Pasarea De Foc

Wings of Fire nominated for Film festival in Cluj!

2011-03-20T14:02:00.000-07:00

Dragii mei,

Acum trei zile am auzit de Tedy ca filmul lui, facut cu mult treaba si inima impreuna cu Vali si Bogdan a fost ales pentru a fi aratat la festivalul de Cluj!

M am bucurat enorm de aceasta veste si sunt sigura ca si voi va bucurati. Acum trebuie sa ii tinem pumni pentru un premi......
dar deja faptul ca participa este un suces pe care merita un aplaus mare pentru Tedy si echipa sa!

pupici la toti

Monique

Creation of a website!

2011-03-18T13:46:00.000-07:00

Dragi mei nepoti,

Since my return from Romania, when we all met with Klaus and his family, Miki, Elena and Neli in your respective homes
I have been wanting to make a diashow of the trip. Unfortunately I have had two operations on my hands and have therefore not been able to do anything for the last three months!

But it did not prevent me from thinking and trying to figure out a solution for you to be able to be connected with one another through the internet. After speaking with my daughter Barbara (whom you probably remember since she was there for the Firebird), I have decided to create a website to which you would all have access and could communicate. I will be visiting Barbara soon and she promised me to get it started and explain me how to do it.

But you know that I am not an expert in computer, which means it might be a lot of work.......So, before doing so, I would like to know how many of you are interested in using it. I personally think it could be quite nice because you could exchange views and post pictures, drawings or even diashows.

Let me know quite soon what you think of this idea!
I hope you are all well and working hard at school, especially those among you who are preparing the baccalaureat!!!!

I send you lots of kisses and am waiting for your answer
cu dor si drag.....

your bunica Monica

Coming to Bucharest soon!

2010-09-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

My dear children, dragi nepoti mei!

It is now ages since I have posted anything on the blog and you must think that I have forgotten you all.
Believe me, you are wrong: I think of you all daily AND I so often dream of you. I dream that we are together again and I see your smiling happy faces so clearly in front of me, just as if you were here.
But to be honest, apart from a few of you, I did not get much response or reactions form you either lately......May be YOU have forgotten me???

Time has passed so quickly: just over a year ago the Firebird project finished in Sibiu after six intensive weeks of training together and three amazing performances.
Do you know how lucky you were? Indeed, this year, with the financial situation in Romania the project could not have taken place, because we would not have found any sponsors for it. Believe me, it was a miracle, and you were part of it!

Today I want to give you the latest news, good news: Tedy´s film is now finished. He sent it to me a few weeks ago and it turned out beautifully.
So, I decided it is time to come and see you again and I booked my plane for the beginning of November. I want to see how you are, what you have been doing in the last twelve months and spend a few nice hours with you.I will be arriving in Bucharest on November 3rd and I intend to come and see you all in your respective homes. This means I will be travelling to Ploiesti, Brasov, Codlea and Sibiu and visit the various schools and institutions in Bucharest as well.

Could you please pass on this information to all participants of the Firebird project. I will come back with more details about my arrival and I count on you to gather everybody around you.

I give you a big hug and am very much looking forward to seeing you all again

Mi e dor de voi toti!!
Va pup

Bunica Monica

Greetings

2010-01-31T20:14:00.000-08:00

You remember Stefan, Helen, Barbara and Guy who came and helped us prepare the performance?

Barbara just came back from Liberia (have a look at a map of Africa.....) one of the poorest countries of Africa, where she was working for the German radio, Deutsche Welle.
There, one of her journalist students told her of an African saying which immediately reminded her of you. Therefore, she asked me to send it to you with her love and a personal message to each of you:

"If you want to have some shade when you are grown up, don´t forget to plant a tree while you are still a child!"

And here is Barbara´s message to you:

"Since I saw your performance on the 5th of September 2009 I know that each of you has planted his tree already, at the latest during the Firebird project, if not before. We are now launching an artistic contest, a kind of competition. But an unusual competition, in which each one of you will win. Not necessarily a prize, but something much more precious than a prize. It will be up to you to discover what this precious prize can be.

I suggest that each of you thinks of a creation of his own about the meaning of this African saying for himself.

It can be a drawing, a painting, a sculpture, a poem, a simple text, a dream, a picture, a song, or anything else you can imagine. Or you can suggest to your teacher for Romanian to give this saying as a subject for an essay. You can also start a competition for your friends at your school or your home. You can even decide to get together with some of your Firebird friends and start a competition on a wider scale, school or town. I think it is a wonderful subject. What kind of tree would you like to be? What do you have to do for it to grow strong and stable against storms, lightening and winters?

As soon as Monique gets your contributions she will publish them in the blog. And if many of you participate, we can think of a way of exhibiting your creations when she goes back to Bucharest and the Premiere of Tedy´s film takes place.
I am looking forward to seeing what you create. Now that I know how talented each of you is, you have no excuse!

When you want to, you can be so creative. You showed it last summer, on the stage and with your beautiful drawings exhibited in the hall of the National Theatre which were just amazing. So, do not hesitate: next time you are bored, sit down, think and get going....And do not forget to tell all the other participants of the Firebird.

Guy, Stefan, Helen and I keep a wonderful memory of the few days spent with you in Bucharest and the unique adventure we lived through thanks to you all. Your friendliness and your cheerfulness, your enthusiasm and your energy , your performance and its success are unforgettable.

Get this tree of yours growing and make sure you get some shade when you are grown up. NOW!

Love to each of you and have a very good year 2010"

Barbara

salutari din parte lui Klaus

2010-01-30T08:27:00.000-08:00

One of Klaus´s pictures of the Firebird performance

"Hey guys,

I heard about your revival meeting this weekend. That sounds great to me. I would really like to be there!

Even more because of the photo-pictures, that I showed to 30 - 40 people in Bubenreuth. There could have been some more people if you ask me. But they did not ask me. Anyway: those who came have been so impressed about you and your performances, that some of them even cried...

This was last Wednesday. Monique and Wilfried were here too. And mentally I have been even closer to you than ever...

I am convinced that you have a nice weekend together. And I am so happy for you...Say hello to everybody from my side, from Sophia and my family!

Kisses to all of you, Klaus"

When Klaus wrote this mail, he did not know yet that the meeting has been postponed to the end of February. I was sorry to hear that and can understand that you were sad. But if you work hard at school, time will pass much more quickly and the 27th will arrive before you even have time to think!

I am now attaching Klaus´s new year message. I had not published it in the blog because Mihaela was going to read it to you at the meeting last Saturday night. But now, here it is:

"Draga familia Pasarea de foc!

Eu va doresc la toti un an nou 2010 plin de bucurie si impleniri! In anul 2009 am incercat impreuna sa demonstram ce ar putea insemna sa fie "bun".
Talentul vostru, bunavointa voastra, umorul, increderea, rabdarea, competenta, spiritul de echipa, capacitateas voastra de a duce un lucru la bun sfirsit si de a da tot ce este mai bun din voi in orice imprijurare, toate acestea m-au impresionat si in aceasti manera m-au incintat in vara si am ramas marcat in mod placut pe viata.
Eu sper din inima sa ne reintelnim in anul acest, poate la premiera filmului Tedy sau in alta ocasia.
Sofia si eu, impreuna cu „mica“ noastra familie, ne gandim deseori la „mare“ noastra familia Pasarea de foc si sunteti mereu in gandurile nostri.
Va doresc un an 2010 fericit si inca mai bun decat 2009, cu mult bucurie, si experiente placute si bogate.
Cu drag si dor,

Klaus, Sofia si familia"

Craciun fericit!

2010-01-07T11:31:00.000-08:00

Dragi mei!

Am fost pana astazi in Paris la familia mea si sin computer. Astazi am ajuns in Germania,in Bonn, unde locuesc Barbara si Guy,si abia asteptam sa ajung la internet sa va scriu cateva cunvinte si sa va doresc cu putin interzire : CRACIUN FERICIT!
Sper ca l ati trecut bine, poate ca a fost un craciun alb ca la noi cu mult zapada.
Va doresc si un an bun, cu sanatate si clipe frumoase, prietenie si bucurie.
Sper ca vom avea in curind ocasia sa ne vedem din nou.
Multumesc tuturor care m-au scris in ultime saptamine. M-am bucurat sa aud noutate si veste lor. Sa stiti ca in fiecare zi sunt in gand alatur de voi si ca mi-e foarte dor de voi toti si de timpuri trecuti impreuna.
Pupici tuturor.
Cu drag si mare dor

Monique

Quiz goes on......

2009-12-23T12:20:00.000-08:00

First aid ten minutes before the Premiere. Whose foot is it and does he really intend to go on stage like that?

What are these hands doing?

And what the hell is this?

Almost midnight, D-Day minus one. do you now guess what is happening here?

Same place same time. What is Elisabeth sewing in the middle of the night?

Si acum, un mic Quiz pentru Serbatorile

2009-12-20T09:58:00.000-08:00

Cije mana este?

Cine apartin aceste picioare?

Ce represinta aceasta caruta?

Maine merge mai departe quizul. Astept raspunsuri!

Craciun fericit!

2009-12-20T08:28:00.000-08:00

Dragi nepoti,

Sfirsitul fiecarui ani este o ocasia sa ne uitam in spate la ce s-a intemplat cu noi, in jurul nostru, ce am implinit, ce ne a adus anul acest; in acelas timp este ocasia sa ne gindim la anul nou si ce asteptam de el si de noi insusi, care sunt dorintele noastre.

Petnru mine, 2009 a fost anul cel mai extraordinar in viata mea, si asta, datorita voi, datorita FIECARE din voi. Am invatat enorm mult de voi.
Am invatat ca, chiar daca fiecare din voi are personalitatea sa si posibilitatele sale, toti tineri, de orice tare, orice origin, orice familia sunt asomenatori si au acelase nevoie: niste nevoie simple ca respect si incredere din partea celelatilor si adultilor, nevoie de a fi ljubiti, guidati, de a avea un cel, dar un cel inalt, pe care poate n-ati crezut ca il puteti atinge.

Fiecare din voi m-a dovadit ca are un suflet bun, si am avut impresia ca dansa v-a permis sa se exprime acesta calitatea prin ea. Ati facut experienta ca vorbe nu sunt intotdeauna necesare pentru a crea o relatia cu celalti, ca este greu sa manteneti concentratia, sa fiti toleranti cu celalti, sa sustineti efortul pentru a atinge celul cerut de Josef, sa nu abandonati, sa nu va dati batuti, sa lucrati mai departe, chiar daca v-a fost foame sau ati fosti obositi. Si tot asta l-ati vins.

In sfirsitul acestei ani vreu sa fiti mindri de voi. M-as bucura daca m- ati scrie cum va simtiti, daca aveti impresia ca ceva s-a schimbat in voi, si daca da, ce s-a schimbat. M-as bucura daca datorita experientiei pe care l-ati trait sase saptamine in vara
trecuta v-ati simti mai siguri, puternici, mai curajosi pentru a face experiente noue si a indrasni sa aveti niste celuri mai ambitiosi, daca v-ati simti mai capabili de a reusi tot ce incepeti si sa fiti exempli pentru celalti, sa le incurajati si ei, si sa le ajutati. Ar fi extraordinar daca ati putea sa dati alti tinerilor mai departe experienta bogata pe care l-ati trait, o experienta pe care ei n-au avut sansa sa o aiba ei.

Sincer, puteti, si trebuie sa fiti mindri de voi. TOTI si FIECARE DIN VOI!
Noi, intreaga echipa Pasarea de Foc, sintem mindri de voi si avem incredere ca puteti sa realizati orice vis pe care l- aveti, unica conditia fiind ca AVETI niste vise!
Doar asa va fi viata voastra interesanta. Daca ramaneti pasivi in fata televizorului si astepati sa va propuna el ceva, atunci, vati astepta mult. L- Ati vazut in vara: VOI trebuie sa ve luati pe mana si sa decideti ce vreti sa faceti din viata voatra.
Prietenia si bucuria vin din interese si experiente comune, din eforturi si aventure impartiti cu alti.

Pentru anul 2010 va doresc sa aveti un vis si sa-l realizati. Proiectul Pasarea de Foc v-a aratat drumul. N-ati aratat cat talent si initiava puteti sa aveti cand vreti, acum incercati sa fiti voi intiatori de un proiect nou, in orice domenul si poate foarte mic, poate singuri, sau inca mai bine cu niste prieteni sau colegi in centrul vostru, scoala sau centrul sportiv.

Sper ca anul viitor ne va da posibilitate sa ne adunem din nou pentru premiera filmului Tedy. Pana atunci, va rog sa ne aratati ca ce ati facut in timpul proiectului, sunteti capabili sa-l faceti si la scoala: sa reusiti si sa fiti multumiti si mindri de voi.
Trimit fiecarui din voi pupici mari si va doresc un craciun fericit, sanatate si suces pentru 2010

Cu mare drag

Bunica Monica

Acum a ajuns si un mesaj din partea Irinei:

Dragi copii,

Va imbratisez pe toti cu drag si va urez sa aveti parte de o viata plina de iubire si tot binele din lume.
Craciun fericit si sa speram ca noul an ne va aduce din nou impreuna.
Va saruta cu drag si dor,

Irina

Xmas greetings from the team are now coming in

2009-12-16T12:17:00.000-08:00

Hi guys!

Can you really believe nearly FOUR months have gone by since we took the National Theatre stage in Bucharest by storm and wowed them in Sibiu? I can’t.
It seems almost like a dream - like the story of the Firebird itself – but I know for sure none of us will ever forget the experience.
Good that Tedi and his great team captured it all on camera. I’m so looking forward to the premiere -whenever this will be- and seeing you all again, hopefully soon!

Have a great Christmas.
Sending you a big hug, every good wish for the New Year and my love

Viv

All the best from Fred too

Some good news today!

2009-11-30T05:49:00.000-08:00

Some weeks are better than others:
Today, I found two letters and one newspaper article in my letter-box. Enough to cheer me up and remind mer that the community dance concept in Romania HAS to go on whatever happens!

Sibiu´s Mayor, Klaus Johannis, wrote:

"Dear Mrs Gruber,

.....I would like to congratulate you and your entire team for the realization of the Firebird project. This unique enterprise impressed me and showed the Sibiu public what young people can achieve when they are given the chance....."

Also in the mail was a copy of the last edition of the Bucurestiul Cultural supplement with an interview from its Editor, Gabriela Adamesteanu about the project. You can find it (unfortunately for many, in Romanian only) on the net under: http://www.revista22.ro/bucure351tiul-cultural-nr-90-6952.html

the second letter came from the founder and director of Ateliere protejate, Jörg Könöszi, a German citizen who has been active (with his Romanian wife) in helping young people with special needs to step into life. For this purpose, he founded a decade ago workshops where the youngsters learn to make candles. During about two years, in transition between teenage and adult life, they learn everything they need to take on a job and stand on their own feet: punctuality, responsibility, practical skills and social integration.
For more details about his work you may check the following website:http://helpstep.net/
You will find some of the participants of the Firebird smiling at you while working in their friendly atelier.
But ther best thing to do is to take up contact with Helpstep and visit their Christmas Bazar next week. You will be impressed by the quality of their work and the friendly atmosphere of the workshop!

And here is Jörg´s feedback about the project:

"Liebe Monique,

.......Wir aus der Werkstatt, die Eltern und viele die wir gefragt haben, sind sich einer Meinung: Das Projekt "Feuervogel" in Rumänien war das erste erfolgreiche Projekt, das gezeigt hat, wie Integration von Menschen mit Behinderung funktionieren kann!

Auch wenn das Thema Integration nicht an erster Stelle stand, was sicher gut war, hatte es enorme Auswirkungen. Für die Eltern unserer Jugendlichen war es das erste Mal, dass ihre Kinder eine Leistung vollbracht haben, die in der Öffentlichkeit anerkannt wurde. Das gibt gerade auch für die Eltern viel Kraft für die Zukunft.

Ich freue mich, dass der Vater von Alexander und der Vater von Mihaela ein Hilfe waren und gebe den Dank gerne an sie weiter. Wir sehen uns nächste Woche, da wir unseren Weihnachtsmarkt haben.

Ich werde mit den Jugendlichen und Cristina reden und wir werden gerne einen Beitrag für eure Homepage schreiben. Nur kommen wir diese Woche, wegen den Vorbereitungen für den Weihnachtsmarkt nicht dazu. Wir versuchen es dennoch so bald wie möglich zu machen.

Die lieben Grüße an alle gebe ich gerne weiter und auch zurück!"

Jörg

Final report of the project for sponsors, partners and supporters

2009-11-27T12:11:00.000-08:00

Quite an extensive report, I know, but just in case some of you are interested in knowing more about the project and its implementation and if not...just skip it!

1. Development of the project

After months of intensive coordination between the project initiator, the local coordinator, the artistic and pedagogic team and local institutions (for complete list see annex 1), the project unfolded successfully in Bucharest on August 3rd and thereafter. For six hours a day and for five weeks,110 young people, between 8 and 22 years of age, rehearsed Stravinsky´s "The Firebird” at the sports hall of I.L. Caragiale National College, which its director had offered as the location for the rehearsals.
The participating young people had been selected from a variety of institutions in Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu and Ploiesti: They came from children´s homes, placement centres, a school for the hearing impaired, a day care centre for youngsters with special needs, and also from regular high schools such as Liceul Caragiale or Liceul Ghibu in Sibiu. The municipality of Bucharest´s sector 2 provided lodging during the entire project for 30 participants coming from outside Bucharest in its "Neghinita" boarding school for the blind. However, feeding these participants was the responsibility of the organizers. Similarly, it was part of the project logistics to provide transportation for all participants to and from the rehearsals as well as snacks, drinks and a warm meal for all participants during and after the strenuous rehearsals.
On September 5th the youngsters performed the "Firebird" in the grand auditorium of the National Theatre in Bucharest and on Sept. 8th at the Sibiu Casa de Cultura a Sindicatelor in front of 1.000 and 700 spectators respectively.

2. Results of the project

2.1. The intensive rehearsals and the performances gave the participating youngsters a unique chance to explore their creative potential and to discover the value of self-discipline and collective effort. These young people who had no experience of classical music or dance proved able to put on stage a very sophisticated performance of high artistic quality in the country´s most prestigious theatre as a special event in the framework of Romania´s major bi-annual cultural event, the George Enescu Festival.

2.2. The audiences received the performances with standing and long, enthusiastic applause. Ion Caramitru, the National Theatre´s General Director, told the project´s initiator Monique Gruber that he had never seen so many spectators leaving his theatre in tears and in silence after a performance. Conductor Horia Andreescu said he could not believe that the youngsters performing the main roles in the ballet were not professional dancers.

2.3. Romanian and German media reported widely on the "Firebird" project and the two performances:
- news agencies: Agerpres, Mediafax, News In
- newspapers: Adevarul, Cotidianul, Jurnalul National, Romania Libera, Cariere,
Observatorul Cultural, Turnul Sfatului
- radio stations: Romania Actualitati, Romania Cultural, Deutsche Welle,
Deutschlandfunk, SWR
- TV stations: TVR1, TVR2, TVR Cultural, Money Channel
- websites: www.hotnews.ro, http://tanznetz.de, http://www.thechronicle.ro

All media reports and commentaries were most positive and unanimous in commending the project as a successful demonstration of how young people from underprivileged backgrounds can be trained and motivated to achieve an impressive collective performance and to attain a high professional standard (for an overview of media reports see annex 2).

2.4. The initiator and organizers of the "Firebird " project wish it to trigger a broadening interest in Romania for the concept of "community dance" and to encourage Romanian organizations to realize similar follow-on projects. It is hoped that the positive media reaction to the "Firebird" as well as the documentary film which is in preparation will contribute to making Romanian educators and public institutions aware of the value of this concept and motivate them to explore its potential to integrate marginalized young people into society.

3. Sponsors, partners, budget, volunteers

The realisation of the "Firebird" project would not have been possible without the generous support of many sponsors and partners (for a complete list see annex 3).
A number of major firms operating in Romania made significant cash contributions. Individuals equally made donations via the German charitable association "Jungen Rumänen eine Chance!".
In addition to this financial support, which totalled 98.000,- Euro, the project also benefited from significant contributions in kind or services, such as the provision of transport facilities, legal advice, food or catering. While it is difficult to put a price tag on these contributions in kind, their value can be estimated to add up to about an additional 65.000,- euro.
The financial contributions were used to pay the costs (emoluments, travel expenses and lodging) of the artistic and pedagogic team that trained and took care of the youngsters; for the preparation and organization of rehearsals and performances; for food and lodging of the participants, in particular during the trip to Sibiu. A break-down of the major expenditures is attached as annex 4.
Attention was drawn to the names and logos on all written (posters, flyers and programmes, press releases) and electronic PR material made available for journalists and the public. The project website www.pasareadefoc.ro and the initiator´s blog http://www.dance-with-us.blogspot.com - which enjoyed significant numbers of visitors - also listed sponsors and partners prominently.

Sponsors´ and partners´ logos were also displayed visibly on spiders at the venue of the two performances.
During press conferences, interviews and all contacts with the media the project initiator and organizers expressed their appreciation for the support of sponsors and partners. A TV interview broadcast by "Money Channel" on September 11 was used by the initiator to speak at some length about the sponsors´ and partners´ contribution and to express her gratitude for their demonstrating their sense of corporate social responsibility by supporting the project.
A significant number of volunteers - from Germany, Great Britain and Romania - was also involved in making the project a success (their names are listed in annex 1).They ensured a smooth unfolding of the project. In their respective roles and positions, e.g. as sound engineer, educators, costume tailors, organizers of drawing sessions or a percussion workshop, they contributed significantly to the dancers´energy and enthusiasm thanks to their benevolent dedication and commitment.

4. Overall assessment

According to the judgment of all observers the "Firebird" project left a significant impact on the young participants. Some of them expressed how valuable the experience had been for them on the initiator´s blog http://www.dance-with-us.blogspot.com. They acknowledged that taking part in this project was a unique experience in their lives and affected profoundly their self-perception and their attitude towards their peers and fellow human beings.
Dan, Ionel and Monica´s reactions reflect quite well the project´s impact on the young "artists".
Dan, age 22: "I am a youngster from Bucharest, living on the street; participating in this project gives me the feeling that the Firebird´s tale is becoming reality..."
Ionel, age 17: "This project means a lot to me because I do not have anybody; and here I have found a family, brothers and friends. It teaches me how to get prepared for life. I am very proud of what I am doing and happy to have a role. I would appreciate if I could get some support to carry on this project. Many thanks to all those who have put so much effort in this project."
Monica, age 17: „I never thought we could give the best out of us. Dance has taught us what it means to work hard to achieve what we really want. It has changed us a lot, especially our behaviour. We have gained self confidence. By dancing in front of such a large public, we have proved that we are capable, we have achieved that the public be proud of us instead of rejecting us because we are from a children´s home and therefore naughts. We are not any different that anybody else and we too have our qualities. With thanks and respect".
The public witnessed at first hand that youngsters who have grown up at the margins of society have the energy and are indeed capable - if and when duly motivated and trained - of performing a major piece of art at an amazing level of excellence.
Romanian organizations and institutions are now called upon to carry forward the "Firebird"´s message in follow-on projects.

There is hope again for Tedy´s movie...

2009-11-27T10:51:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed that posts have been more scarce lately and our "artists" will again accuse me of forgetting them....
As I wrote earlier, I have been quite busy with "post-project" and administrative tasks. But I have to admit that some more reasons, doubts and questions might also be responsible for my silence of the last four weeks: When will Schott finally give us an answer about the author´s rights for the film? Will we be able to gather the necessary funds to pay them? When will the première take place? When and How will the project go on?

And then, yesterday, a sunray blinded me whencatching a glance of the association´s bank account:

Nathan and his form had achieved a small miracle:

Nathan is Klaus´s 8 year old son. After his father had left him and his smaller brother Fabian with their grand parents for two months in the summer when he went to Bucharest to take care of the participants, Nathan decided with his schoolmates and his school in Bubenreuth that the proceeds of the Christmas bazar which they organized last weekend should go to the project, as a contribution to the production of Tedy´s movie.

Nathan´s class (Nathan is the third from left in the front row)

They produced some beautiful handicrafts and Christmas decorations, sold them with cakes and other goodies together with their parents on nicely decorated stands and guess how much they took in?

The fantastic sum of 650 €! AMAZING!Congratulations and thousand thanks to all!
And this came precisely at a moment when we were wondering whether we would be able to carry on the film project.

So, dear participants, don´t tell me again that nobody thinks of you and that we have forgotten you since the end of the project, when a whole school has been thinking of you and working for your project for weeks!

Yesterday also, Julia Diterich, a young Munich pediatrician and one of our most generous sponsors (which doesn´t mean that she is a millionnaire....) transferred her latest savings to the association´s account; for her part, Stefanie Moog (who had also come to Bucharest especially for the performance and was a precious helping hand in the last hours before the performance) announced that she would organize a slide show and lecture on the project in January. And so will Klaus and I.

So, there is hope again and who knows? The may be more miracles before the film is ready.....

10 weeks already since our last performance!

2009-11-20T12:01:00.000-08:00

"We", the organizers and volunteers of the Firebird, are regularly in contact with one another and with some of our artists, who occasionally send us a mail to give us the latest news. They seem to keep contact with other participants and are longing to see the "Firebird family" as they call it, again soon. They are looking forward to this opportunity when the premiere of the film takes place.
Unfortunately, we are still waiting for an answer from the Schott Edition, who deals with Srtrawinskij´s rights and is supposed to settle the price of the author´s rights to be paid for using Strawinskij´s music in the film. We presented the project to them six weeks ago but when we called them to inquire they answered us that they are overworked and that it might still last some time before we get an answer.

The future of the project, that is, the spreading of community dance in Romania partly depends on this decision: if the rights are very high, we will have to give up the publishing of the film, which we intended to use as pedagogical material to be shown in schools and institutions as incentive to make further projects in the spirit of the Firebird.
Besides, we count on the proceeds from the film´s sales to organize some workshops aiming at training dance teachers in community dance so that the concept can spread in various regions of Romania. Several institutions and schools have already shown their interest in similar projects.
At present time Tedy has already finished editing the movie about the performance and is working hard editing the "making of". We are all anxious to see the result!

In the meantime, here are a few more comments from our artists:

Ana wrote: "This project has changed my life. I have gained so much self confidence.....I don´t know how to express what I feel in my heart, but I am sure you can imagine....."

Gabi´s words: "It is only the third day, but I have already made many good friends. Sometimes I help them, and sometimes they help me. Dancing is not that difficult, but I am happy because we have a talented team and excellent teachers. Even when we make mistakes they help us to succeed. I am very impatient to get done with the rehearsals and to head for the theatre for the performance"

Gabi Draguti was not even 11 years old when he came to the project.
He is the little guy whom Klaus had already mentionned earlier in the blog, and whose parents had insisted for weeks to have him participate in the project and had asked to put him on the waiting list. When we called them to say that a participant had not shown up, they booked Gaby for a coach headinf for Bucharest at 5 o clock the next morning, without even knowing any of us or who would pick him up at the station after his four hour trip. He arrived at 9.30 a.m. and was brought straight to the gym. Gaby had had ballet for 3 years. He stepped in, four days after the beginning of the training, and adapted instantly, a charming little guy, very talented and friendly.

Unfortunately, 2 weeks later, all of a sudden and with no apparent reason, his parents decided that he was not happy, turned up in Bucharest and took him home, depriving him of a unique experience which he seemed to enjoy thoroughly.....

We experienced the same thing on three occasions during the project. Happy children, but dominant and sceptical parents, afraid that their children mix up with others whom they do not consider as reaching the standards they wish for them.
Their decision, but sad for the kids.........

some more comments from our artists

2009-10-16T11:36:00.000-07:00

The dream of a prince, of the Firebird prince......

"Ar fi un vis, care as dori sa-l implinesc
Si iata s-a implinit…..
Ar fi un vis ceea ce ne dorim?
Dar asta nu putem sa stim.
Ar fi un vis ceea ce ni se intampla?
Ar fi un vis ceea ce ne comunica ?
Ar fi…….
Ar fi un vis, cu care sa nu ne impacam
Ar fi un vis, cu care sa nu ne certam
Ar fi…….
Ar fi un vis o realitate sau un adevar ?
O realitate,un adevar......
O dorinta sau o credinta?
Ar fi........un vis........
Un vis,pe care il dorim
Cu totii impreuna sa-l traim
Clipa cu clipa as dori,
Sa simt ceea ce n-am simtit.
O familie unita intr-un vis…..
Dar....un vis e ca o floare
O floare care invie si apoi moare...."

Cornel Cimpoieru (19)

.....and the dream of his princess: the Firebird

" A few days before going to Bucharest, I wanted to renounce to the project; but then I thought: now that I have entered the game, I must play it till the end...At first I found it hard to renounce something good, but I have found something much much better! I first shed tears of sadness and now they are tears of happiness!

I am living a dream....or could it be reality?"

"Inainte cu cateva zile sa ajung in Bucuresti,am vrut sa renunt la acest proiect,dar am zis,ca,daca am intrat in joc,trebuie sa ajung pana la final…..uite, ca acum sunt aici si sunt foarte fericita….totul e perfect!

Am renuntat la un bine cu inima in dinti si am ajuns la un bine mult,mult mai mare!
........la inceput au fost lacrimi de tristete,iar acum sunt lacrimi de fericire!

Traiesc un vis!
Oare chiar e realitate ?"

17.08.2009
Ana Maria Veres (18)

,,Parerea mea,,

,,Pasarea de foc,,este primul dans comunitar din Romania, care ne-a fascinat pe toti, ne-a facut sa ne exprimam trairile asa cum sunt de fapt fara nici un fel de masca. Eu am invatat foarte multe lucruri din aceasta experienta. Nu am avut nici un fel de emotii la spectacol, pentru ca am avut incredere in echipa cu care am lucrat si stiam ca totul o sa iasa bine.
Nu pot uita aceasta experienta, pentru ca a fost una dintre cele mai frumoase momente din viata mea.

VA IUBESC!,,

Adela (17)

" I don´t know how, but this morning I woke up on the stage, in front of hundreds of people. I think it is going to be a great evening and I don´t know where the last month of preparation has flown.

When the music inundates your ears and you are dazzled by the lights, you enter in a kind of trance. It is bound to be good because in dance, soul and body literally melt together in an emotion from which energy is flowing."

Nu stiu,cum m-am trezit azi pe scena,in fata a sute de oameni.Se pare ca va fi o ."seara mare si nici macar nu stiu pe unde a zburat o luna de pregatiri.
Cand muzica ne inunda urechile si luminile te orbesc,e un fel de transa in care intri.Trebuie sa iasa bine, caci in dans sufletul si trupul se contopesc cu adevarat,in emotia care curge in energie.

Christina (18)

Dear reader,

"I am very happy to dance along your side. I would like to encourage you to dance. Nobody was ever born "learned". It is like in daily life: every day, we learn something new and this is also true for dance, you can learn it quite quickly, even if at the beginning I found it quite difficult. To succeed, you need will and patience.

There is a saying I like: Learn everything, learn as much as you can, so that you can make your way through life.

We will be a team until the end and I am csure we´ll succeed!!!"

Boldijar Gheorghe(18)

You remember Bogdan?

2009-10-14T12:19:00.000-07:00

How could one ever forget him! Bogdan was probably the best volunteer of our team because he had not come as such and therefore we had not expected him to become one. Bogdan studies film production together with Tedy and joined the Firebird project as part of his team to document it. Like Tedy, he chose to stay with the kids at the Neghinita centre for the entire period of the project and took part in their daily - and "nightly" life. Very mature and responsible although only nineteen, with a great sense of humour and a heart at the right place......

He was one of the first "visitors" of the diary. Here are his impressions in Romanian, for the "artists" to understand them, but they deserve to be translated in English as well because Bogdan, like many other volunteers and helpers of the project, is a worthy representative of a Romania which few people know.

" Buna seara cititorule.

Scriu aceste randuri dintr-un loc extraordinar.Este o casa de copii,dar acest lucru nu conteaza. Sper sa poti, prin intermediul acestor cuvinte, sa simti bucuria si entuziasmul, pe care eu le-am experimentat inca din prima zi.
Acum cateva luni habar nu aveam in ce ma bag. As vrea sa iti imaginezi cea mai delicioasa tocanita, pe care ai mancat-o,ceva de genul acesta este aici, o tocanita de povesti. Fiecare copil are povestea lui inscrisa pe chip, nu o auzi din gura lui, ci o astepti pe fata. Acum,din punctul meu de vedere,fiecare se afla in fata unei noi povesti,o poveste incredibila, ce poarta numele ,,Pasarea de foc...
Mi s-a dat oportunitatea de a vedea cea mai incredibila alchimie din viata mea. Am urmarit incet, incet, cum povestea fiecaruia se scrie cu cuvinte de aur.
Cei ce nu cred in magie ar trebui sa vada personajele acestei povesti, fiecare cu greutatile lui, toate acum, prin puterea dansului,transformandu-se in aur." Bogdan

"Good evening, dear reader,

I am writing these lines from an extraordinary place. It is a children´s home, but this is unimportant. I hope that, through the intermediary of these words, I can make you feel the enthusiasm and the joy which I have experienced here from the very first day.

A few months back, I had no idea what I was getting into. Try to imagine the best "tocanita" (Romanian version of goulash) you have ever eaten. Well here, it is something similar: a gloulash of destinies. Each child has his own story written on his face. You do not hear it from him, but you read it from him. And at this moment, in my opinion, each of them is writing a new story, an incredible tale called "Pasarea de foc"...
I was given the chance to witness the most incredible alchemy I have ever seen in my life. I am witnessing how, step by step, the tale of each of them is being written in golden words.

Those who do not believe in Magic should see the characters of this tale, whose burden of lead, through the power of dance, is transforming itself into gold.

11.08.09
Bogdan Benea

First and last picture of the "Firebird" family!

2009-10-14T12:09:00.000-07:00

You can see Julia´s (Barbara´s friend) wonderful pictures about the project on the following website:http://pasareadefoc.jimdo.com/
The password to enter the site is: pasarea. I will put more pictures on the site in the next days.
Have fun!

Our artists´voices......in silence!

2009-10-11T19:27:00.000-07:00

All along the project, our young artists, as well as educators and volunteers, could write down their impressions on a note book at the rehearsal place or at our Bucharest home "Neghinita". I wish I had time to translate them all so that not only the kids can read what their friends have written and felt about the project, but also our readers from Germany and abroad. I promise to try and find the time to translate at least some extracts in the near future.

"It is a nice day, in which we want to enjoy being together as a group. I hope that we will have new energy on Monday after a nice and relaxing weekend, and that, surmounting minor problems, we will be able to accept each person as she is, and learn to see the beauty of each one.
For my part, I receive energy from each member of the group"
Anonymous

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Maria, I am from Codlea. I would like to thank Monique and Alexandra for organzing the Firebird, the first project of that kind and already a success. I had met lots of children from homes before, but not as nice ones. What we look like and how we think does not count as much as our heart. That you have everything does not mean that you have more qualities than someone who is poor but helps others who are like him.

I never thought we could give the best out of us. Dance has taught us what it means to work hard to reach what you really want. It has changed us a lot, especially our behaviour. We have gained self confidence. By dancing in front of such a large public, we have proved that we are capable, we have achieved that the publc be proud of us instead of rejecting us because we are from a children´s home and therefore naughts. We are not any different that anybody else and we also have our qualities.
With thanks and respect,"
Monica (17)

"Desi este a doua saptamina mi-am facut prieteni si am avut ocasia sa descoper cea mai incredibila parte din mine..."
Dorina (12)

"How to start, when there would be so much to say about this project, the best I have ever participated in. I became aware that, with efforts and determination, you can achieve whatever you want. It also taught me that, however different we are, we are all alike.
I fear the moment when we will depart from one another. I think I will talk about this project all my life and have the same strong feelings about it as now!"
Roxana (17)

"Dear diary,
"I am happy to get to know you and be able to tell you a few things about myself. To be honest, this project seemed extremely complicated to me at first, during the first days of work, until I realized that precisely work and concentration strengthen my personality and give me power. Whenever I succeed, I feel fulfilled. I could tell you a lot more about myself, but it is quite late now and I am exhausted....." Tonto(17)

"Good evening, diary,
"In the last few days, I felt much more concentrated. I am putting all my heart in this project to gather more experience for myself and have a better vision of the world, different from the one I had up to now.
I am happy with my new friends and friends who are "class-bests". I did not expect this project to involve so many emotions. It has changed my behaviour quite a bit. I started to feel the femininity inside me. This week, I have been asking myself what will happen when I leave this place, when it is all over, what will I do? How will I feel a week, a month after the Firebird has come to its end? It is hard to depart from such an experience. I asked myself if I could go on with this project, whereever I go. I got to like it. Before, whenever I heard about dance (ballet and so on) I would stick out my tongue and shake my head. I hated it. But now, the wheel has rotated. Things are much better. I feel that something in us has changed.
It´s been nice to meet you . Nico(17)

Today, Josef is online, talking to each of you!

2009-10-05T06:08:00.000-07:00

"A new beginning.....

Now that time has gone by, and everybody is back on his own road in life, my thoughts often turn to the 5 weeks in Bucharest, which I really did enjoy a lot.

During the intensive training sessions, 5 days a week, mostly for 6 hours, I was given the chance to work with you wonderful young people and through you to get a glimpse of a totally different culture. When something finishes, there is always at the same time a new beginning. Some friends will stay for the rest of your life, others will never be seen again.

So the conclusion of one project and the beginning of the next mirror life, which always moves on and we have the challenge to use the experience as an engine to move forward. When one thing ends it is not a sad matter; it enables you to move on taking with you the experience and the knowledge it gave you, strengthened by it.

It was such a pleasure to see all of you constantly growing, trying hard and starting to share your gifts and talents. I always knew it would take time for you to understand the approach to dance, and how strange it would be, at the beginning, to work in such a focused and disciplined way. I love the work I do, being strongly convinced by the amazing impact it can have on our lives.

I appreciate how far you went, how deep you delved into this beautiful subject of dance and within yourselves. The performance you gave was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen in the field of community dance: there was something magic on stage: you were able to touch the audience with your dance.

Maybe, there is the question now, how can you bring this beauty, strength and movement into your daily lives? I always ask myself this question when I leave a place and it always throws me back to myself and to my own story. If you teach how to achieve a goal, you always have to ask yourself the same question. I really hope you keep going and never forget that you can achieve anything in life, if you go for it with the same amount of passion you gave the Firebird.

Wherever your life takes you, nothing seems to be more important than keeping self respect and respecting other people, trusting the beauty inside to stay with this part within you which wants be a creative, empathetic and proud human being.
In the end it is quite simple. It is all about being responsible for everything you do, every word you say and every movement you share with other people.

Never forget, each of you played your part in the Firebird, and with one missing, it would have been something different. So my heartfelt wish for all of you is that you keep following your dreams and the belief that nothing is impossible. But if you do that, you sometimes might have to go on a road, where you walk alone for quite a while. And maybe there also will appear forks in the road sometimes without signposts telling you in which direction to go. If you then listen to your inner voice, it will tell you.

Love to all,"

Josef

Warm thanks to all supporters and friends of the Firebird

2009-10-04T23:48:00.000-07:00

The ambitious‘Firebird’ project has drawn to a highly successful conclusion.

Your vision in supporting this project has been crucial to its implementation and success. We very much appreciate your concern and generosity, which has enabled long-term benefits for the many underprivileged youngsters, who were in our care.

They, through the experience of the “Firebird,” have now become, relatively speaking, the privileged ones. On their behalf, thank you so much.

The intensive training, every day for 6 hours over almost 6 weeks, brought together into one homogeneous whole, one hundred and ten young people, aged between 8 and 25, from Bucharest, Sibiu, Brasov and Ploiesti: 75% from underprivileged backgrounds, 8 with special needs, others -5 of them- deaf and therefore requiring sign language, and yet 15% from a “normal” family background. This time together enabled us to provide for those that needed it medical and dental treatment, clothing and 24 hour care and attention.

The team spirit, mutual respect, enthusiasm and desire to achieve that was created through the training sessions culminated in two stunning performances, one in the National Theatre in Bucharest on September 5th, the other ‘on tour’ in Sibiu, on September 8th. The ten minute standing ovation was in itself a wonderful reward and moved our young artists to tears - indeed the performance itself had moved the audience to tears. And all this was taken up by radio, television, and the press, both in Romania and abroad.

Individually the youngsters grew so tall over the six weeks, discovering - of course - their creative potential but also experiencing the value of self discipline, determination and focus that is required for the successful realisation of any dream.

Their new-found self confidence, sense of responsibility and ability to trust their fellow human beings will bring them personally life long benefits and, hopefully too, Romanian society at large. The process was more important than the performances – brilliant though they were.

The whole experience is unforgettable for all, for some life-changing. You, through your generosity, have initiated untold and long lasting changes. From the bottom of my heart, I wish to express my deep gratitude to you all.

Could I have wished a better birthday present today than the joy to be read on these 110 youngsters´faces?

Fighting with my incompetence!

2009-10-04T23:04:00.000-07:00

A week ago, I promised to post some more Photos on the blog. Since then I have been fighting to load them, unzip them or change their size. Unfortunately, I am not an expert .....I hope to get some help from a more talented cousin on Thurday and make a selection of the best shots of the performances by all our photographers, professionals AND amateurs. AT LAST!! one month after the show! So, do not despair.........

AND: Josef promised to send a message to our Firebird artists this week! He too oftens thinks with great pleasure of the busy and happy weeks spent together, sharing this fabulous adventure.

Young artists about he Firebird:

2009-10-03T23:44:00.000-07:00

Dan, age 22:
"I am a youngster from Bucharest, living on the street; participating in this project gives me the feeling that the Firebird´s tale is becoming reality..."

Ionel, age 17:
"This project means a lot to me because I do not have anybody; and here I have found a family, brothers and friends. It teaches me how to get prepared for this life. I am very proud of what I am doing and happy to have a role. I would appreciate if I could get some support to carry on this project. Many thanks to all those who have put so much effort in this project."

Irina age 18:
For me, the Firebird has been a wonderful and intersting project....I learned a lot, but sometimes I came home exhausted.
There were some moments of relaxation, but the choreographic part required constant concentration....it is wonderful that Josef managed to have so much patience with such a large group of kids and to be honest, I envy him a bit for that.....

Emilia age 17:

I very much wanted to participate in this project. So whne I heard that I was admitted, I could hardly believe it and was very excited and enthusiastic. When I arrived, I realized that I hardly knew anybody and the beginning was a bit hard.....This experience -although tiredness and concentration often attained a maximum - allowed me to meet some wonderful and generous persons who have oaught me a lot.
Josef is an excellent teacher whom I have learnt to admire for his patience and the patience he managed to transmit all those around him....

" I miss the Firebird..."

2009-09-24T09:52:00.000-07:00

There are two weeks since the firebird ended and still it's the only thing in my mind. I can't belive that i will never feel that energy again.
I miss everyone and i'm so sorry that i didn't notice earlier how wonderful the people around me were.
We all learned together to laugh, to support each other, to cry...and to love. I couldn't cry after the first show, I couldn't cry when everyone went home...but i cry now when i realize it's over.
I miss all the people I danced with, the choreographers and all those who were there to support us.

This project wasn't only about dance, it was about the relationship between people too. You werw successful in creating a big loving family.

Love to everyone,

Silviana Stinghie

Want to see the Firebird Family? Viv "shot" them all!

2009-09-24T08:42:00.000-07:00

click here: Firebird cast and team

thanks to all our photographers!

2009-09-24T08:25:00.000-07:00

All along the project, not only dancers had the opportunity of showing their talent: professionals and amateurs did not miss any occasion to make a good shot:

Whether at training, in free time or during performances, Alisa Tarciniu and Daniel Angelescu spent hours on end with us, following our young "artists´"progress and rejoicing with them. They very soon became part of the team; Alisa even travelled with the kids to Sibiu and stayed with them at their summer camp. They "presented" us, in all meanings of the word, with hundreds of magnificent and original photos! We are very grateful for these unique memories and hope to be better clients sometime soon.......

We also want to thank Jürgen Gayder who kindly put his beautiful pyramide at our disposition and Bettina Stoess as well as Sabina Biesterfelod for selling us their artistic pictures;

Congratulations also to all our amateur photographers Viv Trinder, Klaus Gruber, Werner Diterich and Julia Birnbaum for their most original contributions. we want to try and put them all together on our Pasarea website (password:pasarea) in the coming days and weeks. If we succeed, we are sure you will have fun looking at them!

Monique

Tonight Royston is online!

2009-09-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

Dear 'Firebird' dancers,

It was a great pleasure to work with you all in Bucharest. I am sure you thought I was a hard taskmaster..always telling you that you could do more..but the performance proved I was right.

You were truly wonderful, and surprised, maybe even shocked, everyone who saw you in the National Theatre.

Your energy and commitment on stage made everything worthwhile and left me with a memory that I will treasure for a long time..as well as a very positive image of young Romanians.

Do not forget what you acheived..continue to respect yourself and others and take the experience with you into your future lives. i hope that this will not be the last opportunity you will have to perform and dance and we are all looking forward to further visits if it is at all possible.

Be strong, value yourselves, and work hard to attain your dreams..in the end you will succeed by your own efforts.
much love to you all,

Royston

Cand se lasa cortina

2009-09-22T14:26:00.000-07:00

Cand dupa o luna de stat impreuna, urmeaza ultimul spectacol dupa care… fiecare la treaba lui. Deja nu prea te mai gandesti cum o sa fie ultimul spectacol, cu toate ca trebuie sa fie excelent.Te gandesti ca aia 100 de insi care ti-au fost ca fratii o luna, de maine nu mai sunt langa tine. Eu asta am simtit si majoritatea artistilor dansatori din Pasarea de Foc, cand eram la Sibiu.

Nu conta ca Josef (coregraful) urla ca nebunu, nici ca sala din Casa de Cultura din Sibiu e nici pe sfert ca cea din TNB.
Parca ne parea rau de ultimul spectacol. Dar a fost si a fost super. Aplauze ca la Bucuresti, presa, prieteni… doua telefoane furate.

Cu ce-am ramas… fiecare cu o pasare de foc care s-a trezit in el. Care ii arata ceva si il face sa nu uite momentul cand pasea pe scena. Si momentele cand se pregatea timp de o luna sa faca acei pasi pe scena.
Personal…. am ramas cu 50 de casete care tin in ele pasari de foc. Multe si puternicxe din care voi creea una maaaaaaare. Pasarea de Foc – filmul. Pe 5 decembrie va avea lansarea! Dar pe langa casete am ramas cu acelasi sentiment ca si artistii dansatori. acela de putere prin simplitate, prin comuniune.

Acum 4 luni de zile cand scriam conceptul pentru pachetul video Pasarea de foc, scriam “vom arata ca fiecare are in el o pasare de foc care se trezeste cand comunicam, suntm fericiti, suntem uniti, lucram in echipa”. Nu eram foarte sigur cum o sa arat asta. Totul s-a aratat de la sine. Din prima zi cand i-am luat impreuna cu echipa mea (Vali si Bogdan) din Sibiu si Brasov, am simtit ceva intre ei. Era o raceala usor distanta si in acelasi timp o forta ce ii unea. Majoritatea erau din case de copii. Se simtea spiritul independent, mai comunicativ sau mai individualizat, caracteristic… Dar aveau in ei oul Pasarii de Foc. Nu stiau la ce sa se astepte, umblau fel si fel de zvonuri, era un haos tacut dar unul care tinea in el ceva foarte promitator.

Primele zile au fost de acomodare… Prindeau aripi… se coceau. Contactul cu Josef… ceva nou. Nu erau obisnuiti, nu erau linistiti, obisnuiti in continua miscare… Primele ganduri erau de renuntare, neincredere… Vreau acasa! Nu imi place aici! Mai bine stateam acasa.

Dar am ramas aici toti si am creeat.

Chiar si pentru mine si echipa mea a fost greu la inceput. prima saptamana a fost de razboi cu coregrafii. Am filmat cu lentile fixe si asa ca Vali (Mircea Valentin-operatorul) se baga destul de des printre copii sa surprinda xpresii, chipuri, mimici la prim plan. In fiecare seara eram chemat la rulota (Josef este foarte legat de natura si de energia care i-o transmite aceasta si asa ca locuieste doar in rulota) si omorat la cap ca “copii sunt atenti mai mult la camera, se inhiba etc”. Am rezolvat-o si pe asta si totul a fost ok.

Evoluam. Strans legati. Monique (initiatoarea proiectului), Klaus (nepotul ei-voluntar), Mihaela (tot voluntar), Alexandra si Ada (impreuna cu ajutoarele lor) de la If Magic munceau din greu ca totul sa mearga snur. Si asa a mers.
Serile erau lungi. Eu montam bucatele din ce filmam ziua. Adusesem tot echipamentul de acasa, la Neghinita, unde stateam.Era singurul punct cu o tzar’de internet. Din “Studioul 3″ cum ii pusesem numele camerei unde tineam sculele, a devenit internet cafe. Oricum super tare, o tabara de creatie cu adevarat.

In weekend ne relaxam. multi erau mari amatori de cluburi, altii de hip hop, motiv pentru care i-am dus la Avangard Miuzic sa tragem o piesa intr-un studio profi, Le multumesc baietilor ca ne-au ajutat.

Apoi am mai fost cu ei la Radio Lynx in studio sa inregistram spotul radio. Multam lui Mircea si lui Alex pentru ajutor.
Binenteles ca a fost si colapsul cu foarte multi accidentati dar care pana la spectacol s-au reabilitat…

Contactul cu scena din TNB… pentru unii era prima oara cand paseau intr-un teatru… si acela era TNB… si aceia erau primi pasi DIRECT PE SCENA! Cred ca toti actorii care viseaza la TNB i-ar invidia putin pe artistii nostri. O sansa mare pentru toti.
Se plimbau prin cabine, pe coridoare, ca al ei acasa fara stres, asta mi s-a parut genial… spre usoara disperare a staff-ului tehnic de la TNB.

La spectacol… sala arhiplina, emotii dincolo de cortina. Coregrafii pozitionati bine aveau o tensiune interiaora maaaaare. Eu mi-am dublat echipa de filmare aducandu-i pe George Guy si Cipi cu inca 3 camere ca sa fie treaba treaba.
Spectacolul extraordinar, sute de aplauze pe minute lungi. Iesea lumea in lacrimi din teatru, Aprecierile au fost pe masura.
Pasarea ajunsese la maturitate. Caseele nu imi mai ajungeau sa pot arata cat de colorata si mare e acum!

Multumesc foarte mult echipei mele, lui Vali si lui Bogdan Benea (pe care l-am luat pentru sunet dar a fost un best boy asa adica facea de toate motiv pentru care i-am dat porecla Boncea) Fara voi nu reuseam sa fac filmul asta sunt convins! M-ati suportat inca odata la cel mai mare proiect al nostru de pana acum. Ma bucur ca se largeste echipa, cu oameni buni.

Multumesc lui Cipi si lui Popica (second unit production) ca au fost langa noi si langa copii si ca Cipi …. a facut ….. aaaaaa…….. da asta scriu in alt post

Multumesc si lui Monique si Alexandrei ca au avut incredere in noi si in pretentiile mele si tot ce am cerut de la ele.

Multumesc copiilor si fetelor care mi-au ridicat moralu asistandu-ma in munca mea….. nu serios!

A fost o luna de vis, O mai vreau, mi-e dor de ea si de cei cu care am stat atata timp.
Acum ma apuc de montat filmul. Pana cu pana asa cum si ei au inceput coregrafia. Ii am pe toti in gand si deja ma pregatesc sa ii revizitez.

In Decembrie, Pasarea de Foc – filmul!

September 15, 2009

Tedy Necula

Comments
One Comment on Cand se lasa cortina

Nia on Sat, 19th Sep 2009 2:38 pm

Absolut superb articolul…Si mie mi-e foarte dor.:-<

Dragi nepoti, Bunica nu va uita!

2009-09-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

Alalta ieri m-am intors din Romania, cu cap plin de musica lui Strawinskij si de fate frumoase si zimbitoare.........

Am ajuns acasa dupa noua saptamine foarte incarcate si cu atit de experiente si amintire cum ar fi trecut un an intreg.

Am ajuns acasa, dar de fapt, inca n-am ajuns. Ginduri mei se plimb mai departe prin Romania, zbor de la Bucuresti la Ploiesti, si din Brasov pana la Sibiu. Incerc sa me imagin ce s intempla in capele voastre de cand ne am despartit, cum va simtiti, cum a fost inceputul scoalei, sau intoarcere la loc de munca; dar intrebarile mele raman fara raspunsuri.

Daca va uitati la blogul acest, ati vazut ca Stefania a scris impresiele sale la sfirsitul proiectului. Vreau sa stiti ca toti sinteti invitati sa imi scrieti ginduri vostri, si daca vreti, le pot pune la blog sa le impartiti cu celalti. Si poate gasim o solutia pe internet care va permita sa comunicati intre voi. Eu nu me princep bine cu computer, dar poate voi aveti o idea cum am putea sa facem?

Cand am ajuns acasa, am gasit doue vedere postale provenand din prietene ale mele. Ele vreau sa imi doresc si sa VA doresc toate cele bune pentru proiectul inainte sa plec din Germania, dar au ajuns dupa departire meu spre Bucuresti. Amindoue vederele exprim intrun fel acelas gand, un gand care poate nu am stiut sa-l exprim atit de bine, dar foarte asemenator la gand care m-inspirat sa initiez proiectul "vostru", proiectul: "pasarea de foc".

"O calatorie de o mi de kilometri incepe cu UN pas."

Acest primul pas, voi, TOTI, l-ati facut. A fost proiectul pe care l ati facut in aceasta vara. Ati avut curajul chiar daca nu ati stiut de ce e vorba, cine vor fi "celalti" dansatori, ce vati dansa, cat de greu va fi. Ati avut perserveranta, rabdare, toleranta, incredere necesari pentru a merge pana la capat. Ati luptat, transpirat, plins, jurat, cipat, patit, dar ati mers inainte, si mai ales ati reusit.
Si CUM ati reusit : sale arhipline, la teatrul national din Bucuresti ca si la casa de cultura a sindicatelor din Sibiu. Ati reusit sa impresionati publicul, si sa l emotionati, ati reusit sa iesi spectatori plingand din spectacol. Chiar Domnul Caramitru, Director Teatrului National m-a sunat ziua urmatorul si m- a spus ca niciodata n-au iesit atit de lumea plingand din teatrul seu.

Dar stiti si voi de ce ati fost convingatori si de ce spectacolul a fost un mare succes. Si poate uni din voi pot sa imi scriu si sa ma l-explic.

Va doresc sa aveti curaj, si in calatoria voastra de viata, chiar daca drum poate sa va para uneori greu, chiar daca se prezinta ceva nou, chiar daca va pare imposibil.
Dar si sunt convinsa ca VATI avea curaj. Pentru ca de acum stiti ca NIMIC nu este imposibil.

Inainte sa inceapa proiectul, am vrut sa va arat filmul cu Pasarea de foc facut acum doi ani cu copii din Germania. Dar Josef nu a vrut. La inceputul, n-am inteles de ce, dar mai tirziu am inteles. Sunt convinsa ca, daca l-ati fi vazut, ati fi spus ca nu puteti, ca este imposibil. Ati fi spus ca nu stiti sa dansati, ca nu aveti ritmul, ca va vati incurca, obosi, plictisi....

Acum stiti ca puteti, si eu stiu ca puteti TOT ce adevarat vreti in viata voastra. Doar trebuie sa vreti ADEVARAT, cu toata inima, si atunci, puterea si energia va vor da aripe. Si atunci, vati fi surprinsi din posibilitatele ne asteptate pe care le aveti.

Asa ca nu ezitati: orice incepeti, faceti primul pas, este cel mai greu. Celalti vor urmari.

Sa stiti ca si mie a trebui curaj pentru a incepe cu Pasarea de Foc. Doar dragoste pentru tineri romani si incredere in voi au facut sa merg mai departe chiar daca a fost crisa financiara, si sa nu ma dau batuta.
Sa nu va uitati niciodata de minuna pe cara l-ati facuta in vara asta.
Sa va cresc aripe si sa va trag acolo unde alegeti voi sa zborati, egal cat departe este, si cat vint este. Acum stiu ca puteti, si sunt sigura ca stiti si voi!

Si asta e a doila vedere. Poate imi spuneti voi ce va duce aminte cand o priviti.........eu ved multi lucruri care ma amintesc de proiectul nostru. Textul spune: "daca un interprindere va reusi, nu poti sa sti daca doar te gandesti la el, ci doar daca incerci sa-l faci!"

Astept ganduri vostri (sau ca comentar aici, sau prin e mail: wm.gruber€gmail.com) si poate intro zi va spun ganduri mei.

Cu mare drag

Bunica Monica

Multumire tuturor....

2009-09-21T05:14:00.000-07:00

Stimata si draga doamnă Monique Gruber,

Cuvintele sunt prea sărace pentru a cuprinde realitatea pe care ne-aţi prezentat-o în seara zilei de 05. 09.2009, în sala Teatrului Naţional. Nici nu ştiu cu ce să încep:

- cu selecţia tinerilor din grupurile vulnerabile;

- cu echipa de maeştri coregrafi care s-au ocupat de coregrafie;

- cu cei care s-au ocupat cu organizarea şi finanţara acestui proiect;

- cu cei care au avut ideea de dans comunitar european, coordonaţi de dumneavoastră;

- cu tinerii care au fost disciplinaţi într-o primă etapă;

- cu „lupta” cu inerţia şi cu reprezentanţii conservatorismului din România care mascând incompetenţa, lenea, neputinţa şi necunoaşterea afirmă, ori de câte ori au ocazia, că aceşti tineri nu-s în stare de nimic, sau că nu se poate face ceva cu ei. IATĂ CĂ SE POATE !!!!!.

- cu efortul vostru care prin perseverenţă aţi demonstrat că se poate realiza imposibilul;

- cu educarea acestor tineri, educare ce a cuprins: înţelegerea conţinutului baletului, înţelegerea muzicii, conştientizarea relaţiei muzică, mişcare şi text

Toate acestea au contribuit la redarea pe scenă a unui fragment din viaţa acestor tineri care, din păcate, nu au mai des prilejul să dovedească acest lucru.

Mulţumim pentru cuvintele de apreciere pentru ţara noastră şi cred că toţi spectatorii au fost emoţionaţi când aţi afirmat(TOTAL DEZINTERESATĂ) că iubiţi România !!!!!!

În nume personal şi cred că sunt în asentimentul multor oameni specialişti în acest domeniu, vă mulţumim că aţi readus în prim plan viaţa socială a acestor copii şi tineri şi ne-aţi oferit un exemplu pe care trebuie, neaparat, să-l urmăm.

Vă rog să transmiteţi domnului Gruber mulţumiri pentru faptul că vă susţine în tot ce faceţi, că este prezent la activităţile pe care le intreprindeţi.

Cu mii de mulţumiri şi cu prietenie constantă, vă salută

familia Margareta şi Mircea VLAD

Indeed, the Firebird lives on...So remain posted!

2009-09-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

In the coming weeks, we will post reactions and commentaries from the young artists, more stunning pictures of the performances in Bucharest and Sibiu by Daniel Angelescu and Alisa Tarciniu, news about the "making of" and the DVD of the performance to appear on the market around Christmas, and also links to press reports about the Firebird.

To start with, you can check:

Boris Michael Gruhl

Thomas Wagner

Breandain O Shea

Medana Weident

Monique

The Firebird lives on

2009-09-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

The project may be over, but I take away the flame lit by what I have learnt here. It is my hope and feeling that many others share the warmth of the fire. It was such a privilege to be part of 'Pasarea de Foc'.

Viv

Monique and Wilfried

2009-09-16T06:56:00.000-07:00

The glamour of the performance is one thing but behind the scenes there have been so many acts of generosity towards the performers - the provision of medical and dental care, clothing, food and drink, and attention 24 hours a day - which have not been fully acknowledged. Our society has debased many things, one of them being the English language. Words such as 'wonderful', 'brilliant', 'exceptional', are freely used for the average, poor or mediocre. I would describe the concept of the 'Firebird' project, and its execution, which was made possible by so many sponsors and volunteers, as the finest act of human concern and kindness I have witnessed. We have all come away from it 'bigger' people.

Fred

We are the Firebird Family

2009-09-14T13:22:00.000-07:00

We mustn't let the fire of the Firebird go out. As Monique Gruber wrote earlier in this blog 90 percent of the necessary funds to stage Firebird were raised with the generous support of sponsors and donors.

However, among pending expense, we still need help to complete an important part of the project - the documentary film that follows the journey of everyone involved in this magic experience.

Tedy and his film crew have worked tirelessly to capture every moment of this endeavour. We've all seen the high quality that they can produce - just look at the trailers!

Film making is an expensive process and every euro will help bring the Firebird film to the big screen and show people what our Romanian youngsters were able to accomplish and what many more Romanian youngsters could have a chance to experience in the near future.

On tour

2009-09-10T23:57:00.000-07:00

The logistics of taking a company of 130 'copii' on tour to Sibiu are complex....to say the least. Travelling by 2 coaches, a minibus, some by car and yet others by bus, after some 6 hours journey time, we went straight to the theatre on arrival for a rehearsal. A spacing rehearsal had to be completed for Pete to complete his lighting plan. Crestfallen to see the smaller stage and all the further work that would entail, the cast became restless and more stroppy than ever before. For me it was the worst day of the entire project.

However, the next day, was another story. Everyone had decided to pull together to make the show the best ever. And so it was.

Beautiful, spectacular and energetic for sure, but, most of all, memorable for the way the youngsters worked together. Marian, our young star, was feeling sick as he was about to go on stage and unable to do so. Lucian immediately stepped into his role without being asked. Our Firebird, herself feeling somewhat unwell, swept up this bigger boy in her arms, without any sign of noticing the change. The oranges, which did not roll to the side of the stage as anticipated, were retrieved by the professional reaction of one of the performers, who came on stage acting his part. I know the audience was unaware of any problems. The performers were fully involved in the performance and wanting only to help each other. For me that was the success of the entire project.

Viv

The Premiere

2009-09-10T23:55:00.000-07:00

The pace hots up as we transfer to the Teatru Nationale in Bucharest. Tension as deadlines with costumes, with spacing on stage, with lighting, props and last minute adjustments, are met - just. The rehearsal space in the sports hall had been measured out in such a way that the youngsters adapted easily to the move. However, they were really impressed by this imposing theatre and somewhat daunted by the realisation that Pasarea de Foc would actually happen here in front of 1200 spectators.

For most this was to be their first visit to a theatre and they were coming not as spectators but as performers. Professsional artists. With their own dressing rooms - where so many famous Romanian actors had prepared before them. Heavy curtains changing the acoustics. Brilliant lighting effects that created a new, magical atmosphere. Pete heading a large team had worked so hard to make it happen. Special effects creating smoke and yet another mood. The youngsters' acting role enhanced and facilitated by these additions.

To calm the nerves familiar exercises. Breathing. Stretching movements. Alone. Standing tall. And the inspirational exercise to end - all walking slowly in whatever direction, focusing on making brief eye contact with fellow artists as they passed each other, all to the now tear-jerking music of Amazing Grace. A final winding down and an exhortation to prepare mentally in the remaining minutes to give the best performance.

A carefully crafted preparation for the performance of a lifetime.

And that is what they gave. An awesome, energetic, joyful tour de force, that left the audience amazed at the professionalism of the performance per se and especially given the social composition of the group. Many were left speechless, many were in tears.

The Director of the Teatru Nationale for 8 years, former Minister of Culture, himself a great actor, said he had never witnessed so many people leaving the theatre in tears and in silence after a performance; as for Horai Andreescu, Conductor of the Bucharest Radio Orchestra, he said he could not believe the main actors were not professionals; Royston and Josef told the cast it was the best performance yet and that they had made the piece their own by improvising professionally to cover unexpected glitches. That they had worked together as one team.

And wasn't that the original objective of the whole project?

Viv

Despartirea este cea mai grea

2009-09-10T16:01:00.000-07:00

Dupa ultima repetitie Josef ne-a spus sa ne uitam adanc in ochii celor cu care am lucrat in aceste 5-6 saptamani. In momentul acela nu am luat acest lucru in serios. Unii da,si au inceput sa planga in hohote.Eu am inteles de abia cand a venit momentul despartirii ce vroia Josef sa spuna.Atunci cand colegii mei au coborat din autocar la Ploiesti,o parte din mine a murit. M-a sfasiat ingrozitor acel moment.Chiar si acum cand scriu acest post imi curg lacrimi pe obraji. Despartirea de cei care mi-au fost familie pentru 6 saptamani a fost cel mai greu lucru din tot acest proiect.Nu cele 6 ore de antrenament pe zi,nu nenumaratele repetitii,nu frigul indurat in noptile petrecute la Sibiu,nu drumul obositor Bucuresti- Sibiu. Toate aceste lucru pier in fata despartirii de ei..Ii iubesc sincer..Pe toti..Toti simtim asta. Am fost un grup foarte omogen si ne-am inteles foarte bine si vom tine legatura.Chiar am vorbit aseara cu cei din Bucuresti sa mergem la cei din Ploiesti pentru ca tinem foarte mult unii la altii.Niciodata nu m-am atasat atat de mult de cineva.

Tot acest proiect a fost o experienta incredibila si sper sa aibe continuitate.Schimba complet vietile celor implicati,insa cred ca schimba si mentalitatile celor care ne privesc spectacolele.

In urma celor doua reprezentatii de la Bucuresti si Sibiu,spectatorii au iesit plangand din sala. Inseamna ca proiectul si-a atins scopul si ca a atins sufletele spectatorilor.

A fost o experienta foarte emotionanta si sunt foarte fericita ca am fost printre artisti.

Stefania Ciuca

Change

2009-09-09T23:39:00.000-07:00

"How did the kids change?"

Diese Frage wurde mir wiederholt in Interviews gestellt. Ich habe regelmäßig gesagt, soo sehr haben sie sich gar nicht verändert.

An dieser Stelle möchte ich mich ein wenig korrigieren.

Es ist richtig, daß wir zu Beginn des Projektes eine heterogene Gruppe mit "ganz normal unterschiedlichen" Jugendlichen angetroffen haben, die alle in Ordnung waren. Das sind sie immer noch. Unterschiedlich und in Ordnung.

Aber es haben sich tiefe Freundschaften gebildet und wir sind deutlich näher zusammengerückt. Knapp sechs Wochen, every hour, every minute, every second...

Wie haben wir uns also verändert?

Ich glaube, durch das, was wir tun und lassen entscheiden wir dauernd, wer und was wir sind. So gesehen verändern wir uns durch Tun und Lassen dauernd.

Wir haben hier etwas ganz anders getan als normalerweise. So gesehen sind wir ein paar Schritte in eine neue Richtung gegangen. Und es hat uns (beinahe) allen sehr gut gefallen.

Bleiben wir doch in dieser Richtung unterwegs!

Besonders gravierend ist, wie sehr wir uns vertrauen.

Vor dem Theater in Sibiu haben mich die Kinder in die Luft geworfen. Für den Bruchteil einer Sekunde hatte ich einen Schreck. Doch dann wußte ich: Die werden mich nie fallen lassen. Ich habe meine Flüge genossen.

Vertrauen fühlt sich sehr gut an!

Das haben die Jugendlichen auch erfahren.

Für viele schien es eine neue Erfahrung zu sein.

Old habits die hard! Alte Gewohnheiten wird man schlecht los!

Wir werden in den sechs Wochen nicht alle Gewohnheiten geändert haben. Aber es ist - wie gesagt - ein Richtungswechsel.

Hier fortzuschreiten liegt an uns allen. Haben wir Zuversicht und Vertrauen in diese Jugendlichen! Das zahlen sie uns zigfach zurück!

I am very, very proud on my youngsters here, it was a pleasure for me to work with them and an honor to be part of their progresses and success!!!

Multumesc forte mult!

Klaus

"Oh, wie ist das schön! Oh, wie ist das schön!

2009-09-09T22:50:00.000-07:00

So was hat die Welt noch nicht geseh'n, so schön, so schön..."

Die Aufführungen in Bukarest und Sibiu waren phantastisch!

Aber der Reihe nach; ich kam ja schon eine Weile nicht mehr zum Berichten...

In der Woche vor der Aufführung in Bukarest kam Royston. Er traf auf eine "dance company", die von Josef ausgezeichnet vorbereitet worden war. Beeindruckt hat er uns alle mit der Klarheit seiner Vorstellung davon, wie es zu sein hat. Seine Analyse, was noch getan werden muß, um diese zu verwirklichen, ist vollkommen prägnant und präzise. Beides vermag er eindeutig und mitreißend zu vermitteln. So gibt er dem ganzen Projekt "auf der Zielgeraden" noch einmal einen enormen Schub.

Dann ist am vergangenen Samstag der Tag der Aufführung gekommen. Das Abschlußtraining hat es in sich. Josef fordert die Gruppe auf, die letzten Wochen Revue passieren zu lassen; jeder für sich; wem er dankbar ist; bei wem er sich evtl. entschuldigen sollte; warum er das ganze gemacht hat; frei im Raum sich bewegend - den Raum der anderen respektierend. -

Nach einigen Minuten schließen sich die Kinder alle zu einem großen Kreis zusammen. Sie halten sich an den Händen und die meisten weinen. - Was für ein emotionaler Moment!

Mein kleiner Freund Petrika etwa, der seine Sympathie in den gesamten Wochen zuvor durch Grobheit auszudrücken versuchte, schließt mich weinend in die Arme - und umarmt mich ganz SANFT!!! Unerhört bewegend!

Es folgt eine triumphale Aufführung, die mit wohl viertelstündigem stehendem Beifall honoriert wird.

Der Jubel der Youngster "backstage" anschließend ist gigantisch.

Anschließend gibt es eine etwas beschwerliche Reise nach Sibiu und zermürbende Trainingseinheiten auf der viel kleineren Bühne, an die das Stück angepaßt werden muß.

Die Kinder meistern alles mit Bravour!

Selbst als unser Hauptdarsteller Marian nicht auf die Bühne kann, weil er sich verbrannt hat, sich später noch übergeben muß, springen spontan "Vertreter" ein, und lassen das Publikum nichts merken. Spontan und selbständig lösen sie die Probleme.

Auch diese Aufführung ist ein großer Erfolg.

Danach geht es zur rauschenden Feier in einen Club.

"Oh, wie ist das schön! Oh, wie ist das schön!"

Klaus

This experience changed me completely!

2009-09-06T11:31:00.000-07:00

The past 5 weeks were absolutely amazing and I say this with all my heart. I met many friendly people and we became nearly best friends. It's true, there have been some arguments over these weeks, but in the show night we all helped each other to perform perfectly and to give to the audience the greatest show that they had ever seen.

After the show from Bucharest we all started to cry because we realized that the end was coming. We will never experience the feelings that we all felt during this project. Even thought we were rude at the beginning of the project, after a while we learned how to behave better and to focus on the instructions that Josef was giving to us.

I never felt more alive than in the night of the big show. I was full of energy and of passion. On stage, I felt like a celebrity. I was on the most important stage of Bucharest. That's a huge deal!

This experience changed me completely! I had great fun with the children. They all seemed to love me. I love them too :)

As a conclusion, The Firebird project will always have a special place in my heart and I will never forget this experience and the things that I learned during the past 5 weeks. Thank you for the most beautiful period of my life.

Stefania Ciuca

P.S.: I admire a lot Ms. Monique Gruber and Josef Eder and I wish them all the best.

Last rehearsals before the big performance

2009-09-04T03:14:00.000-07:00

It was meet the press time for the Firebird Team yesterday.

Royston talked about the difference a dance project such as Firebird can make in the lives of young people.

And here's a look at a few excerpts from the great Firebird film crew.

We're all very excited. Today is the first rehearsal in the theatre and everyone is curious to see how their costumes fit.

Dear Pete

2009-09-01T21:57:00.000-07:00

Despite irredeemable shortcomings as an Arsenal supporter, you are an angel. A gentleman, always courteous - an Englishman (and a Londoner) - you have great technical knowledge that has saved my bacon (as sound engineer!) more than once! Thank you.
Good humoured and calm, Pete is just lovely! Pete has been here for ten days to plan a tailor-made scheme for the lighting and sound. I look forward to seeing the effects.

Viv

The Maestro arrives

2009-09-01T13:29:00.000-07:00

Josef’s co-choreographer, the great Royston Maldoom, whose work I already knew from the DVD, ’Rhythm is it’ -and also from his live performance of the Rite of Spring, accompanied by the Berliner Philarmoniker conducted by Sir Simon Rattle in Berlin- worked today with the youngsters alongside Josef. Two great and complementary personalities with the same passion to create a memorable and professional show. This is to be no kids’ show, where the participants simply have fun but a spectacle that will excite and amaze.

Each and every one is to contribute to the whole by putting 100% energy into his role, by remembering his part in the story line, imagining the feelings and conveying them clearly to the audience through the face - especially the eyes - as well as the body’s movements.

Throughout the performance there is to be 100 % concentration and preparedness to move, whether on stage or not. The art of stagecraft.

Yes, the Firebird will be performed in just four days time. I don’t believe that fact has yet dawned on the young people! Only when they leave the familiar sports hall ‚theatre’ to rehearse in the main theatre in Bucharest will the penny really drop.

Viv

2009-08-31T08:36:00.001-07:00

" Life isn´t about waiting for the storm to pass, it´s about learning to dance in the rain....."

Today, it was pouring with rain in Bucharest as Royston entered the gym and saw the kids for the first time, but I am sure that none of them even took any notice of the weather. Their eyes and ears were concentrated on Royston´s welcome message for them.
Difficult for any of us to say anymore about the "quality" of today´s run through since it took place with just Royston, Josef and the 106 of them.
Only three more days to "clean" the piece before we are off to the National Theatre for the first rehearsal on a REAL stage! I wonder if they are starting to realize what it means to dance in such prestigious surroundings in front of 1200 spectators......

Monique

Arbeit, Arbeit, Arbeit...

2009-08-28T01:29:00.000-07:00

... das ist es, was die Jugendlichen mit Josef während der Trainings machen. Und das ist, was darum herum geschieht - und noch geschehen muß.

Ich erwähnte in den ersten Tagen des Projekts, wie viele Leute wie eifrig an dessen Gelingen mitwirken. Das ist in jeder Hinsicht so geblieben. Viele fleißige Hände und helle Köpfe, viele eiserne Nervenbahnen und einfühlsame Herzen sind hier tätig bei der Sache des Feuervogels.

Je größer die Herausforderungen werden, je näher die Aufführung rückt, desto näher rücken alle zusammen. Lobend hervorzuheben ist hier Viv, die gewissermaßen an allen Ecken und Enden als Bindeglied und Kit fungiert.

Exzellent auch immer wieder Josef, der im Moment mit seinem Freund, dem Geiger Florian, "amazing grace", "unsere Hymne", auf zwei Geigen intoniert hat. Die Jugendlichen lauschen gebannt der klassischen Musik, sind vollkommen aufmerksam und rücken ihrem Lehrer (und Florian) noch näher. - Sie applaudieren begeistert aus erster Hand der gleichermaßen kultivierten und kultivierenden Darbietung. Wieder ist etwas näher zusammengerückt ...

...und das ist nötig und wird nötig bleiben!

Viel ist noch zu tun, manche Herausforderung zu bewältigen, manches Problem zu lösen, viel Unterstützung und Zusammenarbeit ist noch nötig. Wir haben den Gipfel noch nicht erreicht, auch wenn wir auf einem sehr guten Weg sind. Untersützung jeder Art und von überall ist dringend erwünscht!

Gestern z.B. waren wir netter Weise zum Geburtstag eines "Trainingsgastes" eingeladen. Das war eine tolle kurze Abwechslung. Vielen Dank!

Heute sind wir wieder "gestärkt" bei der Sache. Etwas richtig Gutes gelingt eben nur durch Arbeit, Arbeit, ZUSAMMENARBEIT.

Klaus

Yes, we can

2009-08-28T00:42:00.000-07:00

Yes we can.
The production of the Firebird will be brilliant. I know that. We started with talented youngsters but the process has taught them focus. It is unbelievable to watch the group training. Those who seemed three weeks ago to have the concentration span of a gnat are now able to give their undivided attention and stand alone. I am glad for them for the future. They will all remember the production of the Firebird, but it is the very process here, which will stand them in good stead for life.

It has not happened by chance. The training has been cleverly conceived to develop such inner strength. But clearly it is not just the training. Only a person with a strong personality could achieve it. Josef has a rare talent to communicate with people, to bring together into one homogeneous group the most unlikely combination of people. To give them all confidence in themselves and the strength to give their very best, to ignore difference in others, to choose a partner without prejudice. Josef is someone for whom each and every young person has enormous respect. A brilliant dancer himself, he teaches dance so well and stretches these “difficult kids”. He gives generously of his energies and is totally wholehearted. It is not always the case that someone who has a skill can transmit it to others. Josef can.

And at the root of it all, Monique’s input, unquantifiable. Unquantifiable on a day-to-day practical basis. Endless time and energy over a long period of preparation. Such generosity. A deep empathy and understanding of the needs of other people generally and specifically of young people whatever their difficulties. A conviction and belief in these youngsters to know they would respond to the project and a courageous determination to make it happen. How grateful we are that she is the strong person she is. Her young people just love her. We all do.

Viv

Just Fire

2009-08-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

When Royston asked me to co-choreograph the Firebird at the Stadttheater in Saarbrücken with him in March 2007, I did not have to think a single second. Although we had worked together already for more than 2 years in several projects, this was our first common Choreography. These years were a wonderful opportunity to learn through being Maldoom’s assistant to discover a different way of approaching dance. Even though my experience as a dancer, choreographer and workshop leader was already more than 15 years, Royston offered me the chance to learn so many new details about working in the dance field, especially with young people. I never did so much before. For the big honour of having the possibility to work with all those beautiful and talented young dancers here in Bucharest, I want to pay tribute to Royston who has given me such great trust, respect and support.

The Firebird can take place because Royston has done community dance for more than 30 years all over the planet as a pioneer, as a man with a deep vision inside himself and as an extremely political and responsible artist. In Saarbrücken I could of course not know that I would in 2009 be here, redoing our piece, 'the Firebird' with a hundred young people from all over Romania. And sometimes it feels like I get much more back than I am ever able to give to them. I am looking forward to Royston seeing the wonderful work the dancers are doing.

Doing so many projects, all are wonderful in one way or another. But I must say that such a mixed group is simply a huge pleasure; it shows me a beauty within human beings, just so hungry, going with me through so many challenges, open minded and being so hungry for something to achieve in their lives. It almost feels like coming home to that part within myself, who always wanted to share the experience I was able to receive in my mid twenties. After looking around for so many years to find something that I could fulfill in life, I was lucky to meet the great dancer and choreographer, James Saunders, in Cologne. From the first moment I longed to become a professional dancer and at the same time have the chance to share all this wonderful experience with other people later on in my life. But this is my own story.

After three weeks of working really hard on intensive training and choreography, I feel I do the right thing at the right moment, surrounded by a wonderful team. The focus often just goes to the leader of a project, forgetting all those without whom it would never be possible to do such a big production. There are so many who make it happen and who are already mentioned in the blog. All are working really hard as a supporting team, always being around, and not always having an easy life with the group. Thank you all so much for making it happen.

And there is Monique, the wonderful Monique - who went to Luxemburg in Autumn 2007 to convince us to come to Romania. Royston and I worked on his new piece “Exile”, by music from John Adams, called “Harmonielehre”. Monique enormous vision, strength and belief in our work surely is the basis that makes it all happen, right now. And Alexandra is just amazing too. How to thank them both?

Sitting now by a campfire in the countryside with time to think, rest and enjoy being away from the noise of the city. Stars lighting the sky, the moon creates an almost fairy tale atmosphere, crickets are filling the peaceful silence with their ongoing singing and my thoughts just fall into the flames, around the image of the fire itself. Looking at it night after night the last few weeks in the yard of the children’s home on concrete and on the weekends in the countryside, it becomes more than just a practical thing to cook on. It feels more like a metaphor of the piece’s name, showing that nothing stays the same, speaking about the many different fires within ourselves. Like the dancers, starting to feel the fire within them, the flames as an image, reaching for something, maybe for a new step in life, for a new challenge, for love, maybe for stillness or just a home.

Our present society tries to overcome a deep longing for speed, senseless noise and commercial useless stuff, which dampens hearts like a wet towel. My fire burns for the fire inside, for what we really want to achieve, where our dreams lead us, to a place where we can just be ourselves and share our gifts with others. And being here, I really do hope I am able to convey all this to these marvellous young people. So the fire we do have; now, lets see where the bird is off to…

Josef

Inspiration

2009-08-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

In den vergangenen Wochen, vor allem in der letzten, haben immer wieder Besucher die Arbeit des Feuervogel-Teams in Augenschein genommen. Das freut und ehrt uns am Rande ebenso wie die Jugendlichen. Diese haben eine ganz besondere Antenne für aufmerksame Zuschauer. Die Konzentration und die Qualität ihrer Arbeit werden spürbar inspiriert.

Für derartige Inspiration danken wir unseren Besuchern:

Ihrer königlichen Hoheit Elena und ihrem Gatten Alex Nixon, die den Jugendlichen gute Wünsche und Ratschläge mit auf den Weg gaben,
Herrn Werner Stein, der selber viel Erfahrung mit Jugendlichen hat und sein Staunen zum Ausdruck brachte,
Sandra Scarlat, von der Zeitung Adevarul, die bereits mehrere Tage bei den Proben verbracht hat, und vor der Premiere ausgiebig berichten und werben will,
Thomas Wagner, von Deutschland Radio, der extra aus Temeswar anreiste, um einen Tag mit den jungen Künstlern zu verbringen,
Horia Brenciu, berühmter Musiker und Fernsehstar, der mit grossem Applaus empfangen wurde,
Elena Vlad, Bildhauerin, die übrigens seit Beginn an des Projekts ein Motor und eine nicht versiegende Ideenquelle ist,
Stefania, aus dem Degenhauser Tal, 10 Km von Überlingen entfernt, die Josef am Wochenende in Viscri kennenlernte, und die nach ihrem Besuch in der Halle am liebsten ihren Rückflug storniert hätte,

Last but not least: Oana Davidescu, Cristina Serafim und Margareta Vlad, drei rührende rumänische Kolleginnen der Deutschen Botschaft, die seit dem Entstehen des Projekts dabei sind, in den Kulissen arbeiten, stets ihre Ohren spitzen, uns nötige Informationen liefern, nützliche Listen erstellen und bei jedem Hilferuf prompt reagieren.

Da muss doch kurz die Lösung unseres Fleisch-Problems in letzter Minute erwähnt werden:
Oana, die eine Woche Urlaub genommen hat, sitzt mit ihrer Schwester und ihrer Mutter Zuhause und trinkt Kaffee. Im Hintergrund läuft das Fernsehen. Plötzlich sagt ihre Mutter beim Anblick einer Fabrik auf dem Bildschirm: "So eine Fleischfabrik hat unser ehemaliger Nachbar und Freund, Herr Abigiu"...."aber doch nicht so groß" fragt Oana...."doch doch, so gross".
Oana springt von ihrem Stuhl hoch, greift zum Telefon und ruft mich gleich darauf begeistert an. Die Grosszügigkeit von Herrn und Frau Abigiu sowie Ihrer Tochter verschlägt mir die Sprache: eine Woche vor Beginn der Proben ist unsere letzte grösste Nahrungsmittellücke gestopft. Sie haben spontan zugestimmt, unsere hundertdreißig Mann starke Mannschaft 41 Tage lang mit Fleisch zu versorgen! - Begeisterter Dank den Firmen Jeras Prod und Carmistin!

Manches haben wir in den letzten drei Wochen vernommen von den Reizen und Qualitäten Rumäniens, manches von den Problemen hier und anderswo; Probleme von Individuen und Systemen.

Einigkeit herrscht bislang im Entzücken, das unsere "jungen Rumänen" wecken. Das ist es, was uns begeistert.

Sie beweisen dem "Publikum", uns und vor allen Dingen sich selbst, daß sie im Stande sind, etwas Großartiges zu verwirklichen. Alle arbeiten extrem hart und mit (allergrößtenteils) bewunderswerter Geduld an einer Aufführung, die wohl für die allermeisten überraschend sein wird...

Sie zeigen, was mit ihnen möglich ist: Sie halten zusammen und arbeiten auf ihr gemeinsames Ziel hin; völlig ohne Rücksicht auf ihre unterschiedlichen Hintergründe. Das beste ist: es sieht im Moment ganz so aus, als würden sie es auch mit Bravour erreichen können.

Das macht zuversichtlich!

Klaus & Monique

Quick these kids in every sense.

2009-08-23T07:12:00.000-07:00

So now at the end of the third week the pattern is established. Josef and Marta are always in the "theatre" well before the hordes arrive, quietly practising their own personal routine. Setting an example and the tone. The young people arrive and know now to find their own space and to stand tall. The rigourous but enjoyable training session lasts some two hours, building first inner strength and awareness, followed by controlled physical movements, most times to really great music, at others to strange rhythmic sounds produced by Josef.

Then an explosion of energy. How they can jump! And run - and how fast - and stop! And the rhythm and passion with which they dance! And the increasing confidence with which they improvise, more able now to feel at ease in this safe space. More able too to change mood and activity in a second. After the exercise a return to inner calm and stillness.

A break and work on the 'Firebird' begins Some of what went on in the training session is incorporated into the piece, some new sequences learnt, involving a few, many or all, previous scenes tidied up or a run through of the whole.

Never boring, it would seem Josef is mindful not to over-rehearse to maintain a high level of energy and passion. The piece is just 40 minutes long and his aim is to achieve about 2 minutes new choreography a day, leaving adequate time for 'cleaning' as he calls it in the last week. I am very impressed how quickly these movements are assimilated. So it can be when youngsters give their full undivided attention.

Quick these 'kids' in every sense

Viv

So many helping hands

2009-08-23T02:20:00.000-07:00

I am more and more impressed by the success of the project.. The young people have simply risen to the challenge to be the best they can possibly be. They are wonderful. Such a simple idea. Discovering the skills and excitement of dance and, perhaps, more importantly the joys of self confidence, trust in other people, tolerance and self discipline. Life skills.

Monique had the vision. Josef is realising it. Two strong role models whom the youngsters can relate to. I think it important for the boys and young men that they have strong men here. Monique recruited a dream team who complement each other magnificently, all unselfishly and passionately committed to the same end. Mihaela and Klaus parent the young people from outside Bucharest with a wonderful good humour and ideally. Marta, Oana, Irena and Iris support the children in dance movement. All superb dancers themselves and delightful personalities, they command respect. Tedi, Bogdan and the rest of the team are filming sensitively. Tedi, an adorable young man, who is himself a fine role model, dealing with physical difficulties with independence and without complaint. Educators accompanying young people from Bucharest are in the “theatre” to mop up any problems. Unusual, Josef says, to have such a large team in theatre and ever higher standards can be achieved in the dance. Alexandra and Ada calmly – or so it always seems - ensure everything runs without a hitch. This very generous adult presence at all times ensures the youngsters are - and feel - encadres.

Last but not least there is an army of organizers, drivers, helpers and volunteers without whose work in the background we could not cope and which goes unseen - but not unappreciated. Mircea and Virgil snaking through the streets of Bucharest to purchase the most unlikely shopping list - a hundred metres of elastic, 12 grapefruit, t-shirts in all shapes and sizes, shuttling backwards and forwards to the airport day and night to meet team members, carrying the full - and minutes later -empty food containers - the list is endless.

Also in theatre are the photographers, Daniel Angelescu and the lovely Alisa Tarciniu who discreetly capture the moment. The youngsters are now oblivious to their presence thanks to their tact. I find their photos both arresting and natural. In fact all the photos on our Dance-with-us blog since the rehearsals began are Daniel's and we are grateful for their professional skills.
Viv

Apologies for temporary suspension of the blog...

2009-08-22T23:39:00.000-07:00

In the last few days followers of the blog have been complaining and wondering why it has dried up lately. The reason is quite simple: with the performance approaching, the budget not quite met, invitations to be sent, press conferences to be prepared, costumes to be bought and dyed -and the list could go on - hands are getting short!

Due to their multiple competences, their engagement, their sensitive way of dealing with arising problems and their wholeheartedness, Viv, Klaus, our "in house" reporters, and Mihaela are becoming more indispensable every day and are being solicited for other tasks, thus missing for the blog.

Viv is now in charge of running the music all through the rehearsals, again and again, back and forward, following Josef´s instructions (most of the time...) 6 hours a day, thereby missing the opportunity to comment the rehearsals´progress from the "visitors´bench".
In the meantime, Klaus and Mihaela (who both renounced their summer vacation!) are standing around the youngsters to make sure that they are behaving, concentrating and keeping quiet while other groups are rehearsing. Besides, they are around the kids at the Neghinita centre until late at night -and throughout it- keeping an eye on them and organizing games for the small ones, basket ball outing and creative activities for all until they are "willing" to drop dead into bed.......

(Sh)..It happens...

2009-08-19T01:16:00.000-07:00

Diese Woche, die dritte Woche mit intensivem Tanztraining für die Feuervogel-Aufführung hat bislang mehr Probleme gebracht, als die vorhergehenden.

Wir haben den Verlust eines Portmonnaies in den Straßen von Bukarest, von ein paar Mobiltelefonen sowie einiger Teilnehmer zu beklagen. Etliche fot selbst verschuldete Wehwehchen und leichte Verletzungen setzen der Tanzgruppe und dem Leitungsteam zu.

Organisatorisch und logistisch gibt es einige Klippen zu umschiffen.

Bei alledem rückt die ganze Gruppe jedoch immer näher zusammen.

Die "Kleingruppen nach Herkunft" verlieren an Bedeutung: Feuervogel Anna-Maria schwimmt rührend bekümmert stundenlang mit unseren Nesthäkchen, Marianna aus Sibiu und Christina aus Bukarest, mit Gabi (10 Jahre), der die 3 Stunden Anreise aus seinem Heimatort allein im Bus bewältigt hat. Der Tänzer, Sänger, Musiker, Basketballer und und und ... George kümmert sich immer um die anderen, denen es schlecht geht, oder denen die Zeit lang wird.

Die Jugendlichen verlieren beim Tanzen die Hemmungen voreinander. Offensichtlich fühlen sie sich in ihren Körpern wohl, wenn sie tanzen. Bewegungen, die ihnen anfangs noch peinlich schienen, vollziehen sie jetzt mit Anmut und Vergnügen.

Immer häufiger bilden sich in den Pausen gemischte Gruppen und wir bekommen nach dem Training Besuch aus Bukarest.

Hier wächst, um die Widerstände herum, richtig etwas zusammen. Das ist schön. Das sollte man unterstützen!

Klaus

Only potential here

2009-08-16T00:46:00.000-07:00

How talented they are - arresting singing voices; an impressive ability to pick up a guitar and transport us; gifted actors who move us to tears and adopt the role so completely they move themselves to tears that continue after the role play; excellent volley ball players; fine swimmers. Many are gifted with an empathy and insight beyond their years no doubt born out of adversity. One of the girls knows she wants to study psychology.

But it is not what they do but who they are that shines through. I see resilient and courageous personalities amongst them who have confronted unimaginable problems and won through. I see a combination of vulnerability and spirit such as you find in young people anywhere. I see an ability to party second to none.

There is a marked lack of cynicism and absence of boredom The youngsters seem uncomplaining and undemanding and accepting of whatever happens. They have an ability to enjoy simple things and to appreciate what they have. They are cheerful and affectionate. Maybe these are exceptional and stimulating circumstances for them but nevertheless I feel it could be true anyway. Monique may have a view about that

I simply don't find the "difficult children" I was expecting to meet. Could it be that the Firebird has such an impact on them after only two weeks of training?

Viv

Viv & Klaus, our most assiduous observers and bloggers

2009-08-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

Amazing Grace

2009-08-14T07:02:00.000-07:00

I love this song anyway but today it has a special resonance. Georgiu and Nico were singing it together - they have beautiful voices - and playing the guitar last night in the centre. Josef heard them and this morning played an amazingly moving version during the training session - without comment. Such is the nature of the rapport that has been established with these - others might call "difficult" -youngsters.

It is by the "amazing grace" of Monique's vision that these young people by participating in the project have suddenly become the privileged ones. Sadly one of the company has left the project unable to resist to what he calls his "freedom". He is back on the streets. Before he went, half a dozen or so of his friends came to see what the project was all about, ready, I suspect, to disrupt the process. But instead they were asking to join in. Sadly too late for it be possible.

Viv

Korrespondenz

2009-08-14T01:21:00.000-07:00

Der Choreograph, Josef, und seine Assistenten haben mittlerweile eine eigenartige, teilweise unglaubliche Verbindung zur Gruppe und umgekehrt. Gestern war es so deutlich zu sehen, wie bisher noch nicht:

Josef "bastelte" zur Musik vor der Gruppe an einem neuen Bewegungsablauf. Schließlich improvisierte er ihn vor der Hälfte der Gruppe zur Musik. - Und wie von Geisterhand geführt, bewegten sich 50 Kinder synchron mit ihrem Lehrer, ohne es je zuvor geübt oder auch nur gesehen zu haben. Ganz erstaunlich!

Heute fand die Korresdondenz eine sehr schöne Fortsetzung: Nachdem die Jugendlichen an den Abenden öfters "amazing grace" begleitet von der Gitarre musiziert haben, hat Josef das aufgegriffen und heute in die Aufwärm- und Sammlungsphase integriert. "I love this song!"

It´s just great!!!

Klaus

Gleichgewicht

2009-08-14T01:00:00.000-07:00

Die Jugendlichen lernen hier tänzerisch viel über ihren Körper und wie sie ihn im Gleichgewicht halten können. Aber sie lernen viel mehr über Gleichgewicht und Balance:

Oft sind die Dinge erst über ihr Gegenteil erfahr- und begreifbar. - Es ist schwer zu sagen, was "gesund" ist, wenn man "krank" nicht kennt.

Diesen Zusammenhang der Gegensätze bringen Josef, Martha und Irina den Kindern (unter der Hand) bei. Sie erfahren, was Ruhe und Unruhe, was Sammlung und Zerstreuung, was "sich-gehen-lassen" und innehalten ist, indem sie diese unmittlebar nebeneinander praktizieren. In einer rhythmischen Sequenz schneidet das Gesicht Fratzen, in der nächsten ist es reglos...

So lernen die Jugendlichen nicht nur die gegensätzlichen Verhaltensweisen besser kennen, sonder erfahren sich darüber hinaus als deren Ursache: Sie sind willentlich und bewußt Täter des TUNS UND des LASSENS.

Gleichgewicht ist eben die Ausgewogenheit von zwei entgegengesetzten Seiten um das richtige Zentrum.

Leider ist einer unsere jugen Menschen nicht mehr dabei. Er hat auch im zweiten Anlauf den Gegengewichten zum Tanzen, die ihn sonstwohin ziehen, nicht standhalten können. Hoffentlich findet er eines Tages irgendwie sein Gleichgewicht!

Klaus

Respect and patience

2009-08-14T00:30:00.000-07:00

Respect for the creative process. The ability to change in a second from one mood to another - from rigourous, concentrated training to relaxation, fun and laughter and - back again to focus; respect for the energy of sound and rhythm; respect for the space around you not only to find your own space on the dance floor but also to value the space around you in nature- not to leave litter in beautiful places-or anywhere. (Inside and outside the sports hall. Now the black bags are full and there is no litter to be seen anywhere!) One person can influence those around by example. Respect the planet - treat it as your best friend. Respect your peers- don't turn up your nose and consider yourself superior if the luck of the draw partners you with someone slow. Each and everyone has something to teach the others but to learn that lesson, you have to be strong in yourself. The challenge is always to be strong enough: on the stage to be strong in movement, to be strong enough to behave well, to be strong enough to stand alone.

Josef seems to welcome the not-so-good moments as an opportunity to explore such issues. Respect, of course, too for the choreographer, whose energies create the whole. It is disrespectful to him to arrive late and to seek to control the space in the theatre by bad behaviour.

It is hard to be on the side and just watch when others are rehearsing. But there is a way of waiting that does not allow your energy to drop and keeps you engaged with the process and development of the whole. From the wings you then still participate, seeing how the choreographer works, getting to know the music, learning from the work of your peers. A disengaged spectator makes life harder for everyone.

Every day, aware of your own mistakes, be looking to improve your performance so that every day a higher standard overall is achieved. The quality of your work comes from inside you and your ability to feel. Now half-way through the process, everyone realises what hard work is expected - on the one hand physically and on the other thinking, remembering, concentrating...

In life there is always a choice in what one does and what one does not do.

Viv

Inner strength

2009-08-13T01:05:00.000-07:00

Every day the youngsters are learning to bring themselves to inner stillness and focus more quickly. Whoever had not seen this would not think it possible to see this colourful mass of beings - all ages, sizes and abilities - standing stock still on command, eager, so eager. You can hear a needle drop. Straining to grow in height and in character, finding out what they can achieve physically, who they are. Learning not to look around, not to be conscious of the others around them but to stay within themselves, to be alone. To be strong alone. Yet to support each other to concentrate. To play their part in the group. Each member of the group has a unique and vital energy to give. No-one should feel they are better or worse than anyone else. Focus, energy, effort.
A privilege to witness.

A dream team of choreographers Josef the master of charm - patient and passionate. Martha, Irina, Oana and Iris correcting the movements, supporting the children, giving them confidence - beautiful and fabulous role models:
Oana and Irina taking turns to translate Josef's English into Romanian; signing happening too simultaneously for our hearing impaired youngsters.
Viv
Animated half hour chat between hearing and hearing impaired artists during a break

By the way, Alexandra, Ana, Cristina, Madalina and Ana-Maria form Sf Maria school for hearing impaired are among our most attentive and concentrated participants. Two of them do not hear at all, the three others have a device and hear a liitle bit. After the second day of rehearsal they disclosed their first impressions to me:
"this kind of dance is new to us. We had already done pop, modern dance, gym, but this is different... a kind of mixture of all and....quite tiring. We follow Josef´s indications by looking at our teachers who translate them for us. The rest we do by imitation watching carefully what the others do."
Their concentration, their rapidity to adapt and execute new movements, their grace and against all expectations their boldness and confidence in others struck me when from the very first day when Josef was looking for volunteers to be heaved up by their peers above their own heads: Madalina and Ana-Maria seized the occasion and proved to be much more relaxed and confident than the three other "lying statues". They certainly do have this inner strength which Josef is trying to develop in all of them!

Monique

Hungry to learn......ready to rest!

2009-08-11T22:30:00.000-07:00

I was amazed to learn how some youngsters had made heroic efforts to be included in the project:

Marian, 13 years old, walked 30 kilometres with his mother to get here.
Gabi, 10 years old, alone, travelled for 4 hours by bus, leaving home at 5 am in order to meet the deadline of a 9.30 start.
Ana, 31, a "semi-resident" at House Sfintul Lazar, had in April expressed to Monique her wish of participating in the project.
Hearing that one of the conditions was to be a "permanent" resident at Concordia, she has remained off the street since then. She is now among the lucky ones and seems to be a different person altogether since the project started two weeks ago.

The value of punctuality appears another lesson learnt as no-one malingers after a break. Whereas at the beginning aches and pains were used to take time out, now there is only heart-rending disappointment if a genuine injury occurs. I am amazed how keen the very small children are, coping very well with the rigours of the 6 hour training and how much energy they have left at the end of the day!
well deserved rest for the prince

Let's not forget the heroic efforts behind the scenes. Monique , Alexandra and Ada are working tirelessly to organise that 114 children and youngsters are fed, watered, washed, transported, have clean clothes and so much more besides. The unbelievable amount of organisation means they -and many more around them, like Mircea, Virgil, Marian and our countless volunteers- work 24/7. Unbelievable.

Alexandra and Son Ltd

Viv

WAS geht...?!

2009-08-11T01:03:00.000-07:00

Ihr wißt, welch bunt gemischten Haufen Jugendlicher wir hier haben. Josef weiß das ganz genau und sagt darum: "Konzentriert Euch auf das, was Euch verbindet, nicht auf das, was Euch unterscheidet!" Und unsere Jugendlichen sind wie alle Jugendlichen: Energisch, dynamisch, eitel, stolz, verletzlich - und unterschiedlich. Außerhalb des Trainings "quatschen" sie in Grüppchen, sie ziehen sich gegenseitig auf, sie machen Flick-Flack, spielen Basket- und Fußball, glotzen und hören auf die allgegenwärtigen Mobiltelefone.

Aus diesem Trubel holt Josef sie (trainigs-)täglich heraus: 10 -20 Minuten läßt er sie zur Ruhe kommen, indem er sie in die Stille einübt. Füße bar am Boden, stehen, atmen, schweigen. Sie sammeln sich auf ihr Inneres und ihren Körper; sie spüren, wie er sich mit ein oder zwei Füßen am Boden ausbalanciert. Völlige Stille!

Die gesammlte Energie lockert er dann mit tänzerisch-rhythmischer Dehnung, motorischer und muskulärer Stärkung. Über den Vormittag läßt er einfache und komplexere, immer rhythmische, motorische Übungen folgen, die in Richtung Choreographie deuten. Später folgen choreographische Elemente, die in der Gruppe oder mit Teilen erarbeitet werden. Am Ende steht das Ganze des Tages, als vorläufiges Resultat der Verbesserung der Individuen als Gruppe.

Dies alles dokumentiert Teddy mit seinem Team. Er hat die Individuen getroffen und begleitet nun, wie sie ihren Ort im Ganzen finden.

So wird das ganz und gar Erstaunliche (ich schrieb: wunderbar), das wir hier erleben dürfen, hoffentlich ein möglichst großes Publikum erreichen. Wir können für alle Bereiche viel von der Sammlung und Konzentration und dem, was sie ermöglichen lernen.
Es sieht gut aus! DAS geht!!! Klaus

2009-08-06T23:54:00.000-07:00

Getting acquainted

A troupe is born

2009-08-06T03:28:00.000-07:00

August 5th
One youngster, when asked how are you, replied „Good – no, not good great!“ Positive energy! Today the main roles are allocated, thrilling those chosen. Many criteria, other than aesthetic, enter into these artistic decisions, an unenviable task for Josef and Marta.

The lesson of self discipline is being assimilated. The value of silence, being able to choose whether you are silent or not - self containment and self control. The cast in the wings must remain engaged, watch and learn. Each must learn for himself, listen to the music, remember what he has been told and not wait to be told. To take responsibility for himself and for those those who find it more difficult. The baton of responsibility is passing from Josef to the youngsters. He directs. They must deliver. There is to be no compromise on inattention.

Thurs 6th
Incredible magical transformation. The professional troupe is born. Each giving individually of his best, silent when waiting, extended when dancing. Everyone feels the buzz. Viv

Wunder... gibt es immer wieder! by volunteer Klaus Gruber

2009-08-05T12:47:00.000-07:00

Nun sind wir schon ein paar Tage in Bukarest - und erleben unsere blauen Wunder... Was Monique und "IF Magic" hier auf die Beine stellen und bereits gestellt haben, grenzt an ein Wunder. Die vielen (ehrenamtlichen) Helfer, hauptsächlich Rumänen, die unermüdlich logistische Meisterleistungen vollbringen, sind - wunder-bar; und das sind auch die Kinder und Jugendlichen!
Da arbeiten ungefähr 100 Kinder und Jugendliche zwischen 8 (der jüngste hatte gestern Geburtsatg und wurde entsprechend gefeiert) und 31Jahren zusammen. Einige aus Deutschland, einige aus Sibiu, einige aus Brasov, der Rest aus Bukarest; einige mit Down-Syndrom, einige taubstumm, einige anders behindert, der Rest gesund; ein paar von Gymnasien, ein paar von anderen Schulen, der Rest aus Heimen oder ähnlichen Einrichtungen. Eine sehr heterogene Gruppe, aus der heraus mir so gut wie nur positiv entgegengetreten wird - wunder-bar!

Die Choreographen, die diese Gruppe führen: Josef, mit (auch) bayerischem Charme, Geduld und Leidenschaft choreographiert; Martha, die mit ihren anmutig sprechenden Händen dirigiert, Irina, die unermüdlich verbessert und korrigiert; Oana, Prinzessin der Herzen, die die jungen Menschen wundersam wohlwollend unterstützt und dabei das Englische ins Rumänische parliert; das ist ein wunder-bares Team!

Und heute: Nachdem es an den letzten beiden Tagen immer auch mal ordentlich geholpert hatte, nach einigen deutlichen Worten auch, war die Gruppe heute gigantisch:
Extrem konzentriert, aufmerksam und voller gesammelter Energie praktizierten sie das Aufwärmen und die choreografischen Elemente. Sie sind unglaublich voran gekommen. Das war großartig.

Das eigentliche Wunder in meinen Augen war jedoch eine Stille.
Josef bat die Gruppe, jeder möge sich klarmachen ob er wirklich mitziehen wolle. Er tat das nach drei Stunden sehr anstrengendem und vor allem hochkonzentrierten und -diszipliniertem Training. Dann verließ er die Halle und meinte, sie sollen darüber ein paar Minuten mit geschlossenen Augen meditieren. Und da standen sie dann: 100 Jugendliche und Kinder (zum Großteil wohl "schwierig") standen nach diesem Morgen (es war inzwischen 14.00 Uhr) dort völlig gesammelt und still - wohl drei Minuten, in denen man eine Stecknadel hätte fallen hören.

Wer's nicht gesehen hat, wird es kaum glauben; wer's aber gesehen hat, der kann es als wunder-sam empfinden.
Wieviel Choreografie sie dann noch erarbeitet haben, schien bei aller Begeisterung beinahe folgerichtig zu sein.
Wie gesagt - es ist wunderbar!

Wer kann, sollte sich davon überzeugen, oder - auch gut - uns unterstützen. und helfen, die Budgetlücke zu schliessen. Vielleicht geschehen ja auch da noch Wunder?

Heroic efforts

2009-08-04T14:04:00.000-07:00

Today the scale of the challenge becomes truly apparent. Some 120 bodies to train – small children and young adults; experienced dancers and the rhythmically challenged; many lithe bodies with natural grace and others having it all to learn and others again with physical difficulties to overcome. Some being deaf working through the medium of sign language. Each indistinguishable from the other in performance at the end of the day. The primordial lesson, as important as any dance movement, is hammered home-respect for others and for yourself. A requirement to concentrate fully in order to experience the joy of achieving your best. For this motley group to perform as one troupe, the prerequisite is a quasi professional commitment and dedication, which Josef and his team uncompromisingly demand and start to achieve. Viv

First impressions of Bucharest by volunteer Viv Trinder

2009-08-03T23:42:00.000-07:00

The fast and furious pace of the traffic belting along the dual carriageway into the centre. There the surprisingly green avenues, the stray dogs, oblivious to the danger, venturing on to the streets. The beautiful grandeur of some of the old houses, quite reminiscent of Paris – as, too, the central avenues and the Arc de Triumf. The Soviet style Ceaucescu built Palace of Parliament. A tourist’s impressions. But I will have the privilege of not being a tourist, of glimpsing the real Romania, as a volunteer in this exciting project.

In Centrul Neghinita, a boarding school where the youngsters from Sibiu and the German party are staying, the friendliness and excitement, positive energy and lack of cynicism are to be wondered at after 6 hours of the first day’s rehearsal. The enthusiasm with which they told me about the first day in almost accentless English. A spontaneous display of break dance shows their limitless energy. Will they ever want to go to bed?

First rehearsal day successfully completed!

2009-08-03T20:11:00.001-07:00

The last few days were loaded with unexpected and enormous obstacles, which one can hardly imagine and enough already to write a novel, but thanks to the extreme engagement of our team, we are overcoming most of them.

I have always thought that ADAPTABILITY and FLEXIBILITY are the two main qualities parents should provide with:well, I am happy to say that this has just proved to be true. Each and every member of the Firebird organizing team has undoubtedly received these precious qualities from home!

But the members of our team were lucky enough to have parents behind them and caring for them, although even so, it is not given to everybody to have these qualities; but what is much more astonishing and made us most happy on this first day was the adaptability of all our young artists, who for the most part have not had this chance in the first and most important part of their young life:

Imagine over a hundred youngsters between 8 and 31 from all different backgrounds, used to being overflown with music and noise but certainly not to remaining concentrated for more than a few minutes, suddenly being able to "focus" for more than 4 hours in a row with just half an hour of break. This is how it was on this first day thanks to the excellent start given by Josef with the magnificent support of Martha Hincapié, Irina Roncea and Oana Rotariu.

What a pleasure to witness the change on these kids´faces within a few hours. They arrived doubtful and sceptical at 9.30 and left happy and relaxed at 16.30. And that this change after just one single day of rehearsals was not just an impression proved itself after dinner. Suddenly the youngsters from Sibiu and Brasov living in the Neghinita Children´s centre hosting them were ONE single group: the atmosphere became much more relaxed, they did not stick to their friends any more, expressed their impressions at our evening gathering, joked, laughed and......guess what: dancing break!

A day like this is enough to make you feel that two years of work and preparations were worth it; and if you add to it that in the last three days we have been able to trace 5 of my "initial protégés" in the various children´s homes of Bucharest to give them the chance to join the "Firebird", to spend six weeks together with their former "brothers and sisters" and above all their "mother" Mihaela, who volunteered to run the actual home where we are staying thus renouncing to her only month of holiday,
then, what else do you want to be happy?

Monique

Getting acquainted with other Firebird artists

2009-08-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

D-DAY!

2009-08-01T16:17:00.000-07:00

Our "Firebird Artists" from Sibiu and Brasov heading for Bucharest!

Team is growing daily...

2009-08-01T09:14:00.000-07:00

When I started the project 18 months ago, I was naive enough to think I could organize it by myself, without a coordinator!
Last August, Alexandra joined me to coordinate it in Bucharest. In the meantime we have entered the implementing phase of the firebird project and there are some twenty of us, part time or working round the clock, volunteers for the most part, involved in the organization.

Irina Roncea, Romanian choreographer and assistant to Josef for this project with our girls

I have to add that each day preceding the first rehearsal day brought its load of catastrophies, enough to make you despair to a point where you could only laugh. It started on Wednesday with the company supposed to deliver the food to our centre twice a day: they suddenly could not provide us with a car anymore. The food being prepared twenty kms away from Bucharest, it meant finding an immediate alternative.

On Thursday Alexandra had the brilliant idea (or was it a premonition?) of inquiring about the date of delivery of the water supposed to be supplied by another sponsoring company: the lady in charge had simply gone on holiday forgetting to leave instructions to anyone and to this day nobody seems to have been able to do anything about it. As a result, we are still waiting and had to buy "some": considering that Bucharest is an inferno at the moment and that 120 sweating kids are drinking some 4 liters of water a day, you can measure the dimension of our disarray.
But they have now promised to deliver it tomorrow.

On Friday it went on with the parket of the gym. Having a closer look at it we discovered that it had been fixed with some thousands of nails popping their heads out of it and promising us a lot of fun bandaging bleeding feet (rehearsals being bare foot). Dancing carpets for the entire gym -for some thousands of euros- would soon have been pierced through anyway; so, there was just one solution left: get all the rusted nails out and replace them ......with as many new screws. Two carpenters did a wonderful job in a 48 hours marathon. So we thought! But Josef did not quite share our opinion when entering the gym on Monday morning. So, off he went hammering and taping the floor until he had gotten rid of his anger and considered that he could start with the first rehearsal.

I sometimes wonder where Alexandra gets all her connections, volunteers and helpers from. No wonder she called her company "If Magic"!

After all this, how could we have been surprised when on Saturday we were told that BMW, our generous transportation sponsor had a technical problem with one of the busses supposed to fetch the kids from Sibiu and Brasov. But BMW is BMW and the busses started as scheduled!

"Mais à part ca - as the french song has it- tout va très bien, Madame la Marquise...tout va très bien, tout va très bien".......and anyway, we are now immune and happy to see the kids happy!

one by one, our volunteers and assistants are arriving in Bucharest

2009-08-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

D-DAY minus 1 !

2009-07-31T09:11:00.000-07:00

Photo Bettina Stoess

Just one more day and the Firebird project starts! Tomorrow Ada will travel to Sibiu and Brasov with Tedy and his team to fetch our young participants and bring them to Bucharest.

On Monday, August 3rd, the first day of rehearsals, at 9 AM, we will all be gathered at Caragiale High-School: over 100 young artists among which three Germans, Monique Gruber, president of JRC, Josef Eder, artistic director of the project, Romanian choreographer Irina Roncea and Columbian choreographer Martha Hincapié, Romanian assistant Oana Rotariu, film maker Tedy Necula and his team in charge of the documentary dedicated to the project, German and Romanian volunteers, and last not least, Alexandra Arnautu, Ada Lungu and Mircea Tache from If Magic, coordinators of the project, who have been working day and night with Monique in the last few days to ensure logistics and organisation.

Volunteers and participants from Sibiu and Brasov will be accomodated at "Neghinita” Care and Hosting Centre, a tidy and centrally located home kindly offered by the City Hall of Sector 2. For 4 weeks, the gymnasium generously put at our disposition by the National College I.L.Caragiale will be the birth place of a new Firebird, the place where creative energies will be unchained. There will be dancing, hopping, sweating and laughing….

Just as thrilled as a team competing in the world domino championship right before the first domino falls, praying that it will trigger the hoped for chain reaction, we are engaging in the community dance adventure. Our first destinations will be the stages of the National Theatre in Bucharest and Sala Transilvania in Sibiu, but the journey will hopefully take us much further in the next few years.

If it is true that the Firebird is everything but a competition between the youngsters, it is a competition of each participant with himself, against the boundaries of his mind, against his own doubts reflected in his peers´eyes.

Photo Bettina Stoess

Community Dance is a competition with neither winners nor loosers. Everybody wins: Only five weeks from now, 100 new born artists will stand on the National Theatre stage and dance on Stravinski’s music. They will have traded a holiday of fun and leisure for a month of hard work, an unexpected choice for their age to say the least, but each and everyone of them will be awarded the most precious prize of all: the belief that he can fulfill his dreams, against all odds and no matter how wild they are, but that it is up to him to fulfill them.

The website www.pasareadefoc.ro will witness the evolution of these one hundred yougsters and monitor every step of theirs on this arduous trail. In time, the site will turn into a virtual home for all community dance fans willing to indulge themselves and join others in this enriching experience.
A popular French saying has it that “It is only the first step that matters.”

So, let´s step up and start dancing our way through this fabulous journey along with the Firebird.

D-Day minus 2

2009-07-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

Alexandra and I were in Sibiu and Brasov for the last two days to meet Mr Johannis -the Saxon Mayor of Sibiu- Mr Bottesch, the Saxon President of the regional council, and other personalities involved in the realization of the project. We also met the participating children and their parents and checked all details concerning transportation, lodging and the performance place, a very nice gym with 1000 seats whose director, Mr Victor Cornea gives us all possible help to meet the demands of our 120-man-performance.
The Authorities are extremely helpful and put a nice countryside summer camp at our disposition for our three night stay in Sibiu
near a natural salt lake where the kids will be able to refresh themselves between the rehearsals.

Questions we have been asked lately

2009-07-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

Question Nr 1: What is "Community Dance"?

This would actually be a question for Royston and Josef to answer, but until we get them to give their own definition on this blog in a free minute (?!) during the project, here is an attempt to define it on the basis of some Maldoom projects and a workshop I attended in the last few months.

As its name indicates it, Community Dance targets not just part of a community, but all its members, regardless of gender or age, of ehtnic origin or social class, of physical condition or mental health.

Its magic lies in group dynamics and their positive effects on the participants: rousing unsuspected potentials, creativity and endurance.

In Community Dance projects, it is not so much the result that counts as the process itself. It is all about challenge, about experiencing discipline -and making it to self-discipline-, acceptance of "otherness" -tolerance-, about discovering one´s own skills and surpassing one´s limits, witnessing the gradual increase of confidence in others and oneself; and last not least, sharing with the group the laurels of hard rehearsal weeks.

By the way, I just tipped "Community dance" on google to check whether there is a definition of it and guess whose definition I fell upon? Royston´s (in German though).

incet dar sigur....slowly but surely!

2009-07-13T13:23:00.000-07:00

Just 15 % more and we all set!

In the meantime, I´ve got a small mathematical exercise for you to solve:

120 kids are participating in the Firebird project.
The project will last 41 days.
Up to now, we have managed to get sponsoring for 30 Kg of chicken from a poultry farmer (whose name has not been revealed to me yet).
One chicken weighs about one kilo.
Considering that you have to deduct the bones of each chicken - that is, say 180 gr.
How much meat will each kid get during the entire project if we do not find some more generous sponsors or meat producers?

Send us the solution without delay, or better still, a pork, an ox or a turkey......
By the way, the first one who solves the problem both ways gets a prize!

firebird website online from today!

2009-07-06T11:24:00.000-07:00

Although a site on the Firebird project was created a few weeks ago, it is only from today onwards that you can find detailed information on it. At first, in Romanian, but from tomorrow on there will be an English version as well. www.pasareadefoc.ro
Beside general information, you will find on this site all the press articles on the project from its beginning.

Throughout the project´s implementation, both our website and blog will keep you informed on the project´s sponsors and supporters; its progression will be documented with details and pictures of the rehearsals and some of our young "artists" will write about their impressions and their daily life on the campus.

So don´t forget to check both sites every now and then!

Update of sponsors and partners of the Firebird

2009-06-28T01:16:00.000-07:00

Even if the project ´s budget is not 100% secured yet, we would like to recall and praise those companies, institutions and foundations that have joined the FIREBIRD project sofar, thereby proving their Corporate Social Responsibility beyond their economic concern.

OUR SPONSORS:

VODAFONE
E.ON GAZ ROMANIA
ABB
PETER GLÄSEL-STIFTUNG
PRIVILEG CATERING
BMW
PLUS TENGELMANN ROMANIA
DEUTSCHE BANK
SIEMENS
UNICEF
KAUFLAND
EVOBUS
CARPATCEMENT
HOTEL ATHÉNÉE PALACE HILTON
DOINA LEVINTZA
STALFORT RECHTSANWÄLTE
DEUTSCHER WIRTSCHAFTSKLUB SIEBENBÜRGEN

OUR PARTNERS:

Goethe Institut
Artexim "GEORGE ENESCU"
Fundatia Vodafone
Fundatia Principesa Margareta a Romaniei
Colegiul I.L.Caragiale Bucuresti
Fundatia Concordia
Scoala nr. 114 Principesa Margareta Bucuresti
Asociatia Ateliere Protejate Bucuresti
Scoala pentru deficienti de auz nr 2 Sfanta Maria Bucuresti
Centrul de plasament Guliver Sibiu

We are looking forward to complete this list until project begin on August 1st.

It is still time to join us....late comers most welcome!

Our deep thanks also to all individual supporters of the project, friends and relatives listed on the sidebar whose generous contributions have a very high value in our eyes as tokens of friendship and trust in our enterprise.

Ups and Downs make us frown.........

2009-06-24T13:15:00.000-07:00

Promises of support by several companies in the past few months had made us hope that the fundraising part of the project would soon be completed, allowing us to concentrate on the practical organisation of the project:
Deutsche Bank, which had sponsorized the filming of Maldoom´s Sacre du Printemps "Rhythm is it!"in 2004, is stepping in again.
BMW has generously agreed to provide the transportation of the youngsters throughout the project to and from the rehearsal places, including for the trip in the province. Evobus also promised to provide two busses for the "Tournée"in Brasov and Sibiu.
Centrul Medical Unirea, in the person of its Director, Dr Wargha Enayati, will ensure the necessary medical support troughout the project.

Unfortunately, the Romanian media company which had promised to take care of the advertizing part let us down due to the economic situation and we have good reasons to fear that one or two other companies might withdraw their promises of support for the same reason.

But having gathered about 80 % of the minimum costs of the project up to this day, we do not despair and keep hoping that some miracle will happen. Indeed, the kids´list stands and they are already so excited about the idea that we cannot possibly let them down.

Together we are strong!

2009-06-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

Klaus Gruber

Klaus Gruber and Mihaela Beresoaie will coordinate the team of educators and supervise the participants from Brasov, Sibiu and Saarbrücken (Germany) in the Youth hostel which the Mayor of Sector two is generously putting at our disposition for the whole duration of the project.

Here is a first greeting from Klaus to the young artists which you all are:
"Hey guys,
I am Klaus and I caught the Firebird virus from my aunt Monique. She asked me to come and stay with you at the centre hosting us during the project. I will be happy to give my support to everybody in everything and help wherever help is needed…

That’s exactly my daily bread-and-butter: having three children myself, I am used to assist young guys to focus on and achieve their personal goals.

As soccer coach of my youngest sons’ team, I try to do the same thing beyond the “family boundaries”…

With a team of parents we have been trying for a couple of years now to support the school teachers in matters of organization and education. May be the right training to be YOUR “supporter” this time?

I first learned teamwork playing basketball on a high level for years. During my studies in philosophy, political sciences and economics, I was then taught to do reasonable things in a reasonable way - and to ask for and expect reasonable things from others…

I am very curious to see how the entire Firebird-project will be! But even without knowing you, I have no doubt that it will be a success. A lot of work, for sure, but also a lot of fun for all of us.

So, off we go! I’m all set and ready for takeoff. From August 1st onwards, I will be in Bucharest for the entire project and support each and all of you as much as I possibly can. See you soon!"

Tedy Necula to film the project

2009-05-22T01:48:00.000-07:00

Tedy Necula

I first met Tedy in 2004 when I attended the premiere of "Noro", a film where he had the main role - not an easy one since it was quite autobiographic. At the time when the film was produced he was only 12 years old.
A few weeks ago, while in Bucharest, I incidentally bumped into an interview in a magazine: a handsome young man with his big black eyes looking straight at you, Tedy is now studying Film production. I immediately thought I had to meet him again. A few hours later, I knew he was THE person we were looking for to produce the "making of" of the Firebird.
You don´t know him yet? Then, it´s time you did so by having a look at his webpage.

Like Oana Rotariu he is an example of the competence and enthusiasm of many promising Romanian youngsters who deserve attention and support. Like Oana, he is only 19 but has already an impressive curriculum vitae and an amazing maturity.
But since he already had his own mind with 12, the best thing is to let him speak for himself:

"My name is Tedy Necula. I am a Romanian independent film producer. I caught the virus at the age of eleven when I was given the opportunity to play in "Noro", a film realized by producer Radu Gabrea. Later on, I started making short films and constituted a team which developed rapidly.

I am happy that I got to know Monique Gruber and will be able to make my own contribution to this marvellous project by doing what I know how to do, that is filming!
This means, I´ll be in charge of filming this year´s project. I feel inspired by this fairy tale and extremely enthusiastic about the message which the project contains. Both the tale and the project are powerful subjects for a film.

Through the films which will be presenting the project as well as some extra features, I intend to illustrate the objective pursued by its initiators. Our films will be about human values and about our personal, social and cultural development through creativity and teamwork.

Each and every single one of us has in himself a dancing Firebird that has the ability to liberate him from the burden of his frustrations, complexes, marginalisation or discrimination. We will be like a miniature illustration of the whole world.
Our films will be about people, about youngsters: diverse AND different, courageous, tall or small, shy or bold, easy going or bursting with energy, but ALL: EAGER TO LIVE.....
All of them are ARTISTS..... all of US are artists..... provided each of us discovers the "Firebird" inside him.

That´s why my creative team and myself we are happy to sustain and be part of this great adventure!

Firebird team is now all set

2009-05-21T20:26:00.000-07:00

Royston Maldoom
The British choreographer Royston Maldoom has been the initiator and leader of numerous dance projects around the globe for the past 30 years.
The dance project "Le Sacre du Printemps" with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle, in which 250 kids participated, gained popular attention through the movie „Rhythm is it!“ which received the German Lola Movie Award for best documentary film in 2005 and reached large audiences world-wide.
What fascinates Royston Maldoom is to work with people regardless of age, background or region of the world. He likes working with "unperfect bodies", giving every single participant in his projects the opportunity to discover himself, his passions and his abilities. He considers each of them as a potential artist. Besides, he is convinced that art can change lives and societies and help foster and improve mutual understanding through dance.

Josef Eder
The Munich choreographer and actor, Josef Eder, founder of Dance Theater Zwiefach in 1994, worked in the education of dancers, actors, musicians, teachers, and amateurs for 18 years. He developed a concept which he named "body as voice".
After meeting Royston Maldoom in 2005, he began working as his assistant and co-choreographer in Community dance projects.
He is fascinated by the possiblities which dance and movement can offer. His main objective is to open people from all ages and conditions to dance and let them express their emotions in a creative and unique movement.

Martha Hincapié

[Photo]Martha Hincapié
Choreographin, Tänzerin, Dozentin. Studierte Tanz in ihrer Heimat Kolumbien, in Argentinien und Kuba. Tanzstudium, Aufbaustudium Solotanz und Multimedia an der Folkwanghochschule Essen unter der Leitung von Pina Bausch. Tanzte am Wuppertaler Tanztheater, Stadttheater Münster, Bochumer Schauspielhaus, am Theater Aachen, sowie für diverse freie Produktionen.
Sie wurde mit ihren eigenen Stücken auf Festivals nach Berlin, Paris, Zagreb, Rom, Arnheim, Medellín, Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Aachen, Essen und Wuppertal eingeladen. Gewinnerin verschiedener Preise und Stipendien.
Ihre letzte Arbeit als Coreographin „Autorretrato con Máscara“ entstand mit Unterstützung von der spanischen Stiftung Iberescena in Kolumbien, wurde mit dem Publikumspreis beim Festival 100° Berlin 2009 ausgezeichnet.
Nach verschiedenen pädagogischen Erfahrungen in Kolumbien begann sie 2008 als choreographische Assistentin für Community-Dance-Projekte in Deutschland zu arbeiten und ist im Programm „TanzZeit“ engagiert.
Martha Hincapié lebt und arbeitet zwischen Berlin und Bogotá.

Irina Roncea
Irina is one of the two Romanian pedagogues who will be assisting in the Firebird project. She is an enthusiastic, talented dance teacher acting in several Bucarest schools and institutions.
Last Autumn she attended a "Community dance" workshop in Vienna with Royston Maldoom and his team to get acquainted with the philosophy behind it. She is interested in developing the community concept by creating further projects throughout Romania in the coming years.

Oana Rotariu
Oana is a very young, successful dancer from Timisoara who has just graduated from high school. She took partin in - and won - numerous competitions in sportive dancing all along her school time.
Like Irina Roncea, she combines all the qualities which the project hopes to develop in its participants: discipline, punctuality, team spirit, sense of responsibility, ambition, communication.

We are convinced that the enthusiasm and the freshness of these two Romanian pedagogues will enable them to transmit their passion and their qualities to the kids. they will constitute an important link between the youngsters and the choreographers from abroad and will doubtless make a significant contribution to the whole project.

Pete Ayres
Pete Ayres has designed for Royston Maldoom for more than ten years, including for dance pieces with The London Symphony Orchestra at The Royal Albert Hall, The Luxembourg Symphony Orchestra for Luxembourg Capital City of Culture, with The Berlin Philhamonic Orchestra, and at Carnegie Hall in New York.
Pete has worked extensively in the field of Contemporary Dance, and in a variety of venues from African amphitheatres, Berlin bus depots, Croatian castles and metropolitan motorways to nationally important playhouses. He has been involved in several Community Dance projects often including hundreds of participants, ranging from street children of Peru and groups of mixed ability performers, to Senior Citizens in Germany and young women of immigrant families.

Alexandra Arnautu
Alexandra is the Firebird-project´s coordinator in Romania.
During her six years working for the Royal Family of Romania she coordinated various initiatives, from complex, high profile events such as The Diamond Wedding of Their Majesties King Michael and Queen Anne of Romania, to cultural and publishing projects, within the country and abroad.
People who have ever met Alexandra know that she can make magic happen. "If magic", the company she set up with two associates in 2008, is dedicated to supporting organizations and individuals in the achievement of their dreams. Alexandra´s enthusiasm and conviction for the „Firebird“ community dance project are boundless.
"If magic" will support the Association „Jungen Rumanen eine Chance!“ for the implementation of all three „Firebird“ performances: in Bucharest (Sept 5.), Brasov (Sept. 7.) and Sibiu (Sept. 9.).

Ada Lungu
Ada joined the Firebird project some time ago. It´s hard to say who, from Alexandra and her, is more enthusiastic about the project and its objective.

"I have always invited diversity into my life, from all points of view. I lived, studied and worked so far in six cities, three countries, two continents. My domains of expertise are corporate communication, journalism and project management. I worked for various organisations (World Trade Centre, The Romanian Broadcasting Society, The European Institute of Romania, The British Council) and I was a teaching assistant at the the University of Bucharest, before becoming the PR Coordinator of the Royal House of Romania. Serving the Royal Family has been a unique professional challenge and an inspiring experience.
It is so exciting for me to join the Firebird project team and embark on a journey that changes people’s lives. I strongly believe this initiative is most welcome for the Romanian society and I intend to use all my knowledge and dedication to ensure its success."

D-Day minus 100 soon: Time for short summing up

2009-05-19T10:08:00.000-07:00

- Firebird team is now all set.
- Participants´list is in elaboration
- Sponsors´list is growing and with it our hope to make ends meet.
- Firebird´s performances in Brasov and Sibiu are taking shape.
- Logistics are now Nr. 1 on the agenda.
- Film producer: surprise! Surprise!

Volunteer Iris Lopatta is on board

2009-05-10T21:48:00.000-07:00

Iris is one of the volunteers who will be taking part in the project, share the youngsters´ life and organize some activities beside the rehearsals for them- provided the kids still have some energy left after six hours of "focusing" and jumping around. But who knows, we might be surprised. Here she is:

Iris Lopatta (Franco-German)

I started being involved in small socio-cultural projects through a circus project at High School. A participant at that time, I had the opportunity to learn different circus arts and especially to create and lead a group of youngsters from different backgrounds both on a local and on an international basis. In 2003 I spent a year in South Africa where I was integrated in the local community. During my stay there I assisted at an orphanage in Port Elizabeth on a voluntary basis. These various experiences reinforced my decision to actively engage myself in the socio-cultural domain.

After finishing High School I joined the European Voluntary Service programme (EVS) working at a circus school in the suburbs of Paris. At the Plus Petit Cirque du Monde, I tought children and youngsters between 3 and 17 years on a weekly basis. My main focus was acrobatics. Beside classes I helped organizing events and got involved in a project with young adults form the region. Part of the project was an intercultural exchange with three other social community circuses (from Ireland, Argentina and Peru) which took place in Peru in 2006.

Currently I am studying humanities and social sciences at Maastricht University College in the Netherlands.

Like headmaster, like school......

2009-04-30T20:48:00.000-07:00

Beside the impediments inherent to their personal problems, one of the highest hurdles which youngsters from underprivileged backgrounds or with special needs have to overcome is the lack of acceptance from their peers and society altogether. This is still particularly true in post communist countries where thousands of children and adults were literally banned from society and clustered in homes far away from towns and cities for several decades.

Acceptance and integration are precisely what Community dance projects such as The Firebird ultimately aim at. Consequently, the participating young "artists" ought to come from different backgrounds and schools.

So, off we went in search of High schools interested in joining the project. Our first experiences soon revealed fundamental differences in the Headmasters´ -or headmistresses´ approach towards new concepts and proposals:

It had seemed to us logical to start by addressing a school where dance is a priority. We were soon given to understand that a project like ours, involving such a variety of backgrounds and such a wide age and talent range did not match the school´s profile, and by the way, seemed doomed to fail for these very reasons.

We then went on to a school where social dance is proscribed but neighbourly love a must. We stressed the contemporary dance character of the project, its altruistic and integrational aspects; yet all our endeavours to persuade the headmaster failed.

In both cases, the headmasters were not broadminded enough to perceive all the positive aspects and long term effects of such a project for the participants on both sides.

Our next target though, was to surprise us all the more: at Liceul I.L. Caragiale, one of Bucharest´s top schools located in an impressive old building, we were welcomed with open arms by Gabriela Bancila, its young and dynamic Headmistress who right away offered us a partnership, the school´s gym for rehearsals and its cantine for meals. In return, we offered that a group of pupils take part in the project and we made two successful presentations of it.

At Princess Margareta School - named after King Mihai´s eldest daughter currently living in Bucharest - we encountered the same enthusiasm for our dance project. Here too, a partnership was soon agreed upon with schoolmistress Daniela Turcsany and a dozen youngsters will join in.

Finally we visited the school Nr 2 for children with hearing impairment. At first sight the involvement of youngsters with such an impairment in a music and dance project might seem somewhat strange, but having still in mind a stunning dance performance in a similar school in Belgrade, I thought we should definitely give some of these youngsters a chance to share this experience with other kids.

Mrs Nedeianu´s implication for her school, the friendly atmosphere of the place and the wholeheartedness of the handicraft teacher made a strong impression on me. The openness and enthusiasm of the kids in the classrooms we visited did the rest. We wish to include eight or ten of them in the Firebird performance.

Life is about seizing chances and opportunities for oneself, or, if you are a school director, it is about spotting these opportunities and giving your kids the chance to grab them and grow through them. We are happy we found some school directors who share our goals.

Choreographers´team in Bucharest: day 3

2009-04-28T22:14:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, April 8.

9.45 Overwhelming welcoming at Liceul Caragiale: 120 boys between 15 and 17 are expecting Royston, Josef and Pete in a packed hall. There we realize what difference it makes if two choreographers present their contemporary dance project or if it is presented by two ladies -one of them in her sixties - who, whether they want it or not, will convey the impression that the dance project can only be a ballet kind of thing just good enough for sweet little girls dreaming of toe-dancing in pink tutus.......

And here we are: we hardly have time to get back to the headmistress´s office that three young men are already waiting for us to register for the "contemporary dance" project!

It´s time now to drive back to the airport. A very short visit indeed, but long enough for Royston, Josef and Pete to get a feeling of bustling Bucharest and be impressed by the openness, warmth and competence of the young and less young Romanians they met.

(Just what I have always said and felt!)

No doubt, they will be back very soon.......

Choreographers´team in Bucharest: day 2

2009-04-26T13:22:00.000-07:00

A. Arnautu, P. Ayres, M. Gruber, J. Eder, R. Maldoom

April 7.

10.00: Press meeting and interviews with some representatives of radio and television stations as well as magazines focusing on cultural events and programs.

11.30: Short and pleasant visit at the Royal Palace to meet Princess Margarita with whom a partnership has been established involving her foundation and the state school named after her Royal Majesty.

12.30: quick snack before a tour of the rehearsal premises put at our disposition by Mrs Bancila, the openminded Headmistress of Liceul Caragiale. Considering the fact that we lack male participants, we decide to take advantage of our "three-male-crew" to make a presentation of the project tomorrow morning exclusively for boys!

16.00: Meeting at the National Theatre to see the stage and discuss all technical details of stage, light, costumes and stage props. It is fascinating to observe Pete and the Romanian theatre crew discussing technical details for hours with hands, feet and drawings punctuated here and there by technical terms, which are - as we all know - international, that is: English!

18.00 Informal meeting where choreographers, organizers, project partners, journalists, sponsors and representatives of schools and institutions have the opportunity to get to know each other and exchange views and informations on the upcoming project.

Choreographers´team in Bucharest: day 1

2009-04-24T22:07:00.000-07:00

April 6th, 5 pm: Royston Maldoom and Josef Eder, our Firebird´s choreographers, land in Bucharest along with light designer Pete Ayres for 48 busy hours of meetings, interviews and encounters.

6 pm: driving straight from the airport through the heavy rush hour traffic, we arrive just on time for the evening prayers at house Sf. Lazar. An important ritual and an effective way to allow the youngsters to gather their spirits when coming "home" from their day life on the street before getting a warm meal, some clean clothing and a shelter for the night.

Tonight there are some 60 of them sitting side by side, listening to the day´s scriptures and to the comments prepared by one of them, singing wholeheartedly and by heart some of the religious songs from their impressive repertoire, naming and praying aloud for their loved ones, their friends, their educators or their family before heading for the dining-room where their peers on duty serve dinner to all of us.

By the way: tonight, they are 60. Tomorrow, they could be 100. You never know exactly. It can depend on so many things: the season, the weather, a friend, a mood. Neither does one know how long they will stay: it could be just one night, or two, or through the entire winter. Concordia´s aim is give them a chance: a chance to adapt in a community, get a sense of family life, go back to school and change their attitude towards life, if not their entire life. But in spite of all the disadvantages and dangers that the street offers, the attraction of street life and freedom, which they have got used to for weeks, months or years is often much stronger than a warm meal, a bed and a "home"......and they are so used to being ill-treated, disappointed and let down that it is extremely difficult to give them some kind of confidence back, get them to trust others, themselves, and trust life altogether as being able to bring them some positive experience.

And this is exactly what this dance project is about!

Firebird update!

2009-04-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

Whoever had a look into the blog lately might have wondered whether the Firebird had died. I want to reassure you right away: it is healthier than ever!

The fact that two months have gone by since the last update in the blog does not mean that nothing has been happening in the meantime. On the contrary, there has never been as much activity as during the past 8 weeks: after having been on the verge of despair in December and January, Alexandra - the coordinator of the project in Bucharest - and myself had to deploy a great amount of energy to convince more companies to join the firebird´s adventure and sponsorize it, be it in cash or kind.

I just came back from three very intensive weeks in Bucharest, Kronstadt and Hermannstadt, the three cities in which a performance of the Firebird will take place (respectively on Sept 5. 7. and 9.)

In the next few days I will report on Maldoom´s short visit to Bucharest with Josef Eder and Pete Ayres and sum up the results achieved up to this day.

"Incet, incet"....Slowly but surely!

2009-02-20T13:09:00.000-08:00

Four further European companies operating in Romania have now joined the project with generous contributions:

This year, the Fundatia Vodafone, which deals with Romanian children in need, happens to be focusing on music and sport and luckily, our project happens to combine both!

E.ON Gaz is also stepping in, warming our hearts, while Carpat Cement will consolidate the project´s fundaments.

PLUS came with the excellent news that they would provide the food for the children´s daily meals throughout the project. A terrific offer, knowing how hungry they will all be after six hours of rehearsal. Just trying to figure out the amounts needed was frightening enough.

We do not even want to think about the amounts of water that will be needed to quench the thirst of some one hundred kids sweating in the glowing Bucharest heat...

Progress report

2009-02-13T19:22:00.000-08:00

Claiming that all the project´s pending costs can already be covered at this stage would be an overstatement. The search for sponsors turned out to be much more arduous than initially expected. Since last summer, more than 70 applications were sent to companies, foundations, as well as Romanian Ministeries, authorities and institutions and we are still waiting and hoping for some answers.

Nevertheless, we can now reassure the youngsters who are so much looking forward to this exciting experiment: the project will take place. On September 5th they will stand on the stage of the Teatrul National Caragiale in Bucharest for the première, and will leave the next day for two more performances in the province, probably Brasov and Sibiu.

Corporate social responsibility

2009-02-13T11:39:00.000-08:00

Although the original idea of "Corporate Social Responsibility" in Europe goes all the way back to the middle ages, it is only since the nineteen fifties that it became the object of scientific research in the United States. Due to the fact that Europe had a longer tradition of social responsibility and a more developed social system, it was only in 2001 that the European Union published a document with basic guidelines for Corporate social responsibilities of companies.

At the November meeting of the Deutsch-Rumänische Industrie- und Handelskammer in Bucharest, Mr H. Eichler, Managing Partner at Mazars Hemmelrath pointed out the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for our societies in today´s world.

"CSR concerns us all because it reflects the key values of our society. Still, it concerns companies more because it permits them to do business over long periods of time, but it mostly concerns all individuals who work with and for companies as it helps them create a more attractive and high-quality working environment. Nevertheless, it also concerns company clients that ever oftener decide on making acquisitions in consideration of social and ecologic factors. Likewise, CSR concerns the people nearby company's location, who are interested in having their values and thoughts shared by the neighbouring company. It concerns investors and owners who consider that responsible entrepreneurial business should be stimulated.

Last but not least, CSR concerns our children, the future generations just as the older, neglected, generations in countries like Romania, who wish to live in a world where human beings and nature are held in high regard."

Good news at last!

2009-02-13T08:03:00.000-08:00

After an almost three months silence due to parlamentary elections in Romania, the Christmas Break and last not least, the economic situation world wide, we are back on the net with good news: after a life threatening illness, the "FireBird" has now successfully been saved.

But before going into details about this arduous recovery process, we feel it is more than time to wish our project´s supporters, friends and readers a successful 2009 in spite of all gloomy predictions. Follow the motto "Don´t worry, be happy" and for this purpose.....

.......DANCE WITH US!

We have to admit that we either did not choose the most propicious moment for realizing our dance project, or that the economic crisis did not occur at the right time.

However, thanks to ABB Romania, the very first company to have joined us in the FireBird´s adventure, thanks to the support of the Goethe Institute in Bucharest and of all the association´s friends, we have remained confident, keeping in mind Obama´s convincing words: "Yes we can!", a motto which a few companies thankfully seem to keep in mind, even in these hard economic times.

Self confidence

2008-11-24T22:45:00.001-08:00

„You can all do it. You must just want!“

Maldoom is convinced of it, although he has just entered the rehearsal room and sees the children for the first time; he knows it, because that´s how it has been in each of the round 300 projects he has realized around the globe in the past 30 years.

For many of the youngsters, his introductory remark is like a blow in the face; one more, but this time, a blow of a new kind: Could it be that somebody believes in me?

And sure enough, when expression and communication meet, self confidence is only a matter of time, who knows, may be just the time of the project?

Didn´t Maldoom assert in one of his projects that

„you can change your life in a dance class?"

Indeed, chances are that sustained effort followed by several successful performances will have a lasting impact on a number of kids.

Mind you, we should not expect a spectacular change right after curtain-fall. It won´t be as palpable, as solid and concrete as the house newly erected by your nextdoor neighbour; but an experience of such intensity is bound to leave its mark on each child.

After all, the house next door wasn´t built in one day either; what such a project gives to the youngsters is a pile of solid bricks for the most fascinating construction:

the shaping of an individual with character, open to new experiences and strong enough to resist to the current or better still, to swim against it.

SIBIU 2007

The theatre group "Sfintul Ignatiu" composed of 15 children, aged 4-18 is invited for the second year in a row to present a performance rehearsed under the benevolent lead of producer Liana Ceterchi

Community Dance = Expression + Communication

2008-11-22T13:04:00.000-08:00

In the last decades, family and social relations have changed dramatically. Back then, village life was punctuated by public festivities where the inhabitants met to sing or dance. More recently,

Royston Maldoom and Josef Eder have set out to give community dance its past glance back.

Music is a universal language and so is dance. Gather a hundred youngsters in a hall, dress them alike to conceal their background and elaborate a choreography to a given piece of music with them. If you have the right approach and know-how they will soon feel more free to express themselves.

Differences in background and skills will gradually fade away and give way to more acceptance, tolerance and communication between them. And once they get the feeling that they are ONE group with the same goal and that the only way to get there is to work together, you have reached a win-win situation.

Ex-pression

2008-11-20T15:20:00.000-08:00

"Youth without aging and life without death"

International Theater Festival Sibiu 2007

Communication implies, or even requires the participation of one or more persons to com-municate with; expression is the sine qua non condition and the first step towards communication; but inversely expression, being primarily a personal search, can make do with just oneself.

Whether you draw, dance, doodle, sing, swing or write sonets, you respond to a deeply felt need: that of expressing your body or soul´s feelings of the moment, be it joy, anger, pain, sadness or love. Whatever you do, it is art, at least for yourself and this is what counts.

„Children are artists“

For Maldoom all children have hidden talents. His job is to help them „ex-press“ their abilities, their feelings.

No wonder then, that he chose to act in war and crisis regions, in prisons, to work with street youngsters and children with special needs; indeed, the stronger the pressure, the deeper the need to "get it out".

Communication

2008-11-19T21:00:00.000-08:00

Bucharest-Christmas 2005

Mariuca, an amazing 80 year young Romanian lady "acting" in a Christmas play as the grandmother these children never had

Man´s best asset is communication; after food and drink his most vital need is to share with others his thoughts, his feelings, his activities.

But isn´t it sad and paradoxical, that precisely the century of communication should generate isolation? Maldoom and his team are fighting against it: Community dance is their answer.

Mobile phones, internet, television and advertizing are all means of communication. They use communication; but they abuse it, and above all their users, by depriving them of their most precious ability: genuine communication and exchange.

A familiar scene: a bunch of youngsters is sitting at a coffee shop, each of them involved in a lively telephone conversation with an absent buddy, when he could have a „real“ exchange with a friend he has at hand; or a mother pushes a pram -mind you, with a child in it- a mobile phone plugged in her ear, when she could be discovering the world anew with her child´s eyes.

You feel like telling them all: hey, you are here, not there!

Royston Maldoom and Josef Eder will bring them with both feet back on the floor: Focus!

"Firebird" heading for Bucharest

2008-11-17T01:53:00.000-08:00

I am now back from a hard work´s fortnight in Bucharest, but happy to say that the results achieved have exceeded our expectations.

Thanks to our very devoted team composed of Margareta Vlad, Oana Davidescu and Cristina Serafim (all three working at the German Embassy), Elena and Aurel Vlad (both sculptors) and last but not least Alexandra Arnautu, the newly hired and enthusiastic local coordinator of our project, we can now say that the project WILL take place.

And here are the latest news:

Josef Eder, one of the project´s two leading choreographers, travelled to Bucharest to spot locations and get to know some children, educators and the project team. He was very enthusiastic but I shall ask him to post his first impressions on this blog himself very soon.

Together we selected two Romanian dance teachers to assist him and Royston Maldoom during the rehearsals.

The participation of Romanian professionals in this project is essential for its sustainability. Indeed, one of our aims is to trigger further similar projects for underprivileged youths in Romania in the next years.

By the way, this aspect is also one of the main conditions for Maldoom and Eder´s participation in any new project, since they wish to act as catalysts for the spreading of community dance.

In order to be well prepared for the oncoming project, Catalina Gubandru and Irina Roncea, our new assistants, will be sent by Caritas Vienna and our association "Jungen Rumänen eine Chance!" to a one-week community dance workshop to be held by several choreographers in Vienna next week. One of them will be Royston Maldoom. We are looking forward to reading their report on this blog as soon as they return.

First Romanian company steps in

2008-11-09T17:23:00.000-08:00

DC Communication, a young and dynamic Bucharest Architecture Studio and Communications company is eager to promote community spirit and to have an impact on Romanian society. The company´s director, Mr Frolu, spontaneously agreed to support us for the promotion of our project. This gave us a big boost and we are looking forward to collaborating with him and his team.

100 kids to dance on National Theatre stage

2008-11-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

We now have a firm date and location for the Firebird première: Mr Ion Caramitru, director of the Teatrul National Caragiale, is giving us the opportunity to perform in his theatre on September 5th 2009. If the budget allows it, this first performance will be followed by a tour in the province the following week.

For her part, Mrs Gabriela Bancila, Headmistress of the Liceul I.L.Caragiale, has offered her high school´s sport premises and cantine for the one-month rehearsals in August 2009.

German companies enthusiastic about the project

2008-11-04T23:10:00.000-08:00

The precious advice of the German-Romanian Chamber of industry and Commerce´s President and Executive Director, Mr. Merica and Mr. Walde, of Mr. Stein from Stein & Partners and of Mr. Simon from ABB Romania enabled us to contact a number of companies operating in Romania.

Several German companies have already promised their financial support. As soon as their sponsoring has been confirmed, they will appear on our sponsors´ list on this blog.

Other companies and hotels would like to make contributions in kind such as food, catering, costumes, accomodation or transportation.

Hunting for sponsors in Bucharest

2008-10-29T09:05:00.000-07:00

I am leaving for Bucharest to move the project forward and try to convince German and Romanian companies to sponsor our project. Not an easy task in these rather somber days, considering the dooming international financial situation.

But as Romanians say "nu ne dam batuti" (we do not give up). And if they don´t, how could we let them down?