All articles tagged with #cultural identity
The Georgian National Ballet Sukhishvili is bringing its vibrant and athletic folk dances to New York, showcasing Georgia's rich cultural heritage and history through performances at Carnegie Hall and Brooklyn, amidst a challenging political climate in Georgia.
A British baker's dismissive comments about Mexican bread on a podcast sparked widespread social media backlash, igniting a debate over cultural identity and authenticity in Mexican culinary traditions, leading to a public apology from the baker.
A British baker's dismissive comments about Mexican bread on a podcast sparked widespread social media backlash, leading to a public apology and a broader debate about cultural identity and foreign influence in Mexico's culinary traditions.
In an interview, actor and comedian Jimmy O. Yang discusses his role in "Interior Chinatown," his experiences of being underestimated, and his personal challenges with accepting compliments and expressing love. Yang, who immigrated from Hong Kong, reflects on his teenage fearlessness and the development of his humor as a response to bullying. He also shares his fear of infinity and the vastness of the ocean, preferring city views over ocean views. Yang is working on being more open and communicative, especially with his family, in expressing love and affirmation.
"All We Imagine as Light" is a new drama by Payal Kapadia that explores the lives of two nurses, Prabha and Anu, in Mumbai. The film delves into themes of cultural identity, gender inequality, and the challenges of urban life, while highlighting the powerful bond of friendship as a form of resistance. As the women navigate personal and societal obstacles, their solidarity becomes a source of strength and support, culminating in a poignant exploration of what home and belonging truly mean.
"Fancy Dance," a film by Erica Tremblay on Apple TV+, explores the resilience of Native American families against the backdrop of cultural violence and forced assimilation. The story follows Jax, a queer Cayuga woman, and her niece Roki as they navigate the challenges of keeping their family together amidst systemic neglect and racism. Anchored by strong performances from Lily Gladstone and Isabel Deroy-Olson, the film highlights the importance of cultural identity and community support.
Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, criticized the influence of Hollywood's revealing fashion trends on Nigerian women, urging them to dress modestly and maintain their cultural identity. Her comments followed Meghan Markle's visit to Nigeria, where Markle's wardrobe choices sparked controversy. Tinubu emphasized the importance of Nigerian women being confident in their identity and becoming unifying forces in their communities.
Despite frequent Russian attacks, Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine continues to function with a daytime bustle and some night life, with around 1.2 million people remaining in the city. Some residents have returned after fleeing to safer areas, despite the risk of living close to the front line and facing new waves of Russian missile and drone strikes. The city's historic architecture is pockmarked by artillery fires, and businesses affected by strikes bounce back quickly. Local officials and residents are working to forge a new cultural identity free of Russian influence, while adapting to the frequent danger and learning to differentiate between different incoming ordnance.
Ukrainian-born Miss Japan, Karolina Shiino, has relinquished her title following allegations of an affair with a married man, just two weeks after being crowned. Despite being a naturalized citizen who speaks fluent Japanese and has lived in the country since she was 5 years old, Shiino's victory sparked controversy, with some questioning whether someone without Japanese ethnicity could represent the country's beauty ideals. The decision to pick a winner with European heritage prompted debate on social media, raising questions about cultural identity and the impact of Western beauty ideals in Asia.
Ukrainian-born model Karolina Shiino won the Miss Japan pageant, sparking a debate on cultural identity and beauty standards in Japan. As a naturalized citizen who has lived in Japan since she was 5, Shiino hopes her win will change perceptions of who can be considered Japanese. While some support her victory, others question whether someone without Japanese ancestry can represent the country's beauty ideals. This controversy comes almost 10 years after the first biracial contestant was crowned Miss Universe Japan, highlighting ongoing discussions about diversity and representation in beauty pageants.
Pew Research Center's study shows that 1 in 10 restaurants in the US serve Mexican cuisine, reflecting the expanding Mexican American population, which grew by 23% in the 2010s. California and Texas are home to 40% of all Mexican restaurants, with 30% of California's Mexican restaurants located in Los Angeles County and 17% of Texas's in Harris County. The analysis also reveals that 22% of Mexican restaurants are considered "fast food," while 12% specialize in serving tacos, and 8% are food trucks. Additionally, 61% of Mexican restaurants are moderately priced, and less than 1% have a high-end rating on Yelp.
Elon Musk joined Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at a festival in Rome where he emphasized the importance of having children to counter population decline and preserve cultural identity. Musk argued against relying on immigration to supplement declining populations, citing examples of population decline in China and Japan. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama also attended the festival, discussing cooperation in curbing mass migration into Europe. Sunak called for updating laws and frameworks around asylum, warning that failing to address irregular migration would erode public trust in governments. Meloni and Sunak agreed to co-finance a project for voluntary repatriations and discussed joint work on migration.
Writer-director Celine Song employed unique exercises to create a hyper-naturalistic connection among the cast and crew of her film "Past Lives." Actors Greta Lee and Teo Yoo were not allowed to physically touch until their characters did onscreen, creating a cosmic longing between them. The film explores the lives of childhood soulmates Nora and Hae Sung as they reconnect over the years, examining the choices they've made and finding resolution. Song's vision for the film involved building jealousy and tension among the actors, resulting in a powerful emotional climax. The production faced challenges due to COVID-related delays, but the team adapted and found inspiration in unexpected places.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's daughter, Zahara, has joined the historically Black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha at Spelman College. The 18-year-old proudly announced her membership, sparking applause from fans. Zahara's decision to attend an HBCU and join the sorority highlights the importance of non-Black parents allowing their adopted Black children to connect with their racial and cultural identity. Zahara's choice to not use her father's last name follows her brother Maddox's decision to do the same.
Ukraine has replaced the Soviet-era hammer and sickle symbol with a trident, the Ukrainian coat of arms, on the shield of the Motherland Monument in Kyiv. The move is seen as a step towards rejecting Soviet and Russian symbols and narratives and asserting Ukraine's cultural identity. The monument, a 102-meter-tall statue, has been a prominent symbol in the capital's skyline since its construction began in 1979. The Russian Foreign Ministry criticized the change, stating that "mother cannot be renamed." The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been fueled by Putin's desire to undermine Ukrainian national identity and autonomy.