· February, 2012

Stories about Arts & Culture from February, 2012

Russia: Great Lent Has Begun

RuNet Echo  29 February 2012

Citizen media outlets have captured the multidimensional essence of the Russian Orthodox Lenten season, which began on Monday, including issues such the religiosity of post-USSR Russia, the liturgical calendar, the peculiarities of the Orthodox traditions and fasting rituals compared to those observed in the West, and the public statements made by prominent church officials.

Costa Rica: Turning to Facebook to Fund TV Show

  29 February 2012

Sürrealista is a media producer in Costa Rica that has worked with many local bands. Now they want to have a 30 minute TV Show and to make that happen[es], they are asking for people to watch their pilot show online, give it a “like” on facebook and share it.

Uruguay: Scenes From the Longest Carnival in the World

  29 February 2012

Every year, Uruguayans celebrate the longest carnival in the world. Percussionists, dancers and musical and theatrical performers take center stage for over 40 days. Sites and blogs dedicated to the event keep netizens around the world informed on the different aspects of carnival, while bloggers share photos, videos, and thoughts on this celebration of culture and heritage.

Trinidad & Tobago: Carnival is My Time

  28 February 2012

“In an attempt to imitate art…culture in T&T seems to have perverted itself and in trying to become something else, may have succeeded all too well; the business model of Tribe and the other new ‘Rio’ styled bands seems to be built on encouraging excess for profit”: Plain Talk suggests...

Brazil: Visually Impaired Dancers Become Ballet Professionals

  28 February 2012

Pierre Larose, on his blog Discovering São Paulo, shares a video report on ‘a ballet school in São Paulo which has developed a method of “teaching by touch” in order to develop professional ballet dancers who are blind or visually impaired’. He adds that in 12 years approximately 300 dancers...

Portugal: Web Users Debate Portuguese Private Copying Bill

  27 February 2012

Currently being debated in the Portuguese Parliament is a new bill (PL118) which proposes a tax on any equipment or software capable of recording, copying or storing analogue or digital content, in the name of author's rights. The online community has wasted no time in wading in on the debate, with the hashtag #PL118 duly trending on Twitter.

Pakistan: Karachi's Third Literature Gala

  26 February 2012

The Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) gave an opportunity to authors and book lovers to join together and celebrate reading. Literature from Pakistan and elsewhere was discussed in the two day long event from 11-12 February, 2012.

Puerto Rico: 365 Photographs

  26 February 2012

José Rodrigo Madera's photos, part of his "365" project, were only visible to his friends on Facebook, until the magazine Revista Cruce published 20 of them for everyone to enjoy. Here is a selection of his beautiful photographs.

Greece: Athens, 1st African Film Festival Week

  23 February 2012

The first African Film Festival will take place in Athens, Greece, from February 23 to 29, 2012, with the collaboration of various African countries’ embassies and consulates. Twenty one films from Angola, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Nigeria, Egypt and Ethiopia will be screened. The event is hosted by the Greek Film...

One Day on Earth: Global Screening of Worldwide Collaborative Film

  22 February 2012

The collaborative film One Day on Earth was filmed all on the same day, October 10, 2010, with more than 3,000 hours of footage sent in from all corners of the world. The Global Screening will take place on Earth Day (April 22, 2012) in every country of the world, with the assistance of World Heritage Sites and the United Nations.

Trinidad & Tobago: Carnival Damage

  22 February 2012

Plain Talk suggests that Trinidad and Tobago Carnival “is no longer an expression of culture but an exercise in excess set to music…no longer something to be proud of but two days of decadence that undermines our society a little more each time.”

China: Tibetan Matches

  22 February 2012

A satirical cartoon on the self-immolation of Tibetans and the conflict situation in Tibet. By Gianfranco Uber at Cartoon Movement.