|
I was thinking back about the women and fujara- and they were never
banned per se, but there has always been a "stigmata" against it in
Slovakia. This is one that many are ready to break, but why a
stigmata?
Well, there is one theory that the fujara is a phallic symbol, and that
is why women have been culturally discouraged from playing it. Oddly
enough, the fujara is the "queen's instrument." Doesn't really match up,
does it.
The other reason is size- it is a pretty big flute, and therefore many
women are just not big enough to play it.
The last is where this fujara comes from: the pastures. Women
traditionally did not shepherd, and therefore they didn't play it. They
were home, playing different instruments that were more condusive to the
"downtime" that had INSIDE. The fujara was an "outdoor" instrument
originally.
Was she banned? I heard nothing of the sort. Dusan also didn't recall
that she was banned. We had a fujara ready to go. Last I saw, she came out
the gateway, and got into a car with some people- and rolled out.
She didn't come back. She was a really good musician though- played the
devil out of anything she could touch. I don't know where she
went... but banned? Your futujara caused a stir at practise, but we don't
know what would have happened if she took the stage- probably nothing. She
was never banned, she just left with some Slovak friends. I think I
explained the tradition to someone, and I fear that the two may have
mixed... She left. Women were traditionally discouraged to play the
fujara. Today, it isn't a big deal. Somehow, the two mixed into her being
banned from the festival.
There is a woman, Sanitrarova, who would have raised hell if that were
the case... Her uncle was Martin Sanitrar, and she is also a really good
player.
I was thrilled to be in Detva, it was a great step forward for the
international fujarist. I am NOT sure what you were expecting. The
advertising was a failure... but Dusan exhausted himself when Emilia
brought it to my attention, and I brought it to his. We tried to rectify
this. Detva, however, is a festival, a folk festival, meant to
cater-not define- a certain crowd... one that is based in tradition. The
Slovak population loves this tradition. Dusa Fujary is NOT a promotion
organization, but rather a group of friends trying to do two things: 1.
introduce the beauty of traditional songs into a world-scene, and 2.
trying to introduce the great things happening with the fujara outside of
Slovakia in Slovakia. Guess which is easier in Slovakia.
Yes, there was a school going on, and it even made it to
television. We are given a spot, and then students come.... it
is a festival. Transient audiences are the rule at these events. In
transient audiences, people come in to drill a piece of wood, have some
gulas, and only a limited few start learning some basics or advanced
things. This year, it was a total of 3 beginners, and the advanced
people wandered around the whole of Detva taking mental
notes, collecting from more players than just those in our spot. Why
should they stick around our area when there were more than 400 players in
the area, playing for themselves, and giving different riffs and outlooks
on the fujara.
I read something about 25 minute drives... I didn't have one of those
in Detva, and the worst drive was getting my father-in-law from lost in
Detva back to Ocova- a total of 20 minutes as I went BACK from Zvolenska
Slatina to Detva to meet him, and guide him back. Transportation became a
nightmare, but for those who were really affected by this (Paolo, Marco,
and Andrew), I didn't hear a thing about it. You did have a fujara taxi,
and there were a few cars.
Like I said, it was a showcase performance that was 10-15 minutes a
person, the fact being that with all of the talent present warranted its
own festival in itself. We were all brought in by Detva- and the point was
that we were a side-stage presentation. I guess no one expected that, as I
am learning from these posts. I explained over and over even there that
the main-stage event was effect. That was even present in Bob's emails
explaining it. No one HAD to do it. It was just a quick show that
even we outside of Slovakia love the fujara. We were upset that they said
nothing about our concerts. But there, no one else gets named- so
why should we have been named? They named Dusan because he sang as a
soloist. It is a traditional thing to do. I have never seen it done
ANYWHERE otherwise.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that we were given the
same treatment as any other "subor" that was in Detva- if not
better. Dusan did not sleep for more than sven hours for the whole
time we were there... and I guess that the real problem is that I now just
don't know what you were expecting? Was this event portrayed as
something else? Detva had a website up, flyers, and we were PART OF DETVA!
We were not the main event. I would like to ask Chris- how many
people were at the Fujara Discussion run by Karol Kocik? I am curious,
because his crowd is the MAJORITY of Slovak fujarists- a purgative group
of traditionalists that shun anything that is not "old notes." Karol
himself is actually LESS extreme than his crowd, however- I think you may
have noticed that many of the "traditional" players did not even come
around to see what you all do so well. This is the crowd we deal
with in Detva. I wonder, did he have more than 30 people?
This was never meant to be a full- hour long showcase of each
individual. It was to be as Detva always is- smatterings
of performances. Detva gave everyone the same amount of meal
tickets. The guy at the Penzion did not accept them. I see that as
annoying, but how often were we surprised by the things this guy did- "if
one person doesn't want breakfast, no one gets it!" Well, we were
all at loggerheads with him on this. Detva sets times, and changes
them often based on real-time events, and the point is that everyone
(except for those on the small concert, I guess...) are THRILLED to be
invited. I am beginning to think that if you are unfamiliar with the
festival, then you may either get more or less than what you imagine. I
lived there, and therefore I was ok with how the festival ran. Maybe that
is the big difference- but then again, I was with Dusan in Salzburg at an
international Ocarina Festival, and it ran much the same. I guess we
are just used to it. The advertising, however, there was also less than we
expected... And we too got shuffled from one place to another (using our
own car) from short performance to short performance. Beer helped. :-)
Dusan doesn't drink, so he was out of luck. Oh, and we were also in the
minus afterwards, but it was an experience that we LOVED.
The table, yes minor, but I can see that being annoying. I didn't know
about it, and Dusan remembered when I asked. Then it was getting the
actual table- and you had it. No big deal, really. But again, I take full
responsibility. In the end, you had a spot, and ample opportunity to
sell. Anyone who wanted to sell, had a spot.
As far as food, gulas was there for everyone, and free. I know, many
are vegetarian, but that has always been a situation in Slovakia, the
"kitchen" is not very vegetarian-friendly. We did try our best on
that. I personally did not get a bowl- I always was late to the fire. I
did, however, get some nice Slivovica... :-)
So, my questions to you all: What were you expecting? I think this
is the real problem as far as the festival goes. Expectations and
reality were not matching. For me, and for the members of the
audience, we had a festival as they always are, except VERY controversial
for the traditional audience. In light of who goes to the festivals, we
had a good audience for what we were presenting.
I feel that I am beginning to repeat myself, so.... :-P
I will be at work, so I won't be responding anytime soon. Take care you
all! but still, what was the expectation of this festival?
Ben
--- On Tue, 7/29/08, nadishana
<nadi...@gmail.com> wrote:
From:
nadishana <nadi...@gmail.com>
Subject: [Fujara] Re: Detva
feedback
To: Fuj...@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2008,
11:09 AM
Hi Ben
This descussion is NOT about logistics or food tickets.
It's about
your approach to organization. So as Marco said lets
discuss it in
open internet, because seems you gonna continue and
make same
concert/workshop next time.
I repeat what i replied you
to your personnal email:
You guys should learn the basics of
organisation and customer care if
you pretend to run this kind of
business. Especially if you involve
professional musicians to be part
of your events. Define the level of
your workshop/concert. If it's
gonna be professional then find
sponsors, hire real organizer, make
real promotion, website,
interesting program with full time concerts,
workshops of different
participants and pay to professional musicians
for the road and
performance.
If it's gonna be amateur thing for
absolute beginners who being
honered just to touch fujara, then leave
it like this but mention that
CLEARLY in your program and do not try
to invite professional
musicians to go there for free. If you mix all
of those to one thing
you will get just big mess and not good
reputation.
Do not pretend on the thing which you cannot afford. It
will be bad
for everyone, including you in the end.
Did you
got any answers from Dusan? I would be interested to know
them.
Concerning Detva Folk fest. You have to understand that not
everybody
of us was keen to perform on Detva Fest like you did. I was
not
expected that i should hit the political brick walls of
slovakian
festival directors. it is not part of my job. I'd rather
perform on my
own instrument for the people who appreciate my art,
where my name
will be mentioned, instead of being censored by people
who totally
don't care even to listen once how it sounds and just
care about their
politics/business. For me if that "effect making" on
stage wouldn't
happen - no big deal. I just was surprised by their
stupid censorship.
As you told, this is all politics, so lets not mix
politics and music.
Folklore and polititians/ businessmen who put on
themselves mark
"Folklore" is very different things. In Russia we
have this official
fake folklore events with censorship and big
bussines around, which is
very similar to Detva fest. In fact in
Russia authentic folklore is
almost dead (it is a question when last
old singers will die). It is
not self reproducing anymore. And the
reason is - politics. the
communists turn folklore to propaganda.
That's the best way to kill
folklore, even better then forbid it. So
in Russia we have just fake
folklore everywhere or so called
"academic folklore". And very small
group of enthusiast who still
trying to reproduce/record/ keep
authentic folk. I hope that it's not
so bad in Slovakia and Detva fest
organizers are an exception.
Btw. did you get the answers from Dusan about women forbidden
with
fujara? Is that
true?
best,
Nadishana
www.fujara.ru
--- In Fujara@yahoogroups. com, Ben Sorensen <cerrunos1@.
..> wrote:
>
> Hi Vladiswar,
> I would vote to take
this discussion "off-group" or back channel...
just as not to bore
people with the logistic questions. HOWEVER... I
want to keep two
points on group, as they are interesting- - and I am
looking at it
from a "group" perspective: This is the futujara and
the main stage
event. Everything else, I see your point and why you
are disgusted,
but lets get that off group-- unless people or you
decide that it
should remain on-group. My vote is that the food
vouchers et al is
probably VERY neccessary to discuss, but not here.
I hope you see my
point on that... :-) and I want to resolve it.
>
> The
piece we played was nonsense... I can see where you are coming
from
on that. We were asked to provide an effect on stage, and being
that
many people did not know the song- Na vrch na polane- I can see
where
you are coming from on that.
> Also, there were WAY too many
fujaras to orchestrate in any logical
way-- even if we all did know
the peice. SO, the idea was to create an
effect-- and then "muimble"
away holding down the key of G for Dusan
to sing over. This is
exactly what happened... and aside from that,
many great musicians,
each individualy respected, took that stage that
night- and the WHOLE
troups were introduced, but not the individuals.
That is the nature
of this type of concert. I have played solo at
many Slovak festivals,
and everytime I was always a part of a larger
whole.
> The
piece WORKED, in spite of some shortcomings that only Dusan, I,
or
other "traditionalists" would notice (scatters mid-piece...
for
example). You and the rest played great. I personally was
deeply
moved by it. I don't agree with your assesment that it was
nonsense,
but it was not a moment to show what we could do
individually- - and
therefore probably disconcerting if you were
expecting something else.
>
> The futujara is your
invention, and a good one at that. However, the
Detva festival-
especially on stage there- is a celebration of
traditional
instruments. That is why it wasn't allowed. You may be
right that the
Aerosmith analogy was a bit off-point, but here is
another: If I am
playing at a bar on guitar, I have a set repotuar
that is filled with
popular songs, sing-alongs, country, folkrock, and
so on. I would not
play this in another venue where Jazz is in call. I
use a different
guitar for each venue, and a classical in others....
same with this
fujara. The futujara was in call for your set at the
small concert in
the meadow, but not on that stage. I admit, I see
your point- but I
also see thiers. Slovaks were after something else
there- tradition-
and they were the audience. We as musicians try to
expand, but there
are venues were that is NOT welcome, and at that
exact point it
happened to be one of them. This is my take on thier
opinion, and
I
> would love to discuss this one also on the board.
>
> Aren't there instances of this in Russia and Germany too? I
would
love to hear input from others. Aren't there festivals that
focus on
tradition rather than innovation? SHOULD we innovate even at
these
venues? Thank you all, and Vladiswar- I do see your
points.
>
> Ben
> --- On Sun, 7/27/08, nadishana
<nadishana@. ..> wrote:
>
> From: nadishana
<nadishana@. ..>
> Subject: [Fujara] Re: Detva
feedback
> To: Fujara@yahoogroups. com
> Date:
Sunday, July 27, 2008, 9:30 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hi Ben
> Thanks for your
answer.
> Let's not stuck on this table issue - this is very very
minor thing.
>
> And here i'm trying to talk about major
things which concerns every
> fujara workshop participant:
>
> - no transport
> - no free food provided as
advertised
> - schedule changing in real time and some things
didn't happen
> - bad promotion of the concert
> - no names
of musicians mentioned on main stage + the piece we played
> there
was nonsense.
> - no attempt to solve those problems on the place,
but let us solve
> them ourselfs.
>
> I thought you
was one of organizers of this event so it's surprising
> to hear
that you don't know why most of the problems occurred. Then I
>
suggest Dusan to learn english if he plan to make those workshops
in
> the future. Or I suggest you next time to take full
responsibility and
> be informed about main organizational
questions like transport, food
> and promotion. I think everyone
want to talk directly to responsible
> person.
>
> As
I understood from your answer the teaching workshop did happen
at
> particular time and place and there was 3 students on it. Is
that
> right? When it happened then? I was curious to see Dusan's
teaching
> approach and I must say that was almost impossible to
realize when and
> where is gonna happen because of total schedule
mess. May be that's
> why there was just 3 studends attended it? I
was curious about it not
> because of learning basics, but because
of learning different approach
> to teaching, since i'm giving
workshops myself. That was one of the
> reasons why I came to
detva.
>
> Food tickets:
> Sorry, but I still think
you could discuss with the guy before about
> that tickets or at
least alert us by email that food at the hostel
> will be not
free. But EVEN if he would accept those tickets, their
> ammount
was enough to cover just half (in best case) of our food
>
expenses. This I wrote already . About that you could notify us
by
> email before too.
>
> So the thing you could
definitely do is to write before the workshop
> in the
email:
> "Hey guys, we apologize but we can cover just half of you
food
> expenses with the tickets which you can realize at the
shops and
> restaurants yourself. Sorry hostel where you will stay
will not accept
> the tickets, so you have to pay. Keep in mind
that you can't go from
> the hostel to another restaurant without
the car.
> The transport will not be provided, so go with your car
or ask your
> friend to go with his car since all 4 places are
very far away from
> each other and you have to drive between
them.
> We're sorry but we didn't make flyers and posters about
our event to
> make advertisement so don't expect much people on
the concert."
>
> Then each of us can decide: go or not. I
afraid if I knew that before
> I would decide not to come.
>
> You and me, we understand that good business based on good
customer
> care. If you don't care about the customers you will
brake your
> business. And in simple words the main issue of Detva
workshop was: no
> care about customers which paid the travel
expenses themselves.
>
> Conserning the futujara on main
stage. Your example with Aerosmith on
> bluegrass fest is totally
out of case. Futujara is still fujara, based
> on traditional
fujara construction and it have fujara sound. And it
> have
nothing to do with style of music. All problem was about the
look
> of futujara.
> Right example is this: someone with
two-necked banjo which have
> square form want to perform on
bluegrass festival. His instrument is
> still banjo, it sounds
like banjo althrough it have 2 necks and square
> body instead of
round one. It combines two banjos in one giving you
> more
possibilities. If the organizers forbids this person to play
this
> instrument on their fest - shame on them! I still will
consider that
> as nazi approach. They are against the blugrass
tradition, blocking it
> from being developed in natural way by
the people who do it from their
> heart!
> I know many folk
festivals and I performed on them with my
> experimental
instruments. Everybody was happy including organizers. So
> the
approach of the organizers of Detva fest is really exceptional.
I
> can remember something from communism soviet times when on
stage was
> such a control. But come on! Slovakia is EU and
suppose to be
> democratic. So please pass this opinion to
organizers.
>
> Once again: i'm not complaining here about
my hard times in Detva. It
> is just sad that this kind of things
happened in such small
> alternative community of fujara lovers.
There's enough of this stuff
> going on in show business
mainstream communities but they deserved it
> there. Any
alternative network of people cannot survive with the same
>
approach inside. If we run business targeting minority of
alternative
> people we need to be honest, transperent and offer
the real product
> for which we fully responsible. That's my
opinion and the reason why
> i'm writing here.
>
>
--- In Fujara@yahoogroups. com, Ben Sorensen <cerrunos1@ ..>
wrote:
> >
> > Hi there Vladiswar!!!
> > I do
appologize that the table was long in coming- I personally was
>
unaware that the table had been promised- I thought we had set
up
> everything when you mentioned it. I think Dusan may have
forgotten to
> get it worked out before with the managers of the
retirement home, but
> once we got it worked out, the table was
there. I hope you didn't
> think that we were trying to block you
from selling your instruments.
> And I am sorry that it didn't
happen as fast as you would have liked.
> That was our mistake,
and I take full responsibility.
> > �
> > as for
the workshop, there were a total of 3 real students there,
> and
between Dusan, Jaro, and I they did get the basics. These guys
>
came out from knowing nothing to having a starting point. �The
others
> that came out were fans of the fujara, and came in to
just see it, not
> to learn.� It was more of a fujara "petting
zoo" at times, but I think
> everyone was pleased that
came.
> > �
> > I know that the international
concert did NOT recieve the
> advertising we had all hoped, and I
will, now that I am home and
> actually have time, figure out what
had gone wrong.
> > �
> > The food tickets- that is
a Slovak thing, and hard to explain. The
> Penzion could have
accepted them... had the owner wanted to (at least
> this is my
understanding. )� I will also check on that too, but
I
think
> it was the owner wanting cash instead of
vouchers...
> > �
> > I am not going to comment on
the transport as I have no idea what
> went on there, I will leave
that one to Dusan... I will ask him soon.
> > �
> >
The futujara was not allowed on the big stage because it was not
a
> traditional fujara- and your other PVC fujara was because it
was, for
> the most part, a traditional fujara.� The futujara
you make is a
> pleasant and interesting mix of fujara and
koncovka- but the festival
> THERE is a folk festival, and a
Slovak folk festival at that.� I know
> it seemed "Nazi," but
the futujara would have been somewhat like
> having Aerosmith play
at a Bluegrass fest... Really cool in thier own
> right, but it
doesn't belong at a�bluegrass festival.�What you
>
made�isn't a fujara, it is a futujara. That is why it wasn't
allowed
> there, and it would be the same at a German festival or
American
> festival.� When something is expected, i.e. a fujara,
we can't expect
> the organizers to allow something that is NOT a
fujara on stage. But
> the fujara you did use was one you made,
and gorgeous... and PVC. I
> personally am happy that they didn't
say anything about that, and I
> understand
> > why you
feel this way.�
> > �
> > Dusan's stand was built
on time, true, and my wife manned it.� IF we
> had remembered
that you needed a table too, we would have made sure
> you had it.
Our bad, and I am very�sorry.
> > �
> > As far as
the times, they changed at the director's whim... as least
> it
seemed that way to me.
> > �
> > I didn't hear
about the girl not being allowed... I know that we had
> a fujara
ready to go for her! Again, something I will ask Dusan about.
> I
do hope you are wrong :-P in a good way!!!!!
> > �
>
> I am happy though, that you at least have no regrets about Detva.
I
> am finally going to get some sleep after 36 hours of
travel.... :-) It
> was a pleasure to meet you all, and I am sorry
if it seemed slightly
> ramshod there.� My not having a phone
was a curse to this, I admit...
> as info from Slovak to English
was slow in coming from the main stage
> to�"our neck of the
woods."�
> > �
> > I do know that Dusan was given
limited resources, and payed for most
> of this part of the
festival and the concert�himself. I believe that
> given this,
Dusan did all he could do for all of us.� We needed two
>
Dusans, granted, but I know he gave it his all.
> > �
>
> Jozko Rybar, Ml. (junior), the son of the great Detvan fujarist
and
> a respected member of the folklor community agreed that the
organizers
> should have showcased everyone on the big stage as
well. He told me
> this after the fact, but being that he is NOT a
director, he couldn't
> change that.� I hope, however, that his
words get heard in Detva and
> that this aspect changes.. and if
it does, I would love to see
> everyone back.� I just pray that
maybe for once, the politics
> surrounding the fujara give
way....
> > �
> > �And I believe that the
moderators could and should have named all
> of us... but they
didn't- and that is not Dusan's fault.�But what is,
> is... and
I think it was already mentioned to the organizers.
> >
�
> > I fully understand your feelings on this, and the fact
that so much
> was said that didn't show up, well..... it could
have been better.� I
> agree, but we learned from the experience
and now it will be better in
> the future.� You have brought up
some good questions though.... I will
> try to get you answers.�
I am sorry that I can really answer two of
> your concerns- the
table (my fault!!!) and the futujara (folk fest...
> for
traditional fujaras. We HAD to compromise.)
> > I love your
playing, by the way, as well as everyone elses playing
> too...
and I will try to get you responses for this. Not excuses, but
>
responses. You deserve nothing less.
> > �
> >
yours in friendship!
> > �
> > �
> >
Ben
> > �
> > �
> >
> >
> > --- On Fri, 7/25/08, nadishana <vladiswar@ ..>
wrote:
> >
> > From: nadishana <vladiswar@
..>
> > Subject: [Fujara] Detva feedback
> > To:
Fujara@yahoogroups. com
> > Date: Friday, July 25, 2008, 10:45
PM
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi Bob, Ben and other fujara folks!
>
> First of all forgive my English, it's not my native
language.
> > I'm just on my way from fujara workshop/concert
in Detva in the bus
> > typing on my PDA. Usually i'm not up to
long writings but in this case
> > I prefere to share my
thoughts. I hope my letter will help organizers
> > to correct
several things in organization of that workshop. I kindly
> >
ask you not to take this letter as attempt to offend somebody.
Opinion
> > which I will share here is very close to the
opinion of at least 5 of
> > participants of fujara workshop in
Detva.
> >
> > Things I liked:
> > 1. I met
almost all europeian fujara enthusiasts in one place. That
> >
was really great oppotrunity and I concider this as main advantage
of
> > this event for me. We had great time together chating
and playing!
> >
> > 2. Getting in touch with slovak
culture. Althrough I found Detva folk
> > fest very similar to
russian "official goverment folklore" events,
> > there were
some great slovak players and singers around to whom I had
> >
opportunity to listen in privat situation and I had a goose bumps
on
> > my skeen during listening them. I also cheked many
fujara and koncovka
> > flutes. Some of them was really realy
great: had very reach sound and
> > beautiful decorations. I
bought very nice concovka with soft sound,
> > beautifully
designed.
> >
> > 3. I was quite impressed by some
performances on the concert at
> > saturday : czech guy on
fujara and vocal (forgot the name), japanese
> > guy on gaidas
, Marko Trochelmann with his rhytmic approach to
> > fujaras,
Marek from Slovakia on gaida and vocal (unfortunately wasn't
>
> on a concert program). Slovac gaida is very pleasant surprice for
me.
> > Very interesting construction and playing
possibilities.
> >
> > 4. Hostel where we stayed was
good, with the kitchen and shower. And
> > i'm really thankful
to the owner of the hostel who provided his own
> > computer to
me couple of times to check emails.
> >
> > 5.
"Smutny Trio" was great idea of Marko and two other guys who
loves
> > the instruments of Smutny and play on them. They
drived the guy (very
> > old man in fact) from his village to
the stage to play with them and
> > support this great fujara
maker who wasn't invited on fujara
> > competition.
Appreciated!
> >
> > --------
> > things I
didn't like:
> >
> > 1. Bob said that food will be
provided. In reality it wasn't. Dusan
> > gave us the food
tickets which was possible to use in some restaurants
> > and
shops but that tickets covered 1/2 part (in best case) of my
food
> > expenses.
> > I had enogh food with me for
1,5 days of the festival and I don't need
> > much: just salad
with potatoes twice a day, joghurt and a bottle of
> > orange
juice for the breakfast since i'm vegetarian. Concidering all
>
> of those the ammount of tickets was way not enough to cover my
food
> > expences (that's not only my opinion)
> > At
the hostel they didn't accept the tickets so we had to pay our
>
> breakfast and dinner because that was very unconvinient to drive
to
> > another place where they accept those tickets. And you
can't go there
> > without the car.
> >
> >
2. Transport was not provided. We realized that all the places
where
> > we was suppose to be (festival place, restaurant
place, fujara
> > workshop and our hostel) were in different
places very far away from
> > each other and we had to drive
from one to another(from 15 to 25 min
> > driving). Organizers
let us sort out this problem ourselfs. Luckily I
> > invided to
the event my friend and fujara maker Max Brumberg who
> >
wasn't originally invited by organizers. First he said that he
don't
> > want to go, but then he changed his mind just before
the event and
> > decided to go. That was great luck for about
8 participants of fujara
> > workshop who came without the car
and nevertheless were able to drive
> > between those places on
his small truck which we called "fujara taxi".
> > The good
thing about it that the bad organization brought us together
>
> and people was helping each other.
> > However I should
mention that Dusan drived me, Andrew and two italian
> > guys
to Zvolen on way back and helped me to find my gate for the bus.
>
> That was proper care which i'm thankful about! If the organizers
would
> > keep that approach for the whole thing, our
experience would be way
> > better.
> >
> >
3. The schedule was changing and not clear. And some things
never
> > happened, for example there was no such thing as
"1:00 � 3:00 p.m.
> > practical teaching of fujaraplaying:
basics and music theory". At
> > least I haven't seen it and
nobody told me that it's gonna happen.
> > Nobody of
participants with whome i've been together haven't see it
> >
either.
> > When I hear the word "workshop" I have picture of
someone who teaching
> > the technique of particular
instrument.( when I make workshop myself I
> > make it in this
way). There was no such thing at fujara workshop!
> >
>
> 4. I play PVC fujara of special construction (futujara) which
combines
> > concovka and fujara in one instrument and got 4
exchangable playing
> > tubes in 4 keys. it was elaborated by
my friend Max Brumberg and me.
> > One of the reasons to go to
Detva for me was to present this
> > instrument there. However
futujara was forbidden (!) by organizers at
> > the main stage
of the festival after they have seen it on rehearsal. I
> >
concider this as nazi approach and strongly disagree with that. We
got
> > invited as international fujara players with our own
instruments and I
> > think this is disrespect to other
musicians, lack of professionalism
> > and it's very bad for
the reputation of the festival.
> >
> > Another
thing of this kind: there was the girl who play fujara and we
>
> asked Dusan to take her on stage with us (and we was exited
about
> > this, since we never seen a woman with fujara. He
told (or organizers
> > of festival told him to pass that to
us) that woman with fujara is not
> > allowed on stage. I heard
his answer from participants, not from
> > Dusan, so please
correct me if i'm not right.
> >
> > Surprising and
very sad...
> >
> > May be some of these not adressed
directly to Dusan, but IMO at least
> > he could try to defend
us and gave his voice in case he's disagree
> > with organizers
(which I hope to). Please pass this to organizers of
> > Detva
fest. I hope they will read it and reconsider their policy.
> >
> > 5. The workshop and the concert of international fujarists
was very
> > badly promoted. There was about 30 people in a
public during the
> > concert at saturday and majority of them
was the people somehow
> > related to this event and some of
their friends. I haven't seen any
> > posters about fujara
workshop at the detva festival place. This
> > festival is a
huge event with a lots of people, the main slovak folk
> >
festival, so it's a shame that there was so bad promotion and
people
> > didn't know about it and how to go there. And the
place of workshop
> > was in different place than festival, you
have to drive there. So I
> > found festival and workshop very
disconnected from each other.
> >
> > 6. As Bob told
we had a small entry to the main stage of the festival.
> > In
reality Dusan asked all of us to play simultaniously on G
fujaras
> > anything to accompany to his singing. As one of the
participants told
> > we were like a flowers on the wall of
Dusan showing how great he is to
> > gather all of those
international fujarists together. Nobody's name of
> > us was
mentioned, except Dusan.
> > No word, Dusan is great fujara
maker and player but in my opinion it's
> > not right approach
to treat other musicians.
> > Instead of making some chaotic
noize it's better to give to each
> > player 20 seconds of solo
where each one can express their
> > individuality. It would
take the same time but in the end musicians
> > would be
satisfied. I told with some of them: none of people I talked
>
> with was happy with that.
> >
> > Other things:
I reminded to Ben twice that we need the table for our
> >
stand as was discussed with Bob before and I insisted on that.
Ben
> > told that Bob didn't told him much about that (!), so
he didn't know
> > that we needed it. Dusan finally gave us a
table and place on the
yard.
> > That was only one case when
I insisted, then I decided not to spend
> > energy for
struggling to every little thing and concentrate it to
> >
organize things myself, which I would have to do anyways.
> >
I'm kind of used to that things because i'm from Russia (and in
Russia
> > this approach is very common). But not all people
were used to that.
> > Andrew was completely pissed off when
after the concert organizers
> > just went home and forgot to
bring him back to hostel and provide food
> > for him.
>
>
> > I noticed that Dusan's stand with stuff for sell
(fujaras, concovkas,
> > other flutes, CDs, DVDs) was up and
running from the very morning of
> > friday. It seems that this
stand was the main thing of fujara
> > workshop. It was
functioning all those days continiuosly and all
> > activity
was mainly around this stand. That was properly organized
>
thing:)
> >
> > After all that I decided not to stay
untill 2 pm at sunday to take
> > part in another small concert
for friends who already heard me
> > playing. I went early
morning to Brno and spend the delay time between
> > two of my
buses in internet caf� taking care about my business.
> >
> > Conclusion:
> >
> > Bad organization,
lack of promotion for the concert and no proper
> > care about
participants. Teaching workshop which was advertised didn't
> >
happen.
> > But on other hand great people gathered in one
place whom � was
happy
> > to meet, great musical
performances, beautiful instruments.
> >
> > All of
us paid quite expensive tickets, made a lot of afford and spend
>
> 3 days of our time for this event. Noone of us was get paid. That
was
> > the conditions of the event. In this case at least I
would expect
> > proper organization and care, interesting
program, properly advertized
> > concerts with more audience
and no restrictions to express myself,
> > like "fujara face
control" on main festival stage.
> >
> > I would
better meet with the all fujara lovers in another place on the
>
> event organized by ourselfs without those limitations and
>
unconvinience.
> >
> > BUT I have no regrets that I
went to Detva. I met all great people and
> > experienced the
Slovak traditional culture.
> > There were more pluses for
myself then minuses.
> >
> > I hope you guys will
read this and reconcider your approach and you
> > will make
next event more pleasant for invited musicians.
> > This is my
honest opinion and I ask you once again not to take it as
> >
attempt to offend you. I'm writing this to help you in
your
improvement.
> >
> > With best wishes to all
of you,
> > Nadishana
> >
> >
www.fujara.ru
>
>
>
|
