Libya is culturally similar to its neighbouring Maghrebian
states. Libyans consider themselves very much a part of a wider
Arab community. The Libyan state tends to strengthen this
feeling by considering Arabic as the only official language, and
forbidding the teaching and even the use of the Berber language.
Libyan Arabs have a heritage in the traditions of the nomadic
Bedouin and associate themselves with a particular Bedouin
tribe. As with some other countries in the Arab world, Libya
boasts few theatres or art galleries. For many years there have
been no public theatres, and only a few cinemas showing foreign
films. The tradition of folk culture is still alive and well,
with troupes performing music and dance at frequent festivals,
both in Libya and abroad. The main output of Libyan television
is devoted to showing various styles of traditional Libyan
music. Tuareg music and dance are popular in Ghadames and the
south. Libyan television programmes are mostly in Arabic with a
30-minute news broadcast each