Artistic heart of Iraq's Kurdistan thrives, but wants more public engagement Sulaimaniyah, often called the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s “culture capital,” has become something of a haven for artists, though obstacles remain for the vibrant and self-sustaining artistic center they envision. Iraq
Libyan artists turn to black comedy to show youth exploitation A play dubbed “Chocolate Egg” uses black comedy to show the exploitation of young Libyans by officials to lure them into military formations. North Africa
Saudi 2030 to expand art scene in Jeddah, Riyadh With Saudi Arabia’s new social reform plan the local art scene is blooming with a plethora of cultural initiatives. Legacy: Gulf
Gaza's first female beekeeper expands apiary The enclave's first female beekeeper speaks about the challenges facing Gaza's beekeeping profession. Palestine
Egypt’s pottery village explores with art in yearly festival Egypt’s celebrated pottery center, the village of Tunis, holds an annual art festival that now features crafts from calligraphy to wood carving. Egypt
Palestinian refugees in Syria hope to return to Yarmouk While some Palestinian refugees are hopeful than they will return to the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria, others are less confident in the Syrian government's facilitation of the process. Palestine
Baghdad artists reimagine Iraq in the public sphere From dangerous migrations by sea to the prevalence of plastic waste, young Iraqi artists highlight past and present troubles through street art. Iraq
Syria's political prisoners share stories of abuse on Beirut stage A play by former political prisoners in Syria is showing audiences the devastating reality of abuse in Middle Eastern jails while offering a kind of therapy for those effected. Lebanon
Can startups help solve Middle East water crisis? Young entrepreneurs are coming up with new projects and systems in a bid to cater to the water needs of the populations in the Middle East, where water scarcity could become a problem in the coming decades. Near East
Ecotourism coming to Egypt's Western Desert The Egyptian government has launched an initiative to restore the ancient village of Shali, in the middle of the Sawi oasis, and promote it through ecotourism. Egypt
Ethiopian Jewish leaders make gains in Israel The government has accepted recommendations that the spiritual and religious leaders of the Ethiopian Jewish community be permitted to perform holiday ceremonies and burial and purity rites, but stopped short of granting the authority to officiate weddings. Israel
Iranian actors take center stage against US sanctions Iranian artists, particularly those in the film industry, have launched two separate campaigns against the US sanctions, saying the measures will hit the vulnerable and sick. Iran
Iraqi artists, volunteers seek to restore morale in Mosul Singers, poets and volunteers try to revive pluralism in Mosul but old wounds, particularly between different religious groups, linger on. Iraq
Palestinian Museum revives solidarity posters with new workshop, exhibit The Palestinian Museum hosted a workshop for young artists interested in creating the "Palestinian posters" popular in recent decades, lending new life to the compelling images and deep symbolism of the art form. Palestine
Who scored when Iran hand-selected women for historic soccer audience? For some Iranians, the visible female audience at a recent soccer match at Tehran's Azadi stadium was a meaningful win in a long war over allowing women to attend public soccer matches, but others are frustrated at what they consider a publicity stunt. Iran
Palestine seeks UN support to reclaim its deadly viper from Israel Palestine, irked by Israel's declaration to adopt the Palestine viper as its national snake, takes the issue to the United Nations, accusing the Jewish state of "seizing symbols of Palestinian biodiversity." Palestine
