music diplomacy
To expand cultural exchange with other countries, the festival has started designating a guest of honor nation since 2013. South Korea has become the fourth such nation, following Russia in 2013, the U.S. in 2014, and China in 2015.
In a rural area of the Malaysian island of Borneo, a punk group gathers around a massive print of a Snakes and Ladders board game on the floor of their art studio. On his knees, Jerome Manjat presses an inked piece of Lino onto a blank square. Lifts it. Emblazoned in red ink is the Prime Minister, Najib Razak, depicted as a clown.
Using playlists as a tool for awareness and advocacy.
Nine female musicians in the Ivory Coast are challenging perceptions about women in the music business.
Following U.S. President Barack Obama’s trailblazing visit to Cuba, a free concert by the Rolling Stones in Havana might seem like a relatively minor event. Obama revived relations with Cuba after more than a half-century of deep hostility. The septuagenarian Stones just played some very loud music. And yet, symbolically, the concert was not minor at all.
Stories about art, food and cultural exchanges featured prominently in this week's roundup
After more than five decades of touring, the Rolling Stones will finally bring their music to Cuba Friday night for the first time. The performance is billed as the first open-air concert in Cuba by a British rock band. The concert marks a milestone as rock 'n' roll was considered subversive and decadent by the Castro regime no too long ago.