Culture
Planet Hip Hop: The World celebrates 50 years of hip-hop around the globe
Hip-hop turns 50 this summer, and its influence has been felt in all corners of the globe. From the streets of the Bronx to a revolution in Beirut, from anti-apartheid messages in Cape Town to graffiti in Cairo. Throughout the summer, we will be exploring Planet Hip Hop.
This blues musician fled Russia for Serbia. But he sounds like he came straight from the Mississippi Delta.
Ukrainians embrace tattoos as a form of patriotism
This Jerusalem tattoo studio is part of a centuries-old Christian tradition
Ukrainian rock band Vopli Vidopliassova and fans rediscover an old hit
The long fight for arts and culture in Ukraine as war rages on
When Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine began on Feb. 24, 2022, the pursuits of many of Ukraine's leading artists and cultural institutions came to a halt. The World takes a look back at the myriad ways in which war impacted artistic and cultural expression in Ukraine, and how advocates continue to work tirelessly to keep making art against all odds.
Tokyo’s trash-collecting samurai takes a fun, zany approach to cleanup
They call themselves the Gomi Hiroi Samurai — or the “Samurai Who Pick Up Litter.” These sword-wielding eco-warriors have turned garbage collecting into a choreographed performance.
This fashion brand modernizes Ukraine’s traditional vyshyvanka shirt and dress to reflect wartime
Despite the ongoing attacks, Ukrainians around the world are celebrating Vyshyvanka Day on Thursday. The vyshyvanka is an elaborately embroidered shirt or dress traditionally worn in Ukraine.
Romania's traditional blouse industry under threat by mass production of fake replicas
The Romanian blouse, IA, is one of the best-known symbols of Romania’s culture. But cheap replicas manufactured in China and India threaten the future of the homegrown industry.
Russian artists in exile create new identity and work
At the start of the war in Ukraine, much of Russia's cultural elite fled the country, including playwrights, filmmakers, artist and curators. A year on, they have established themselves in new cities across the world, a century after a previous exodus of Russian writers and artists reshaped global culture.
An attack at Africa's oldest synagogue leaves Jews on a pilgrimage in Tunisia concerned
The Ghriba synagogue is the oldest in Africa and is the destination for an annual Jewish pilgrimage on the island of Djerba. The World's Marco Werman spoke with Daniel Lee, a historian of the Jews of France and North Africa at Queen Mary University of London, about the ancient house of worship and an attack there on Tuesday.
Japanese restaurants use AI to combat sushi terrorism
The latest disturbing TikTok trend in Japan features young pranksters who are contaminating sushi that is served on conveyor belts in restaurants. They share videos of themselves licking sushi rolls or otherwise contaminating plates and condiments. Some restaurants are using AI to fight back.
This 80-year-old pudding maker in Tokyo goes viral for his flan-flinging flair
For more than five decades now, Shizuo Mori, now 80, has been waking up at 4 a.m. to prepare the famous flan-style puddings he serves at Hecklen, his cozy corner café in Tokyo’s Toranomon neighborhood.
Liverpool steps in to host Eurovision Song Contest
Last year's winners from Ukraine are unable to host in-country this year due to ongoing conflict with Russia, so Liverpool is stepping in. To learn more about it, The World's Carol Hills spoke to Dr. Eurovision, himself, Paul Jordan.
How a group of Cuban female musicians claimed a drum — and a tradition
The legendary group Obiní Batá is celebrating 30 years of music and women’s empowerment in Cuba. But the road to acceptance and success was not easy.