It’s been an amazing week for gay rights. The U.S. Supreme Court dumped the federal Defense of Marriage Act and declined to reinstate a ban on same-sex marriage in California. On Sunday June 30, 2013, the Empire State Building has turned the colors of the rainbow in a show of support for Gay Pride Weekend. … Continue reading
Posted in June 2013 …
LANDMARK GAY RIGHTS DECISION | U.S. Supreme Court rules DOMA unconstitutional, declines to rule on Prop. 8
The U.S. Supreme Court announced two historic decisions today which will pave the way for the freedom to marry. Continue reading
GERMANY-ISRAEL CULTURAL DIPLOMACY | Frankfurt’s German-Israeli Friendship Day affirms support for Israel
According to a 2013 BBC World Service Poll, only 8% of Germans view Israel’s influence positively, with 67% expressing a negative view, a more unfavorable rating than both Russia and China. Continue reading
FESTIVAL WATCH | Italy’s international fire-dancing festival flickers to life this summer
It’s open to everyone. People can take part in street games, parades, dance and acrobatic workshops. If you play your cards right, you might even assist at the show in the castle. Continue reading
ON PHOTOGRAPHY (NSFW) | Andy Warhol’s gay male archives on auction at Christie’s online
The Andy Warhol @ Christie’s sale has grouped some of Warhol’s sexy artworks with doodles with male porn and then slapped the entire incriminating evidence with the tony title “Eyes of the Guise.” Continue reading
CAUSES | Peace Corps is raising funds for storytelling event in Moldova
If interested in supporting their cause. please donate here: http://1.usa.gov/11VjiE0. Continue reading
DEADLINES | Cambridge university calls for papers on “Cultural Exchange: Russia and the West” by Aug. 30, 2013
Proposals for papers are being requested for a symposium. The focus will be on the visual arts in Russia during the 19th and 20th centuries, both periods of revolutionary and ideological change. Continue reading
CONFERENCE ON DIPLOMACY | Think tanks and thought leaders push for smart power road map at foreign policy conference, June 25
WASHINGTON, D.C.: How many people does it take to replace a light bulb? Probably as many people as it will take to find innovative value in smart power. That means a whole lot of them: businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and faith-based, academic and community leaders, all of whom will convene around … Continue reading
BLUEPRINTS FOR DIPLOMACY | New Statesman columnist argues for new cultural relations in Britain
A New Statesman article, entitled “Why Britain can’t afford to fall behind in the race for soft power,” maintains that the west must not stint in giving financial support for culture and cultural diplomacy. If the west failed to sustain cultural confidence, then “China’s gain in global influence and trade will be our loss.” Continue reading
FESTIVAL WATCH | Documentary theater seeks social change via international “Theater of the Voiceless”
To track this creative upswing, the Austrian Cultural Forum, Goethe-Institut Washington, Embassy of Switzerland and Georgetown University’s Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics have launched “Theater of the Voiceless,” an international symposium and festival on documentary theater that runs June 16 to June 19 at various venues in Washington, D.C. Continue reading
CALL FOR ACTION | Artists, intellectuals break into ministry of culture to protest against the Islamization of Egyptian culture
the Egyptian branch of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) has distributed a letter to its international colleagues around the world, which formally asks the help of the international community to oust the controversial minister from his office. ITI is a UNESCO entity with more than 90 centres around the world. Continue reading
RADIO INTERVIEW | Speaking about politics and world culture on SiriusXM’s “Pia Lindström Presents”
In October 2012, I was invited to be a guest on “Pia Lindström Presents” She asked me to speak about politics, the arts and world theater. She also asked me personal questions. Continue reading
