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U.S. exposure to foreign literature promotes tolerance in multicultural world

The Soth End Newspaper

It seems every aspect of American life is undergoing a “Globalization” except one — our literary culture. Explanations for this phenomenon vary, from lack of interest to lack of availability, but one thing is certain: A majority of Americans have a profound disinterest in the literary and cultural works of other countries. >> continue

The Soth End Newspaper

It seems every aspect of American life is undergoing a “Globalization” except one — our literary culture. Explanations for this phenomenon vary, from lack of interest to lack of availability, but one thing is certain: A majority…

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Interview with Sámi musician Mari Boine: Dreams about a world without borders

Six Degrees, Helsinki

Europeans romanticize American Indians but they forget that the Sámi are the indigenous people of the northern countries. What do you think about this?
In Norway people began recognising this connection through a continuous stream of information that I was providing. I truly feel that things are happening and changing in Norway that weren’t even considered ten years ago; not only me, but many Sámi artists think the same.

There is some progress, but do you think it is too late for the younger Sámi generation?
Sadly it is too late for the older generation. However, when I see young children studying the Sámi language in school, like my niece, and I hear how rich she speaks it, I know that they don’t carry the same shame that we did.

Would it be possible for Sámi from different countries to have an independent state?
No, that is a dream but, I don’t know… I don’t think it’s realistic. In 100 years it could happen, but also in 100 years there could be no borders at all – that would be even more perfect. >> continue (updated link)

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The Sámi of Far Northern Europe
News from Sami Radio in English

Six Degrees, Helsinki

Europeans romanticize American Indians but they forget that the Sámi are the indigenous people of the northern countries. What do you think about this?
In Norway people began recognising this connection through a continuous stream of information that I…

Read more

Thousands of Creoles throng Seychelles’ capital, showcasing a dying culture?

Utusan Malaysia Online

Women dressed in bright yellow and green swirling skirts joined men in straw hats and colourful cummerbunds, while musicians playing instruments made from bamboo and goatskins led a procession through Victoria.

“The Creoles are a tiny population worldwide, making up only a few million people,” said Jean Claude Mahoune, an anthropologist and expert on Creole culture at Seychelles’ ministry of culture. “With globalisation and strong western influences, our culture and our language is endangered, if we don’t do something to keep everything that is Creole alive,” he said. >> continue

Utusan Malaysia Online

Women dressed in bright yellow and green swirling skirts joined men in straw hats and colourful cummerbunds, while musicians playing instruments made from bamboo and goatskins led a procession through Victoria.

``The Creoles are a tiny population worldwide, making…

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Academics analyze Godzilla

ap / Corvallis Gazette

He’s attacked other monsters and terrorized Japan for decades. Now Godzilla is confronting academics who want to wrestle with his legacy.

The University of Kansas plans to pay homage to the giant lizard later this month, organizing a three-day scholarly conference for the 50th anniversary of his first film. It’s not just about celebrating campy creature features. Planners want to provoke discussion of globalization, Japanese pop culture and Japanese-American relations after World War II. Historians, anthropologists and other academics are coming from universities such as Duke, Harvard and Vanderbilt >> continue

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In Godzillas Footsteps – Conference homepage

ap / Corvallis Gazette

He's attacked other monsters and terrorized Japan for decades. Now Godzilla is confronting academics who want to wrestle with his legacy.

The University of Kansas plans to pay homage to the giant lizard later this month, organizing a…

Read more

Festivals and Cultural Change in Kathmandu, Nepal

Nepal News

With the increase in the population, Kathmandu valley’s dynamics and structures of population have changed. New migrant families are coming up and the structures of old families are transforming from extended ones to nucleus. The family relation is no more confined to a particular locality and caste as it has become heterogeneous in nature. Many families even have married relations to international families.

Since valley has turned into a metropolitan, one can witness the transformation taking place in our age-old rituals, festivals and cultures. From celebrating rituals to marriage, the valley has seen drastic and dramatic transformation. Traditional systems are fading away and new system is gradually replacing the older one. As usual, Kathmandu valley is embracing change keeping intact its tradition of harmony and accommodation >> continue

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Interview with Professor Dr. RAMESH RAJ KUNWAR, an anthropologist at Tribhuwan University Kirtipur on various issues on changing mode of festivals

LINKS UPDATED 12.8.2020

Nepal News

With the increase in the population, Kathmandu valley's dynamics and structures of population have changed. New migrant families are coming up and the structures of old families are transforming from extended ones to nucleus. The family relation is no…

Read more