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Archives: Culture

Novelist Arundhati Roy and her mission to inspire in the ‘Ministry of Utmost Happiness’

By Ali Kazimi | (The Conversation) | - - Anjula Gogia, the activist bookseller from Another Story Bookshop in Toronto, had patiently nudged me over a few weeks to introduce and host…

Iran’s ‘Trumpism’ Cartoon Contest Draws 1,600 Submissions

TeleSur | - - More than 1,600 artworks were submitted to the “International Trumpism Cartoon and Caricature Contest.” U.S. President Donald Trump and his policies are the themes of an international cartoon…

Is breathtaking Iran your next Tourist Destination?

By Frud Bezhan | ( RFE/RL) | - - Stunning landscapes, famous hospitality, and numerous World Heritage sites. Iran’s potential as a holiday destination is vast, but foreign tourists have largely avoided…

Ariana Grande One Love Manchester Benefit: Response to Terror

Ariana Grande One Love Concert | Manchester | (Video Clip) | - - Ariana Grande returned to Manchester with some special guests to remember the victims of the attack which took place…

What’s the most effective way to fight terrorism? – Juan Cole on CBS

Reena Ninan | CBS News | (Video Clip) | - - "A new article in The Nation suggests Ariana Grande has a better approach to fighting terrorism than Defense Secretary James Mattis.…

Painting of the Day: Girl w/ Wine Cup, Isfahan, Iran, 1650

British Museum | Persian Watercolor in style of Muhammad Qasim | - - "Girl with a wine cup Style of Muhammad Qasim Safavid Iran, Isfahan, 1640-50 Ink and opaque watercolour on paper…

Picture of the Day: Iranian Woman Tambourine Player, 1848

British Museum | Persian Costumes | - - "Portrait of a young woman; single-page painting mounted on album folio. A young woman kneels on a yellow and white carpet while holding a…

Hassan Minhaj was told not to Roast Trump, But did Anyway (WH Correspondents)

Hassan Minhaj | (White House Correspondents Dinner) | (Video Clip) | - - "Daily Show correspondent Hasan Minhaj took full advantage of Donald Trump's absence by taking aim at the president and…

Video of Day: Kitten tempted by Iran New Year Goldfish

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | (Video Clip) | - - March 21 was the Persian New Year (Now Ruz), marking also the first day of spring (the vernal equinox). In…

N. Korea Interview interrupted by Unbearable Cuteness

BBC | (Video News Clip) | - - "There was an unexpected distraction for Professor Robert Kelly when he was being interviewed live on BBC News about South Korea. But he managed…

Image of the Day: European Buddhists (?) & Zoroastrians, c. 1650

British Museum | (Safavid Era Painting) | - - School/style: Persian School/Style term details Culture/period: Safavid dynasty term details Date: 1650-1700 (circa) Production place: Made in: Iran "Four men worshipping at a…

Would Trump let Oscar Winner Mahershala Ali back into the Country?

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | - - Mahershala Ali, 43, last night won an Oscar for best supporting actor, in Moonlight . The film treats themes of sexual repression, gayness,…

Iran’s Oscar-Winning Director Hopes Anti-Fascist Movement Grows

TeleSur | - - "We believe there is no best country, best gender, best religion or best color,” the directors of the five Oscar foreign films nominees wrote in a joint statement.…

Photo of the Day: Gaza (the Old Town), 1862

The New York Public Library | Francis Frith | - - The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. "Gaza (the…

Oscar Nominee Asghar Farhadi between US Muslim Ban and Ayatollahs’ Censorship

By Kevin Hagopian | (The Conversation) | - - Politics loom over this year’s Oscars, with many bracing for what the winners will – or won’t – say when they ascend the…

Garden Party, 1640: Iranian Lady entertains European Gentleman

Metropolitian Museum of Art | Isfahan Tile | - - "At the center of this scene, a lady leans on a bolster pillow and languidly holds out a filled cup. Making somewhat…

Image of the Day: Gemini Constellation, As Seen in the Heavens, Iran,1630

New York Public Library | Spencer Collection, The New York Public Library. "Gemini, as seen in the heavens. Mirror image of f. 91?" Tarjumah-i suwar al-kawâkib (Translation of "Images of the Planets").…

Iranian Drummer Woman, 1842

British Museum | - - "Portrait of a young woman; single-page painting mounted on album folio. A woman beats a drum slung over her shoulder. She wears an orange blouse, a green…

Why America needs the Muslim Ms. Marvel now more than Ever!

By Katie M. Logan | (The Conversation) | - - During the first few weeks of the Trump administration, we’ve seen increased pressure on Muslim and immigrant communities in the United States.…

Photo of the Day: Sad Girl, Happy Girl, Iran 1900 (Sykes)

British Museum | Sir Percy Sykes | - - Two rural Iranian girls of the Qajar era, 1900, one sad, one mischievous. Via British Museum Museum number: Sykes.453 Description: Lantern slide, showing…