Stories about Arts & Culture from February, 2014
YouTube Chefs Are Cooking Up a Storm in Indian Kitchens
A group of YouTube chefs are gaining celebrity status in India and abroad for their cooking demonstrations broadcast on YouTube and recipe blogs.
SmartNomination, a Counter to the Binge Drinking Game Neknomination
The online drinking game Neknomination that promotes binge drinking for teenagers has outraged many people around the world. Neknomination asks participants to film themselves drinking an alcoholic beverage in one gulp, upload the footage to the web and nominate others to do the same. Julien Voinson, a young frenchman from Bordeaux, decided...
PHOTOS: A Dizzying View From the Top of Shanghai Tower
Take a look at photos taken by Russian climbing team Vadim Makhorov and Vitaly Raskalov from the top of what will soon be the second tallest building in the world.
Zambia Ditches English in Primary School for Government-Approved Local Languages
Although there are 73 recognised languages in Zambia, only seven are to replace English as the language of instruction in primary school. Leaders of various ethnics groups oppose the change.
From Facebook to the Street: Activism on Cusco's Walls
A central wall in Cusco has become the epicenter of local activism, joining initiatives born both online and offline.
South Korea: Being Native English Teacher and Reverse Racism
Geoffrey Fattig of Jeollamite blog shares his brutally honest opinion on reverse and latent racism in South Korea, urging fellow native English teachers who under-appreciate a fairly good working condition to stop whining. Some of the highlights of his post are: On the whole, though, Korea is a pretty easy place...
5 Music Blogs about China's Underground Music Scene
There’s an emerging group of Chinese musicians working outside government-controlled media channels, striving to form an independent voice through musical expression in China.
Why It's Hard to Say “I Love You” in Chinese
Roseann Lake from ChinaFile explores why it's hard for Chinese to say “I Love You” in their own language from historical and sociological perspectives. The piece has also introduced an experiment about Chinese brain and its relation to love and romance.
Trinidad and Tobago: The Soca Kings Play Songs of Anti-Love
Pity Valentine's Day for falling during Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival season, when infectious soca rhythms render human beings powerless against the forces of bad behaviour.
Protests Erupt Against a TV Show in Iran
Demonstrators say the show was insulting to Bakhtiari people and the role its leaders played in Iran's Constitutional Revolution.
Carnival Love Songs From the Caribbean
Valentine's Day in the Caribbean is usually overshadowed by Carnival, so GV's Caribbean team posts a few of its favourite soca songs in an effort to spread the love...
Despite Bans, Central Asians Observe Valentine's Day
Looking at how people in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan observed Valentine's Day.
“Celebrating Valentine's Day Is a Direct Way to Hell” in Tajikistan
Popular among younger people in cities, Valentine's Day struggles to gain broader acceptance in Tajikistan.
A Love Story With No Kissing? That's Cinema in Iran
Whether for romance or just a hug between family members, male and female characters in Iranian movies are not permitted to touch.
Rap Musicians Take on Guinea-Bissau's Drug Trafficking Problem
"This is Guinea-Bissau for those who don't know / This is where the traffickers are given more privileges than college professors / I swear pigs wear ties and suits here."
The Iconic Trinidadian Film You've Never Seen
In 1974, Bim—widely regarded as the iconic Trinidadian film—was released, then faded into obscurity. 40 years later, one film enthusiast gives it new life via Facebook.
Ecuador to Implement Charges for Private Copying Levy
The Ecuadorian Institute of Intellectual Property (IEPI) plans to impose an additional tax of 4%-10% on the importation of all music and video players.
Trinidad & Tobago: Feminist Soca
“Feminist” kaiso and soca music – is there such a thing? creative commess thinks so and posts a playlist.
Welcome All to Russia's 2014 Olympic Hunger Games
Another way to poke fun at Russia's hosting of the Winter Games has emerged: comparisons between the Olympics and the wildly popular Hunger Games franchise.
Controversial Sindh Festival Accused of Risking Ancient Ruins for Flashy Kickoff
The festival celebrating the rich and vast cultural heritage of Sindh drew ire from some for its decision to hold the theatrical opening ceremony at the ancient ruins of Mohenjo-daro.
VIDEOS: Argentina's Melting Pot of Culinary Traditions
A large diversity of migrants in Argentina allows us to enjoy a wide array of international dishes often shared in feasts for the various immigrant communities throughout the country.