Stories about Arts & Culture from July, 2016
31 July 2016
Once, Students in the US Were Punished for Speaking Spanish. Here, They Are Honored.
This is Concurso Nacional de Deletreo en Español, the National Spanish Spelling Bee.
30 July 2016
Pampulha Ensemble, Precursor to Brasilia, Gets UNESCO World Heritage Status
The Pampulha Ensemble, as well as Brazil's capital Brasília, were designed by the country's late-great modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer.
A Melting Pot of Global Music, Compiled from Haiti's Past
Ostinato Record's newest compilation brings together two decades of Haitian grooves from a pivotal time in the island's musical history.
29 July 2016
It's an Eraser! It's a Pizza! No, It's Iran's Olympic Uniform
"Daesh has claimed responsibility for the design of Iran's Olympic uniform."
Old Photos Bring Back Sweet Memories of Bangladesh's Capital Dhaka
"That's where I grew up and miss my childhood and feel like how good days were those. Those were the golden days of my loving city of Dacca not Dhaka."
26 July 2016
This Classic Ukrainian Cartoon Can Help Parents Talk About Human Trafficking
Thanks to YouTube, almost half a century after it was first created, the Ukrainian cartoon series "How the Cossacks.." is making a global comeback.
25 July 2016
With Trepidation and Excitement, Pokémon Go Finally Launched in Japan
Pokémon Go was finally released in Japan on July 22, 2016. The entire country has surrendered to the craze of capturing mythical monsters using a mobile device.
24 July 2016
Samia Yusuf Omar Earned Fame as a Runner, But Died as a Refugee. A New Comic Honors Her.
Reinhard Kleist's latest comic book brings Olympic dreams and the refugee crisis to life.
21 July 2016
A Protection Ritual to ‘Close the Body’ Links Different Religious Traditions in Brazil
The "closing of the body" is supposed to ward off evil. Followers of the Afro-Brazilian religions of Candomblé and Umbanda as well as some Catholics practice the ritual.
18 July 2016
Russian Artists Reimagine Pokémon Go With Soviet Cartoon Characters
Love Soviet cartoons? These Russian artists reimagined the beloved characters as creatures in the Pokémon Go game. Gotta catch all the Cheburashkas!
Meet the Nicaraguan Feminist Group Fighting Gender-Based Violence in Central America
The civic group La Corriente develops “actions that generate changes [for] equality, […] combining research, education, media, and the creativity of a team of people devoted to the feminist cause."
17 July 2016
Puerto Rico’s Flag Is Black and in ‘Mourning’ Over US-Imposed Oversight Board
"Puerto Rico is fighting, lets strengthen the love between us and the space we inhabit by promoting respect, solidarity, tolerance, union, communication, and community cooperation."
These African and Scandinavian Musicians Create Sweet Sounds in Copenhagen
“A Swedish guy, and a Mozambican guy, and a Danish guy, they’re speaking one language, which is the music language."
Rappers Put Patriotism on Full Display in Tajikistan
Over two years ago, authorities stopped a nascent and subversive hip-hop movement in its tracks. That move has had predictable consequences.
16 July 2016
Recently Discovered Rock Paintings May Change Machu Picchu's History as We Know It
Machu Picchu returns to the headlines with the discovery of rock paintings about 100 yards away from the very well-known tourist destination.
14 July 2016
The Fascinating World of Cold War-Era Hungarian Cartoons
Learn about some of the animated cartoons to come out of Hungary, from the darkly satirical "Gustav" to the family-friendly "Hungarian Folk Tales."
Japanese Fans Are Over the Moon for This Russian Figure Skater's ‘Cosplay’ Performance
"Medvedeva-chan, thank you indeed for loving Sailor Moon so much!"
13 July 2016
‘Playing for Change’ Promotes Peace and Inclusion Around the World Through Music
"Throughout our journey we have learned that music is the greatest tool for healing broken countries, cultures and hearts."
9 July 2016
Iraqi Society Frowned Upon His Moonwalk, But He Kept Dancing Anyway
A year before he was killed, Adel Al-Jaf said: "One day I'll leave Iraq and go to a place where people love dancing and they're not fighting it."
‘Visions From The Inside’ Illustrates the Struggles and Resilience of Migrants Caught in US Detention Centers
Fourteen artists created illustrations based on the testimonies of migrants detained in for-profit detention facilities in the US.
