Culture

Photo of hip hop artists on stage with a crowd cheering them on

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.

Planet Hip Hop: The World celebrates 50 years of hip-hop around the globe
man with guitar

This blues musician fled Russia for Serbia. But he sounds like he came straight from the Mississippi Delta.

This blues musician fled Russia for Serbia. But he sounds like he came straight from the Mississippi Delta.
Tattoo artists tattooing their clients.

Ukrainians embrace tattoos as a form of patriotism

Ukrainians embrace tattoos as a form of patriotism
man tattooing woman

This Jerusalem tattoo studio is part of a centuries-old Christian tradition 

This Jerusalem tattoo studio is part of a centuries-old Christian tradition 
man outside

Ukrainian rock band Vopli Vidopliassova and fans rediscover an old hit 

Ukrainian rock band Vopli Vidopliassova and fans rediscover an old hit 
Ilona Kravchenko and Jan Vana perform in “Giselle” with the Ukrainian Classical Ballet in Bucharest, Romania.

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.

The long fight for arts and culture in Ukraine as war rages on
two actors pretending to fight

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. 

Tokyo’s trash-collecting samurai takes a fun, zany approach to cleanup
woman in shop

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.

This fashion brand modernizes Ukraine’s traditional vyshyvanka shirt and dress to reflect wartime
woman and man near loom

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.

Romania's traditional blouse industry under threat by mass production of fake replicas
paintings on the wall

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.

Russian artists in exile create new identity and work 
A police car is parked near Ghriba synagogue in Djerba, Tunisia, May 10, 2023.

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.

An attack at Africa's oldest synagogue leaves Jews on a pilgrimage in Tunisia concerned
sushi restaurant facade

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.

Japanese restaurants use AI to combat sushi terrorism
Customers get out their smartphones and go silent as Shizuo Mori begins his pudding-fling serving technique that made him a viral sensation.

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.  

This 80-year-old pudding maker in Tokyo goes viral for his flan-flinging flair
Ukrainian Eurovision contestant TVORCHI band performs at a concert before departure to the Eurovision contest

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.

Liverpool steps in to host Eurovision Song Contest
The group Obiní Batá has taught dozens on women how to play Afro-Cuban drums since it started in the early 1990s.

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. 

How a group of Cuban female musicians claimed a drum — and a tradition