Ahmed Naji, the only writer in Egypt ever to be sent to prison for the crime of offending public morality: "These words haven’t vanished because speakers of Arabic have stopped using them, by the way. ... It’s only the immortality of being written down that is denied them." - Literary Hub
“I should be slowing down, I know, but each time I try to slow down something happens, and I have to get on the trail again. You see, I am deprived of that sense of inner tranquility once I turn my back on a situation." - Literary Hub
"When the venture was first announced in December 2014 ... the building was due to be called the Factory." Now the organization running it is called Factory International, though the building is named Aviva Studios, thanks to the naming-rights gift that got the place finished. - The Stage
In July, Julie Kent joined Stanton Welch as co-director of the company, bringing with her the wealth of experience from her 30-year dance career at American Ballet Theatre and her seven years as artistic director of The Washington Ballet. - Pointe Magazine
Calling for “a national conversation” about halting the spread of depressing architecture, he said: “We need to fearlessly demand interestingness. We need to rebel against the blandification of our streets, towns and cities, and make buildings that nourish our senses. Human beings deserve human places.” - The Guardian
The event began in 1993 as a three-day symposium in North Carolina: "Gateways: Classical Music and the Black Musician." Now based in Rochester, the event has grown to multiple concerts by a full symphony orchestra as well as chamber groups; 300 musicians take part across four cities. - The New York Times
This isn't the first of Steve Bell's cartoons to draw accusations of anti-Semitic imagery in 40 years with The Guardian, but it could be the most poorly timed. It features Netanyahu cutting a Gaza-shaped hole in his abdomen; the likely association with Shylock's pound of flesh evidently escaped Bell. - AP
"A recent announcement by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of the return of 19 antiquities to Italy disclosed charges against veteran New York antiquities dealer Michael Ward, who has operated a gallery on the Upper East Side for nearly four decades." - Artnet
Deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini announced that the annual license fee that supports the country's national broadcaster (as with the BBC) will be cut from €90 to €70. Salvini presented the move as a first step toward defunding RAI, a longtime goal of his far-right Lega party. - Reuters
"Netflix on Wednesday disclosed summertime subscriber gains that surpassed industry analysts’ projections, signaling the video streaming service’s crackdown on password sharing is converting former freeloaders into paying customers." - AP
For the second year running, Lynn Nottage tops the list, which includes nine women out of 20. (Lauren Gunderson, once the perennial leader, is now in eighth place.) Contemporary writers dominate; with Shakespeare omitted, the only canonical playwright, at no. 4, is August Wilson. - American Theatre
For those who keep count, works by female creators make up almost half the list (definitely half if you count Carole King), and three of the top seven are by BIPOC playwrights. (The two extra places on the list are because of ties.) - American Theatre
"The way we work together is as crucial as what we make, and that means acknowledging how badly we need each other’s ideas and artistry and experience—especially when it’s different from our own." - Howlround
The decision to retire was the product of a year’s worth of rumination, Ann Philbin explained, and now, at 71, she is ready to move forward. - Los Angeles Times
