Stories about Arts & Culture from March, 2008
China: Petition to Stop the Ban On Tang Wei
Eric Mu from DANWEI translated a petition to stop the ban on Tang Wei – the main actress in the movie “Lust, Caution”.
Russia: Russians/Americans “are NOT stupid”
Finally, a Russian answer (RUS) to the famous/infamous “Americans are NOT stupid” video (via LJ user maliar, RUS).
Russia: Myths
Da Russophile presents “the Top 10 Russophobe Myths, in opposition to La Russophobe‘s Top 10 Russophile Myths.”
Taiwan: Religious buildings–a way to explore how cultures mix
The popular image of multi-culturalism as a mosaic, a salad bowl in which different cultures mix but keep their integrity, is misleading. Cultures are more like soups, flavored with many ingredients, some identifiable. –From the book ‘Cultures and societies in a changing world,’ written by Wendy Griswold. Taiwan has a...
Portugal: Should the Olympics be boycotted?
There is a heated debate at Blasfemias’ 4th post about the Beijing Olympics. More than 70 commentators agree or not with Gabriel Silva's [pt] that a boycott would not help, but halt the scrutiny China will come under.
Czech Republic: “A Scary Masterpiece”
Czechmatediary.com writes about the Bone Church of the town of Kutna Hora.
El Salvador: Sand Carpets During Easter Week
On Holy Friday in El Salvador, many faithful continue the tradition of creating sand carpets on the streets of the cities. Hunnapuh [es] collects images of these colorful creations.
March Madness in Kuwait
Just as there is March Madness in the US, the phenomena seems to have spread to Kuwait - not for basketball but elections. Abdullatif Al Omar brings us the Kuwaiti bloggers reactions to the resignation of their government, the dissolving of Parliament and the looming elections in June.
Brazil: Mutantes, 1968 to 1973
Alexandre Carvalho dos Santos [pt] has a quite detailed post about the discography by Os Mutantes (portuguese for The Mutants), one of the most influential Brazilian psychedelic rock band.
Albania: Leeches
Living in Shkoder writes about the medicinal use of leeches in Albania.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: “Graffiti Street”
Bosnia Blog writes about a documentary on the “meeting of [Sarajevo] musicians after a separation caused by war.”
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Writing a Book on Sarajevo
Pure Intent is working on a book on Sarajevo – and is asking his readers to share ideas: “It's your city too. What we're lookin’ for is nothing ordinary….quite the opposite actually. I want to tell stories of the water fountains, of the zanatlija, of tucano kahva, how we hid...
Latvia: Musings on Ethnic Homogeny
Among other things, Marginalia muses on the “basic bonds between peoples and their languages, lands, beliefs, cultures and even cuisines” and how it relates to Latvia.
Poland: Warsaw; Online Forums
Among other things, Polandian writes about the Warsaw Ghetto in the final installment of “Inside Warsaw.” Also, there's a post on “why Polish people don’t smile” and a review of Polish-English online discussion forums.
Central and Eastern Europe: Easter Roundup
Adventures in Wheelville marks Easter in Slovenia; Polandian writes about the “ingredients” of “the nationwide ‘holiday shuffle'” in Poland, and Kinuk describes her family's Polish holiday feast; Csíkszereda Musings writes about the first Easter of the two, which are “are over a month apart” in Romania this year; Bojan's Blog...
Ukraine: Construction in Kyiv
Ukrainiana writes about undesirable construction that is changing Kyiv – here and here (with photos and video).
Dominica: 10 Reasons…
Caribbean Man lists ten reasons to live in Dominica.
Czech Republic, Slovakia: Whipping Girls and Other Easter Traditions
Easter is a very important celebration both in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, called Velikonoce - from Veliké noci or Great Nights. Although the religious connotations of Easter were suppressed under the communist regime, nowadays Czechs and Slovaks are again aware of the strong Christian background of Easter, although they regard it as mostly fun times. Many traditions are still observed, especially in villages. Several bloggers have been describing some of them.
Brazil: The end of the Burning of Judas
Once one of the most popular Easter-time rituals in Brazil, the ‘Burning of Judas‘ is disappearing from the streets of Rio de Janeiro, as noticed Jorge Alberto [pt].
Palestine: Divine Calling to Stalk Britney Spears
Maytha at Kabobfest is surprised at the revelation made by a Britney Spears paparazzi – that he got his calling to follow the star while on pilgrimage to Mecca!
Iran: A New Year Begins
Yesterday, marked the first day of spring and the Iranian New Year. Nowruz or Norouz is celebrated in Iran and several other countries such as Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Several bloggers celebrated the day and shared their wishes and ideas on this occasion. Some, like Raze No (meaning “new secret”) added...
