Culture

People watch the Purim parade in Jerusalem, Monday, March 25, 2024. For the first time after 42 years and amid the Israel-Hamas war, Jerusalem holds a Purim parade on Monday. 

‘Our joy is limited’: A subdued Purim in Israel during wartime 

Jews around the world just celebrated the holiday of Purim, which is said to mark the survival of Jews in ancient Persia. In Israel, it is known for being a raucous holiday with parties, costumes, sweets and drinking. But for many Israelis, the war meant this year’s holiday felt different.

‘Our joy is limited’: A subdued Purim in Israel during wartime 
Image from a poster depicting a toucan at the new exhibition, "Imaginary Amazon," at the University of San Diego, featuring works by contemporary artists, many of them Indigenous inhabitants of the Amazon. 

'Imaginary Amazon' exhibition counters negative stereotypes through contemporary art

'Imaginary Amazon' exhibition counters negative stereotypes through contemporary art
Speaker of Ghana Parliament Alban Sumana Bagbin speaks at the Parliament House in Accra, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.

‘What crime have we committed?’ Ghana’s LGBTQ community braces as anti-LGBTQ bill may turn into law

‘What crime have we committed?’ Ghana’s LGBTQ community braces as anti-LGBTQ bill may turn into law
Build it, and they will come: The dream of King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Join the journey at outofedenwalk.org.

Out of Eden Walk: Paul Salopek traverses the Arabian Peninsula via Saudi Arabia

Out of Eden Walk: Paul Salopek traverses the Arabian Peninsula via Saudi Arabia
"I'll Have What She's Having" is an exhibit that explores the history of Jewish delis in America.

Jewish American delis: A story of culture, community and survival

Jewish American delis: A story of culture, community and survival
competitive camel racers pose for a picture with their camels

Women's camel racing team takes an ancient sport back to the future

Camel racing is an ancient sport. There are records of races on the Arabian Peninsula that date back to the 7th century. These days, it's still hugely popular, with robot jockeys and cash prizes. But a new team is taking camel racing back to its roots — with a twist.

Women's camel racing team takes an ancient sport back to the future
A busy lunchtime at the Daryaganj restaurant, which claims to own the recipe for the original butter chicken and has been sued for copyright infringement by a rival Delhi restaurant.

Who invented butter chicken? Dueling claims battle it out in an Indian high court.

The grandsons of two now-deceased business partners are fighting over claims of whose grandfather invented the beloved Indian dish, butter chicken.

Who invented butter chicken? Dueling claims battle it out in an Indian high court.
The 2015 Kennedy Center Honors Honorees, including conductor Seiji Ozawa, stand on stage during a reception for them in the East Room of the White House, Dec. 6, 2015.

Renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa is remembered as 'graceful,' 'supernaturally' gifted

Seiji Ozawa, who led the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) for nearly three decades, died this week in his home country of Japan. The World speaks to Brian McCreath, who broadcasts the Boston Symphony Orchestra on WCRB in Boston, about Ozawa's life and legacy.

Renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa is remembered as 'graceful,' 'supernaturally' gifted
Florida is home to the largest Haitian community in the US with more than 300,000 people of Haitian ancestry.

Miami’s Little Haiti: What is lost when a community is displaced?

The Haitian population of Miami has remained unchanged since the beginning of the century, with about 30,000 people. But little remains of the neighborhood that Maria and Viter Juste founded in the 1970s that came to be known as Little Haiti.

Miami’s Little Haiti: What is lost when a community is displaced?
musicians onstage

International Guitar Night shows off diverse styles and sounds from across the globe

The World’s host Marco Werman previews two of the artists who are featured as part of the 24th annual edition of International Guitar Night touring North America.

International Guitar Night shows off diverse styles and sounds from across the globe
Haiti's annual PapJazz Festival brings together local and international audiences for rich and diverse musical experiences.

'It's an act of resistance': Haiti's jazz festival opens in Port-au-Prince despite security challenges

This week, jazz fans in Haiti will once again gather for the 17th annual PapJazz Festival. The event draws enthusiasts from across the island, as well as international jazz aficionados. Festival organizer Milena Sandler says the gathering in Port-au-Prince is "an act of resistance" amid security and economic challenges in Haiti.

'It's an act of resistance': Haiti's jazz festival opens in Port-au-Prince despite security challenges
A construction crew works on Ram Mandir, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ram in Ayodhya, India, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024.

'Religious triumphalism': A grand Hindu temple opens on a controversial site in India 

On Jan. 22, a temple of Lord Ram will open its doors in Ayodhya, in northern India. The temple stands where the Babri mosque once existed, before it was torn down by a Hindu mob. The occasion marks a victory for Hindus and a sorrowful reminder for Muslims of the ongoing tensions between the two groups in a Hindu-majority country.

'Religious triumphalism': A grand Hindu temple opens on a controversial site in India 
Turkish breakfasts are elaborate and offer a wide variety of options eaten over the course of an hour or two. Diners are not expected to eat everything on the table. 

In Istanbul, the classic ‘Turkish breakfast’ comes under fire for food waste

Turkey is famous for its elaborate breakfasts, featuring a huge spread of a wide variety of foods that can take hours to eat. Critics say the traditional breakfast is indulgent and leads to food waste. Others say it’s part of the culture and here to stay.

In Istanbul, the classic ‘Turkish breakfast’ comes under fire for food waste
Uganda Women Birders tackles limiting gender taboos by giving women the experience and resources they need to prove they can do the job.

‘Birds are everywhere!’ Women bird guides in Uganda set a global example

Birdwatching is a rapidly growing and lucrative part of the tourism sector worldwide, but women make up a very small minority of professional guides. Uganda Women Birders, a bird guide club, is revolutionizing the industry by encouraging and supporting women who want to get into the business. Anita Elash reports from the town of Entebbe, Uganda.

‘Birds are everywhere!’ Women bird guides in Uganda set a global example
The Estonian folk music quartet 6hunesseq performs during Tallinn Music Week. From left to right, Marion Selgall, Greta Liisa Grünberg, Maria Mänd and Kaisa Kuslapuu.

All-women Estonian quartet brings ancient folk music to the forefront

The small Baltic nation of Estonia is experiencing a folk music renaissance, with young musicians bringing traditional songs and instruments to the forefront in an attempt to reassert a unique Estonian identity and keep the country’s ancient heritage alive.

All-women Estonian quartet brings ancient folk music to the forefront