Synth Days in Kyiv: inside the wartime Ukrainian modular scene

The prolific Kaximia of Tembra Modular and the series “Let’s explore modular synthesis” transports us to a Synth Days holiday weekend event in Kyiv. Let’s welcome her CDM writing debut, as she gives us a window into a Ukrainian modular scene that’s thriving, despite everything.

Displaced families stuck in traffic, March 2026 -- photo Ahmad Badr/NRC

Here are community-led efforts in Lebanon supporting the displaced

With an unprecedented minimum of 450,000 people displaced in Lebanon, community-led efforts are again working to provide basic aid. These often overlap with the very music and creative communities I’ve written about here, in the country and internationally. And they can benefit from your support.

Peter Kirn - March 7, 2026

Soroush Khazaei, audiovisual artist, killed in an airstrike in Tehran

People are not numbers, and so among the rising tide of wartime deaths around the world are some familiar faces from our communities. Soroush Khazaei was an audiovisual artist who gave generously to the Iranian scene. He was killed earlier this week in Tehran by US/Israeli airstrikes.

Peter Kirn - March 4, 2026