Visitors Laugh Away Troubles at the HaHaHouse Museum

A new museum of laughter in Croatia is offering to help people deal with the negativity of modern life. Visitors to the Haha House in the Croatian capital Zagreb walk into a little cloud of white smoke when they step inside.

25 Apr 2025,·4 mins mins

Bosnia's ‘Balkan Blues’ Music Honored by UNESCO

Every Friday, musician Ines Salmán performs the Sevdalinka, an ancient form of love song from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sevdalinka was recently included in UNESCO's National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

10 Apr 2025,·3 mins mins

What is the Best Kind of Yoga for Beginners?

The activity called yoga means different things to different people around the world. The word itself comes from the Sanskrit language and means union. For some, yoga is an exercise centered on mindful breathing and slow movement.

04 Apr 2025,·6 mins mins

1929 Books, Films, More to Enter Public Domain Next Month

Popeye the Sailor and the Belgian boy reporter Tintin lead the class of characters and works of art to enter public domain in 2025. On January 1, 2025, the U.S. copyright ends on creations from 1929. That means the early versions of the comic characters can be used without permission or payment.

03 Apr 2025,·8 mins mins

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the ‘Super Bowl’ of Dog Shows

At America's 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Monty the giant Schnauzer won the top prize. The lively Schnauzer beat six other finalists in New York City to become the first of his breed to win Westminster's Best in Show.

30 Mar 2025,·3 mins mins

A History of Christmas in America

From VOA Learning English, I'm Katie Weaver. Today, Steve Ember and Shirley Griffith present a special program on Christmas traditions in the United States during the first half of the 19th century.

09 Feb 2025,·7 mins mins

Researchers Uncover a Bathhouse Complex in Ancient Pompeii

Archaeological research has uncovered another treasure of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, a large private bathhouse. The explosion of Mount Vesuvius in 70 AD

07 Jan 2025,·3 mins mins

Game Born in Mexican Prisons Brings People Together

On a Sunday afternoon in Mexico City's Roma neighborhood, Rosa Maria Espinosa joins about 80 men in a park to play Pollyanna. The almost 100-year-old game was created in a Mexican prison

17 Dec 2024,·8 mins mins

Using Real Trees to Bring Nature Indoors

There is a growing movement worldwide to use plants in building design to establish closer connections with nature and soften hard city styles. The movement also seeks to improve designs to help protect the environment and increase personal wellness. Many of the efforts by architects and designers have centered on one natural element, trees.

13 Dec 2024,·7 mins mins

Danish-Swedish Farmdog Is American Kennel Club’s Newest Breed

The American Kennel Club, or AKC, has named another kind of dog to its registry. Say hello to the Danish-Swedish farm dog, or maybe say, hey, the word for hello in Swedish and Danish. AKC officials announced the addition to its list on January 2nd.

16 Nov 2024,·4 mins mins