Culture
Welcome to our Culture section. Here we explore vibrant and inspiring work from across the globe and examine issues such as identity, cultural appropriation, the role of art, globalization, sponsorship and the impact of digital technology on cultural practices.
We talk to leading cultural figures, exploring their politics, inspirations, and visions for the future.
We cover a range of topics including: art books film music media photography.
In our reviews, we analyse and critique both mainstream and independent book, film, and music, to help you discover thought-provoking movies, new sounds and page-turners that are too often ignored by mainstream media.
You’ll find coverage of events and festivals that showcase the diversity of cultural practices and traditions, highlighting the power of art to bring people together and promote social change. We also explore the ways in which power dynamics and colonial legacies continue to shape our cultural experiences.
Our aim is to foster a greater understanding of our complex world through the lens of culture, which is not just a passive reflection of our world, but an active participant in its transformation.
Spotlight: Saif Osmani
Artist Saif Osmani talks to Subi Shah about urban culture, gentrification and Brexit.
We’ve saved New Internationalist’s stories
When the pandemic threw our future into uncertainty we turned to our readers and co-owners for help. Over 1,800 people answered the call.
Why I contribute to New Internationalist
Photojournalist Julio Etchart reflects on the benefits of submitting work to a truly independent publisher.
We’re one third of the way to funding our Covid rescue-plan
Over 715 people have signed up for a personal stake in New Internationalist’s independent journalism. Become a co-owner and help us go all the way.
Move over Murdoch. The mini-media moguls are here.
Our community share offer is off to a great start. Do you want to own a piece of us?
5 very good reasons to invest in New Internationalist
With less than 2 weeks to go, here are some of the top arguments for buying into our community share offer.
Spotlight: Arka Kinari
Claire Fauset is on board with Arka Kinari, an extraordinary ecological live music project staged from the deck of a traditional sailing ship as it tours the world.
Have your say on improving press standards
The UK regulator IMPRESS is calling for evidence on press standards relating to discrimination, harassment, online journalism and other issues.
The alternative film review
Malcolm Lewis on the latest releases in parallel cinema: The Mole Agent (El agente topo), directed and written by Maite Alberdi; African Apocalypse, directed and co-written by Rob Lemkin.
Spotlight: Tse Tse Fly Middle East
Louise Gray turns her attention to the anti-slavery musical activism of Tse Tse Fly Middle East.
Iyad El-Baghdadi: ‘We are in a time of counter-revolution’
Palestinian activist Iyad el-Baghdadi, a leading intellectual of the Arab Spring, talks fighting disinformation with Jan-Peter Westad.
The alternative film review
Malcolm Lewis reviews Luxor directed and written by Zeina Durra; Shirley directed by Josephine Decker.
The alternative music review
Louise Gray and Malcolm Lewis review Uprize! by Spaza and Zan by Liraz.
The radical book review
Peter Whittaker, Jo Lateu, and Vanessa Baird weigh up the latest releases in progressive publishing.
The radical book review
Jo Lateu, Peter Whittaker, Vanessa Baird review Solved by Andrew Wear; Artemisia by Anna Banti; Becoming Kim Jong-Un by Jung H Pak; A Silent Fury by Yuri Herrera.
The radical film review
The Uncertain Kingdom by Various; The Australian Dream directed by Daniel Gordon; Classics: The Happy Family co-written and directed by Muriel Box; Bicycle Thieves directed by Vittorio de Sica.
The radical book review
Jo Lateu, Peter Whittaker and Vanessa Baird review the latest releases in radical publishing.
The lies and the liars
Nanjala Nyabola grapples with the challenge of misinformation and disinformation.
‘Drums have the power to make people listen’
Lazinho and Lucas di Fiori of Brazil's famous Banda Olodum talk to Alessio Perrone about 40 years of drumming up change.
Mixed media: music
Louise Gray and Malcolm Lewis weigh up the eclectic sounds of Wild Wild East and the Karen Dalton Archives.
The radical book review
Jo Lateu, Peter Whittaker, and JP O’Malley on the latest releases in Left publishing.
A message to our readers
As we enter another week of remote working, our thoughts are with you – our readers and contributors.
Spotlight: Kyla Simone Bruce
Migration, identity, gender – Subi Shah tackles the big issues with filmmaker Kyla Simone Bruce.
The news we all deserve
How do we get news that is true – and in the public interest – to the places it does not reach, asks Vanessa Baird?
New Internationalist’s top reads in 2019
As the year comes to a close, here are the most popular articles on our site
Journalists must pay attention to Julian Assange
Assange could face 175 years of jail time if successfully extradited to the US. Felicity Ruby and Naomi Colvin examine the implications for press rights and freedom of speech.
How a London arms fair shields the war on Yemen
As the world’s largest arms fair takes place in London, Lydia Noon talks to Yemeni artist Ahmed Jahaf about living under a Saudi-led military siege.
Ramallah as it is, and as it was
In his new book, Going Home, Palestinian writer Raja Shehadeh laments a breakdown of solidarity. But, writes Kieron Monks, there are glimmers of hope.
Who were the British Black Panthers?
Just like their better-known US counterparts, the British Black Panthers have continuing relevance.
