Stories about Arts & Culture from April, 2015
In Eastern Turkey, Walking in the Shadow of Genocide
Widely commemorated globally, the centenary of the Armenian genocide was largely ignored inside Turkey—which makes missions like historian Ara Sarafian's tour of Turkey's Kurdish region all the more important.
We Are Working To Prevent Explosions: Spoken Word in East Africa
"The youth... are like time bombs. We are working to prevent explosions. If words are never let out, we’ll explode!"
American Artist Returns Stolen Sculptures to Nepal With Her Paintbrush
Kathmandu's temples fell victim to art thieves after the 1950s. American artist Joy Lynn Davis reimagines the sacred sites with their stolen statues returned in her paintings.
Late Author Eduardo Galeano Saw Something Deeply Profound in Soccer
The Uruguayan writer was one of the first in Latin America to dare to muse on the nature of the game known as the opium of the people.
Tunisia Looks to Tap Into Its History and Push Its Olive Oil Front and Center
The so-called Arab Spring gave Tunisia international name recognition. Now Tunisia wants to be known for something else — its olive oil.
Relive New York City's Persian Parade
The Tajik flag - similar in appearance to the Iranian flag - was everywhere at this year's Persian parade.
What Do Africans Think of the Film ‘Timbuktu’ About Life Under Islamic Militants?
In Africa, opinions are divided on the Mauritanian film "Timbuktu." Some love it, others think external factors are the reason for its success.
Bangladeshis Stand Up to Sexual Violence Following New Year's Assaults
Netizens have used social media to try to identify the assailants, who were captured on film in the act. Meanwhile, social media is brimming with protests against sexual violence.
Malaysian Cartoonist Vows to Continue Fighting Government Abuses Despite Sedition Charges
"I will not keep quiet. How can I be neutral, even my pen has a stand!"
Japan's ‘Vagina Artist’ Denies Obscenity Charges
Japanese artist Megumi Igarashi, nicknamed "The Vagina Artist" by the Western media, says there's nothing obscene about artwork based on her genitalia.
What Does Censoring Nude Art Say About Us and Our Social Networks?
This post is the first in a series exploring the different ways in which artists face censorship online. Our base will be the experience of Venezuelan artist Erika Ordisgotti.
The European Union Won't Give e-Books Reduced VAT
On March 5, 2015, the European Union Court of Justice ruled that the reduced value-added tax (VAT) established for printed books should not apply to digital books, considering everything distributed or delivered electronically or via Internet as a service. Amalia Lopez questions the resolution on the Blog Sinerrata Editores: Lo que más me...
Cartoon Mascots in China Make Social Policing Cute
The mascots model “civil” behavior” and spread new norms about acceptable public behavior, specifically targeting newly urbanized migrants learning to share urban public spaces for the first time.
There’s Already a Rap Song Dedicated to Russia’s Twerking Bee-Costumed Teens
Young people in Orenburg are changing their profile pictures on VKontakte, Russia’s most popular social network, to a banner that reads, “We don’t want to fight, we want to dance.”
Bengali New Year Takes a Colorful Stand Against Religious Extremism in Bangladesh
Among the fun and festivities for Bengali New Year in Bangladesh was a serious message, "Burn many lights in the darkness of hearts," to commemorate bloggers and activists recently murdered.
How Do Madagascar's People Get By on So Little? With Lots of Ingenuity
"Ady Gasy", a documentary by rising filmmaker Lova Nantenaina, portrays the resourcefulness of Madagascar's people to overcome their daily struggles.
The Kremlin Declares War on Memes
By saying it is illegal to add celebrities’ images to certain memes, the Kremlin could be opening the door to banning a whole genre of absurdist online humor.
In Bangladesh, a Mobile App Provides a Platform Where Women Can Feel Free to Talk
Maya provides a platform where women can freely speak about their emotional, medical, legal, and social needs anonymously, without being judged.
Discover Yemen through its Literature: Six Contemporary Authors Worth Reading
On Arabic Literature in English, M. Lynx Qualey presents six contemporary Yemeni authors worth discovering. She points out: As you might expect from a troubled nation with relatively little modern literary output, there aren’t many translations of Yemeni work available in English. However, there are some, as several Yemeni authors have received regional...
Clip Depicting 100 Years of Women’s Fashion in Iran Challenges Media-Driven Stereotypes
"We wanted to show that Iran, just like our country, has never been static."
Radio Ambulante Reimagines Latin America’s Most Beloved News Source—the Radio
Radio Ambulante co-founder and executive producer Daniel Alarcón talks about the radio program’s journalistic lineage, the new immigrant reality, and stories that blow borders to bits.
