Arts, Culture & Media
A modern take on an ancient Chinese folk tale
The new opera, “Monkey: A Kung Fu Puppet Parable,” had its world premiere in Boston over the weekend. The story is based on an ancient Chinese folk tale and uses modern and diverse cultural elements to create a unique rendition of the popular fable.
‘It’s all mixed’: Sasami makes music inspired by her multicultural heritage
Mexican American teen star sings on after heated controversy with Mexican audiences
Spain all-boys choir finds a new tune and admits girls
Tinmel — Morocco’s medieval shrine and mosque — is one of the historic casualties of the earthquake
Morocco is grappling not just with the loss of lives from the recent earthquake, but with the destruction of its cultural heritage. A 12th-century mosque in the village of Tinmel is among them.
Tibetan monks on tour in US as China continues to restrict religion in Tibet
A group of Tibetan Buddhist monks, living in exile in India, are doing a “sacred arts tour” this month in the US. They’re demonstrating an ancient artistic and spiritual practice, creating big, colorful sand mandalas. They say Buddhist traditions like this are under threat because of Chinese government policies in their historic homeland of Tibet.
'She is the evolution of reggaeton': The rise of trans Puerto Rican artist Villano Antillano
Puerto Rican rapper Villano Antillano is a leading voice in a new generation of LGBTQ artists subverting traditional gender norms in reggaeton and reclaiming the political roots of the genre.
‘This is not a peaceful country’: Violence and poverty soar in Costa Rica
Costa Rica sells its image as a “green paradise,” with ample nature reserves and no standing military. But many say this reputation is more myth than reality as violence, poverty and unemployment is on the rise.
‘We don’t have this past anymore’: Ukrainian artist revives Kyiv’s prewar soundscape
Oleh Shpudeiko, also known as Heinali, left his hometown at the start of Russia’s invasion. To heal his trauma, he made “Kyiv Eternal,” an album fusing electronic music with recordings of his past life.
Motherhood and motherland: One woman’s pregnancy experience in Russia
Amie Ferris-Rotman, a global news editor for New Lines Magazine, wrote a personal essay about her experience being pregnant in Russia, where many citizens believe it is a woman’s patriotic duty to give birth and become a mother. She talked about it with The World's Marco Werman.
'Planet Hip Hop': The music will always be the voice of the people, Samy Alim says
As we wrap up “Planet Hip Hop,” our summer series celebrating 50 years of hip-hop music around the world, H. Samy Alim returns to talk with host Marco Werman about the next 50 years. Alim is an anthropology professor and the director of the Hip Hop Initiative at UCLA.
Student loans can be ‘simple’ and ‘automatic.’ Other countries offer lessons to the US.
In the US, interest on student loans started accruing again on Sept. 1. Soon, more than 40 million borrowers will have to resume their payments. The US is an outlier when it comes to high tuition and the debts that students take on.
London's foxes: Pesky pests or celebrated survivors?
Foxes have played a role London's landscape for a century. But they're being increasingly seen as pests, who raid trash cans and cause fear and annoyance. Reporter Rebecca Rosman talks to a photographer and a historian who want to celebrate the foxes of London.
Barcelona gets bombarded by selfie-taking tourists
Spain’s on the rebound with tourism after huge losses during the pandemic. Those in the tourism business are relieved. But visitors are back with a vengeance and they’re not always well-behaved, irking locals who miss the quieter days.