This Week in Culture: June 5-June 11

From Australia

Lights, camera, pageant! Thirty-five girls from all over the country came together in the final stretch of the Miss Australia competition. The guests and judges consisted of a wide variety of people, including former reporter Richard Reid, and former Miss Universe, Australia’s Olivia Wells. Monika Radulovic, a Bosnian refugee, won the title

From Costa Rica

Costa Rica took home the Gold at the ISA World Surfing Games, which took place in Playa Popoyo, Nicaragua. Noe Mar McGonagle’s skill and talent in surfing was the reason Costa Rica did so well after he conquered a 9.93 wave.

From Russia

Retired CIA operative, Jason Matthews, decided to take a new direction and become a writer. His best-selling spy novel, Red Sparrow, won The Edgar Award. Matthews’ novel takes place in Russia and chronicles the life of a spy carrying on an affair with his asset.

Worldwide

The latest trend on Instagram has spread worldwide and was dubbed “wall-scouting”. The idea is to take a picture with an interesting and quirky wall behind you to make the picture look even more perfect. Many celebrities have caught on to the trend and there is even an account for cool walls.

From Ecuador

The 7 day international “Zero parallel” poetry festival brought together over 30 poets. The poets will tour 11 Ecuadorian cities and the tour will include them speaking with students from more than 20 schools.