ARTS & CULTURE

Devastated Timbuktu Mausoleums Rebuilt

Djingareyber Mosque, one of the historical architectural structures along with sixteen mausoleums and holy public places which together earned Timbuktu the designation of World Heritage Site by UNESCO. UN Photo/Marco Dorm

PARIS (IDN) - The Timbuktu mausoleums, destroyed by radical Islamists four years ago, are back on their feet now, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Irina Bokova told the people of Mali on February 4.

The UNESCO chief’s message coincided with a consecration ceremony of the Timbuktu mausoleums, last held in the 11th century, celebrated at the initiative of the local community. It marked the final phase of the United Nations-backed cultural rebirth of the age-old Sahara city after the destruction wrought by radical Islamists in 2012.

: Anusha Meyer; ARTS & CULTURE; 04 February 2016

A Poet Takes Her Verse to the People with Slam

Elizabeth Acevedo by Courtesy of SWAN PARIS - To those who like to say that poetry is dead, Elizabeth Acevedo has a ready answer: poetry is by no means dead, it’s just constantly taking on new forms. And slam is one of these transmutations, where poets recite their work on stage, engaging directly with the audience.

“I see hundreds of young people at slam performances,” says Acevedo, a prize-winning writer and performer based in Washington, D.C. “But some people would like to dismiss this as just yelling. That makes me want to rebel.”

Acevedo was a member of the Beltway team that won the 2014 National Poetry Slam in the United States, by delivering impassioned, uncompromising verse. Since then she has been touring colleges, conducting workshops and giving lectures.

: A.D. McKenzie; ARTS & CULTURE; 03 February 2016

Addressing Gender And Racial Gaps In The Film Industry – Google Partners With Miami International Film Festival

Credit: "Cameraperson", Director-Kirsten Johnson TORONTO (INPS) - A unique partnership with Google on a new seminar series addressing gender and racial gaps in the film industry, particularly in technical cinematographic roles, is among new highlights unveiled January 12, 2016 by Miami Dade College's Miami International Film Festival, as Festival organizers count down to the 33rd edition of the acclaimed annual event March 4-13, 2016. The Festival is the only major film festival produced and presented worldwide by a college or university.

: J C Suresh; ARTS & CULTURE; 13 January 2016

Art under Occupation in Gaza: Interview with Abdullah al-Rozzi

Abdullah al-Rozzi Europalestine.com

Abdullah al-Rozzi was born in Gaza in 1982, and gifted with artistic talent, he completed his studies in the field of visual arts at the University of Al-Aqsa in Gaza in 2005. His works have been shown in several art exhibitions inside the Gaza Strip and the West Bank as well as abroad. Abdullah is currently working in a public transport department in Gaza to make both ends meet, and cannot devote himself to art.

: Milena Rampoldi; ARTS & CULTURE; 30 December 2015

UN Condemns Destruction of World Heritage Sites as ‘War Crimes’

Ancient City of Bosra, Syrian, World Heritage site. Photo: ©UNESCO/Véronique Dauge

PARIS (IDN) - With extremist assaults continuing unabated on striking symbols of Syria’s cultural diversity, the United Nations has condemned archaeological devastation of yet another major World Heritage site. Earlier, in October, it had declared such acts as “war crimes” and assured that those responsible “would be tried and punished”.

After the destruction of Palmyra’s ancient temple of Baalshamin in August, of the Arch of Triumph in Palmyra in October, yet another World Heritage site has fallen prey to fighting in Syria. According to the Syrian Directorate of Antiquities and Museums, parts of the ancient city of Bosra were severely damaged during combats on December 22, 2015.

: Jaya Ramachandran; ARTS & CULTURE; 25 December 2015

Celebrating the Victory of Light over Darkness

TEHRAN (IDN | Iran Review) - Iranians around the world celebrate Yalda, which is one of the most ancient Persian festivals. The festival dates back to the time when a majority of Persians were followers of Zoroastrianism prior to the advent of Islam.

On Yalda festival, Iranians celebrate the arrival of winter, the renewal of the sun and the victory of light over darkness.

Considered the longest night of the year, Yalda eve is the night when ancient Iranians celebrated the birth of Mithra, the goddess of light.

Yalda, which means birth, is a Syriac word imported into the Persian language. It is also referred to as Shab-e Chelleh, a celebration of winter solstice on December 21 – the last night of fall and the longest night of the year.

: Firouzeh Mirrazavi; ARTS & CULTURE; 21 December 2015

Vietnam: From Ho Chi Minh to ‘Selfies’

Photo: City hall, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Credit: Diego Delso | Wikimedia Commons

NEW DELHI (IDN) - Transitions are easy to recognise, difficult to define and describe. Vietnam’s transition is no different: easily experienced by the visitor but hard to express adequately in words.

New Vietnam is most visible at the historical sites of Old Vietnam, such as the Ho Chi Minh complex in Hanoi and the Cu Chi Tunnel complex, 70 kms northwest of Ho Chi Minh City.

: Shastri Ramachandran; ARTS & CULTURE; 11 September 2015

Mapping India-China Cultural Links Crucial For Asia’s Emergence

President Xi Jinping & Prime Minister Modi in conversation at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xian | Credit: www.narendramodi.in

NEW DELHI (IDN) - When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived on May 14 in the historic city of Xian, at the start of his three-day visit to China, he was almost immediately taken by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Wild Goose Pagoda that symbolise the two countries’ umbilical cultural ties, thus setting the tone for the important visit. Xian is where the ancient Silk Route began.