Nicaragua. El Güegüense. A people’s resistance
A Nicaraguan mask play that defies the arrogance of the powerful with style and creativity. An extraordinary portrait of non-violent resistance. It is an essential part of Nicaraguan culture. The January wind cuts a path through the peaceful town of Diriamba, 45Km from the capital Managua. Diriamba owes its name to Cacique Diriangen, the legendary […]
Elections 2024. From Confirmed to Unknown
Russia, Ukraine, the European Union, and the United States. An intense year of elections in the shadow of Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In Russia, at war with Ukraine, presidential elections will be held on Sunday 17 March 2024. The likely scenario is that the war will still be going on and this situation will […]
Asia 2024. Uneasy Scenarios
The new year comes not only with a wide series of events, starting with important elections in several countries, but it also opens onto a restless scenario with open conflicts and tensions that could further increase the instability of crucial areas of the continent from the South China Sea to the East China Sea, as […]
Africa. Hotspots 2024
If the current dynamics in the security field continue, and there are no signs of a reversal of the trend, there will be no shortage of crisis in Africa in 2024. Some countries will be particularly concerned, but insecurity will have consequences also in those nations that will be spared by terrorism and coups. The […]
Africa. Political forecast 2024
The ongoing jihadist expansion in the Sahel region and attempts to stop it, the aftermath of the general elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the projected decline of the ANC in the South African polls, are the main trends expected for this year. In 2024, the main concern in West Africa will be whether […]
Advocacy & People. Ayakha Melithafa
The 20-year-old climate activist is making her voice heard across South Africa and beyond. My involvement as a climate activist began in 2017 when my province, the Western Cape [in South Africa], was experiencing a water crisis caused by a drought. My mother was, and still is, a small-scale farmer and our family depended on […]
Oral Literature. The Mask of Genius
It was a scorching dawn. Scattered across the vast grassy savannah beyond the rocky mountains, the villages seemed to bleach under the thick blanket of clay dust that accompanies the dry season. Birds were singing in the azure sky. On that day, a genie decided to make all butterflies disappear from the face of the […]
Peru. Christmas. The Message of Love
In Peru, Christmas celebrations start towards the end of November. There are a variety of fairs across the country where gifts of every kind are sold, and entire cities are decorated with lights which represent the Christmas message. During the first days of December, the nativity scene is set up in homes and churches. Wheat […]
Guatemala. Christmas. The richness of the Mayan culture
Christmas is celebrated in different ways around the world, with a variety of symbols deeply embedded in one’s own cultural tradition. We look at how people from Guatemala celebrate Christmas. Christmas in Guatemala begins on 8th December, the day when the feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated. For the entire month of December, many […]
Mexico – A Family Feast
The Mexican Christmas is a combination of Christian spirit and indigenous traits. Una fiesta with colour, dances, songs, and joy. Even though the official liturgical preparation for Christmas begins with the First Sunday of Advent, December 25th remains the centre of the liturgical and secular celebrations. In Mexico, the effects of this feast are felt […]