Marco Werman

Marco Werman has written 101 posts for PRI's The World

The Late Ray Manzarek’s Influence Around the Globe

Ray Manzarek, keyboard player and founding member of the 60s rock band The Doors, has died aged 74. Marco Werman gives Manzarek a send-off with some of the sounds he helped influence from Togo, Nigeria and Cuba.

Gnomes Invade the Chelsea Flower Show

Britain’s world renowned Chelsea Flower Show celebrates its 100th anniversary this week by lifting its ban on ornamental figures, better known as gnomes.

Choco Pie, South Korea’s Equivalent of a Moon Pie

What do South Korea’s version of Moon Pies have to do with aspirations of North Koreans? And where do North Koreans get these capitalistic treats?

Notes from a Sunny Boston

Boston’s Mayor Tom Menino allowed free parking in the city center through Sunday as part of a push to get people to not flinch, and come quickly back to the scarred downtown, and Boylston Street in particular.

Remembering Guitarist and Ethnomusicologist Bob Brozman

Marco Werman remembers the late guitarist Bob Brozman. He was a musical bridge-builder, and truly understood the science behind why music is a universal language.

Musician Olafur Arnalds Explains How Iceland’s Financial Crisis Helped the Arts

Anchor Marco Werman tells us about Icelandic musician Olafur Arnalds who – despite possible outcomes of Saturday’s parliamentary elections there – feels that the arts have actually been buoyed by the 2008 banking crisis.

Salaries of Heads-of-State Around the World

President Obama’s salary announcement Wednesday got us thinking about what other heads-of-state make around the world. Here’s a few highlights.

Waste Water from Oil Extraction Can Cause Earthquakes

A new study links a 2011 earthquake in Oklahoma to wells containing waste water from oil and gas extraction.

Remembering Legendary Cuban Pianist Bebo Valdés

Cuban pianist Bebo Valdés died last Friday at the age of 94. Anchor Marco Werman has an appreciation.

Why the Pope Might Like New Music from Boogat

If Pope Francis is aiming to reach out to younger members of the flock, we strongly recommend he also check out some of the newer music coming out of his home city. Try Boogat for starters. Even though Boogat is from Quebec, he’s been a hot number on the electro-latino circuit in Buenos Aires.

A Venezuelan Expat in US Reacts to Death of Chavez

Just five minutes from The World’s studios in Boston is a Venezuelan restaurant: La Casa De Pedro. I traveled there with Senior Producer Andrea Crossan to find some local reaction to the news from Venezuela.

A Posthumous Album from Cape Verdean Legend Cesária Évora

Anchor Marco Werman offers a taste of a posthumous release by the late Cape Verdean legend Cesária Évora.

Medellín’s Makeover

In the past few years, Medellin, Colombia has seemingly been transformed from a blighted haven for drug trafficking to an award-winning place of smart urban design. And the man who gets a lot of the credit for that transformation is the former mayor, Sergio Fajardo.

Omar Sosa and Paolo Fresu Perform from their Album ‘Alma’

In an exclusive performance, Cuban pianist Omar Sosa and Italian trumpet player Paolo Fresu play songs from their recent album ‘Alma.’ In between songs they chat with Marco Werman about their collaboration.

La Fiction Pulpe de Gérard de Villiers

I was introduced to Gérard de Villiers’ SAS series when I lived in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. No. 76 in the series is “Putsch à Ouagadougou,” and as Worth explains in his story, the book contains undeniable verisimilitude.