Stories about Arts & Culture from January, 2013
Nigeria 2012: Great Challenges and Even Greater Victories
Nigeria is as large as her talents, people, hope and challenges. These are some of stories from Nigeria in 2012, a year that was a curious mix of tensions, anguish and hope for Nigeria.
Outspoken Critic Attacked at Book Promotion in China
On January 13, 2013 at a promotion event in Beijing for his book the Whole World Knows, 45-year-old Li Pengcheng, an outspoken critic and former soccer columnist, was slapped on the face by a man who said he was disgusted by the content of Li’s book. Later another man tried to attack him with a knife.
Brazil's World Cup Construction Threatens Indigenous “Living Museum”
About six years ago, the abandoned building of the First Museum of the Indian, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil turned into a “living museum” and became home to several different indigenous communities. On the morning of January 12, 2013, the military police arrived ready to evict the community. Activists soon arrived on the scene.
Belize, St. Vincent: Garifuna Culture
…the Garifuna language, which integrates Arawak and Carib, and which was declared a ‘masterpiece of the oral intangible heritage of humanity’ by UNESCO in 2001, is severely threatened. It possesses...
Slovak Netizen Initiative to Redesign State Institutions’ Sites
Inspired by sf.citi (San Francisco Citizens Initiative for Technology & Innovation), Jakub Ptačin [sk] and Peter Fabor [sk] have launched It's Not Possible (“To Sa Nedá”; sk; on Facebook –...
Armenian Blogger on Trial for Satire Photo of Politician
Edgar Barseghyan, the creator of satire photo website, Demotivator.am is on trial for publishing a satirical photo of a model's body with the superimposed face of Armenian politician Tigran Urikhanyan and the caption "Stylish Politician of the Year".
Outspoken Critic's Silence at Book Launch Echoes Across China
Outspoken social critic and blogger Li Chengpeng recently released a new book: the Whole World Knows[zh]. Also known as an eloquent public speaker, Li delivered a bold speech on freedom of expression at an elite University in china last November. While the audience expected another speech at Li’s book signing event in his hometown, China’s Sichuan province on Jan 12 2013, what they saw is a silent Li with a mask on his face. His speech was censored.
South Korean TV Networks Shun Politically Active Actress
One of South Korea’s most outspoken actresses revealed through Twitter that two networks cancelled her booked TV appearances after a political candidate she openly supported lost the recent presidential election.
Oral History Of The Indian Constitution
Rohit De at ‘Law And Other Things’ informs that journalist, blogger and writer Sidin Vadukut has uploaded a series of podcasts on the oral history of the Indian constitution, beginning...
Graffiti War on Syrian Walls
Graffiti is an art that can be labelled under civil disobedience and peaceful expression. Although the Syrian Revolution has intrinsic humanitarian values; it is a revolution with artistic aspects. Painting is one of the most important methods a human being uses to express ideas; it is the fastest way to illustrate an idea or to make people interact with this idea. See how Syrians are using their creativeness on Syria's walls
Peruvian Cinema 2012
On December 2012, blog Cinencuentro had its yearly survey [es] about the best Peruvian film on 2012, where the winner was [es] documentary “Lima Bruja” [Witch Lima]: that aims to...
Peru: Discussing “Gastrofascism”
About a month ago, Javier Puente published on Selecting Stones, a critical article about the surge of Peruvian cuisine and, above all, about the role chef Gastón Acurio has in...
Mobile Libraries Help Haitians Overcome Major Earthquake
Mobile libraries are helping Haitians overcome the devastating 2010 earthquake, providing intellectual resources, entertainment and assisting in essential matters such as health. By March 2013, the organisation Libraries Without Borders intends to launch another two mobile libraries to circulate through the most affected neighbourhoods of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. Recognition is growing about the value of reading in places suffering from conflicts and natural disasters.
Pedophilia & Rape Accusations Flood the RuNet with Cruelty
The Internet, any way you slice it, is a strange place populated by strange people. In the last few weeks, the Russian Internet—often your typical den of online cliques and conspiracy theorists—has boiled over the levees of "strange" and flooded the RuNet with a new intensity of bizarre moral recriminations. In the six days since RuNet Echo first reported on this story, top blogger Rustem Adagamov's situation has developed rapidly.
Cartoonists Inspired by Censorship Protests in China
The Southern Weekly incident became an inspiration to cartoonists. Below is the most popular image posted by an unnamed artist. CHINA DIGITAL TIMES has collected more cartoons from Chinese social media.
Jamaica, Grenada: Master Sculptor Passes On
The National Gallery of Jamaica Blog acknowledges the passing of master sculptor Fitzroy “Fitz” Harrack.
Who Should Be in the Internet Hall of Fame?
The Internet Society seeks nominees from any country who have played a significant role in the development of the Internet for inclusion in the Internet Hall of Fame.
The Three Kings Visit New York
The Three Kings came and went, but not before passing through New York City to celebrate with hundreds of children that came out for the parade. This Christmas celebration has been a part of the Caribbean and Latin American cultural traditions for numerous centuries.
China's Ten Ugliest Statues
Barry van Wyk from DANWEI gives the readers a tour on China's top 10 ugliest statues.
Students Revisit the Unique Link between Corsica and Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico and Corsica (France) share a common bond that is often revisited by an exchange program led by the university of Puerto Rico [fr]. Notwithstanding their similar geographic and agricultural traits...
Day by Day Happiness for the Elderly
A collective of Portuguese artists has come together to illustrate practical daily definitions of happiness for the elderly. The online calendar can be found on Felicidário.