Stories about Arts & Culture from September, 2014
6 English-Language Blogs to Help You Better Understand Japan
A list of the best in Japanese blogs covering Japanese current events, culture, politics, crime and more. Did we miss a blog? Let us know in the comments!
Telling Puerto Rican Stories on the Web
Esta Vida Boricua [This Boricua Life] is a digital storytelling project which explores the past and present of Puerto Rico through the collection of experiences of people from all walks...
Art & Education in Suriname
Referring to English art critic Sir Herbert Read‘s book Education Through Art, Carmen Dragman, via Srananart's Blog, looks at the value of art in education, suggesting that the current Caribbean...
How to Go Trainspotting in China Without Being Charged With Espionage
YouTube vlogger RailKingJP regularly uploads fantatsic footage of his trainspotting adventures in Japan and abroad. New to the hobby? He also offers tips and tricks for tracking down trains.
8 Things You Wanted to Know About Madagascar but Were Afraid to Ask
If you ever wonder about visiting Madagascar or simply want to know more about the island, here are a few facts to consider.
The Curious Case Of Marrying Out Of Caste in India
Karthik Shashidhar, a freelance management consultant and data scientist, shares interesting statistics from the National Family Health Survey. Shashidhar discusses the percentage of women in India who are married to someone...
Non-Japanese Who Stayed in Sendai After 3.11 Earthquake Walk for Recovery
Despite being uncertain of what the future might bring, dozens of non-Japanese people decided to remain in their adopted home of Sendai, a coastal city located in the north of Japan...
India's Prime Minister Plans Hi-Tech Makeover For Ancient City of Varanasi
India's prime minister is set, it seems, to make good on an election promise to remake the city of Varanasi into a blend of ancient culture and modern technology.
A Japanese Man Pops the Question With the Help of a Dancing Flash Mob in Osaka
Millions have seen the video of the man's creative marriage proposal, set to the tune of Louder by Japanese pop star Charice.
Wanna Learn the Khmer Language? Check Out this Audio Dictionary
Kheng.Info is a useful portal to learn Khmer, the official language of Cambodia. Aside from word translation, the website also offers an audio recording of Khmer words which is helpful...
It's National Day in Chile, Which Means Chileans’ Ingenious Naming Games Are Back
Chile celebrates 204 years of independence with its own unique flavor and colors.
Ukrainian Band Blows Up YouTube with Wild Apple-Inspired Music Video

A little-known Ukrainian indie rock collective has captured the hearts of YouTube users—and Apple fans—with a cleverly shot music video that now has over half a million views.
How Russia’s Anti-Profanity Law Is Affecting Independent Filmmakers
Russian filmmakers are still grappling with how the anti-profanity law will affect their work and Russian culture at large.
Macedonian Media Stonewalls Popular Hip-Hop Artist's Pro-Freedom Song
Popular Macedonian hip-hop artist has seen his career come to a near stop after releasing a song and music video that discusses freedom of speech issues in Macedonia.
Bollywood Actress Deepika Padukone: ‘Yes! I Am a Woman. I Have Breasts and a Cleavage! You Got a Problem?!’
An entertainment news portal tweeted a screenshot of Padukone in the film "Finding Fanny" along with the comment "Deepika's cleavage show." The actress and numerous others hit back on Twitter.
Digital Library of Traditional Philippine Healing Practices
Initiated by several government agencies, the Philippine Traditional Knowledge Digital Library on Health (TKDL-Health) seeks to document and digitize indigenous health practices in the country. The communities, characteristically living in...
After Years of Censorship in Pakistan, Zeejah Fazli Is Trying to Fix Islamabad’s Fractured Music Industry
Meet guitarist Zeejah Fazli who works hard to create new opportunities in Islamabad’s limited music industry.
Ukrainian Daredevil “Mustang Wanted” Now Officially Wanted in Russia

Mustang Wanted has had quite a week, infuriating the Russian authorities, inspiring Ukrainians, and earning some unexpected money for his cause against Moscow's intervention in Eastern Ukraine.
Take a Musical Tour of Latin America's Talented Subway Performers
Some cities ban them, but the musicians found in the subways of Buenos Aires, Quito, Caracas, and Mexico City liven up an otherwise dull commute on public transportation.
A Group of University Students in Kyoto Want Japan, China and Korea to Just Be ‘Happy’
Relations between the three countries are often prickly because of territorial and historical disputes. A group of students made a 'Happy' video to promote a message of friendship.
A Fleet of Life-Size Paper Boats Is Sailing Down the Hudson River to Protest Climate Change
SeaChange: We All Live Downstream, a collaboration between 350.org and Brooklyn-based maritime arts collective Mare Liberum, is headed to the People’s Climate March.