Work from the soul, not from the ego

From 2-5 June, I had the pleasure to attend the Global Forum on Freedom of Expression in Oslo, Norway. It was very informative, useful and most of all extremely inspiring. Especially the session 'Silencing Women's Voices' with Lydia Cacho, Philo Ikonya, Irshad Manji and Malalai Yoga on the panel, roused in me a sense of urgency to go out and change the world. It is people like this we need in this world. Especially us women need role models like these. Lydia Cacho concluded by urging us all to work from the soul, to keep on fighting for what we believe in.


Hilarious! This woman is so courageous. A true example for women (and men!) all over the world.


What a shock when I saw myself! See after 7 minutes.

Aung San Suu Kyi

Approximately, two weeks now, she has been imprisoned in the notorious Insein Prison in Yangon, Burma - Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Burma's opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). After being under house arrest for thirteen years, she was scheduled for release this week. However, a mysterious American man swam across the lake surrounding her house and spent the night there. After arresting the man when he tried to swim back the next day, the Burmese junta immediately used this incident as an excuse to lock Aung San Suu Kyi up in prison. Her trial is ongoing now.

In 2010 elections are scheduled, which the junta calls its first steps on the road to democracy. Having the leader of the NLD imprisoned is all too convenient for the military leadership. Through Burmese media in exile both Burmese in and outside their country as well as foreigners all over the world, have access to news from Burma. For more news, visit the Democratic Voice of Burma, Mizzima and Irrawaddy websites.

This cartoon was copied from the Mizzima website

Art Amsterdam

Thanks to Miriam I was able to visit the Art Exhibition at RAI last weekend. Looking back, I find that it was mostly the photos that made a lasting impression. It makes me wonder whether I do not like paintings as I cannot recall any that I specifically liked. Well, the photographers that I remembered were Phyllis Galembo, of whom a collection of ethnographical work was shown.


















Another one I liked was Michael Wolf who made a series of architecture in China called the transparent city.













Next on the to-do list is to visit the World Press Photo Exhibition! More about that later...

Tribute to Tompi

Now that I am practicing Indonesian songs for the Anak Wayang benefit dinner on May 23rd, I again realize how much I love Tompi. That man is the bomb, especially on stage. Here's some evidence to prove it, including the (mostly female) fans all singing their hearts out.

Fiksi

What started as - what I thought was - Indonesia's answer to Amelie Poulain (cute girlie girl, nice music, pretty colors), turned out to be an impressive thriller. Fiksi is the story of Alisha, a girl haunted by her past, looking for love. Not knowing how to express that, obsession gets hold of her. It drives her to find the endings to the stories that Bari, the sexy writer with a continuous writer's block, tries to put on paper. The stories of their lives are however the most dramatic ones. Great movie, I especially like the photography and the music.

Single ladies doing it

Must say that I really like Beyonce's video, so I was especially happy to see this! In reply to Miriam's post and with thanks to Maike, here's some great dancing!

No more blues

Wanting to practise this song, I went to look for others who'd sung it. And what do you know? My favorite singer of all times, Carmen McRae, did her very own version! Love it. And the lyrics.. well, they speak for themselves ;)

No more blues
I'm going back home
No, no more blues
I promise no more to roam
Home is where the heart is
The funny part is, my heart's been
Right here all alone
No more tears, and no more sighs
No, no more fears-
I'll say no more goodbye
If travel beckons me, I swear I'm gonna refuse
I'm gonna settle down, and there'll be no more blues
Everyday while I am far away
My thoughts turn homeward, forever homeward
I've traveled round the world in search of happiness
But all the happiness I've found
Is in my hometown
No more blues
I'm going back home
No, no more blues
I'm through with all my wandering now
I'll settle down and never roam
And find a man and build a home
When we settle down, there'll be no more blues
Nothing but happiness
When we settle down, there'll be no more blues