Print was long the natural habitat of African literature but online literary magazines are emerging as a new home for the continent’s countless stories
French dancer Maïmouna Coulibaly took to African dance to process traumatic experiences of repeated sexual violence and a conservative upbringing. Her “Booty Therapy” is an international success
What do you learn when you travel? And why should you set out at all? South African writer Lerato Mogoatlhe has traveled to thirty countries on her continent in fourteen years – and learned a lot about herself in the process
Are skyscrapers symbols of modernity or playgrounds for rich investors? Writer Will Self on walking in London and how international capital has completely changed his home city
Both Namibia and South Africa look back on a violent colonial past, but the history books only tell of individual “heroes”. Can historical fiction fill the voids and give the victims a voice?
Ferdinand Marcos, son of the ex-dictator of the same name, becomes the new president of the Philippines. A disinformation campaign on social media helped elevate him to the post — as did the country’s long history of dynastical power structures
South African literature slipped from the international gaze after the end of apartheid. Books by black authors in particular rarely reached foreign readers. Now festivals, small publishers and the film industry are finally changing the picture
The ocean doesn’t care about skin colour, gender or origin – the Surfer Suthu Magiwane talks about her life as one of very few black women catching waves in Durban. A sneak preview from our issue on Water
Billionaires like Elon Musk dream of travelling to far-flung planets. But is that even an option? A conversation with film maker Rudolph Herzog about striking a work-life balance on Mars and concerns about cosmic colonialism
Ahead of the second round of the June 19 presidential elections in Colombia, tensions are mounting. The winner will face enormous challenges in a divided country
As French President Emmanuel Macron faces the vital test of parliamentary elections, Rokhaya Diallo, author and antiracism activist, discusses her country’s social division and political reformation
At a time when few Russian musicians are speaking out against the Russian authorities, three rappers aren’t holding back. How to criticise a political system in rap lyrics
Although the spectre of famine looms over Africa due to the Ukraine war, Putin still has many supporters on the continent. Many African states even view Russia as a staunch ally
Gulbahar Haitiwaji is the first Uighur woman to have published a book about her time in a Chinese “re-education camp”. She talks about life after publication
Power outages, lack of young talent and scarce materials: In the syrian capital of Damascus, arts and crafts struggle to survive. A report from Syria
Israeli author Lizzie Doron is working to bridge the gap between Israelis and Palestinians. A conversation about taboos, cancel culture and how to begin a seemingly impossible dialogue
From its controversial World Cup to new gas deals with Germany, Qatar is on everyone's lips. A close look at freedom of expression in Qatar
The future of foreign policy is feminist, says activist and author Kristina Lunz in her new book. But what is she actually talking about?