Ever party in a booby-trapped building? Well, you would have, had you been in Sarajevo this past July 13. That night was the culmination of the first trip organized by Back to Bosnia, a group of charitable folk based in (but not limited to) Prague.
That's right, the slavnost was a part of a charity mission, in which toys (donated by generous Praguers and collected at various businesses throughout Prague) were delivered to the city's children.
The toys crammed the cargo bays of two buses, which made the 24-hour-plus journey through six countries, too many irate border officials, several bribe attempts and a roadblock, to get to the final destination.
Once there, the 56 volunteers who crammed the buses delivered the toys, then held a rave for the city's older residents in the lobby of a schoolhouse devestated by the war. The scars of combat were plainly evident on the building, with bullet holes, shrapnel gouges and crumbled sections of wall attesting to the ferocity of what once took place.
Sections of the school's front yard and the building's basement were cordoned off, due to the presence of live mines apparently planted by the combatants in their bloodlust.
Which was forgotten about as the youth of postwar Sarajevo danced, drank and generally enjoyed themselves while being flooded with pumping techno provided by Prague's Technical Support, with the generous assistance of local guest DJs. In the midst of the music, Prague fashion designer Gerry Wilson showed off some of his recent creations, modeled by dark, pretty Bosnian girls strutting down the lobby steps.
This innovative mix of charity and entertainment will be repeated on a grander scale later this month (EDS: September), as the Back in Bosnia group travels to a second event, this time in the town of Banja Luka. The town is the capital of the self-styled, "Bosnian Serb Republic," a state- within-a-state run by Bosnia's Serb minority.
This trip, to take place from September 24 - 28, will see a number of artists hold interactive workshops for Banja Luka's children. And the workshops won't be of the "oh-gosh-look-kids-it's-fingerpainting! " variety either. In addition to the basics (painting, drawing, drama, etc. ), participants can also school themselves in offbeat modes of expression such as Chinese calligraphy and didgeridoo playing.
Additionally, the event will include mural painting and other public art throughout the city. Participating artists will collaborate with Banja Luka residents to create artworks spreading a message of hope and reconciliatioan.
Live theater and music supplied by volunteers and supplemented by local participants will add spice to the cultural mix. And last but certainly far from least, the crucial element which made the first Back to Bosnia trip such a success - a rave - will be held on the final night of the project. Guest DJs from Berlin and Sarajevo will provide the music until at least the light hours of the morning.
To ensure continuity from the last trip -and do its small part to help bring the old warring factions slowly together - Back to Bosnia will bus Sarajevo youth to and from Banja Luka to participate in the party.
Enthusiasm for the trip is running high. Many of the participants from the first trip have eagerly signed up to be a part of the next one - mines or no mines. And many newcomers will also be a part of the festivities. It is not often that you get the chance to do some good for the world, and have an ass-kicking fun time while doing it. In Banja Luka later this month, the opportunity will present itself. Hope to see ya there.
CONTACT Nadja Kymlicka: Prague tel. +420-2-24818892, fax +420-2-24818894 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Allison Lewis: Prague tel. +420-2-24818892 fax +420-2-24818894 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it WANNA GO TO BOSNIA TOO?
We're nearing the date for departure and we've had to make some changes to the original plan. Since I've received very little committment and we're so close to the deadline, we've had to decide on taking ONLY ONE BUS.
The weekend will still include a mural painting with a highschool art class, make public art with other artists, and hold a techno "rave" party with DJs Pussypower and Geert and Sarajevo's IMA with a fashion show by Prague designer, Nikkita.
If we get some funding or donations, we can go ahead with some workshops. All are invited to come to stay and participate in a casual exchange of ideas with local artists. The idea would be to work together towards creating pieces that will go on exhibition before the party. I also encourage each artist to bring a one piece of work to go on display as well. VERY IMPORTANT! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
I need your full name on your passport, passport number and nationality. ASAP. Some passports require visas and this can be achieved with the help of the Ministry of Culture. I need to represent the group as ONE therefore, EVERYONE's information is needed to go on the list of Back to Bosnia's participants. The dates set for this event are as follows:
Departure: Prague: Tues night 22. 9. 98, 21:00
Arrival: Banja Luka: Wed afternoon 23. 9. 98, 14. 00 Day One: 23. 9. 98 Dinner casual meeting over dinner with everyone
Day Two: 24. 9. 98 Mural painting, workshops
Day Three: 25. 9. 98 Exhibition, techno party, fashion show
Day Four: 26. 9. 98 football game, departure
Departure: Banja Luka: Sat night 26. 9. 98, 22. 00
Arrival: Prague: Sun afternoon 27. 9. 98, 15. 00
Accommodations: in a Gymnasium, with floors, roof and no holes. Serbia Banja Luka was not destroyed during the war and was considered the cultural centre of that region. What you will need to bring:
1. SLEEPING BAG! ! ! ! an air mattress is also a good idea because we'll be sleeping on the floor
2. Plate, cup, knife, fork, spoon - we plan to do a lot of homecooking
3. Warm clothes
4. Blanket
5. Food for the bus and there
6. Foreign money, preferably German DM,
7. Toilet paper
Please forward all information to Allison or me: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
