This Sunday, September 3rd, the “Semana Internacional de Piano” (International Piano Week) arrives in Rio for a second edition. Taking place at the Cecília Meireles room, in Lapa, and Cidade das Artes, in Barra, the festival brings to the stage prestigious pianists from France, Russia, Croatia, Italy and Brazil until next Saturday, September 9th.

Auckland University of Technology has launched a “first of its kind” Indonesia Centre in a cultural diplomacy initiative. “The centre is an acknowledgement of the strong relationship enjoyed between the government of Indonesia and AUT, and the acknowledgement of both parties to strengthen that relationship,” AUT’s Vice-Chancellor Derek McCormack said.

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-District 8) traveled to Israel a few weeks ago with high expectations. The trip, which included visits with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Palestinian Authority counterpart, Rami Hamdallah, as well as meetings with military personnel, from generals of the Israel Defense Forces to rank-and-file soldiers, exceeded those expectations. 

Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union shaped the historical reality of the modern world. Given the current tensions between the United States and Russia, it is worth keeping in mind the past successes of U.S. cultural diplomacy. During the Cold War, one such success involved choreographer George Balanchine.