Stories about Arts & Culture
Concerts are becoming a political battleground in Turkey
A series of concert bans are drawing backlash in Turkey with criticisms mounting against the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party for imposing conservative restrictions on citizens and the arts.
St. Lucia plans to implement the teaching of Kwéyòl in schools — but is it enough to revitalise the language?
"National identity [...] is a lived identity. Using an endangered language in school is only useful as part of a series of other national measures to support the language."
Syria's Samar Haddad: ‘Books are freedom and reading is what frees us’
'The true publisher, whether small, medium or large, is the freedom fighter of our age. As a publisher, I’m a resistance fighter in this age of consumerism.'
Do Russian classics need a new interpretation after Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Interview with scholar Ani Kokobobo
Should Tolstoy and Dostoevsky be approached and read differently in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine? While some weaponize them, other would like to see them cancelled.
Africa's music scene rebounds after a devastating pandemic
Live performances and music festivals, key revenue sources for African musicians, were annihilated during the COVID-19 pandemic. But things seem to be gradually returning to normal.
Just a Band’s return comes as Kenya redefines its musical identity
Alternative Kenyan music reached new audiences in 2020 as audiences sought a soundtrack that reflected their new upsidedown reality.
Jamaica's Barbara Gloudon, a giant of journalism and theatre, passes away at 87
Gloudon developed a huge following, empathising with callers to her popular radio show and delivering a mix of “rootsy” wisdom, laced with humour and social commentary.
‘The ambition of expressing myself freely': A conversation with Iranian artist Arghavan Khosravi
"One does not need to be Iranian to relate to the sense of uncertainty and repression woven into [Khosravi's] paintings."
Turkey's latest attack on the arts: A provincial governor cancels a long-awaited music festival
While the statement did not specifically mention the upcoming music festival, the event falls under the calendar days mentioned in the statement.
In Turkey, a comedy show lands in hot water over a political sketch
The Guldur Guldur Show, a popular comedy show in Turkey, had its sketch removed by a television channel over a satirical bit about Minister of Finance and Treasury Nureddin Nebati.
World Record Store Day: These Kenyan DJs are keeping the art of vinyl alive in the digital age
Kenya’s vinyl collectors community has reimagined the day they come together to share in the joy of buying, collecting and listening to all manner of Vinyl records.
What’s so special about the tearjerker song ‘Pir’ that created a national debate in Nepal?
A Nepali song on YouTube, showcasing the plight of Maoist cadres who supported and fought the ten-year-long insurgency in Nepal, was edited and re-uploaded after a fierce debate.
A Brazilian photographer registers the beauty of favela residents
"I don't want to be just another photographer with a pretty picture, I want to make a difference in the lives of others."
Brazilian artists campaign to mobilize youth to vote in upcoming elections
A campaign led by Brazilian celebrities is trying to reverse the drop in registered voters ages 16 to 18 over the last decade, and highlights the importance of voting in presidential elections in October 2022.
Yugoslav monuments: Forgotten places of resistance and memory
Before the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia broke up, there were countless sites erected to honor the victims of the Second World War. These monuments are largely in disrepair now.
Shagz Chronicles: The Kenyan podcast that wants you to fall in love with the Kikuyu language and culture
Translation of the Kikuyu language continues to be a major challenge. Shagz Chronicles wants to normalize both the oral and written Kikuyu in everyday life, both online and off.
‘Clean monuments’ campaign in Azerbaijan leads to criticisms
The Ministry of Culture said the goal of the project is to revive the monuments, busts, and bas-reliefs of great Azerbaijani.
Philippine independent bookshops become targets of red-tagging
The red-tagging of Popular Bookstore and Solidaridad is the latest in a long history of state repression of dissent and critical thinking in the Philippines.
Why hasn't Jamaica made Bob Marley a national hero yet?
Marley's shaping of Black consciousness, “lyrical activism,” representation of reggae and Rastafari, and his “One Love” philosophy were cited as part of the bid to make him a national hero.
‘The world’s perception of Ukraine has changed’ says singer from cult band Okean Elzy
Singer Svyatoslav Vakarchuk from the Ukrainian cult band Okean Elzy spoke to Global Voices about Russian celebrities, his urge to perform during the crisis and why writing music is impossible.
Protest music: young Nigerian musicians singing against social injustice
Nigerian young singers have continued in that revered tradition of singing against social injustice. The #EndSARS protest triggered their political consciousness, which hitherto, seemed to be experiencing a decline.
