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 Backlash erupts after dancers perform to Missy Elliott’s “Work It,” exposing the tightrope between Sharaa’s outreach to the West and pressure from his Islamist base. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Middle East pins Oscar hopes on young directors From Lebanon to Egypt to Tunisia, regional countries' Academy Awards nominees for best foreign language film are mostly the works of young directors and center on the lives of young adults and children. Egypt
Aynur Dogan gets Americans to sing her tune "In the US, unlike Europe, many in the audience heard Kurdish music for the first time," says Aynur Dogan, a Kurdish-Alevi musician from Turkey, after her tour. Turkey
Women at heart of Dahuk film festival From Nobel Peace Prize winner Nadia Murad to the film "Girls of the Sun" at the Cannes Film Festival, 2018 has been a year of Kurdish women. Iraq
Egyptian film producers turn to war, spies Despite the prolific cinema sector in Egypt, the country’s military and espionage history has hardly featured in films — but this may change. Egypt
Egyptian documentary filmmakers eye international festivals Egypt's film industry enjoys high visibility, but the country's documentary filmmakers struggle with lack of funding and red tape. Egypt
Egypt's aspiring actors tout talent online Many of Egypt's wannabe stars are showcasing their work on social media, hoping to break into big-time show business. Egypt
Iran's metal bands inch toward acceptance Metal musicians in Iran have achieved several breakthroughs in the past three years, but they still have a long and uncertain way to go. Iran
'Diamond Dust,' a poisonous pleasure for Egyptian moviegoers The book "Diamond Dust" and its adaptation for the stage didn't ruffle any feathers when they appeared in Egypt, but the movie version has proved to be controversial for taking on a political subject no one previously dared touch. Egypt
How Syrian artists are livening up Turkey’s art scene Syrian artists who have come to Turkey found it difficult to find platforms to showcase their work, but this may be changing slowly. Syria
Renaissance fair brings Camelot to Lebanon The Middle East's first-ever Renaissance fair brings together several growing niche communities into one fantasy-filled event. Lebanon
Legendary Egyptian director's films restored for new generations A festival in Cairo featuring director Youssef Chahine's films is attracting a new generation, who are commemorating the 10th anniversary of his death. Egypt
Israeli culture scene target of domestic censorship, international boycotts Major Israeli film festivals are operating under an impossible Catch-22: on one front, Culture Minister Miri Regev threatens to slash funds of works that contradict her right-wing worldview, and on another front, Israeli cultural institutions are viewed as part and parcel of an occupying government uninterested in peace. Palestine
