Firstculture Story

London artistes find new hope, excitement as live music returns to the city post-pandemic

The return of live music in the city that produced bands from the Rolling Stones to the Spice Girls has reignited the creativity of some of London's many working artists after 14 months of silence.

In Germany’s Taunus Mountains, it's shearing season for sheep as summer approaches

The ritual is carried out for the sheep’s benefit, however, sparing them from carrying a heavy coat during the warm summer months.

As life begins to come back to normal in Gaza post ceasefire, fishermen return to sea

Gazans take pride in their seafood, and the return of fishing buoyed hopes that the ceasefire will hold.

Amid coronavirus pandemic, historical theatre shows in Greece go online ahead of bicentennial celebrations

To commemorate the bicentennial of the 1821-1832 Greek War of Independence, several historical theatre productions were lined up in Greece, including the Greek National Opera’s new production of “Despo,” one of the events marking 200 years since the war that resulted in Greece’s independence from the Ottoman Empire and rebirth as a nation.

Decade after Tohoku quake, a look at how the Japanese rebuilt the region amid govt apathy, radiation fears

Despite the setbacks and uneven progress, the Tohoku of 2021 is a testament to a collective force of will — national, local and personal.

From Oedipus to Yeh Bhi Jungle, Woh Bhi Jungle: A look at theatre productions under the Alkazis over the years

Feisal Alkazi's book Enter Stage Right contains rare archival pictures of scenes from theatre productions by the family over the years. View them here:

In China, Artificial Intelligence is powering a new generation of sex dolls

These AI powered sex dolls created by WMDOLL one of China's biggest sex doll makers, offer features ranging from simple conversation to moving eyes and arms

On Tiananmen Square massacre's 30th anniversary, a look at China's erasure of political history

As China imposes strict censorship and blocks any mention of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, people try hard to prevent this part of history from being erased.

How Muslim beauty blogger Win Lae Phyu is busting stereotypes with her videos

For some of Win Lae Phyu Sin's students, her tutorials are not merely about makeup, but also about building confidence in a constantly questioned identity