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
Iraqi comic strip collective tells stories of war, rebirth Mesaha, an Iraqi comix group, had its first European debut at Switzerland's Fumetto festival, yet visa obligations stopped the artists from presenting their own works. Iraq
Iranian sculptor's desire for artistic freedom takes him across region Iranian Kurdish sculptor Seywan Saeedian's life takes him across borders in a conflict-torn region, where artistic independence often comes at a steep price. Turkey
Trailblazing Israeli-Druze photo artist fights against tradition Through her photos, Ameera Ziyan showcases the changes the Druze community is undergoing in its attitude toward art and gender equality. Israel
Is Iranian state TV’s monopoly at risk? Iran’s state TV, which is facing a crisis over viewership since some of its best directors walked out, has found a strong rival in the home video network. Iran
Aspiring filmmaker brings visual tricks to Gazans With basic equipment, aspiring filmmaker Mahmoud Alzaq takes his YouTube followers on a journey of visual tricks and illusions. Palestine
Egyptian art show pays homage to diva Umm Kulthum An exhibition in Cairo casts a nostalgic look at Umm Kulthum, the great Egyptian diva, and her fans who loved the aesthetic life of the '50s and '60s in Egypt. Egypt
Orthodox Israelis dance to tune of tradition A modern dance troupe composed of religious Jewish men is forcing the ultra-Orthodox community to confront questions of art and self-expression. Israel
Israeli cartoonists draw on 70 years of history Israel makes a rich canvas for cartoonists, whose works are displayed at the Israeli Museum of Caricature and Comics on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the country's independence this spring. Israel
Istanbul exhibition recalls beer's popularity in Ottoman times Turkey's beer drinkers complain of high prices and legal limitations today, yet more than a century ago beer gardens were seen as ultimate modernity. Turkey
How conservatives are elbowing out Reformists in Iranian cinema Even though most prominent Iranian producers and directors have Reformist leanings, it is conservatives who are the most proactive in this arena. Iran
Can festivals revive tourism in Egypt's top Red Sea resort? In an effort to attract tourists, Sharm el-Sheikh turns to international film and theater festivals, but the jury is still out on whether these will positively impact the local economy. Egypt
Sisi takes Saudi prince to theater The Saudi crown prince's diplomatic visit to Egypt included a trip to the theater for a play that is anything but traditional in a country where artistic works still face heavy censorship. Egypt
