Stories about Arts & Culture from December, 2015
Strangest Twitter Moment of 2015? Elijah Wood Wades into the Gollum-Erdogan Spat
"You shut up. I skip all the scenes you are in anyway. You can't walk properly. You can't even throw the ring properly... indecent."
Finding the Cultural Bridges of the Middle East in Literary Istanbul
Conversations with literary masters in Istanbul lead Arash Azizi to ponder the cultural disconnect, especially in terms of literature, between the countries of the Middle East.
South Australians Queue for the Pungent Corpse Flower
Thousands of people have queued to see and smell a corpse flower in bloom at South Australia's Mount Lofty Botanic Garden.
32 Stories That Capture the Happiness, Heartache and Resilience of 2015
Global Voices’ community-driven newsroom worked hard this year to build understanding across borders. Take a look back at some of the people and places we learned about in 2015.
Who Would Have Thought ‘Everest’ Was in Kazakhstan?
'I even have an old reflex camera, a Nikon D70 -- quite heavy, by the way. That picture was taken from a height of about 6,500 meters above sea level.'
For Artists, the World Was a Canvas for Change in 2015
As 2016 approaches, revisit 16 stories from the Global Voices' archives of art with a powerful purpose.
Sri Lanka's President Says Enrique Iglesias Concert Organisers Should Be ‘Whipped With Toxic Stingray Tails’
President Sirisena didn't like that female fans hugged and kissed the pop star, nor that someone threw her bra onstage. Sri Lankans didn't take to his "moral policing" kindly.
Christmas in Japan? Get Ready for Running Trees, Dazzling Lights, and Fried Chicken
Japan has its own unique approach to Christmas that includes amazing light displays, delicate cakes and delicious fried chicken.
One Kanji Character Captures a Year of Uncertainty in Japan
The character 安 has been named the official kanji of 2015. The character is supposed to represent 'peace', but not always...
Public Uproar in Cambodia After City Government ‘Whitewashes’ US Artist's Mural
"The Cambodian government is sending a clear message that public art will not be tolerated. Either that or they just spat out their dummy in the most fastidious way possible."
Kyrgyzstan's Take on Buzzfeed Generates Complaints (and Views) with Gender Stereotyping Listicles
'The ideal 'kelin' pours tea with her right hand, but never a full cup.'
Afghan Catwalk Sparks Bitter Controversy and Hopes for a More Open Society
To some they are heroes, to others "prostitutes" that "adopted Western thoughts." In Afghanistan, the catwalk is a political battleground.
Here's What Russian Internet Users Googled in 2015
In 2015, the RuNet cheered on Eurovision and hockey, but also mourned prominent Russians who passed away and followed the tragic events in Egypt and France.
South Indian Singer Prosecuted for Song Critical of State Government
“A law that is repeatedly used to arrest singers, cartoonists and writers has no place in a democracy – and should be repealed.”
Viral Outrage Over the Appropriation of Traditional Mexican Embroidery Is Full of Inaccuracies
Media reported that Santa María Tlahuitoltepec residents would be forced to pay royalties on their traditional embroidery because of a French company's copyright claim. Disturbing—if it were true. It's not.
This Cat Calendar Is Making the Russian Orthodox Church Go Viral
The “Priest + Cat” calendar is the Russian Orthodox answer to the Italian Calendario Romano, featuring young and handsome Catholic priests, and the I gatti di Roma cat calendar.
Bangladesh's Censor Board Blocks the Country's First Chakma-Language Film
There are a number of indigenous groups with unique cultures in Bangladesh. However, their lives and languages are rarely highlighted in Bangladeshi films or national broadcasts.
Photographer Elyor Nematov Captures the Lives of Kyrgyzstan's Russia-Based Migrants Left Behind
When will father come home? Sometimes months, sometimes years, sometimes never.
Is There Really Such Thing as ‘European Values'?
"The challenges provoked by this influx of people who search for peace and happiness in Europe cannot be solved solely with financial resources."
Spot All the New Urban Murals in Kyiv With This Handy Interactive Map
Hunting down new street art and murals in Ukraine's capital has just gotten easier, with a new interactive map listing most of the locations of recent artworks.
Famed Post-War Japanese Cartoonist Mizuki Shigeru Dies
Mizuki Shigeru, one of Japan's greatest post-War pop icons, has died. His cartoons captured the soul of Japan.
