Everyone's Blog Posts - The Copenhagen Voice2016-07-19T14:03:38Zhttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?xn_auth=noThe dysfunctionality of the European Uniontag:cphvoice.ning.com,2016-02-03:2609300:BlogPost:545362016-02-03T04:25:48.000ZKell Petersenhttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/KellPetersen
<p></p>
<p><font size="3">I wrote in September, 2015, to the German Chancellor and the Danish Prime Minister. My thesis there was that the European refugee crisis demonstrates once again the dysfunctionality of the European Union. </font> <font size="3">Let me expand now upon my remarks there based on continuing developments which have added further urgency to the discussion.</font></p>
<p><font size="3">We should not delude ourselves into believing that the member countries of the European…</font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font size="3">I wrote in September, 2015, to the German Chancellor and the Danish Prime Minister. My thesis there was that the European refugee crisis demonstrates once again the dysfunctionality of the European Union. </font> <font size="3">Let me expand now upon my remarks there based on continuing developments which have added further urgency to the discussion.</font></p>
<p><font size="3">We should not delude ourselves into believing that the member countries of the European Union can continue to function as independent political entities, oblivious to the need for a strong executive power in an overall European Government.</font></p>
<p><font size="3">The mess that we see will continue, unabated, with respect to the refugee problem, with respect to our dealings with Russia, with respect to the financial distress and dislocations of half or more of the countries of Europe, with respect, in fact, to every matter of importance that affects Europe as a whole. </font></p>
<p><font size="3">It is now more likely than not that the Room Treaty 1958 efforts to unite Europe in a political and economic federation, will ultimately fail. Thus, we see the 60-year process unravelling into such barbarities as Denmark’s clumsy exploitative legislation and Germany’s, Sweden’s and Canadas populist response to refugee chaos. </font> <font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">The problem with refugees is Europe-wide, yet the responses by member states are ad hoc and doomed to producing social chaos and inhumane reaction.</font></p>
<p><font size="3"> Within the framework of the United Nations, and through deploying NATO, in a humanitarian (and possibly military) mission the problem of refugees can be handled in a comprehensive and coordinated way. The goal should be to provide shelter, health care, food, and schooling for the region’s refugees. It is vital, in order to prevent the continued mass movement of people in rickety boats and at the mercy of exploitative criminals, that refugee centers be established, under NATO protection, in countries near at hand to the Middle Eastern chaos, namely in Jordan , Turkey, Libya , Lebanon, the Kurdish regions, and possibly Iraq. </font></p>
<p><font size="3">Unless the refugee population can be sheltered in proximity to their home countries, there is little hope of stabilizing the war-torn areas during a rebuilding period. The best people in Syria, an old and venerable civilization, are now fleeing to Europe. The incentives for reestablishing themselves in their home country are fast dissipating. The brain drain and the destruction of nurturing communities will leave a vacuum in Syria, which will only be filled by the stateless hordes, without education or civilizing influences that currently feed ISIS and will feed successor groups of similar ilk if ISIS is defeated. </font></p>
<p><font size="3">These good people from Syria, at least those who have survived the awful journey that brought them to Europe, find themselves virtually under detention in deplorable conditions in hangars at the Berlin Tempelhof Airport in Germany, at an amusement part in Sweden, in storage containers in public parks, without hope, without state, without dignity. Is this better than a well-organized UN protected refugee camp-community in Turkey or Jordan, close to home turf and culture? Further, if the refugees remain in Europe for the long term, are not Western countries virtually looting war-torn countries of their human capital, knowledge, and prospects for rebuilding? </font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">Whether we believe, as I do, that housing these populations in Europe is not a desirable situation, or believe that these immigrants will enrich European civilization by remaining in Europe, the issue I am raising here is not the desirability of immigration, but rather whether the manner in which it is occurring represents a deplorable government failure, demonstrating the consequence of the absence of a European Government.</font></p>
<p><font size="3">I place the governmental failure that is demonstrated here within the context of what I call “democratic failure,” which has in the past proven to be a significant risk to the Western democratic experiment that mixes capitalism and socialism in a mixed monetary economy, a system introduced in the United States in 1787. </font></p>
<p><font size="3">When government fails in its crucial responsibilities, which responsibilities differ from those of the private sector, unsolved societal problems cascade into social, economic, and ecological adversity (examples: Swedish bank failures of 1991; the US 2008 financial sector collapse; the recent Volkswagen trickery that utilized criminal behavior by a bulwark</font> <font size="3"> </font><font size="3">institution of the German economy ). </font></p>
<p><font size="3">In each case, the government failed in fulfilling its responsibilities to protect society from the wrongs of the private sector. In these instances, the government at least had the power to prevent these private sector failures. How much the worse if there is no effective government to oversee and correct excesses or abuses that threaten the body politic? </font></p>
<p><font size="3">This is the situation Europe faces today with respect to the refugee crisis. A country like Sweden, with all the best of intentions, seems powerless to prevent a descent into democratic failure by virtue of its loss of control over its border, to say nothing of the problems of absorption of masses of needy people. The problem is bigger than Sweden and the solutions lie elsewhere. </font></p>
<p><font size="3">How can Sweden remain a democracy when its fate is subject to the virtual anarchy that prevails in the European Union as a whole? One might as well ask a glider pilot to bring in a Boeing 747 with 500 passengers aboard. The capacity is simply not there.</font></p>
<p><font size="3">I chose Sweden as an example, but I could easily have chosen Denmark, where a country the size of Vermont, has tried to ad lib a response to a refugee influx by imposing inhumane conditions on bereft people. Where institutions are not capable of dealing with problems at hand, institutions fail. </font></p>
<p><font size="3">Where is the leadership in Europe that can render area wide solutions to the problems that all states face? New threats and problems command different solutions from those that have previously been required in the post-war era. Perhaps a federal structure akin to that of the United States, the most effective democratic government ever fashioned?</font></p>
<p><font size="3">We have an additional five billion human beings on earth today who were not here in 1945. But they have the same aspirations as the 1945 two billion, sharing the same resource pool as in 1945. Let us ask our leaders to step up to the task. I address Chancellor Merkel, Prime Minister Rasmussen,</font> <font size="3">Jean-Claude Juncker, Donald Tusk and Federica Mogherini</font><font size="3">, Mr. Obama, Mr. Cameron and other members of the political establishment. Mr. Putin might also be included in our plea. </font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">Are we not utter fools to deny or to ignore that humanity is facing unprecedented social, economic and environmental challenges. Let us throw</font> <font size="3">chauvinism and narcissism out the window and let intelligence and humanity rule the day before it is too late. We must finalize the European Union structure with a federal government that works for all, in order to preempt the dark cloud of democratic failure hanging over Europe from drenching us in sorrow. </font></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Washington State February 2, 2016 </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Kell Petersen</span></p>Denmark Approves Controversial Migrant Billtag:cphvoice.ning.com,2016-01-26:2609300:BlogPost:546462016-01-26T15:00:00.000Zfoxylenshttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/foxylens
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u931Y1zPVe8">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u931Y1zPVe8</a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<div id="fb-root"></div>
<div class="fb-video"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/halagoraniCNN/videos/1247255255290760/"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/halagoraniCNN/videos/1247255255290760/"></a><p>“The immigrants which have come, and they are second generation, are more crime-prone than inhabitants in general are in…</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u931Y1zPVe8">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u931Y1zPVe8</a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<div id="fb-root"></div>
<div class="fb-video"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/halagoraniCNN/videos/1247255255290760/"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/halagoraniCNN/videos/1247255255290760/"></a><p>“The immigrants which have come, and they are second generation, are more crime-prone than inhabitants in general are in Denmark. They have a lower frequency of working than the Danish people have, and we have a rising Islamic problem in Denmark.” A quote from Kenneth Kristensen Berth, MP for the Danish People's Party, who spoke to me on tonight’s show.Danish lawmakers Tuesday voted in favor of legislation empowering authorities to seize cash and valuables from asylum seekers to help cover their expenses.See my full interview with him below.</p>
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/halagoraniCNN/">Hala Gorani</a> on Tuesday, 26 January 2016</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<p></p>
<div id="fb-root"></div>
<div class="fb-post"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/halagoraniCNN/videos/1247255255290760/"><p>“The immigrants which have come, and they are second generation, are more crime-prone than inhabitants in general are in...</p>
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/halagoraniCNN/">Hala Gorani</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/halagoraniCNN/videos/1247255255290760/">Tuesday, 26 January 2016</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u931Y1zPVe8?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>Parisian Muslim woman, declaring that “there is no problem with Islam; the problem is with France and Europe” - of great concern!tag:cphvoice.ning.com,2015-11-28:2609300:BlogPost:546422015-11-28T03:03:33.000ZKell Petersenhttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/KellPetersen
<p></p>
<p>Paris; It is of great concern to me, a lifelong thinking member of the Western democracies, when I hear an articulate Parisian Muslim woman, who was interviewed during the barbarisms in Paris last week, declaring that “there is no problem with Islam; the problem is with France and Europe.” My reaction: Can we possibly have descended so far into the abyss that such a statement could be uttered by a civilized person in a Western democracy? </p>
<p>I assume that she felt that she…</p>
<p></p>
<p>Paris; It is of great concern to me, a lifelong thinking member of the Western democracies, when I hear an articulate Parisian Muslim woman, who was interviewed during the barbarisms in Paris last week, declaring that “there is no problem with Islam; the problem is with France and Europe.” My reaction: Can we possibly have descended so far into the abyss that such a statement could be uttered by a civilized person in a Western democracy? </p>
<p>I assume that she felt that she could freely speak her mind because she knew that she lived under the umbrella of a western, democratically governed, economy which affords to all the privilege to speak freely as an elemental right and privilege. Perhaps she is also willfully ignorant of other Western values that have allowed the melting pot to assemble in countries like France, and to live their lives under constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and protections. </p>
<p>We hearken to Voltaire, as we disapprove the woman’s frightful assertion but defend with our lives her right to say it. And now, in good democratic order, we invite discussion that is provoked by the foregoing, as to what could create such a schism between Islam and democratic values. </p>
<p>I have made myself something of a “broken record” as I again repeat what I said in September 2010 and many times before: Our Western societies must justifiably ask what might happen if followers of Islam fail to reform Islam from within, so that they might coexist in harmony with democracy in the same manner that Christianity was reformed some hundreds of years ago. </p>
<p>As Winston Churchill put it, “Christianity became a religion sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled.” From a distorted religion accustomed to despots and autocrats who oppressed the mass, Christianity became a religion that embraced science and secular education, and simultaneously set up barriers between religion and state, which division has enabled democratically governed economies to thrive, largely free of religiously inspired violence. </p>
<p>In our modern world, Christianity recognizes that society should be governed under a democratic constitution and not pursuant to biblical precepts of murky origin. Islam is in reality a political-theocratic party, very much in the mold of Christianity before the Reformation, in which adherents, while they may accept a certain degree of democracy so as to elect leaders, also seem to believe that their leaders should rule in accordance with the Quran, and thus autocratically. We call such a state a theocracy. </p>
<p>A theocracy is little different from the National Socialistic movement which spawned Nazi Party rule in Germany during the last century. The Nazis were voted into power in good democratic order and proceeded to implement their perverted religious creed of “Aryanization” upon what had theretofore been a functioning democracy. Murder of selected members of their own citizenry became an accepted state policy in the interest of “religious purity. “ </p>
<p>To assert that there is no problem with Islam, that there is only a problem with democracies such as France’s, is little different from the claim that there was no problem with Germany’s national Socialistic movement or the Nazi party that was voted into power in good democratic order. In either event, the abandonment of secular constitutional protections spawns religious or racial tests and produces democratic failure; however, the leadership came into power in the first place. </p>
<p>Any student of the Middle East -- witness the history of the Ottoman Empire, 1600-1923, and British and French activities in that part of the world -- can find historical explanations for the adverse reaction in Islamic culture toward Christians, Jews and Westerners. As with the advent of National Socialism in Germany in the 1930’s, there is little doubt that social conditions and economic adversity, caused at least in part by neglect or worse by Westerners or Christians, contributed to developments. Ghettoization of Muslim immigrants in Western Europe cannot have helped in the integration of this population into Western society. Lack of employment for youth, feelings of self-worthlessness, crowded housing conditions, whether in Paris, Malmo, Sweden, Chicago, or the Gaza Strip, to name a few outposts of despair, certainly contribute to violence. They also, as we continually see, prepare a fertile soil for the rise of psychopathic demagogues and extreme political ideologies. </p>
<p>Democracy and sustainable social satisfaction in our western democracies, depend upon sustainable economic production by business, that distributes wealth in society through employment. Welfare, crime, and terrorism are our alternatives. In order to foster sustainable economic production a society must encourage ingenuity and investment in relevant research through a vibrant university system, so as to increase understanding in society and thereby to come up with solutions to the problems facing humanity. Discussion via a free press and a free flow of information vigorously discussed is a prerequisite for a true democracy. It is always assumed in democratic discourse that there may always be another explanation and that no person’s opinion should be shut out of the discussion. This assumption precludes the sort of societies that are ruled by scripture, of whatever origin. If we have to rely on God to solve our problems, “God help us!” For we are then doomed to an endless discussion as to how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. </p>
<p>If we wish to live in a democracy, we must defend our constitutions and their concomitant guarantees of free and equal rights for every person to participate. And consequently, we must accept democracy’s Achilles Heel that people that represent parties driven by autocratic ideologies might be elected to power in our legislative or executive branches. A critical mass of such ignorant voters is what produces democratic failure, such as what we witnessed in Germany in 1933, or what we might witness tomorrow in one of its modern theocratic variants. </p>
<p>I cannot help but remember Sophia Scholl, a student at the University of Munich, who was executed with her brother, Hans, on February 22, 1943 for opposing Nazism. “The real damage is done by those millions who want to 'survive.' The honest men who just want to be left in peace. Those who don’t want their little lives disturbed by anything bigger than themselves. Those with no sides and no causes. Those who won’t take measure of their own strength, for fear of antagonizing their own weakness. Those who don’t like to make waves—or enemies. Those for whom freedom, honour, truth, and principles are only literature. Those who live small, mate small, die small. It’s the reductionist approach to life: if you keep it small, you’ll keep it under control. If you don’t make any noise, the bogeyman won’t find you. But it’s all an illusion, because they die too, those people who roll up their spirits into tiny little balls so as to be safe. Safe?! From what? Life is always on the edge of death; narrow streets lead to the same place as wide avenues, and a little candle burns itself out just like a flaming torch does. I choose my own way to burn.”<font size="3"> </font></p>
<p>Our hope in September 2010 and before, was that people such as the human and woman’s right advocate, Raheel Raza, and Tarek Fatah, cofounder of the Muslim Canadian Congress, and other Muslims around the world who embraced democracy, would be able to reform Islam from the inside. It is even more urgent, in 2015, that we ask “where is Islam leading us?” </p>
<p>We sound the clarion call, in our effort to do our small part on behalf of our western democratic tradition, to Islamic extremists on the one side, to look within for answers to their problems, while we also call out the Islamophobes in the West who out of fear or malaise, will not seek to shelter refugees or to care for the downtrodden among us. If we should choose not to shelter the refugees here at home, we had better come up with solutions to help them find peace and security on their own blood-soaked soil. We can’t do nothing! </p>
<p>As history continues to show, ignorance, political correctness, complacency, and lack, of civic courage are endless risks to our western democracies our standard of living and lie at the root of democratic failure --- use democracy or lose it. Let us remember our wise forbears, Voltaire and Sophie Scholl, lest we forget what is important and necessary for our survival as free people. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>November 20, 2015</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Kell Petersen and Gina Schrank (we might draw a cartoon) </p>
<p> </p>A few words regarding the upcoming elections in Canada and the ethical responsibility of Universities - Ralf Hemmingsen in Denmark too!tag:cphvoice.ning.com,2015-10-03:2609300:BlogPost:539232015-10-03T18:30:00.000ZKell Petersenhttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/KellPetersen
<p></p>
<p><font size="3"> </font><font size="3">On October 19, 2015, both the strength and the Achilles heel of democracy will be fully on display in Canada. We always bear in mind that Winston Churchill defined Democracy as “the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”</font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">Churchill saw clearly the particular strengths of democracy displayed in constitutional guarantees of free speech,…</font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font size="3"> </font><font size="3">On October 19, 2015, both the strength and the Achilles heel of democracy will be fully on display in Canada. We always bear in mind that Winston Churchill defined Democracy as “the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”</font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">Churchill saw clearly the particular strengths of democracy displayed in constitutional guarantees of free speech, opinion, and assembly, as well as the importance in any democratic system of a free press, academic freedom, and an independent judiciary. </font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">These guarantees allow us in Canada the opportunity to make our electoral judgments with evidence-based understanding of the economic system, as well as of the social and ecological issues society faces.</font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">For our system of government allows us to gain necessary knowledge about the private sector as well as about the government’s responsibility to step in to correct for the private sector’s lapses. Further, the vital role of our universities cannot be overstated with respect to providing the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions. </font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">While a properly functioning democracy provides the resources and the ability for voters to make informed decisions, the recipe is not complete without voters who are willing to put in the time and effort to gain evidence-based knowledge. Learning is hard work – but use the democracy or lose it. </font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">Make no mistake: Voter behavior in cheering on and electing leaders usually bears out my old dictum: “The behavior of government reflects the level of understanding and the moral and ethical values of the society that makes up the economy”.</font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">There is a litany of examples of the avenues for democratic failure when voters fail to discharge their responsibilities avidly and wisely. Churchill once again reminded us that the “best argument against democracy is a 5 minute conversation with the average voter” - democracy’s Achilles Heel. </font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">Foremost in my mind’s eye is the democratic failure that ensued in 1932 when Hitler was popularly elected in Germany. Or, closer to home, we all remember the economic and military disasters which were propagated by the popularly elected President of the United States in 2000 and 2004. Could the United States be once again facing a “hair-raising” democratic failure in 2016, with demagogues winning the day with a self-deluding electorate? </font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">Only fools would deny that we in Canada face mounting socioeconomic, political, and environmental problems at home and globally. While there may be worthy proposals for spending on infrastructure and daycare on the table, these issues are somewhat beside the point when these greater challenges threaten. </font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">When anxiety is rampant in society, the social establishment stands by and protects its assets and extreme political positions become the order of the day. This is the trend we see today in Europe and in North America – witness the GOP debates in the US and a very reasonable Speaker of the House resigns his position out of frustration with polarizing grandstanding egomaniacs who don’t seem to understand how representative democracy works or perhaps don’t even care. </font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">In Canada, neither side in the 2015 election campaign seems to have an inkling as to what the government’s task is in a democratically governed mixed economy, such as Canada’s and no inkling of the systemic issues that unsolved hamper the path toward a sustainable economy and hinder employment. </font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">It should be clear to all sentient beings in our western democracies that when the government fails in its assigned role, a role which is not the same as Bay Street’s or Wall Street’s role (the private sector) in the economy, unsolved problems will inevitably escalate into serious adversity -- witness the 2008 debacle in the US and the economic meltdown in Alberta in 2015. Decades in the making, these problems do not arise overnight. </font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">The underlying problem is that politics cannot be understood without the use of social and natural science. We must listen to our universities for wisdom. But we are met with silence today as faculties abdicate their responsibility to society, neglecting relevant research or social activism in favor of more parochial concerns.</font></p>
<p><font size="3">I am reminded that understanding is a very special resource; it is unlike all other resources such as capital, family wealth or social influence. Knowledge does not automatically transfer from one generation to the next, but must be taught anew and must be valued. </font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">The University’s task is to protect the faculty’s academic freedom, not only for political and other meddling or penalties but also from the university itself. The University must allow faculty to identify and investigate any important issues in society and embark upon relevant research initiatives such as the Canadian, Swedish IISRE Initiative, in order to increase the understanding needed to solve social problems at an early enough stage, to find new meaning in old ideas, and to find better ways of fulfilling societal needs while using fewer resources.</font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">American and Canadian societies should ask themselves whether their election campaigns and debates indicate a diminishment of understanding in society and whether the university, the press, and our own lassitude might cause democratic failure. Academia must challenge the political establishment and speak out about these issues. Our easy comfort and tenured complacency may themselves dissolve in the wreckage of our democracies. (I, a rowdy Dane, am doing my best to shake some sense into the University before it is too late.)</font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">In British Columbia and Canada, our anti-intellectualism, reflected in attitudes toward science, concerns me greatly. Political correctness substitutes for thought, research and truth telling, setting up the society for failure. </font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">And here we are, on the brink of an election, with our free spending populists, patronage-driven liberals, and union driven outdated Social Democrats on the one side, with a subset of the Green Party’s environmental absolutism under David Suzuki, who seems curiously oblivious to the socioeconomic conditions of humanity’s existence. </font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">On the right we have our conservatives, on the edge of an extreme neo-liberal ideology, crying “</font> <font size="3">laissez-faire,” to</font> <font size="3">the exclusion of science and anything in the way of rational responsible conservative politics. Seemingly they have learned nothing from the Alberta’s hodgepodge, - compare this to Norway. Stealthy privatizing</font> <font size="3">health care moving towards the US model that increases excess consumption, at the expense of good health, and</font> <font size="3">wrecking</font> <font size="3">one of the most important comparative advantages Canadian industry has in the global marketplace witness the US health care debacle. </font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">Believe me, to replace the know-nothing status quo of the right with the patronage-driven rascals of the left are only to sidestep the issues that count.</font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">Thus, the temptation simply is to vote against the devil we know in favor of know-nothing parties on the left or show dissatisfaction by voting blank - and simply don’t mark. </font><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">So let us become involved after and between the elections, demand that university leaders, faculty, politicians, public servants, they put aside their semi-corrupt plans and concern for their own wellbeing, pensions for their political afterlife and focus on the issues that really matter to society. </font> <font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">In any event, the worst failure for the voter and democracy, even a dissatisfied knowledgeable voter, is to opt out entirely by not voting. Use our most valuable democratic franchise by voting! It is our democratic obligation and privilege. If discontent with all the candidates and their parties is our prevailing motif, express dissatisfaction by casting a blank ballot; simply make no mark. But darn it --- vote! Use it or lose it. </font></p>
<p><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">October 2, 2015</font></p>
<p><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3">Kell Petersen</font></p>
<p><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font size="3"> </font></p>Commentary March 14, 2014 The recent Russian move into Crimeatag:cphvoice.ning.com,2015-09-30:2609300:BlogPost:541292015-09-30T16:15:00.000ZKell Petersenhttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/KellPetersen
<p>Commentary March 14, 2014 </p>
<p> The recent Russian move into Crimea has aroused notable and expected concern in the United States, Canada, and the European Union. But the crunch reveals an appalling lack of realism and foresight by both the US and the EU. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Soviet Union ceased to exist in 1991, but EU and US political leaders seem to have forgotten that Russia did not. Nor have historic (and current) geopolitical realities changed with respect to Crimea, which was as…</p>
<p>Commentary March 14, 2014 </p>
<p> The recent Russian move into Crimea has aroused notable and expected concern in the United States, Canada, and the European Union. But the crunch reveals an appalling lack of realism and foresight by both the US and the EU. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Soviet Union ceased to exist in 1991, but EU and US political leaders seem to have forgotten that Russia did not. Nor have historic (and current) geopolitical realities changed with respect to Crimea, which was as strategically important to Russia as it was to the USSR during the USSR’s “brief” time on the world stage (70 years is the wink of an eye in historical context).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>One should be rightly focused upon and concerned as to how the EU the US and Canada could have ignored Russia while pursuing a bilateral alliance with Ukraine! It was akin to the laughable fantasy that could be imagined had the US ignored Canada and facilitated a wish of Alberta and British Columbia to enter into a political alliance with the United States.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My point is that we must recognize geopolitical realities, such as that Russia considers Crimea strategically vital. Lest we forget, the Russian Black Sea fleet remains at Crimean ports, and but for the historic anomaly of Russia ceding Crimea to Ukraine in 1954 when the two nations were briefly effectively one nation, Crimea would still be recognized as part of Russia. How absurdly short is our historical perspective!</p>
<p>EU governance, as we all know, is in the hands of a Commission and an inscrutable bureaucracy. Too many chefs, too many hands in the drawer, almost no long term historical perspective. It reminds me of the USSR in its heyday, a centrally governed bureaucracy without meaningful reach. It is no wonder that such an ineffective “governing” structure as the EU’s ignored Russia and pursued a bilateral alliance with Ukraine.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Moreover, how could US and EU intelligence agencies, and thus the US and EU governments, possibly fail to get the drift of Russia’s approach to Ukraine?</p>
<p>It suggests a failure to comprehend Putin’s domestic problem: his country has yet to recover from the greatest systemic failure and economic living standard contraction ever experienced by a nation-state in peace time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Contrast this with Germany’s capitulation to the Western alliance in 1918, which ended the First World War. Defeat in war led to economic collapse. The Soviet capitulation after the “cold war” occurred without a shot being fired. The results in both cases were a failure by the subsequent governments to raise the living standards in the broader society. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Economic and social despair in the society will always lead to political instability that creates the opportunity for extremists and demagogues. Thus: Putin’s problem. The West didn’t deal any more effectively with Germany after World War One. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>To flesh it out just a bit more – After the Soviet collapse in 1991, the West arrived in Russia in the “person” of IMF aid, as well as hordes of advisors and corporate raiders, determined to give the Russians a crash course in the worst that capitalism has to offer. The new Russian oligarchs smelled the fast money, and an aberrant form of capitalism took hold. The Russian “surgery” saved the patient from socialism, only to leave it a capitalist paraplegic.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>That only a fraction of the money pledged to Russia after 1991 was actually delivered, while much of the rest ended up in fraudsters’ pockets in the West was apparently just a dress rehearsal for the even greater raids on the public treasury that occurred in Iraq and Afghanistan by way of fraudulent transfers, in more recent times.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Ordinary Russians today have very little respect for the social or political establishments in the EU and the US; many simply feel cheated. They see the return of Crimea as simply their due patrimony.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My analysis of the Ukraine crisis is that the West’s failure to assist Russia to solve the problem it faced in 1991, to say nothing of its effectively hampering investment in economic production , led to further declines in the broader standard of living there and proved to be an object lesson in avoiding the Western “do-gooders”. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Furthermore, when EU and US leaders employ empty rhetoric, reflective of sloppy thinking, comparing Putin to Stalin and Hitler, the Russians simply take it as an insult, fueling further disappointment with the West and a degree of anger. Russian blood (much like ours) is indeed thicker than water.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The end result of our empty posturing is that Russian attention is thereby distracted from the very real socioeconomic and environmental issues that really matter to their society. Instead, we whip up an aggressive approach in response. It is entirely reasonable to believe that President Putin knows that his future and his legacy depend on his administration’s ability to raise Russian living standards by solving the impediments to investment in economic production and employment. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>It is further reasonable to assume that Western leaders realize that Western societies can only benefit from a more prosperous and thus less militarily aggressive Russia.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This reality is easy to forget in universities and government Ivory Towers. Economic production, social satisfaction and political stability are not created in Moscow, Washington DC, Ottawa or in Brussels; they are created in local and regional economies. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sadly, the issues I raise here, exemplified in the Canadian/Swedish IISRE Initiative, were ignored when the time came for applying good economic sense to the Russian situation; had IISRE existed in 1991, perhaps its valuable research on these topics would have been ignored then as well. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The message is once again given; and just as in 1991, nothing will apparently change. Ignorant counter-reaction is once again the order of the day to the world’s peril. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>A wise Western approach would be a pragmatic one. The US and the EU should accept the annexation of Crimea by Russia, and Russia should be a party to any treaties between the EU and Ukraine. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>We should then pursue an enlightened approach to helping Russia, along the lines and spirit of the Marshall Plan, thereby assisting President Putin to mitigate the impediments in Russia that hamper investment in economic production. In that manner, responsible private investment in business, creating employment in local and regional economies, might take shape in Russia, benefitting the EU, the Americas, and Putin himself. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Along the lines of my old dictum, “the behavior in government reflects the level of understanding and the moral and ethical value in the society that make up the economy”, we must appeal to Russian society itself to take responsibility for its economic problems.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In addition, I don’t mean to suggest by what I have said here that President Putin himself doesn’t have a solemn responsibility to respond in kind to enlightened Western outreach, in the interest of fostering sustainable economic development throughout the world. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>March 14, 2014</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Kell Petersen</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>To the Right Honorable German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Right Honorable Prime Minister of Denmark.tag:cphvoice.ning.com,2015-09-06:2609300:BlogPost:540212015-09-06T18:32:11.000ZKell Petersenhttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/KellPetersen
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">To the Right Honorable</font> German Chancellor Angela Merkel and <font face="Calibri" size="3">Right Honorable Prime Minister of Denmark.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Europe’s refugee crisis demonstrates once again the European Union’s dysfunctionality.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">As long as 31 countries continue to function as independent political entities without an overall federal structure, the…</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">To the Right Honorable</font> German Chancellor Angela Merkel and <font face="Calibri" size="3">Right Honorable Prime Minister of Denmark.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Europe’s refugee crisis demonstrates once again the European Union’s dysfunctionality.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">As long as 31 countries continue to function as independent political entities without an overall federal structure, the mess will continue and probably get worse.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">At the current juncture we witness mounting human suffering as the desperate try by any means to resettle in safety, only to meet with chaotic and unprepared European responses.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">It is not as if there was no warning.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">The growing instability in the Middle East has been obvious for years now.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">There is plenty of blame to be shared among the Western democracies for allowing that instability to start and then to fester.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">A refugee crisis was the most predictable outcome of the growing lawlessness and barbarism of the region’s fanatics.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Turkey stood as a relative bulwark as matters deteriorated.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">It was an obvious way-station for the refugees had Europe been able and willing to engage the problem.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">Now we see the walls tumbling across the Mediterranean as the desperate swarm by land and sea, drowning, dying of starvation, doing the things that reasonable people do who have little choice in the matter than to flee for their lives.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Had Europe been able to muster a united and intelligent response, one would think that Turkey, a NATO member would have been fortified in this effort.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">And Libya might never have been allowed to destabilize, but might rather have served as another refugee haven where the human wreckage from Northern Africa might have been rescued and cared for pending resettlement.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">If there were such temporary camps available, a registration process might easily have been implemented to distribute refugees to various European countries or to other places of safety on the periphery.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">Such an organized and sensible effort would have deterred smugglers and alleviated the desperation that causes migrants to pile into rickety boats or pack themselves into suffocating trucks.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Frankly,</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">is there any logical explanation</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">or excuse for the fumbling of the EU and the West?</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">In answer, I posit that the problem is that the federal structure of the EU,</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">such as it is, is composed of committees of self serving politicians from 31 member states who have no real power .</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">To work effectively, the EU needs the same type of organization as the United States,</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">with a mandate to address promptly the economic, ecological, and social problems of the entire bloc,</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">superseding the parochial concerns of individual states.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">If we turn again to the current crisis,</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">we see falling birth rates in Europe and the West.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">Meanwhile the Islamic societies in many cases continue to grow exponentially raising a new demographic dynamic in Western democracies.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">Will Islamic refugees recognize democracy?</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">There is some reason for doubt. In many EU member countries, nationalistic populism rears its ugly head when faced with the influx. The somewhat justified fear that politicians of Islamic faith will try to implement Sharia law in the West stokes that populism;</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">instead it should stimulate civil solutions.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">May we hope that the taste of democracy and a life under a democratic constitution with its guarantees of free expression, assembly, and an independent judiciary will win out over oppression and Sharia courts?</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">We might best remember how from a distorted religion, accustomed to despots and autocrats , Christianity became a religion that embraced science and fostered understanding and coexistence under secular democratic regimes.</font> <font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Europe and the West have an obligation to help the refugees for many reasons,</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">not least of which are our complicity in destroying their host societies, as well as our Christian and democratic traditions of helping those in need.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">We must simultaneously be vigilant not to allow</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">the backward ideologies that some immigrants espouse to override our constitutions.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">Nor should we allow xenophobia and Islamophobia to provoke undue fear.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">With respect to Europe in particular, Europeans must not be complacent and politically correct because as history shows, ignorance, complacency, and lack of civic courage are the root of democratic failure.</font> <font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">I address you complacent Europeans as well as the Danish Prime Minister</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">(as a Dane, I must),</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">in imploring you to get your act together,</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">throw chauvinism out the window and let intelligence and humanity rule the day.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">And, for God’s sake, finalize the European Union structure with a federal government that works for all.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">Send the commissioners home to do other useful work and give the refugees the benefit of the doubt.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">For there is no doubt whatsoever that the refugees are here and they are quite real.</font><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font> <strong> </strong></p>
<p>Washington State September 5, 2015</p>
<p>Kell Petersen</p>Russia Ukraine EU UStag:cphvoice.ning.com,2014-05-13:2609300:BlogPost:474272014-05-13T23:00:00.000ZKell Petersenhttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/KellPetersen
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3">In two recent commentaries I wrote about the Russia/Crimea situation, I concluded my analysis by suggesting that “ the crunch reveals an appalling lack of realism and foresight by all relevant Western parties, i.e. the US, Canada, and the EU.” I focused on the causes and cure for the problem rather than upon the symptoms of the “disease.” (I was speaking in those…</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3">In two recent commentaries I wrote about the Russia/Crimea situation, I concluded my analysis by suggesting that “ the crunch reveals an appalling lack of realism and foresight by all relevant Western parties, i.e. the US, Canada, and the EU.” I focused on the causes and cure for the problem rather than upon the symptoms of the “disease.” (I was speaking in those commentaries as a participant in the Swedish/Canadian IISRE Initiative, i.e. The International Institutes for Sustainable Regional Economies. I continue to have great faith in that platform, hampered though it has been by biased politics in the participating universities and governments.) </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3">To remind my reader of that earlier commentary, I hearkened back a few years to the victory of the West in the “cold war,” wherein the Soviet Union (Russia) capitulated without a shot being fired. I compared that scenario to that of Germany’s capitulation to the Western alliance in 1918, which ended the First World War. Defeat in “war” in both instances led to economic collapse that fertilised the soil of socioeconomic misery that invariably produces extremism. </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3"> </font></span></i></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3">---- All this, by way of prelude to my comments about Ukraine.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3">When the cold war ended, the recipe for a successful recovery in Russia was to help it accomplish a real, democratically representative, mixed monetary system, which would have increased the broader living standards of the population and lessened societal disparities. Rather than assisting that transition (as we did so successfully via the Marshall Plan following World War II), the West, in the person of the IMF succeeded only in giving the Russians a crash course in the worst that capitalism has to offer. Instead of enlightened assistance, we saw the vultures descend, in the person of academicians, as well as hordes of advisors and corporate raiders</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3">Russian oligarchs smelled the fast money and an aberrant form of capitalism took hold. Today ordinary Russians have very little respect for the social or political establishments in the EU and the US; many simply feel cheated. How much better when General George Marshall, who received the Nobel Peace Prize, worked his magic because he understood that the social and economic mess in Germany that cultivated the soil for the Hitlerian autocracy, was entirely avoidable.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Marshall understood the importance of “keeping your allies close, but defeated enemies closer” until such time as social conditions improved and broad social satisfaction and democracy were working. President Truman intelligently appointed</span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-ansi-language: EN;" xml:lang="EN">Marshall to lead</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">the rebuilding of Europe’s economy in order to secure democracy in the postwar 1945 world. (He had another model to choose from and wisely rejected the MacArthur school of thought.)</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN;" xml:lang="EN"> </span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> </span></font></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US"><font size="3">It is all well and good to establish “faceplate” democratic institutions in a vanquished country. (Hitler certainly used democracy for evil purposes.) Russia on the surface is now a democratically governed economy. The 450 members of the parliament (the Duma) are elected by nationwide vote and are proportionally representative as well, more democratic on the surface than Great Britain, the US or Canada. </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US"><font size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US"><font size="3">Hence the constitutional judicial platform and an independent judiciary, necessary attributes for a democratically governed mixed economy, are in place in Russia. The problem is displayed with an analogy: If the captain and crew don’t know how to fly a particular aircraft, it does not matter how modern and good an aircraft it is, the passengers’ lives and property will be in jeopardy. </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US"><font size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US"><font size="3">How does all of this relate to the current impasse (pending debacle?) in Ukraine? </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US"><font size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US"><font size="3">Russia’s adventurism in Ukraine is wildly popular in Russia. A population that feels dumped by the West and punished is ripe for the picking by a clever politician like Putin. The Russian economy is in shambles. So why not engage in aggression abroad in pursuit of a greater Russia that never existed except in the minds of a demoralized people? It needn’t have been this way.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US"><font size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font size="3"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US">After Germany’s defeat in 1945, Stalin lowered the Iron Curtain and blocked Russia and Eastern Europe from joining the Marshall Plan. This prevented democratization and implantation of a democratically governed mixed economic system in Eastern Europe.</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> </span></font></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3">When the Soviet Union capitulated in 1991, there was no Stalin blocking the way for a new “Marshall Plan” for Russia and Eastern Europe.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">But rather than assist Russia and Ukraine to democratise and modernize their economic systems, The West only assisted Y</span><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN;" xml:lang="EN">eltsin</span></strong> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">to move Russia from</span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-ansi-language: EN;" xml:lang="EN">autocracy to</span> <strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN;" xml:lang="EN">oligarchy. The result is the caricature of democracy that we see before us today in Russia.</span></strong></font></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN;" xml:lang="EN"><font size="3"> </font></span></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font size="3"><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN;" xml:lang="EN">Putin let the genie out of the bottle when he encouraged Russian separatism in Ukraine. It reminds me of Mr. Bush’s attempt to be the social engineer of change in the Arab World. We still contend with the messy aftermath of that adventure, even if we can ignore the hundreds of thousands dead as a result. Perhaps Putin too will live out his final days as a portrait painter in Crawford, Texas, once his plans for a Greater Russia inevitably produce the social catastrophe that we know lies around the adventurist corner.</span></strong> <i><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> </span></i></font></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-weight: normal;"><font size="3"> </font></span></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font size="3"><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN;" xml:lang="EN">Ultimately, i</span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">t is reasonable to suggest that had the United States and its allies taken a more enlightened approach after 1991, Russia and Eastern Europe would likely not have had the “Ukraine problem” that we see before us today. Ukraine and Crimea didn’t simply come out of the blue.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3">In a way, the current pending disaster can be laid at the feet of short-sighted Western politicians who never thought through the implications of the Soviet collapse. </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3">Perhaps European voters should be thinking about this when they go to the polls in May. I will. </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3">May 5, 2014</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><font size="3">Kell Petersen</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><font size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p></p>Environmental friendly cleaning in Denmarktag:cphvoice.ning.com,2014-05-13:2609300:BlogPost:475202014-05-13T09:15:58.000ZGabor Tothhttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/GaborToth
<p>There are many trends we could say started in the 21th century. Some of them are better than others, some of them are more important than others and some of them, hopefully, will stay with us long.</p>
<p>One of these trends, that I consider important, is protecting the environment. There are more and more talks about that in different media outlets, on social media and among people. Quite some environment protecting groups have started up in the 21th century and there are also companies…</p>
<p>There are many trends we could say started in the 21th century. Some of them are better than others, some of them are more important than others and some of them, hopefully, will stay with us long.</p>
<p>One of these trends, that I consider important, is protecting the environment. There are more and more talks about that in different media outlets, on social media and among people. Quite some environment protecting groups have started up in the 21th century and there are also companies that put more and more importance to that.</p>
<p>One of such companies, that is quite environment conscious, is <a href="http://www.vaskebjornen.dk" target="_blank">Vaskebjørnen</a>. </p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/Y4MVF3b94yL8xMZJcAXuJGsMRTk1BtJFkJT653Wb7YiJYkGq*gMY5rn7m2v5NllrJQmPnCjpkFCnNhcWbSdwvWZPfXHLTfAO/2014logo.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/Y4MVF3b94yL8xMZJcAXuJGsMRTk1BtJFkJT653Wb7YiJYkGq*gMY5rn7m2v5NllrJQmPnCjpkFCnNhcWbSdwvWZPfXHLTfAO/2014logo.jpg?width=200" width="200" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>Vaskebjørnen has as its main profile window cleaning and cleaning both for private customers and for companies, including cleaning up at construction sites. It also provides specialist services such as snow removal in the winter, carpet cleaning, gardening work and a number of others.</p>
<p>While you could say that Vaskebjørnen is just like any of the other Danish cleaning companies, it is not entirely true. From an environmental protection point of view there is something that Vaskebjørnen does and it is putting emphasis on protecting the environment - in many ways.</p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/Y4MVF3b94yLtTKzQYuWbGR95jAZvtd*kMOJdDjTdh8zHTupMAdToXr7yuDfTm-dMTEN0n8w4le25sO-p56EL77Qqp1k6D4Q5/vaskebjornmedskraber.png" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/Y4MVF3b94yLtTKzQYuWbGR95jAZvtd*kMOJdDjTdh8zHTupMAdToXr7yuDfTm-dMTEN0n8w4le25sO-p56EL77Qqp1k6D4Q5/vaskebjornmedskraber.png?width=100" width="100" class="align-full"/></a>First of all Vaskebjørnen has two special cars with a clean water systems installed in them. They use these for window cleaning. There is a water filter installed in the cars and it purifies the water removing impurities and uses this clean water to was the windows - no poisons going out and into the environment. It is done with up to 18 meters long telescopic poles and it is thus also great for the employees: no need to clime up and down long ladders.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Vaskebjørnen also ONLY uses Swan labeled cleaning products for the rest of the cleaning processes. The cleaning quality is just as good with other "traditional" but not environment friendly products and the reduction of putting out toxins tremendously. Only products with this label and certified are being used to clean by Vaskebjørnen employees.</p>
<p></p>
<p>And last but not least Vaskebjørnen have decided to replace their car park with modern environmental friendly vehicles. Now they only use vehicles with a new STOP and START system (the engine automatically stops when the car is not going, like stopped at a red light) and thus reducing carbon footprint further. The vehicles are also very economic on fuel and thus put out even less pollution.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Denmark is a country where there are more and more environmental friendly companies and products and it is really nice to see. Vaskebjørnen is one of the leading ones in this in the cleaning and window cleaning industry.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.vaskebjornen.dk" target="_blank">www.vaskebjoern.dk</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/vaskebjornen.aps" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/112271315059370662736/+vaskebj%C3%B8rnen/about" target="_blank">Google +</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/vaskebj%C3%B8rnen-aps?trk=biz-companies-cym" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/112271315059370662736/+vaskebj%C3%B8rnen/about" target="_blank"></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Gabor Toth</p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/Y4MVF3b94yIcQNiD8Hgg8X7J2wq0pqOPzbuucZm3ATLYBebmIiIO1srnjwWba4WMS5rwuX8SiLZ8fTkzN2sexzupqBFG7Mna/PE5_7353.resized.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/Y4MVF3b94yIcQNiD8Hgg8X7J2wq0pqOPzbuucZm3ATLYBebmIiIO1srnjwWba4WMS5rwuX8SiLZ8fTkzN2sexzupqBFG7Mna/PE5_7353.resized.jpg?width=150" width="150" class="align-full"/></a></p>Minister resignations lead to reshuffle - The departures of Villy Søvndal and Morten Bødskov result in four new ministerstag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-12-12:2609300:BlogPost:426812013-12-12T14:23:53.000Zfoxylenshttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/foxylens
<p>By Michael de Laine, Copenhagen, 12 December 2013</p>
<p></p>
<p>Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt has had to reshuffle her cabinet again after two ministers resigned in just two days.</p>
<p></p>
<p>On Tuesday, Minister of Justice and Immigration Morten Bødskov (Social Democrats) stepped down after admitting to the Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee that he had concocted a lie to explain why the Committee’s planned visit to the free town of Christiania in February 2012 was…</p>
<p>By Michael de Laine, Copenhagen, 12 December 2013</p>
<p></p>
<p>Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt has had to reshuffle her cabinet again after two ministers resigned in just two days.</p>
<p></p>
<p>On Tuesday, Minister of Justice and Immigration Morten Bødskov (Social Democrats) stepped down after admitting to the Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee that he had concocted a lie to explain why the Committee’s planned visit to the free town of Christiania in February 2012 was cancelled.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Pia Kjærsgaard of the Danish People’s Party and a member of the Committee would have been on the visit, but the Police Intelligence Service (PET) told the minister that Pia Kjærsgaard’s participation would have caused a serious personal terror threat.</p>
<p></p>
<p>But instead of saying that to the committee Morten Bødskov said Police Commissioner Johan Reimann could not attend because of prior commitments – but failed to add that as minister Bødskov could order the Police Commissioner to take part.</p>
<p></p>
<p>On Wednesday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Villy Søvndal (Socialist People’s Party) resigned for health reasons. He suffered a cerebral thrombosis in October and has been under treatment and recuperation since, but the doctors have now advised him that his condition is not compatible with the stress of a high government post.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The Prime Minister today announced that Minister of Taxation Holger K. Nielsen (Socialist People’s Party) takes over the foreign minister post, while the same party’s Member of Parliament Jonas Dahl becomes Minister of Taxation.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a name="_GoBack"></a>Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fishery Karen Hækkerup (Social Democrats) takes over as Minister of Justice. She is replaced by Dan Jørgensen, a Member of the European Parliament for the Social Democrats<font color="#535353"><font size="2"><span lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">.</span></font></font></p>Danish PM changes government, promotes Henrik Sass Larsentag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-08-10:2609300:BlogPost:426162013-08-10T14:00:26.000Zfoxylenshttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/foxylens
<p>By Michael de Laine, The Copenhagen Voice</p>
<p>9 August 2013</p>
<p></p>
<p>Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt (S) has yesterday made the first major changes to her government since the coalition of the Social Democrats (S), the Socialist Peoples' Party (SF) and the Social Liberals took office following parliamentary elections in September 2011.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The changes follow a summer of speculation that Helle Thorning-Schmidt would strengthen the government's line-up ahead of…</p>
<p>By Michael de Laine, The Copenhagen Voice</p>
<p>9 August 2013</p>
<p></p>
<p>Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt (S) has yesterday made the first major changes to her government since the coalition of the Social Democrats (S), the Socialist Peoples' Party (SF) and the Social Liberals took office following parliamentary elections in September 2011.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The changes follow a summer of speculation that Helle Thorning-Schmidt would strengthen the government's line-up ahead of the local government election in November, the European Parliament election next May and the Danish parliamentary election due in September 2015 at the latest.</p>
<p></p>
<p>There has also been speculation about the role of Henrik Sass Larsen, considered to be one of the strongest cards in the Social Democrats' political hand. Many observers expected him to become a leading minister when the government was formed in 2011, but a dubious relationship to a member of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club stopped that.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Henrik Sass Larsen has since been the chairman of the Social Democrats' parliamentary group. Now, he has been named Minister for Business and Growth, replacing Annette Vilhelmsen, the leader of SF.</p>
<p></p>
<p>She moves from the Ministry for Business and Growth to the Ministry for Social Affairs, Children and Integration, replacing Minister for Social Affairs and Integration Karen Hækkerup (S).</p>
<p></p>
<p>Karen Hækkerup takes over as Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, replacing Mette Gjerskov (S), who leaves the government.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The Ministry for Trade and Investment will be merged with the Ministry for European Affairs, and the new Ministry for Trade and European Affairs will be headed by former Minister of Defence Nick Hækkerup (S).</p>
<p></p>
<p>Minister for European Affairs Nicolai Wammen (S) becomes Minister of Defence.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Minister for Trade and Investment Pia Olsen Dyhr (SF) becomes Minister of Transport instead of Henrik Dam Kristensen (S), who leaves the government. He is expected to become the Social Democrats' new parliamentary group chairman.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Minister of Foreign Affairs Villy Søvndal, the former leader of the Socialist Peoples' Party, continues in his post. There has been speculation that he would leave the government.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Pia Olsen Dyhr also becomes a member of the government's co-ordination committee, replacing Minister for Taxation Holger K. Nielsen (SF).</p>
<p></p>
<p>There are no changes to the ministries headed by the Social Liberals.</p>Video of Jon English (Australian Rock Star) and Androo Kelly talk about Tasmanian Devils at Copenhagen Zoo June 2013tag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-06-20:2609300:BlogPost:422552013-06-20T20:07:23.000Zfoxylenshttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/foxylens
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" height="315" width="420"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wTTk0x3Tt7I?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="false"></param><embed allowfullscreen="false" allowscriptaccess="never" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wTTk0x3Tt7I?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" wmode="opaque"></embed> <param name="wmode" value="opaque"></param></object>
</p>
<p></p>
<p>Learn a bit more about the project to save Tasmanian Devils - a joint project between Australia and Denmark through the Copenhagen Zoo.</p>
<p>Androo Kelly is the Wildlife Preservationist and owner of Trowunna Wildlife Park in Tasmania. He has devoted more than 30 years to saving animals at risk of becoming extinct.</p>
<p>At present the two females are with young - and we will know in November-December if the young will prosper and move out of the…</p>
<p><object width="420" height="315" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wTTk0x3Tt7I?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="false"></param><embed wmode="opaque" width="420" height="315" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wTTk0x3Tt7I?version=3&hl=en_US" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="false"></embed> <param name="wmode" value="opaque"></param></object>
</p>
<p></p>
<p>Learn a bit more about the project to save Tasmanian Devils - a joint project between Australia and Denmark through the Copenhagen Zoo.</p>
<p>Androo Kelly is the Wildlife Preservationist and owner of Trowunna Wildlife Park in Tasmania. He has devoted more than 30 years to saving animals at risk of becoming extinct.</p>
<p>At present the two females are with young - and we will know in November-December if the young will prosper and move out of the pouch.</p>
<p>In the meantime, check out this video Mook, Malaga are the two male devils, Miena and Myth are the two female devils. In the video Mook actually comes up to Androo and Jon to say hello.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Click here to read and sign up for helping <strong>Save the Tasmanian Devil Program</strong> - Donate to the Appeal:<br/><br/><a href="http://www.tassiedevil.com.au/tasdevil.nsf" target="_blank">http://www.tassiedevil.com.au/tasdevil.nsf</a><br/><br/>Trowunna Wildlife Park - Tasmania Link:<br/><br/><a href="http://www.trowunna.com.au/" target="_blank">http://www.trowunna.com.au/</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Article and images of Jon English Visit to see Devils:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.demotix.com/news/2141829/jon-english-australian-rock-icon-visits-tasmanian-devils-cph-zoo#media-2141670" target="_blank">http://www.demotix.com/news/2141829/jon-english-australian-rock-icon-visits-tasmanian-devils-cph-zoo#media-2141670</a></p>Jon English Australian rock icon visits Tasmanian Devils at Copenhagen Zoo - Denmarktag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-06-11:2609300:BlogPost:424182013-06-11T10:04:43.000Zfoxylenshttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/foxylens
<p>Last Friday, June 7th, The Copenhagen Zoo announced that the two female Tasmanian Devils have young in their pouches. It is estimated that the babies will leave the pouch between October-November this year when they have reached maturity. At present, Miena and Myth are most likely carrying approximately 2-4 babies each. During this time, the two females will stay mostly inside during the day and come out at night. The public has a chance to see the two males Malaga and Mook during the day…</p>
<p>Last Friday, June 7th, The Copenhagen Zoo announced that the two female Tasmanian Devils have young in their pouches. It is estimated that the babies will leave the pouch between October-November this year when they have reached maturity. At present, Miena and Myth are most likely carrying approximately 2-4 babies each. During this time, the two females will stay mostly inside during the day and come out at night. The public has a chance to see the two males Malaga and Mook during the day in their outside facility.</p>
<p> <a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/uvilscSDxx-F3lk*D2XaoTNIHlHlE8ugvIUGd8VVL1jn8MAFLPWmLYyj7mkFic*DlDt5dfmzXzVkpczOVJJGINF86g4NtJtK/AndrooKellyCPHDK_JUNE10_DK_PJUHL_20133.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/uvilscSDxx-F3lk*D2XaoTNIHlHlE8ugvIUGd8VVL1jn8MAFLPWmLYyj7mkFic*DlDt5dfmzXzVkpczOVJJGINF86g4NtJtK/AndrooKellyCPHDK_JUNE10_DK_PJUHL_20133.jpg?width=750" width="750" class="align-left"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>This is the second group of captive-bred devils who have been flown to Denmark in October 2012 to take up residence at the Copenhagen Zoo. The first group of four devils to come to Denmark was in April of 2006. They were a gift to the Royal family to mark the birth of the future king of Denmark, Prince Christian; the son of Crown Prince Frederik and his Tasmanian-born wife Princess Mary. This transfer of devils is part of a breeding project facilitated by Androo Kelly, a Wildlife Preservationist at the Trowunna Wildlife Park in Tasmania. The Devils are at serious risk of becoming extinct due to a contagious facial tumor disease that spreads to other devils as a result of common behavior social fighting.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The existence of offspring for the females is a positive sign, and everyone involved with the breeding project is optimistic for its success. However, these are highly strung temperamental animals that require specific care and need the proper environment to breed. As Androo explains, these animals have unique personalities and possess excellent memories. He jokes that when he arrived at the CPH Zoo and met with one of the female devils, she ran away from him right away - he sensed that the devil remembered he was the one who put her in the box heading for long journey to Denmark.</p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/uvilscSDxx-Qzzh-uHj4hqEMEXNYMdyqlAQx5Qyfatz4NFKuh7fyxwwVIoHERhQxjHT-67WPWBr3PN14U614AupXHXdR5jY8/AndrooKellyCPHDK_JUNE10_DK_PJUHL_20137.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/uvilscSDxx-Qzzh-uHj4hqEMEXNYMdyqlAQx5Qyfatz4NFKuh7fyxwwVIoHERhQxjHT-67WPWBr3PN14U614AupXHXdR5jY8/AndrooKellyCPHDK_JUNE10_DK_PJUHL_20137.jpg?width=750" width="750" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>On Monday June 10, Jon English, a famous Australian musician and long time Ambassador for Save the Tasmanian Devils Appeal project visited the devils at the Zoo. Androo Kelly has been at the zoo providing assistance with the maintenance and development of the breeding project. Kelly and Zoo staff, Bengt Holst (Senior Scientist), Flemming Neilson (Senior Curator) and Sammy (Head of Educational Dept), facilitated a Tasmanian Devil presentation for the public on Monday, and shared relevant information about the temperament of this animal along with the seriousness of their disease and the importance of the breeding program. The Copenhagen Zoo is the only place outside of Australia that hosts devils. </p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>While meeting with Androo Kelly and devil caretaker Zarco Somme, Jon English was shown the devil facilities and had a chance to see first hand how the devils were doing. For many years, Jon English has been successful in raising funds for devil public awareness and important research supporting the eradication of the contagious cancer tumors that threaten their existence. Website: (<a href="http://www.tassiedevil.com.au/tasdevil.nsf/" target="_blank">http://www.tassiedevil.com.au/tasdevil.nsf/</a>) <strong>Save the Tasmanian Devils Project Appeal.</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>If this breeding project is a success this time round, then Androo Kelly will return in October to oversee the integration of the babies at the Zoo. At present, there is talk that the Copenhagen Zoo is looking into expanding the devil facilities to accommodate the babies. </p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/uvilscSDxx8S8n4CQ4Q6w4Cy2L55wkV4bFfA040CPbP-O8G4iBF8Wv9Tf9*gG1AVMlkJlv3bUYPJjk*azRXY9pwNPZFgpcZg/AndrooKellyCPHDK_JUNE10_DK_PJUHL_201312.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/uvilscSDxx8S8n4CQ4Q6w4Cy2L55wkV4bFfA040CPbP-O8G4iBF8Wv9Tf9*gG1AVMlkJlv3bUYPJjk*azRXY9pwNPZFgpcZg/AndrooKellyCPHDK_JUNE10_DK_PJUHL_201312.jpg?width=750" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p></p>Amnesty Highlight’s Denmark’s Human Rights Flops In New Reporttag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-05-24:2609300:BlogPost:423342013-05-24T17:30:00.000Zadam horatio trimbolihttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/adamhoratiotrimboli
<p> </p>
<p><i>For so long Denmark was consistently top of the class when it came to human rights, but according to Amnesty’s 2013 Annual Report, released today, its teacher’s pet status is seriously in question. In particular, the report highlights Denmark’s questionable policies regarding military detainee handovers, asylum applications from homosexuals and police complaints.</i></p>
<p>The sound of <i>politically correct</i> Denmark collectively choking on its organic muesli and fair-trade…</p>
<p> </p>
<p><i>For so long Denmark was consistently top of the class when it came to human rights, but according to Amnesty’s 2013 Annual Report, released today, its teacher’s pet status is seriously in question. In particular, the report highlights Denmark’s questionable policies regarding military detainee handovers, asylum applications from homosexuals and police complaints.</i></p>
<p>The sound of <i>politically correct</i> Denmark collectively choking on its organic muesli and fair-trade tea was almost audible this morning when Amnesty International made public its 2013 Annual Report. Quite apart from ticking off the Danes for failing to investigate its alleged role in the US rendition program, Denmark was censured for it dubious dealings in Iraq, failure to put some kind of police identification scheme in place and its rather cavalier approach to asylum applications for homosexuals.</p>
<p>But, first, and perhaps most serious, things first. The Amnesty report gives top billing to the so-called prisoner handovers in Iraq – a more than unfortunate practice that appears to have seen Danish troops pass suspected insurgents into the hands of the Iraqi forces despite the real risk that they would face torture and other forms of ill-treatment. This resulted in 11 Iraqis attempting to file legal proceedings against the Danish military. The case, however, never went to trial, as the Iraqis were refused legal aid and asked to pay a DKK 40,000 deposit – money that they clearly did not have – before the action could proceed.</p>
<p>Secondly, some asylum-seekers from countries such as Uganda, who were at risk in their home countries owing to their sexual orientation, were denied asylum in Denmark based on arguments that they should simply “hide” their sexuality. </p>
<p>Thirdly, Amnesty highlights the Danish law enforcements failure to respond to the growing number of police complaints. According to <em>Polititorvet</em>, most cases have to be closed without further action being taken, as it is often impossible to identify the police officer or officers involved. As the result of this, several cross-party politicians called for the police to wear identity numbers – as done by law enforcement in the many other countries – but this suggestion was rejected by heads of police. </p>
<p>Addressing this issue, the Secretary General of Amnesty Denmark, Trine Christensen told <u>MetroXpress</u>: “It is a problem that it is impossible to identify police officers who act violently. That makes it impossible to protect the civil rights of citizens and for them to have their complaints investigated.”</p>
<p>At the present time, there has been no official reaction to Amnesty’s findings by the Danish authorities.</p>
<p> </p>Chris Speed's Iffy - Gina - Shapeshifter Lab, NYC 4-12-2013tag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-05-09:2609300:BlogPost:422312013-05-09T15:30:00.000ZDavidaronhttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/Davidaron
<p><object width="1280" height="720" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bl6LYDS0H78?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="false"></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque"></param><embed wmode="opaque" width="1280" height="720" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bl6LYDS0H78?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="false"></embed> </object>
</p>
<p><object width="1280" height="720" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bl6LYDS0H78?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="false"></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque"></param><embed wmode="opaque" width="1280" height="720" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bl6LYDS0H78?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="false"></embed> </object>
</p>Global Minded Danes Choose Expats at Internations Eventtag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-04-24:2609300:BlogPost:422152013-04-24T15:30:00.000ZMucilianu Cristinahttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/MucilianuCristina
<p>Have you ever wondered what would happen if you quit your day job and pursued your dreams? Well, that is exactly what InterNations co-founder Malte Zeeck did about five years ago. He quit his job as a journalist for a leading media company in Germany, and began brainstorming how to create a company that would help expats in their host countries. During his time as a journalist, Malte traveled to other countries to cover stories. While in these host countries, Malte remembers feeling…</p>
<p>Have you ever wondered what would happen if you quit your day job and pursued your dreams? Well, that is exactly what InterNations co-founder Malte Zeeck did about five years ago. He quit his job as a journalist for a leading media company in Germany, and began brainstorming how to create a company that would help expats in their host countries. During his time as a journalist, Malte traveled to other countries to cover stories. While in these host countries, Malte remembers feeling estranged from the host country; not knowing where things were, not fully understanding the local systems, and more importantly, not feeling connected to anyone. Most people can identify with these feelings of isolation and confusion while in a new country whether it be permanent or just a visiting situation. Most dreams begin with a thought and a passion to create something, and this is how the birth of InterNations was formed.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/aCiUp6CATUwIvECRUzreAyH98vt*3tiiZwUTlRCA-AdP41W61O8T2hny*H8urB1iEWRn1AYBHGefEee15-0fYln6JCZ3NOEJ/April11_internations_PJuhl20134.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/aCiUp6CATUwIvECRUzreAyH98vt*3tiiZwUTlRCA-AdP41W61O8T2hny*H8urB1iEWRn1AYBHGefEee15-0fYln6JCZ3NOEJ/April11_internations_PJuhl20134.jpg?width=400" width="400" class="align-left"/></a></p>
<p>Image Right: <em>Malte Zeeck standing top of stairs in Marriott Hotel lobby with InterNations members below. Photo by Pamela Juhl</em></p>
<p></p>
<p>On a typical rainy Danish day in April, at the swanky Marriott Hotel, about two hundred expats joined together at an Internations Meet Up . With a glamorous welcome drink in hand, these expats had a chance to meet and mingle and thank one of the men behind the creation of Internations, Malte Zeeck. InterNations was founded in 2007 by Malte and his partners, Christian Leifeld and Philipp von Plato, and today is one of the most well known networks for expats. InterNations has a membership well over tens of thousands and they reach across borders in more than 100 countries around the world – ranging from Kasakhstan to the USA. Nearly everywhere in the world and in most cities, you can find and connect to an Internations member network. Their website is designed to help expats – understanding the ins and outs of a host country and city. An InterNations magazine touches on important issues like moving, living, & working abroad as well as helping people with intercultural communication and the infamous cultural shock. </p>
<p>There are some perks to joining this network, and one is their “The Activity Group”. Here members, who share similar interests, can organize activities and come together. These activities range from cooking, photography, site seeing, to tours around the host city. </p>
<p></p>
<p>What The Copenhagen Voice noticed at this particular InterNations event was just how friendly the atmosphere was. The level of chatter and conversation was bouncing off the high ceilings and anyone viewing this scene at the entrance of The Marriott Hotel clearly could see something hot was going on. The minute you walked in, despite whether or not you were a shy person, people simply approached you with ease. Other InterNations members immediately could see from your name tag what country you were from, and from there a friendly inquisitive spark of a conversation would unfold. You immediately felt welcome, and if you are not in the mood to socialize, this is certainly not the place for you. Global minded members come there to converse, share host country stories and network. Be it for business, play or pleasure – the mood is casual with a flair of professionalism. InterNations members seized the moments to converse about present or future jobs, Danish cultural issues, Danish weather, and various people they have met and places they have been in Denmark. One ear dropping topic, be it brief or extended, was the airing of expat frustrations about their host country. It became obvious, early on in the night, that expats really do need a safe place to vent their differences with their host country. Some conversations seemed a bit like <em>Dane Bashing</em>, however, one needs to look deeper into just what is going on. These expats were able to release their frustrations with others who could relate to their issues. This could be seen as a positive thing – lending to an increase of understanding, empathy and support to those who feel isolated and estranged from the Danish culture and society.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/aCiUp6CATUxFHavdeKmMRBz3aK7cmaZ8lDQiwGKb30opNZzi63WAQQfh*kPq-D5HmOXIyyKIhPYL1ZnqUE8Br0u6ZPx1AFDX/April11_internations_PJuhl20133.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/aCiUp6CATUxFHavdeKmMRBz3aK7cmaZ8lDQiwGKb30opNZzi63WAQQfh*kPq-D5HmOXIyyKIhPYL1ZnqUE8Br0u6ZPx1AFDX/April11_internations_PJuhl20133.jpg?width=400" width="400" class="align-right"/></a></p>
<p>Image Right: <em>Marriott Hotel Lobby filled with InterNations members.</em> Photo by Pamela Juhl</p>
<p></p>
<p>According to InterNations, more than 85% of their members have a university degree, 91% speak at least two languages, and 70% have already lived in two different counties. This eclectic group of InterNations members, ranges from diplomats and intergovernmental employees, media and correspondents to those in the private sector. With a ratio of men to women at 51% to 49%, there is an element of socializing with a purpose of dating and a “hooking up”. </p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>InterNations strives to maintain a expat-to-local ratio of 70% to 30%. In other words, locals from the host countries are also welcome. At this particular event, one Dane was spotted, and spoke to The Copenhagen Voice. This Danish member was asked why they would want to hang out with expats. Her response was more than interesting. She said that she had traveled outside of Denmark for many years, and upon returning to Denmark she felt that she no longer could relate to the Danish mentality. She felt that most Danes had a narrow minded perspective on anything that was different from the Danish culture and society. Once she connected to InterNations, her world opened up again, and she had access to diverse and kind foreigners within her own country. She even mentioned that once a month she hosted a dinner in her home for her friends from InterNations. What impressed The Copenhagen Voice the most was that she found some of her dearest friends through InterNations. </p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>A striking truth about foreigners living here in Denmark for many years, is that many still don't feel like this place is their home. They crave variety and cultural diversity, and often feel ostracized from the Danes. Many members, at this event, shared that they feel they are not welcomed into the Danish society, and often struggle with isolation and loneliness. InterNations sets its goals high to counter balance these trials and tribulation of expats. With an effective and informative website, InterNations infiltrates countries, sets up dynamic expat platforms, and connects those with a “Global Mind”. Providing expats with this kind of support and connection perhaps is the key to increasing integration, and knowing that there are about 30% locals who are members – lends hope that not all Danes want to remain within the confines of 100% Danish mentality and cultural ways. So, next time you want to meet a Dane with a global mind set or expats, think about joining InterNations. There is no doubt that one may feel like they have found a little private Idaho inside their host country. A place where they will not feel judged, can express themselves according to their own cultural norms, and can share their experiences about their host counties knowing that others who are listening will understand.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.internations.org/" target="_blank">http://www.internations.org/</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Interview with Malte <em>Zeeck by Pamela Juhl - The Copenhagen Voice</em></p>
<p></p>
<p><em><object id="qikPlayer" width="425" height="319" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" align="middle"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="quality" value="high"></param><param name="FlashVars" value="streamID=516776498311420da647212e5f22f337&autoplay=false"></param><param name="src" value="http://qik.com/swfs/qikPlayer5.swf"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="false"></param><param name="pluginspage" value="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></param><param name="flashvars" value="streamID=516776498311420da647212e5f22f337&autoplay=false"></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque"></param><embed wmode="opaque" id="qikPlayer" width="425" height="319" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://qik.com/swfs/qikPlayer5.swf" quality="high" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" flashvars="streamID=516776498311420da647212e5f22f337&autoplay=false" align="middle" bgcolor="#333333"></embed> </object>
</em></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>Speech by Malte Zeeck saying hello to InterNations members at The Marriott Hotel</p>
<p></p>
<p><object id="qikPlayer" width="425" height="319" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" align="middle"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="quality" value="high"></param><param name="FlashVars" value="streamID=792c8aaaeba548648f9f3a22ba53ffc5&autoplay=false"></param><param name="src" value="http://qik.com/swfs/qikPlayer5.swf"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="false"></param><param name="pluginspage" value="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></param><param name="flashvars" value="streamID=792c8aaaeba548648f9f3a22ba53ffc5&autoplay=false"></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque"></param><embed wmode="opaque" id="qikPlayer" width="425" height="319" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://qik.com/swfs/qikPlayer5.swf" quality="high" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" flashvars="streamID=792c8aaaeba548648f9f3a22ba53ffc5&autoplay=false" align="middle" bgcolor="#333333"></embed> </object>
</p>
<p></p>
<p>By Cristina Mucilianu and Pamela Juhl</p>Syrian Artists Flee their Homeland for fear of Prosecutiontag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-04-19:2609300:BlogPost:419842013-04-19T11:00:00.000Zfoxylenshttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/foxylens
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/XU2PfpkpbotcOZKrc3UipFrnqx2YQDfXkQzXi32nZfG2jRHJOUn45ImwHmrAMi2EuEtK9Ox95h*vwWJSjKeGrTzmyFRvYz*7/Syrian_CKU_Exhibition_PJuhl20135.jpg" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/XU2PfpkpbotcOZKrc3UipFrnqx2YQDfXkQzXi32nZfG2jRHJOUn45ImwHmrAMi2EuEtK9Ox95h*vwWJSjKeGrTzmyFRvYz*7/Syrian_CKU_Exhibition_PJuhl20135.jpg?width=500" width="500"></img></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Artwork (left) <strong>Ali Ferzat</strong>, 1951 Hama, Syria. One of Syria's most famous artists is quoted as saying about his work, " contemporary ideals of freedom, democracy, love and peace...pitted against contemporary evils: injustice, repression, dictatorship, terrorism,…</p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/XU2PfpkpbotcOZKrc3UipFrnqx2YQDfXkQzXi32nZfG2jRHJOUn45ImwHmrAMi2EuEtK9Ox95h*vwWJSjKeGrTzmyFRvYz*7/Syrian_CKU_Exhibition_PJuhl20135.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/XU2PfpkpbotcOZKrc3UipFrnqx2YQDfXkQzXi32nZfG2jRHJOUn45ImwHmrAMi2EuEtK9Ox95h*vwWJSjKeGrTzmyFRvYz*7/Syrian_CKU_Exhibition_PJuhl20135.jpg?width=500" width="500" class="align-left"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Artwork (left) <strong>Ali Ferzat</strong>, 1951 Hama, Syria. One of Syria's most famous artists is quoted as saying about his work, " contemporary ideals of freedom, democracy, love and peace...pitted against contemporary evils: injustice, repression, dictatorship, terrorism, environmental degradation, and corruption."</p>
<p></p>
<p>21st of March, a typical cold and snowy day in Copenhagen, but people still manage to find something to sink their teeth into. A crowd of people gathered at the Round Tower - with one thing in common, a desire to see inside the hearts and minds of they Syrian people and their conflict. This exhibition named, “Syria’s Art of Resistance: Continuing Traditions of Satire, Art and The Struggle for Freedom”, hung on perfectly white walls, and was surrounded by your typical scandinavian modern decor - and in the center of the room a long table of refreshments for guests was waiting. </p>
<p></p>
<p>The symposium started at 13:00 in a relaxed yet serious atmosphere, Syrian artists and international specialists gathered together covering academic lectures, artist talks, poetry readings, and a music performance with visual graphics. Open to anyone, the symposium’s debates highlighted the activism and uprising in art, along with new media which became widely accessed and familiar to many contemporary artists. They used social media as a weapon and tool to reach out across borders.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Many cruel episodes experienced by Syrians were discussed, as well as the Syrian culture which has suffered immensely from this conflict and dictatorship for 40 years. Everyone in the room was paying attention to every aspect outlined, feeling worried by their harmful situation or the insecurity and instability offered by their government.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The presented resistance artwork is dominated by shock, terror, and violence. “It isn’t people standing up to the regime, it is a revolution with many aspects: an artistic revolution and a social one,” – said Khahil Younes, a Syrian painter, illustrator and video artist. I was well impressed by his series called “Revolution 2011” inspired by a range of violent episodes from Syrians lives, transposed through bright colors on canvas. Some of his amazing work was bought at exhibitions for Syrian humanitarian relief in the Middle East, and others went viral through different channels of social media.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>The “glorious regime” that was well promoted through national media channels, didn’t influence all the people's perception of this conflict and many have remained permanently disgruntled with the ongoing conflicts in Syria. With this in mind, art is a well known venue for the release and transfer of anger and frustration concerning the regime. The many avenues of art are cartoons, video, paintings, sculptures, installations and digital photography. Despite some exposure in media with exhibitions around Europe, most of this Syrian artwork still remains unknown. These Syrian artists, some still inside the borders of Syria and others who have fled to other countries, are faced with death and violence should they talk about Syrian politics in public or private. Many have been subjected to death threats even threats to family members still residing inside Syria.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The fact that these artists' lives are at risk due to their political art, has led to the increase of understanding of just how serious the situation is in Syria for those opposed to the government. It has been a somewhat double sided sword that has benefitted the regime in succeeding and humiliating the Syrian government through the channel of non-violence art , and it has added credence to the plight of its people. Unfortunately, with a high price to pay – the threat of retaliation through violence and abuse if caught and questioned – the artist and their family members who are connected to this type of art are faced with prosecution.</p>
<p></p>
<p>In 2011, protests started taking place in every Syrian city, thousands of people were faced with violent military suppression and incarceration because they wanted the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad. More than 60.000 people are estimated to have died since the Uprising against Mr. Assad's government began in March 2011, and the death toll "is probably now approaching 70,000", stated the U.N. Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay in an opening speech <span>to a U.N. Security Council meeting on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/XU2PfpkpbouRpvLXL22xuMxt*YfUeAHXUncvNg4LHefdv8MyAqSIBh4mOGepCmFopgsxkgJvkid1x6XTj9G8X8tgTmtEqoBh/Syrian_CKU_Exhibition_PJuhl20132.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/XU2PfpkpbouRpvLXL22xuMxt*YfUeAHXUncvNg4LHefdv8MyAqSIBh4mOGepCmFopgsxkgJvkid1x6XTj9G8X8tgTmtEqoBh/Syrian_CKU_Exhibition_PJuhl20132.jpg?width=500" width="500" class="align-right"/></a></span></p>
<p></p>
<p>Artwork (right)</p>
<p><strong>Wissam Al Jazairy</strong></p>
<p>1990, Damascus, Syria. "Autumn wait in my country", 2012 </p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>This uprising has also been highly profiled on social media platforms such as Youtube, Twitter and Facebook – an 'in your face' new form of communication via internet. The type of images and videos coming out of Syria are what one would consider violations of human rights, and inhumane violent atrocities committed towards its people. Such graphic depictions of Syrians being beaten and tortured are posted daily on the internet, stirring up international interest in the conflict and violence against people. Syria is not the first country to use social media to get their voices out. </p>
<p></p>
<p>"<span>For the legions of critics who had previously dismissed platforms like Facebook and Twitter as vapid troughs of celebrity gossip and self-aggrandizement, the toppling of regimes in Tunisia and Egypt suggested that these tools were as effective for organizing protests and revolutions as they were for organizing keg parties. The movements throughout the Arab world appeared to have imbued social media with an irrevocable sense of legitimacy as a tool for fomenting change" according to the Huffingtonpost, which also highlights the importance of social media nowadays through an extraordinary example : " Andy Carvin<span>, NPR's social media maven who through a single Twitter account -- </span><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/acarvin" target="_hplink">h</a>is own<span> -- managed to produce superior coverage of the Arab revolutions than any of the mainstream media outlets".</span></span></p>
<p></p>
<p>Even though we are all living in the 21st century, there still remains millions of people globally who do not have basic freedoms – such rights like freedom of speech and liberty, and people who are restricted under oppressive governments which inflict torture and imprisonment and sometimes death upon anyone speaking out against its leaders and means of governing a nation. </p>
<p></p>
<p>This Syrian art symposium showcased in Copenhagen – depicts the voice of a suppressed people in Syria, and can be seen as a tool to educate the public on the true nature of the Syrian conflict through the artistic talents of its people. However, will it really be effective in creating and bringing about positive change for the Syrian people? It's important to understand not only the true nature of the conflict through the voice of the people, but to fully investigate the whole political situation surrounding Syria – looking deeper into who is involved in this conflict and why – are there other governments such as the US who are involved with this conflict and why? It's only until all the elements of this conflict are on the table that we can truly begin to see why this uprising in going on. For example, according to BBC, April 17<sup>th</sup>, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22193054">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22193054</a>, Bashar al-Assad says, West will `Pay Price`- <i>“</i><i>Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said the West will pay a high price for what he described as its support for al-Qaeda in his country's conflict”,</i> and <i>"The West has paid heavily for funding al-Qaeda in its early stages. Today it is doing the same in Syria, Libya and other places, and will pay a heavy price in the heart of Europe and the United States," Mr Assad said.</i></p>
<p></p>
<p>So, critical minds need to continue to decipher for themselves the truth – it's like putting together a puzzle maze – where one has to start with the history and relationship of these nations, going back at least 50 years – and even then, the matrix of political agendas and global government alliances still remain scrambled to the average media viewer. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Perhaps with the emergence of social media placing disheartening images and videos in the faces and fingertips of the masses via the internet, one might become inspired to ask themselves who is running the show on the internet and social media? And what information is real, what information is placed where at that time in that manner, and for what purpose? There is no doubt that with the onset of viral social media platforms, the public now has access to information in other parts of the world – and it's imperative that the public can hear the voices of the suppressed. However, history reveals that all information can be manipulated for another purpose, and at some point, we need to ask ourselves – for what purpose is that and why? – Why the Arab Spring Uprisings? Why now? Who is behind this, and who is orchestrating this? Who are the key players, and what is their agenda and for what gain? - Critical thinking of the information being flooded on the internet and main stream media news is an essential piece to the puzzle. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Nothing new is happening in Syrian that has not happened all over the world at some point – the public and its people getting caught in the cross fires of political agendas and conflicts. It is important that people have an outlet of expression, be it with a voice or a pen or a paint brush, but what are the real issues at hand? This is what we need to be asking ourselves. With globalization rising to a level where everyone can be effected by all actions across the world, the time is now to see and hear the words of the suppressed, and then take the time to dig into the matrix of complex political agendas and alliances. These art images should inspire us to look deeper and, in effect, move forward to contribute to some course of peaceful action to end these atrocities against people. We have no truly effective power, even with social media, to influence and create positive change for a suppressed population, unless we educate ourselves on the real game at hand and learn all the players.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Syria Exhibition information:</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>CKU - Center for Kultur og Udvikling</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cku.dk/kalender_events/syrias-art-of-resistance/" target="_blank">http://www.cku.dk/kalender_events/syrias-art-of-resistance/</a></p>
<p><strong>March 21st to May 12th</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong><b><span><span class="il">EXHIBITION</span>:</span></b><span> </span></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>It was this outpouring from every level of society and this wealth of creative expressions that made this uprising unique among the countries of the Arab Spring, and it continues to do so despite ever increasing repression. The <span class="il">exhibition</span> presents works ranging from the internationally renowned caricaturist Ali Ferzat, whose drawings led to a violent attack by the regime, breaking his hands – to the younger generation expressing themselves through films, street art, posters and music. Curators: Malu Halasa, Aram Tahhan, Leen Zyiad and Donatella Della Ratta <br/> <strong><br/> <b><span>SYMPOSIUM:</span></b></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/XU2Pfpkpbou7c8IeGOMermqp*ht9bST2gm4pPoHzgHcwtfK7d4qmPGHLrRqnU8**ZSbTwZu56d9fTVOGCUDWGNwc2NGzmYQZ/Syrian_CKU_Exhibition_PJuhl20134.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/XU2Pfpkpbou7c8IeGOMermqp*ht9bST2gm4pPoHzgHcwtfK7d4qmPGHLrRqnU8**ZSbTwZu56d9fTVOGCUDWGNwc2NGzmYQZ/Syrian_CKU_Exhibition_PJuhl20134.jpg?width=600" width="600" class="align-center"/></a></strong></p>Syrian Artists Flee their Homeland for fear of Prosecutiontag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-04-19:2609300:BlogPost:420712013-04-19T10:00:00.000ZMucilianu Cristinahttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/MucilianuCristina
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/XU2PfpkpbotcOZKrc3UipFrnqx2YQDfXkQzXi32nZfG2jRHJOUn45ImwHmrAMi2EuEtK9Ox95h*vwWJSjKeGrTzmyFRvYz*7/Syrian_CKU_Exhibition_PJuhl20135.jpg" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/XU2PfpkpbotcOZKrc3UipFrnqx2YQDfXkQzXi32nZfG2jRHJOUn45ImwHmrAMi2EuEtK9Ox95h*vwWJSjKeGrTzmyFRvYz*7/Syrian_CKU_Exhibition_PJuhl20135.jpg?width=500" width="500"></img></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Artwork (left) <strong>Ali Ferzat</strong>, 1951 Hama, Syria. One of Syria's most famous artists is quoted as saying about his work, " contemporary ideals of freedom, democracy, love and peace...pitted against contemporary evils: injustice, repression, dictatorship, terrorism,…</p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/XU2PfpkpbotcOZKrc3UipFrnqx2YQDfXkQzXi32nZfG2jRHJOUn45ImwHmrAMi2EuEtK9Ox95h*vwWJSjKeGrTzmyFRvYz*7/Syrian_CKU_Exhibition_PJuhl20135.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/XU2PfpkpbotcOZKrc3UipFrnqx2YQDfXkQzXi32nZfG2jRHJOUn45ImwHmrAMi2EuEtK9Ox95h*vwWJSjKeGrTzmyFRvYz*7/Syrian_CKU_Exhibition_PJuhl20135.jpg?width=500" width="500" class="align-left"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Artwork (left) <strong>Ali Ferzat</strong>, 1951 Hama, Syria. One of Syria's most famous artists is quoted as saying about his work, " contemporary ideals of freedom, democracy, love and peace...pitted against contemporary evils: injustice, repression, dictatorship, terrorism, environmental degradation, and corruption."</p>
<p></p>
<p>21st of March, a typical cold and snowy day in Copenhagen, but people still manage to find something to sink their teeth into. A crowd of people gathered at the Round Tower - with one thing in common, a desire to see inside the hearts and minds of they Syrian people and their conflict. This exhibition named, “Syria’s Art of Resistance: Continuing Traditions of Satire, Art and The Struggle for Freedom”, hung on perfectly white walls, and was surrounded by your typical scandinavian modern decor - and in the center of the room a long table of refreshments for guests was waiting. </p>
<p></p>
<p>The symposium started at 13:00 in a relaxed yet serious atmosphere, Syrian artists and international specialists gathered together covering academic lectures, artist talks, poetry readings, and a music performance with visual graphics. Open to anyone, the symposium’s debates highlighted the activism and uprising in art, along with new media which became widely accessed and familiar to many contemporary artists. They used social media as a weapon and tool to reach out across borders.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Many cruel episodes experienced by Syrians were discussed, as well as the Syrian culture which has suffered immensely from this conflict and dictatorship for 40 years. Everyone in the room was paying attention to every aspect outlined, feeling worried by their harmful situation or the insecurity and instability offered by their government.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The presented resistance artwork is dominated by shock, terror, and violence. “It isn’t people standing up to the regime, it is a revolution with many aspects: an artistic revolution and a social one,” – said Khahil Younes, a Syrian painter, illustrator and video artist. I was well impressed by his series called “Revolution 2011” inspired by a range of violent episodes from Syrians lives, transposed through bright colors on canvas. Some of his amazing work was bought at exhibitions for Syrian humanitarian relief in the Middle East, and others went viral through different channels of social media.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>The “glorious regime” that was well promoted through national media channels, didn’t influence all the people's perception of this conflict and many have remained permanently disgruntled with the ongoing conflicts in Syria. With this in mind, art is a well known venue for the release and transfer of anger and frustration concerning the regime. The many avenues of art are cartoons, video, paintings, sculptures, installations and digital photography. Despite some exposure in media with exhibitions around Europe, most of this Syrian artwork still remains unknown. These Syrian artists, some still inside the borders of Syria and others who have fled to other countries, are faced with death and violence should they talk about Syrian politics in public or private. Many have been subjected to death threats even threats to family members still residing inside Syria.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The fact that these artists' lives are at risk due to their political art, has led to the increase of understanding of just how serious the situation is in Syria for those opposed to the government. It has been a somewhat double sided sword that has benefitted the regime in succeeding and humiliating the Syrian government through the channel of non-violence art , and it has added credence to the plight of its people. Unfortunately, with a high price to pay – the threat of retaliation through violence and abuse if caught and questioned – the artist and their family members who are connected to this type of art are faced with prosecution.</p>
<p></p>
<p>In 2011, protests started taking place in every Syrian city, thousands of people were faced with violent military suppression and incarceration because they wanted the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad. More than 60.000 people are estimated to have died since the Uprising against Mr. Assad's government began in March 2011, and the death toll "is probably now approaching 70,000", stated the U.N. Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay in an opening speech <span>to a U.N. Security Council meeting on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/XU2PfpkpbouRpvLXL22xuMxt*YfUeAHXUncvNg4LHefdv8MyAqSIBh4mOGepCmFopgsxkgJvkid1x6XTj9G8X8tgTmtEqoBh/Syrian_CKU_Exhibition_PJuhl20132.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/XU2PfpkpbouRpvLXL22xuMxt*YfUeAHXUncvNg4LHefdv8MyAqSIBh4mOGepCmFopgsxkgJvkid1x6XTj9G8X8tgTmtEqoBh/Syrian_CKU_Exhibition_PJuhl20132.jpg?width=500" width="500" class="align-right"/></a></span></p>
<p></p>
<p>Artwork (right)</p>
<p><strong>Wissam Al Jazairy</strong></p>
<p>1990, Damascus, Syria. "Autumn wait in my country", 2012 </p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>This uprising has also been highly profiled on social media platforms such as Youtube, Twitter and Facebook – an 'in your face' new form of communication via internet. The type of images and videos coming out of Syria are what one would consider violations of human rights, and inhumane violent atrocities committed towards its people. Such graphic depictions of Syrians being beaten and tortured are posted daily on the internet, stirring up international interest in the conflict and violence against people. Syria is not the first country to use social media to get their voices out. </p>
<p></p>
<p>"<span>For the legions of critics who had previously dismissed platforms like Facebook and Twitter as vapid troughs of celebrity gossip and self-aggrandizement, the toppling of regimes in Tunisia and Egypt suggested that these tools were as effective for organizing protests and revolutions as they were for organizing keg parties. The movements throughout the Arab world appeared to have imbued social media with an irrevocable sense of legitimacy as a tool for fomenting change" according to the Huffingtonpost, which also highlights the importance of social media nowadays through an extraordinary example : " Andy Carvin<span>, NPR's social media maven who through a single Twitter account -- </span><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/acarvin" target="_hplink">h</a>is own<span> -- managed to produce superior coverage of the Arab revolutions than any of the mainstream media outlets".</span></span></p>
<p></p>
<p>Even though we are all living in the 21st century, there still remains millions of people globally who do not have basic freedoms – such rights like freedom of speech and liberty, and people who are restricted under oppressive governments which inflict torture and imprisonment and sometimes death upon anyone speaking out against its leaders and means of governing a nation. </p>
<p></p>
<p>This Syrian art symposium showcased in Copenhagen – depicts the voice of a suppressed people in Syria, and can be seen as a tool to educate the public on the true nature of the Syrian conflict through the artistic talents of its people. However, will it really be effective in creating and bringing about positive change for the Syrian people? It's important to understand not only the true nature of the conflict through the voice of the people, but to fully investigate the whole political situation surrounding Syria – looking deeper into who is involved in this conflict and why – are there other governments such as the US who are involved with this conflict and why? It's only until all the elements of this conflict are on the table that we can truly begin to see why this uprising in going on. For example, according to BBC, April 17<sup>th</sup>, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22193054">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22193054</a>, Bashar al-Assad says, West will `Pay Price`- <i>“</i><i>Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said the West will pay a high price for what he described as its support for al-Qaeda in his country's conflict”,</i> and <i>"The West has paid heavily for funding al-Qaeda in its early stages. Today it is doing the same in Syria, Libya and other places, and will pay a heavy price in the heart of Europe and the United States," Mr Assad said.</i></p>
<p></p>
<p>So, critical minds need to continue to decipher for themselves the truth – it's like putting together a puzzle maze – where one has to start with the history and relationship of these nations, going back at least 50 years – and even then, the matrix of political agendas and global government alliances still remain scrambled to the average media viewer. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Perhaps with the emergence of social media placing disheartening images and videos in the faces and fingertips of the masses via the internet, one might become inspired to ask themselves who is running the show on the internet and social media? And what information is real, what information is placed where at that time in that manner, and for what purpose? There is no doubt that with the onset of viral social media platforms, the public now has access to information in other parts of the world – and it's imperative that the public can hear the voices of the suppressed. However, history reveals that all information can be manipulated for another purpose, and at some point, we need to ask ourselves – for what purpose is that and why? – Why the Arab Spring Uprisings? Why now? Who is behind this, and who is orchestrating this? Who are the key players, and what is their agenda and for what gain? - Critical thinking of the information being flooded on the internet and main stream media news is an essential piece to the puzzle. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Nothing new is happening in Syrian that has not happened all over the world at some point – the public and its people getting caught in the cross fires of political agendas and conflicts. It is important that people have an outlet of expression, be it with a voice or a pen or a paint brush, but what are the real issues at hand? This is what we need to be asking ourselves. With globalization rising to a level where everyone can be effected by all actions across the world, the time is now to see and hear the words of the suppressed, and then take the time to dig into the matrix of complex political agendas and alliances. These art images should inspire us to look deeper and, in effect, move forward to contribute to some course of peaceful action to end these atrocities against people. We have no truly effective power, even with social media, to influence and create positive change for a suppressed population, unless we educate ourselves on the real game at hand and learn all the players.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Syria Exhibition information:</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>CKU - Center for Kultur og Udvikling</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cku.dk/kalender_events/syrias-art-of-resistance/" target="_blank">http://www.cku.dk/kalender_events/syrias-art-of-resistance/</a></p>
<p><strong>March 21st to May 12th</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong><b><span><span class="il">EXHIBITION</span>:</span></b><span> </span></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>It was this outpouring from every level of society and this wealth of creative expressions that made this uprising unique among the countries of the Arab Spring, and it continues to do so despite ever increasing repression. The <span class="il">exhibition</span> presents works ranging from the internationally renowned caricaturist Ali Ferzat, whose drawings led to a violent attack by the regime, breaking his hands – to the younger generation expressing themselves through films, street art, posters and music. Curators: Malu Halasa, Aram Tahhan, Leen Zyiad and Donatella Della Ratta <br/> <strong><br/> <b><span>SYMPOSIUM:</span></b></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/XU2Pfpkpbou7c8IeGOMermqp*ht9bST2gm4pPoHzgHcwtfK7d4qmPGHLrRqnU8**ZSbTwZu56d9fTVOGCUDWGNwc2NGzmYQZ/Syrian_CKU_Exhibition_PJuhl20134.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/XU2Pfpkpbou7c8IeGOMermqp*ht9bST2gm4pPoHzgHcwtfK7d4qmPGHLrRqnU8**ZSbTwZu56d9fTVOGCUDWGNwc2NGzmYQZ/Syrian_CKU_Exhibition_PJuhl20134.jpg?width=600" width="600" class="align-center"/></a></strong></p>
<p></p>Survey Shows Danes Must Be Nicer To Foreingers – Their Welfare Depends On Ittag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-04-09:2609300:BlogPost:418962013-04-09T11:00:00.000Zadam horatio trimbolihttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/adamhoratiotrimboli
<p>By Adam Horatio Trimboli</p>
<p><strong><i>Only every tenth highly-educated foreigner considers their Danish colleagues to be “very open,” a new poll shows. </i></strong></p>
<p>According to business community analyst, Danes need to give themselves a good talking to and open up to highly educated foreigners, otherwise they will simply relocate somewhere else -- a factor that could, in the end, negatively impact Danish welfare. This is the conclusion of a new Dansk Ehverv (Danish Business)…</p>
<p>By Adam Horatio Trimboli</p>
<p><strong><i>Only every tenth highly-educated foreigner considers their Danish colleagues to be “very open,” a new poll shows. </i></strong></p>
<p>According to business community analyst, Danes need to give themselves a good talking to and open up to highly educated foreigners, otherwise they will simply relocate somewhere else -- a factor that could, in the end, negatively impact Danish welfare. This is the conclusion of a new Dansk Ehverv (Danish Business) report that polled nearly 600 expats. According to the survey, only every tenth foreigner consider their Danish colleagues to be “open” or “very open, “ while every fourth non-Dane thinks Danes “very reserved.” According to researcher, Henrik Schack Linnemann, Danish people are quite capable of having a quick chat by the coffee machine, but socializing after work is out of the question and this could become a serious national problem as studies show that Denmark needs 15,000 highly educated foreigners in order to keep its pricy welfare model afloat in the years ahead. </p>
<p>Tine Horwitz of the Consortium For Global Talent, that cooperates with 18 of the largest companies in Denmark, certainly recognizes the problem. “Danes are good at networking with each other, but rarely good at networking with foreigners. In reality, I actually think that Danes are negatively polite – and by that I mean, they think that people are capable of looking after themselves.”</p>
<p>Lene Otto, a researcher in ethnology at Copenhagen University says that the feelings of rejection often experienced by foreigners are, in reality, often based on simple cultural differences. </p>
<p>Unlike foreigners, who expect a certain level of overlap between their work and private lives Danes believe in sharper lines of demarcation. </p>
<p>“Danes are much more oriented towards their family and they guard their private lives extremely jealously,” she said.</p>George Mihalache - Gypsy Music in Copenhagentag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-04-08:2609300:BlogPost:419602013-04-08T14:30:00.000ZDalia Faitelsonhttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/DaliaFaitelson
<p><font size="4"><b><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/cALG6tQ00kdCC0mWwuWYxPnNzHAKSU0-RpZXgbhE-2rnjlDk27HxQ0vhNwIIn4pcozTxYe4u3-7m6u6Sa740zGs7wS1yoSbT/george.jpg" target="_self"><img class="align-left" height="634" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/cALG6tQ00kdCC0mWwuWYxPnNzHAKSU0-RpZXgbhE-2rnjlDk27HxQ0vhNwIIn4pcozTxYe4u3-7m6u6Sa740zGs7wS1yoSbT/george.jpg?width=750" width="420"></img></a></b></font></p>
<p>Image left: George Mihalache beside his main instrument, the cimbalom. </p>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cimbalom" target="_blank"> </a></p>
<p><font size="4"><b>Traditional Gypsy music flourishes today despite history of Slavery and…</b></font></p>
<p><font size="4"><b><a target="_self" href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/cALG6tQ00kdCC0mWwuWYxPnNzHAKSU0-RpZXgbhE-2rnjlDk27HxQ0vhNwIIn4pcozTxYe4u3-7m6u6Sa740zGs7wS1yoSbT/george.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/cALG6tQ00kdCC0mWwuWYxPnNzHAKSU0-RpZXgbhE-2rnjlDk27HxQ0vhNwIIn4pcozTxYe4u3-7m6u6Sa740zGs7wS1yoSbT/george.jpg?width=750" height="634" width="420"/></a></b></font></p>
<p>Image left: George Mihalache beside his main instrument, the cimbalom. </p>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cimbalom" target="_blank"> </a></p>
<p><font size="4"><b>Traditional Gypsy music flourishes today despite history of Slavery and Supression </b></font></p>
<p></p>
<p>George Mihalache shares with CPHVOICE a bit about his life in Romania, his music, and migration to Denmark. "Denmark is my home now".</p>
<p></p>
<p><b>Slavery in the middle ages:</b></p>
<p>The Roma are an interconnected ethnic and cultural group of nomads that migrated out of north India more than ten centuries ago.</p>
<p><a name="who" id="who"></a>For five hundred years they were slaves in Wallachia and Moldavia (which are now part of Romania) and were liberated only as recently as 1856. Even though their treatment in Eastern Europe was abominable, during that same time period in Western Europe, the flogging, branding, and in some cases hanging of Roma was encouraged.</p>
<p></p>
<p><b>World War II:</b></p>
<p>Possibly as many as a million Gypsies were murdered in the holocaust.</p>
<p>Today they live with continued harassment and marginalization in Eastern and Western Europe.</p>
<p></p>
<p><b>Under the communist regime:</b></p>
<p></p>
<p>During the communist period the Gypsies</p>
<p>in Romania were denied the status of ethnic minority. For three decades, until the mid-seventies, the communist regime had little, if any, interest in this population.</p>
<p></p>
<p>As for the relations between the Gypsies and the authorities, both the policy of the State and the attitude of society was that of cultural and ethnic assimilation of the Gypsies. It was considered that they could be "civilized" only if they denied their cultural patrimony and turned "Romanians". With this in mind many Gypsies fully integrated into the non-Gypsy society, and some of them even at the cost of losing their ethnic identity<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote1anc" href="#sdfootnote1sym" id="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a>.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Over the centuries the Roma have managed to survive on their wits and their skills like horse trading, metal working, fortune telling, begging, and of course <i>music</i> are some of the traditional livelihoods of the various groups. They have adapted their skills according to the times, and those groups that were once horse-traders are likely to be car salesmen now.</p>
<p></p>
<p><font face="Times, serif"><font size="2"><font face="Arial, serif"><font size="3">Today, hardly any Roma is nomadic, and in the United States there is a sophisticated network of territories, and a good percentage of middle-class Roma. The situation in Europe however, remains grim, with most Roma living well below the poverty line, particularly in Eastern Europe where the traumatized economies promote old prejudices.</font></font></font></font></p>
<p></p>
<p><a name="what" id="what"></a></p>
<p><b>Romani music / Gypsy music:</b></p>
<p></p>
<p><a name="artist" id="artist"></a>Roma are perhaps best known for their musical contributions. Some of the famous Gypsy musicians are: <b>Django Reinhardt,</b> <b>Gipsy Kings, Camaròn de la Isla,</b> <b>Esma Redzepova,</b> <b>Ivo Papasov, Yiorgos Manga and</b> <b>Musafir.</b></p>
<p></p>
<p>Romani music characteristically has vocals that tend to be soulful and declamatory, and the music often incorporates prominent slides between notes. Instrumentation varies widely according to the region the music comes from<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote2anc" href="#sdfootnote2sym" id="sdfootnote2anc"><sup>2</sup></a>.</p>
<p>Most Romani music is based on the folk music of the countries where the Romani traveled through or settled. Local music is adopted and performed – usually instrumental – and, slowly, it is transformed into Romani styles, which are usually more complex than the original styles.Romani music has also, greatly influenced the local music areas where they have traveled. Here are a few examples:</p>
<p><b>Spain:</b></p>
<p>Flamenco is connected with the Romani people of Spain (<i>Gitanos</i>) and a number of famous flamenco artists are of this ethnicity.</p>
<p></p>
<p><b>Bulgaria</b></p>
<p>Due to the large Romani population in Bulgaria, this ethnic group's music is very popular. It is also a part of the roots of Chalga music, which is widely played at dances and parties in Bulgaria.</p>
<p></p>
<p><b>Romania</b></p>
<p>The <i>lăutarească Romani</i> music is an important part of the Romanian traditional music. It became very popular in Romania and is promoted mostly by Romani ethnic musicians.</p>
<p></p>
<p><b>Russia</b></p>
<p>Gypsy choirs were highly prestigious in Russia during the 19th Century. The best known was the Sokolovsky Gypsy Choir<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote3anc" href="#sdfootnote3sym" id="sdfootnote3anc"><sup>3</sup></a>.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS9Jx5VdBoI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS9Jx5VdBoI</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><font face="Helvetica, serif"><b>The Romanian Gypsy musician George Mihalache:</b></font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font face="Helvetica, serif">DFMedia met the wonderful Gypsy musician George Mihalache in his home in Kastrup, Copenhagen in March.</font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font face="Helvetica, serif">Mihalache was born in Bucharest, Romania in 1971. His family carries a 7 generation musical tradition from both sides of his family.</font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font face="Helvetica, serif">He grew up together with Romanians, and as a Gypsy, he learned early on that it was wise to keep a low profile regarding his identity. If someone asked him personally for more details he presented himself as a Gypsy, but in general, he introduced himself as a Romanian.</font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font face="Helvetica, serif">Mihalache has learned not to be so concerned with the negative stereotyping of gypsies, and freed him to focus on his music and art.</font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font face="Helvetica, serif">Taught by his grandfather, Mihalache started to play the piano at the age of 5. He wished to join his father's band who to played every weekend. While the others took their instruments under their arms, he was stuck with the enormous piano that was way too big for him to carry.</font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font face="Helvetica, serif">Later he changed to cimbalom and also the double bass.</font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font face="Helvetica, serif">Mihalache explains that in the old days it was easier to make money. Musicians were hired on a regular basis to play in orchestras, restaurants and celebrations. The non-professional musicians played in factories and were hired for cultural arrangements inside the institutions.</font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font face="Helvetica, serif">In 1994 (age 23), Mihalache arrived to Denmark to perform for the Romanian embassy and that’s where he met his wife to come Susanne and decided to join her in Copenhagen.</font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font face="Helvetica, serif">Mihalache feels comfortable working with Danish musicians. He admits that when it comes to his music traditional style he has to improvise and compromise sometimes. The real secret is to find the balance were everyone feels comfortable while playing.</font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font face="Helvetica, serif">He finds living in Denmark very relaxing and easy comparing to Romania. Though he misses Romania often, he feels that Denmark is his home.</font></p>
<p><font face="Helvetica, serif">Mihalache feels well integrated into the Danish society, especially with some Danish traditions such as drinking a beer directly from a bottle and biting on the Danish complex smørebrød sandwich.</font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font face="Helvetica, serif">Mihalache tours all over Europe while accompanying different soloists and orchestras with his Cimbalom. In his spare time, he repairs mainly double basses and accordions.</font></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, serif;">____________</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, serif;">Footnotes</span></p>
<p></p>
<div id="sdfootnote1"><p><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote1sym" href="#sdfootnote1anc" id="sdfootnote1sym">1</a> <a href="http://www2.stevenson.ac.uk/comenius/articles/movement/ro_db/gyp_1e.htm"><font size="2">http://www2.stevenson.ac.uk/comenius/articles/movement/ro_db/gyp_1e.htm</font></a></p>
<p class="sdfootnote"></p>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote2"><p><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote2sym" href="#sdfootnote2anc" id="sdfootnote2sym">2</a> <a href="http://www2.stevenson.ac.uk/comenius/articles/movement/ro_db/gyp_1e.htm"><font size="2">http://www2.stevenson.ac.uk/comenius/articles/movement/ro_db/gyp_1e.htm</font></a></p>
<p class="sdfootnote"></p>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3"><p><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote3sym" href="#sdfootnote3anc" id="sdfootnote3sym">3</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romani_music"><font size="2">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romani_music</font></a></p>
<p class="sdfootnote"></p>
</div>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-3"><font face="Helvetica, serif">Please check out my interview with George Mihalache and hear a piece on his Cimbalom:</font></span></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yd8jjFNYlZg?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</p>
<p> </p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/cALG6tQ00kcYZWoq9QaxZO8MNdS*NGtho7ho8FY8cchy5rj7jhPFD1RJGSGu0wZ*BrMVkfnVEC6WnvBifk-E5-QhDdBCfVWs/serbia.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/cALG6tQ00kcYZWoq9QaxZO8MNdS*NGtho7ho8FY8cchy5rj7jhPFD1RJGSGu0wZ*BrMVkfnVEC6WnvBifk-E5-QhDdBCfVWs/serbia.jpg?width=750" height="386" width="581"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>Gypsy Musicians practicing at home, Serbia</p>
<p></p>
<p>More links that might interest the reader:</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://http://www.rootsworld.com/rw/feature/gypsy1.html" target="_blank">About Gypsy music</a></p>
<p><a href="http://http://books.openedition.org/ceup/1554" target="_blank">The Gypsies under the communist regime</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIoMgbU6CHs" target="_blank">With Lelo Nika on You Tube</a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>Morsi’s Egypt Threatened By Total Collapsetag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-04-08:2609300:BlogPost:421522013-04-08T13:00:00.000Zadam horatio trimbolihttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/adamhoratiotrimboli
<p>By Adam H. Trimboli</p>
<p><i>It is in the interests of the West to give the Muslim Brotherhood the support it needs to survive.</i></p>
<p>There is no time to waste. Egypt is teetering on the brink of economic collapse and this could throw the country in total disarray unless something is done.</p>
<p>Cairo’s currency reserves are reportedly down to as little as USD 13 billion – only enough cash to cover three months of imports. Gasoline, oil and other crucial fossil fuels are in…</p>
<p>By Adam H. Trimboli</p>
<p><i>It is in the interests of the West to give the Muslim Brotherhood the support it needs to survive.</i></p>
<p>There is no time to waste. Egypt is teetering on the brink of economic collapse and this could throw the country in total disarray unless something is done.</p>
<p>Cairo’s currency reserves are reportedly down to as little as USD 13 billion – only enough cash to cover three months of imports. Gasoline, oil and other crucial fossil fuels are in chronically short supply. Last month five people were shot dead in queues at gas stations.</p>
<p>Millions of small-holders have run out of the gasoline necessary to power their irrigation pumps and in a matter of weeks the wheat harvest looks like leaving crops rotting in the fields unless something is done.</p>
<p>The West, with the US at the fore, must decide whether they are willing to support the Egyptian President, Mohammad Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood, or whether they will let him go down with his ship. </p>
<p>If we consider Morsi to be the least evil option currently available in Egypt, we should step into the dispute between Cairo and the International Monetary Fund and pressure both parties into finding a compromise solution.</p>
<p>Over the last two years, Egypt has attempted to secure a USD 4.8 billion loan from the IMF, but Egypt has, so far, balked at the conditions set by the Fund. Seen in the cold light of day, however, the terms set by the IMF appear reasonable enough. Among other things, the IMF has called for Morsi to terminate state subsidies given on bread and gas prices. At the present time, a loaf of bread only costs the equivalent of 5 Danish øre while gas is set at the tenth of the price that it currently demands in Europe. But, even taking the massive state support into account, Morsi’s approval rating is nose-diving and some commentators fear that unrest could soon spill out onto the streets if he accepts the IMF’s conditions.</p>
<p>Reforms are imperative, and even though Morsi suggested that they be postponed until the fall, Egypt’s 8 million population simply cannot wait any longer. Inflation is currently rife while unemployment is running at nearly 25 percent. Since Morsi took office, two years ago, nearly 4500 factories have closed while the price of imports has skyrocketed and the Egyptian pound been devalued.</p>
<p>Recently, a couple of hundred students studying at the al Azhar University in Cairo were hit by food poisoning. The immediately took to the streets to protest, not against the chef responsible, but Mohammad Morsi – an indicator of how close Egypt is to anarchy. </p>
<p>The army is clearly aware that it is not only the currency reserves that are about to run out, but also Morsi’s popularity. At the moment, he is fighting a war of nerves with the IMF in the hope of achieving better loan conditions. Morsi clearly believes that Egypt is so important to the West that the IMF will, in the end, kow-tow to Egyptian demands.</p>
<p>The problems is that the situation in Egypt could change very quickly. Suddenly, the US could realize that a critical point might have passed and that there is no way back for Egypt as it might be too late to extend a loan. </p>
<p>When the IMF was established in 1945, it was given the directive to loan member countries money, but it clearly also has the option not to. </p>
<p>The IMF and Egypt almost appear like two kids waiting to see who blinks first. They are both playing a very high stakes game. If Egypt does not secure a loan, the results could be disastrous. </p>
<p>There is no reason to believe that Morsi’s societal view will change in the months ahead. Morsi’s censorship are more than reminiscent of the Mubarak regime, and a number of directives making difficult the work of NGOs, do not augur well for the future. Nonetheless, the alternatives to the Muslim Brotherhood on offer, appear to be even worse.</p>
<p>It is in the West’s strategic interest to save Egypt from economic and social collapse. This is also something that ought to be at the forefront of the mind of the IMF. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Egyptian Woman Fight Back with Harassmap App – Sexual Harassment Is A Growing Problem In Egypttag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-04-08:2609300:BlogPost:420552013-04-08T13:00:00.000Zadam horatio trimbolihttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/adamhoratiotrimboli
<p>By Adam H. Trimboli</p>
<p><i>Sexual harassment and violent behavior towards women is today, just as big a problem in Egypt as it was before the revolution. But, a grass-roots movement is fighting back against those who would allow degrading treatment of women.</i></p>
<p>With only enough currency reserves to safeguard imports for the next three months, fuel shortages and major irrigation problems, Egypt appears to be on the verge of both economic and social breakdown. Across the board,…</p>
<p>By Adam H. Trimboli</p>
<p><i>Sexual harassment and violent behavior towards women is today, just as big a problem in Egypt as it was before the revolution. But, a grass-roots movement is fighting back against those who would allow degrading treatment of women.</i></p>
<p>With only enough currency reserves to safeguard imports for the next three months, fuel shortages and major irrigation problems, Egypt appears to be on the verge of both economic and social breakdown. Across the board, the situation is appalling and as societal pressures near boiling point, the very foundations of Egyptian culture is crumbling. Only yesterday, one person was killed and 66 injured as Muslim groups clashed with Coptic Christians in downtown Cairo. Not surprisingly, the status of women has also been impacted by the country’s dismal economic outlook. Throughout the capital, instances of sexual harassment and even physical attacks are on the increase.</p>
<p>The good news, however, is that Egyptian women are fighting back. And through the use of a cell phone-based application called Harassmap, women now have the opportunity not only to highlight sexual abuse but openly expose a wide-range of inappropriate behavior.</p>
<p>The whole thing is the brain-child of a 36-year-old American called Rebecca Chiao. Through her ceaseless advocacy for the rights of women, Chiao, who arrived in Egypt just 5 years ago from Pennsylvania, is today generally recognized as the voice of Egypt’s once silently outraged women. </p>
<p>In recent months Tahrir Square has become notorious as a gang-rape site, where women are threatened with knives, sticks and other weapons.</p>
<p>HarassMap is on the spot, joining other defenders in risking violent reprisals to patrol the increasingly dangerous area.</p>
<p>In the suburb of Heliopolis near Cairo, Harassmap is working to plot the reports that they receive on a daily basis. In addition, they reply to text messages with good advice, the names of expert legal counsel and tips regarding the best way to get the police to take their complaints seriously.</p>
<p>In addition, Harassmap staff work on a local level where they pass out information on sexual harassment an urge people to do what they can to prevent it. </p>
<p>After the revolution and the fall of the Mubarak regime, many people had hoped that the situation would change for the better, but sadly major alterations to the situation on the street have not occurred. From October 2011 to October 2012, Harassmap received as many as 284 reports of abuse.</p>
<p>Harassmap’s goal is to change the reset the mentality of Egyptians, as in former times sexual harassment was the object of public derision.</p>
<p>“If someone stole your bag, you would raise the alarm and people would come over and help you. Nobody would make excuses for the thief’s behavior. That is the way it used to be in Egypt with sexual harassment,” Rebecca Chaio commented.</p>
<p>“In the beginning, the women we talked to tried to play down the problem. But when we showed them our map highlighting instance of harassment, they often changed their tune and admitted that things in their area had gotten really bad.”</p>
<p>The next step for Harassmap is to get people to intervene when they see harassment taking place. Harassmap hopes to establish a network of “harassment free zones” where women know that they are safe. Some of these zones already exist and can be identified by posters indicating zero tolerance for so-called <i>taharosh.</i></p>
<p>There is a lot to point to the fact that the work of Harassmap and other anti-sexist groups is working. Most recently an Arab language Facebook site has been established called “Reveal He Who Would Harass.” Here, women are encouraged to take a photo of the person guilty of harassing them and post it on the internet. The idea is that men will, hopefully, soon realize that they cannot get away with unacceptable behavior.</p>
<p>According to Rebecca Chaio, grass-roots work on behalf of women is the way forward in a country where the state and the police are failing to live up to their responsibilities by ensuring the safety of their citizens. </p>
<p> </p>State Provided Sexism on Danish National TV - Blachman Naked Silenced Women Program on DR2tag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-04-08:2609300:BlogPost:419592013-04-08T13:00:00.000Zadam horatio trimbolihttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/adamhoratiotrimboli
<p>By Adam H. Trimboli</p>
<p><i>X-Factor Judge Hit By A Maelstrom Of Criticism For The Show He Considers Dazzling In Its Brilliance.</i></p>
<p>Rarely, if ever, has a TV show in Denmark created such a stir as X-Factor judge, Thomas Blachman’s new talk show, “Blachman.” If anyone is in doubt, the show, that aired for the first time on DR2 last Tuesday, places a succession of naked and silent women in front Blachman and a studio guest, after which they give their sofa- borne take on the woman’s…</p>
<p>By Adam H. Trimboli</p>
<p><i>X-Factor Judge Hit By A Maelstrom Of Criticism For The Show He Considers Dazzling In Its Brilliance.</i></p>
<p>Rarely, if ever, has a TV show in Denmark created such a stir as X-Factor judge, Thomas Blachman’s new talk show, “Blachman.” If anyone is in doubt, the show, that aired for the first time on DR2 last Tuesday, places a succession of naked and silent women in front Blachman and a studio guest, after which they give their sofa- borne take on the woman’s physical attributes. Blachman thought up the concept himself, saying that his ambition was to stir discussion about the aesthetics of the female body without allowing the conversion to become pornographic or politically correct. As Blachman himself puts it, he wished to “revise women’s view of men’s view of women.” </p>
<p>Even before the show was aired, it received massive media attention. This was closely followed by a maelstrom of criticism from newspaper critics who considered the show both sexist and humiliating for women.</p>
<p>This week has seen a vigorous debate unfold. Opinion-makers, celebrities and commentators have not been slow to share their views on the program. And on Facebook and Twitter, opposition to the show has been furious.</p>
<p>While some are antagonized by the silence of the women, others have, however, found it empowering to see normal women at the center of the media’s focus rather than, impossible to live up to ideals. </p>
<p>The author, Knud Romer, calls the DR program a “Jørgen Leth” (a well-know cycle sport commentator and bon vivant who described having sex with his 16-year-old Haitian housemaid in his book of memoirs). Romer does not think the programs proclaimed intentions of breaking down taboos or challenging stereotypes works. On the contrary, he thinks that DR has produced a show that resembles a claustrophobic strip club which only serves to cement classic concepts of male dominance – something he says we should have been able to consign to the scrap heap of history years ago. </p>
<p>Similarly, opinion-maker and blogger, Lotte Hansen, is merciless in her criticism of Blachman and DR. She calls the show “an unsuccessful attempt to intellectualize the Roskilde County Show – the only difference being that the young fillies on view in Roskilde have been replaced by naked women.” </p>
<p>Hansen, like many others, was particularly disgusted by a sequence in which Blachman comments: “Now, I’ve always been an ass man. Would you mind turning around for a moment? Very animated nipples. How does that pussy work for you?”</p>
<p>Hansen has called for DR to cancel the show before this goes any further and her sentiments were echoed by Martin Lyngbo of Mungo Park Theater. According to Lyngbo, Blachman’s show “institutionalizes already run-of-the-mill malechauvinistic thinking.”</p>
<p>Notwithstanding this, DR producer, Sofia Fromberg, believes the show must go on and does not think that the TV critics should have the final say about what is good for men and women.</p>
<p>She commented: “Here we have a program that reveals what men think about the female body. Quite honestly, what is wrong with that?”</p>
<p>Even though the women on view are not allowed to utter a single word, the viewing public has not remained as silent.</p>
<p>“In all their vulnerability, the women win our respect. The first one simply smiled in an overbearing way while the embarrassed hosts were lost for words. The second woman was stoic and mild in comparison to Jan Søndergaard (the studio guest) and Blachman who seemed to be in a frenzy of excitement. </p>
<p>Thomas Blachman must have been on cloud 9 all last week. At least the heavy criticism does not appear to have dented his fat, fifty-something ego. Commenting on BT’s report from his retreat in New York, Blachman wrote: “Ungratefulness is the only thing that can really wear down the few geniuses who reside in this country. Remember, I am giving you something that you have never seen before. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”</p>
<p>This coming Tuesday, we will see how much appetite the viewers have for more of Blachman’s controversial cuisine.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Unless otherwise stated, quotes translated from <span>reports Jyllands-Posten.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Russian Center for Culture and Science - An Insight Into Russian Arttag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-04-07:2609300:BlogPost:418862013-04-07T12:00:00.000ZMucilianu Cristinahttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/MucilianuCristina
<p>Representing the Russian Federal authority for CIS relations, rural men abroad and international humanitarian cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) Russian Center for Science and Culture offers a wide range of activities for its visitors including exhibitions and theatre performances. This center aims to promote Russian culture and Russian language to strengthen the internationalization of the Russian culture. </p>
<p>Located on Vester Volgade 11 in an old building, erected at the end of…</p>
<p>Representing the Russian Federal authority for CIS relations, rural men abroad and international humanitarian cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) Russian Center for Science and Culture offers a wide range of activities for its visitors including exhibitions and theatre performances. This center aims to promote Russian culture and Russian language to strengthen the internationalization of the Russian culture. </p>
<p>Located on Vester Volgade 11 in an old building, erected at the end of 19<sup>th</sup> century, the Russian Center (more info on <a href="http://ruscenter.dk" target="_blank">Russian Center for Science and Culture</a>) has a wide range of activities to offer people interested in gaining an insight into Russian history and culture. It regularly holds exhibitions, theater performances, film festivals, theme evenings, concerts, lectures. Their main purpose has always been teaching Russian language, having enrolled students of various ages.</p>
<p>On March 27th, The Russian Center for Science and Culture in Copenhagen opened Haik-Abildhauge photo exhibition. The exhibition was held for the first time in St. Petersbourg in June 2012, and then at Red Square in Moscow, as part of the Circle of Light Moscow 2012 Festival.</p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/kY9puDXSBJZcDZzkYoHnioB4aoMwkuk7l1nZGmmB4tVxCfFQpv7RqT2kZCq2a-ORf*ZyW0PL6SVWT*2GtyXaNaMzbeJthJHx/thumb_RCVK_Keen_Poster_A1_PRESS_4_mal_300x4501.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/kY9puDXSBJZcDZzkYoHnioB4aoMwkuk7l1nZGmmB4tVxCfFQpv7RqT2kZCq2a-ORf*ZyW0PL6SVWT*2GtyXaNaMzbeJthJHx/thumb_RCVK_Keen_Poster_A1_PRESS_4_mal_300x4501.jpg" width="300" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>Kin-Hike Abildhauge ( <a href="http://www.theartofme.dk/" target="_blank">theartofme</a>) is a young Danish photographer and art director who lives in Russia since 2009. During his time in Moscow and St. Petersbourg, also known as Russia’s cultural capital, and, inspired by Russian people, the young photographer “took photos of 250 Russians between the ages of one to a hundred years old” as part of “100 years - The Russian Portrait” project. This project reveasl an honest portrait of the Russian society, with all its joys, sorrows and hopes; “ the project represents a fun and novel way to see Russia and human development!”</p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/kY9puDXSBJZfE7yEoQogn3f3CpWylV2q*24ngEke54RdDHMtg8qV*UMo*KTR5g13Qg07RV9H*cJUZv4RT27NdlH0FKo6gNM8/thumb___A4_da_001_resize_300x450.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/kY9puDXSBJZfE7yEoQogn3f3CpWylV2q*24ngEke54RdDHMtg8qV*UMo*KTR5g13Qg07RV9H*cJUZv4RT27NdlH0FKo6gNM8/thumb___A4_da_001_resize_300x450.jpg" width="300" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>In collaboration with Orenburgs regional art museum and Orenburgske art association "Sjestoj etazh" Russian Center for Culture and Science invites everyone on the 19th of april at 17:30 to see the work of 3 artists born and raised in Orenburgske area, where they studied and started building their careers; nowadays the Orenburgske art school is well known even outside Russia's borders.</p>
<p></p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/12XSo-aZvUQ?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</p>Matsu Festival – A Nine Day Pilgrimage into the Mysteries of Taiwantag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-04-03:2609300:BlogPost:420282013-04-03T19:30:00.000Zfoxylenshttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/foxylens
<p align="left"><font color="#343434"><font face="Times-Roman, serif"><font size="4"> <a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/-ZwHeZG6vwakE0Bg7JfZr5gPuxtDsKcGI*WCKSpDQ7oUAJ2MZi0amr2qfr0naGwPaNOBfZaTjPhTtRkf3z9PsXvvMLZPuPHu/MATSU_FESTIVAL_DAY_WEB_PJUHL201333.jpg" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/-ZwHeZG6vwakE0Bg7JfZr5gPuxtDsKcGI*WCKSpDQ7oUAJ2MZi0amr2qfr0naGwPaNOBfZaTjPhTtRkf3z9PsXvvMLZPuPHu/MATSU_FESTIVAL_DAY_WEB_PJUHL201333.jpg?width=750" width="750"></img></a></font></font></font></p>
<p align="left"><font color="#343434"><font face="Times-Roman, serif"><font size="4">2012 - President Ma Ying-Jeou opens Matsu ceremony inside Jenn Lann Temple -…</font></font></font></p>
<p align="left"><font color="#343434"><font face="Times-Roman, serif"><font size="4"> <a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/-ZwHeZG6vwakE0Bg7JfZr5gPuxtDsKcGI*WCKSpDQ7oUAJ2MZi0amr2qfr0naGwPaNOBfZaTjPhTtRkf3z9PsXvvMLZPuPHu/MATSU_FESTIVAL_DAY_WEB_PJUHL201333.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/-ZwHeZG6vwakE0Bg7JfZr5gPuxtDsKcGI*WCKSpDQ7oUAJ2MZi0amr2qfr0naGwPaNOBfZaTjPhTtRkf3z9PsXvvMLZPuPHu/MATSU_FESTIVAL_DAY_WEB_PJUHL201333.jpg?width=750" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></font></font></font></p>
<p align="left"><font color="#343434"><font face="Times-Roman, serif"><font size="4">2012 - President Ma Ying-Jeou opens Matsu ceremony inside Jenn Lann Temple - Dajai.</font></font></font></p>
<p align="left"></p>
<p align="left"><font color="#343434"><font face="Times-Roman, serif"><font size="4">The 330 kilometer pilgrimage to honor the Matsu Chinese Sea Goddess began this month from March 23 to April 1st. More than one million worshipers were expected to participate in the nine day celebration honoring the sacred "Matsu” known as the protector of fishermen.</font></font></font></p>
<p align="left"><br/></p>
<p align="left"><font color="#343434"><font face="Times-Roman, serif"><font size="4">Inside look into this amazing festival.</font></font></font></p>
<p align="left"></p>
<p align="left"><font color="#343434"><font face="Times-Roman, serif"><font size="4">The Holy Walk</font></font></font></p>
<p align="left"><font color="#343434"><font face="Times-Roman, serif"><font size="4">A thunder of drums at night announce the release of the goddess Matsu at the Jenn Lann Temple. As worshipers wait for the palanquin holding the Matsu Goddess to be released from the temple, tens of thousands gather outside to witness the constant flow of visitors offering their ceremonious forms of entertainment. Shouldered together, drums beat, dancers perform, dragons fly through wild flames, and fireworks continue to break ear drums. Like packed sardines, the Taiwanese somehow manage to create a space where it would seem impossible for people to kneel down and pray in front of the temple.</font></font></font></p>
<p align="left"><font color="#343434"><font face="Times-Roman, serif"><font size="4">The true scale of the pilgrimage is enormous. Floats, dragons, martial arts performers, acrobatics, musicians, people in uniforms from schools, community centers, churches, organizations fill the streets in a bull's eye line heading straight for the Temple.</font></font></font></p>
<p align="left"><font color="#343434"><font face="Times-Roman, serif"><font size="4">The Sacred Path</font></font></font></p>
<p><font color="#343434"><font face="Times-Roman, serif"><font size="4">The Matsu goddess is carried by the crowd and covers about 330 km through 102 temples and returns to the starting point in the village of Dajai. Along the way the Matsu palanquin enters towns and stops to receive gifts and open arms. A line forms in front of her, and thousands get down on their hands and knees and crawl under the Matsu palanquin. This ceremonial action is believed to give the people Matsu's blessing of luck and good health – their prayers are believed to come true. Pilgrims choose to either walk, use a motorcycle or bike, and many can be seen with only small backpacks and a sleeping bag. Many spend the night on the floor of the temples. The hotels along the pilgrimage path offer people free showers and supply thousands of kilos of food offerings to the pilgrims.</font></font></font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font color="#343434"><font face="Times-Roman, serif"><font size="4">The most interesting aspect to this whole traditional experience, was to witness this through the eyes of a Westerner. It was mouth dropping to seeing massive amounts of volunteers cleaning the streets of the fireworks aftermath only seconds after the Matsu palanquin left the square of Jenn Lann Temple. In America and Denmark, after a festival, the streets could be filled with trash hours and sometimes days after. There were no official clean-up crews, only local volunteers who cleaned the streets after the Matsu presented herself to the public at Jenn Lann Temple Square. Something was also magical in witnessing thousands of people coexisting in the crowded spaces. Inside the temple one could hardly move from one spot to the next. The streets were a contant flow of bodies moving like a stream of fish. And the Jenn Lann Temple Square was so over crowded, one had no choice but to stay in one place for the whole ceremony. Even in the midst of this seemingly chaotic mass of people, the local Taiwanese were extremely humble and respectful of each other's personal space. For a Westerner, it did not seem possible that so many people could nearly be on top of each other – without there being some kind of fight, pushing, or profanities flying in the verbal exchange.</font></font></font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font color="#343434"><font face="Times-Roman, serif"><font size="4">As one panned the crowd, the worshipers, and the public outside the temple, there was no sign of anyone holding a Coke bottle, a Poland Spring water bottle, or any kind of soft drink with a company branding. It seemed like one had walked into a place that was void of the corporation. Almost as if the corporations had missed the boat on tapping into a target group who clearly could have been thirsty while watching hours upon hours of the Matsu performances. Something seemed a bit off for the Westerner who was used to company brands jumping into every corner of our lives from religious holidays to who will be on top – with new Coke 2013 campaigns like ”Vote now to decide who wins” - depicting Arabs, pretty show girls, cowboys and gangsters all chasing a Coke bottle. Where is the Taiwanese or the Asian in the company branding video? There was none. One could assess, perhaps they were not even allowed to be a represented population in the Coke race. See link:</font></font></font></p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uFQAqwbwSg" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uFQAqwbwSg</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><font color="#343434"><font face="Times-Roman, serif"><font size="4">The Matsu Festival was more than just a religious tradition, it was an inside look into a deeply mystical Southeast Asian culture – one that for many of us, simply have yet to see or truly understand. Despite China's ruling threat over Taiwan, it has managed to become one of Asia's biggest trading nations and is one of the world's top producers of computer technology. Often considered by China to be the ”rebels”, due to Taiwan's so called independence from the China ”mainland” in 1950, Taiwan still battles diplomatic isolation, having no United Nations representation after having lost the seat to China in 1971. China insists that nations cannot have official relations with Taiwan, and despite this political pressure, Washington (US arms sales) is the main weapons supplier to this island.</font></font></font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font color="#343434"><font face="Times-Roman, serif"><font size="4">Despite high tensions between the mainland and the rebels, currently, Taiwan and China maintain healthy trade relations commencing in June 2010 with a signed trade pact. President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Ma Ying-jeou has been largely regarded as the master frontier of stable relations between China and Taiwan.</font></font></font></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16164639" target="_blank">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16164639</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.demotix.com/news/1919133/matsu-chinese-sea-goddess-returns-taiwan#media-1919082" target="_blank">http://www.demotix.com/news/1919133/matsu-chinese-sea-goddess-returns-taiwan#media-1919082</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/-ZwHeZG6vwbOabe2bW0xYYWhLKS0Q2Tj0Q2*j*EQFF-TR2gHIv9eY*VYO0ah5i*pNajcEpe5gZbsNbZFWncikV195bRPWnFH/MATSU_FESTIVAL_DAY_WEB_PJUHL201387.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/-ZwHeZG6vwbOabe2bW0xYYWhLKS0Q2Tj0Q2*j*EQFF-TR2gHIv9eY*VYO0ah5i*pNajcEpe5gZbsNbZFWncikV195bRPWnFH/MATSU_FESTIVAL_DAY_WEB_PJUHL201387.jpg?width=750" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Outside Jenn Lann Temple - worshipers wait patiently for the Matsu Goddess to exit the temple and begin her 9 day pilgrimage across Taiwan countryside.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/-ZwHeZG6vwaIJWrVswzsr*fs2q5mqJVfk7qv1x*fAKLm*qWOuV*oMKcDReaY0M5EmONbK6xV1NMyjCPq4rcTx1KFhtTbRJww/MATSU_FESTIVAL_DAY_WEB_PJUHL201332.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/-ZwHeZG6vwaIJWrVswzsr*fs2q5mqJVfk7qv1x*fAKLm*qWOuV*oMKcDReaY0M5EmONbK6xV1NMyjCPq4rcTx1KFhtTbRJww/MATSU_FESTIVAL_DAY_WEB_PJUHL201332.jpg?width=750" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Worshipers praying to Matsu Deity inside Jenn Lann Temple - Dajai.</p>
<p></p>Trampoline House - A user driven culture center for refugees and asylum policytag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-03-27:2609300:BlogPost:418182013-03-27T11:00:00.000ZMucilianu Cristinahttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/MucilianuCristina
<p>Located in the heart of Norrebro, Trampoline House provides a place for asylum seekers and other residents of Denmark to meet and discuss relevant issues and policies effecting the daily lives of Copenhagen's inhabitants. Tampoline House's mission is to provide the necessary tools and information for better social integration and legal understanding between Danish citizens and immigrants. Their goal is to also motivate Danes to work with refugees and immigrants to increase cooperation and…</p>
<p>Located in the heart of Norrebro, Trampoline House provides a place for asylum seekers and other residents of Denmark to meet and discuss relevant issues and policies effecting the daily lives of Copenhagen's inhabitants. Tampoline House's mission is to provide the necessary tools and information for better social integration and legal understanding between Danish citizens and immigrants. Their goal is to also motivate Danes to work with refugees and immigrants to increase cooperation and cultural integration. Diversity and respect is a main theme throughout their concept.</p>
<p>Trampoline House functions a as a non-profit, self–organized, user-driven cultural house. This place acts as one of the few places in Copenhagen where asylum seekers, immigrants, and Danes can come together to work together on shared interests and learn from one another. The idea of Trampoline House was founded in 2009 during a series of workshops titled, “The Asylum Dialogue”(TDA) which gathered journalists, anthropology students, architects, social workers and 20 residents from different Danish asylum centers located on Zealand; together they analyzed the problems of the Danish asylum system and worked diligently to come up with dynamic ways of improving the living conditions for asylum seekers in Denmark.</p>
<p>In October 2010, due to ADT’s large network that gathered more than 65 members and 100 volunteers - Trampoline House was established. In the spring of 2011, it was awarded with the <a href="http://www.krogerup.dk/Hal-Koch-Prisen">Hal Koch Award</a>, and was also nominated for KPH Awards 2011, while their Creative Coordinator, Morten Goll, was nominated for the <a href="http://frivillighedensdag.dk/">Årets Ildsjæl 2011</a> by the City of Copenhagen.</p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/6M8H373xlgSxJeCMQPiznhAigiPxdbGNX*IklAVKhHWDSj2QKqMQX0m7nXHuVZz8bjFt5jOESzx6I3SykOO7tII1RJV9nWTt/trampolinhusetstory6.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/6M8H373xlgSxJeCMQPiznhAigiPxdbGNX*IklAVKhHWDSj2QKqMQX0m7nXHuVZz8bjFt5jOESzx6I3SykOO7tII1RJV9nWTt/trampolinhusetstory6.jpg?width=750" width="750" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Now, Trampoline House offers a wide range of activities such as social and legal counseling, lectures and debates, Arabic, Danish, English and French classes, IT course, and much more (info on : <a href="http://trampolinehouse.dk" target="_blank">http://trampolinehouse.dk</a>) Trampoline House provides access to a Library, Reading Zone, IT Zone, Multi Zone and also to The Kafeen and The Kitchen. The House is opened 5 days a week from Monday to Friday. Mondays only women and children have access. This is a special day which is dedicated to providing support, resources, and activities for women and children who otherwise may feel ostracized from Danish culture. It's a safe haven for these women and children - a place to connect to other women from around the world, talk and share stories from their homelands - and to connect as mothers raising their children in another country.</p>
<p>Trampoline House is also working with political issues pertaining to asylum seekers. One campaign is named, "Her er plads" (Here is Place campaign). For more info on this campaign please click on link here: <a href="http://http://hererplads.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Her er plads</a>). On that site you can join hundreds of people and Trampoline House members who have made a pledge to stop the Danish deportation of 415 refugees to Afghanistan. You can do this by posting a photo of you holding a "Her er plads" sign on Facebook campaign page ( <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/415-st%C3%A5r-til-tvangsudvisning-til-Afghanistan-HER-ER-PLADS/220693701407233?id=220693701407233&sk=info" target="_blank">Her er plads Facebook campaign</a>). This is a bold social media initiative, and at present they have over 1,480 likes on their page. </p>
<p> <a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/6M8H373xlgQp99f9oTdssnq3E93DYPLYjEptPPqaO758ae0w9qugvPwnJ7SlrGIaQlCO7arZPz*2XQ9RcKpgnxHBKwYah1IS/484719_222323077910962_1440917736_n.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/6M8H373xlgQp99f9oTdssnq3E93DYPLYjEptPPqaO758ae0w9qugvPwnJ7SlrGIaQlCO7arZPz*2XQ9RcKpgnxHBKwYah1IS/484719_222323077910962_1440917736_n.jpg?width=750" width="750" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>Trampoline Huset welcomes everyone, and if you’re interested in helping asylum seekers you can do it by just showing up on Skyttegade 3, where you’ll be greeted by the wonderful staff and volunteers. Usually, volunteers come twice a week and attend the House Meetings, where they decide what needs to be done, making the schedule for the entire week.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/irXQ5aup8Fc?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</p>
<p> </p>Russian Jewelry Designer Master of Precisiontag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-03-25:2609300:BlogPost:421202013-03-25T09:00:00.000ZDalia Faitelsonhttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/DaliaFaitelson
<p></p>
<p>Ossip Nicolai Frolov, one of Copenhagen's most interesting jewelry designers, reveals his secret to success. Exclusive interview with DF Media in Møntegade, Copenhagen. </p>
<p>Ossip Nicolai Frolov is a self-taught jewelry designer, and owns his own shop named “Frolov Jewelry” in Møntergade, Copenhagen. It is clear that Frolov is very passionate about his work, and his confessed mission is to create individual and personalized jewelry that brings joy to life for all his clients.…</p>
<p></p>
<p>Ossip Nicolai Frolov, one of Copenhagen's most interesting jewelry designers, reveals his secret to success. Exclusive interview with DF Media in Møntegade, Copenhagen. </p>
<p>Ossip Nicolai Frolov is a self-taught jewelry designer, and owns his own shop named “Frolov Jewelry” in Møntergade, Copenhagen. It is clear that Frolov is very passionate about his work, and his confessed mission is to create individual and personalized jewelry that brings joy to life for all his clients. <a href="http://http://www.frolov.dk/" target="_blank">Frolov Jewellery</a></p>
<p><b>“It began with a drawing of something impossible... “</b></p>
<p>Frolov is a master of detail - mixing wind & grass into unique pieces of jewelry, he finds a way to incorporate the four natural elements into his works of art. His future plans include making jewelry inspired by water.</p>
<p>Frolov grew up in Moscow, Russia and spent most of his childhood building his own toys and materializing his fantasies. Whatever toy he desired from the other side of the iron curtain, he had to create with his bare hands. As a child, his focus and commitment to creating with his hands offered him a chance to explore making original unparalleled pieces of true art. Frolov spent much of his time as a child building plane and car models which he created from scratch using mostly paper and wood. </p>
<p>Frolov admits that while growing, he learned that Soviet Russia was not a place one should stay forever, if you want your dreams to come true.</p>
<p>Two months after the Berlin wall fell, in January 1990, Frolov and his mother immigrated to Denmark. He was about to turn 18 and was scheduled to be drafted to the Russian army. The timing was perfect to leave. As a reminder of this journey to Denmark, leaving his family and friends behind, Frolov keeps a photograph of the train coach and him waving goodbye to The Soviet. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Jewelry, Music and Awareness:</b></p>
<p>Once in Denmark, jewelry designing no longer was just a dream for Frolov; it became a reality. He brought with him from Soviet Russia the fine ability and craftsmanship his father taught him. A man, he describes as truly inspiring and talented with his hands. Frolov learned from his father all the techniques he needed to be well on his way to becoming a master designer.</p>
<p>Frolov could be considered an inspiration for anyone seeking to fulfill their creative dreams. Not only is he a master jewelry designer, but he is a trained professional classical musician. Today he plays mostly only for his own enjoyment, but it is clear that his talents are not limited to just jewelry design.</p>
<p>As one sits with Frolov in his studio where he designs his pieces, one can get a sense that he is totally consumed by his art. He surrounds himself in his own creative world and his tools and is often locked onto a zone of focus only unique to masters. This extreme focus and seclusion for Frolov allows him the bullseye precision to complete the fine details in his pieces of work which are unequalled.</p>
<p>Frolov was inspired and propelled through his teenage years by Dharma Marga –a 5000 year old Vedic Martial Arts from India that was rediscovered and taught in Russia. It’s a blend of martial arts and Yoga. <a href="http://http://nrsunandsteel.tumblr.com/post/29806787200/5000-year-old-vedic-martial-art-dharma-marga#_=_" target="_blank">dharma Marga</a></p>
<p>Frolov's jewelry designs reflect some of the aspects of this martial arts philosophy; he integrates the art of meditation in different levels such as water, iron, wood, ground, clay, sticking to something, and branches and imitating animals. He merges nature and it's meditative elements with the materials to create a final piece of art. Animals are also a big theme of Frolov's art, and frogs can be seen in his pieces - the prince and the frog fairytales is what one is reminded of - but Frolov prefers to stay away from classic fairytale cliques which are not his source of inspiration.</p>
<p>Frolov connects to his clients and designs exclusive pieces for them - based on his guided sense of who they are, what they want and like and he has a calculating ability to materialize this in the jewelry. For example, he uses butterflies as a symbol of transformation – and carefully adapts the different stages of transformation depending on his clients.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“When I work for myself, I follow the impulses, tensions and longings of my own heart, and the ideas of beauty that belong to me. When meeting customers and working with an individual order, I strive to create a piece of fine jewelry that will match and reflect this particular persons inner and outer beauty.“</p>
<p></p>
<p>Please click on video below to watch DFMedia's interview with Frolov.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t3fndvjI8f4?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</p>
<p></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/twryudDDeJfA010e8tP6pzVh8MPlcjKuKv1WJHc8DSou7xL78AzI7v2QXFgm54Y8L9PNOuCcFZ3Jhu4*cr3SqRhyxSctZifW/sortkrone.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/twryudDDeJfA010e8tP6pzVh8MPlcjKuKv1WJHc8DSou7xL78AzI7v2QXFgm54Y8L9PNOuCcFZ3Jhu4*cr3SqRhyxSctZifW/sortkrone.jpg?width=750" height="460" width="592"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><span id="result_box" xml:lang="en" lang="en"><span class="hps">A</span> <span class="hps">pearl with</span> a <span class="hps">crown of</span> <span class="hps">rays</span><span>.</span></span></p>
<p><span id="result_box" xml:lang="en" lang="en">"<span class="hps">I</span> <span class="hps">had no idea</span> <span class="hps">how I could</span> <span class="hps">make such a</span> <span class="hps">Three dimensional</span> <span class="hps">figure</span><span>.</span> <span class="hps">The sketch</span> <span class="hps">was</span> <span class="hps">going</span> <span class="hps">for a few years</span><span>,</span> <span class="hps">and</span> <span class="hps">then I made</span> <span class="hps">a first</span> <span class="hps">model</span> <span class="hps">in</span> <span class="hps">silver</span> <span class="hps">with rays of</span> <span class="hps">copper</span> <span class="hps">and a</span> <span class="hps">second edition</span> <span class="hps">in</span> oxidized <span class="hps">silver with</span> <span class="hps">beads</span> <span class="hps">of</span> <span class="hps">gold</span> <span class="hps">and</span> <span class="hps">garnets</span><span>." says Frolov.</span></span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span xml:lang="en" lang="en"><span><a target="_self" href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/twryudDDeJfJU8Tk5JZiSCuyvT*0HzxrpdFoHZLenpdXt7GC-PklcchgGuTWvdlEF8n8r5YGmqkwGLcC3NJV8b8AxnnzGJ3w/emaljesommerfugle.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/twryudDDeJfJU8Tk5JZiSCuyvT*0HzxrpdFoHZLenpdXt7GC-PklcchgGuTWvdlEF8n8r5YGmqkwGLcC3NJV8b8AxnnzGJ3w/emaljesommerfugle.jpg?width=750" height="521" width="531"/></a></span></span></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><b>Silver ring with enamel </b></p>
<p></p>Bulgarskmad - The one and only Bulgarian food store in Denmarktag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-03-12:2609300:BlogPost:390222013-03-12T18:00:00.000ZDalia Faitelsonhttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/DaliaFaitelson
<p>In1989, Bulgaria was freed from the communist regime and became a democratic state instead of the communist republic which it had been since September 1944. This was done by a non-bloody revolution.<br></br> <br></br> Bulgaria submitted its application to join the EU in May 1993, and opened accession negotiations on the 15th February 2000. It joined the EU from 2007.</p>
<p>Bulgaria, which had a population of almost 9 million in 1985, according to …</p>
<p>In1989, Bulgaria was freed from the communist regime and became a democratic state instead of the communist republic which it had been since September 1944. This was done by a non-bloody revolution.<br/> <br/> Bulgaria submitted its application to join the EU in May 1993, and opened accession negotiations on the 15th February 2000. It joined the EU from 2007.</p>
<p>Bulgaria, which had a population of almost 9 million in 1985, according to <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2002rank.html?countryName=Bulgaria&countryCode=bu&regionCode=eur&rank=228#bu">"Country Comparison :: Population growth rate"</a>.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Intelligence_Agency" title="Central Intelligence Agency">Central Intelligence Agency</a>. 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved 20 December 2011 - "The population continues to decrease and the current growth rate is one of the lowest in the world." Currently a population of just under 7.4 million, according to a 2011 census.</span></p>
<p>One of the reasons for the demographic decline is the open border to the rest of Europe. Unemployment problems were and still are, one of the main causes of large immigration out of Bulgaria.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What do we know about Bulgaria? When we think of Bulgaria what pops into our minds?</p>
<p>Well, for a person with half Bulgarian decent, the word feta cheese and yoghurt first comes to mind.</p>
<p>It has been claimed that yoghurt originates from Bulgaria. Though this cannot be substantiated, Bulgaria has been part of a region that has cultivated and consumed yoghurt from as far back as 3000 BC.</p>
<p>Did you know that Bulgaria was the world's second largest wine producer in the 1980s, but the industry declined after the collapse of communism. Wine production is growing again, at an increase of 4.9% from the previous year.</p>
<p></p>
<p>There are around 7,000 Bulgarian immigrants in Denmark (not an official number). 4,000 of them live in the Copenhagen area.</p>
<p>Approximately 1,000 of them are students joining the international programs of universities all over the country.</p>
<p>You can find Bulgarians working in hotels, as truck drivers, construction workers, delivering news papers at night and also as highly educated IT personal.</p>
<p>There are about 120,000 Danish tourists visiting Bulgaria every year.</p>
<p>I’ve decided to search for Bulgarian food products available in Denmark. I found only 1 store in the whole country based in Nørrebro, Copenhagen.</p>
<p>Its called <strong>Bulgarskmad</strong> (Bulgarian Food)</p>
<p></p>
<p>I found a small cozy neighborhood store filled with Bulgarian specialties. What a treat! I felt like tasting it all. A Bulgarian mother and her cooking raised me, so I know how wonderful traditional dishes there are.</p>
<p>The store is full of colorful jars, a variety of wines, white and yellow cheese, dry meat, sweets and food in cans. The audience is both east Europeans and Danish. The owner is in good relationship with his neighbors and they drop by regularly to by mostly feta cheese and wine.</p>
<p>The owner of the place, Shenol Ibryam, agreed to meet with me and show me around the store. Please join us on this video:</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YOo5xsGC6QA?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/GDVu6mbJRodzFxUfmoCcI09*Oc-tG-XamBTz6RoKgmzbGSib2nv-W1jL2QD1SXv*7LGUWyaf00v7I7D9pYNZ9iu6F6h-k-n-/2013031016.00.30.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/GDVu6mbJRodzFxUfmoCcI09*Oc-tG-XamBTz6RoKgmzbGSib2nv-W1jL2QD1SXv*7LGUWyaf00v7I7D9pYNZ9iu6F6h-k-n-/2013031016.00.30.jpg?width=750" height="604" width="488"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>Shenol Ibryam, the owner of the store, came to Denmark 10 years ago looking for work opportunities</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/GDVu6mbJRofpfFCiW*ZN01wH28heTc9pkCSAfK3bk-T4G2QUlPjg6Vc7l6LqSmvN38yEWnYC-v0NEN80AqzxhoJD-nc-akSV/2013031015.59.48.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/GDVu6mbJRofpfFCiW*ZN01wH28heTc9pkCSAfK3bk-T4G2QUlPjg6Vc7l6LqSmvN38yEWnYC-v0NEN80AqzxhoJD-nc-akSV/2013031015.59.48.jpg?width=750" height="391" width="522"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>Bulgaria is famous for its dry and semi dry meat. You should try the Lukanka – the Bulgarian spicy salami</p>
<p></p>
<p>Bulgarskmad - Åboulevarden 32, 2200 Kbh.N</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bulgarskmad.dk" target="_blank">Hompage</a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>.</p>Young Man Cycles to Save Rosia Montana - Born to Travel and Helptag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-03-10:2609300:BlogPost:391192013-03-10T10:30:00.000ZMucilianu Cristinahttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/MucilianuCristina
<p>Rosia Montana Gold Corporation together with a Canadian company Gabriel Resources have plans to mine for gold in Rosia Montana, Romania. This project has been in the spotlight for more than a decade sparking massive opposition by locals, NGOs and activists around the world. Romania is one of EU's poorest countries to date, and those in favor of the mining project speculate it will generate jobs and increase economy. Those opposed to this project fear losing their land, being forced to dig up…</p>
<p>Rosia Montana Gold Corporation together with a Canadian company Gabriel Resources have plans to mine for gold in Rosia Montana, Romania. This project has been in the spotlight for more than a decade sparking massive opposition by locals, NGOs and activists around the world. Romania is one of EU's poorest countries to date, and those in favor of the mining project speculate it will generate jobs and increase economy. Those opposed to this project fear losing their land, being forced to dig up and move their loved ones from cemeteries, and are against the expected increase of toxicity and contamination impact the mining will have on Rosia Montana's nature. "Many within the country worry that to give the go-ahead to the project would be to sign away Romania's most valuable natural asset - and its ancient heritage." (<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19428193" target="_blank">BBC</a>). At present, due to the successful campaigning to save Rosia Montana, the mining project is at a standstill. <a href="http://rosiamontana.org/en/" target="_blank">Save Rosia Montana</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Last summer, one twenty year old Romania man, Tica Darie, decided to cycle from Copenhagen back to his homeland, campaigning to save Rosia Montana from being turned into Europe’s largest open cast cyanide gold mine. Despite the sometimes harsh weather conditions, little food, money, and water, Tica cylced 2,533 km and crossed more than seven countries (see his route here <a href="http://ticadarie.com/?page_id=98" target="_blank">link</a>). He carried a sign "Save Rosia Montana", and managed to increase awareness for Rosia Montana. His dedicated commitment and perseverance depicts what one person can accomplish if they really believe in a cause and set their mind for success.</p>
<p>Once Tica decided to cycle to Save Rosia Montana campaign, he created a blog (<a href="http://ticadarie.com" target="_blank">tica darie</a>) so people could follow his adventure. Tica's unique and cheerful personality granted him the opportunity to meet all kinds of people along the way. He described them as nothing but kind, supportive and generous people who helped keep him on track to complete his goal. One can watch his cycle tour video ( <a href="http://vimeo.com/55355029#" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://vimeo.com/55355029#" target="_blank">Cycling the Europe</a>) </p>
<p></p>
<p>Tica fits right in to the Danish cycling culture of Copenhagen, and on 20.05.2012 he finished his first marathon – sponsoring Nykredit Copenhagen – 42,2 km in 3:44:41. </p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/6V81SuvLHxgBufoCkMDnQwUdF5OsYYjCWOX5tZv39Hrl2o3TfEDmmSYxfBVl-0k*zJugX4ZS8x5uK2yKeU-QJCAyWT-EUBJB/tica2.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/6V81SuvLHxgBufoCkMDnQwUdF5OsYYjCWOX5tZv39Hrl2o3TfEDmmSYxfBVl-0k*zJugX4ZS8x5uK2yKeU-QJCAyWT-EUBJB/tica2.jpg?width=500" width="500" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>Tica is planning another cycling tour to save to Rosia Montana this summer. He will cycle from Copenhagen to Rosia Montana with another person from Germany. </p>
<p>As a Multimedia student, Tica started a new project in Copenhagen named Run For You. The concept is simple; he runs as a form of advertising and promotion for businesses, products and companies ( more details on <a href="http://irunforyou.dk" target="_blank">Run For You</a>)</p>
<p></p>
<p>This young man is a source of inspiration for anyone who has a dream and wants to make a difference to change the world for the better. He shows us one truly positive way to increase public awareness regarding a mining project that could jeopardize the health and welfare of the people of Rosia Montana. This story is yet another example of the threat of corporatization of natural resources which doesn't always benefit the local community as much as it does the international companies and their allies.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/6V81SuvLHxhqsol4LQFcXBoJBt*SYYR1xVR5kQpZzU5yA-GLhceF5RQ84aiZkIGePzdaZ9AsuiUED16tfZJ0kJqBri3jTI7X/163314_10150925863558856_1404912355_n.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/6V81SuvLHxhqsol4LQFcXBoJBt*SYYR1xVR5kQpZzU5yA-GLhceF5RQ84aiZkIGePzdaZ9AsuiUED16tfZJ0kJqBri3jTI7X/163314_10150925863558856_1404912355_n.jpg?width=500" width="500" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>Tica and Sebastian Platon finishing Nykredit Copenhagen Marathon</p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
<p></p>
<p>Check out my interview with Tica : </p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dbtwcajExnk?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</p>Mafia Style Dining at L’Altro CPHtag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-03-01:2609300:BlogPost:389262013-03-01T16:30:00.000ZDalia Faitelsonhttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/DaliaFaitelson
<p>Copenhagen restaurants spice up their menu themes in an attempt to entice more patrons.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Denmark is not immune from the global economic crisis. This can bee seen in the change of spending habits of Danes. Less Danes are giving their old goods to the "Genbrug" thrift shops, more Danes are shopping less at retail stores and purchasing from Genbrug shops, and less Danes are eating out at restaurants - opting for cafes with cheaper menus (see links:…</p>
<p>Copenhagen restaurants spice up their menu themes in an attempt to entice more patrons.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Denmark is not immune from the global economic crisis. This can bee seen in the change of spending habits of Danes. Less Danes are giving their old goods to the "Genbrug" thrift shops, more Danes are shopping less at retail stores and purchasing from Genbrug shops, and less Danes are eating out at restaurants - opting for cafes with cheaper menus (see links: <a href="http://politiken.dk/tjek/penge/dinepenge/ECE1826630/krisebevidste-danskere-giver-mindre-til-genbrug/" target="_blank">Politiken Nov2012</a>, <a href="http://politiken.dk/ibyen/nyheder/restauranter/ECE908361/vi-gaar-lige-saa-meget-paa-caf-som-foer-krisen/" target="_blank">Politiken Feb2010</a>). When it comes to food and culture in a time of an economic crisis many will opt for spending less. One restaurant, L'Altro, has decided to pump up the restaurant experience in the hopes that they can attract more customers. The Mafia theme provides customers with a fun hands on eating experience Godfather style.</p>
<p></p>
<p>L’Altro, located in Christianshavn, first opened in 2005, and is owned by Michelin star restaurant “Era Ora.” The restaurant has a cozy, friendly atmosphere, and provides a rustic Tuscan cuisine.</p>
<p></p>
<p>L’Altro names this Mafia theme night: <b>“An offer you cannot refuse.”</b></p>
<p>The chefs at the restaurant have looked through the film archives of “The Godfather (1972)” in order to serve the ultimate Corleone menu for their guests with the most legendary dishes from the movie.</p>
<p></p>
<p>All the food and wine is imported directly from Italy. The menu includes 3 antipasti dishes, pasta dish, horse sausages with vegetables, cheese plate and desert. The food is delicious, simple and tasty and the wine menu matched it nicely.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Throughout the evening, they play “gangster” music and present a Mafia Quiz, with a prize of a free meal for two.</p>
<p>The staff is a breath of fresh air to the ordinary service seen in Copenhagen cafes and restaurants - they are attentive, friendly make you feel at home. </p>
<p>Lets go inside and take a look:</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/s9Mi6Dc0O5M?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</p>
<p></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/qgybvJa4VHihy17fGWvWxPz37t1-zSCDnQX1HwKR72bU-sKpwDwpL4SW8Mf9PQkB3eO8DwwxnDsnDek45y*t2NuoijtGzyKL/2013022619.45.12.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/qgybvJa4VHihy17fGWvWxPz37t1-zSCDnQX1HwKR72bU-sKpwDwpL4SW8Mf9PQkB3eO8DwwxnDsnDek45y*t2NuoijtGzyKL/2013022619.45.12.jpg?width=750" height="450" width="601"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>The Delicious main dish served with ecological horse meat and vegetables.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/qgybvJa4VHgZjXnaholTJAjLQjxFLR2mxVA4RWV7s7lCEPMHR2bR*bT1W7pJXpI1LVrM4DsHpvGrO7aZUI1IJ098KAF40-Y-/2013022618.41.56.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/qgybvJa4VHgZjXnaholTJAjLQjxFLR2mxVA4RWV7s7lCEPMHR2bR*bT1W7pJXpI1LVrM4DsHpvGrO7aZUI1IJ098KAF40-Y-/2013022618.41.56.jpg?width=750" height="447" width="599"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>The joyful and talented chefs – Jessica and Marcello.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/qgybvJa4VHjcN*jO-JN2Ho99xJRS4ssMXkV0XcbxcfQE2CDnmJdAPreNj5Jj1Xo*g8n*NrYYLjnFVpBnByP7J77D7gU4W7vY/2013022619.14.44.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/qgybvJa4VHjcN*jO-JN2Ho99xJRS4ssMXkV0XcbxcfQE2CDnmJdAPreNj5Jj1Xo*g8n*NrYYLjnFVpBnByP7J77D7gU4W7vY/2013022619.14.44.jpg?width=750" height="363" width="605"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>The rich wine cellar all imported directly from Italy.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>A clip from “The Godfather“ - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZD-ApotEOQ" target="_blank">Tomato sauce recipe</a></p>
<p><a href="http://http://www.laltro.dk/" target="_blank">Resturant website</a></p>The Double sided Sword of an African Prince Turned into an Afro-Pop Startag:cphvoice.ning.com,2013-02-27:2609300:BlogPost:385682013-02-27T13:00:00.000ZDalia Faitelsonhttp://cphvoice.ning.com/profile/DaliaFaitelson
<p>The African Prince-musician, Salif Keita, visited Copenhagen this week as part of his Talé Tour 2013. Known worldwide as “The Golden Voice of Africa” - his flavorful music talent is meshed with Mandingo tradition and other styles like Afro pop, Salsa-with-a-Twist, rhythmical funk and Afro-Jazz-Rock.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Originally from Mali and a descendent of the Mandinka royal family, at an early age, Salif chose the life of a musician despite his father's disownment from his royal family.…</p>
<p>The African Prince-musician, Salif Keita, visited Copenhagen this week as part of his Talé Tour 2013. Known worldwide as “The Golden Voice of Africa” - his flavorful music talent is meshed with Mandingo tradition and other styles like Afro pop, Salsa-with-a-Twist, rhythmical funk and Afro-Jazz-Rock.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Originally from Mali and a descendent of the Mandinka royal family, at an early age, Salif chose the life of a musician despite his father's disownment from his royal family. Another set back in his youth was having albinism. He was ostracized by his family and the community because of albinism, and it was considered a sign of bad luck. This is not the first time in history, persons with albinism have been treated maliciously - there are numerous reported cases of discrimination, threats of violence, killings, and ridicule of persons with albinism - simply because they lack pigment in their skin. Please see links here to read more about this growing problem of crimes committed against persons with albinism (<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/03/death-toll-grows-for-african-albinos-hunted-for-witch-doctors-brews/" target="_blank">ABCNews</a>).</p>
<p></p>
<p>Salif Keita is also an important advocate for the fair treatment and social integration of persons with albinism. This has been a life long commitment for him - to stop the atrocities committed against persons with albinism. According to Salif Keita on website:</p>
<p></p>
<p>"Unfortunately, albinos in many African nations are simply killed due to superstition and ignorance about the skin condition that is caused by a complete lack of pigmentation, or more simply said, <b>they die "because they are black people who have white skin"</b> said Mr. Keita,<b>"whether it's due to discrimination or the hot sun, they are in perpetual danger. Creating thoughts of love towards those with the condition is the first priority and the strongest power in changing the lives of those with albinism. After that, every other positive change will have to follow automatically."</b></p>
<p></p>
<p>Click here to read about his foundation (<a href="http://www.salifkeita.us/" target="_blank">The Salif Keita Global Foundation, Inc.</a>)</p>
<p></p>
<p>During as press conference in Abidjan on July 30, 2011 - Salif Keita vowed to defend albino rights in international courts. - "Salif Keita said he would pursue all individuals and governements responsible for violence against albinos. The singer dedicated one of his performances to Peace and Reconciliation for all people in the country, including vulnerable groups" (<a href="http://www.salifkeita.us/Press.html" target="_blank">link to page on foundation site</a>)</p>
<p></p>
<p>Salif Keita, is considered one of the success stories - overcoming the stigma of pursuing a life as a musician and being a person with albinsim. With more than 40 years of creating and playing music, Salif has earned his status as one of the most well known musicians in his field despite his personal challenges.</p>
<p>Over 800 people attended his concert at Amager Bio this week; a concert hall well known for hosting top name international musicians.</p>
<p>The style of the concert was a filled with traditional african beats and vocals. They used a DJ and a computer to replace some of the bass player, drums and choir. This concert was promoted as an African style party - the sound was good, the lighting cool - and that is just what is was - a cool grande fiesta. </p>
<p>But you can check video out for yourself, and scroll down on link to Salif's website for more information of this Prince of Africa an Afro-Pop Star.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The video below shows a clip of Salif and his band jamming out some Pop rhythms:</p>
<p></p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YdwiR3o1vLE?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/ZHWvHcHnRn2bLaVXz2-xeYrVe0yOlhZyi*IHu*ijQG189IA9WUVEdgCjv7QMXAGnmTnnaFk17zwYPBVKQ6Wu22aZarA0WZwd/SALIF.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/ZHWvHcHnRn2bLaVXz2-xeYrVe0yOlhZyi*IHu*ijQG189IA9WUVEdgCjv7QMXAGnmTnnaFk17zwYPBVKQ6Wu22aZarA0WZwd/SALIF.jpg?width=750" height="702" width="478"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/ZHWvHcHnRn0RvB9quovWxQuhlTU*uSWP5COmrVTAySOSeRUoCy7mzD2L9z*GYDGpTBm6q27Gyv4ZGdq9S1qXenYAoUNXAFYE/2013022223.08.42.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/ZHWvHcHnRn0RvB9quovWxQuhlTU*uSWP5COmrVTAySOSeRUoCy7mzD2L9z*GYDGpTBm6q27Gyv4ZGdq9S1qXenYAoUNXAFYE/2013022223.08.42.jpg?width=750" height="415" width="618"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>Scene from balcony of Amager Bio - Salif Keita concert</p>
<p></p>
<p>If you want to hear and read more about this performer check out his website at:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.salifkeita.net" target="_blank">http://www.salifkeita.net</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Salif-Keita-Official-Fan-Page/107119345998817" target="_blank">Facebook fan page</a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>