All upcoming International Culture programs

Pulitzer Prize–winning photojournalist Essdras M Suarez leads a visual tour of two of Cuba's most captivating cities: Havana and Trinidad. Suarez's street photos document Havana's rich history and resilient spirit, while his shots of Trinidad evoke its charm through cobblestone lanes and pastel adobes. In photographs that reveal the cultural tapestry of Havana and the timeless allure of Trinidad, Suarez captures the deep connection between their inhabitants and their environments.

Enjoy a three-course lunch specially designed for Smithsonian Associates at Alta Strada in Fairfax, Virginia’s Mosaic District. Executive chef Matt Smith introduces the menu of handmade pastas and other authentic classics and guides participants through a tortellini-folding lesson before the meal.

Travel to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond with historian Justin M. Jacobs for an awe-inspiring look at Japan’s exquisitely crafted samurai armor from one of the largest collections in the world. More than 140 works from the collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller offer a glimpse of samurai history with a focus on the flourishing culture of the Edo period. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

Tuscany may very well be the emotional epicenter of Italian wine. With gently rolling hills, rich soils, cool breezes and plentiful sunshine, it's no wonder that the wines of the region are in high demand. Sommelier Erik Segelbaum leads a virtual tasting trip covering both hearty classic appellations and compelling, fresh white wines and lighter versions of full-bodied varieties. The immersive program includes a curated personal tasting kit to enhance the experience.

Tour guide and author Christopher Skutela leads you off the beaten path in Krakow, revealing sites where tourists don’t tend to go. Explore historic neighborhoods, one of the hidden health resorts in Poland, and a former socialist utopia district. Then get a breath of fresh air at Kosciuszko Mound and Bielany Hermitage and Woods.

Starting in the 15th century, many European nations competed to acquire pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, and other spices from Asia, as well as porcelain, silk, tea, and more. In this quest to obtain goods from abroad, these countries built empires, established colonies, and left virtually no corner of the globe untouched. Former foreign correspondent Adam Tanner examines why this historic Western focus on Asia is essential to understanding our world today.

Film historian Max Alvarez surveys the turbulent film history of China via the brilliant and beautiful collaborations of Fifth Generation filmmaker Zhang Yimou­, whose career emerged in the wake of the Cultural Revolution­, and the stunning actress Gong Li, whose stardom instantly began with their first powerful alliance in Red Sorghum. Her remarkable versatility reinforced Zhang’s themes of resilience in the face of hardship and helped make the director’s later works—arguably compromised by the political pressure he faced—both intoxicating and mesmerizing.

The shores of the Mediterranean offer myriad incredible wines and appellations to explore—from fresh, light reds to tantalizing, mineral-driven whites, and of course, dazzling rosés. Sommelier Erik Segelbaum invites you to sip some of these coastal wines as if you’re on the deck of your private yacht. The immersive program includes a curated personal tasting kit to enhance the experience.

Filmmaker Céline Cousteau recounts the making of her documentary Tribes on the Edge, which examines the human and ecological threats faced by the Indigenous peoples of the Javari Valley reservation, located along Brazil’s Amazon border with Peru. She examines those aggressive forces—from deforestation to health crises, illegal mining to the dismantling of protections of land and human rights—and why the struggle for survival that played out in the Amazon has implications that reach across the globe.