Culture

Shock and Survival: A Testimony of War and Trauma in Lebanon
ExplainerShock and Survival: A Testimony of War and Trauma in Lebanon

Testimony
 "I live in a neighborhood not far from areas that are frequently bombarded. Every day, I am immersed in constant terror. The incessant shelling, the persistent drone hum in the sky, and the whistling of missiles create an exhausting state of hyper-vigilance, fraying our nerves. At the slightest noise, I jump violently, my heart ...

Michel Polnareff: A Striking Comeback with New Album and Tour
Michel Polnareff: A Striking Comeback with New Album and Tour

At 80 years old, Michel Polnareff, the iconoclast of French chanson, is making a much-anticipated comeback with a new single, an unreleased album, and a tour across France and London. The French-American artist revealed on his Instagram account that his "final tour," titled Ma derrière tournée, will take him across France in 2025, with a major ...

'Gladiator III' Already in Progress, Director Ridley Scott Confirms
'Gladiator III' Already in Progress, Director Ridley Scott Confirms

Ridley Scott's highly anticipated Gladiator sequel has yet to debut in US theaters, but the veteran director is already deep into planning a third installment. Gladiator II, set to hit North American cinemas this Friday, stars Irish actor Paul Mescal (Normal People) as Lucius, the son of Russell Crowe's Maximus from the multiple Oscar-winning ...

Philippe Aractingi Awarded for 'Liban, les Secrets du Royaume de Byblos'
Philippe Aractingi Awarded for 'Liban, les Secrets du Royaume de Byblos'

Lebanese cinema takes center stage once again with the remarkable achievement of Philippe Aractingi, a French-Lebanese director and producer, who recently won the prestigious Grand Jury Prize at the 24th Bidassoa Archaeological Film Festival (FICAB) in Spain. His film, Liban, les secrets du royaume de Byblos, filmed over two years in 2022 and ...

Beirut Chants: Resilience Through Music and Community
Beirut Chants: Resilience Through Music and Community

“No sound rises above the sound of music.”  “Beirut Chants has never been a ‘festival’ in the conventional sense. For us and our loyal fans, Beirut Chants has always been a shared space, a reflection of our diverse community's determination, solidarity, and authenticity. It is where all Lebanese come together, no matter how tough the ...

Pedro Alonso: A Spiritual Journey into Mexico's Ancestral Wisdom
Pedro Alonso: A Spiritual Journey into Mexico's Ancestral Wisdom

Mourning his father, enduring a breakup, finding new love, and portraying Berlin, a character that brought him international fame: "It’s true that I’ve experienced everything over the past ten years," the 53-year-old actor shared in an interview with AFP. "At the same time, I’ve been pursuing an inner journey that’s a key part of my life, ...

Vladimir Shklyarov: A Ballet Icon Gone Too Soon
Vladimir Shklyarov: A Ballet Icon Gone Too Soon

A true icon of the Russian artistic scene, Vladimir Shklyarov had, over the course of a brilliant and intense career, established himself as one of the most talented and charismatic dancers of his generation. Appointed "Principal Dancer" of the Mariinsky in 2011, he dazzled audiences in iconic lead roles such as The Nutcracker and Giselle, ...

Rising Stars: Lebanese Conservatory Talents Take Berlin by Storm
Rising Stars: Lebanese Conservatory Talents Take Berlin by Storm

The Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music (The Conservatory) has achieved a new milestone on the international stage. Thirteen teams of students, from both the Eastern and Western music departments, earned awards in Berlin’s 9th Rising Stars Grand Prix 2024 – International Music Competition. This globally renowned event ...

Composer of Piaf's 'Non, je ne regrette rien' Dies Aged 95
Composer of Piaf's 'Non, je ne regrette rien' Dies Aged 95

Songwriter and singer Charles Dumont, best known for composing Non, je ne regrette rien ("No, I do not regret anything")—immortalized by Edith Piaf—has died at 95, his partner announced to AFP on Monday.  Dumont, who also collaborated with American singer Barbra Streisand and French-Italian 1960s star Dalida, passed away at home after a long ...

Quincy Jones Posthumously Honored with Governors Awards Oscar
Quincy Jones Posthumously Honored with Governors Awards Oscar

A titan of the music industry, Jones produced iconic records for legends such as Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, and countless others. Beyond music, he left an indelible mark on Hollywood, producing films like The Color Purple and earning Oscar nominations for his work on In Cold Blood and The Wiz. He passed away two weeks ago at the age of 91, ...

Glastonbury 2025 Tickets Sell Out in Record 35 Minutes
Glastonbury 2025 Tickets Sell Out in Record 35 Minutes

Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival sold out in an astonishing 35 minutes on Sunday morning, marking yet another rapid sell-out for the globally celebrated event. More than 200,000 attendees are expected to descend upon Worthy Farm, the festival’s iconic site in rural southwest England, from June 25 to 29, 2025.  Sales began at 9:00 ...

Vinyl Revival in India: A Slow but Steady Journey
Vinyl Revival in India: A Slow but Steady Journey

"I feel like a child in a toy store," says Saji Pillai, who has never tired of the magic of making a vinyl record: engraving the mold, pressing the disc, and hearing the crackle of the first note under the needle.  In recent years, this seasoned professional in the music industry imported records from Europe for his own label or for film ...