Globetrotting

Strasbourg

The University of Strasbourg, in collaboration with Iran's Ferdowsi Foundation, opened a new exhibition of Persian calligraphy on Tuesday. 'Prosperity in Iranian Art' showcases the work of calligraphy masters Shamseddin Moradi and Mohammad Yarahmadi. The show's focus is the Shahnameh (pictured), the 10th-century epic poem by Ferdowsi.

Beijing

Outspoken artist Ai Weiwei has been ordered by the Chinese authorities to abandon the webcam project he announced on Tuesday. Ai installed four live webcams around his home in an act meant to symbolise the 24-hour police surveillance he has lived under since his arrest last year on tax evasion charges. Following the closure, Ai announced on his Twitter feed: 'The cameras have been shut down. Bye-bye to all the voyeurs.'

Tokyo

South Korean pop group Dong Bang Shin Ki (DBSK) are coming to Tokyo for three shows starting April 14. If you don't already have a ticket, don't get your hopes up: much to the dismay of DBSK fans everywhere, all 175,000 tickets went in just 30 seconds after they went on sale last Sunday. Tickets were changing hands at up to US$1,000 each - prompting DBSK to announce an extra show.

Washington, DC

Washinton, DC's famous cherry blossoms are in bloom and in their honour two of the city's art museums have come together to celebrate a 'Japanese spring'. The National Gallery of Art is hosting Colourful Realm, an exhibit of 30 bird and flower paintings by 18th-century artist Ito Jakuchu until April 29, and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery is showing Katsushika Hokusai's famous Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji until June 17.

Las Vegas

The 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards were held in true Las Vegas style, complete with an onstage wedding, last Sunday. Among the usual performances and award presenting was a healthy dash of over-the-top showmanship. Big winners included Taylor Swift (pictured) and Miranda Lambert.

Mayrhofen

The Snowbombing Festival returns to Austria tomorrow. The week-long Alpine music fest is billed as a festival filled with 'blue skies, black runs and white-hot parties'. This year's line-up is impressive with Dizzee Rascal, DJ Shadow (pictured) and Fat Boy Slim all due to make the trip to the Alps. Dizzee, a return performer, famously described last year's event as 'Ibiza in the snow'.