Stories about Arts & Culture from February, 2011
Japan: The Pre-History of Japanese Hip Hop
David Z. Morris reported [en] that Japanese hip-hop was born in the 19th century. The blogger also suggested links to some academic articles that explain its origins and development.
Somalia: Welcome to Poet Nation
Poet Nation is a multimedia brand dedicated to Somali art and culture that combines a mix of original and user generated content. The Poet Nation features poets, musicians, writers, storytellers and other artists.
Mexico: Video Game “Call of Juarez: The Cartel” Draws Mixed Reactions
A new video game, "Call of Juarez: The Cartel" by game developer Ubisoft, has drawn criticism from Mexican officials due to its allusions to the ongoing drug and gang violence in the country. But netizens are at odds about the game and the local politician's efforts to ban it.
Armenia: Blind nationalist hatred
Unzipped comments on what appears to be an orchestrated black PR campaign against a local musician in Armenia. One of four finalists in the running to compose the country's entry into this year's Eurovision Song Contest, reports in the local media attack Vahram Petrosyan for considering that Armenian and Azerbaijani...
Azerbaijan: From Carpets to Socks
Azerbaijani carpets were last year inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. They also often attract the attention of bloggers.
Venezuela: Views of Caracas from the Local Blogosphere
A huge number of texts, descriptions, stories and articles have been written about Caracas; the blogosphere also plays an important role in describing the Venezuelan capital. Laura Vidal gathers bloggers who devote themselves to recounting the latest developments in the lives of the Caraqueños, some out of a desire for a better city and a love for its culture, and others from a feeling of nostalgia for the noble Caracas of times past.
Ukraine: Kiev architecture in decay
Sistemny deriban writes about [RUS] the decay of prominent architectural sites in Kiev and how Ukrainian politicians ignore the issue.
Balkans: Ceca and Other “Unwelcome” Singers
Belgraded posts a list of Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian singers who are “unwelcome in former enemy countries.”
Equatorial Guinea: Writer on Hunger Strike
The writer and poet from Equatorial Guinea, Juan Tomás Avila Laurel [es], has gone on a hunger strike [es] in protest against the dictatorship of Teodoro Obiang Nguema. Obiang and his family have ruled the ex Spanish colony since 1979.
Serbia: Modern Architecture
Block 23 in New Belgrade and other examples of modern Serbian architecture – at Nothing Against Serbia.
Taiwan: Debate Over the ‘Light Novel’ Phenomenon
Light novels - manga and cosplay books which originated from Japan - are hyper popular in Taiwan, where they have conquered the book market.
Caucasus: The Vagina Monologues
Georgia On My Mind provides its readers with a comprehensive review of The Vagina Monologues held earlier this week in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital. Controversial as it was bound to be in a region more renowned for its patriarchal values, the event, which included performances from women from Armenia, Azerbaijan,...
Bolivia: 10 Reasons Why You Should Visit La Paz
In Citizen of La Paz [es], Luis Ramos lists 10 reasons why you should visit La Paz, Bolivia, including: its nightlife, its surroundings, El Alto, Lake Titicaca, and more.
Colombia: Interview with director of English magazine “La Arepa”
Albeiro Rodas from Colombia Passport interviewed Robin Finley, director of La Arepa –an English print magazine that can also be found online, on Twitter and on Facebook.
Azerbaijan: The Sinner and The Saint
As irreverent as ever, Scary Azeri comments on Azerbaijan's entry into this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Contrasting the angelic look of the male singer with the seductive maturer attributes of the female, the blog sarcastically concludes that Eldar and Nigar might be absurd enough a duo to stand a good...
Trinidad & Tobago: “Arima” in Kiddies Carnival
“Arima — which means both ‘place of the beginning’ and ‘water’ — is an indigenous Amerindian place name for what is now a large town in eastern Trinidad”: Alice Yard blogs about its children’s Carnival masquerade band, which “attempts to bring these two definitions together”.
Guyana: Mashramani Festival
“On February 23, people from the ten regions of Guyana converge on the country’s capital to participate in the grand, massive carnival-like event, with costumed bands and a float parade”: Repeating Islands blogs about the Mashramani festival.
Trinidad & Tobago: Songs of Our Youth
“There’s no soca like the soca of your youth”: Lisa Allen-Agostini says that's “the reason soca gets ‘worse’ every year. It’s not the music, darling. It’s you.”
Egypt: The Guy Behind Omar Suleiman
Not even a revolution can stop the Egyptian sense of humour. Nowadays, the man seen standing behind Vice-President Omar Suleiman is as famous as Tahrir Square itself.
Pakistan: Love Or Hate Valentine's Day
In Pakistan there is a growing opposition against Valentine's Day celebrations on religious and cultural grounds. But Pakistani blogger Adil Najam asks: “since when is mohabbat (love) not part of our saqafat (culture)?”
Ghana: The Witches of Gambaga premiers in Accra
The Witches of Gambaga premiers in Accra, Ghana: “Tomorrow the 15th of February at 10 am Yaba Badoe‘s documentary film premiers at the British Council in downtown Accra. The film, the Witches of Gambaga, shows us the destiny of women arriving at the notorious camp for witches that has been...