culture

Ghibli at 40: Beloved, Award-Winning, But Uncertain Future

Japan's Studio Ghibli turns 40 this month with two Oscars and legions of fans, young and old, won over by its complex plots and fantastical hand-drawn animation. But the future is uncertain, with the latest hit, The Boy and the Heron, likely — but not certainly — the final feature from celebrated co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, now 84. The studio ...

First-Ever Hermès Birkin Bag Heads to Auction in Paris

The first Birkin bag that was designed by French luxury brand Hermes for actress Jane Birkin in 1984, will be auctioned in Paris on July 10, auction house Sotheby's said Thursday. The large black leather tote, whose design went on to become one of the most famous and expensive bags in the world, will be the centerpiece of the "Fashion Icons" ...

‘Un autre monde’: A New Exhibition by Artists of Beirut

From June 19 to 29, 2025, Un autre monde will take over Arthaus Beirut in the heart of Gemmayzeh for the sixth curated edition by Artists of Beirut. Known for spotlighting women artists from Lebanon, the platform returns with a powerful new theme: rebirth through art. The exhibition brings together emerging and established talents to reflect on ...

Cannes Red Carpet Gets a Second Life in Marseille

Walked on for fifteen days by the biggest stars in global cinema, the iconic red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival is now getting a second life in Marseille. Designers, theater troupes, and fashion collectives are repurposing the material into new creative works. “We sell it as a basic fine red carpet, not as the Cannes red carpet,” said ...

Charli XCX Shines at 'We Love Green', But Francophone Talents Steal the Show

While pop phenomenon Charli XCX headlines Paris’ We Love Green festival this weekend, a new generation of francophone artists is proving prolific, bold, and ready to shake things up — from Camille Yembe to Zamdane. The festival, held in the heart of the Bois de Vincennes, boasts a major draw: British pop rebel Charli XCX. Known as the ...

Screen Addiction: Understanding the Message Behind the Symptom

The underlying logic of “mindset therapy” is the reinforcement of the self. It urges individuals to push their limits, reinvent themselves, “raise their vibration” – as if the essence of psychic life were a relentless pursuit of performance. But for Freud and Lacan, desire is never aligned or resolved. It remains blocked, unstable, ...

Polo Anid Tackles Divorce with Humor at Le Monnot Theater with 'Libérée Divorcée'

As a Franco-Lebanese comedian with a strong portfolio of theater and film work, Polo Anid returns to the Lebanese stage after past successes at Le Monnot theater. A passionate admirer of Lebanon, the actor pours his love for the country into every performance — and the audience returns it tenfold. Formerly a finance professional, he made a bold ...

Austrian Daily Under Fire After Clint Eastwood Slams 'Phony' Interview

An Austrian newspaper came under fire Tuesday after Hollywood star Clint Eastwood said an alleged interview with him published by the paper to mark his 95th birthday was "entirely phony". The row was sparked by a purported interview with the Oscar-winning actor and director carried by the German-language Kurier newspaper Friday. In the ...

Garcess Kanaan Reimagines Strindberg in a Raw Theatrical Outcry: 'The Father'

Directed and adapted by Garcess Kanaan, The Father brings a contemporary lens to Strindberg’s intense drama. The play traces the emotional and mental unraveling of a father, caught in a home torn apart by mistrust and a battle over his daughter’s future. The cast includes Julien Chaaya, Joanna Toubia, Melissa Aziz, and Melissa Hjeij. The ...

Sting Brings 'The Last Ship' Musical to Paris in 2026

British singer Sting, a rock icon and frontman of The Police, announced he will perform in Paris in February 2026 with his musical The Last Ship, as reported by Le Parisien on Monday. The show is set to run at La Seine Musicale, just outside the French capital, starting February 18. Originally released in 2013 as a concept album, The Last Ship ...

Taylor Swift Finally Reclaims Full Rights to Her Music

Pop sensation Taylor Swift, who was locked in a feud with record executives since 2019 over ownership of her music, has bought back the rights to her entire back catalog, she said Friday. "All of the music I've ever made ... now belongs ... to me," she wrote on her website, after years of disputes over her first six albums, a number of which she ...