From a glassblower in Tunisia to artists in Tanzania; from kite makers in Japan to tribal music in Borneo, Artsworld tells the stories of people whose talent brings beauty and colour to the world.

We look at how people across the globe are using the arts to bring about social change in their communities, highlight injustice and provoke political reform.

Al Jazeera's new series brings you the stories that allow for a greater understanding of one another's cultures and traditions.

Palestine - Freedom theatre

Zakaria Zubeidi is the head of the al Aqsa Martyr's Brigade in Jenin in the West Bank. But one of the icons of the Palestinian intifada has now put down his weapons and believes that children's theatre is just an important way to fight for Palestinian statehood.

He helps run the Freedom Theatre in the Jenin refugee camp - a pioneering project that is the only professional venue for theatre and the arts in the north of the Palestinian territories.

Artsworld went to find out more about a theatre that provides a safe place for children and young Palestinians to express themselves.

China's disabled dancers have a strong team bond

China's disabled dance troupe

The China Disabled People's Performing Arts Troupe has entertained audiences in more than 50 countries.

It includes some 100 performers and its members admit that a history of discrimination continues to haunt many of China's 80 million people with disabilities.

However, they say their tightly knit community has given them a renewed sense of pride and purpose.

Brazil - Circus life
 
In the Brazilian city of Salvador Bahia, the circus has become much more than entertainment.

The big top of the Circus Picolino is as close as many young people will get to a classroom but the lessons learned here are transforming lives.

Artsworld visits this circus school and its traveling circus, which offer the discipline of training and the magic of performing.

Bongo has its roots in Tanzania's streets

Tanzania's Bongo revolution

A new sound coming from the shores of the Indian Ocean is making waves throughout the region.

Here in Dar Esalam, Tanzania's biggest city, Bongo Flava is the beat from the street and the rhythm of the times.

But some music insiders are worried that the music is already starting to focus too much on materialism and is losing the very street edge that defined it.

Watch part one of this episode here

Watch part two of this episode here

This episode of Artsworld airs from Saturday, September 6, and can be seen at these times GMT:

Saturday 0830 and 2230; Sunday 0630 and 1930; Monday 0300; Tuesday 1430; Wednesday 0130 and 1230; Thursday 0330 and 2330 and Friday 0730.

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