This Is Journalism (one of the many ways to get an interview...)

My UK Exclusive Interview with
Eddy Grant


Reggae legend Eddy Grant played at the Bournemouth International Centre on Tuesday, December 8th. He was a special guest on UB40's "Labour Of Love" Tour, and from what I have later found out, by then I was the only person who was given the opportunity for an interview in the UK.

So, in short, this was my wild shot lead solely by my Slavic instincts...

It began in the main entrance area, in front of the first "set" of security. Pretending to know the manager who I only spoke to that day, I audaciously asked to be let in.

The first set of security didn't buy it.

So I went outside and to the back, saw a door that said DO NOT ENTER... Upstairs, through this door, I asked the management where the rooms with the artists were, because "oh I am lost, silly me..." .

The second set of security directed me to the third, with the split of second away from the first ones seeing me where I am not supposed to be, were they didn't allow me in.

The third security was simple - just stared at my cleavage as I drank a glass of beer, pretending to be expected by this infamous manager... until I saw a really cool Rasta (later to find out he's name is Kholofelo and he is Eddy's sound mixer), asked him if he was with Eddy, he asked Eddy if he would give me the interview, then came back saying that "Eddy didn't mind", and from then I was rightfully waiting where by then I was a trespasser.

I watched the concert (as I was already in), then went backstage, got a 15min edgy interview, spoke to him for another 15, and happily lived ever after! ...

A video of the interview will follow soon and I will share whatever I can remember about this inspiring, striking legend.

Belgrade Diaries, from abroad

Seventeen Years of Solitude

After 17 turbulent years "The European Union (EU) has abolished visas for the citizens of Serbia traveling to the Schengen Area countries" and we will finally be allowed to travel into Europe without having to apply for a visa.

I intentionally say only "apply" as that was often as far as one would get when attempting to travel nearly anywhere.

It makes me wonder though, what if we have become agoraphobic, and we like it that way?

During the years we began to avoid the humiliating process of "getting" a visa which resembled a procedure of receiving a prison release form. Instead, we magnetically brought the world to us, resulting in countless numbers of new life-long friendships with the foreigners who came to this paradoxical, enchanting country which they keep returning to.

I am now in the UK, and I realize, after so many years of travelling and living throughout Africa, New Zealand, America, Europe... that in some "Marquezian" solitude, we have found our independence and kept a spirit that few endure to resist...

In Memoriam, 30.11.2009

"What illuminates our dreams, which take place in total darkness, behind our closed eyes? The memory of light which is no more, or the light of the future which you borrow like an advance on tomorrow’s day, which has yet to dawn?"

Serb writer Milorad Pavic dies aged 80

20:36 30/11/2009 Serbian poet, novelist and historian Milorad Pavic died on Monday of heart failure at the age of 80>>

Other news of the day

Bournemouth University Diaries

What if I turn into a romantic stalker? (an online journalism practical exercise, to stalk and write)

He is a bold headed middle aged man with tattoos on his forearms. He shows up walking around fast, going into the gym talking to the people at the desk, then the up to the gallery and looking inside, making comments to himself in an almost singing voice.

Looking like someone with a street history (street-wise). Irish, a clover tattoo on one arm and an Irish flag on other.

He is sitting on the wall, having a break, slowly smoking a rolled cigarette, talking to a friend. He rubs his eyes.

Checking me out.

Has knuckle tattoos and a ring on his middle finger. Scars on his head,, fresh. Wrinkled head, weary.

Has a cigarette break, then goes up to the gallery carrying a vacuum cleaner, looking obedient and submissive, grateful.

He has a kind, soft voice, contradicting his appearance. A handsome face, but weary, deep set blue eyes. Well built, but ruined.

At first seems indifferent to his work, but maybe because he is being watched, a hint of pride appears. He looks restless, childlike.

Has a colleague, a short partially bold man with glasses, thorough in what he does, shy and probably a little deaf as his walkie-talkie is set on very loud. He kindly lets me go through the door as I walk past.

Both have respect for each other, very polite to each other, not too close but respectful. Easily get their hands into the dirt, but with a responsibility.

Happy natured as his phone rings he is talking to his “mate” about the soccer game that will be on tonight. Subtly suggests to his colleague that he can join them.

Bournemouth Diaries

Concern about the lack of young audiences’ general interest in the Arts

A general concern is expressed regarding the lesser number of young audiences appearing in the Arts events organised by the city of Bournemouth.

The ratio between the young and senior audiences seems to be disproportional amongst those who attend the theatre performances, classical concerts or art exhibitions.

On their recent concert held at the BIC, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s repertoire consisted of attractive, popular Russian classics. However, “The number of the young people counted less than a dozen tonight” said Mrs Heath, the Box Office assistant.

Hugh Knorris, Honorary Secretary of Bournemouth Little Theatre Club which today holds up to 120 mostly senior members, spoke about this issue: “It is difficult now days to find young people, as they’ve got other things to do. And if you do find them, they tend to go off on a job, they get married.” BLTC was founded in 1919 and is the oldest amateur drama club in the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area.

“Young audiences – yes, very interesting subject and there’s a huge conversation there” briefly commented Bournemouth Council's Arts Development Officer Adam Gent when asked about how much are the younger audiences involved in, or visit the Arts events, and whether there is a plan to get them more interested. Being an arts team working throughout Bournemouth, the Art Development has the goal to support creativity, learning and enjoyment of the arts by working through a strategic approach, in hope to attract audiences of various ages.

However, their means are limited. “Financial support is offered to us through the Bournemouth Arts Grant, a scheme that supports small Bournemouth based arts projects organised by artists, individuals and groups in common. With many of our colleagues we never have enough money to do all the things we want to do” says Gent.

Rachel Maddix, founder of a film production, media and performing arts organization Fearless Expressive Arts, comforts us by promising: “Our aim is to run both commercial weekend and evening classes for those wishing to build confidence and creative skills and a charity providing funded media projects especially for young people who would benefit from them”.

Interview with Katarina Petrovic (Director) and Milena Depolo (Playwright) about the play "Who Is Laurette?", Studio B Belgrade, March 2009

A thought from a friend

"In Serbia everything always and again starts from the very beginning."

The First One

I have been advised by a soon to be my new University to start my own blog. I have a dilemma. It could be of an egotistical nature, and it could very well be a matter of modesty.
I am reading about what a blog is, I have read a few by some people that I know, and the general idea that dominated was that a blog was a chance for people without a public identity to be heard - something like a chance to be on TV, in American terms. For people who are infected with the mass media pressure of being nobody until you have a public identity.
Yes, it is much harder to go through the thick, heavy everyday procedure in order to make a name for yourself (if you really have the need for it) but then there came a Blog, a virtual voice that anyone can have.
And then I read on about the scary information that there is an Orwellian company called Technocrati which makes a survey about these Bloggers. So there they are tricked into exposing any personal information, taking on an imaginary role of their favourite TV character, lessening their dignity. And someone is making statistics, while nothing is accomplished but loosing individuality of their ordinary, private lives, in desperation to gain public recognition. And the world is deprived of its mysticism.
So as a contradiction to what I just wrote, here is my first blog.
But so far I prefer the nerve wrecking, frustrating, grinding, insanely dynamic work of directing actors, making a play and saying "it" out loud in this manner, and not in the comfort of my room, behind a computer screen, unexposed and protected. (this was strange, as I have no sense of who I'm writing to.)