When the filmmaker Shirin Neshat heard the singer-songwriter Emel Mathlouthi, she knew she’d found a fellow artist whose work was “truly international.”
When shuttered venues embraced streaming during the pandemic, the arts became more accessible. With live performance back, and streams dwindling, many feel forgotten.
As Russia works to shore up its image and rebuild its soft power after its invasion of Ukraine, it is strengthening cultural ties with friendly nations, including China.