Stories about Arts & Culture from February, 2014
GV Face: Beyond Gangnam Style – Censorship and Korean Pop Music
It has been called South Korea's “greatest export.” PSY's K-pop song Gangnam style is the most watched video on YouTube. But behind the glamorous facades and big paychecks, it's not all fun and romance until South Korea's censors have done their work. Our managing editor Solana Larsen talks to our...
Trinidad & Tobago: Glitter Glee
I have been a hooved La Diablesse, a bolt of lighting, Thumbelina, Blight, and one of the Israelites leaving Egypt, among others. There was always some glitter involved. Glitter is to carnival as mud is to J’ouvert. creative commess explains her love of the sparkly stuff.
It's Music Freedom Day on March 3!
19 musicians killed, and 7 abducted. 18 music creators imprisoned. These are just some of the reported cases of injustice against musicians recorded by the human rights organization Freemuse in 2013. On March 3, the annual Music Freedom Day will draw attention to the rights to free expression of musicians...
How the Portuguese Influenced Indian Cuisine
During four centuries in India, the Portuguese left their mark on Indian cuisine. We look at just a few of the dishes that have Portuguese flavor.
Bangladeshis Protest Bollywood Film ‘Gunday’ for Misrepresenting Liberation War
The film treats the 1971 war as simply a war between India and Pakistan, leaving out the fact of Bangladesh's struggle for independence from Pakistan.
Jamaican Dancehall Artiste Deported from Dominica
The Dominican government has refused to allow a controversial Jamaican dancehall artist to enter the country on the grounds that he is a security threat. Netizens sound off on Twitter.
Mushrooms, France's Latest Food Trend
Like wine or seasonal fruit and veg, mushrooms are highly valued both in the mind and on the plate, associated with a better lifestyle and local produce.
Trinidad & Tobago: The Truth of J'ouvert
In anticipation of her J'ouvert experience at this year's Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, Tillah Willah explores why the opening of the festival holds so many truths for her.
Celebrating Puerto Rican Poet Julia de Burgos on the 100th Anniversary of Her Birth
The Spanish-speaking world celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Puerto Rican poet Julia de Burgos.
Myanmar's Last Remaining Synagogue
Built 120 years ago, the Musmeah Yeshua synagogue in Yangon is the last remaining Jewish synagogue in Buddhist-dominated Myanmar. Aside from being a tourist attraction, it is also listed as an archaeological heritage building in the city.
Not All Bad, Talking Korean Plastic Surgery from Biz Perspective
There have been mounting criticisms on both local and international media's coverage of rampant plastic surgeries in South Korea; many reports are highly sensational, describing how reckless and ignorant plastic surgery patients are (focused on females ones rather than male) and have successfully generated numerous crass jokes and harsh comments...
Malagasy React to SI Swimming Suit Issue and Model's Take on Madagascar
The 2014 Sports Illustrated Swimming Suit Issue was shot on Nosy Iranja (Iranja Island), Madagascar: Nosy Iranja is known as the Turtle island for the Hawksbill Turtles came to shore to lay their eggs. It is also known for the spectacular sandbank that bridges the two nearby islands. Russian Top...
Photos from The Fashion Pakistan Week
Fashion blogger Amara Javed posts photos from the ongoing Fashion Pakistan Week in Karachi showcasing the Summer 2014 collections by many Lahore designers.
There Will Be No Peace in Colombia Without Women
In response to the lack of female representation in peace talks, a website gives a voice to Colombian women who have dedicated their lives to the fight for peace.
Celebrating Netizens Who Blog in Nigerian Pidgin English
Nigerian Pidgin English is the country's "lingua franca, understood in all 36 states. Yet, you will not find a classroom in the whole country that teaches it"
Interview With Fula-Language Blogger Balde Mamadou Tafsir for Mother Language Day
Interview: African culture and languages researcher Balde Mamadou Tafsir writes two blogs in Fula, his native language.
Parlez-vous français? Learning French According to Global Voices Translators
Struggling with learning French? Don't despair! You are not alone, say Global Voices French translators.
Jamaica: Breakespeare & Bob Marley
Inspired by Cindy Breakspeare's recent lecture on Bob Marley, Annie Paul republishes a 2007 interview she did with her, in which Breakspeare discusses her youth, her Jamaican-ness and of course, meeting Bob.
Indie Music from Puerto Rico is Rocking the World
The world is already listening to us. Time to spread the word in Puerto Rico.
10 New Documentaries at the Luxor African Film Festival
Tom Devriendt lists 10 documentaries to look out for at the Luxor African Film Festival: The third edition of the Egyptian Luxor African Film Festival again has a wide-ranging programme scheduled for next month. Selected films will be showing in different competitions: Long Narrative, Short Narratives, Short Documentaries and Long...
Photographers Snap Over Online Accreditation for Trinidad Carnival
Social media has taken the enjoyment of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival to a new level - but photographers are being told that their 2014 accreditation fees won't cover online use.
