Stories about Arts & Culture from December, 2010
Costa Rica: The History of a Village in Calypso Songs
Walter "Gavitt" Ferguson, said to be the last remaining Calypsonian, has become the memory keeper of Cahuita in Costa Rica's Caribbean south. He sings about his life and the history of his town; from Cacao plantation, to banana republic and finally, to national park and touristic destination.
Trinidad & Tobago, Dominica: Celebrating Christmas
TriniGourmet.com says that “in Trinidad, Christmas is Parang”, while Dominica Weekly blogs about seasonal celebrations in the Nature Isle.
Jamaica: Celebrated Journalist Dies
Distinguished Jamaican journalist John Maxwell has passed away; The National Gallery of Jamaica Blog pays him tribute, while Geoffrey Philp adds: “In this time of Wiki Leaks and other journalistic scandals, his ethics, wisdom, and courage are surely needed…”
Indonesia: On whitening lotion promotion
elmefan3 criticizes the obsession of some Indonesians with whitening lotion products.
Armenia: Police target Emos
Although understood to be a fairly conservative and traditional country, reports that police in Armenia were targeting Emos, a stereotypically melancholic sub-culture associated especially with teenagers, caused alarm and outrage among bloggers and Facebook users.
Japan: Opposing Proposed Bill to Restrict “Harmful” Anime and Manga
The anime and manga industry's protest again Tokyo's proposed bill for tighter restrictions on content sold to youths escalated on Friday when ten publishers announced that they would not participate in Tokyo International Anime Fair. The Japanese twittersphere is abuzz with this topic, as reflected in Togetter [ja], where it...
Lebanon: Delicious Zaatar Batons
Here's the recipe for making delicious zaatar (thyme) sticks, in addition to links about zaatar and other Lebanese food that can easily be made at home.
South Africa: The Vuvuzela gets a makerover
Vuvuzela's new role: Regrdless of its irritating “virtues”, the Vuvuzela’s place in history as the symbol for the first African World Cup is assured. Thanks to Matt Blitz and his colleagues at advertising firm Leftfield launched, the Vuvuzela is gearing up for a new role.
Americas: Cosplay in Latin America
Cosplay is a form of expression in which participants use costumes and accessories to represent their favorite manga, anime or video game characters. Its followers in Latin America are a passionate community that promotes Cosplay through personal blogs, Flickr and other social media outlets.
India: Gifting Cars At Weddings
Neha Viswanathan at Within / Without discusses about a slogan of a car advertisement in India promoting gifting of cars at weddings, which can be interpreted as promoting dowry.
Ecuador: “Fiestas de Quito”: Tradition and Resistance
The "Fiestas de Quito" (Celebrations of Quito) are one of the most important and traditional celebrations in Ecuador, marked by the multiculturalism of the city, its traditions and cuisine, where issues of miscegenation and nationalism blend in a fragrant, colorful and musical occasion.
India: One Day Women Can Play and Dance
India Unheard shows us two different festivities in different areas of the country where married women from tribal communities can, for one day only, play and dance in public without risking censure.
Suriname: Art & Houses
“The Surinamese house from the 19th century is disappearing from the Paramaribo scene and with it a piece of our history”: Srananart's Blog features a painter who is passionate about “characteristic old wooden Surinamese houses.”
Serbia: Novelists Participate in “Blog Day” Project
On Dec. 8, one of the Serbian publishing houses launched an interesting project: called Blog Day, it represents a unique example of web activism in Serbia that will be taking place four times a year. The topic of the first Blog Day was Ecology, and over 20 Serbian novelists have posted their contributions.
Sao Tome & Principe: “Africa is your Home”
Santomean sociologist Humbah Aguiar tells a story on colonialism and the repression of the African people. Part I, II and III [pt] from “Africa is your home” can be watched at his Youtube channel.
Ukraine: Efforts to Save Tustan Preserve From Illegal Construction
The Uncataloged Museum writes about efforts to prevent illegal construction at an archeological fortress site in Western Ukraine: “Rather than wait for someone else to take action, a group of young people, led by the site's director, Vasyl Rozkho, organized a protest […]. A flash mob, photographs documenting the construction,...
Russia: “Battle for Russia’s Heritage Resumes”
Clementine Cecil, a journalist and co-founder of the Moscow Architectural Preservation Society (MAPS), writes on OpenDemocracy.net about protests against the proposed amendments to Russia’s heritage law: “Experts have already written to President Medvedev to voice their concern with the proposals, arguing they would ‘place tens of thousands of monuments of...
Africa: Painting Cultural Portraits with Remixed Radio and Video
Radio Continental Drift has an interesting proposal: with audio from radio workshops and videos shot around several cities in Kenya and Uganda they've made a series of remixed videos meant to fuel conversations around activism, culture and arts in Africa.
Guatemala: The Burning of the Devil
From AntiguaDailyPhoto: “La quema del diablo (Burning of the Devil) used to be this tradition, little known out side of Guatemala. I say “used to be” since the Burning of the Devil is now all over the Internet.” Luis Figueroa [es] blogged about his experience “burning the devil” this year.
Zambia: Christmas Art and Design Show a Success
Christmas Art and Design Show took place in Lusaka, Zambia last Sunday: “Never had Lusaka seen anything quite like it! Sunday December 5 dawned grey and cloudy in Lusaka. Undeterred the exhibitors at the Christmas Art and Design Show began putting the finishing touches to their stands.”
Puerto Rico: Artist Collective Paints Pixel By Pixel
The blog UNDOdigital has become a unique space in which digital artists can interact with the broader online community, share their creations, promote their exhibits, and expose their readers to all types of art related news, interviews, and works. Global Voices interviews one of the creators and editor of the website.
