Stories about Arts & Culture from September, 2006
Belarus: News Roundup
TOL's Belarus Blog writes about the new arrests of the opposition activists and about the “extreme and absolutely unacceptable” conditions, in which, according to the Belarusian government, Belarusian students live in the United States. Also, there's a translation of a Russian-language post about the regime's ominous reaction to an innocent...
Laos: Laotian Pop Music in Japan
The Samakomlao blog posts pictures of a Laotian pop duo in concert in Japan. Laos is one of the least visited countries in Asia and only recently rest of Asia is getting interested in Lao's pop-culture and travel destinations.
Uganda's brightest artist
African Painters on the late Ugandan artist, Henry Lutalo Lumu, “Henry Lutalo Lumu is credited by many of Uganda's artists as being one of the country's brightest and most widely influential talents of modern Ugandan art from as early as the 1950s until his death in 1989.”
Lagos Book and Art Festival
Cora has news and photos from the 8th Lagos Book and Art Festival (September 15 -17, 2006).
The president of Tanzania drumming
So the President of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete, can play the African drum! He was the guest of honor at the opening ceremony of the 25th Bagamoyo Arts Festival, which took place on September 11th – 16th, 2006 in the coastal town of Bagamoyo at the Bagamoyo College of Arts.
Brazil: Digital Varjão – Cultural Hotspot in Action
Jose Murilo Junior describes the “cultural hotspot” workshop of Digital Varjão, which encourages young people in Varjão do Torto – a low income informal settlement in the outskirts of Brasília – to use open source software to express themselves creatively and share their day to day experiences online. You can...
Panama: Music: “Culture in Panama (My Appreciation for Señor Loop)”
Writer Rob Rivera articulates why he believes “Panama is coming into its own in terms of culture, after laying dormant for many years.”
Serbia: Hip-Hop and Decentralization
Estavisti reports on the Serbian hip-hop, the Anti-Belgrade Front and the ideas of Serbia's decentralization.
Serbia: Belgrade Military Parade and Other Celebrations
Belgrade Blog writes about a military parade recently held in Serbia's capital. Also, there's a short video showing celebrations in Belgrade following victory of the Serbian waterpolo team: “…but this is the first time we did it under the name of Serbia, so cheers for that :)”
Postcards from the Congo
With the elections, the run-off announcement, the violent clashes between two presidential candidates, it's easy to focus only the DRC's political tempests. However, many Congo bloggers are writing about art, culture and the more mundane ways that politics affect daily life.
Jamaica: Recording artists — wise up!
A recent dispute between a songwriter/performer and a record label prompts Yardflex.com to say — in good Jamaican patois — that Jamaican recording artists need to get smart about the business side of entertainment.
African album covers
Benn Loxo asked its readers to submit their favorite African album covers: “After yesterday’s post Benn loxo listener, Michael, was the first to send in his favourite African LP covers.” “Several more Benn loxo listeners contributed their favourite African album covers this week.“ “Below are the last in a series...
Literature: Ngugi's radio interview
Black Star Journal points us to a radio interview of the Kenyan author, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, on his new novel, Wizard of the Crow.
Pakistan: Osama Bin Laden art
chapati mystery has an interesting post about Osama Bin Laden art. How is the man represented, caricatured and portrayed? “This paucity of visual images of UbL has forced all cartoonists, photoshoppers and artists to rely on the same images over and over again, enhancing magnificently the iconic stature of their...
Chile: Celebrating the First National Government Junta
Photo by Ditto_ Chileno photos On September 18, we will celebrate the First National junta that took place in 1810. As the Geographic Military Institute (ES) explains: Independence day is not the real reason why we celebrate on September 18, but rather it corresponds to the fist decisive step that...
South Africa: The Africa Media Matrix
Writing about the Africa Media Matrix at the Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa, Mentalacrobatics says, “Yes even better than that wireless system and the historical pictures. The best thing about this building is the place where many of us do our best work, the toilets. The tiles in the...
Barbados: Authentic?
The Barbados Tourism Authority's new slogan prompts Eemanee to ask what is authentically Barbadian.
Serbia: Guca and Exit Music Festivals
Traditional Guca Trumpet Festival is held anually in Guca, a town hours south of Belgrade, near the city of Cacak, from Aug. 30 to Sept. 3. The event remains the main topic of the country’s bloggers these days. Their talk ranges from pure drivel about how it feels to have...
Poland: Socialist Realism Award
Drawing on a previous entry, the beatroot announces the Socialist Realism Award contest: “We aim to find the most ridiculous (and by definition, the most fantastic) piece of socialist realism art ever.”
Croatia: Visit to Split
Paul of Further Ramblings of a N.Irish Magyar posts eight notes and recommendations from his trip to Split, Croatia: “5. Tourists are Tolerated … rather than appreciated.”
Ukraine, Russia: Foreign Service Trainee
Wu Wei cites a comment from a foreign service trainee preparing himself for Ukraine: “…In order to better to absorb the Russian language and culture (although I’m actually going to Ukraine), I plan on renting every Cold War action flick of the ’80s to get in the vibe. I already...
