Link 43

LiNK Nr. 43

E p i l o g u e o f S t r e e t Fe s t

August 2013 / III Summer edition

Foreword 7th Kalamata's Street Festival!

I have no words ...

THANK YOU ALL

See You next year on 8th Kalamata’s Street Festival Filaretos

2

Editor: Taaniel Stoitsev Staff members of KANE: Filaretos Vourkos Fotini Arapi Georgia Giannakea Panagiota Arapi Giwrgos Housenbelli

Cover photo:

Long Term EVS: Alice Ponticelli Bjartur SteingrĂ­msson Dorian Agnel Ines Dupont Miault Jelena Scepanovic Leonard Pristl Loic Marchand Manuela Gascon Taaniel Stoitsev

I I I I I I I I I I

Short Term EVS: Edyta Jadowska Anna Rozecka Mateuzs Huptas Agnieszka Dymek Katarzyna Janas Yana Debusschere Dries Witdouck Ganizani Msiska Pieter Vandenberghe Tine Vandenberghe Marie Christine Exler Harald Hummer Magdalena Pauer Viktoria Spielauer Erwin Negl Anais Alexandre Kevin Andreazza Benjamin Marie Charlotte Clatot Ceyla Asker

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

Bjartur SteingrĂ­msson

I I I I I I I I I I

Contact us: K.A.NE., Social Youth Development Youth Centre of Kalamata Plateia Othonos 10 Kalamata 24100 Greece

Tel: +302721110740 e-mail: evstaaniel@gmail.com; info@ngokane.org url:

http://www.kentroneon.wordpress.com http://www.ngokane.org

facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/kentroneon

Street Festival thro

4

ough pictures by Bjartur

5

The guy behind the Street Festival

Interviewer: Taaniel

Interview with Filaretos was taking part during 2 sessions as he is a busy man with busy shedule. Gladly he still found time to give exclusive interview to our periodical LiNK! So let’s ask some questions before the festival had even start from the leader of this event: Filaretos , tell us with which feelings Could you pick 1 event this year you are particulary proud of? you dive into this year’s festival?

As Street Festival have started as a small party among few activists in Kalamata some years ago and have been contributed year by year to be better and more understandable for larger audience though it is still very specific festival I greatly wish development in positive way to continnue with this festival.

Also I hope that the festival could be more indebendent so it would also take part without my presens.

This is a question that you just cannot answer with one option. There are many events that we are very proud of. I would highlight for example art installation “Step” as our festival is quite specific and it is a bit hard to include art to the right consept but with a help of Marta (the installations “head”) is was very much possible.

Could you reveal how big is the group of people you work together for Street Festival?

Who is the target group of the festiWe have around 20 locals who are most deeply val? involved on creating process of Street Festival.

We target everyone who is interested in peace- Plus of course our volunteers from Greece & ful Street Art and everything connected. As it around the world who are great help for festival is quite specific fest I need to mention that for as well. me it is really important to give opportunities One wish that I really hope to achieve is to make for youngsters to express themselves and give hirearchy of the structure as horisontal as posopportunity to try different things. Everyone is sible to gain independence and stability for the festival. welcomed!!!

After exhausting but cheerish and pleasantly popular festival we had again chance to ask some more direct reflections & opinions conserning Street Festival to be shared:

Who should we thank after you for the wonderful StreetFestival happened in On Friday we had around 1500 people visiting Kalamata during 26th-27th of 2013 us and on the second day we had even more people. Around 2500 visitors made vagons- It’s easy to say that I would thank everyone, but park look like a palatial outdoor hip-hop con- to be more specific - thank you all sponsors sert hall. And on Sunday we were even more who helped festival to take part and in order sucessful with numbers of people - around 3000 volunteers (both local and forigner) without folks going around and enjoying nice wether, who’s help the festival would not be as smooth as it were. Also we say thank you to munisipalgreat activities and much more... ity of Kalamata and ofcourse all the visitors!!

How large-scale event it was?

Is there any info about 8th StreetFestival of Kalamata already avaliable? As there were a lot of work to do - to pack and clean festival’s area, set up and We already have vague time for festival - it will arrange graffity panels, remove photo take place during 2nd week of July if we find exchibitions and insitu “step” etc.etc. We enough sponsors to support event like that. did not want to hold Filaretos more from Also we would like to make event last 4 days dealing with 101 more important things so it would be more like a festival, but again he needed to be with so I just say thank everything is connected with money and spon- You on behalf of everybody and wish him sorships. lot of presistence to keep up the spirit of Street Festivals...

Street Festival throu 8

ugh pictures by Bjartur

9

Warm up’s for Street Festival

Text authors: Anna

Street Art Festival was not only an event, that took place between 26th and 28th of July 2013. Various pre-fest activities which gived opportunity to warm everybody up and let us taste a little bit of an atmosphere of the festival are also important part of the festival.

during rehearsals due to the microphones; we had no rehearsals with microphones and the final effect was much different than expected. happily some people from audience joined us.

It was difficult to distinguish which performance was dance and which theater, but the audience didn’t care about that. White- and blackdressed volunteers fought until they found out that they all have various colours. The message was clear: it’s beautiful to be different.

Almost last but not least - a show about a blind man – at first rejected – but when an angel came and changed people’s hearts, he was accepted again.

Fireshow at the end by Polish guy Mateuzs was amazing as always and attracted many pedestrians in the port.

2 weeks before the festival different activities around the city started to happen. Short-term EVS volunteers were preparing for this evenings with passion: stop-motion videos, music, dance and theater performances, break dance, juggling, ... . They created short movies in groups to fight discrimination and promote tolerance and mutual understanding. Every team interpreted the theme differently: we could see lonely sheep, nazi swastika and a strange guy opening his head in these talented short movies on the background of other activities.

The music group prepared some songs. Unfortunately the performance was not as good as 10

Week before Street Festival in Kalamata we organized a special promotional event on the beach. All volunteers - specially dressed, everybody had one letter on his/her belly, so together we created an inscription saying “7TH STREET FESTIVAL” in Greek. We all had big pompoms, singing and dancing we created an unforgettable event. All the people on the beach wanted to get our flyers to read it.

I’m sure that after watching our beach performance many of them came to the Street Festival.

11

Street Festival throu

12

ugh pictures by Bjartur

13

A

fter a l nally ti Festival of K were very e were enthus

The railway-pa you could enjo people were w what was goin a big success the festival.

Young or old, ing by, ‌ ever they liked. Th could see diffe interesting to

In the gift ba (women, man clothes and m also found som clothes for th clothing, casu we made a lo wardrobe, som conquests righ

In the bar eve sure the visito their drinks an drinks cold in after a few ho 14

lot of preparations it was fiime for the annual 7th Street Kalamata. All the volunteers excited and also the visitors siastic.

ark turned into a festival area where oy music, acts, bazaars, … . Happy wondering around everywhere to see ng on. The first day was immediately and it was like that all the days of

Day 1 - Rock Day Text author: Yana

was hard to feel the difference between warm and cold. But no festival without drinks of course.

In the skatepark everybody could show their tricks and moves to the others. Young and old visitors brought their roller skates, skateboards and BMX bikes to show the others what they could do. We saw a lot of impressing moves. Next to the skatepark there was a climbing wall for children. The red cross stayed around just in case something would happen, luckily nobody got seriously injured.

into music or not, people just passrybody definitely found something The festival is very accessible, so you erent types of people, which made it just observe everybody.

On the stage rock-bands were blowing away the audience with their great music. You could hear the music on all the other spots in the festival-area, so you could for example try on some clothes while listening to the music. Some people also gathered in front of the stage to be sure not to azaar you could find free clothes miss anything from the concert. n and children), there were a lot of most of the people who stopped by The first day set the trend for the rest of the days, mething. There were retro clothes, after this successful day everybody was tired but heme parties, sportive clothes, city happy and ready for the other days to come, be ual clothes, nightwear, … . I’m sure more tired, more happy and more successful!! ot of people happy with their new me of them even put on their new ht away.

erybody was working hard to make ors didn’t have to wait too long for nd arms were sacrificed to keep the n a large tub filled with ice cubes, ours of taking cans out of the tub it 15

S

econd day of Street Festival was connected The other important action was project “RE: with this what come to our mind, when we Think”. This is an artistic and social project to thing about street art. Hip hop? Graffiti? Skat- raise awareness for the city of Kalamata, someing? Yes! But also much much more.

During “Hip Hop Day” which took place on Saturday, 27th of July, around 2500 people visited park and enjoyed positive and artistic atmosphere created by voluntareers and artist from Greece and different parts of the world. Everything started like every day on central part of park, specially prepared for skates and BMX. Youngsters from Kalamata could use it and present their skills in skating. At 6 p.m. graffiti artist from city and guests from France started prepare its pieces of arts. Viewers could observe way well hidden near climbing wall behind whole process of creating grafity in more than skatepark. As part of this initiative is to cre10 spots in different parts of park. ate composting boxes in home and neighborhood and thanks the efforts of the network in As a Street Festival is not a commercial festithe county composting in the Municipality of val, created with help of an active citizens, very important part of it has been social projects.

One of it was installation, final result of project “Step”. Through an open call immigrants from all over the world -regardless age or sex- wrote down their thoughts and ideas connected with word “step”. Their though were collected and “dressed” the tent which was used after the earthquake in Kalamata. It stand as a symbol of safety and protection. Viewers could visit tend and as well express their thoughts and then sew them with red string to the tent.

16

Day 2 - Hop-Hop Day Text author: Edyta

Kalamata, which already operates a pilot phase.

Part of the project are also workshop, on which authors learn how to use recycled materials for various aims. During festival, in wagon which is owned by the project’s authors, set place an exhibition of everyday things created during workshops made with cans, wood, paper, plastic and even pasta. Authors of the project were open to talk about their job and mission. They claimed that they participate in Street Festival, because from one hand they wish to promote their activity and on the other, to take part in the event, which gives a local sociality a possibility to gather and use their social space in creative and active way.

Youth Exchange “ Love, Peace and Unity” Zakari also from France. Portugal and French participants of YE and local dancers gave a great break dance show.

Hip hop day, was just like this music genre, full of energy. Concerts gathered a lot of people and it was really nice to watch a crowd around the stage. There was a great music and a lot of fun.

What is more there was a place for active social project. And it is one of reason why Street Festival is itself a fantastic social project as well.

Second day of course could not exist without music and dance. And because of that, on the festival stage we could see and hear local and international MC’s like Eisovelas from Athens and Kazdall from France and participant of 17

T

he third day of the festival was devoted to miscellaneous kinds of performances ranging from pantomime and stilt walking to aerial dance. As during the previous days visitors could again watch tricks performed by young skates, get on a climbing wall, explore photography exhibition and stands with hand-made jewelry, find some pretty garments at gift bazaar or buy refreshments in the bar.

Apart from all those attractions, on Sunday you could admire additionally posters sent to KANE by various organizations dealing with problems of discrimination, racism, homophobia or women abuse.

The organizers of Street Festival place much importance on diversity, that is the reason why we could see also kinds of art, that are not usually connected with street art. Artists read randomly chosen poems of writers from Kalamata and Nobel Prize winner Giorgos Seferis whose lyric expresses a deep feeling of Hellenic culture. Listening to those verses one could notice that poetry is simple and understandable for everybody.

The exact main stage program was not known until last minutes before the start. The program started with dance show prepared by an international group of EVS volunteers. They were skillfully changing from one style to another: swing, salsa and tango. Several other dance 18

Day 3 - Teater Day Text author: Anna

groups prepared amusing shows: salsa group, Fame Dance Academy, Just Dance. We could hear as well soft voices of the Choir of the Youth Center and watch Jimmy who performed popping - a special kind of street dance.

Street Festival hosted several clowns and circus groups especially attractive for children, and a juggling show.

The most interesting point of the night was show prepared by participants of the Youth Exchange “Peace, Love & Unity”. The show began at staircase with youngsters singing such hits as “We will rock you” and “Samba de Janeiro”. Then accompanied by special light effects which created a sense of mystery there was a dance telling a story of a princess and warriors.

Following stilt walking man who was spreading money we reached next point. Three girls presented breath-taking acrobatics on trapeze and one man was dancing on a rope. Silk climbing was also impressive and caused shivers to go through my body while watching it. Subsequently we came back to the main stage, where we observed several dance shows including French-Portuguese break dancing group “although they met only a week ago, they were dancing as if they known each other for years.

In the background there were constantly people with slogans encouraging fight with racism and discrimination” this year’s topic of the festival.

It’s impossible not to mention astounding fire show featuring Polish ethnic electronica music.

Light circles were rhythmically moving in the air and stimulating imagination of the viewers.

The festival turned out to be - not surprisingly - a huge success. Thousands of people from Kalamata and surroundings were crouching on the hill slopes in the park and enjoying the cheerful atmosphere of the event. Street festival is definitely getting better and better from year to year!!!

19

Street Festival thro

20

ough pictures by Bjartur

21

The beatboxing engeneer clown Interviewer: Ines

Hi Sezo! After the Street Art festival we meet again … At first I was afraid, I was petrified. Kept thinking I could never sit with him by my side. But then I spent so many nights thinking how I should do my article. I grew strong; I learnt how to get motivated…

at it. I’ve improved my skills and I think that I am ready now for a world tour with 50Cents. I have also been a clown for one night, that was very funny ;) -What are your plans now? Will you stay here in Greece?

-How do you feel now?

No, unfortunately I have to go home in Turkey.

I liked Greece but my duty is calling me to Hi! Well, I am really bad and the Youth Ex- work. But I hope to come back to Greece actuchange has been a disaster for me… No I am ally and to go to some islands. joking! It was a very good experience where I had a lot of fun and I learnt from it by meeting -So, what can you say in Greek now? people and knowing them.

http://i614.photobucket.com/albums/tt225/zoltar33/stretch_clown0.jpg

-What did you do for the Street Art I know some sentences that I shouldn’t know probably. Besides as I am like a Greek lover I Festival? How did you help? know “eisai poli omorfi”. I will try to start the For the Youth exchange performance I did Greek sign language as well if I have passion some beat-boxing because I am a professional and patience!

-Your last words : Carpe diem, which is in Turkey : günü yaşa

Thank you for this interview, now you can go home

22

Multitalent Alice’s story

Text author: Manuela

- Present yourself quickly I am a girl, not very tall, I know how to make bracelets, I like to drink Ouzo and say that I’ll never do it again but I always do it again.

- Could you tell us 3 words that would describe the Street Festival 2013 for you?

- Could you give us one thing you would like to change for the next edition?

I would change the first night because we couldn’t feel that the festival really started, it was just the concerts an nothing else.

- And one thing you would really keep for next year?

Creative / With Greek style / Very very nice ex- The Youth Exchange because they made an amazperience ing show.

- If you had to choose just one day among - Can you now make a break-dance figure the 3 festival days, which one would it by singing beat-box and writing a grafbe, and why? fiti in the same time for me?

I would choose the Sunday because of the diver- She did it but it will stay between us. sity of the show: circus, break dance, graffiti…

23

Peace Love Unity: Street Arts against Racism Text author: Fotini

On the 20th of July, 60 young people from 10 different countries (Greece, Italy, Turkey, Belgium, France, Portugal, UK, Poland, Slovenia and Hungary) came together in Kalamata, for a youth exchange implemented by Social Youth Development organisation in the framework of the European Youth in Action programme, Action 1.1.

For 9 days, these young people worked together, exchanged knowledge and skills, practiced different forms of street art, talked about racism, xenophobia and discrimination and collaborated in order to create a beautiful performance about the battle against discrimination and racism that they had the opportunity to present during the final day of the 7th Kalamata Street Festival.

The Youth Exchange was a big success and the whole experience can be summed up using the words of Bilal Abbas, leader of the Belgian group: “Even though we didn’t speak the same language, we managed to create a show which did not have a single spoken word (except the singing); just movement and hardworking sweaty faces.

What we learned about others might open doors to a better understanding of our own being.

Some wanted to learn foreign words, while others taught them. Some talked, while others listened. Some saw problems, while others solved them. Some liked drinking cheap organic wine and some didn’t, but we did have conversations while sitting on the beach under a moon that

24

shines equally, regardless of the colour of your skin or the nationality on your identity card. The lesson here is that humans need each other and can only succeed with cooperation and open communication�.

Even though they have all gone back to their homes, they have left a little piece of them in the city of Kalamata and we already miss their energy and the positive atmosphere that they created!

25

Youth Exchange Photo Story Collected pictures from participants

26

During 20-28th of July 10 countries, 60 people lot of artistic skills were mixed and wonderful experiences gained and show program preformed during Street Festival!

27

Pieter Vandenberghe, Belgium

Dries Witdouck, Belgium

Erwin Negl, Austria

Who We Are

Group EVS volu Katarzyna Janas, Poland

Edyta Jadowska, Poland

Kevin Andreazza, France

Ottavia Marangoni, France

Yana Debusschere, Belgium

Harald Hummer, Austria

Charlotte Clatot, France

Marie Christine Exler, Austria

Ceyla Asker, Turkey

Agnieszka Dymek, Poland

Viktoria Spielauer, Austria

Anna Rozecka, Poland

Anais Alexandre, France

Tine Vandenberghe, Belgium

Benjamin Marie, France

Ganizani Msiska, Belgium

Magdalena Pauer, Austria

Mateuzs Huptas, Poland

Who We Are

unteers

Filaretos Vourkos, Greece

Who We Are

Office + Long Term EVS

Alice Ponticelli, France

Fotini Arapi, Greece

Georgia Giann

Manuela Gascon, France

Leonard Pris

Bjartur SteingrĂ­msson, Island

Dorian Agn

Panagiota Arapi, Greece

Giwrgos Housenbelli, Greece

stl, Germany

Loic Marchand, France

Taaniel Stoitsev, Estonia

Ines Dupont Miault, France

Jelena Scepanovic, Montenegro

nel, France

Who We Are

nakea, Greece

Thank You for Your time!

Be ready for registrations for new workshops during September 2013

We will miss you!

THANK YOU

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, anvd the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

The volunteers responsible for this publication are hosted in Greece in the framework of the European Youth in Action programme, Action 2- European Voluntary Service.