All upcoming International Culture programs

Cave temples at sites such as Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta, and Badami are notable not just for their antiquity and religious significance but also for the ingenious, sophisticated techniques used to excavate them from the sides of mountains. Art historian Robert DeCaroli examines the history of these Jain, Buddhist, Hindu, and Ajivika temples and monasteries, how they were made, and how they are being protected today. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

French gastronomy has long been the benchmark for the world’s finest cuisine. The creativity bubbling up in French food today is rooted in thousands of years of culinary history, the collective heritage of a country that has always focused (sometimes obsessively) on everything that is put on the table. Susan Herrmann Loomis, author, cooking teacher, and French cuisine expert, leads a lively tour through the centuries that showcases the rich history of a unique and beloved cuisine and the influences that shaped it.

Tea and the ritual of its consumption are an integral part of life in Taiwan, and the southwestern region of Alishan is home to the producers of some of the most sought-after teas in the world, including oolongs. Before performing a traditional tea ceremony, tea connoisseur Hung, Chung-Lun explains how it embodies the unique cultural background of place, connects us with the important moments in life, and represents the spirit of Taiwanese culture. A reception with a tasting of regional Alishan teas follows the program. This event will be moderated by Sojin Kim, curator of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Presented in partnership with the Taiwan Tourism Administration

What is Indian food in America today? Food writer, journalist, and former restaurant editor at Food & Wine Khushbu Shah answers the question in her new cookbook, Amrikan: 125 Recipes from the Indian American Diaspora. The dishes in Amrikan (UM-ree-kan—it’s “American” with a South Asian accent) are neither fully Indian nor fully American in their origin. In conversation with Helen Rosner, food writer at The New Yorker, Shah discuss her inspiration behind the book, along with her favorite recipes and some clever tips and tricks.

Nestled among bustling streets in the heart of Paris, the iconic Père Lachaise cemetery harbors stories of intrigue, fame, artistic brilliance, and cultural significance. Unravel the cemetery's secrets and celebrate its role as a sanctuary of memory and reflection with art historian Madeline Díaz, who explores why the 220-year-old Père Lachaise is not merely a resting place for the departed but a testament to Parisian history itself.

Burgundy is one of the most complex and expansive wine regions on the planet. It is here that thousands of years of careful study of terroir have yielded an amazingly detailed and hyper-complicated classification system of wines, vines, and vineyards. Taste some exciting wines from appellations that producers see as the future of their region with sommelier Erik Segelbaum.

At the nationally celebrated Moon Rabbit restaurant in Washington, D.C., chef Kevin Tien oversees a menu that features contemporary takes on classic Vietnamese dishes with an homage to his mother’s and grandmother’s recipes. His special menu designed for Smithsonian Associates’ guests also has a family flavor: It celebrates the Lunar New Year, a time when Vietnamese families gather over food to honor their ancestors, review the past year, and pray for health and prosperity in the coming one.

Ever since its origins in an ancient civilization along the Indus River, the complex culture of South Asia has given rise to some of the world’s most remarkable artistic creations. Robert DeCaroli, professor in the department of history and art history at George Mason University, highlights the artistic traditions and historical changes in the Indian subcontinent from the earliest archaeological evidence to the onset of colonialism. (World Art History Certificate core course, 1 credit)

The art and architecture of Spain as seen in the works of El Greco, Goya, Velázquez, Picasso, and Gaudi offer a window into the influences that define the country's history and national identity. Art historian Joseph Cassar highlights artworks and structures that exemplify Spain’s distinctive cultural heritage, from altarpieces for churches in the Castilian citadel of Toledo to the opulent Nasrid residences of the Alhambra. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1 credit)

Indulge in a colorful midwinter escape as naturalist and botanical horticulturist Keith Tomlinson leads a series of virtual visits that highlight the beauty of notable botanical gardens on the East and West Coasts of the United States, Morocco, and Germany. Vibrant visuals illustrate how each site takes a unique approach to design and interpretation as they all celebrate plant collections, conservation, education, and the distinctive environments and landscapes in which they bloom. This program highlights Frankfurt’s Palmengarten and Washington, D.C.’s United States Botanical Garden.