“Montant” an international chorus group in Incheon, is holding auditions on Dec. 4“Montant” is a singing group that showcases different cultures and music. The successful applicants will become regular members of the chorus after passing the probationary period.Those wishing to sing should be at least 20 years old, have a visa and be able to travel outside Korea. They should have some experience in singing or performing and have interest in developing performances by integrating cultures from ot

A significant expansion in access to treatment helped slash the number of AIDS-related deaths in 2010, bringing the number of people living with HIV to a record 34 million, the United Nations said Monday."We are on the verge of a significant breakthrough in the AIDS response," said Michel Sidibe, ex

PARIS (AFP) ― Mongolian calligraphy, Armenian fertility rites or French horsemanship? Envoys meet this week to decide which of 84 traditions should join UNESCO’s list of protected “intangible heritage.”The UN cultural agency suspended much of its work this month after the United States suspended funding in a row over Palestinian membership, but delegates will still meet in Bali between Nov. 22 and 29.There, they will ponder which local traditions merit inclusion on the organization’s list of pra

NEW DELHI (AFP) ― Plans to revive Nalanda university in India, one of the world’s oldest seats of learning, as a totem of Asia’s renaissance are facing trouble as supporters admit to little progress in fund-raising.The Indian parliament passed a bill in August 2010 approving plans to rebuild the university, which was founded in the fifth century, close to its ancient ruins in the impoverished eastern state of Bihar.Backers hope the proposed new campus will one day attract thousands of the finest

WASHINGTONVILLE (AFP) ― In a bucolic valley an hour from New York City, the oldest vineyard in the United States is producing everything from wines that end up on the White House dining table to what the chief winemaster calls “crazy” tipples.Established in 1839 by Jean Jacques, a French Huguenot immigrant, the Brotherhood vineyard has produced wine ever since, surviving the Prohibition, thanks to a loophole for church wine, and a big fire in 1999.The winery saw two changes of ownership around t

Seoul International Women’s Association is holding a women’s networking session on Nov. 30. The Working Women’s Network will meet for drinks and dinner at Kyotofu in Hannam-dong starting 7 p.m. Dinner starts at 8 p.m.All participants pay for their own dinner and drinks, and there is a 10,000 won participation fee for non-SIWA members.To attend the women-only event, email workingwomensnetwork@siwapage.com by Nov. 29.(paulkerry@heraldm.com)

Free pansori storytelling performances are being held on Mondays at Seoul Global Culture and Tourism Center until Dec.12Pansori -- a musical genre in which a story is sung with percussion backing -- will be sung in Korean but an English narration will be provided. Actors will help bring the performances to life.The performances tell two stories alternating each week. Monday’s performance will tell the story of Heungbu and Nov. 29 will tell the tale of Chunhyang. The tale of Heungbu is about two