Author: Tugrul Mende

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Hamid Dabashi, professor at Columbia University, New York (photo: hamiddabashi.com)

Interview with Hamid Dabashi

Europe’s coloniality persists after the fall of empire

An interview with the Iranian-American historian and cultural philosopher Hamid Dabashi about writing, Europe's past and present, right-wing populism and the Arab uprisings. By Tugrul MendeMore

Interview with Hamid Dabashi: ''Another people now Is re-defining the Idea of democracy''Iran and Saudi Arabia: A plea for Islamic toleranceFather of post-colonial studies: Edward Said – exiled between cultures
Syrian Philippino rapper Nasser Shorbaji, a.k.a. Chyno, from Damascus (source: Stories by the City)

Syrian-Philippino rapper Nasser Shorbaji

Hip-hopping between generations

Nasser Shorbaji, aka Chyno, has been active on the Lebanese hip-hop scene for more than eight years now. His trademark sound is anti-war, against the dispossession and enforced exile of people in the region. It is a message that has influenced many younger generation musicians – a group he is particularly keen to encourage. Interview by Tugrul von MendeMore

Tunisian rapper Boutheina El Alouadi: Rapping against sexism and SalafistsSaudi Arabia′s hip-hop scene: Rapping the KingdomInterview with Mohamed El Deeb: Protest through songs and poetry
Egyptian film director Tamer El Said (photo: private)

Interview with director Tamer El Said

"In the Last Days of the City": Between light and dark

″In the Last Days of the City″ is Egyptian director Tamer El Said′s debut film. Although it premiered to great acclaim at the 2016 Berlinale and has gone on to win more than ten awards, it is still hasn't been released in Egypt. Tugrul von Mende spoke to El Said as the film opened in GermanyMore

Ahmad Abdalla′s film ″Decor″: Let the audience decide what′s realEgyptian cinema: Enormous creative energy″Cinema Clubs″ in Egypt: Rediscovering the silver screen

In brief

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Culture vultures: Tehran's galleries are very popular among Iranian young people and the cultural scene is constantly diversifying. According to a 25-year-old photographer, "government restrictions play an important role in this phenomenon. Art is seen as a means of emancipation"

Faces of Iranian youth

Behind a suffocating political system and inquisitive cliches, Iranian youth dream of a break with the system while proudly defending their culture. By Gwenvaël Engel