Stories about Arts & Culture from March, 2024
Solving the invasive aquatic weeds problem in Nepal
Water hyacinth, an invasive Amazonian species, clogs Nepal's waterways, suffocating native flora and blocking essential nutrients for aquatic life. A Nepali handicraft collective creatively repurposes its fibre for household items.
A farming community's fight for land and legacy in Sri Lanka
A story of resilience and resistance emerges in the struggle between farmers and the authorities in Uva Province over a land-grab of maize fields for a proposed sugarcane factory.
Half a century after first flight, Trinidad & Tobago Carnival designer Peter Minshall's seminal hummingbird continues to bring joy
"It is monumental to underline that art coming out of Carnival and performance is equal to what is considered contemporary art.”
Creating digital collage in Uzbekistan: Interview with artist Oyjon Khayrullaeva
Uzbekistan is known for its Silk Road architectural gems often presented in a traditional way. But young Uzbek artists are claiming this heritage in a new way to create striking art.
Brian Heap, a generous teacher and inspiring figure in Jamaican theater, dies at age 73
"He had the ability to incorporate ordinary details of Jamaican culture in his work and to turn the ordinary into something special."
The song about Belarusian migrants, ‘Can I Come with You,’ has become an anthem for homeless animals. Where did it come from?
The song "Can I Come with You" has gone viral on Russian language TikTok: users of the social network are sharing stories about homeless animals set to the song.
Chad as a literary territory: Interview with francophone novelist Nétonon Noël Ndjékéry
Chad is a pivot country between North and Central Africa. It is rarely covered as a place of literature, thus Global Voices interviewed francophone novelist Nétonon Noël Ndjékéry.
How Tanzanian artists are leading the musical renaissance in Africa
While digital platforms have helped grow the market and reach of music for African and in particular Tanzanian music, there are genuine concerns about monetization and loyalties.
‘Game changer': A Kenyan radio station is reviving a dying Indigenous language
The radio station, Sogoot, which in the Indigenous language Ogiek means 'leaves,' broadcasts in Ogiek from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily, educating and giving direction to thousands in its community.
Nigerian artist Sor Sen explores the ‘connectedness between humans and trees’
"When I see branches of a tree clustered, the intricacies, the manoeuvres and general structural organization, it reminds me of the somewhat chaotic nature of the human condition."
Kyrgyzstan’s blockbuster film is a moving tale of the bond between a mother and son
According to the film’s director Ruslan Akun, its main goal is encouraging people to be merciful towards each other and do good deeds.
Deepfakes and the risks from the growing use of video fraud
" ... [T]he truth is on the edge of "death" because, with the increase of deepfakes in circulation, it will be more and more difficult to understand what the truth is."
‘Jumbo,’ Trinidad & Tobago's treasured ‘Nuts Man,’ leaves lessons of patriotism
“Jumbo [was] plying his trade, but was also totally involved and engaged. He spoke about sport from a position of knowledge, and he helped make the experience fun."
Director of Oscar winning film about Auschwitz slams ‘hijacking of Jewishness, Holocaust’ for Gaza war
Director of Zone of Interest Jonathan Glazer denounced the dehumanization of Palestinian victims in Gaza alongside those of the October 7 attacks.
Poetry as therapy: Hong Kong’s domestic workers muse about love and sacrifice
"Ingat", meaning “take care” in Tagalog, is a book featuring the work of dozens of domestic workers telling stories about family, hardship, love and sacrifice.
The struggles of the Pattharkattas, Nepal’s invisible workforce
Today, an estimated 3,343 Pattharkattas living in Nepal struggling with dead-end jobs with no opportunity for growth or sustaining their livelihood. Their traditional identity and occupation are at stake.
The year Palestine ‘played mas’ in Trinidad & Tobago
Despite the fact that Trinidad and Tobago does not officially recognise the Palestinian state, support for Palestine has been building, eventually coming into full view during the country's Carnival celebrations.
