Stories about Arts & Culture from May, 2021
South Asian examples show the centrality of nature in indigenous art
Modern societies can learn much from indigenous art about the importance of nurturing our relationship with nature.
Czechia's Muslim women celebrated Ramadan with mixed experiences
How do Muslim women feel in Prague, and how does Female Ramadan in Prague go?
Trinidad and Tobago loses two cultural icons on the same day
Though lost under very different circumstances, condolences pour out to the families of steelpan arranger Bobby Mohammed and dance icon Torrance Mohammed, both giants in their respective fields.
‘Kakoli Furniture’ viral video spawns funny memes in Bangladesh and West Bengal
A low budget video advertisement containing a repetitive six-word sentence “Low price, good quality, Kakoli Furniture” has become an online sensation in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India.
WATCH/LISTEN: What Eurovision tells us about Europe
Missed the live stream of the May 20 Global Voices Insights webinar on the Eurovision Song Contest? Here's a replay.
Demolition of iconic dragon mosaic in Almaty stirs debate on urban art in Kazakhstan
The dragon, which used to adorn the façade of a Thai restaurant, was a landmark of Almaty’s city center.
Critically acclaimed Bosnian film stirs up the barely buried ghosts of Srebrenica
Quo Vadis Aida? shows what genocide looks like by focusing on the fate of the victims, on family members being separated, knowing they will never see one another again.
LIVE on May 20: What Eurovision tells us about Europe
What does the Eurovision Song Contest say about the politics, self-image and values of Europe? Join us on May 20 to find out. Featuring interviews with two of this year's contestants!
Amid Eid ul-Fitr celebrations, a look at the Muslim presence in the Caribbean
New generations of Caribbean Muslims are being born and raised in the diaspora, creating a type of religious hybrid that sometimes puts traditional approaches under strain.
Who is artist Luis Manuel Otero, symbol of the resistance and thorn in the side of the Cuban regime?
Events surrounding the life of Luis Manuel Otero unleashed an unprecedented international media campaign in his support, and have even influenced the course of relations between the U.S. and Cuba.
Burqa ban in Sri Lanka would undermine national security and human rights
Many in Sri Lanka and abroad are condemning the impending ban on wearing burqas and other full-face coverings in public as a breach of human rights.
Imagining the Caribbean's architectural alphabet
As his contribution to the online design challenge "36 Days of Type," Trinidadian artist Nicholas Huggins decided to create a visual alphabet inspired by the architecture of the region.
Two Malaysian artists face police probe for online commentary and artwork
"The persecution of artists such as Zunar and Fahmi stifles creative expression, chills public discourse, and undermines trust in Malaysian authorities."
Russian feminist activist Yulia Tsvetkova announces hunger strike
Demanding a swift trial, Tsvetkova wrote: "Let’s stop waiting for people being persecuted to be heroes. We don’t need heroes. We need to prevent the persecution of the innocent."
Alternative Indian movies: Is Netflix at last embracing cultural diversity?
Netflix, which has become the entertainment go-to for millions during the pandemic's prolonged lockdowns, is exploring new Indian productions that stray away from the typical plotlines and visuals.
‘Industrial Heaven': A Ukrainian Instagram account digs deeper into the Donbas region
The visual archive portrays “a split region” through a curated collection of current photos, found imagery, and ephemera such as propaganda posters and postcards, and archival images from bygone eras.
Egyptian TV show reignites political schism over 2013's bloody summer
The show depicts the official narrative of the 2013 coup, and of the security forces' dismantling of a sit-in at Cairo's Rabaa Al-Adawiya Square in which nearly 1,000 protesters were killed.
