Culture

French Museums Enter Prisons: ‘ The Mona Lisa’ at Fleury-Mérogis
French Museums Enter Prisons: ‘ The Mona Lisa’ at Fleury-Mérogis

In the classroom of the school center at Fleury-Mérogis prison, Barbara Beautier, head of the “Micro-Folies” digital museums in Île-de-France, projects The Mona Lisa on a giant screen in front of four inmates.  “What strikes you about this painting?” asks the young woman, zooming in on Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece.  “Her ...

Angélique Kidjo: 40 Years of Music, African Roots and Activism
Angélique Kidjo: 40 Years of Music, African Roots and Activism

All music “has its roots” in Africa, says Angélique Kidjo. “In this world, you have a place everywhere.” Driven by this family mantra, star singer Angélique Kidjo celebrates 40 years of a career during which she has transcended trends while celebrating African heritage, the "cradle" of all music.  Whether revisiting Ravel’s Bolero, ...

Music Industry Faces Reckoning Amid #MeToo and Legal Battles
Music Industry Faces Reckoning Amid #MeToo and Legal Battles

The music industry has long evaded a #MeToo reckoning like the ones experienced in Hollywood and the media, but the high-profile charges against hip-hop mogul Sean Combs may finally mark a turning point. Federal prosecutors allege that Combs, known by monikers such as “Diddy,” operated a criminal sex ring, preying on women and coercing them ...

Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' Comes to Life in Bosnia
Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' Comes to Life in Bosnia

In the rolling terrain of Bosnia, a businessman has embarked on a project to bring Van Gogh’s Starry Night to life, crafting a replica of the iconic painting over an impressive area of ten hectares. Deeply passionate about the Dutch artist’s work, Zukic views this endeavor as a homage to an artistic heritage that belongs to everyone. ...

A Nobel Peace Prize in a War-Torn World
A Nobel Peace Prize in a War-Torn World

Beginning Monday, Nobel Prizes will be awarded amid escalating climate crises and devastating armed conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine. The new laureates will be announced consecutively from October 7 to 14, in Stockholm and Oslo. As in previous years, these prestigious awards will cover the fields of medicine, physics, ...

Kate Winslet Portrays Lee Miller, Pioneer and War Photojournalist
Kate Winslet Portrays Lee Miller, Pioneer and War Photojournalist

A pioneer who preferred “taking shots rather than being one”: in the film Lee, Kate Winslet brings to life the American Lee Miller, who broke through conventions to establish herself as a leading photojournalist of the 20th century and a key witness to Nazi atrocities. Releasing this Wednesday in France, the film delves into a pivotal period ...

Gaza and Ukraine at the Heart of This Year's Bayeux Award
Gaza and Ukraine at the Heart of This Year's Bayeux Award

The situation in Gaza, one year after the start of the war and at a time when bombardments are raging in the Middle East, as well as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, will be at the heart of the 31st Bayeux Award for War Correspondents, which starts on Monday. “Never have so many journalists died during a conflict as in Gaza over the past year, ...

'The Harm We Do Ourselves' : A Novel Challenges Gay Narratives
'The Harm We Do Ourselves' : A Novel Challenges Gay Narratives

Jean Akouri’s new novel explores the complexities of gay life in Beirut, calling for introspection within the homosexual community and challenging prevailing Western LGBTQ+ narratives. In The Harm We Do Ourselves, Jean Akouri presents a thought-provoking exploration of gay life in Beirut, offering a fresh perspective on LGBTQ+ issues often ...

Nintendo Opens Museum in Japan Chronicling Its History
Nintendo Opens Museum in Japan Chronicling Its History

On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, Nintendo inaugurated its own museum in Japan. This new venue offers visitors the chance to explore and sometimes experience more than 130 years of the gaming giant’s history, starting with its origins in playing card manufacturing. Located a few kilometers from Kyoto’s city center, where the company’s ...

Costa Rica: Fish Skins Upcycled into Fashion and Jewelry
Costa Rica: Fish Skins Upcycled into Fashion and Jewelry

In Costa Rica, a pioneering project by a women-led cooperative is transforming discarded fish skins into high-quality leather for clothing and jewelry, potentially revolutionizing sustainable fashion. On a beach in Costa Rica, two women meticulously clean fish skins that will later be crafted into clothing and jewelry, perhaps eventually gracing ...

Tolstoy’s Legacy Divides Family Over Russian-Backed Peace Prize
Tolstoy’s Legacy Divides Family Over Russian-Backed Peace Prize

A new peace prize backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, named after literary giant Leo Tolstoy, has sparked a rift among Tolstoy’s descendants. While some welcome the association with Tolstoy’s pacifist legacy, others are disturbed by the initiative, given Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. This family dispute echoes the tragic ...

Paris Fashion Week Closes with Chanel’s Iconic Show
Paris Fashion Week Closes with Chanel’s Iconic Show

The final day of Paris Fashion Week concluded on Tuesday, October 1, with a series of major shows, including those from Chanel, Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, and the rising brand Coperni. Among the highlights was Chanel’s much-anticipated show, staged at the Grand Palais in Paris, marking the brand's return to this iconic venue after four years of ...