Little Green Talks ~ Issue 01

L it t le Gre e n T alks

ETHICA L LIFESTYLE CONS CIOUS DESIGN SUSTA INA BLE FA SHION MODER N FOLKLOR E BIO A R CHITECTUR E ECO JOUR NEYS INTER VIEWS

Text on page 03: Katerina Cerna / K.Bana

Model: Terezka Bufkova Pruckova

Make-up Art: Jitka Janatkova

Cover Photo, photo on page 03: Filip Jandourek

K.Bana From my childhood, I was very creative and versatile.

But nothing about design and sewing... / Katerina Cerna /

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Text on page 04-05: Katerina Cerna / K.Bana

Model: Terezka Bufkova Pruckova

Make-up Art: Jitka Janatkova

Photo on page 04: Filip Jandourek

From my childhood, I was very creative and versatile. I also wanted to travel and do sports. I wanted to live abroad and draw, illustrate, renovate and work with wood. But nothing about fashion design and sewing...

Long ago, my mother was a co-owner of a small shop with children's clothing, which has been originally made by the same company.

At the age of seven, for my birthday, I got treadle sewing machine, inherited from my great-aunt Anna. And I learned to sew.

I studied wood texturing and carving and textile production. And then I moved to England, where everything turned.

After one year of my stay, working as an au-pair I was feeling endless possibilities. I moved to London, changed several professions, when I finally set my heart on a job closer to the field I studied.

There is a rule in England, to get a good job you need to have at least two years of practice, be experienced and have a good recommendation from the previous employer.

I didn't meet any of those requirements and it was then when I realised that I had to focus on one main target – to become a professional.

And then it happened that my knowledge of sewing, unwanted, having been in a drawer for many years, finally got out in the right moment.

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I started as a seamstress and step by step I learned the essence of fashion.

I spent long hours at the sewing machine in London, working on high street collections. I learned design techniques that aren't well known in Czech Republic - and before all, I learned that the entire process of how you create a single piece of dress, makes its own market value.

The next step was to get more experience in the area of patterns, so I was in the beginning again. I learned new things and I was fully in my flow, again.

I perceived, how important it is for a designer, to understand the process of making cuts - and this is, in my opinion, where the real story begins.

Text on page 06-07: Katerina Cerna / K.Bana

Model: Terezka Bufkova Pruckova and Lukas Homola

Make-up Art: Jitka Janatkova

Photo on page 07: Filip Jandourek

Four years passed by, four years of hard work. I was thirty and also thanks to Kundalini yoga (which helped me a lot), I went back to Czech Republic, with an idea of creating my own brand. In England, I made first designs, patterns and first samples of my future collection.

And so, this little lamb became a pet named Prokop.

Back home, I had to start again from the very beginning - with no job and place to stay. The only solution how to overcome this situation, was to live on our old challet and dust off the old sewing machine from my Aunt and start to work on my first casual collection.

Now, after another three years, I recently opened a multifunctional space consisting ofa showroom, a workshop, a yoga place, and a workroom.

Sometimes, there is a long way for our dreams to come true, and a long time to find enough ofcourage.

It takes lots ofhard work and determination, but there is a reward ofachievement and joy awaiting.

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Sacred walk 52 kilometers, in one dark night.

Photo on page 08-11: Honza Harnos

/ Honza Harnos /

Is it possible to decide, breezily, to go for a walk during the night?

To fully experience the movement and be awake all the long walk, all night until the dawn?

In the usual routine we normally avoid the dark – light is everywhere and accessible for everyone.

Man has learned to use only eyes to see, with limited perception, watching everything from the outside and get distracted by details.

Therefore I'm happy to experience night walks – and if possible – without any light.

The goal ofone such walk, which I call – Sacred Walk – was to go on foot 52 kilometers.

During one night, without any sleep.

And welcome light in the morning – lively light and hope – such as how ancient people welcomed the Sun at daybreak Photo on page 08-11: Honza Harnos

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The city stayed behind my back.

After you get used to the dark, your senses sharpen and details and limits get insignificant.

Body control and depth perception expand, after staggering and stumbling the pace gets more precise and balanced.

You can read the ground with your feet although you almost can't see anything, you learn to recognize runners of blackberries and twigs right before your face.

You slide on the mud, being everywhere.

You can hear sounds, new for your ears, fighting martens, roused ducks on still dark water, owls hooting from different sides.

I like thinking about life, moving meanwhile.

Throughout night walk, thanks to sleep deprivation, all coats and loads gets down.

And those things I was looking for, can be finally found.

Thank you, gentle night.

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What are the possibilities ofa voice, can vocal be a tale teller?

It depends on the angle of our view.

By voice, it is possible to express this and that.

Photo on pages 12-15: Adéla Vosičková

Text on pages 12-15: Ridina Ahmed

Dutch choirmaster Thomas Johannsen initiated an ongoing international project, where groups of people from different cities worldwide are trying to absorb and express the rush of a city by a voice, and then the preserved vocal atmosphere project moves to other spaces. For example, a train station or a city square appears in a concert hall. And it is international, that is a very inspirational point for me.

But what I enjoy the most, is to look at the voice as a to tool for expressing what I feel, reconnecting me with myself, and allowing me to dive deep in my emotions.

When I sing, I often realize how I actually feel.

We live fast and there is not much time to dive in our senses.

A voice is a natural method, how to be coming back to ourselves.

Ridina Ahmed A voice is a natural method, how to be coming back to ourselves... / HLASkontraBAS /

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What inspires you?

In general? I try to get inspired by what I experience daily and I'm sometimes successful in that... sometimes not, mostly not.

And If you're asking what inspires me in music, so it is connected with the previous one too - everything, what I can feel as true.

Some days ago I explained to my oldest son why I don't like most of the pop songs he is listening to - because I hear no inner need to express in that. On the other side, as soon as I feel that inner impulse, that excitement in music, I get involved no matter what genre of music it is.

What is your most interesting music experience?

Most interesting? I probably wouldn't find only one, so I will tell you the last one.

Photo on pages 12-15: Adéla Vosičková

Text on pages 12-15: Ridina Ahmed

I just got back from Israel where we were playing with HLASkontraBAS and where I had some workshops, one was in Jerusalem.

I had one day free and went to the Old town, it was a holiday, celebration of an Independence day. All the large area in front of the Wailing Wall was full of people, divided halfway to men and women by a wall and everybody was alternately praying and singing. Sometimes someone's prayer changed to weeping.

I was standing in the middle of this fellowship of women and got dissolved in it and went through this sea of voices.

And so, this little lamb became a pet named Prokop.

Where do you find your happiness?

Happiness is something as I described before with singing. I feel happiness in having healthy children, having something to eat and somewhere to live, friends around.

I can do what makes me full. We have a downy cat which likes to cuddle.

In the afternoons I have a cozy cup of coffee. That's enough to make me happy.

Of course I'm always up and down as I go through all the duties and plans every day, with all my concerns about everything... etc.

But if I get to the point - and stop myself, I realize it is still good!

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Photos on pages 17-31: Anna Dumon

Anna Hrudkova, Kamila Boudova, Olga Gajarova

Text on page 18-29: Veronika Alexova, Lilia Khousnoutdinova,

Poster a chairs on 17 photo: Z pokoje do pokoje

Photo and text on page 17: Little Green Talks

The collaboration with several Czech boutiques with eco-friendly and sustainable fashion has sprung up a friendship between Anna and Veronika, and reflected the foundations of their common journey.

Journey towards the promotion of ethical perception of the world and its communication to the general public. Within few years they met with a number of personalities, who share the similar view and inspire others.

And so came the idea of short interviews – Little Green Talks – simply introducing both versatility and the importance of sustainable thinking not only in business, but also in daily life.

The talks were joined by stories full of experience and impressive photos from various authors, accompanied with a fresh visual concept - so this fair magazine rose up. Enjoy.

Veronika and Anna

(You can find the list of all authors with contacts at the end of this magazine.)

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For me, basics of this approach consist in the

minimization of suffering, so I care about how garmets have been made.

Be humble

to life itself, love nature and honour your roots.

The key is to think about the way of life, about influence

to others' lives and the whole world .

Do not waste, buy quality things which will work for years, preferably those you will be able to pass to your granddaughters.

There is a lot of upcycled , borrowed or inherited clothing in my wardrobe.

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Promoting companies and individuals from the area of ecology, sustainability and self-development. / Veronika Alexova /

What is essential to having a sustainable and ethical lifestyle in your opinion?

Being humble to life itself, love for nature and honouring your roots.

What are your limitations? What could you do better?

Using plastic packaging. Unfortunately, we manage to fill about two bags a month which I find alarming.

What type ofclothes would we find in your wardrobe and what types do you avoid?

A mixture of second hand clothing and clothes from ethical boutiques.

Due to the fact that I’m often in the nature, I have some outdoor clothes as well. I like basic style.

What does happiness mean to you?

It’s a necessity‌, the feeling of happiness is very uplifting and defines humanity.

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Founder of Ecstatic Wisdom project and Czech and Slovak Friends of Bhutan society, the author of many books and collection of provocative jewels, fashion designer. / Lilia Khousnoutdinova /

What is essential to having a sustainable and ethical lifestyle in your opinion?

Do not waste, buy quality things which will work for years, preferably those I will be able to pass to my granddaughters.

Think about what impact your decisions and consumer choices have.

Who will I support by buying this coffee, dress? And also try to repair and do not just throw away.

What are your limitations? What could you do better?

There are many things I could do better, for example to do less, but better.

How to handle priorities. I want to act better with my body, slow down and spend more time with my family.

What type ofclothes would we find in your wardrobe and what types do you avoid?

No fancy things and by no means seasonal things. On average, I have clothes being at least 5 years old, most of them are timeless, so I hope to pass it to my daughter, one day. You could find many pieces given to me by my friends, secondhand or vintage ones.

I do not care about trends and social standards, many of my things are eccentric, a bit crazy and/or really sexy. I have a collection of traditional clothing, from each country I visit.

What does happiness mean to you?

Absolutely being in presence, preferably through intimate and authentic contact... dance, kiss, touch. It depends on the place and mood – there are plenty of opportunities, how to feel happiness.

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Owner of the first Czech shop with eco-friendly clothing, author of own brand Suvi. / Anna Hrudkova /

What is essential to having a sustainable and ethical lifestyle in your opinion?

My life motto is to act reasonably, think about what I am doing and why.

I also feel that life is about balance in everything – from relationships, consumption, to acting wisely with life energy.

The key is to think about my way of life, about my influence to others' lives and the whole world.

What are your limitations? What could you do better?

I could be more consistent and effective.

What type ofclothes would we find in your wardrobe and what types do you avoid?

I love wearing dresses, I think that dress makes a woman.

So I have my wardrobe full of them!

But I have a weakness for timeless pieces which I can wear for even 1 0 years and for pieces I create for my brand. I like to experiment and get feedback.

And also jeans are my favorites, can't live without them. You won't find any nonsense pieces which get shabby after couple of washing.

What does happiness mean to you?

With this question, we get back to the first :) To be happy, you need to be balanced with your health, family and work. If something from these doesn't work, it is difficult to feel real happiness.

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One of the leading Czech professionals in fashion business and sustainable fashion, founder of Moyomi. / Kamila Boudova /

What is essential to having a sustainable and ethical lifestyle in your opinion?

Searching for ways to make better choices every day, to shop with more respect, to do the laundry in a more conscious way, to have more purpose to the way I spend my weekends and to work with a higher principle, never giving up.

What are your limitations? What could you do better?

All aspects of my life! At the moment, I am trying to be less online. Lately, I have started using soap to do my laundry and sometimes at the weekends we go to the farm to harvest our own fruit and vegetables.

What type ofclothes would we find in your wardrobe and what types do you avoid?

There is a lot of upcycled, borrowed or inherited clothing in my wardrobe.

At the moment, I do not have any nice underwear as they are all falling apart, however I am having some troubles choosing new items.

What does happiness mean to you?

Time spent on my own, when I am loving to love unconditionally, through self-reflection, meditation, inspirational reading, or therapy. I also enjoy spreading the feeling of happiness all around me, whether is the people I love, or random people on the subway.

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Owner of a vegan shoe and ethical clothing boutique, cooperates with the organization People in Need. / Olga Gajarova /

What is essential to having a sustainable and ethical lifestyle in your opinion?

For me, basics of this approach consist in the minimization of suffering, therefore I do not eat meat, neither do I use other animal products, leather as a material is completely unacceptable for me and I'm trying to think about the influence of what I buy.

So I care about how garments have been made, under which working conditions, what was the wage people got in the particular textile factory and what is the environmental impact of my behavior...

What are your limitations? What could you do better?

I like the Zero Waste concept, but this is one thing I still haven't managed.

Although we recycle, we still produce quite a big amount of waste which I would like to cut down in the future.

What type ofclothes would we find in your wardrobe and what types do you avoid?

My wardrobe got through many changes during last two years. I stopped buying fast fashion and started testing items I'm selling in my shop. I like almost all colors and patterns, so I have to admit, that being minimalist with only few pieces of clothes is a problem for me. I don't have any leather things.

What does happiness mean to you?

For me, happiness is a mosaic consisting of little details. I like the magic of everyday life, to sit down for a sunset near Moldau river, listen to the favorite song during the way to work on a tram. Eat pancakes for Sunday breakfast, enjoy a summer festival, go dancing with my husband once in a while or dance on my own, go for a walk to the near wood, attend some interesting workshop or read something nice, eat dinner on the sofa, enjoy time with my friends, work at full blast and make dreams come true.

Sometimes only live the present moment, do nothing and look dreamily out of a window...

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Photographs on pages 18-31 were taken on Sustainable Fashion Day 03 at Kafkuv Dum, Prague

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Dubl Dom

The new way of living, anywhere.

Text on page 33-37: DublDom, BIO-architects, Little Green Talks

Photo on page 33-37: DublDom.ru

“I often think about modular architecture and wonder where the limits are.

What are the geographic boundaries?

Can modules be sent to the other side of the world?

Is climate or nature a restriction?

How will it cope with extreme temperatures?

What’s the ideal living space?

How much space do people actually need to be comfortable?

What emotions can and should such architecture invoke?

Can architecture be mass-produced and quality improved thanks to technology?

How important is design today?

What is design when it comes to architecture?

What role can modular architecture play?

Should it be static or change with time?

Should people spend many years putting together their houses?

Are there any limits at all of modular architecture?”

These are the thoughts of an architect Ivan Ovchinnikov, sitting on a frozen lake in front of prototype of compact modular house called DD16, designed for installation in extreme conditions and tight spaces...

Architect of sustainable ArchShelter, multifunctional MicroLoft or ArchFarm (BIO-architects.com), nominated for the prize “Golden Section” and multiple winner of the “ARCHIWOOD”award, is founder of DublDom concept and company (DublDom.ru), living himself in the very first DublDom house of 25 square meters.

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Furniture and accessories design: IKEA, BIO-architects,

Text on page 33-37: DublDom, BIO-architects, Little Green Talks

Photo on page 33-37: DublDom.ru

DublDom is an innovative sustainable serial modular home, designed to be carried off the shelf and installed on site, constructed from environmentally friendly materials only, and may be the main house, which can be completed and be extended in the future.

It is made for year-round use and it is believed that as built on frame technology it can live at least 75 years.

From DD-houseboat -studio, or -sauna, to most popular model DD 1 .40 for a young family, to 1 30 square meters DD 2.1 30 house.

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Furniture and accessories design: IKEA, BIO-architects,

Text on page 33-37: DublDom, BIO-architects, Little Green Talks

Photo on page 33-37: DublDom.ru

An object of modern and sustainable architecture, where nature is supported by technology, creating together a sophisticated product, giving a possibility to follow your heart and find your own place for living.

On the hill, in the woods, on the river, the shore, high in the mountains, in tundra, or the outskirts of city, this construction allows adding of new modules to the current house, as your family or project grows.

With five factories in Russia, and one in Czech Republic, with plan to have a manufacturer in the US, this unique and eco-friendly affordable way of living, which has already become a lifestyle, can be the new way, a new place, and most ofall a new home.

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I nside me, I have a spirit of mountain meadows, spreading on the foothills, weathered by wind.

Spirit from border, where I can still feel impact of human and where the timeless wilderness begins. I have been always looking for open space with

amazing views, meadows with resilient, sunny and warm low green.

My family's roots from my mother's side lie deep in mountain woods of Great Fatra, near Low Tatras, from the other side comes from mildly round hills of White Carpathians in Southern Moravia.

Text and photo on page 39-43: Honza Harnos

When I was a boy, at these meadows I firstly heard bells of freely greased sheep, with the shepherd and his tireless dog friend behind them.

Shepherd's story The life between mountains and low green. / Honza Harnos /

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I was always attracted to the life ofa shepherd.

Maybe the loneliness ofpastoral huts, smell ofthe wool or smell ofsmoked cheese.

The stronghold from roughly worked wood, with a bench being covered with a fur instead of soft bed, home-made bread, cheese and bacon as a dinner and starlit sky, pipe on a doorstep in the night.

As an adult I remembered this passion for pastoral huts and mountain meadows in Romania, when I walked the hillsides ofGodeanu Mountains with heavy backpack and I tried to speak with shepherds about my next track.

With a swig of their hard liquor everything was going easier, our hearts found the common tongue and I got an advice which way shepherd's secret paths go.

These men own little, but their eyes brim over with affluence. With their flock and changing mood oftheir mountains, with bright sight, and silence.

Vysocina Region, the place where we moved to, into a tiny house, let me find right conditions I sought for.

With a land meant for building of straw-bale house came also an idea to get a flock of sheep.

And when my friend Lukas Hejlik called me, that he has sheep and a lamb for sale, I didn't hesitate.

Text and photo on page 39-43: Honza Harnos

As a boy raised in the block of flats, with romantic pictures in my head, I suddenly had quite a large number of animals on my land and as I was reading more and more about farming, more concerns appeared.

Little lamb had an opened wound after a dog bite, got a fever and lay down.

I placed his head on my knees and cared about his wound.

And so, this little lamb became a pet named Prokop.

Soon my flock increased with some Cameroonian goats and when Prokop strengthened his position, I could let them graze freely, behind the fence.

And I could enjoy watching them circle around the land, choosing the most delicious bites and sometimes going into the wood looking for raspberry leaves or leaves of self-seeded birches.

They came ba

They came back after my calling or to quench their thirst, and with the coming night to enjoy their times in holes being created in the straw.

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Text and photo on page 39-43: Honza Harnos

After first Winter, first new little lamb with amazing blue eyes came and my daughter named him Orisek (Nut), after the color he had on half of his body, including small freckles.

I got offers to exchange lamb for honey, plum brandy of even a swarm of bees.

You can find it possible to live only with things being produced by farming.

Without supermarkets and also without money, because I could simply barter.

I see a valuable lesson in this experience.

Sheep produce milk, although goat's milk is healthier and easy to draw, meat is very demanded, wool is being rinsed and also in demand, same as sheep furs.

In a land, where self-seeded birches and sharp small plum sprouts grow, sheep graze and fertilize, creating the landscape. Moreover, watching the flock and the presence ofsheep is very calming.

I used to be with my sheep and goats daily for two years. Later we moved with my wife and daughters back to the city, although I took this experience with me and I want to get back to farming again in the future.

At another place, with another flock.

I want to remember, that in any lively and local activity, in the land I care openly about, lies freedom.

Sheep are the step to be closer to Earth and make friends with everything spirited and living.

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Photo on page 45-50: Vaclav Fous

Elation Through five mountain ranges, and higher. / Vaclav Fous /

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Photo on page 45-50: Vaclav Fous

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Second horizontal photo with the rocks - Bijele i Samarske stijene / Croatia /

First photo with the spring - Západné Tatry, Roháče / Slovak Republic /

Photo on page 45-50: Vaclav Fous

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Fourth photo with the lake - Gosausee, Salzkammergut / Austria /

Third horizontal photo with the mountain range - Orla Perć / Poland /

Photo on page 51-53: Lilia Khousnoutdinova

Photo on page 45-50: Vaclav Fous

Fifth photo with the tree - JesenĂ­ky / Czech Republic /

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Second photo with Lilia - Chain bridge near Paro / Bhutan /

First photo - Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) / Bhutan /

Bhutan For me, Bhutan is a place, which will touch anyone's heart and fill it with pure happiness. It is a very inspirational country, proving, that an ethical attitude to the environment could be the essence for a happy life.

Photo on page 51-53: Lilia Khousnoutdinova

/ Lilia Khousnoutdinova /

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Place : festival mini at Kafkuv Dum, Prague

Photo on page 55: Anna Dumon

Author of blankets on page 55: Veronika Bratrychovรก

Far and near Modern folklore tales on unique blankets. / Ĺ iroko /

Ĺ iroko (widely, wide, far)

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Photo on page 56: Anna Dumon

Author of blankets / text on page 57: Veronika Bratrychovรก

There is a land, far and near.

Land with miraculous animals, plants, and corners, which invites to rest.

Have a walk, through the meadow, on hills, and let the wind to gently touch your head, that wind who is taking spring pollen or autumn colorful leaves.

Fly over the ponds, over small rivers, above hills like a bird, and watch what is just happening beneath.

These are the stories of Ĺ iroko blankets, showing fantasia world in simpler image, where each element is concentrated in a few pixels ofknitting loops.

The very first idea was to create a textile object, which will work as a large playground for children, but also as a background for creating kinds of little hideaways and tiny houses, or just for muffling up in.

So far, three blankets were created, with seasons filling their space.

Meadow green tells about games of Spring and Autumn.

Water blanket, the blue one, shows Summer and Czech ponds, small rivers and summer drizzles.

White blanket shows Czech Winter, children games, local animals and different prints in the snow. Ĺ iroko is a brand about knitwork with illustrations, where literature or landscape are very important.

Spatial blankets and pillows were created at first, and there will be more objects coming from this playful knitted world.

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“I wanted to create an object, where an illustration will appear in a real space, be tangible and soft, but it will be still an illustration, added to beautiful children's poetry (with poems

by Zuzana Š půrová).”

Photo on page 57: Anna Dumon

/ Š iroko /

Poem on page 59: Zuzana Špůrová

Illustration, brochure and blankets on pages 58-59: Veronika Bratrychová

Far and near

The mountains are so far‌ and therefore it smells.

It is for a while.

And I wish to fly there as the birds there fly‌

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Media on page 61-63: Milena Lukesova, Jan Kudlacek - Albatrosmedia.cz

Text on pagge 61-63: Bookwormsdiary.com

The Girl

and the Rain

A real piece of art – poetic text and charming illustrations. / Albatros /

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Once upon a time there was a little girl and a summer rain.

This is the story of a little girl and the rain, a children's book created by the author and an illustrator – with full-page illustrations and minimum of text. This year it will be forty-three years since it was published by Albatros.

The Girl and the Rain from Milena Lukesova and artist Jan Kudlacek tells a story about a girl who in one quiet afternoon on the streets of a town met the rain. She was wearing red wellington boots, a yellow raincoat and was playing tag with him.

What made this book special?

The author clearly found out through observation what children desire and what interests them. She didn't want to pretend and so she gave them a real piece of art – poetic text and charming illustrations.

Recently, in an interview for Czech Radio, the author's son Igor Lukes reminisced

Media on page 61-63: Milena Lukesova, Jan Kudlacek - Albatrosmedia.cz

Text on pagge 61-63: Bookwormsdiary.com

“My mother had a peculiar character, she never lost her childlike amazement of the world.

Children felt that those books were written by someone who was close to them, someone who was one ofthem.“

Milena Lukesova with Jan Kudlacek created a series of books for novice readers.

The Girl and the Rain are among the better known. Few people know that together with three other titles – The Stork, The White Winter and Jakub and the Indian Summer a unique series ofpicture books symbolizing the four seasons is created.

To get hold of the once very popular bilderbuch is rather difficult today, it's been several years since they stopped printing them.

The chief editor of the publishing house Albatros Petr Elias has stated, that in the future they would like to release at least one ofthe books ifit's at all possible.

And so bookworms have no choice but to search for these books in antique bookshops, book exchanges or libraries.

Bilderbuch full of raindrops won numerous awards and through multiple translations has become known by children all around the world. It was published in English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Polish, Norwegian and other languages.

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Illustration on page 65: Kamila Zemkovรก MgA.

Garden Carrier An organic baby carrier, inspired by nature. / Nina Garden /

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Text on page 67: Nina Garden

Illustration on page 66: Kamila Zemkovรก MgA.

Photo on page 66: Kusanec.cz

Our original ergonomic baby carrier was growing from its seed very slowly; in fact it took about a year and a half. When helping mums to choose their

first baby carrier, I noticed that my taste in patterns was very different from what was available on the market. What I had in mind was something that is Czech made (fully designed and printed in the Czech Republic) and will become a must for every mum. So, I joined forces with my

friend who is an academic art painter and we proceeded in making a brand new Czech baby carrier.

When thinking about the fabric, I decided to choose botanical patterns.

I have been surrounded by them ever since I was a child and so it only seemed natural. My mother used to be a garden architect and I was among flowers, paper drafts and plants all the time. I learned all about medicinal plants during my high school studies and just like my mother, I was never too far from this beautiful topic. And, on top of everything, Garden is my name, so the

choice for pattern, design and all around garden and eco-friendly products was absolutely clear.

Next step was to team up with my painter friend and start working on a design for a great new carrier that would be comfortable, practical and easy to use. Choosing organic cotton as the basic material was very important to

me. However, I needed to push the idea of an all-natural carrier a little bit further. That’s when coir (coconut fibre) came into place. It’s a fantastic

support material that is natural, strong and breathes very well compared to plastic materials. And as an icing on the cake, small soft areas in our baby carrier are stuffed with raw cotton balls!

My hopes for near future are that we are able to start using recycled PET bottles or natural materials such as corn starch based or rice starch based plastics for our carrier’s straps, clips, etc. Once that is accomplished, our baby carrier will be

1 00 % natural!

Garden Carrier is suitable for babies between 4 and 1 8 months of age and can be used for carrying in front, back and side position, and fully made in the Czech Republic.

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Text on paages 69-71: Antonie Turzova, Amalie Turzova

Photo on page 69-71: archiv of Amalie and Antonie

Sisters Playing in conscious way. / Amalie + Antonie /

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Antonie Truzova /a teacher at forest kindergarten Sojka (a Jaybird) What does time spent with children mean to you?

Time, which I share together with children is an intense spiritual and mental lesson. There can be moments full of nervousness and tension, or moments of harmony and joy. And I am, through my behavior, responsible for how they feel. If I come to them authentic - happy or sad, powerful or tired - they always take me with big love into their beautiful world.

But if I come along with some tensions and a conflict inside me, it is difficult for them to communicate with me and the time spent together can be unpleasant.

Children teach me every day. They show me a mirror saying “this is you�.

There are situations, when I don't stop for a while, can't have a rest and don't respect their needs and follow only my ideas. Then I leave exhausted and realize I didn't reach my goal anyway. But the biggest lessons are when I pass all the initiative to the children and with respect and curiosity I wait for what will happen. In such a moment I am there for them only as a safe harbour full of loving attention.

And such moments are even euphoric.

What impact on motoric development, healthy thinking and world perception does the time in woods have?

I often try to imagine the wood from children's eyes only and it is a really beautiful and tempting idea. Their brain is like a sponge - absorbent and hungry for information, impulses and perceptions. And, relating on where this sponge is and what it takes up, the competences forming a personality are developing.

The wood is a place overflowing with inspiration, life, colors and energies. It is a most modern interactive classroom under the sky.

Children have a possibility to watch live cycles, develop soft motoric skills by exploring the smallest beings, know their physical and mental boundaries, discover principles of cause and effect, create a respectful attitude to every living thing, find the basics of social behaviour and learn to be self-dependent.

This all thanks to natural eagerness to explore, know, try...live.

What inspiration for creating a program for children do you have?

The main inspiration is going from the current moments in the nature.

The cycle Spring Summer Autumn Winter and related habits and tradition in the circle of a year. I form the program with respect to weather and natural changes ongoing in the surroundings of a kindergarten. I often react spontaneously and stray from the prepared plan, because of weather or just because children are captivated by something different, evenly beautiful and important.

And the most favorite part ofthe day?

The time we are in the wood and children have space for a free play. In this moment my task is to be “only� present and give them a possibility to come back whenever they need. By supervision to create a safety place, but not watch them at the same time - give them the privacy. After a while of a free play they get into the stage of flow, playing like free beings, and I can be the witness of it.

What do children bring into our lives?

I don't have a child yet, but from my experience with taking care of them and our youngest brother, I can say that children bring joy, happiness, different lessons, responsibility and also difficulties - but, before all hope. .

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2/2 What was your inspiration as you were designing the children's seating furniture?

The idea was to create something different from the furniture being used in our kindergartens. It is often a kitsch and visually unpleasant, which can negatively influence their esthetic perception. And to create something which will be variable, for both sitting and playing and also a tool for motoric skills development. Hitting a hole, swinging, shaping the seat for sitting, looking through the holes... that all started children spontaneously doing during the first testing, so the concept was successful.

What does happiness mean to you?

Peace in heart and mind, or making someone else happy.

The happiness of the children playing with my concept did last very long.

Photo on page 73: archiv of Amalie and Antonie Text on pages 72-73: Amalie Turzova Illustration / Design on page 72: Amalie Turzova

Amalie Truzova /an industrial designer 1/2 How can the motoric development be supported?

I'm not an expert, but I think that children should get experience through trying all things they will need later in their lives. I had a rag dummy with a zip, velcro, button and a lace on the coat, so I really liked playing with it and also improved my motoric skills.

And I remember the fingerplay “Mother Mouse Cooked Porridge”. In general, children learn by a play and we can support motoric development by giving them all the attention and playing with them.

And healthy thinking, responsibility and world perception?

The same thing. If you give them your attention, read, go for a walk, play, solve problems with them, answer all their “what is it?” question and explain everything they are interested in - you give them the best from you. Responsibility firstly touched me as I got a dog who needed my care and so I learned how it feels to be important and responsible for someone.

Therefore I think it is good when children have a pet.

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Photo on page 74-77: Anna Dumon

/ Anna Dumon /

A celebration of authentic living.

Rituals

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Photo on page 74-77: Anna Dumon

There are many ways of life, many roads to choose to go on, many other paths to observe.

A possibility of how to value our own experience, and the experience of others. Many ways go through the big cities and smaller towns, many go through the villages on countryside with mild hills, many go further to the wild, to the mountain ranges and their deep woods.

The whole landscape is opening its arms and waiting for those, who walk on her with pure love, who like to learn.

Who walk consciously, and love everything living...

May all your steps be accompanied with joy!

Anna and Veronika

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LITTLE GREEN TALKS Issue 01

Chief Editor // Veronika Alexova

Photography

Art Director // Anna Dumon

Filip Jandourek Anna Dumon Adéla Vosičková Honza Harnos DublDom Vaclav Fous

Sustainable Fashion

K.Bana // Katerina Cerna Ecstatic Fashion // Lilia Khousnoutdinova Suvi + Matias // Anna Hrudkova Moyomi // Kamila Boudova Etik Butik // Olga Garajova Bio Architecture

Ivan Ovchinnikov // DublDom Eco Journeys

Hranicar raje // Honza Harnos Vaclav Fous Ecstatic Travel // Lilia Khousnoutdinova Modern Folklore

Ridina Ahmed // HLASkontraBAS Široko // Veronika Bratrychová Bookworm Diary // Petra Bartikova Antonie Turzova Milena Lukešová // Albatros Media

Illustration

Jan Kudláček // Albatros Media Veronika Bratrychová Kamila Zemkova MgA. Models

Terezka Pruckova Bufkova Lukas Homola Radka + Adélka Make-up Artist

Jitka Janatkova Translation

Little Green Talks Katerina Dufkova Martina Syrenova Darina Chmielova Proofreading

Conscious Design

Farrokh Ghani Zadegan ghanizadegan@gmail.com

Amalie Turzova Garden Carrier // Nina Garden

Technical Support

Places / Events / Friends

Josef Minarik

Sustainable Fashion Day Z pokoje do pokoje Albatros Media BIO Architects Kusanec festival mini

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Photo on page 80: Z pokoje do pokoje

Little GreenTalks - CC BY-NC-ND 2017