The International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY) has strengthened cooperation in opera and ballet across the Turkic world following its fourth General Assembly of Directors. The assembly, chaired by Ainur Kopbassarova, led to six collaborative initiatives, including a comprehensive encyclopedia on national opera and ballet works and a digital platform for all Turkic theaters. TÜRKSOY will dedicate 2026 events to artists Bulat Minjilkiyev and Adnan Saygun, with Kazakhstan's Abay National Opera and Ballet Theater staging Aram Khachaturian's "Spartacus" in coordination with TÜRKSOY. The organization also held the 26th edition of TÜRKSOY Opera Days, featuring performances by Istanbul State Opera and Ballet soloists Ufuk Toker and Özgecan Gençer.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkic-nations-unite-to-expand-opera-ballet-collaboration-211065In Africa, artists are increasingly taking on political roles, with some, like Professor Jay and Joseph Mbilinyi (Mr II) in Tanzania, leveraging their popularity to win parliamentary seats and advocate for human rights and youth issues.
https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/entertainment/when-art-meets-power-the-complicated-dance-between-artistes-and-politics--5105918The Inspired Beginnings Day 2 Fashion Show at Conrad Manila featured a lineup of Filipino designers including Manny Halasan, Val Taguba, Ehrran Montoya, Rian Fernandez, Vee Tan, and Ryan Ablaza Uson. The event also showcased art-inspired tablescapes created by top event stylists such as Blooms Events' Allen & JP, who paid tribute to Arturo Luz, while others honored notable Filipino artists like Olivia d'Aboville, Hernando Ocampo, Fernando Amorsolo, Mauro Malang, Lizanne Uychaco, Mark Justiniani, and Impy Pilapil. The event aimed to elevate wedding inspiration with a focus on artistry and love, resulting in an unforgettable celebration.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/07/05/entertainment-lifestyle/life-times/inspired-beginnings-2025-showcases-the-art-of-weddings-at-conrad-manila/2143958Indonesia's Minister of Culture Fadli Zon announced that ancient paintings from Leang-Leang Cave in South Sulawesi will be included in the country's national history rewriting project. The prehistoric images have gained international recognition and deserve formal documentation as part of Indonesia's history. The move aims to record and publish historical information for future generations to understand the past.
https://en.antaranews.com/news/364149/history-rewriting-project-to-include-leang-leang-cave-zon?utm_source=antaranews&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=popular_rightA unique art project called "The 'Street of Music' has been launched in Fujairah, UAE, in collaboration with local authorities. The project aims to spread art culture by combining music with daily life. A highway's rumble strip is transformed into a musical instrument when driven at high speeds, creating an immersive experience for drivers entering the city.
https://apnews.com/article/uae-fujairah-road-beethoven-ninth-symphony-b1991f9afacb7445f9277fe8ac659ff0The Louvre Abu Dhabi is hosting an art exhibition featuring Islamic carpets, which provide evidence of cultural exchange with China. A Juan Luna masterpiece, a Filipino national treasure, is also on display at the museum. Meanwhile, Dubai has launched a scheme to help first-time investors buy properties valued up to Dh5m, benefiting existing residents amid a surge in foreign investment.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/2025/07/04/time-travel-through-baghdad-rome-and-mughal-india-as-louvre-abu-dhabi-launches-vr-experience/The NSW government plans to use tax reform to boost Australia's struggling culture sector by exempting prize money from Goods and Services Tax (GST), offering incentives for wealthy benefactors to donate, taxing vacant commercial spaces, and allowing arts workers to claim new expenses. Arts Minister John Graham will host a cultural arts tax summit at the Sydney Opera House on September 26, where changes may apply to various industries including galleries, libraries, museums, performing arts, music, screen and digital games, visual arts and crafts, literature and writing, and design, architecture and fashion.
https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/the-bold-plan-to-use-tax-reform-to-boost-australia-s-struggling-culture-sector-20250703-p5mceq.htmlStefano Rabolli Passera and Marisa Chearavanont discuss the intersection of art and nature in Thailand with artists such as Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Piriya Vachajitpan. The conversation is set against the backdrop of the Khao Yai Art Forest, where artists like Korakrit Arunanondchai and Tang Chang explore the relationship between humans and the environment. Emma McCormick-Goodhart interviews Nicolas Amato about his work, which often incorporates elements of nature and technology. In a separate interview, Petch Osathanugrah talks to Kornkamol Vachajitpan about their collaborative project with Fujiko Nakaya, using light and shadow to create immersive experiences. The conversation also touches on the influence of Asian artists like Yoko Ono and Louise Bourgeois, as well as European artists such as Richard Long and Michel Auder.
https://observer.com/2025/07/arts-bangkok-kunsthalle-khao-yai-art-forest-thailand-interview-stefano-rabolli-passera/Internationally renowned Tasmanian artist Amanda Parer has brought her illuminated inflatable structures to Melbourne's Firelight Festival. Her "Man" installation features a 12-cubic-metre cross-legged man towering above Victoria Harbour, accompanied by an array of massive humanoids that will watch over passing Melburnians.
https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/the-giants-set-to-watch-over-melbourne-for-this-year-s-firelight-festival-20250626-p5malf.html