Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS By Dalia Acosta HAVANA, Mar 2, 2011 (IPS) – Important architectural works from the Modern movement in Cuba appear to be doomed as a result of the expansion of massive hotel complexes, which threaten to take over the landscape in Varadero, this country’s most famous beach resort. The [...]
ARGENTINA: Theatre’s Far Fringe Gaining Spaces
February 23, 2011 By
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS By Marcela Valente BUENOS AIRES, Feb 23, 2011 (IPS) – Unconventional venues for high-quality experimental theatre have found a voice of their own in the Argentine capital’s cultural scene, and are demanding freedom from the red tape that is hindering their development. The new playhouses are located in [...]
PAKISTAN: Behind Bars, Music and Art Free Prisoners
November 9, 2010 By
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS By Zofeen Ebrahim KARACHI, Pakistan, Nov 9, 2010 (IPS) – It’s an odd group of 30 men, all of different ages, crammed together in one room. There’s a man who used to run a computer shop. Another is an ex-car dealer. There’s a tailor and beside him is [...]
AFRICA: FIFA Moves Against Trafficking of Young Footballers
November 3, 2010 By
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS By Fulgence Zamblé ABIDJAN, Nov 3, 2010 (IPS) – When he was 15, Maurice Koné dreamed of becoming a great footballer. Adored for his technical skill and eye for goal by fans in Koumassi, a neighbourhood in the south of Abidjan, he dreamed of living the life of [...]
CHINA: As Tourists Come, Culture Goes
October 27, 2010 By
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS By Mitch Moxley JIAJU, China, Oct 27, 2010 (IPS) – In 2005, the ‘National Geographic China’ magazine named this ethnic Tibetan village in western Sichuan province, sprawled over a valley wall amid snow-capped mountains, China’s most beautiful. Depending on how you look at it, that distinction was either [...]
CUBA: The Environment Plays the Lead in Low-Budget Cinema
October 18, 2010 By
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS By Patricia Grogg* HAVANA, Oct 18, 2010 (IPS) – Scientists and experts took on the challenge of sharing their environmental concerns with filmmakers at the Third Thematic Showcase of the Humberto Solás Low-Budget Film Festival in the Cuban capital. "It’s important to realise that low-budget cinema, which is [...]
’12 Angry Lebanese’ Touch So Many More
October 17, 2010 By
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS By Dalila Mahdawi BEIRUT, Oct 17, 2010 (IPS) – Straddling the hills overlooking the Mediterranean Sea is Roumieh, Lebanon’s largest and most notorious high-security men’s prison. Crowded into its dank and depressing concrete cells are those convicted as religious extremists, murderers, mobsters and spies. Roumieh’s reputation for fostering [...]
U.S.: Librarians Lead Fight Against Banned Books
September 24, 2010 By
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS By Karoline Kallweit NEW YORK, Sep 24, 2010 (IPS) – Penguins are indisputably cute. And a children’s book about such inoffensive animals could hardly be expected to trigger a nationwide controversy. But then came "And Tango Makes Three" and a heated debate was fired up. The book, based [...]
CULTURE-CHINA: Now Showing – Independent Films
August 27, 2010 By
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS By Mitch Moxley BEIJING, Aug 27, 2010 (IPS) – While Hollywood blockbusters and state-funded historical epics continue to dominate China’s box office, a vibrant independent film scene is quietly growing. Lacking distribution channels that lead to wide audiences, these films, which tend to focus on aspects of day-to-day [...]
Arab-Israeli Orchestra Spreads Message of Peace in Latin America
August 17, 2010 By
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS Gonzalo Ortiz QUITO, Aug 16 (IPS) – ”The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra has proved that music can break down barriers previously considered insurmountable,” its Argentine-Israeli conductor, Daniel Barenboim, told IPS on a visit to Ecuador. After performing in Quito Aug. 13, to a standing ovation lasting more than 10 [...]
