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
Culture The weight of war: Erdal Duman’s sculptures probe politics of violence As missiles cross again Middle Eastern skies, Turkish artist Erdal Duman’s brightly colored weapons ask an uncomfortable question: When does war really begin? Turkey
Culture 'Gesture of resistance': Gaza war and Iran repression in Oscars spotlight This year’s Oscars nominations include Middle Eastern films whose themes of war, government violence and protest have shone a spotlight on politics at home. 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
True stories of terror stun critics at Iranian film festival Movies about terrorist groups and crime won several awards and stole the spotlight in Iran's oldest film festival. Iran
Cairo exhibit takes nostalgic look at arts, culture during monarchy Paintings and other objects d’art currently on display in “Features of An Era," an exhibition at the Aisha Fahmy Palace in Cairo, originally decorated royal villas, which were nationalized in the 20th century after the monarchy's overthrow. Egypt
Al-Azhar considers opening Fine Arts Faculty Al-Azhar is reported to be researching the possibility of adding a fine arts faculty to its string of institutions. Egypt
