Latest in Culture Highlight
Latest in Culture
Swet Shop Boys: Why white skin is no longer a safety net
“We need to include people’s voices, not just their bodies,” says celebrated actor and rapper Riz MC on integration. He and his Swet Shop Boys rap team spoke with DW about music, mixed identities and extremism.Migration complicates identity. Many people of color born in the diaspora are often dogged by the challenge of reconciling their …
Ten late-period tombs discovered in Aswan
The similarly designed tombs are a part of the West Aswan necropolis discovered last century
Fel La La Land: when comedians use disgraceful stereotypes for fun
A few years ago, a group of novice theatrical artists were introduced to the Egyptian audience by the leading comedian Ashraf Abdel Baky in a number of short plays that were aired on one of the popular TV channels with high viewership rates. Although such experience that carried the name of “Tiatro Masr” was successful …
The story of a lady who almost gave her life to save stray dogs
“I don’t care; these dogs have to be killed. I’m just doing my job!” was the answer Alaa got from the man who laid out the poison—while children were playing nearby
Berlin 24/7: Lost without cash in Berlin
Berlin is a world city – say the Berliners. No way, says DW’s columnist Gero Schliess. When it comes to cash, Berlin still lives in the Stone Age – and the best arguments won’t convince it otherwise.”Singing in the Rain” is a wonderful musical set in Paris. But I never thought that I’d be performing …
Ready to rock again after terror scare at Rock am Ring
When the famous rock festival was evacuated after a terror threat, police praised festivalgoers’ calm and disciplined behavior. Just before the concert resumed Saturday afternoon, DW talked with some of the rock fans.Richard Orth noted the “continued good mood” among all present on Saturday at the famous Nürburgring racetrack a day after the Rock am …
Nude photography pioneers Newton, Testino and Piggozi on show in Berlin
Three simultaneous photography shows at Berlin’s Helmut Newton Foundation boldly celebrate the human form. Curator Matthias Harder tells DW about ever-changing societal attitudes towards the naked body.”Undressed”, “Unseen” and “Pool Party” are the names of three separate exhibitions that fill a whole floor of the Helmut Newton Foundation in Berlin. Dedicated to the works of …
J.R.R. Tolkien book published after 100 years
The author of “Lords of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” died in 1973, but his Middle-earth universe lives on. Fans now have something new to read: “Beren and Lúthien,” which J.R.R. Tolkien wrote a century ago.Fans will recognize in the tale of Beren and Lúthien, published on Thursday, elements that would make up J.R.R. Tolkien’s …
Documenta art show calls for people’s participation
The general population does not always feel engaged by Kassel’s modern art show, but the Documenta 14 wants to change this. Even before its opening on June 10, several participatory projects are underway.A life-size reproduction of Athens’ most famous landmark, the Acropolis, stands on the Documenta’s central square in Kassel, the Friedrichsplatz. “While I was …
Rammstein headline Rock am Ring as festival returns to its roots
Germany’s mega rock music festival is back on home turf with a bumper line-up including Rammstein, System of a Down and Die Toten Hosen. After the Manchester attack, security has also been tightened.Some 80,000 music fans will attend Rock am Ring this coming weekend at the Nürburgring racetrack in the Eifel Mountains in western Germany. …
Star German saxophonist Klaus Doldinger honored for lifetime achievement
The man behind the music of “Das Boot” and “The Neverending Story” has also signed over 2,000 other compositions and performed 5,000 times worldwide. Klaus Doldinger now receives an Echo Jazz for his impressive career.”Doldinger’s musical range is enormous, ranging from Latin swing to jazz rock,” said Dieter Gorny, board director of the Bundesverband Musikindustrie …
Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films
Morgan Freeman has long become a household name with his inimitable voice and impressive acting skills. He turns 80 on June 1 – and has almost half a century in show business to look back on. Here are some highlights.With one of the most unique appearances – and most recognizable voices in Hollywood – it’s …
Revisiting the concept of propaganda through art
While expressions like “fake news” and “alternative facts” are part of everyday doublespeak, the exhibition “After the Fact” in Munich fittingly explores different levels of propaganda as seen by artists.The Lenbachhaus museum in Munich explores the diverse and often hidden forms of propaganda used to form and influence public opinion. The show features 35 exhibits …
Ramadan’s charity campaigns spotlights heroes and optimism
With people spending hours of their days watching Ramadan’s TV series, they are being subjected to many commercials, which have turned into as important a part of Ramadan routine as the food and family gatherings. For years, Ramadan has been the perfect chance for non-profit organisations to promote their charity work in order to ask …
Ghada Abdel Razik accused of ruining flight attendants’ reputation
For years, superstar Ghada Abdel Razik and her Ramadan series have been grabbing the attention of many viewers, with the actress’ unexpected roles besides the creativity of the script and the interesting plot—something that might change this year with her latest series “Ard Gaw” (Ground to Air), directed by Mohammed Gomaa. The first episode of …
Iconic little mermaid statue vandalised
The “little mermaid” statue in Copenhagen, the city’s most famous monument, was vandalised on Tuesday by animal rights activists outraged over whaling, police said.The culprits sprayed red paint on the statue, which sits on a rock by the waterside in the Danish capital, and left a message for authorities. “Danmark (sic), defend the whales of …
Fight back or flee repression? These Turkish artists chose Berlin
Bugra Erol sees his future in Berlin – not in Istanbul. He’s one of many Turkish artists who’ve fled repression. What are problems they’ve encountered? And how has being in exile affected their work?The paintings are destructive and disturbing. On one of them, a black heart holds out a crying face in the foreground with …
Torgau: Power center of the Reformation
Torgau is a significant location in the history of the Reformation. It became the political hub of Protestant Reformers and it was here that allegiances were formed to defend the new religion.Anyone visiting Torgau will surely go to Hartenfels Castle. The splendid early Renaissance building still proudly towers above the Elbe river. It can be …
We are not the enemy: a Pakistani migrant’s reflections on Islam and Islamophobia
The values of liberty, tolerance and rational inquiry are not the birthright of a single culture, reminds DW’s Farhad Mirza, exploring the people who were left invisible in the aftermath of the Manchester attacks.In the aftermath of the recent attack in Manchester, the debate on Islam’s compatibility with “western” values has flared once again. When …
Prophetic world literature: International Lit Prize shortlist in touch with the times
Six books are in the running for Germany’s International Literature Prize. The shortlist tackles today’s hot-button issues and bucks the trend of long novels with short, challenging texts.Contemporary literature from all over the world, in top-notch German translation, is honored each year with the International Literature Prize. The accolade is being presented for the ninth …
China targets ‘toilet revolution’
China is taking care of a pressing need: Authorities have installed or upgraded over 50,000 lavatories in a “national toilet revolution” designed to clean up filthy public restrooms.Relief is coming soon, and by the end of the year China expects to have added or upgraded a total of 71,000 toilets, well exceeding a target initially …
Ramadan 2017: action and comedy series dominate the scene
From one year to another, millions of Egyptian Muslims wait for Ramadan, the holy month, which is always connected to spirituality, prayers, and other religious rituals. Al mesharati (the drummer) roams the streets, beating his drums to wake people up to have their sohour, and shops cover their entrances with coloured lanterns with the aim …
Berlin 24/7: Swabians have not conquered Berlin after all
Some Berliners blame an influx of newcomers from south-western Germany for gentrification in their beloved city. But DW’s Gero Schliess says a truce has been found in the capital.Believe me. Berliners used to hate it that so many Swabians had taken over their city, but the war between the “gentrifiers” from Germany’s Southwest and the …
In Pictures: Lanterns’ brightness glows Egypt’s ashen streets
Despite this year’s jump in lantern prices, people did not give up on their tradition
What you need to know about Ramadan
Millions of Muslims across the world have begun observing Islam’s holy month of Ramadan. But what is it about? DW examines the religious observance and what it means for the faithful.Ramadan is regarded as Islam’s holiest month in the Muslim lunar calendar. The month generally lasts between 29 to 30 days, and represents a period …
Summer Of Love: Beatles album &. Pepper’s turns 50
The album is regarded as a pop culture milestone and the soundtrack to the hippie movement. Still steeped in musical folklore, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” continues to inspire subsequent musical generations.In 1967, the Beatles enjoyed god-like status internationally. As far back as the release of the Beatles film “A Hard Day’s Night” (1964), …
Star Wars turns 40, but the Galactic Empire is far from over
“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….” On May 25, 1977, these words flashed onto the movie screen for the first time. And that was more than just the beginning of a space saga.There is a war in outer space. The über-evil Emperor is spreading fear throughout the galaxy with a super …
Happy Father’s Day in Germany to all fathers
On the 40th day after Easter – Ascension Day in the Christian world – Germany also marks Father’s Day. It has been celebrated as such in the German-speaking world for more than a century.Germans may have a reputation for doing things a little differently, and the day on which they celebrate Father’s Day is no …
Inauguration of “Hymn and Azan” exhibition at Museum of Islamic Art with 35 antiques
YouTube channel provides cinema lovers with critical reviews
The open environment of YouTube doesn’t create that fierce competition that requires someone to lose for another one to win, says Mahdy