Stories about Arts & Culture from February, 2018
‘Ready to Reckon With the Colonizing World, Daring It to Try’ — What the ‘Black Panther’ Film Means to Trinidad & Tobago
"Black Panther is sublime. Not because it's a perfect narrative. No such thing exists. [...] It's sublime because it's an ardent vehicle for black joy."
A Sudanese Village Arts Festival Looks Back to the Future
"Karmakol festival offered a rare look back at the Sudan our parents told us about, but also the Sudan that could have been, and, hopefully, the Sudan that could be."
Twitter Thread of Observations and Surprising Moments in Japan Goes Viral
When a user experience designer traveled to Tokyo he was surprised and amazed by the small details of daily life. His observations about Japan then went viral on Twitter.
All of the Soviet Union's Academy Award-Winning Films Are Legally and Freely Available Online
Ranging from epic war dramas to romantic comedies, the Soviet Academy Award winners available online with subtitles in English and some other languages offer a perfect binge-watching opportunity.
At Zanzibar’s Sauti za Busara Festival, Music Professionals Ask: Can One Song Really Change the World?
"This is an issue with the rights of all musicians to speak out. This tells me how powerful music is. If it wasn’t this strong, it wouldn’t be so feared."
Malaysian Government Ad Used Barking Rooster to Celebrate the Chinese Year of the Dog
"This department needs to be more cultured or exposed to the understanding of other cultures. This is really embarrassing and reflects the ignorance of your department."
An Artist Duo in Nepal Hopes Their Nude Paintings Will Encourage Men to Embrace Vulnerability
“It’s okay to be you, men too can cry, men too can be sensitive."
A Fascinating Glimpse Into the Life of a Popular Chimpanzee in Pre-War Japan
"In the 1930s, one of the most popular animals at Tennoji Zoo in Osaka was Rita the chimpanzee."
East African Women in the Music Industry Sing Out Against Male Domination
"We have made ourselves known in the music industry, yet gender inequality, sexism, and pay gaps persist. It’s not that we’re not skillful enough, it’s that all decision-makers are men."
As the World Celebrates Bob Marley Day, Reggae is Changing and So Are Its Fans
"Consciousness and liberation are some of the messages we expect from Rasta, unfortunately, it [appears] Rasta has lost its value locally and as an agent of change in our society."
A Palestinian Cultural Space in Haifa Reclaims Authentic Artistic Voice
“An unfinished space invites people to contribute, to be at ease and to feel part of the place.”
Mexico Takes a Leading Role in the Oscars (Again!)
Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro's 'The Shape of Water' is leading Oscar nominations, and Mexico's Twittersphere is celebrating with a big wave of memes.