Stories about Arts & Culture from March, 2008
Japan: Why does Mario move from left to right?
Blogger lastline has drawn over 400 bookmarks on the Japanese bookmarking service Hatena for a detailed investigation of the question: Why does the video game character Mario run across the screen from left to right, and not right to left [ja]? The blogger explains that video tends to prioritize movement...
Japan: Views on Yasukuni, the movie
A documentary film about the controversial Yasukuni shrine, shot by a Chinese filmmaker through funding by a Japanese government agency, has sparked debate and discussion after a group within the ruling LDP party convened a screening to assess its "neutrality". Bloggers offer differing views on the move and on the idea of their government subsidizing what some see as a "political" film.
Israel: Three New Jerusalem News Websites Launch
Interested in knowing all the happenings of the Holy City? Look no further. Three English-language Israeli websites have recently launched to bring you news of Jerusalem. Check out Jerusalem Blueprint, Janglo (Jerusalem Anglo), and Go Jerusalem.
Lebanon: Un-Banning “Persepolis”
“French Minister welcomed the news that Lebanon decided to reverse the ban on “Persepolis,” the award-winning animated film …” reports Bilad Ash Sham.
Lebanon: Banning “Persepolis”
“Marjane Satrapi’s ‘Persepolis’ [the movie] is the latest victim of our very “intellectual” General Security Censorship Department,” writes Bachir Habib
Israel: Israeli Vietnamese Poet is Rising Star
“Vaan Nguyen, the 26-year-old, Israeli-born daughter of Vietnamese refugees… is being hailed as one of the country's provocative and innovative young poets,” Dion Nissenbaum reports.
Armenia: Sevan Museum
Robert Dietrich posts photographs of some of the treasures he recently discovered at a small museum outside of the capital. The Peace Corps Volunteer says he was overwhelmed by the amount of items dating back thousands of years and in urgent need of being displayed properly.
Armenia: The Little Prince
The Armenian Patchwork posts photographs of preparations and a performance of The Little Prince in the Armenian capital, Yerevan. The blog seems impressed with the organization of the play for children.
Lebanon: Facebook Suicide
SLH shares this letter that he sent to his “facebook friends” explaining the reasons behind his decision to leave Facebook forever and to “rejoin real world interaction”.
Japan: Richard Gear ditched by Nissan?
A news report [ja] (summary in English) that Nissan has decided to back out of a contract for a TV commercial with Richard Gear due to the actor's support of the Dalai Lama has triggered hundreds of comments in posting forums [ja] and responses from bloggers. While some wonder whether...
Libya: Killing Time at Weddings
From Libya, Khadija Teri takes us along with her to a wedding in Tripoli – where she discovers a new way to kill time.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: New UNESCO Heritage Site; New Cross Memorial
Elia Varela Serra reviews bloggers' reactions to one of the main news in the Bosnian blogosphere this week: the addition of the Višegrad stone bridge to UNESCO's World Heritage List. Also, she reports on the controversy caused by plans to build a memorial to the Serbian war victims in Sarajevo.
Jordan: Paris’ Lame Attempt in Turkey
Moey, from Jordan, posts this video of Paris Hilton attempting to belly dance in Turkey.
Bahamas: Carifesta Confirmed
Nicolette Bethel reports that the Bahamas will host the regional Carifesta XI festival after all…
Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago: Liming
“While the term might have its origins in Trinidad, the pass time (and don't tell me it should be pastime) is truly Caribbean”: Living in Barbados is in the mood for a good lime.
Jamaica, Cuba: Poetry in Motion
Jamaican Geoffrey Philp blogs about MiPOesias Magazine's newly released issue, which he says “showcases the work of poets of Cuban descent who live in the U.S…no matter the subject, these poems blend the romance and sorrows of the past with a crisp view of daily life.”
South Korea: Fashion Wave
Metropolitician blogs about the cultural background for the potential rise of Korean fashion wave.
Colombia: Contest brings forth multimedia citizen journalists
Contest open for anyone, regardless of nationality, to write, show and create content telling the world about a very special place in Colombia most people wouldn´t normally be aware of. Bloggers and vloggers are already responding, here are examples from the Chocó and Antioquia regions.
Russia: Russian Reading Challenge 2008
Megan Case reviews novels by Andrei Makine and Olga Grushin for the Russian Reading Challenge 2008 at Ex Libris.
Armenia: Eurovision Betting Odds
Heckler Spray takes an albeit irreverent look at Armenia's entry in this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Nevertheless, the blog says that the song by local singer Sirusho is one of the favorites to win the competition usually ridiculed in Europe but taken very seriously indeed by new competitors from the...
Burkina Faso: Home of black bags, baobabs and cute kids?
This roundup will begin with some old business. From Stephen Davis of Voice in the Desert: His book Sophie and the Albino Camel is up for the Norfolk Shorts shortlist of books under 150 pages. While he won’t know the outcome until April 16, he did expound on why he loves writing short fiction.
