Stories about Arts & Culture from May, 2009
Lebanon: Porn-oriented Ads
Maya's Amalgam is a new blog by Maya Zankoul, a graphic designer, in which she uses drawings and cartoons to make witty comments about her daily observations and experiences in Lebanon, like this one about billboard ads which she calls “street porn”.
Pakistan: Don't Wear Western Clothes In Peshawar!
Chowrangi informs that “the men of Peshawar have been told to stop wearing the shirt and trousers and wear the shalwar kurta (Pakistan national dress) instead. This is to prevent any crazy Taliban type from attacking those who wear Western clothes (this has happened a few times in the past).”
Egypt: A visit to the glass factory
VagabondBlogger, an expat currently living in Egypt, wrote an inspiring post with illustrating photographs about her trip to a glass factory in Egypt.
Palestine: Art From Rubble
Adham Khalil writes about Shireen Shamia, an art teacher in the Gaza Strip, who has made art from the rubble of her house.
Morocco: Eleven Killed in Deadly Stampede at Music Festival
At least 11 people were killed and 30 wounded on Saturday night, 23 May, during a music concert in Rabat, the Moroccan capital, at the Mawazine world music festival. Bloggers react to the tragedy.
Morocco: When Arabs Rock
Usually at this time of the year in Morocco, a series of festivals and cultural events that mark the eminence of the summer begin. They are annual gatherings that attract a growing number of artists, local and international alike. This year is no exception.
Kuwait: Cinema Censorship, Quality Woes and Limited Telecom Services
Following the Kuwaiti elections and all the previous political drama, bloggers are now focusing their energies on entertainment and technology posts, with Cinescape, the Kuwaiti national cinema company monopoly, taking the brunt of the criticism from younger viewers due to quality control and censorship woes. Also in this post, a blogger laments the limited telecom services available in the country.
Russia: Eurovision Roundup
In Moscow, Eurovision coincided with this year's Night of Museums (IZO) – and with an attempt to hold a gay pride parade, which was interrupted by riot police (Robert Amsterdam's Blog). Some more thoughts on this year's contest – at Foreign Policy Association's Russia blog.
Japan: Children's Day
At Hi, I am Ruther, a travel blog about Japan, two posts (Koinobori and Kabuto and Kashiwamochi) describe [en] some customs and festivals related to the Children`s Day (子供の日, kodomo no hi), celebrated on May 5th.
Iran: Blogging against homophobia
A few Iranian bloggers wrote comments on ‘International day against homophobia' on May 17 and shared their concerns about existing discrimination against homosexuals in Iran.
Armenia: Eurovision Bribes
Adding to the existing controversy surrounding this year's Eurovision international song contest, In Mutatione Fortitudo says that Russian bloggers have been receiving emails from an Armenian offering payment for publishing an article accusing Azerbaijan of bribing various competition juries.
Armenia: Jethro Tull in Yerevan
A day before their concert in Yerevan, Armenia, Global Voices Online's Caucasus editor interviews Ian Anderson from the legendary British folk-rock band, Jethro Tull.
India: Communication Via Word Of Mouth
A Year In India realizes that word of mouth is a strong mean of communication in India because: “this may have to do with illiteracy, a lack of technology and infrastructure, and a large percentage of the population living in isolated, rural settings.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Internet Killed the TV Star?
“The one media outlet that best serves the fat, the dumb, the happy, is one that is in for a wild roller coaster ride as people around the world tune out so that they can tune in on the Internet”: Blogging from Trinidad and Tobago, KnowProSE.com thinks that television has...
Taiwan: LiveCast and music for saving rural livelihood
Citizen journalists, activists and artists use different forms of media - LiveCast, written reports and musics- to save rural livelihood and Taiwan's agriculture from destructive government rural policies.
Bhutan: The Net Generation
Dorji Wangchuk was surprised to see TV and internet savvy Bhutanese kids doing well in international knowledge in a quiz competition but lacking knowledge of their country's culture and history.
Wrong definition of Lao in Webster's dictionary
According to Webster's dictionary, Laos is the “thai language of the Lao people.” This is wrong. Blogger JRM writes that Lao is the “official language of the country of Laos”
Morocco: The Secret to Making Mint Tea
From Morocco, The View from Fez shares the secrets of making the “perfect Moroccan mint tea” in this photo post.
Paraguay: Skateboarding Day in Asunción
Guri is looking forward to the activities of Skateboarding Day in Asunción, Paraguay [es] on June 21.
Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago: Crop Over
Repeating Islands, Trinidad Carnival Diary and Islandista are getting into gear for Barbados’ 2009 Crop Over festival.
Ukraine: 65th Anniversary of the Crimean Tatar Deportations
May 18 marked the 65th anniversary of Sürgün, the 1944 deportations of Crimean Tatars from their homeland in Crimea. J. Otto Pohl writes about the history of the deportations, while Maria Sonevytsky describes the current plight and the attitudes of the Crimean Tatars who have returned to live in Ukraine, and shares her thoughts on the changes that need to take place for the situation to improve.
