runnings. Smiles on peoples faces, the pace less hurried. In rotation as I type? Bongo Flava : Swahili rap from Tanzania, a dope compilation...

China: Comrade dancer

  27 March 2006

Frances at Supernaut, who returned to Guangzhou this month, posts on the transsexual former PLA soldier Jin Xing, organizer of this year's Shanghai International Dance Festival and her eponymous dance theater.

Polish Blogosphere Update

  27 March 2006

Apparently, according to Real Warsaw, Poland is single-handedly styming EU progress. Poland's recently elected populist government isn't seen as a solution since future-oriented policies appear off the table. However, according to Bernski in the comments section, the problems may be deeper than a newly elected government — shibboleths such as...

Haiti: You Know You're Haitian When…

  26 March 2006

AyitiCheriConnexion posts (FR) an english language 35-point list of things that make one Haitian sent to her by a Haitian born outside of Haiti. AyitiCheri tacks on seven slides of staples of Haitian culture including the inevitable djondjon and griot.