Latest in Culture Highlight
Latest in Culture

UNESCO announces Israel’s withdrawal by end-2017
Israel has a rightful place inside the United Nations agency that is dedicated to education, culture, science, says Director General of UNESCO

Egypt wins presidency of Arab Academy of Music
Inas Abdel Dayem is sixth president of Arab Academy of Music

Anthony Hopkins: ‘I love life because what more is there?’
As the famous British actor and Hollywood legend turns 80, we look back at the most important characters of his career. From the cult cannibal to a mythical god, Sir Anthony Hopkins has done it all.”Every time I try to retire, or even think of retiring from acting, my agent comes up with a script,” …

New Year cheer with the Vienna Philharmonic
With 50 million television viewers in 90 countries, the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s concert is the world’s standout classical music event. The orchestra itself has seen its public image evolve in recent years.When the lilting melodies of Johann Strauss waft from the stage of Vienna’s sumptuous “Musikverein,” it’s clear that another year has passed. Joining …

Men and Women who shaped the world of culture in 2017
Who failed miserably and who got to the top? From Meryl Streep to Anne Imhof and Harvey Weinstein, we look back at the moments that shaped the cultural scene in 2017.It is easy to feel that the past year has been somewhat… strange. In 2017, we saw the first year of Donald Trump as US …

Tourism is booming – and so are its side effects
Worldwide tourism will be celebrating a new record year in 2017. The UNWTO wanted to counter the negative consequences on local residents and the environment with a year of sustainability. A preliminary stock-taking.It is the last major project by Taleb Rifai, the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The Jordanian’s second term of …

Writer and renowned journalist Salah Eissa dies aged 78
Well-known leftist historian left considerable bibliography of books, articles, studies

Team O2’s journey in world’s toughest rowing race ends with boat capsizing in Atlantic Ocean
Only nine days after starting the world’s toughest rowing race, Egyptian team O2’s boat, consisting of adventurer Omar Samra and professional triathlete Omar Nour, was hit by heavy winds that capsized it, defaulting the end of their journey in the competition, according to a Facebook post on Samra’s official page. The 45-knot winds caused their …

Ministry of Antiquities seizes 329 ancient coins on their way to France
After studying them, coins found to belong to Roman, Greek eras with several carved logos, Roman writings, sceneries of the era

Ramses II colossus to be erected at Grand Egyptian Museum display spot
Minister of Antiquities Khaled El-Anany approved on Monday the final preparations for transferring the colossus of Ramses II to the final location it is planned to be displayed at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), to be opened in 2018. The statue is planned to be transferred from its current location in the GEM’s storage to …
Despite security threats, Egyptians celebrate Christmas
The streets of Cairo warmly celebrated Christmas spirit with Christmas trees, ornaments, decorations, lights, and definitely Santa Claus. With Christmas’s most famous songs in the background, the dazzling spirit of Christmas fills people’s heart with joy and warmth. The streets of Egypt’s posh neighbourhoods started preparing for the celebratory season staring in early December. New …

Martha Rosler: The struggles of our time are against the toxic masculinity of men in power
The American artist is known for not being afraid to voice her political opinions. DW spoke to her about the state of the American Dream, the role of artists in turbulent political times and US President Donald Trump.DW: On his campaign trail leading up to last year’s elections, Donald Trump pronounced the “death” of the …

Merry Christmas — and Happy Birthday!
The date and the year of Christ’s birth are uncertain, but the birthdays of these modern-day Christmas babies are known for sure.It’s confusing: scientific research indicates that Jesus Christ was probably born between the years 7 and 4 B.C. — in other words, before 0 B.C. (“Before Christ”), the point in time when we attribute …

Berlin 24/7: Bethlehem reaches Berlin
Berlin is in turmoil. DW columnist Gero Schliess fears that the terror attack on the Breitscheidplatz Christmas market and the recent anti-Semitic protests have had a destructive impact on the city.”Death to all Catholics!” Oh god, such a hate call, and right before Christmas? Imagine if crowds of people wished for your and your religious …

Artists After the Escape: Judith Kerr, children’s book author
Generations of children have loved Judith Kerr’s books, which have become school reading material worldwide. Kerr fled Nazi Germany with her family in 1933 — a personal tale she wove into “When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit.”Judith Kerr is a very English lady. The first thing she does is offer my colleague, Laura, and me tea, …

How Jewish artists in Berlin experience anti-Semitism
The burning of the Israeli flag at the Brandenburg Gate earlier in December alarmed the Jewish community in Berlin. DW spoke to three Jewish artists about how they reflect on the recent events.The Russian-born painter Yury Kharchenko (above) has lived in Berlin for eight years. As he told DW, he’s experienced anti-Semitism all his life, …

Ridley Scott’s ‘All the Money in the World’ premieres in Europe
As the British director’s latest film hits cinemas in Italy and Greece, DW looks back at his illustrious filmography full of cult titles and controversies.”I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe,” says the charismatic replicant (an artificial human) Roy Batty while facing death at the end of Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner.” Both the phrase and …

Made In Egypt
During the 1950s, Egyptian products were dominant here in Egypt, until the 1973 war when president Anwar Sadat opened the door to private investments, a decision known as “Infitah” (opening). That decision backfired on Egyptian-made products, making them weak and unwanted. However, recently, after several youth empowerment initiatives, in addition to the youth’s will to …

Ultimate solution for water scarcity?
A full 100% organic eco-system on an 8 acres farm

How the UN celebrated World Arabic Language Day
“Arabic language has given rise to a fascinating aesthetic, in fields as varied as architecture, poetry, philosophy, and song,” says UNESCO director general

Egypt reopens one of its oldest libraries in Saint Catherine
After three years of restoration work, Egypt reopened one of its most ancient libraries, in Saint Catherine, which contains more than 12,000 books and early Christian manuscripts, according to the Associated Press. The restoration work was taking place in the eastern section of the library, which contains some of the world’s rarest scientific, religious, and …

Australia dinosaur footprint demolished
Vandals have taken a hammer to a 115 million year-old dinosaur footprint at a world renowned site in Australia, with officials Wednesday slamming the “sad and callous” act.The footprint of the medium-sized theropod was found by palaeontologists in 2006 at Flat Rocks in Victoria state – one of only a handful of polar, or ice-age, …

For German rocker and humanitarian Wolfgang Niedecken ‘authenticity is the key’
Honored by the Beethoven Academy, the rock musician has emerged as one of Germany’s most prominent humanitarians. DW spoke with Niedecken on his work with former child soldiers and his push for integration in Germany.On December 19, the 3rd International Beethoven Prize will be awarded in Bonn’s National Art Museum to the composer and singer …

Stefan Zweig posthumously receives Brazil’s highest award for foreigners
The Austrian author has received the National Order of the Southern Cross. A hillside house in Petropolis was Zweig’s final home and workplace after he fled Austria — and where he eventually took his life.The Casa Stefan Zweig announced on Monday that Austrian Ambassador Irene Giner-Reichl had accepted Brazil’s highest award for foreign citizens, the …

Beyond trends: How color choice affects film
While Pantone’s “Ultra Violet” was declared the trend color of 2018, in films red is often the starring hue. Media expert Susanne Marschall told DW why — and how different people can perceive colors differently.DW: Pantone picked its “Ultra Violet,” a blue-based purple shade, as the Color of the Year 2018. What does violet stand …

Songs by techno band Scooter revisited by classical piano star Olga Scheps
Olga Scheps is one of the world’s most up-and-coming piano soloists. Her latest album covers pieces by German dance group Scooter. Scheps told DW what fascinated her about this project.German-Russian pianist Olga Scheps is renowned for her interpretations of Chopin and Satie, but the latest album of the ECHO prize-winner features pieces by techno group …

Everyday Cairo: portal for emerging photographers to showcase their talents
Exhibition displays Insatgram photos captured by people seeking exposure for their portraits

‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ scores 2nd-best opening weekend ever
Opening with a staggering $450 million in global ticket sales over the weekend, the latest episode of the Star Wars is expected to break the billion-dollar mark this week. But there’s one film that actually beat it…With a debut of $220 million (€186 million) at the North American box office, the blockbuster “Star Wars: The …

Swiss President Leuthard opens world’s steepest funicular
President Doris Leuthard has inaugurated the Stoos funicular railway line, the steepest in the world. Leuthard, who was part of the group that took the maiden Stoosbahn voyage Friday, described the ride as a “thrill.”Over 100 passengers, who were invited to take the first Stoosbahn ride Friday evening, said the ride was “incredibly steep”, “just …

German film shortlisted for foreign language film Oscar
Fatih Akin’s “In the Fade” has been shortlisted for the Academy Awards’ best foreign language film — one out of nine films selected for the category.The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Friday announced a shortlist of films selected in the category Best Foreign Language Film — and Germany’s entry “In the Fade” …