Culture Latest open access articles published in Culture at https://www.mdpi.com/journal/culture https://www.mdpi.com/journal/culture MDPI en Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) MDPI support@mdpi.com Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 23: Valuation in Action: Cultural Participation and Repertoires of Justification in Suboptimal Situations https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/3/23 How do cultural participants legitimate engagement in situations where cultural participation is experienced as substandard? Drawing on pragmatist approaches to valuation, this article conceptualises justification as valuation-in-action. It maps the situated axiological work through which actors render suboptimal participation worthwhile despite experiential disincentives. Specifically, this study examines divergent sites of cultural participation: a museum makerspace in Belfast and a variety of London-based choirs, all of which were compelled to migrate online to comply with pandemic lockdown restrictions. This digitally mediated participation was experienced as inferior to co-present practice, but participants nonetheless engaged. Using inductive analysis based on interviews and focus groups, we identify six shared value repertoires mobilised to legitimate digitally mediated participation: Emotional Regulation, Socialisation, Identity, Time, Capabilities, and Indexical Continuity. These repertoires organise participants’ value talk legitimising online participation based on socio-emotional coping, connection/communitas, temporal anchoring, identity continuity, skill maintenance/development, and indexical links to the felt qualities and sociality of pre-pandemic co-presence. These findings provide scholars and policymakers with a pragmatic language for diagnosing what audiences treat as valuable in digital and hybrid cultural provision, enabling the creation of evaluation infrastructures that reflect participants’ value criteria rather than relying on access metrics or assumed hierarchies of cultural value. 2026-08-06 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 23: Valuation in Action: Cultural Participation and Repertoires of Justification in Suboptimal Situations

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2030023

Authors: Victoria D. Alexander Oliver Peterson Gilbert

How do cultural participants legitimate engagement in situations where cultural participation is experienced as substandard? Drawing on pragmatist approaches to valuation, this article conceptualises justification as valuation-in-action. It maps the situated axiological work through which actors render suboptimal participation worthwhile despite experiential disincentives. Specifically, this study examines divergent sites of cultural participation: a museum makerspace in Belfast and a variety of London-based choirs, all of which were compelled to migrate online to comply with pandemic lockdown restrictions. This digitally mediated participation was experienced as inferior to co-present practice, but participants nonetheless engaged. Using inductive analysis based on interviews and focus groups, we identify six shared value repertoires mobilised to legitimate digitally mediated participation: Emotional Regulation, Socialisation, Identity, Time, Capabilities, and Indexical Continuity. These repertoires organise participants’ value talk legitimising online participation based on socio-emotional coping, connection/communitas, temporal anchoring, identity continuity, skill maintenance/development, and indexical links to the felt qualities and sociality of pre-pandemic co-presence. These findings provide scholars and policymakers with a pragmatic language for diagnosing what audiences treat as valuable in digital and hybrid cultural provision, enabling the creation of evaluation infrastructures that reflect participants’ value criteria rather than relying on access metrics or assumed hierarchies of cultural value.

]]> Valuation in Action: Cultural Participation and Repertoires of Justification in Suboptimal Situations Victoria D. Alexander Oliver Peterson Gilbert doi: 10.3390/culture2030023 Culture 2026-08-06 Culture 2026-08-06 2 3 Article 23 10.3390/culture2030023 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/3/23 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 22: Digital Determinism in Popular Culture and Beyond: Motor Variability and Emergence as Sources of Chaos That Constrain Algorithmic Control https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/3/22 Concerns about digital determinism loom large in popular culture, where advanced predictive systems are frequently portrayed as capable of forecasting, shaping, and controlling individual and societal futures. From Foundation and Minority Report to Black Mirror and Westworld, the assumption that human trajectories can be reduced to data points and scores has become a recurring cultural narrative. Similar concerns have recently gained momentum in the academic literature on artificial intelligence in education, employment, healthcare, and talent identification, where algorithmic systems are increasingly used to evaluate individuals, predict future performance, and allocate opportunities. While such systems may influence developmental pathways and create self-fulfilling loops through early classification and differential access to resources, the assumption that human behavior and societal trajectories can be predicted and controlled with sufficient precision remains open to challenge. This perspective article examines whether contemporary visions of digital determinism are compatible with complexity science by drawing upon motor variability, an inherent source of randomness in human movement, and emergence, whereby interactions among individuals give rise to unpredictable system-level properties that cannot be reduced to the behavior of individual agents. We argue that these inherent properties impose fundamental constraints on algorithmic prediction and control. At the same time, we emphasize that algorithms in educational, occupational, and healthcare systems may substantially shape developmental trajectories and life opportunities insofar as individuals and institutions choose to delegate such power to them. 2026-08-06 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 22: Digital Determinism in Popular Culture and Beyond: Motor Variability and Emergence as Sources of Chaos That Constrain Algorithmic Control

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2030022

Authors: Elia Morgulev Felix Lebed

Concerns about digital determinism loom large in popular culture, where advanced predictive systems are frequently portrayed as capable of forecasting, shaping, and controlling individual and societal futures. From Foundation and Minority Report to Black Mirror and Westworld, the assumption that human trajectories can be reduced to data points and scores has become a recurring cultural narrative. Similar concerns have recently gained momentum in the academic literature on artificial intelligence in education, employment, healthcare, and talent identification, where algorithmic systems are increasingly used to evaluate individuals, predict future performance, and allocate opportunities. While such systems may influence developmental pathways and create self-fulfilling loops through early classification and differential access to resources, the assumption that human behavior and societal trajectories can be predicted and controlled with sufficient precision remains open to challenge. This perspective article examines whether contemporary visions of digital determinism are compatible with complexity science by drawing upon motor variability, an inherent source of randomness in human movement, and emergence, whereby interactions among individuals give rise to unpredictable system-level properties that cannot be reduced to the behavior of individual agents. We argue that these inherent properties impose fundamental constraints on algorithmic prediction and control. At the same time, we emphasize that algorithms in educational, occupational, and healthcare systems may substantially shape developmental trajectories and life opportunities insofar as individuals and institutions choose to delegate such power to them.

]]> Digital Determinism in Popular Culture and Beyond: Motor Variability and Emergence as Sources of Chaos That Constrain Algorithmic Control Elia Morgulev Felix Lebed doi: 10.3390/culture2030022 Culture 2026-08-06 Culture 2026-08-06 2 3 Perspective 22 10.3390/culture2030022 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/3/22 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 21: A Comparative Analysis of Reflective Reports by Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese Students: A Text Mining Approach https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/3/21 Reflective practice is crucial for deepening learning in Intercultural Collaborative Learning (ICL), yet how students’ cultural backgrounds shape these reflections remains under-explored. This study examines how Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese students differently conceptualize the same ICL experience. Short reflective reports of approximately 400 Japanese characters were collected from 32 students enrolled in an “Intercultural Collaborative Discussion” course at a Japanese university. Using KH Coder for text mining, the study applied Correspondence Analysis and Co-occurrence Network Analysis to visualize latent structures in student discourse. The results suggested three distinct reflective orientations within this specific classroom context: Japanese students tended to emphasize emotional and interpersonal aspects, navigating the tension between “fun” and “difficulty”; Chinese students tended to frame the course as a cognitively “valuable” opportunity, focusing on knowledge acquisition; and Vietnamese students tended to prioritize the instructor’s facilitation and class structure, suggesting a teacher-centered interpretation. These findings demonstrate that even concise reflective tasks can reveal culturally shaped differences in processing shared classroom experiences. This study highlights text mining as a valuable tool for faculty development and suggests that educators should design reflection activities that accommodate diverse reflective styles in multicultural higher education. 2026-08-05 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 21: A Comparative Analysis of Reflective Reports by Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese Students: A Text Mining Approach

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2030021

Authors: Shinichi Shoji

Reflective practice is crucial for deepening learning in Intercultural Collaborative Learning (ICL), yet how students’ cultural backgrounds shape these reflections remains under-explored. This study examines how Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese students differently conceptualize the same ICL experience. Short reflective reports of approximately 400 Japanese characters were collected from 32 students enrolled in an “Intercultural Collaborative Discussion” course at a Japanese university. Using KH Coder for text mining, the study applied Correspondence Analysis and Co-occurrence Network Analysis to visualize latent structures in student discourse. The results suggested three distinct reflective orientations within this specific classroom context: Japanese students tended to emphasize emotional and interpersonal aspects, navigating the tension between “fun” and “difficulty”; Chinese students tended to frame the course as a cognitively “valuable” opportunity, focusing on knowledge acquisition; and Vietnamese students tended to prioritize the instructor’s facilitation and class structure, suggesting a teacher-centered interpretation. These findings demonstrate that even concise reflective tasks can reveal culturally shaped differences in processing shared classroom experiences. This study highlights text mining as a valuable tool for faculty development and suggests that educators should design reflection activities that accommodate diverse reflective styles in multicultural higher education.

]]> A Comparative Analysis of Reflective Reports by Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese Students: A Text Mining Approach Shinichi Shoji doi: 10.3390/culture2030021 Culture 2026-08-05 Culture 2026-08-05 2 3 Article 21 10.3390/culture2030021 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/3/21 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 20: Territory, Memory and Archives: Toward a Theory of Implicit Territoriality https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/3/20 Archive studies have traditionally conceptualized archives as documentary repositories and memory institutions, whereas territorial studies have examined territorialities as processes through which social groups produce, signify, and contest space. Although both fields address the social production of meaning, the constitutive relationship through which archives participate in the political–cultural production of territoriality remains insufficiently theorized. This article advances the hypothesis that every archive possesses an Implicit Territoriality as a constitutive property and, by virtue of this condition, contributes to the political–cultural production of territory. To develop this hypothesis, it proposes a theoretical framework in which Implicit Territoriality constitutes the central analytical category. As a constitutive property of every archive, Implicit Territoriality becomes analytically observable through three interdependent constitutive dimensions: the Mode of Differential Documentation (collections), the Territorial System of Site (spatial infrastructures and locations), and the Condensed Informational Potential (contents). The interaction among these dimensions gives rise to the deployment of Implicit Territoriality through two complementary processes—Territorialized Subjectivity and the Regime of Expansibility—which explain how territorial meanings become socially embodied and projected across different spatial and social scales. Its empirical recognition is achieved through a system of Inference Devices, understood as analytical operators that establish the relationship between empirical evidence and its implicit territorial dimension. Together, these components provide an integrated explanatory framework for understanding how archives actively participate in the political–cultural production of territory. Beyond preserving documents, archives implicitly contribute to the production of territories. They organize, stabilize, circulate, legitimize, and project memories and territorial meanings across different social and spatial scales. By conceptualizing Implicit Territoriality as a constitutive property of every archive, this article situates archives within the dynamics of territorialization and provides a coherent framework for analyzing their territorial dimension. 2026-07-28 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 20: Territory, Memory and Archives: Toward a Theory of Implicit Territoriality

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2030020

Authors: Carlos Vladimir Zambrano

Archive studies have traditionally conceptualized archives as documentary repositories and memory institutions, whereas territorial studies have examined territorialities as processes through which social groups produce, signify, and contest space. Although both fields address the social production of meaning, the constitutive relationship through which archives participate in the political–cultural production of territoriality remains insufficiently theorized. This article advances the hypothesis that every archive possesses an Implicit Territoriality as a constitutive property and, by virtue of this condition, contributes to the political–cultural production of territory. To develop this hypothesis, it proposes a theoretical framework in which Implicit Territoriality constitutes the central analytical category. As a constitutive property of every archive, Implicit Territoriality becomes analytically observable through three interdependent constitutive dimensions: the Mode of Differential Documentation (collections), the Territorial System of Site (spatial infrastructures and locations), and the Condensed Informational Potential (contents). The interaction among these dimensions gives rise to the deployment of Implicit Territoriality through two complementary processes—Territorialized Subjectivity and the Regime of Expansibility—which explain how territorial meanings become socially embodied and projected across different spatial and social scales. Its empirical recognition is achieved through a system of Inference Devices, understood as analytical operators that establish the relationship between empirical evidence and its implicit territorial dimension. Together, these components provide an integrated explanatory framework for understanding how archives actively participate in the political–cultural production of territory. Beyond preserving documents, archives implicitly contribute to the production of territories. They organize, stabilize, circulate, legitimize, and project memories and territorial meanings across different social and spatial scales. By conceptualizing Implicit Territoriality as a constitutive property of every archive, this article situates archives within the dynamics of territorialization and provides a coherent framework for analyzing their territorial dimension.

]]> Territory, Memory and Archives: Toward a Theory of Implicit Territoriality Carlos Vladimir Zambrano doi: 10.3390/culture2030020 Culture 2026-07-28 Culture 2026-07-28 2 3 Hypothesis 20 10.3390/culture2030020 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/3/20 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 19: Political Competition, Literary Contest, and Reception of the Palace Style: Xu Ling’s Criticism of Wei Shou’s Poetry https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/3/19 This study re-examines the literary rivalry between Xu Ling 徐陵 (507–583) of Liang and Wei Shou 魏收 (507–572) of Northern Qi through a political lens. Analyzing Wei’s “A Beautiful Woman” (Meinü pian 美女篇) poems alongside southern counterparts, it argues that Wei deliberately embraced classical allegorism and didacticism to construct Northern cultural legitimacy, contrasting with Xu Ling’s ornate palace-style aesthetics. While Xu’s dismissal of Wei’s anthology reflected southern literary supremacy, Wei’s works embodied a strategic northern archaism that prioritized political utility over aesthetic refinement. The paper further contextualizes this conflict within broader North–South diplomatic tensions, musical traditions, and Tang historiography’s moral judgment of Wei Shou. Ultimately, it reveals how the northern political agenda, literary culture, and the contemporary reflection of the southern poetic style influenced Wei Shou’s study of the southern palace-style poetry. 2026-07-23 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 19: Political Competition, Literary Contest, and Reception of the Palace Style: Xu Ling’s Criticism of Wei Shou’s Poetry

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2030019

Authors: Chao Ling

This study re-examines the literary rivalry between Xu Ling 徐陵 (507–583) of Liang and Wei Shou 魏收 (507–572) of Northern Qi through a political lens. Analyzing Wei’s “A Beautiful Woman” (Meinü pian 美女篇) poems alongside southern counterparts, it argues that Wei deliberately embraced classical allegorism and didacticism to construct Northern cultural legitimacy, contrasting with Xu Ling’s ornate palace-style aesthetics. While Xu’s dismissal of Wei’s anthology reflected southern literary supremacy, Wei’s works embodied a strategic northern archaism that prioritized political utility over aesthetic refinement. The paper further contextualizes this conflict within broader North–South diplomatic tensions, musical traditions, and Tang historiography’s moral judgment of Wei Shou. Ultimately, it reveals how the northern political agenda, literary culture, and the contemporary reflection of the southern poetic style influenced Wei Shou’s study of the southern palace-style poetry.

]]> Political Competition, Literary Contest, and Reception of the Palace Style: Xu Ling’s Criticism of Wei Shou’s Poetry Chao Ling doi: 10.3390/culture2030019 Culture 2026-07-23 Culture 2026-07-23 2 3 Article 19 10.3390/culture2030019 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/3/19 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 18: From Pombagira’s Crossroads: Undoing Patriarchal (Mis)Representations of ‘Wicked Women’ https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/3/18 This essay discusses feminist ideas in connection to the occulture—Christopher Partridge’s term for the re-enchantment of art, popular culture, and everyday life through esoteric and spiritual currents—present in opera, musical theater, and film, focusing on femmes fatales, tricksters and ‘wicked women’ in a transcultural approach to religion, (Western) esotericism, and the performing arts. The spiritual–scientific embodiment of Afro-Brazilian traditions is explored through the figure of Pombagira—a Brazilian occultural creation of a female enchantress with mystical powers connected to healing and sex, often placed in patriarchal opposition to her male counterpart, Exu. Drawing on Partridge’s notions of occulture and Walter Mignolo’s understanding of decoloniality, the Western gendering imposed on Pombagira as a purveyor of evil is discussed as both mythology and potential epistemicide. The thesis statement presented here is that the Pombagira episteme is an underlying emblem throughout art and scholarship invested in queering essential binary categories of womanhood, as seen in staged adaptations of Verdi’s La forza del destino (1862), Bizet’s Carmen (1875), and numerous cinematic Lola incarnations—Marlene Dietrich’s in Der blaue Engel (1930), Gwen Verdon’s in Damn Yankees (1958), and Almodóvar’s in Todo sobre mi madre (1999). This indisciplinary reading connects Gloria Anzaldúa’s queer feminist practice of spiritual mestizaje with the Pombagira as an occultural anti-patriarchal force. 2026-07-22 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 18: From Pombagira’s Crossroads: Undoing Patriarchal (Mis)Representations of ‘Wicked Women’

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2030018

Authors: Marcelo Kuna

This essay discusses feminist ideas in connection to the occulture—Christopher Partridge’s term for the re-enchantment of art, popular culture, and everyday life through esoteric and spiritual currents—present in opera, musical theater, and film, focusing on femmes fatales, tricksters and ‘wicked women’ in a transcultural approach to religion, (Western) esotericism, and the performing arts. The spiritual–scientific embodiment of Afro-Brazilian traditions is explored through the figure of Pombagira—a Brazilian occultural creation of a female enchantress with mystical powers connected to healing and sex, often placed in patriarchal opposition to her male counterpart, Exu. Drawing on Partridge’s notions of occulture and Walter Mignolo’s understanding of decoloniality, the Western gendering imposed on Pombagira as a purveyor of evil is discussed as both mythology and potential epistemicide. The thesis statement presented here is that the Pombagira episteme is an underlying emblem throughout art and scholarship invested in queering essential binary categories of womanhood, as seen in staged adaptations of Verdi’s La forza del destino (1862), Bizet’s Carmen (1875), and numerous cinematic Lola incarnations—Marlene Dietrich’s in Der blaue Engel (1930), Gwen Verdon’s in Damn Yankees (1958), and Almodóvar’s in Todo sobre mi madre (1999). This indisciplinary reading connects Gloria Anzaldúa’s queer feminist practice of spiritual mestizaje with the Pombagira as an occultural anti-patriarchal force.

]]> From Pombagira’s Crossroads: Undoing Patriarchal (Mis)Representations of ‘Wicked Women’ Marcelo Kuna doi: 10.3390/culture2030018 Culture 2026-07-22 Culture 2026-07-22 2 3 Essay 18 10.3390/culture2030018 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/3/18 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 17: From Scripture to Soft Power: Cultural Narratives of the Bible in International Relations Scholarship https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/17 This study examines the positioning of biblical narratives within international relations scholarship, with particular emphasis on their function as cultural resources shaping identity, geopolitical discourse, and soft power dynamics. Although religion has gained increasing recognition within international relations, the extent to which scriptural narratives are systematically integrated into analytical frameworks remains insufficiently defined. To address this issue, the study employs a mixed-methods research design that combines a systematic literature review with bibliometric analysis. Bibliographic data were retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases through a structured query linking biblical terminology to diplomacy, geopolitics, and religion–politics interactions, and were analyzed using the Bibliometrix package in R. The analysis draws on two datasets comprising 135 publications from Scopus and 88 from Web of Science, spanning 1989 to 2026. The findings indicate that scholarship examining biblical narratives in international relations is moderately developed and interdisciplinary, yet remains fragmented, with geopolitical themes predominating. Biblical narratives are consistently present but are primarily embedded within broader analytical categories such as identity, discourse, and legitimacy, rather than being treated as central variables. The results further suggest that religious content is often incorporated in indirect or implicit forms, reflecting a broader tendency to approach religion as a contextual rather than a constitutive element. Overall, the findings indicate that biblical narratives function primarily as interpretive and symbolic frameworks in international relations, while their analytical potential remains only partially developed, underscoring the need for more systematic integration of cultural and religious analysis in the study of global politics. 2026-06-15 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 17: From Scripture to Soft Power: Cultural Narratives of the Bible in International Relations Scholarship

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2020017

Authors: Sotirios Despotis Loukas Domestichos Nikos Koutsoupias Marios Nosios

This study examines the positioning of biblical narratives within international relations scholarship, with particular emphasis on their function as cultural resources shaping identity, geopolitical discourse, and soft power dynamics. Although religion has gained increasing recognition within international relations, the extent to which scriptural narratives are systematically integrated into analytical frameworks remains insufficiently defined. To address this issue, the study employs a mixed-methods research design that combines a systematic literature review with bibliometric analysis. Bibliographic data were retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases through a structured query linking biblical terminology to diplomacy, geopolitics, and religion–politics interactions, and were analyzed using the Bibliometrix package in R. The analysis draws on two datasets comprising 135 publications from Scopus and 88 from Web of Science, spanning 1989 to 2026. The findings indicate that scholarship examining biblical narratives in international relations is moderately developed and interdisciplinary, yet remains fragmented, with geopolitical themes predominating. Biblical narratives are consistently present but are primarily embedded within broader analytical categories such as identity, discourse, and legitimacy, rather than being treated as central variables. The results further suggest that religious content is often incorporated in indirect or implicit forms, reflecting a broader tendency to approach religion as a contextual rather than a constitutive element. Overall, the findings indicate that biblical narratives function primarily as interpretive and symbolic frameworks in international relations, while their analytical potential remains only partially developed, underscoring the need for more systematic integration of cultural and religious analysis in the study of global politics.

]]> From Scripture to Soft Power: Cultural Narratives of the Bible in International Relations Scholarship Sotirios Despotis Loukas Domestichos Nikos Koutsoupias Marios Nosios doi: 10.3390/culture2020017 Culture 2026-06-15 Culture 2026-06-15 2 2 Systematic Review 17 10.3390/culture2020017 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/17 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 16: Intergenerational Meaning-Making Around Video Games: A Qualitative Study of Family Communication and Digital Socialisation https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/16 With the rise in digital technologies, video games have become a key arena of family communication, where relationships, norms and roles are being reinterpreted. The aim of this study is to explore the meanings attributed to video games in the narratives of different generations, and how they shape the dynamics of family interactions. The research employed a qualitative approach: 26 semi-structured interviews were conducted with three groups—young adult gamers, gamer parents and non-gamer parents. Through thematic analysis, we identified five main categories of meaning, along which the interviews were analysed. The results highlight that co-play has the potential to bridge the gap between generations, whilst social discourses surrounding digital media significantly influence parents’ interpretations of control and responsibility. This study interprets video games as mediated rituals of contemporary family communication, in which relationships, norms and meanings are constantly renegotiated. 2026-06-05 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 16: Intergenerational Meaning-Making Around Video Games: A Qualitative Study of Family Communication and Digital Socialisation

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2020016

Authors: Marta Katalin Korpics Viktoria Domotor-Orosz Reka Czelleng

With the rise in digital technologies, video games have become a key arena of family communication, where relationships, norms and roles are being reinterpreted. The aim of this study is to explore the meanings attributed to video games in the narratives of different generations, and how they shape the dynamics of family interactions. The research employed a qualitative approach: 26 semi-structured interviews were conducted with three groups—young adult gamers, gamer parents and non-gamer parents. Through thematic analysis, we identified five main categories of meaning, along which the interviews were analysed. The results highlight that co-play has the potential to bridge the gap between generations, whilst social discourses surrounding digital media significantly influence parents’ interpretations of control and responsibility. This study interprets video games as mediated rituals of contemporary family communication, in which relationships, norms and meanings are constantly renegotiated.

]]> Intergenerational Meaning-Making Around Video Games: A Qualitative Study of Family Communication and Digital Socialisation Marta Katalin Korpics Viktoria Domotor-Orosz Reka Czelleng doi: 10.3390/culture2020016 Culture 2026-06-05 Culture 2026-06-05 2 2 Article 16 10.3390/culture2020016 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/16 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 15: Designing an Inclusive Prototype for Audience Feedback Collection Evaluation Tool in Cultural Contexts and Live Events: A Case Study at the Museo Tattile Statale Omero https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/15 The goal of this paper is to present the design and preliminary development of a prototype for an inclusive evaluation tool aimed at gathering audience feedback in entertainment, cultural contexts and live events. The prototype consists of a flexible questionnaire and was designed as part of the SAFINA VITALITY research project. This research (“ACCESSMAP: design of a flexible system for feedback collection in accessibility to media, entertainment and cultural events”) was funded by PNRR ECS00000041 “Innovation, digitalisation and sustainability for the diffused economy in Central Italy”—PNRR—Missione 4, Componente 2—Investimento 1.5 “Creazione e rafforzamento di “ecosistemi dell’innovazione”—CUP D83C22000710005. Its aim consists of assessing visitors’ comprehension, appreciation and overall experience, with particular attention to accessibility. Building on the existing seminal research in reception studies and accessible design, this study reports on a pilot implementation of the questionnaire. The tool was adapted for being used at the Museo Tattile Statale Omero, a leading institution in tactile, multisensory and inclusive museum experiences. The questionnaire was designed to be accessible to a wide demographic, including visitors with and without disabilities. A preliminary site visit and consultation with the museum staff was made to inform the contextual adaptation of the tool, leading to a shift in focus to tactile engagement and reflecting the museum’s core strengths and needs of its audience. The instrument includes both quantitative and qualitative measures to explore, among others, memory retention, clarity of information, appreciation and perceived usefulness of accessibility features. This article discusses the rationale behind the tool’s design, its contextual adaptation, and its potential applications for museums and live events with an eye to accessibility. Rather than providing a definitive validation of the tool, this pilot study offers an initial exploration of its applicability to a multisensory museum context. In addition, it discusses the design rationale behind the tool, its contextual adaptation, and its potential for supporting accessible feedback collection in cultural settings. 2026-05-20 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 15: Designing an Inclusive Prototype for Audience Feedback Collection Evaluation Tool in Cultural Contexts and Live Events: A Case Study at the Museo Tattile Statale Omero

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2020015

Authors: Beatrice Moretti

The goal of this paper is to present the design and preliminary development of a prototype for an inclusive evaluation tool aimed at gathering audience feedback in entertainment, cultural contexts and live events. The prototype consists of a flexible questionnaire and was designed as part of the SAFINA VITALITY research project. This research (“ACCESSMAP: design of a flexible system for feedback collection in accessibility to media, entertainment and cultural events”) was funded by PNRR ECS00000041 “Innovation, digitalisation and sustainability for the diffused economy in Central Italy”—PNRR—Missione 4, Componente 2—Investimento 1.5 “Creazione e rafforzamento di “ecosistemi dell’innovazione”—CUP D83C22000710005. Its aim consists of assessing visitors’ comprehension, appreciation and overall experience, with particular attention to accessibility. Building on the existing seminal research in reception studies and accessible design, this study reports on a pilot implementation of the questionnaire. The tool was adapted for being used at the Museo Tattile Statale Omero, a leading institution in tactile, multisensory and inclusive museum experiences. The questionnaire was designed to be accessible to a wide demographic, including visitors with and without disabilities. A preliminary site visit and consultation with the museum staff was made to inform the contextual adaptation of the tool, leading to a shift in focus to tactile engagement and reflecting the museum’s core strengths and needs of its audience. The instrument includes both quantitative and qualitative measures to explore, among others, memory retention, clarity of information, appreciation and perceived usefulness of accessibility features. This article discusses the rationale behind the tool’s design, its contextual adaptation, and its potential applications for museums and live events with an eye to accessibility. Rather than providing a definitive validation of the tool, this pilot study offers an initial exploration of its applicability to a multisensory museum context. In addition, it discusses the design rationale behind the tool, its contextual adaptation, and its potential for supporting accessible feedback collection in cultural settings.

]]> Designing an Inclusive Prototype for Audience Feedback Collection Evaluation Tool in Cultural Contexts and Live Events: A Case Study at the Museo Tattile Statale Omero Beatrice Moretti doi: 10.3390/culture2020015 Culture 2026-05-20 Culture 2026-05-20 2 2 Article 15 10.3390/culture2020015 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/15 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 14: Mapping Arts and Digital Practices Supporting Diasporic Identity and Cultural Memory Among Migrants and Refugees: A Scoping Review Protocol https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/14 Background: Digital technologies are reshaping how migrant and refugee communities preserve cultural memory and express diasporic identity through arts-based and participatory practices. Digital technologies are increasingly shaping how some migrants, refugees, and diasporic communities engage with identity, although these influences are uneven, context-dependent and the existing evidence remains fragmented across disciplines. Objective: This scoping review aims to map the literature on digital and arts-based practices that support cultural memory and diasporic identity among migrant and refugee communities, and to identify key ethical and policy considerations. Methods: Guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR, this review will include peer-reviewed and grey literature published in English from 2010 onward. Databases including Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Art & Architecture Source, and ProQuest will be searched. Two reviewers will independently screen and extract data, which will be analyzed descriptively and thematically. Results: The review will map digital technologies, creative practices, and contexts that support cultural expression, belonging, participation, and cultural continuity. It will also identify ethical, cultural, and policy considerations, including issues of access, representation, and sustainability. Conclusions: This review will provide an interdisciplinary and comprehensive synthesis to inform future research, policy, and practice, supporting more inclusive and ethical digital cultural initiatives for migrant and refugee communities. 2026-05-13 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 14: Mapping Arts and Digital Practices Supporting Diasporic Identity and Cultural Memory Among Migrants and Refugees: A Scoping Review Protocol

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2020014

Authors: Areej Al-Hamad Yasin M. Yasin Kateryna Metersky Kristina Kokorelias Zhixi Cecilia Zhuang

Background: Digital technologies are reshaping how migrant and refugee communities preserve cultural memory and express diasporic identity through arts-based and participatory practices. Digital technologies are increasingly shaping how some migrants, refugees, and diasporic communities engage with identity, although these influences are uneven, context-dependent and the existing evidence remains fragmented across disciplines. Objective: This scoping review aims to map the literature on digital and arts-based practices that support cultural memory and diasporic identity among migrant and refugee communities, and to identify key ethical and policy considerations. Methods: Guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR, this review will include peer-reviewed and grey literature published in English from 2010 onward. Databases including Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Art & Architecture Source, and ProQuest will be searched. Two reviewers will independently screen and extract data, which will be analyzed descriptively and thematically. Results: The review will map digital technologies, creative practices, and contexts that support cultural expression, belonging, participation, and cultural continuity. It will also identify ethical, cultural, and policy considerations, including issues of access, representation, and sustainability. Conclusions: This review will provide an interdisciplinary and comprehensive synthesis to inform future research, policy, and practice, supporting more inclusive and ethical digital cultural initiatives for migrant and refugee communities.

]]> Mapping Arts and Digital Practices Supporting Diasporic Identity and Cultural Memory Among Migrants and Refugees: A Scoping Review Protocol Areej Al-Hamad Yasin M. Yasin Kateryna Metersky Kristina Kokorelias Zhixi Cecilia Zhuang doi: 10.3390/culture2020014 Culture 2026-05-13 Culture 2026-05-13 2 2 Protocol 14 10.3390/culture2020014 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/14 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 13: Workplace Bullying in a Cultural Context: A Study of Prevalence and Organizational Perception of Workplace Bullying in Kyrgyzstan https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/13 This study employs a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design to explore organizational awareness of workplace bullying in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from the perspective of HR managers. Quantitative data were collected using the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) administered to 171 employees across several organizations and analyzed descriptively. These findings were subsequently used as a contextual reference point in qualitative in-depth interviews with nine HR managers, during which aggregated results were discussed to explore interpretations of workplace bullying prevalence and organizational responses. Analysis suggests that 91.2% (n = 156) of participants reported exposure to severe bullying at their workplaces within the given time period of 6 months, with 60.2% of respondents endorsing being bullied “from time to time” based on a stand-alone direct question. The qualitative analysis revealed 2 main themes: (1) Workplace bullying is often unrecognized, misinterpreted, harming employees and organizations, and (2) Managers expect employees to resolve conflicts, denying organizational responsibility for bullying. The implications and context of the findings are discussed. 2026-05-13 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 13: Workplace Bullying in a Cultural Context: A Study of Prevalence and Organizational Perception of Workplace Bullying in Kyrgyzstan

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2020013

Authors: Adema Mukambetova Elena Kosterina

This study employs a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design to explore organizational awareness of workplace bullying in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from the perspective of HR managers. Quantitative data were collected using the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) administered to 171 employees across several organizations and analyzed descriptively. These findings were subsequently used as a contextual reference point in qualitative in-depth interviews with nine HR managers, during which aggregated results were discussed to explore interpretations of workplace bullying prevalence and organizational responses. Analysis suggests that 91.2% (n = 156) of participants reported exposure to severe bullying at their workplaces within the given time period of 6 months, with 60.2% of respondents endorsing being bullied “from time to time” based on a stand-alone direct question. The qualitative analysis revealed 2 main themes: (1) Workplace bullying is often unrecognized, misinterpreted, harming employees and organizations, and (2) Managers expect employees to resolve conflicts, denying organizational responsibility for bullying. The implications and context of the findings are discussed.

]]> Workplace Bullying in a Cultural Context: A Study of Prevalence and Organizational Perception of Workplace Bullying in Kyrgyzstan Adema Mukambetova Elena Kosterina doi: 10.3390/culture2020013 Culture 2026-05-13 Culture 2026-05-13 2 2 Article 13 10.3390/culture2020013 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/13 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 12: The Evolution of “Mentorship” from an Idea to a Culture and the Transformation of “Protégé” to “Mentee”: An Exploration Based on 14 Mentorship Types https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/12 First described in the 1980s, mentorship has evolved from an idea to a culture. Simultaneously, in general, the younger person in this relationship transformed from a “protégé” to a “mentee”. Lacking is an examination of how a sequence of various forms of mentorship demonstrates this evolution and transformation. Examining fourteen types of author mentoring relationships, experienced over 39 years using chrononarratology as a form of qualitative research narrative inquiry, compared with relevant peer-reviewed publications, amends this. The transition from idea to culture demonstrates that mentees are not equivalent to protégés, who, with their mentor, develop their careers and psychosocial competencies. When mentees choose their mentors, the mentor’s experience is comparable to the mentee’s, and the mentees consider the experience as aiding their problem-solving, then mentorships are most effective. As such, mentees require a particular self-awareness to identify that they have a solvable problem, anticipate a solution, and can effectively utilize the mentor’s experience. Therefore, the effort in organizing matches to advance the mentorship culture can be unproductive. In contrast, effective mentorship matching aids relevant self-awareness in mentees and provides them with options for selecting mentors who are willing and able to share their pertinent problem-solving knowledge through mentoring. 2026-05-13 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 12: The Evolution of “Mentorship” from an Idea to a Culture and the Transformation of “Protégé” to “Mentee”: An Exploration Based on 14 Mentorship Types

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2020012

Authors: Carol Nash

First described in the 1980s, mentorship has evolved from an idea to a culture. Simultaneously, in general, the younger person in this relationship transformed from a “protégé” to a “mentee”. Lacking is an examination of how a sequence of various forms of mentorship demonstrates this evolution and transformation. Examining fourteen types of author mentoring relationships, experienced over 39 years using chrononarratology as a form of qualitative research narrative inquiry, compared with relevant peer-reviewed publications, amends this. The transition from idea to culture demonstrates that mentees are not equivalent to protégés, who, with their mentor, develop their careers and psychosocial competencies. When mentees choose their mentors, the mentor’s experience is comparable to the mentee’s, and the mentees consider the experience as aiding their problem-solving, then mentorships are most effective. As such, mentees require a particular self-awareness to identify that they have a solvable problem, anticipate a solution, and can effectively utilize the mentor’s experience. Therefore, the effort in organizing matches to advance the mentorship culture can be unproductive. In contrast, effective mentorship matching aids relevant self-awareness in mentees and provides them with options for selecting mentors who are willing and able to share their pertinent problem-solving knowledge through mentoring.

]]> The Evolution of “Mentorship” from an Idea to a Culture and the Transformation of “Protégé” to “Mentee”: An Exploration Based on 14 Mentorship Types Carol Nash doi: 10.3390/culture2020012 Culture 2026-05-13 Culture 2026-05-13 2 2 Article 12 10.3390/culture2020012 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/12 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 11: Key Considerations in Bioethics from a Cultural Perspective https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/11 This article critically examines the conceptual, historical, and epistemological foundations of bioethics as a transdisciplinary field that emerged in response to the ethical tensions produced by technoscientific development. Through an analytical and interpretative approach, the paper revisits the historical events that shaped modern bioethics and the contemporary challenges that arise from the expansion of biomedical and technological interventions. The analysis highlights persistent dilemmas involving autonomy, paternalism, vulnerability, and intercultural asymmetries, as well as the ethical impact of technoscience on the reconfiguration of life, death, and human nature. The article argues for a pluralistic and adaptive bioethics capable of sustaining epistemic vigilance and guiding decision-making processes in diverse and complex sociocultural contexts. 2026-05-09 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 11: Key Considerations in Bioethics from a Cultural Perspective

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2020011

Authors: Alvaro Acevedo-Merlano

This article critically examines the conceptual, historical, and epistemological foundations of bioethics as a transdisciplinary field that emerged in response to the ethical tensions produced by technoscientific development. Through an analytical and interpretative approach, the paper revisits the historical events that shaped modern bioethics and the contemporary challenges that arise from the expansion of biomedical and technological interventions. The analysis highlights persistent dilemmas involving autonomy, paternalism, vulnerability, and intercultural asymmetries, as well as the ethical impact of technoscience on the reconfiguration of life, death, and human nature. The article argues for a pluralistic and adaptive bioethics capable of sustaining epistemic vigilance and guiding decision-making processes in diverse and complex sociocultural contexts.

]]> Key Considerations in Bioethics from a Cultural Perspective Alvaro Acevedo-Merlano doi: 10.3390/culture2020011 Culture 2026-05-09 Culture 2026-05-09 2 2 Essay 11 10.3390/culture2020011 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/11 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 10: Transculturation of the Spirit: The Re-Enchantment of Secular Europe Among 2G African Christians https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/10 Religion, culture, and ethnic heritage play a significant role in shaping migrant identities. This paper examines the interplay of these factors in the identity formation of African Christian migrants in Europe, with a particular focus on second-generation (2G) migrants. It analyzes how 2G individuals negotiate Western secular values alongside Pentecostal orientations in ways that facilitate upward social mobility. The study is based on a critical review of the existing literature, compared with lived realities of migrants in the Netherlands. Drawing on empirical research from various European contexts, the paper aims to provide a rigorous and multidimensional account of intergenerational identity reconstruction among 2G African Christians. By centring the Pentecostal family as a primary site of socialization, the paper explores how 2G African Christians simultaneously distance themselves from, and selectively adapt, elements of indigenous African spirit cosmologies in pursuit of secular, achievement-oriented goals. This dialectical engagement reflects a broader generational shift: while first-generation migrants tend to rely heavily on religion and religious institutions as mechanisms of integration, 2G migrants increasingly prioritize secular aspirations while navigating socioeconomic structures, negotiating belonging, and constructing hybrid forms of transnational identity. In doing so, the paper contributes to scholarship on how 2G African migrants in Europe mobilize Pentecostal spirituality as a resource for achieving secular objectives. 2026-04-30 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 10: Transculturation of the Spirit: The Re-Enchantment of Secular Europe Among 2G African Christians

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2020010

Authors: Kehinde Francis Adebayo

Religion, culture, and ethnic heritage play a significant role in shaping migrant identities. This paper examines the interplay of these factors in the identity formation of African Christian migrants in Europe, with a particular focus on second-generation (2G) migrants. It analyzes how 2G individuals negotiate Western secular values alongside Pentecostal orientations in ways that facilitate upward social mobility. The study is based on a critical review of the existing literature, compared with lived realities of migrants in the Netherlands. Drawing on empirical research from various European contexts, the paper aims to provide a rigorous and multidimensional account of intergenerational identity reconstruction among 2G African Christians. By centring the Pentecostal family as a primary site of socialization, the paper explores how 2G African Christians simultaneously distance themselves from, and selectively adapt, elements of indigenous African spirit cosmologies in pursuit of secular, achievement-oriented goals. This dialectical engagement reflects a broader generational shift: while first-generation migrants tend to rely heavily on religion and religious institutions as mechanisms of integration, 2G migrants increasingly prioritize secular aspirations while navigating socioeconomic structures, negotiating belonging, and constructing hybrid forms of transnational identity. In doing so, the paper contributes to scholarship on how 2G African migrants in Europe mobilize Pentecostal spirituality as a resource for achieving secular objectives.

]]> Transculturation of the Spirit: The Re-Enchantment of Secular Europe Among 2G African Christians Kehinde Francis Adebayo doi: 10.3390/culture2020010 Culture 2026-04-30 Culture 2026-04-30 2 2 Article 10 10.3390/culture2020010 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/10 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 9: Uncentering the Eye: Phenomenological Visions in the Poetry of Abū Nuwās https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/9 While Abū Nuwās is most often celebrated for his irreverent exaltation of wine and homoerotic desire, his hunting poems (tardiyyāt) reveal a lyrical mode of interspecies perception and affective entanglement. Drawing on thinkers such as Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Donna Haraway, and Giorgio Agamben, I consider how Abū Nuwās develops an ecological and relational poetics that decenters human centrality and enacts a shared field of perception. The poet’s work offers a proto-phenomenological account of embodiment, relational ethics, and aesthetic attention that anticipates contemporary philosophical concerns with nonhuman agency, multi-species intersubjectivity, and an ethics of perception. 2026-04-28 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 9: Uncentering the Eye: Phenomenological Visions in the Poetry of Abū Nuwās

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2020009

Authors: Forrest Gander

While Abū Nuwās is most often celebrated for his irreverent exaltation of wine and homoerotic desire, his hunting poems (tardiyyāt) reveal a lyrical mode of interspecies perception and affective entanglement. Drawing on thinkers such as Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Donna Haraway, and Giorgio Agamben, I consider how Abū Nuwās develops an ecological and relational poetics that decenters human centrality and enacts a shared field of perception. The poet’s work offers a proto-phenomenological account of embodiment, relational ethics, and aesthetic attention that anticipates contemporary philosophical concerns with nonhuman agency, multi-species intersubjectivity, and an ethics of perception.

]]> Uncentering the Eye: Phenomenological Visions in the Poetry of Abū Nuwās Forrest Gander doi: 10.3390/culture2020009 Culture 2026-04-28 Culture 2026-04-28 2 2 Article 9 10.3390/culture2020009 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/9 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 8: The Archive of Islamic Humanism: A Cultural Resource for Critical Psychologists https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/8 This paper reconstructs the archive of Islamic humanism as a cultural resource for Critical Psychologists, addressing the geopolitical double-bind of the global Muslim population caught between Islamophobia and fundamentalism. This living archive spans intellectual contributions to falsafa (rationalism) and tasawwuf (mysticism), from medieval thinkers like Ibn Rushd and al-Ghazali to modern figures like Mourad Wahba and Ali Shariʿati. While primarily philosophical, these contributions offer practical implications for psychosocial liberation. Utilizing a methodology of deconstructive unsilencing, the archive is positioned as both pluriversal and metaphorical. By analyzing the ideological mechanism of virtual internment, the paper proposes a praxis of learned ignorance and decolonial resistance to subvert the panoptic look of anti-humanism through the Real Gaze of Islamic humanism. This retrieval offers a materialist praxis seeking to overturn the (post)colonial triad of fundamentalism, parasitic capitalism, and postmodernism. In sum, the article argues that a genealogical consignation of Islamic humanism facilitates a transmodernity that integrates Totality with Exteriority, effectively negating both coloniality and antimodernity. 2026-04-17 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 8: The Archive of Islamic Humanism: A Cultural Resource for Critical Psychologists

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2020008

Authors: Robert K. Beshara

This paper reconstructs the archive of Islamic humanism as a cultural resource for Critical Psychologists, addressing the geopolitical double-bind of the global Muslim population caught between Islamophobia and fundamentalism. This living archive spans intellectual contributions to falsafa (rationalism) and tasawwuf (mysticism), from medieval thinkers like Ibn Rushd and al-Ghazali to modern figures like Mourad Wahba and Ali Shariʿati. While primarily philosophical, these contributions offer practical implications for psychosocial liberation. Utilizing a methodology of deconstructive unsilencing, the archive is positioned as both pluriversal and metaphorical. By analyzing the ideological mechanism of virtual internment, the paper proposes a praxis of learned ignorance and decolonial resistance to subvert the panoptic look of anti-humanism through the Real Gaze of Islamic humanism. This retrieval offers a materialist praxis seeking to overturn the (post)colonial triad of fundamentalism, parasitic capitalism, and postmodernism. In sum, the article argues that a genealogical consignation of Islamic humanism facilitates a transmodernity that integrates Totality with Exteriority, effectively negating both coloniality and antimodernity.

]]> The Archive of Islamic Humanism: A Cultural Resource for Critical Psychologists Robert K. Beshara doi: 10.3390/culture2020008 Culture 2026-04-17 Culture 2026-04-17 2 2 Article 8 10.3390/culture2020008 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/8 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 7: The Impact of Western- and Middle Eastern-Educated Indonesian Scholars (1980–2010) on Islamic Education Challenges in Indonesia https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/7 This study examines the intellectual perspectives and thoughts related to education in Indonesia. The most influential Indonesian scholars who completed their higher education in Western and Middle Eastern institutions between 1980 and 2010, with a particular focus on their views regarding Islamic education, are investigated in a deeper perspective. The scholars selected for analysis consist of three graduates from Middle Eastern universities and three from Western universities, all of whom pursued religious or philosophical studies abroad. The findings indicate that the most decisive factor shaping their divergent perspectives is their overseas educational background, despite their shared foundational experience in pesantren (Islamic boarding schools). These differences are reflected in their public statements, published works, and online video content. At the same time, this study also revealed a set of shared values among the scholars, particularly concerning the core principles of Islamic education and their collective commitment to national unity, peace, mutual support, and tolerance. These commonalities emerge as a unifying thread amid their diverse viewpoints. As representatives of Middle Eastern scholars, these included Komaruddin Hidayat, Abdul Shomad, and Adi Hidayat, where the representative of Western scholars included Azyumardi Azra, Nadirsyah Hosen, and Ahmad Syafii Maarif. The analysis offered in this paper presents a constructive discourse, demonstrating that the differing perspectives of Indonesian scholars educated in the West and the Middle East can positively enrich national conversations. Further study about the perspective of scholars is important for building the character of young generations in Indonesia about how multicultural and different perspectives of thinking are free to discuss and write about in academic perspectives. 2026-03-24 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 7: The Impact of Western- and Middle Eastern-Educated Indonesian Scholars (1980–2010) on Islamic Education Challenges in Indonesia

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2020007

Authors: Mubarokah Sigit Purnama Umi Baroroh Muhammad Akhsin Muflikhun

This study examines the intellectual perspectives and thoughts related to education in Indonesia. The most influential Indonesian scholars who completed their higher education in Western and Middle Eastern institutions between 1980 and 2010, with a particular focus on their views regarding Islamic education, are investigated in a deeper perspective. The scholars selected for analysis consist of three graduates from Middle Eastern universities and three from Western universities, all of whom pursued religious or philosophical studies abroad. The findings indicate that the most decisive factor shaping their divergent perspectives is their overseas educational background, despite their shared foundational experience in pesantren (Islamic boarding schools). These differences are reflected in their public statements, published works, and online video content. At the same time, this study also revealed a set of shared values among the scholars, particularly concerning the core principles of Islamic education and their collective commitment to national unity, peace, mutual support, and tolerance. These commonalities emerge as a unifying thread amid their diverse viewpoints. As representatives of Middle Eastern scholars, these included Komaruddin Hidayat, Abdul Shomad, and Adi Hidayat, where the representative of Western scholars included Azyumardi Azra, Nadirsyah Hosen, and Ahmad Syafii Maarif. The analysis offered in this paper presents a constructive discourse, demonstrating that the differing perspectives of Indonesian scholars educated in the West and the Middle East can positively enrich national conversations. Further study about the perspective of scholars is important for building the character of young generations in Indonesia about how multicultural and different perspectives of thinking are free to discuss and write about in academic perspectives.

]]> The Impact of Western- and Middle Eastern-Educated Indonesian Scholars (1980–2010) on Islamic Education Challenges in Indonesia Mubarokah Sigit Purnama Umi Baroroh Muhammad Akhsin Muflikhun doi: 10.3390/culture2020007 Culture 2026-03-24 Culture 2026-03-24 2 2 Article 7 10.3390/culture2020007 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/2/7 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 6: The Ecology of Yam Food Culture in the Yam Belt of West Africa https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/1/6 Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) is a major staple crop in West Africa and plays a central role in regional food security, rural livelihoods, and cultural identity. Its wide ecological adaptation, diverse maturity periods, and in-ground storage capacity make yams critical to seasonal food availability and resilience of smallholder farming systems. Despite its importance, existing yam research has largely emphasized biophysical and agronomic dimensions, with limited integration of the socio-cultural and ecological factors that shape yam-based food systems. This review addresses this gap by synthesizing interdisciplinary knowledge on yam food ecology, focusing on how socio-cultural values, beliefs, behaviours, and interactions influence production, utilization, and sustainability of yam systems. We examine the roles of culture, politics, power relations, gender dynamics, and community organization in structuring yam production and consumption across the West African yam belt. The review further explores the long-standing human–yam relationship and the implications of eroding traditional knowledge for future food system resilience. By adopting a systems and ecological perspective that integrates life and social sciences, this review provides a framework to inform sustainable yam crop improvement, value chain development, and inclusive policy interventions, thereby supporting long-term food security and rural development in West Africa. 2026-03-09 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 6: The Ecology of Yam Food Culture in the Yam Belt of West Africa

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2010006

Authors: Jude Ejikeme Obidiegwu Emmanuel Matthew Akpabio Anthony Ugochukwu Okere Cynthia Adaku Chilaka

Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) is a major staple crop in West Africa and plays a central role in regional food security, rural livelihoods, and cultural identity. Its wide ecological adaptation, diverse maturity periods, and in-ground storage capacity make yams critical to seasonal food availability and resilience of smallholder farming systems. Despite its importance, existing yam research has largely emphasized biophysical and agronomic dimensions, with limited integration of the socio-cultural and ecological factors that shape yam-based food systems. This review addresses this gap by synthesizing interdisciplinary knowledge on yam food ecology, focusing on how socio-cultural values, beliefs, behaviours, and interactions influence production, utilization, and sustainability of yam systems. We examine the roles of culture, politics, power relations, gender dynamics, and community organization in structuring yam production and consumption across the West African yam belt. The review further explores the long-standing human–yam relationship and the implications of eroding traditional knowledge for future food system resilience. By adopting a systems and ecological perspective that integrates life and social sciences, this review provides a framework to inform sustainable yam crop improvement, value chain development, and inclusive policy interventions, thereby supporting long-term food security and rural development in West Africa.

]]> The Ecology of Yam Food Culture in the Yam Belt of West Africa Jude Ejikeme Obidiegwu Emmanuel Matthew Akpabio Anthony Ugochukwu Okere Cynthia Adaku Chilaka doi: 10.3390/culture2010006 Culture 2026-03-09 Culture 2026-03-09 2 1 Review 6 10.3390/culture2010006 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/1/6 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 5: Dialectical Interaction Between National Culture and Civic Culture: A Study on the Mechanism of Construction, Transformation and Influence https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/1/5 The dialectical relationship between national culture and civic culture has become central to understanding the cultural foundations of modern nation-states. Under conditions of globalization and intensified international competition, culture operates not only as a marker of collective identity but also as a crucial source of national soft power and social cohesion. Engaging with ongoing theoretical debates on cultural construction, this study examines the dynamics interplay between top-down cultural frameworks and bottom-up cultural practices. It combines perspectives from cultural hegemony, cultural consumption, and cultural psychology to analyze the two-way processes through which national culture shapes civic practice via ideology, law, and cultural production, while civic culture simultaneously reshapes national culture through consumer behavior, subcultural formations, and shared mental dispositions. Drawing on case analyses of contemporary Chinese cultural practices in the digital era, the study shows that this interaction generates both tensions and new possibilities. The findings indicate that the vitality of national culture depends less on unilateral imposition than on sustained negotiation with lived cultural practices. Strengthening this constructive interaction therefore offers an important pathway for fostering cultural confidence in the twenty-first century. 2026-03-05 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 5: Dialectical Interaction Between National Culture and Civic Culture: A Study on the Mechanism of Construction, Transformation and Influence

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2010005

Authors: Caiwu Fu Qianli Qi Yiming Wang

The dialectical relationship between national culture and civic culture has become central to understanding the cultural foundations of modern nation-states. Under conditions of globalization and intensified international competition, culture operates not only as a marker of collective identity but also as a crucial source of national soft power and social cohesion. Engaging with ongoing theoretical debates on cultural construction, this study examines the dynamics interplay between top-down cultural frameworks and bottom-up cultural practices. It combines perspectives from cultural hegemony, cultural consumption, and cultural psychology to analyze the two-way processes through which national culture shapes civic practice via ideology, law, and cultural production, while civic culture simultaneously reshapes national culture through consumer behavior, subcultural formations, and shared mental dispositions. Drawing on case analyses of contemporary Chinese cultural practices in the digital era, the study shows that this interaction generates both tensions and new possibilities. The findings indicate that the vitality of national culture depends less on unilateral imposition than on sustained negotiation with lived cultural practices. Strengthening this constructive interaction therefore offers an important pathway for fostering cultural confidence in the twenty-first century.

]]> Dialectical Interaction Between National Culture and Civic Culture: A Study on the Mechanism of Construction, Transformation and Influence Caiwu Fu Qianli Qi Yiming Wang doi: 10.3390/culture2010005 Culture 2026-03-05 Culture 2026-03-05 2 1 Article 5 10.3390/culture2010005 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/1/5 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 4: Appropriate or Inappropriate? From Shoe Factory to Film Making Venue at the Beykoz Leather and Shoe Factory in Istanbul https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/1/4 Beykoz Leather and Shoe Factory is an important industrial heritage site in Istanbul because of its cultural, social, historical, and symbolic value. Reusing it as a filming location has created a long-running controversy about its suitability. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the compatibility of adaptive reuse of this industrial heritage site in the context of assigning an alternative use compared to its original function. This paper originally proposed a three-charter rubric system, which uses the three international heritage frameworks, turned into rubrics, to gauge how appropriately (or not) the transformation of this site is handled. The process identified a critical juncture and two phases of progressive transformation. The first stage of adaptive reuse limited the site primarily to filmmaking, successfully preventing abandonment through minimal intervention but offering restricted public access. After 2020, a second stage expanded public accessibility and introduced new functions, creating a more vibrant cultural and creative hub besides demonstrating a more effective adaptive reuse approach. The findings of this study suggest that reuse is an appropriate option for extending the lifespan of abandoned buildings. However, it should be highlighted that physical maintenance simply prevents demolition, whereas offering engaging activities promotes the vitality and longevity of the structures. In a complex industrial heritage site, quasi-public use is a short-term strategy. However, proposing public uses and activities helps prolong the life and vitality of industrial heritage sites that may no longer be used for production purposes. It has been revealed that a holistic strategy for reuse should involve the incorporation of various stakeholders in the process, while considering the sociocultural history and needs of the community, ultimately resulting in a positive impact on the vitality of this important industrial heritage site. The study concludes that the rubric-based application of the three heritage charters—the Burra Charter (BC), the Dublin Principles (DP), and the Nizhny Tagil Charter (NT)—provides an effective framework for assessing the appropriateness of new uses. This approach reveals the impacts of adaptive reuse by rating individual buildings according to their degree of compliance with heritage principles, thereby demonstrating how reuse decisions influence the long-term lifespan of industrial buildings on the site as well as their effects on community engagement. 2026-02-05 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 4: Appropriate or Inappropriate? From Shoe Factory to Film Making Venue at the Beykoz Leather and Shoe Factory in Istanbul

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2010004

Authors: Zehra Babutsalı Alpler Nil Paşaoğluları Şahin

Beykoz Leather and Shoe Factory is an important industrial heritage site in Istanbul because of its cultural, social, historical, and symbolic value. Reusing it as a filming location has created a long-running controversy about its suitability. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the compatibility of adaptive reuse of this industrial heritage site in the context of assigning an alternative use compared to its original function. This paper originally proposed a three-charter rubric system, which uses the three international heritage frameworks, turned into rubrics, to gauge how appropriately (or not) the transformation of this site is handled. The process identified a critical juncture and two phases of progressive transformation. The first stage of adaptive reuse limited the site primarily to filmmaking, successfully preventing abandonment through minimal intervention but offering restricted public access. After 2020, a second stage expanded public accessibility and introduced new functions, creating a more vibrant cultural and creative hub besides demonstrating a more effective adaptive reuse approach. The findings of this study suggest that reuse is an appropriate option for extending the lifespan of abandoned buildings. However, it should be highlighted that physical maintenance simply prevents demolition, whereas offering engaging activities promotes the vitality and longevity of the structures. In a complex industrial heritage site, quasi-public use is a short-term strategy. However, proposing public uses and activities helps prolong the life and vitality of industrial heritage sites that may no longer be used for production purposes. It has been revealed that a holistic strategy for reuse should involve the incorporation of various stakeholders in the process, while considering the sociocultural history and needs of the community, ultimately resulting in a positive impact on the vitality of this important industrial heritage site. The study concludes that the rubric-based application of the three heritage charters—the Burra Charter (BC), the Dublin Principles (DP), and the Nizhny Tagil Charter (NT)—provides an effective framework for assessing the appropriateness of new uses. This approach reveals the impacts of adaptive reuse by rating individual buildings according to their degree of compliance with heritage principles, thereby demonstrating how reuse decisions influence the long-term lifespan of industrial buildings on the site as well as their effects on community engagement.

]]> Appropriate or Inappropriate? From Shoe Factory to Film Making Venue at the Beykoz Leather and Shoe Factory in Istanbul Zehra Babutsalı Alpler Nil Paşaoğluları Şahin doi: 10.3390/culture2010004 Culture 2026-02-05 Culture 2026-02-05 2 1 Article 4 10.3390/culture2010004 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/1/4 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 3: Confucian and Daoist Cultural Values in Ming-Style Chair Design: A Measurement Scale https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/1/3 In globalized markets, traditional Chinese furniture must strike a balance between cultural authenticity and modern consumer appeal. This study introduced the first comprehensive scale to measure Confucian–Daoist value expressions in Ming-style chair design for marketing applications. Through surveys conducted across 31 Chinese provinces (pilot sample size = 85; formal sample size = 440) and extensive literature analysis, six key cultural dimensions influencing consumer preferences were identified: respect for tradition, face, familism, respect for authority, the doctrine of the mean, and the nature/non-action. Building on these findings, this study proposes the first multidimensional framework for assessing Confucian and Daoist values in Ming-style chair design, offering an 18-item scale as a quantifiable tool to support the sustainable innovation of cultural heritage. The scale enables marketers and designers to detect regional and historical variations in cultural value preferences, thereby facilitating targeted positioning strategies that preserve authentic cultural expression while resonating with specific consumer segments. 2026-01-04 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 3: Confucian and Daoist Cultural Values in Ming-Style Chair Design: A Measurement Scale

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2010003

Authors: Ting Gao Irwan Syah Mohd Yusoff Rosalam Che Me

In globalized markets, traditional Chinese furniture must strike a balance between cultural authenticity and modern consumer appeal. This study introduced the first comprehensive scale to measure Confucian–Daoist value expressions in Ming-style chair design for marketing applications. Through surveys conducted across 31 Chinese provinces (pilot sample size = 85; formal sample size = 440) and extensive literature analysis, six key cultural dimensions influencing consumer preferences were identified: respect for tradition, face, familism, respect for authority, the doctrine of the mean, and the nature/non-action. Building on these findings, this study proposes the first multidimensional framework for assessing Confucian and Daoist values in Ming-style chair design, offering an 18-item scale as a quantifiable tool to support the sustainable innovation of cultural heritage. The scale enables marketers and designers to detect regional and historical variations in cultural value preferences, thereby facilitating targeted positioning strategies that preserve authentic cultural expression while resonating with specific consumer segments.

]]> Confucian and Daoist Cultural Values in Ming-Style Chair Design: A Measurement Scale Ting Gao Irwan Syah Mohd Yusoff Rosalam Che Me doi: 10.3390/culture2010003 Culture 2026-01-04 Culture 2026-01-04 2 1 Article 3 10.3390/culture2010003 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/1/3 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 2: Adaptive Redesign of Urban Industrial Landscapes: The Case of Komotini’s Technical Chamber Square, Greece https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/1/2 Deindustrialization has left many industrial buildings inactive, raising questions about their role in contemporary urban life. This article explores how semiotics and psychogeography can reframe such structures as dynamic architectural happenings, shifting emphasis from preservation toward social value and collective experience. This research focuses on Komotini, Greece, where the Technical Chamber Square is reinterpreted through references to the adjacent Tobacco Warehouse. By integrating architectural traces of the past into new recreational and sporting functions, this study demonstrates how heritage can be embedded into everyday practices. Methodologically, this research employs qualitative approaches, including demographic and historical analysis of Komotini’s urban and industrial development, alongside psychogeographic drifting walks. Twenty interviews were conducted with local business owners, residents, and visitors, as well as psychogeographic walks, generating insights into how communities interact with industrial heritage. The findings indicate that semiotics and psychogeography are effective tools for activating public spaces near former industrial sites, enabling the built environment to be understood as a layered record of successive interventions. The study concludes that adaptive redesign offers designers a methodology that can embed industrial fragments into vibrant public realms that sustain diverse communities, catalyze local economies, and honor historical identity through lived practices. 2026-01-04 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 2: Adaptive Redesign of Urban Industrial Landscapes: The Case of Komotini’s Technical Chamber Square, Greece

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2010002

Authors: Varvara Toura Alexandros Mpantogias Neslihan Saban

Deindustrialization has left many industrial buildings inactive, raising questions about their role in contemporary urban life. This article explores how semiotics and psychogeography can reframe such structures as dynamic architectural happenings, shifting emphasis from preservation toward social value and collective experience. This research focuses on Komotini, Greece, where the Technical Chamber Square is reinterpreted through references to the adjacent Tobacco Warehouse. By integrating architectural traces of the past into new recreational and sporting functions, this study demonstrates how heritage can be embedded into everyday practices. Methodologically, this research employs qualitative approaches, including demographic and historical analysis of Komotini’s urban and industrial development, alongside psychogeographic drifting walks. Twenty interviews were conducted with local business owners, residents, and visitors, as well as psychogeographic walks, generating insights into how communities interact with industrial heritage. The findings indicate that semiotics and psychogeography are effective tools for activating public spaces near former industrial sites, enabling the built environment to be understood as a layered record of successive interventions. The study concludes that adaptive redesign offers designers a methodology that can embed industrial fragments into vibrant public realms that sustain diverse communities, catalyze local economies, and honor historical identity through lived practices.

]]> Adaptive Redesign of Urban Industrial Landscapes: The Case of Komotini’s Technical Chamber Square, Greece Varvara Toura Alexandros Mpantogias Neslihan Saban doi: 10.3390/culture2010002 Culture 2026-01-04 Culture 2026-01-04 2 1 Article 2 10.3390/culture2010002 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/1/2 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 1: Disability, Accessibility and Inclusion in the Arts: Changing Paradigms and Practices https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/1/1 The notions of disability and accessibility have been the object of thorough revision over the past few decades, spurred by the actions and documents set forth by international institutions and organizations. Accessibility for people with disabilities has recently undergone major conceptual and practical changes, moving increasingly and steadily towards inclusion and design for all. This article reflects on the evolution of the notions of disability and accessibility in inclusive terms, also considering shifts in terms of identity, recognition and participation. For practical insights, the article discusses four instances of inclusive co-design and enjoyment of live performances and events, which have naturally led to the empowerment of people with and without disabilities who were involved. 2025-12-31 Culture, Vol. 2, Pages 1: Disability, Accessibility and Inclusion in the Arts: Changing Paradigms and Practices

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture2010001

Authors: Elena Di Giovanni

The notions of disability and accessibility have been the object of thorough revision over the past few decades, spurred by the actions and documents set forth by international institutions and organizations. Accessibility for people with disabilities has recently undergone major conceptual and practical changes, moving increasingly and steadily towards inclusion and design for all. This article reflects on the evolution of the notions of disability and accessibility in inclusive terms, also considering shifts in terms of identity, recognition and participation. For practical insights, the article discusses four instances of inclusive co-design and enjoyment of live performances and events, which have naturally led to the empowerment of people with and without disabilities who were involved.

]]> Disability, Accessibility and Inclusion in the Arts: Changing Paradigms and Practices Elena Di Giovanni doi: 10.3390/culture2010001 Culture 2025-12-31 Culture 2025-12-31 2 1 Article 1 10.3390/culture2010001 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/2/1/1 Culture, Vol. 1, Pages 5: Decommissioning as Meaning Catalyst: Community Narratives of Time, Memory, and Power in China’s Infrastructure Transition https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/1/1/5 Governments in many countries worldwide are pursuing determined policies of science, technology, and infrastructure modernization. By examining the closure of the Fujiapo Coach Bus Station in Wuhan, China, this study sheds light on the socio-cultural effects of large-scale infrastructure decommissioning caused by modernization. A qualitative analysis of 26,163 comments from the internet platform Douyin, as well as 26 interviews, is used to deeply understand interpretative contests contained in respondents’ narratives about the decommissioned infrastructure and suggest an extended application of Bijker’s interpretive flexibility framework of social construction of technology (SCOT) as an analytical framework. By theorizing infrastructure transitional disconnectivity as a dynamic catalyst that reactivates interpretive contests through the three dimensions of temporal compression, memory capitalization, and power reconfiguration, this research demonstrates how experiences of infrastructure disconnectivity events expand the interpretive flexibility’s closure assumption, drawing implications about the necessity of socio-cultural considerations for balanced strategies when navigating infrastructure transitions. 2025-11-26 Culture, Vol. 1, Pages 5: Decommissioning as Meaning Catalyst: Community Narratives of Time, Memory, and Power in China’s Infrastructure Transition

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture1010005

Authors: Xiaojun Ke

Governments in many countries worldwide are pursuing determined policies of science, technology, and infrastructure modernization. By examining the closure of the Fujiapo Coach Bus Station in Wuhan, China, this study sheds light on the socio-cultural effects of large-scale infrastructure decommissioning caused by modernization. A qualitative analysis of 26,163 comments from the internet platform Douyin, as well as 26 interviews, is used to deeply understand interpretative contests contained in respondents’ narratives about the decommissioned infrastructure and suggest an extended application of Bijker’s interpretive flexibility framework of social construction of technology (SCOT) as an analytical framework. By theorizing infrastructure transitional disconnectivity as a dynamic catalyst that reactivates interpretive contests through the three dimensions of temporal compression, memory capitalization, and power reconfiguration, this research demonstrates how experiences of infrastructure disconnectivity events expand the interpretive flexibility’s closure assumption, drawing implications about the necessity of socio-cultural considerations for balanced strategies when navigating infrastructure transitions.

]]> Decommissioning as Meaning Catalyst: Community Narratives of Time, Memory, and Power in China’s Infrastructure Transition Xiaojun Ke doi: 10.3390/culture1010005 Culture 2025-11-26 Culture 2025-11-26 1 1 Article 5 10.3390/culture1010005 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/1/1/5 Culture, Vol. 1, Pages 4: On the Cairo Declaration and the Establishment and Reshaping of the Postwar Cultural Order in Asia https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/1/1/4 World War II profoundly reshaped Asia’s political and cultural landscape. With the decline of European colonial empires and the defeat of Japanese militarism, national liberation movements surged across Asia. As nations fought for political sovereignty, they also faced the task of reestablishing their cultural identity. This paper argues that the Cairo Declaration, as a pivotal international legal document during WWII, not only provided the legal foundation for establishing the postwar political order in Asia but also established regional cultural norms centered on anti-fascism, territorial sovereignty, and respect for cultural diversity. However, this order suffered severe shocks under the Cold War framework, with frequent regional conflicts and bloc confrontation eroding national sovereignty and cultural independence. Against this backdrop, this paper proposes a return to the normative core of the Cairo Declaration to construct an Asian cultural security framework comprising three key elements: respecting sovereign equality and cultural self-determination to rebuild the cornerstone of Asian cultural order; synergistically constructing a post-fascist settlement alongside an Asian human rights system; and transitioning from adversarial narratives to shared values, thereby laying a profound foundation for civilizational dialog that supports regional sustainable development. 2025-11-11 Culture, Vol. 1, Pages 4: On the Cairo Declaration and the Establishment and Reshaping of the Postwar Cultural Order in Asia

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture1010004

Authors: Amal Zhuo Li Liang Li

World War II profoundly reshaped Asia’s political and cultural landscape. With the decline of European colonial empires and the defeat of Japanese militarism, national liberation movements surged across Asia. As nations fought for political sovereignty, they also faced the task of reestablishing their cultural identity. This paper argues that the Cairo Declaration, as a pivotal international legal document during WWII, not only provided the legal foundation for establishing the postwar political order in Asia but also established regional cultural norms centered on anti-fascism, territorial sovereignty, and respect for cultural diversity. However, this order suffered severe shocks under the Cold War framework, with frequent regional conflicts and bloc confrontation eroding national sovereignty and cultural independence. Against this backdrop, this paper proposes a return to the normative core of the Cairo Declaration to construct an Asian cultural security framework comprising three key elements: respecting sovereign equality and cultural self-determination to rebuild the cornerstone of Asian cultural order; synergistically constructing a post-fascist settlement alongside an Asian human rights system; and transitioning from adversarial narratives to shared values, thereby laying a profound foundation for civilizational dialog that supports regional sustainable development.

]]> On the Cairo Declaration and the Establishment and Reshaping of the Postwar Cultural Order in Asia Amal Zhuo Li Liang Li doi: 10.3390/culture1010004 Culture 2025-11-11 Culture 2025-11-11 1 1 Article 4 10.3390/culture1010004 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/1/1/4 Culture, Vol. 1, Pages 3: From Barriers to Incentives: Reforming China’s Cultural Donation Tax System Based on U.S. Experience https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/1/1/3 The core of the United States’ tax incentive policies for the cultural industry is anchored in Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. By offering tax incentives, these policies incentivize individuals and enterprises to make donations to non-profit cultural institutions, thereby fostering the prosperity and development of the U.S. cultural industry. China’s tax incentive policies for cultural donations are categorized into three types: those applicable to enterprises, individuals, and special donations, with variations in the deduction benefits afforded by each category. In comparison, China’s tax incentives for cultural donations have shortcomings, including excessively lengthy approval processes, inadequate coverage, fragmented management, and insufficient supervision. Drawing on the experience of the U.S. tax system, measures such as simplifying the registration procedures for non-profit cultural organizations, enhancing tax declaration requirements, exploring industry self-governance mechanisms, and establishing robust supervision frameworks constitute crucial pathways to advancing the high-quality development of China’s cultural industry. 2025-11-04 Culture, Vol. 1, Pages 3: From Barriers to Incentives: Reforming China’s Cultural Donation Tax System Based on U.S. Experience

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture1010003

Authors: Xiaoji Zhang

The core of the United States’ tax incentive policies for the cultural industry is anchored in Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. By offering tax incentives, these policies incentivize individuals and enterprises to make donations to non-profit cultural institutions, thereby fostering the prosperity and development of the U.S. cultural industry. China’s tax incentive policies for cultural donations are categorized into three types: those applicable to enterprises, individuals, and special donations, with variations in the deduction benefits afforded by each category. In comparison, China’s tax incentives for cultural donations have shortcomings, including excessively lengthy approval processes, inadequate coverage, fragmented management, and insufficient supervision. Drawing on the experience of the U.S. tax system, measures such as simplifying the registration procedures for non-profit cultural organizations, enhancing tax declaration requirements, exploring industry self-governance mechanisms, and establishing robust supervision frameworks constitute crucial pathways to advancing the high-quality development of China’s cultural industry.

]]> From Barriers to Incentives: Reforming China’s Cultural Donation Tax System Based on U.S. Experience Xiaoji Zhang doi: 10.3390/culture1010003 Culture 2025-11-04 Culture 2025-11-04 1 1 Viewpoint 3 10.3390/culture1010003 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/1/1/3 Culture, Vol. 1, Pages 2: What Is the Aesthetic Value of Industrial Heritage? A Study Grounded in the Chinese Context https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/1/1/2 Industrial heritage has emerged in recent decades as a distinctive category within cultural heritage, though its aesthetic significance remains underexplored. Unlike traditional monuments with long historical resonance, industrial remains are often recent, standardized, and seemingly devoid of unique cultural symbolism. Yet, in China—where industrial production expanded massively under both demographic pressures and the Maoist planned economy—these sites now constitute one of the world’s largest inventories of heritage. This study builds on earlier discussions of heritage aesthetics by systematically analyzing the foundations of aesthetic value in industrial heritage, combining historical, functional, and identity-driven perspectives. Drawing on long-term field research, archival documentation, and policy analysis, it examines how adaptive reuse projects—from Beijing’s 798 Art District to Shougang Park and the reconfigured factories of Shanghai and Wuhan—redefine the visual and social significance of former industrial sites. The methodology integrates heritage aesthetic theory with case-based evidence to assess three key components: technological–historical traces, landscape transformation, and collective memory. Results indicate that aesthetic value rarely arises from static preservation but is constructed through refunctionalization, where industrial ruins acquire renewed meaning as cultural parks, creative hubs, or community spaces. Moreover, large-scale Chinese practices reveal that industrial heritage possesses not only visual appeal but also profound identity-based resonance for generations shaped by the “factory managing community.” By situating industrial heritage within the broader aesthetic system of cultural heritage, this research demonstrates that its value lies in the synthesis of function, memory, and landscape, and that China’s experience provides a compelling framework for rethinking global approaches to industrial heritage aesthetics. 2025-10-17 Culture, Vol. 1, Pages 2: What Is the Aesthetic Value of Industrial Heritage? A Study Grounded in the Chinese Context

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture1010002

Authors: Sunny Han Han

Industrial heritage has emerged in recent decades as a distinctive category within cultural heritage, though its aesthetic significance remains underexplored. Unlike traditional monuments with long historical resonance, industrial remains are often recent, standardized, and seemingly devoid of unique cultural symbolism. Yet, in China—where industrial production expanded massively under both demographic pressures and the Maoist planned economy—these sites now constitute one of the world’s largest inventories of heritage. This study builds on earlier discussions of heritage aesthetics by systematically analyzing the foundations of aesthetic value in industrial heritage, combining historical, functional, and identity-driven perspectives. Drawing on long-term field research, archival documentation, and policy analysis, it examines how adaptive reuse projects—from Beijing’s 798 Art District to Shougang Park and the reconfigured factories of Shanghai and Wuhan—redefine the visual and social significance of former industrial sites. The methodology integrates heritage aesthetic theory with case-based evidence to assess three key components: technological–historical traces, landscape transformation, and collective memory. Results indicate that aesthetic value rarely arises from static preservation but is constructed through refunctionalization, where industrial ruins acquire renewed meaning as cultural parks, creative hubs, or community spaces. Moreover, large-scale Chinese practices reveal that industrial heritage possesses not only visual appeal but also profound identity-based resonance for generations shaped by the “factory managing community.” By situating industrial heritage within the broader aesthetic system of cultural heritage, this research demonstrates that its value lies in the synthesis of function, memory, and landscape, and that China’s experience provides a compelling framework for rethinking global approaches to industrial heritage aesthetics.

]]> What Is the Aesthetic Value of Industrial Heritage? A Study Grounded in the Chinese Context Sunny Han Han doi: 10.3390/culture1010002 Culture 2025-10-17 Culture 2025-10-17 1 1 Article 2 10.3390/culture1010002 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/1/1/2 Culture, Vol. 1, Pages 1: Culture: A New Open Access Journal https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/1/1/1 Culture is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to the timely dissemination of pioneering research that interrogates and reconfigures the conditions of cultural life [...] 2025-08-20 Culture, Vol. 1, Pages 1: Culture: A New Open Access Journal

Culture doi: 10.3390/culture1010001

Authors: Longxi Zhang Caiwu Fu Terry N. Clark Sunny Han Han

Culture is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to the timely dissemination of pioneering research that interrogates and reconfigures the conditions of cultural life [...]

]]> Culture: A New Open Access Journal Longxi Zhang Caiwu Fu Terry N. Clark Sunny Han Han doi: 10.3390/culture1010001 Culture 2025-08-20 Culture 2025-08-20 1 1 Editorial 1 10.3390/culture1010001 https://www.mdpi.com/3042-8165/1/1/1