Stories about Arts & Culture from February, 2020
YouTuber in Mozambique kidnapped after denouncing a self-proclaimed prophet
In some of his YouTube videos, the user "Beleza em pessoa" criticized Mozambican prophets.
A renaissance is underway for Mongolia's literature lovers
Mongolia's long and bitterly cold winters provide ample time for reading. Luckily, the country's publishing market is booming — popular histories and translated fiction are the most sought after.
Fiji poet and activist Peter Sipeli promotes storytelling for LGBTQ+ rights in the Pacific
"I wanted to create a human conversation about the pain that we endure, that ostracization, and unpack that for people to see into."
Can a beloved Tashkent theatre resist the wrecking ball?
The famed Ilkhom Theatre may have survived decades of censorship and economic upheaval, but now it faces another foe: massive urban redevelopment in the Uzbek capital.
Nigeria’s Victor Olaiya: Trumpeter and ‘evil genius’ of highlife music (1931-2020)
"They thought I moved highlife music out of the ordinary. My highlife was a little bit out of this world, beyond explanation..." — Victor Olaiya
Indonesian superhero cartoon fights for the environment and the Balinese language
"The inspiration for the creation of the superhero character of Luh Ayu Manik Mas is the strong, tough and resilient Balinese women who themselves are like superheroes."
Trinidad & Tobago Carnival's steel pan competition in photos
There's only one place you can hear the best steelbands in the world compete against one another: the annual Panorama competition during Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival.
Is the coronavirus epidemic China's ‘Chernobyl moment'?
"It is a system that turns every natural disaster into an even greater man-made catastrophe."
An interview with Roger Robinson, winner of the 2019 T.S. Eliot Prize in poetry
Roger Robinson's poetry collection explores the theme of paradise, with topics ranging from London's tragic Grenfell Tower fire to the Windrush controversy, presented in bold, raw, and honest ways.
Broadcasters from Nigeria join global celebration of World Radio Day 2020
Nigerian broadcasters joined radio practitioners around the world to honor the powerful role that radio plays in global development on World Radio Day, February 13, 2020.
Rising prices, heavy taxation threaten sustainability of age-old art in Punjab, India
The famous decorative inlay wood carving art of Hoshiarpur in Punjab, India is in decline because of an increase in the price of Shisham wood.
‘L Japan’: Kobe couple vlogs about lesbian life
Get an introduction to Japanese lesbian slang and more on this YouTube channel by Kobe residents Miho and Clare.
Jair Bolsonaro's government calls Oscar nominee ‘anti-Brazil militant’
Petra Costa tells the story of the divisive events surrounding the impeachment of former president Dilma Rousseff in 2016, while delving into the recent history of Brazil's young democracy.
Barbadian poet Kamau Brathwaite leaves behind a legacy of language
"His use of nation language and the breadth of work he produced leaves an indelible mark on us all."
Bengali, Pakistani, and Amazon indigenous women perform ‘The rapist is you’ song
The flashmob by Chilean collective Las Tesis is still making waves around the world.
A novel about a Mexican family who migrates to the US comes under fire
"That Lydia is so shocked by her own country’s day-to-day realities gives the impression that Lydia might not be… a credible Mexican. In fact, she perceives her own country through the eyes of a pearl-clutching American tourist."
A Mexican engraver revives a mostly-forgotten Russian printmaking tradition
Interview with Alejandro Barreto, the engraver who makes unique Mexican lubki.
Nationalist, socialist, and now feminist: The many facets of Czech author Božena Němcová
February 4 marks the 200th anniversary of her birth. Over the past two centuries, Němcová has been remembered for different aspects of her life and work, usually picked to fit the contemporary zeitgeist.
‘Mario Kart’ cosplay company crashes and burns after appealing Nintendo ruling
Patrons were encouraged to dress up in costumes provided by Maricart as characters from Nintendo's popular 'Mario Kart' series and 'race' around the city, but those days are over.
