traditions

November 14, 2025

Meet the Indonesian father of laughter yoga

“Happiness is the medicine”: this is the philosophy by which Indonesian laughter yoga guru Kadek Siwa Ambara lives, builds his career and connects with others. One morning this summer, I had the privilege of sitting down with him in his yoga studio, Ambara Ashram, in Ubud, Bali, to learn about his thoughts, teachings and the journey that shaped him.

16-year-old Lola interviews the man bringing joy to Balinese people through laughter yoga

September 26, 2025

Bali’s complicated relationship with mental health: A look from inside

On the Indonesian island of Bali, mental health is rarely confined to psychology and medicine. Healing here is rooted in spirituality, rituals and community. Where much of the Western world frames mental health as a clinical matter, in Bali it is a matter of mind, body and soul.

16-year-old Lola travelled to Bali to explore the island’s unique approach to psychology and mental health

September 12, 2025

Mahashivaratri: A festival where tradition meets modern thinking

Mahashivaratri, one of the biggest festivals within Hinduism, is celebrated all over Nepal during the month of Falgun according to the Nepali calendar (in February or early March in the Western calendar).

16-year-old Binita Nepali from the Nepali Newsroom explains how people celebrate one of Hinduism’s most important festivals

September 05, 2025

No, I don’t ride a kangaroo to school: The real Australia

I’ve lived in Australia since I was nine, and I have never ridden a kangaroo to school. I know, I’m disappointed too.

17-year-old Noa Gomberg dives into what it’s really like to live in Australia

August 01, 2025

Seeing and hearing the Sámi through Juhán’s eyes and voice

I entered the lavvu, the traditional Sámi tent, and was greeted by Juhán Niila Stålka. He was sitting on the left side of the kitchen – traditionally the place where the husband would sit, while the wife would sit opposite. I sat further down, in the area reserved for guests.

18-year-old Elias Malmqvist interviewed a Sámi activist who preserves his culture through joiking

August 01, 2025

‘Stolen land’: What Sweden’s ‘green transition’ is costing the Sámi people

For over a century, their land has been exploited by mining companies extracting iron ore and other minerals from the mountains. I am referring to the Sámi people, the Indigenous population living in the north of Sweden.

18-year-old Elias Malmqvist travelled to the Arctic Circle to see how the Sámi are holding their ground

July 24, 2025

Two sisters using art to reveal the lives of Afghan women

In a private studio in Mannheim, Germany, two Afghan sisters channel their trauma and resilience into art that defies oppression and reclaims joy. Manizha and Zahra Abbasi, both in their twenties, fled Afghanistan after the Taliban’s return in 2021. They arrived in Germany as refugees, but their journey was not just one of displacement – it was a transformation into artists and activists.

18-year-old Zala from the Afghanistan Newsroom profiles two Afghan women in Germany and their ground-breaking art

July 04, 2025

Is English silencing Kiswahili in the Tanzanian education system?

I grew up speaking Kiswahili (also known as Swahili) in Tanzania, where it is the national language and a powerful symbol of unity. I spoke it at home, school, everywhere. To me, it is more than a language, it is a part of who I am.

16-year-old Lidya Gasper says the government must do more to promote Tanzania’s national language, Kiswahili

July 04, 2025

Hikikomori explained: Social withdrawal among young Japanese

While social isolation may be present worldwide, there is a specific phenomenon in Japan called hikikomori, which means, according to the dictionary, “the extreme avoidance of social contact, especially by adolescent males”.

16-year-old Lola Kadas explores the phenomenon of hikikomori by unpacking its roots and recent rise

June 27, 2025

LGBTQ+ community face enormous challenges in Nepal, despite reforms

The LGBTQ+ community in Nepal has become more visible in recent years, particularly among young people, after the country’s Supreme Court validated marriage equality for same-sex and transgender couples in 2023. People have have begun to proudly come out in public, often using social media to express their true identities.

16-year-old Binita Nepali interviews prominent activists about LGBTQ+ rights in Nepal during Pride Month

May 09, 2025

Young filmmaker’s animation about the war in Ukraine to premiere at Cannes

Born and raised in Kharkiv and now based in Berlin, Piddubna is a filmmaker, artist and activist of Ukrainian and Central Asian Tatar and Bashqort heritage. She has a BA in animation and is currently enrolled in the MA programme as an animation director at the Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf in Potsdam. Her work often explores themes of identity, memory and resilience

17-year-old Klaudia Bacza interviews Polina Piddubna on her debut film and the personal story behind it

March 28, 2025

‘New Speakers’: Trying to save an indigenous South American language from extinction

The indigenous South American language Guarani is on the brink of extinction, but the New Speakers project run by the Universidad Nacional del Nordeste (UNNE) in Argentina aims to revitalise it. Giustina Gallardi, 18, from Corrientes, has joined the project to learn Guarani, with the hope of deepening her connection to her culture, her environment and herself

17-year-old Anita Stepanyan explains how a project in Argentina is teaching the language and culture of the Guarani

January 16, 2025

Meet some of the ‘national heroes’ of Nepal

Nepal may be a small landlocked country between two growing economic giants, China and India, but It is also an unusually diverse country, with contributions from a long line of “national heroes, personalities and luminaries”. Here are a few of these important personages, presented in chronological order

14-year-old Rakshya B.K. explores some of the most significant men and women in Nepal’s history

December 12, 2024

Best of 2024: Five must-read articles from the Culture section

Every article published in the Culture section this year has had its own spark, but a few stand out for their exceptional writing, unorthodox subject, worldwide relevance – or all three. As editor of the section, I’ve compiled a list of five articles that I think everyone should read, presented in chronological order

17-year-old Justin Sau shines a spotlight on his favourite Culture articles from the past year

October 24, 2024

Why is the month of Shrawan so important for Nepalis?

Shrawan is the fourth month in the Nepali calendar, and one of the most holy months for Hindus because it is dedicated to one of their most important gods, Lord Shiva.

Students from Harbingers’ Nepali Newsroom explain the significance of the month of Shrawan

September 05, 2024

How ‘nosy’ Armenians made my trip unforgettable

Armenians take pride in being ‘nosy’ – and that’s a good thing. Let me explain why. This eagerness to engage created a welcoming atmosphere making an unknown place less daunting

15 year-old Charlotte Wejchert on her contrasting experiences in Yerevan and New York City

August 15, 2024

Traditional Kyrgyz weddings are unnecessary and expensive

Weddings are a huge deal in Kyrgyzstan – a celebration of rich cultural traditions and rituals. And while it is an event that is worthy of being proclaimed, the costs of holding one are unjustifiable

18 year-old Kasiet Dzholdoshbekova shares how people can still honour traditions without the high price tag

August 15, 2024

Chili, half-smokes, and history: Interviews in DC’s greatest landmark

Before even stepping into Ben’s Chili Bowl, there is the sense of walking into history. More than just a culinary landmark, though, Ben’s is a testament to the perseverance and community of the District of Columbia

17 year-old Justin Sau visits Ben’s Chili Bowl, a cultural staple in US civil rights history

August 15, 2024

Armenia’s annual wine festival features producers from Artsakh

The festival acts as an important space to represent Artsakhian culture and significance. Among the wine-making producers were companies originating from the disputed region of Artsakh

17 year-old Laura Danielyan reports on Yerevan’s annual Wine Days festival

July 16, 2024

Reasons to visit the Narayanhiti Palace Museum in Nepal

Narayanhiti Palace was turned into a museum after the monarchy was overthrown in Nepal and the country was declared a federal democratic republic. It was designed for kings, but now it is open to everyone. We found six interesting things about the palace that everyone must know

Students aged 11–18 from the OXSFJ Nepal Project share their experiences after a recent visit to this royal museum

July 04, 2024

Can traditional Chinese opera survive in pragmatic Singapore?

Characterised by its lyricism and elegant gestures, Chinese opera is a dying art form in Singapore. The number of Chinese street opera troupes has dwindled drastically from hundreds to about ten

18 year-old Chenxi Zhang considers the future of this historical but neglected art form

June 06, 2024

Attending a Catholic school opens a new perspective inside you

I’m an atheist who has spent four years studying at a Catholic school in the UK. That may sound like a nightmare, but believe me it has been a valuable experience

17 year-old Jefferson He reflects on his experience as an atheist in a Catholic school

May 30, 2024

Meet five Harbingers’ students displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia

To “highlight the wealth that has been lost,” five teenage girls who fled Artsakh in the autumn of 2023 have joined the Armenian Newsroom of Harbingers’ Magazine

17 year-old Maria Mitko explains the background to Harbingers’ new Armenian newsroom

May 23, 2024

To be or not to be… an international student

Being an international student, attending different schools, seeing other countries and experiencing new environments gives you a lot of opportunities. You are able to find what you like and what you are good at, improve yourself and be prepared for the future

14 year-old Anastasia Kulikova explains the advantages of studying abroad

April 25, 2024

Bugs for dinner? Why eating insects is good for you…

Insects are one of the most sustainable food sources we have. Across the world, eating insects remains an important tradition. But not in the West – instead, there are fierce stigmas that surround entomophagy

17 year-old Anna Louise Lovat explains entomophagy and why it could be the next big thing

April 11, 2024

Keep or ditch the monarchy? The perspectives of young Britons

As time passes, younger generations are moving further away from the monarchy. From outdated traditions and scandals to the financial burden on taxpayers, young people outline their opinions on the topic

16 year-old Jefferson He interviews young people on their views of the UK monarchy

March 29, 2024

Why Ukrainians speak Russian

When I’m asked why so many other Ukrainian refugees speak Russian, I am not sure what to answer, as the answer lies beneath complex layers of oppression from our neighbouring country – it is not a preference.

17 year-old Sofiya Tkachenko outlines the history of linguicide in Ukraine

March 22, 2024

Camembert on the ‘verge of extinction’ – What does this mean for cheese production?

Camembert cheese, one of Normandy’s most precious exports, is ‘under threat’ with its dangerous lack of fungi reproductivity. With a strain to meet high demand, will we soon see this cheese disappear for good?

18 year-old Sofia Radysh explains the challenges facing the popular delicacy

March 22, 2024

Why are we resistant to traditional offices, and how can we repurpose vacant spaces?

I think my generation is so accustomed to online schooling that we can’t imagine ourselves working from an office. With both a climate and global housing crisis, we could repurpose these spaces to provide a much needed solution

18 year-old Nadia Diakowska on a work-from-home culture and reusing empty offices

March 08, 2024

Unique Nepali foods everyone must taste once in their life

Young people in Kathmandu shared with Harbingers’ the traditional dishes they would like every reader to try once landing themselves at the feet of the Himalayas

11 students from Nepal recommend outstanding Nepali cuisine

March 01, 2024

10 things you should know about Nepal

From festivals and culture to world heritage sites and areas of natural beauty, teenage journalists in Kathmandu each share one fact about their home country Nepal

Teenagers aged 11-18 from the Mountain Children Home share the beauty of Nepal

February 02, 2024

Project helping to revive Ukrainian libraries in de-occupied and front-line territories

Russian soldiers have already destroyed more than 120 Ukrainian’s libraries since the full-scale invasion in 2022. A project called "Riznytsia Yе" asks people to buy and donate books to the affected libraries in hopes these efforts will prevent Russian influence

17 year-old Mariia Sydorenko on the ambitions of the project founder, Ukrainian journalist Emma Antoniuk

November 10, 2023

Learning from Indigenous communities can drive sustainability amid the climate crisis

Indigenous communities make up only 6% of the global population but they conserve 80% of biodiversity. Sustainable practices and respect for the environment are built into their social doctrine which has been passed on for generations

Sanaa Pasha interviews climate activist Yusuf Baluch and Growing up Green founder Amy Campbell

October 20, 2023

Visiting Himalayan vineyards. ‘In a century, Bhutan may be the only winemaking country in the world’

Bhutan may change all we know about wine. Planted in 2022 in Southern Bhutan, Mike’s Gelephu vineyard is an experiment in ‘reverse cycle harvest’. It is an example of how sustainability can become the driving force for innovation and economic growth

18 year-old Diar Boranbayev interviews Bhutan’s first-ever winemaker

September 29, 2023

From nature trips to shop opening: how Afghan girls spent summer holidays

Afghanistan does not only mean crises and restrictions. It is a country filled with mesmerising landmarks, historical monuments, nature and a vibrant culture

Five students of the OXSFJ LEARN Afghan project share their summer experiences

September 08, 2023

Dying languages: Cultures are being eradicated in silence

Language is often reduced to a tool for basic communication, neglecting its human and cultural significance. Global warming and urbanisation are forcing linguistically diverse communities to migrate, assimilate, and abandon their ancestral tongues

Sophie Yu on the fight to save forgotten languages

August 14, 2023

How samurai traditions live on through Kendo - a sport rooted in ancient Japanese culture

“The cultural and ceremonial aspects of Kendo hold great importance. Kendo represents not only a sport or technique but also embodies a martial art rooted in rich history and tradition. It reflects the enduring spirit passed down through generations”

15 year-old Noah Saphier shares valuable lessons from Kato Sensei

August 13, 2023

Contested artefacts from the British Museum: 7 things you need to know

In recent years, many countries where these artefacts originated have become more vocal in calling for their return, arguing that the objects were taken unethically and without consent

16 year-old Justin Sau outlines the appeals for repatriation

June 02, 2023

Maintain or abolish the Monarchy? The impact of the Royal Family on the economy

Debates over the continuation of the Royal Family have reawakened as taxpayers covered the £100 million being spent on the Coronation amid a cost of living crisis. Questions over the value of the Monarchy are once again at the forefront of people’s minds

17 year-old Timur Boranbayev speaks with an expert and reviews the figures of spending

May 19, 2023

‘Quantity of good Ukrainian music has risen on an aspirational scale’

“We need to win the war and start rebuilding. Not only buildings and infrastructure but also our culture. Because there will come a moment of exhaustion after such a long fight, but we still need not forget that there is a future”

16 year-old Sofiya Tkachenko interviews 19-year-old musician and producer Bogdan “SadSvit” Rozvadovskyi

April 14, 2023

Ukrainian music is much more than ‘sharovarshcyna’. Meet four ‘hidden gems’ bands and artists

The world is now starting to realise how unique and vast the Ukrainian culture is. With music being a major part of it, we, the Ukrainians hope that soon we will no longer be prisoners of the ‘traditional folk’ paradigm - that Ukrainian music ceases to be.

16 year-old Sofiya Tkachenko shares four up-and-coming Ukrainian artists

March 17, 2023

How political art is used to influence people

Art, as a reflection of an artist’s view of the world, is influenced by the events happening around, including politics and wars. And just like art, propaganda is also influenced by them. Propaganda, as it is known, is the dissemination of information to influence public opinion

16 year-old Kateryna Kalyniuk outlines the history of propaganda

March 09, 2023

Are the Peranakans a part of Singapore’s past or a heritage shaping my life choices?

As I deepened my research into Peranakans, I began to realise that my ancestors far exceed their reputation as creators of imaginative cuisine and eclectic architecture. In fact, the culture not only shapes the Singapore we see today but has largely influenced the choices I have made in life

16 year-old Jinn Ong inquires whether and how it is possible to be Peranakan in the 21st century

November 17, 2022

Art of forgetting and remembering. On Lithuania's path to the commemoration of Holocaust victims

Memory is by no means neutral, and the pain of it demands decision. To what extent should we remember at all? What does it mean to remember rightly? Is the idea of memory even possible?

17 year-old Sophie Abromaviciute on relations between art and history

September 30, 2022

Herbal Insurgency: Wielding Knowledge to Heal and Harm Under Southern Enslavement

Through their knowledge of healing and harming, enslaved people were able to create small but vital spaces of healing and alternative power within the totalizing structures of Southern enslavement laws

William Derek Pacini examines the history of herbal expertise as a form of resistance and a means to freedom

August 23, 2022

The voice of fashion stands in solidarity with Ukraine

As we say in Ukraine: “everything will be Ukraine!”. And if so, everything and everyone – including the fashion industry – must admit its political side

Maria Rybak describes how the fashion industry responded to the war in Ukraine

August 16, 2021

Tornado of history. How Koreans became the fourth Zhuz of Kazakhstan

Only much later would they find out that Stalin, afraid of potential Japanese spies living in the USSR, wanted to cleanse Russia of any threats. His fear somehow ended up encompassing Koreans as well, so 124 train wagons were arranged to transport over 170,000 people to Central Asia. Based on today’s estimates, around 50,000 never made it off the trains.

Ilya Kan on the history of his family - and all Kazakhstan's Koreans - in the 20th century

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