Center for African Studies at Howard University’s Post

Delighted that my article on #indochina #culturaldiplomacy and #aamirkhan's #STARDOM in #China is now out in the world. The essay articulates how soft power operates through non-state actors, stars in particular, outside of state-centric media exceeding the boundaries of the nation-state. When everything about #India-#China is painted through a lens of conflict, my article examines the stardom of Aamir Khan in China as an instantiation of #stardom, cinematic affect, and audience agency that reveals deep-seated cultural resonances and affinities. #SoftPower #cinema #India #China #Bollywood. Available open access, link below. https://lnkd.in/eRYDKawG

Excited to share insights from a thought-provoking paper on Algerian theatre and its implications for curriculum development in world theatre projects. The paper highlights the struggle between official state-controlled theatre and grassroots amateur movements, emphasising the importance of tapping into indigenous traditions like Karagouz, Meddah, and Berrah. Key takeaways: 1. Understanding Context: Contextualising theatre within historical and political landscapes is crucial for relevance. 2. Indigenous Traditions: Incorporating authentic cultural expressions enriches theatrical experiences. 3. Challenges of Official Theatre: Official institutions often face limitations in engaging broader audiences. 4. Empowering Amateur Theatre: Grassroots initiatives rooted in local experiences resonate deeply. 5. Exploring Themes: Engagement with political and social issues offers rich thematic material. Full journal can be found here: https://lnkd.in/dnYwDVBZ #TheatreEducation #CulturalHeritage #CurriculumDevelopment

https://lnkd.in/eB2npjhQ A prominent and powerful attribute of Shakespeare’s plays is the typically emblematic characterization. In fact, it is one of the reasons for which Shakespeare has reached universality and eternal fame. Such a fact testifies to the diversity and ample records of the readership attracted to his works; on this basis, this paper focuses on the role king Lear, as the main character, plays in the success of the heart-breaking tragedy. More specifically, the light is shed on the process of Lear’s ‘ascending’ to madness; ironically enough, the more conscious of reality he grows and the more wisdom he gains from real-life experience, the madder he becomes. To achieve its objectives, the analysis is conducted at the level of the plot and the role the protagonist performs in it. Indeed, underlying the present study is the probe into the linguistic features of the utterances articulated by the character to track the impact of the credible portrayal of the vicissitudes and ups and downs of the human experience on language use.

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Some of my personal reflections and reviews of Iranian films are featured in The Markaz Review, the premiere journal of Middle-Eastern and North African art and culture. #MENA #filmreviews #persianfilms #persiancinema

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Celebrate the linguistic legacy of William Shakespeare! Did you know that Shakespeare coined over 1,700 words in the English language? From 'eyeball' to 'bedroom,' his contributions to the English lexicon continue to shape literature, communication, and intercultural exchange. Explore the world of Shakespearean language and literature. 📜🖋️ https://lnkd.in/en-k-dJg #LanguageInnovation #DiversityInLanguage #LiteratureEducation

Can we modernize Shakespeare so that a audience today can understand what is being said, WITHOUT losing the elevated and beautiful language? I've created my first script attempting this. Here's my first video about this. I show some differences between the original and my translation. The speech is from Julius Caesar. https://lnkd.in/gsRkzR3A

What do we know about the evolution of Romani performing arts? In this masterclass, Miguel Ángel Vargas explores the evolution of Romani performing arts across different contexts, spanning from the dawn of modernity to the challenges of the twenty-first century. ⚫ Full masterclass available on our Youtube: https://t.ly/DmOaa ▶ Explore our Barvalipe Masterclass Collection: https://lnkd.in/d25diCCc #RomaniCulture #Language #Masterclass #BarvalipeMasterclass

African cinema powerfully redefines global perceptions, capturing Africa’s resilient spirit against colonial oppression and its socio-political revolutions. African cinema bridges tradition and modernity, reshaping global narratives and showcasing Africa’s diverse and dynamic Culturescapes.