Culture Turkish standup comic detained after act calling Erdogan 'dictator' goes viral Comedian Deniz Goktas’ arrest comes as Ankara intensifies prosecutions against opposition figures, journalists, artists and critics ahead of a major NATO summit. Turkey
Culture Syria advances cultural revival with nine new heritage listings Nine heritage sites have been added to list of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which restored Syria’s membership last year after a 14-year suspension. Syria
Culture Despite war, Lebanon reopens film archive celebrating cinematic history The reopening marks a major effort to preserve Lebanon’s rich cinematic history. Lebanon
Why did the Met Opera lose its Saudi funding deal? The deal, announced as a nonbinding memorandum of understanding last September, would have seen the PIF inject up to $200 million into the opera institution over the next eight years. Saudi Arabia
Analysis 'Is it worth it?' Syria's Sharaa faces backlash over Missy Elliott performance By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Independent film festival builds home for Palestinian cinema in Haifa In Israel's Haifa, an independent film festival showcases Palestinian and Middle Eastern films in an effort to create a local artistic hub and reconnect the coastal city's Palestinian community to the rest of the Arab world. Palestine
Will Egyptian, African filmmakers inch toward co-productions? With Egypt assuming the African Union presidency in 2019, it is looking to increase cooperation with Africa in various fields and the cinema industry is one of them. Egypt
Iran's state TV woos audiences with American-style shows Iranian versions of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" and "America's Got Talent" are now on state TV, but seem to draw more criticism than ratings. Iran
Comics expo draws crowds in Beirut A Beirut comic and graphic novel exhibition promoted the educational and journalistic values of the art form in the Middle East. Egypt
Where Cairenes go just for laughs Stand-ups in Cairo ease the sometimes grim reality of everyday life in their chaotic megalopolis. Egypt
Istanbul's first Kurdish film festival casts light on women issues From Saturday Mothers whose sons went missing in the 1990s to homeless children whose parents have been killed, Kurdish films provide a grim reflection on the situation on the ground in Turkey. Turkey
Do clothes make the woman? An Iranian artist's search for identity The works of Mona Hakimi-Schueler, an Iranian artist based in Berlin, depicts Iranian women not as victims but strong individuals whether in a hijab, summer dress or armor. Iran
Women break their silence at Lebanon's monodrama festival The Lebanon International Women Monodrama Festival, which opens on International Women's Day, provides a platform for female voices to be heard without interruption or suppression. Lebanon
Why artists are speaking up against ‘dirty money’ in Iranian cinema The increasing emergence of “dirty money” in Iranian cinema has sparked an outcry among artists, producers and directors, who are urging action to stop the phenomenon from ruining the industry. Iran
How this mother-daughter duo became partners in art Amneh Baagour, who grew up in Lebanon's Beddawi refugee camp, became her artist daughter's best student. Palestine
Saudi money casts shadow over Egypt from sport to stage Saudi Arabia's controversial sports minister, Turki al-Sheikh, has signed a series of deals with Egyptian entertainment companies to produce content for the kingdom, but many in the sector are far from happy about this development. Saudi Arabia
Academy fights discrimination with art, music in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley Peace of Art, a humanitarian organization and fine arts academy, offers the people of the northern Bekaa Valley an artistic and pacifist outlet in a region plagued by conflict. Lebanon
