Stories about Arts & Culture from April, 2016
Cambodia Cancels Screening of Film About Murdered Environmentalist Chut Wutty
"This ban provides yet another example of Cambodia's pervasive culture of impunity, and the lengths that the government will go to preserve it."
Buenos Aires’ Not So Little Italy
Italian Argentines show their cultural legacy in different ways. In Buenos Aires' annual "Piccola Italia" festival, "Al Dente!" celebrates the country's Day of Italianness.
Here's a Map That Shows You What the Japanese Really Think of Europe
According to Japanese stereotypes, which country in Europe has the most luxurious prisons? And which country in Europe is full of stupid people? And why can't Latvians eat potatoes?
Xulhaz Mannan, an LGBT Activist in Bangladesh, Is the Latest Victim in a String of Brutal Killings
Since 2005, at least 23 bloggers and activists have been killed and scores of others attacked or threatened with death for their progressive and secular views.
Puerto Ricans Take Heart in ‘Hamilton’ Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda's Success
While Puerto Rico is in the midst of a financial crisis, dramaturg Lin-Manuel Miranda's success has brought happiness and hope.
These White Butterflies from Nepal are Spreading a Message of Hope and Social Change Throughout the World
Usually flight attendants say, "Thank you for flying with us." Whenever I meet them I say, "Thank You for flying with me!"
Goodnight, Sweet Prince: The Caribbean Bids Farewell to the Consummate Artist
"Going to wear assless pants and eyeliner out of respect. I guess this is why Doves Cry. #Prince."
How Pakistan's Taher Shah Is Taking Viral Culture to the Next Level
There are some incomprehensible English lyrics and some off-tune singing. But that isn't what Taher is about. He is creating viral art.
The Awkward Story of How Russia's Top Pranksters Weren't Really Pranked
Journalist Elena Milchanovska says Russia's top pranksters aren't on the Kremlin's payroll, but they'd like to be. “Vovan and Lexus” say she's full of baloney.
Georgian Fashion: The Next Big Thing?
Known to fashionistas simply as Avtandil, Tskvitinidze, 42, never left his hometown, and has no desire to do so: “Europe and the US are overcrowded.”
A Vietnamese-American Man Captures the US Immigrant Experience in Poetry
Twenty-eight-year-old Ocean Vuong speaks of his experience coming from Vietnam to the US in his debut poetry collection "Night Sky with Exit Wounds."
Think You Know The Somali People? Think Again!
"The Somali people live to tell powerful stories, not only of loss and suffering, but also of hope and great resourcefulness."
From Heartwarming to Hilarious, 6 Things People Are Sharing About Iran and Persian Culture on Social Media
"...now I fight against those who want to drag Iran into regression. With the hopes for the day when we can all...have a higher tolerance for each other."
Colorful Rickshaw Paintings Protest Violence Against Women in Bangladesh
"We hope that words will thus roam around places and find their ways into people’s thought, leading us to a better tomorrow."
‘They Call Me Haj Agha'—Gaming Iran's Revolution
Game designer Navid Khonsari tells the story of Iran's 1979 revolution in a game. "Making a game like this offers the opportunity to portray history...with shades of gray."
Meet Three Artists Painting the Streets of Kenya, South Africa and Tunisia
Artists Falko One, Wisetwo and Vajo are working to get Africa's graffiti community more visibility.
What Do People Tweet While Waiting for the Train to Go By?
Tokyo's 34,000 level rail crossings are an unmistakable feature of the city, and an unavoidable fact of urban life.
‘Let's Not Give In to Fear': An Interview With Hugues Lawson-Body, Photographer of Celebrities and Parisian Youth
"I try to photograph young people just as they are. They are just as important as the adult generation, yet they suffer from neglect and need to be inspired."
The Russian Art of Meta-Stalking
Russian photographer Egor Tsvetkov says his work exposes how “digital narcissism” often “provokes online stalking.” But is his latest project doing the same thing?
In Bosnia, Defiance as Homophobia and Student Politics Collide
In most Balkan countries, homophobia is used as a political tool by right-wing populists to "divide and conquer". This often goes together with impunity for homophobic hate crimes.
#IamSyrian, a Campaign to Make Every Syrian Proud
Moustafa Jacob, a Syrian artist, used the Oscars to kick off his campaign #IamSyrian. Little did he know that this initiative would snowball to showcase international solidarity with Syrians.
