LIBERATUM VENICE
9-11 November 2012

PROGRAMME UNDER DEVELOPMENT.

www.liberatum.org.uk

Liberatum will hold it’s first Hong Kong International Festival & Summit from 27th-29th April 2012. Liberatum Hong Kong will bring together international cultural icons, creative leaders and acclaimed artistic minds to Hong Kong to connect them with their counterparts in Asia through an original and captivating programme. Liberatum aims to celebrate contemporary Hong Kong culture and the modern face of the city.

After the great success of Liberatum festivals in different parts of the world including Istancool in Istanbul, Liberatum’s founder and artistic director Pablo Ganguli and Liberatum co-founder and creative director for Hong Kong and Mainland China, Rosey Chan will bring leading artistic personalities from the world over to Hong Kong, with a programme aimed at captivating and opening global minds. Some of the participants confirmed to attend include legendary singer Marianne Faithfull, renowned American screenwriter and filmmaker Paul Schrader, Nobel prize winning author Sir VS Naipaul, Wing Shya, Rosey Chan, Hong Kong New Music Ensemble, Terence Koh, Neil LaBute and Mike Figgis among many others.

Liberatum Hong Kong promises to be a mesmerising festival of art, design, fashion, literature, film, music and ideas. Building on the achievements of the previous global festivals, our vision is to produce an awe-inspiring three-day cultural convention, featuring a diverse and stimulating programme, and further raising the profile of Hong Kong as a forward-thinking world city. Liberatum HK will enhance the reputation of Hong Kong as a great cultural city and pay tribute to Hong Kong’s cultural heritage. It will present an ambitious and original programme, which will aim to place Hong Kong firmly at the centre of the international cultural scene in 2012.

Hong Kong continues to evolve and an event such as Liberatum Hong Kong 2012 will serve to nurture the city’s cultural identity locally and on the world stage.

Contact: For press enquiries, programming and press trip information, please e-mail Liberatum’s press office at office@liberatum.org

Further information on Liberatum, Pablo Ganguli and Rosey Chan:

Liberatum

The international cultural diplomacy foundation Liberatum connects the world’s finest cultural and media minds through global inspiring festivals, summits and illuminating cultural celebrations. Our objective is to further strengthen relations between different countries through the power of the arts. Liberatum festivals mix film with millinery, art with literature, fashion with poetry and opera with architecture in alluring and riveting ways. Our mission is to present global audiences with remarkable programmes of the highest calibre featuring world renowned cultural icons as participants. Liberatum collaborates with leading thinkers, film directors, actors, authors, philosophers, musicians, architects, artists, dancers, ballerinas, producers, fashion designers, art directors, editors in chief and business figures. We are certain you will find the world of Liberatum, its high quality programming extremely inspiring.

Short films from Liberatum’s ISTANCOOL cultural diplomacy festival in Istanbul – June 2011.

http://www.vimeo.com/diaryofmu/istancool

http://www.nowness.com/day/2011/6/9/istancool-diary

Pablo Ganguli and Liberatum

In 2011, the international cultural brand Liberatum completed ten years of creating Liberatum global cultural diplomacy festivals and artistic ventures around the world. Over the last ten years, Liberatum’s founder and artistic director Pablo Ganguli has presented a new kind of innovative cultural diplomacy festival on the world stage. Countries as diverse as Russia, India, Morocco, Papua New Guinea and Turkey have hosted remarkable Liberatum projects – from education to human rights, science to fashion, and literature to cinema. Special Liberatum events have taken place in major European cities such as Paris and London featuring leading cultural figures of our times. Liberatum programmes consist of opera, theatre, modern ballet, art exhibitions, music and dance performances, fashion events, architecture , film screenings, debates, discussions, talks and Q&As.  The festival events are open to the public completely free of charge and our mission is to connect the finest international cultural minds with their counterparts in the country where we host the festival. The audience enjoys access and dialogue with participants and collaborators. But what sets Liberatum apart is the way it weaves all these artforms together in unconventional forms to produce memorable results.

Some of the international collaborators, participants and guests at Liberatum events and festivals have included James Franco, Nobel Laureate Sir VS Naipaul, actress Goldie Hawn, filmmakers Andrei Konchalovsky, John Hillcoat, Stephen Frears, Shekhar Kapur, Sir Richard Eyre, Mike Figgis, Christopher Hampton, Terry Gilliam, musicians and conductors Thomas Ades, William Orbit, Johnny Borrell, Peter Donohoe, Annie Lennox, Valery Gergiev, Alex James, Michael Nyman, authors Gore Vidal, Saadi Youssef, Vikram Seth, Hanif Kureishi, Martin Amis, Benjamin Zephaniah, Orlando Figes, Hari Kunzru, Nadeem Aslam, media figures GQ editor in chief Dylan Jones, Evening Standard editor in chief Geordie Greig, Dazed and Confused and AnOther Magazine editor in chief Jefferson Hack, Vogue Italia editor in chief Franca Sozzani, Janet Street-Porter, Wallpaper editor in chief Tony Chambers, Jon Snow, artists and curators Gavin Turk, sculptor Antony Gormley, Ekow Eshun, Sir Mark Jones, Michael Craig-Martin, Grayson Perry, Serpentine Gallery director Julia Peyton-Jones, Terence Koh, Waris Ahluwalia, Polly Morgan, Sir Norman Rosenthal,  Royal Academy CEO Charles Saumarez Smith, Hermitage Director Mikhail Piotrovsky, politicians Rory Stewart, former UN Under-Secretary General Shashi Tharoor, Clare Short, fashion designers and style icons Daphne Guinness, Lily Cole, Jasper Conran, Gareth Pugh, Stephen Jones, Philip Treacy, Henry Holland, Academy Award winning actress Tilda Swinton, Cannes Best Actress award winner Kirsten Dunst, Courtney Love, Michael Stipe (REM) and architect Zaha Hadid – to name but a few!

Rosey Chan

Rosey Chan has been appointed Creative Director of the first Hong Kong Liberatum Festival, a major international cultural festival and summit, which will take place in HK April 2012.

Pianist, performance artist, composer and curator, Rosey Chan lives and works in London where she regularly performs and collaborates on a myriad of projects with artists working in dance, visual art, film, architecture, music, and fashion. Classically trained at the Royal College of Music, she has performed at many internationally-renowned venues including the Royal Opera House, the Albert Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, the Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall and the Pompidou Centre.

In 2008, Rosey began to diversify her repertoire by absorbing influences as various as jazz improvisation, contemporary electronic music, film scoring and performance art. Her multi-media performances have premiered at Frieze Art Fair and the Hong Kong Art Fair. Rosey’s first solo album ‘ONE’ was produced by Sting and featured tracks by, among others, Bach, Debussy, Bill Evans and Tom Waits. Her next album ‘Surface Tensions’ is in production.

Rosey’s ongoing series of explorations and collaborations examine the context in which her influences combine, and by subtly shifting the emphasis of one element in relationship to another creates a new perspective; using her inventive instincts to create something rigorously grounded that also breaks the constraints of convention. Thus creating a new artistic space for herself. Bach, Bill Evans, fashion, photography, film and art all converse with each other.

CARRERA PRESENTS
LIBERATUM HONG KONG

www.liberatum.org.uk

Carrera presents
Liberatum Hong Kong International Festival of Culture
27-29 April 2012

Founder and Artistic Director: Pablo Ganguli

Creative Director and Co-founder: Rosey Chan

Festival Producer: Josephine Lawrence

Official Festival Title Sponsor: Carrera
Official Festival Producer: Orient Unlimited

NOTICE – FREE ENTRY FOR THE PUBLIC

Public can attend free of charge and no need for a pass or ticket

FOR VIP AND PRIORITY PASSES

E-mail: office@liberatum.org

* Liberatum cannot be held responsible for last-minute changes in the programme or if a participant is unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.

23 November 2011, London

To honour this legendary artist, and to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of LIBERATUM’s cultural diplomacy festivals, summits and artistic endeavours all over the world, artistic director Pablo Ganguli and LIBERATUM Patron Ella Krasner hosted an exclusive dinner in London on the 23rd of November in the stunning ballroom at the prestigious Corinthia Hotel London. The newly opened Corinthia Hotel London is housed within a grand, Victorian building offering sweeping views across London and unrivalled world-class luxury.

Guests included leading figures from the worlds of art, film, music, theatre, design, literature and fashion such as Phillip Treacy, Sotheby’s International Chairman Robin Woodhead, Henry Holland, Anouck Lepere, Jefferson Hack, Rosey Chan, Pam Hogg, Natalie Dormer, Sir VS Naipaul, Mike Figgis, Michael Nyman, William Orbit, Gavin Turk and Hanif Kureishi. They dined on a three course banquet from Corinthia London’s Executive Chef Garry Hollihead, including salmon gravalax with a sweet mustard and lemon dressing followed by  rump of Herdwick Lamb with tapenade jus and a dessert of burnt vanilla custard, basket of seasonal fruit and crystallised lemon confit.

Liberatum’s highlights in the last ten years include presenting James Franco’s Rebel exhibition in Venice, holding museum management workshops with V&A Museum in Papua New Guinea and Fiji, staging inspiring talks during Istanbul’s year as the European Capital of Culture between Nobel Laureate Sir VS Naipaul and Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani, collaborating with Valery Gergiev and Thomas Ades on opera and orchestra performances in Saint Petersburg at the Mariinsky, promoting arts and literature in New Delhi and Mumbai with participants such as Goldie Hawn and Clare Short, and holding memorable events honouring Gore Vidal, Zaha Hadid and Terry Gilliam around the world.

Liberatum founder and artistic director, Pablo Ganguli, says:

”I am delighted that Liberatum will celebrate the life and career of Sir Peter Blake this month. A great artist of our times and someone who inspires us deeply.”

LIBERATUM HONOURS SIR PETER BLAKE
with patron Ella Krasner and in partnership with VERTU and Corinthia Hotel London

Liberatum honours the legendary artist, Sir Peter Blake and celebrates its 10th Anniversary on 23rd November 2011.

Liberatum’s founder Pablo Ganguli and patron Ella Krasner to host a special dinner on 23rd November in London in honour of Sir Peter Blake and to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Liberatum.

The event will be held in partnership with VERTU and Corinthia Hotel London.

Rosey Chan has been appointed Creative Director of the first Hong Kong Liberatum Festival, a major international cultural festival and summit, which will take place in HK April 2012.

Pianist, performance artist, composer and curator, Rosey Chan lives and works in London where she regularly performs and collaborates on a myriad of projects with artists working in dance, visual art, film, architecture, music, and fashion.

Classically trained at the Royal College of Music, she has performed at many internationally-renowned venues including the Royal Opera House, the Albert Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, the Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall and the Pompidou Centre.

In 2008, Rosey began to diversify her repertoire by absorbing influences as various as jazz improvisation, contemporary electronic music, film scoring and performance art.

Her multi-media performances have premiered at Frieze Art Fair and the Hong Kong Art Fair.

Rosey’s first solo album ‘ONE’ was produced by Sting and featured tracks by, among others, Bach, Debussy, Bill Evans and Tom Waits. Her next album ‘Surface Tensions’ is in production.

Rosey’s ongoing series of explorations and collaborations examine the context in which her influences combine, and by subtly shifting the emphasis of one element in relationship to another creates a new perspective; using her inventive instincts to create something rigorously grounded that also breaks the constraints of convention. Thus creating a new artistic space for herself.

Bach, Bill Evans, fashion, photography, film and art all converse with each other…

We are thrilled to announce our plans to create an extraordinary Liberatum cultural diplomacy festival for your city to be held in April 2012. Liberatum will collaborate with acclaimed pianist and composer Rosey Chan who takes on the role of creative director for Liberatum Hong Kong. Announcements in relation to programming and participants to follow shortly.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, September 1st 2011

Liberatum and Amanda Eliasch host

James Franco’s Rebel Vernissage at the

68th Venice International Film Festival

www.liberatum.org.uk

Rebel: James Franco, Douglas Gordon, Harmony Korine, Damon McCarthy, Paul McCarthy, Ed Ruscha and Aaron Young. Curated by Dominic Sidhu.

WHAT: Liberatum, the international cultural diplomacy brand, and British artist, Amanda Eliasch, will host the opening event for the anticipated debut of James Franco’s Rebel exhibition which is one of the collateral events of the 54^th International Art exhibition of the La Biennale di Venezia. The event is supported by Gucci and organized by MOCA, Los Angeles.

Academy Award nominated actor, James Franco, will debut Rebel, a site-specific installation art exhibition, on 3rd September 2011 on the breathtaking Certosa Island during the 68th Venice International Film Festival

Rebel showcases artwork by James Franco in collaboration with the renowned artist Douglas Gordon, Harmony Korine, Ed Ruscha, and Aaron Young, curated by Dominic Sidhu.

Rebel is an interrogative ode to Nicholas Ray’s masterpiece Rebel Without a Cause (1955), the original film becomes a prism, fracturing the themes and events housed within the original film and reframing them in an unresolved conceptual amalgam. Within the works, Hollywood’s iconography becomes a platform for the exploration of masculine identity, angst, self-destruction, and patrilineal exchange.

Rebel on Isola Della Certosa begins with Douglas Gordon’s film installation Henry Rebel Drawing and Burning, 2011 a two-channel projection featuring Henry Hopper, engaging in an improvised performance of a man burning alive “from the inside out” and a “man-child drawing onto and into himself.” The work portrays masculinity “hovering somewhere between the sublime and the appalling.” The exhibition continues through Certosa’s architecture to include Franco’s Brad Forever, the artist’s documentary style tribute to deceased actor Brad Renfro. In Brad Forever, Franco commissions legendary tattoo artist Mark Mahoney to carve the late actor’s first name into his arm with a switchblade. Filmed in real time, imagery of the carving is juxtaposed with interviews with friends of Renfro, including actors Scott Haze and Jim Parrack. Franco also directs and performs in a video titled Age 13, drawing inspiration from the obscure public service announcement of the same name released in 1955. The exhibition culminates in Certosa’s Casa Dell’Ortolano,with films by Harmony Korine, Aaron Young, and Ed Ruscha.

Korine whose work has often responded to street culture, violence, and subcultural transgression, reinterprets the famous switchblade fight scene in Rebel Without a Cause. In Rebel, Korine directs two female gangs to fight with machetes in a Los Angeles parking lot. Known for his dangerous performance works, Aaron Young creates footage including actual motorcycle crash footage paired with imagery of a vintage car falling inch by inch from a crane into a desert crevice. In Franco’s collaborative work with Ed Ruscha, the artist plays the role of narrator, orating a subversive text created by Ray when the director lived at Chateau Marmont’s Bungalow 2.

During the course of the exhibition, Rebel will be expanded with a video work featuring James Franco that is part of a large-scale by artists Paul McCarthy and Damon McCarthy. This film is part of a larger independent project that is currently evolving, and is described by Paul McCarthy as “a ludicrous abstraction of rumored events that occurred during the making of Rebel Without a Cause, referencing the art world and art, Hollywood and celebrity.”

The contemporary avant garde exhibit is supported by Italian fashion house Gucci, with the opening night event hosted by cultural organization, Liberatum, and British visual artist, Amanda Eliasch.

WHERE: Isola dalla Cerlosa, Venice, Italy

WHEN: Rebel Vernissage – September 3rd at 5:00pm

WHY: “Liberatum is delighted to support this new artistic project created by James Franco. His talent and desire to merge art forms are exemplary. Liberatum’s vision to connect cultural worlds through diverse creative collaboration and James’ multidisciplinary work hold similar values. Therefore it is a great pleasure for me and Amanda Eliasch to partner with James and Rebel.” said Pablo Ganguli, Liberatum founder.

“People with more than one talent need to be supported. Without Pablo Ganguli’s encouragement, I might not have done a poetry book, a neon light show, and a play. This is why I support Liberatum,  James Franco and Rebel. Every opportunity should be given to people to enable them to expand.” Amanda Eliasch, artist and patron to the arts

Further information for editors:

About Liberatum

www.liberatum.org.uk

Over the last ten years, the international cultural brand Liberatum has presented a new kind of innovative cultural diplomacy festival on the world stage. Countries as diverse as Russia, India, Morocco, Papua New Guinea and Turkey have hosted remarkable Liberatum projects – from education to human rights, science to fashion, and literature to cinema. Special Liberatum events have taken place in major European cities such as Paris and London featuring leading cultural figures of our times. Liberatum programmes consist of opera, theatre, modern ballet, art exhibitions, music and dance performances, fashion events, architecture, film screenings, debates, discussions, talks and Q&As.  The festival events are open to the public completely free of charge and our mission is to connect the finest international cultural minds with their counterparts in the country where we host the festival. The audience enjoys access and dialogue with participants and collaborators. But what sets Liberatum apart is the way it weaves all these artforms together in unconventional forms to produce memorable results.

Amanda Eliasch

Amanda Eliasch is a featured artist and long-time patron of Liberatum. Amanda graciously lends herself to this masterful display of art. The globally sought after artist, playwright and author, is known for her eclectic work, bold style and contemporary flavor. She fearlessly uses symbolism, and irony, to convey powerful and compelling messages. In addition to wooing contemporary art connoisseurs with her “Peccadilloes” exhibit, a collection of nouveau neon depictions of the seven deadly sins, she has written three novels, and just recently launched her first play, the witty, personal memoir, titled “As I Like It.”

For further information please contact:

Liberatum Press Office:

Meena Khera

meena@meenakhera.com

Mikey O’Brien

mikey@meenakhera.com

+44(0)7764141079

The global British cultural diplomacy brand Liberatum and the Turkish creative agency Istanbul’74 in association with AnOther Magazine hosted the second edition of the festival ISTANCOOL a little while ago in Istanbul. Through the whole 3-day lineup of the festival, included conversations of unique individuals such as; the unbounded director Terry Gilliam, Kirsten Dunst, Tilda Swinton, Reha Erdem, Courtney Love, Marco Mueller, Ryan McGinley and many others. The whole experience of the festival reminded the reason of festivals existence are not just to entertain. It’s visual and textual space can shape a generation. In it’s wisdom, a generation can reinvent and recreate their innerself to trace and reveal their artistic, politic and cultural abilities to set up new dreams.

Uber Rio, 2012

2012 will give the people of Rio and travelers to the marvelous South American nation of Brazil a rare cultural treat. Liberatum is in the process of creating a world class festival for Brazil this year featuring some of the world’s most acclaimed cultural, arts and fashion personalities. The aim will be to promote the modern face of Brazil and connect international creative leaders with their Brazilian counterparts through a fresh, original, rich and captivating festival programme.

The global British cultural diplomacy brand Liberatum and Turkish creative agency Istanbul’74 in association with AnOther Magazine will host the second edition of the prestigious art, design, fashion, film, music, literature and architecture festival ISTANCOOL from 27-29 May 2011. The festival founder and artistic director, Pablo Ganguli is collaborating with Demet Muftuoglu again who is the creative head of the festival in Turkey. The festival’s main sponsor for this year’s programme is VAKKO.

Once again, ISTANCOOL will feature leading cultural personalities from Turkey and other parts of the world. Participants this year include Terry Gilliam, Reha Erdem, Tilda Swinton, Riccardo Tisci, Dan Colen, Venice Film Festival director Marco Mueller, Nurgul Yesilcay, Courtney Love, Sophie Calle, Murathan Mungan, Ryan McGinley, Haider Ackermann, Michael Stipe, Serra Yilmaz, Jefferson Hack, Sam Taylor-Wood and Kirsten Dunst among many others. The artistic programme will aim to captivate and open minds.

The inaugural edition of ISTANCOOL created by Liberatum and held in partnership with Istanbul’74 was a significant and important cultural diplomacy summit in Istanbul. It took place in July 2010 to celebrate Istanbul’s status as the 2010 European Capital of Culture. The inaugural festival featured Zaha Hadid, Nobel Laureate Sir VS Naipaul, Hanif Kureishi, Gore Vidal, Franca Sozzani, Elif Shafak, Terence Koh, Jefferson Hack, Stephen Frears, Taner Ceylan, Daphne Guinness, Lily Cole, Philip Treacy, Bernard-Henri Levy, Leyla Umar and Michael Nyman – to name but a few participants.

ISTANCOOL is a fascinating and unique cultural experience bringing together some of the world’s most talented writers, designers, editors, actors, poets, filmmakers, dancers and musicians to the city of Istanbul. The festival is committed to creating a dynamic arts diplomacy programme in the world and forging greater cultural relations between Turkey and the international artistic community.

ISTANCOOL 2011 is supported by:
Istanbul EDITION - Official Hotel Sponsor; Pegasus Airlines – Official Airline Sponsor; Ministry of Tourism & Culture – Silver Sponsor; Municipality of Istanbul Support; Vakko Fashion Centre, Pera Museum, Tophane-i Amire – Venue Partners; Hallas, Selamlique, Ultra RPM – Festival Supporters; Bravoistanbul – Design Partner; Promat – Print Partner; NTV - TV Partner; Audi – Car Partner; Toles Event and Congress – Logistics Partner; www.boomad.net – Digital Media Partner; 28 Black – Drinks Partner; Prime Class – CIP Service; Munferit, Karakoy Baikci – Catering Partners; Bocek Yarim – Film Partner.

Note to editors:

For further information on ISTANCOOL and the festival artistic programme and participants, please contact: Liberatum office@liberatum.org Istanbul’74  office@istanbul74.com

UK/International Press enquiries: Meena Khera meena@meenakhera.com +44 7834 538 190
Jacqui Soliman at jacqui@meenakhera.com +44 7885 450 569

US Press enquiries: Kate Schelter   kate@kateschelter.com +1 323 868 1960

Turkish Press enquiries: Serap Engin  serap@srpistanbul.com +90 532 271 81 81
Zeynep Sungur  zeynep@srpistanbul.com +90 534 826 47 00

ISTANCOOL PROGRAMME – SEE BELOW. For further information, please contact us at office@liberatum.org

ISTANCOOL ON FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/Istancool

ISTANCOOL ON TWITTER  www.twitter.com/IstancoolFest

STEPHEN JONES & The Accent of Fashion
at VAKKO Fashion Centre in Istanbul
8th April-8th June 2011

Creative visionary Demet Muftuoglu and cultural impresario Pablo Ganguli have joined forces again to bring the MoMu Fashion Museum exhibition ‘Stephen Jones & The Accent of Fashion’ to the VAKKO Fashion Centre presented by Cem Hakko, VAKKO Chairman in Istanbul, Turkey 8th April-8th June 2011.

‘Stephen Jones & The Accent of Fashion’ guides you through Jones’ unique world of millinery and his collaborations with many of the greatest names in the international fashion scene for three decades: Dior, Comme des Garçons, Thierry Mugler, Claude Montana, Azzedine Alaïa, Walter Van Beirendonck, Vivienne Westwood, Lanvin, Jean Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs, Giles and many more. Just as accents in language lead to the correct reading and rhythm of a text, Stephen Jones’ hats add the appropriate punctuation to a designer’s fashion statement.

The exhibition also looks more closely at his work in film, music and photography, his early years in the London of the New Romantics, his unique relationship with fashion icon Anna Piaggi, his design process and the sources of inspiration behind his creations. The exhibition is built around four design themes; Adventure, Science, Rococo and Glamour.

The exhibition is particularly significant for VAKKO as Vitali Hakko himself created VAKKO in 1934 after having started a millinery shop. Today, under Cem Hakko’s leadership Vakko has established itself as Turkey’s leading luxury fashion house ranging from couture, womenswear, menswear, scarves, perfumes and home decor. In a specially constructed pavilion at the Vakko Fashion Centre where the hats will be displayed, there will also be a special section on Turkey and the Orient as an influence on Stephen Jones’ work. Vakko is proud to introduce the work of Stephen Jones to Turkish fashion and art audiences.

Mr Ganguli collaborated with Ms Muftuoglu on the Liberatum Istancool festival in July 2010. They decided to embark on another venture together after a conversation they had about their mutual desire to introduce and creative world world of Stephen Jones to Turkey as hats hold a great historic connection with both VAKKO and Turkey’s heritage.

Note from Stephen Jones:

Last year in an elegant dinner in London, pretty ladies and handsome men were honouring VS Naipaul, the British Nobel Laureate. By good fortune I was sharing a velvet banquette with a captivating Turkish lady who intrigued me with stories of the east; both antique and modern. I was fascinated, as Turkey has always been such a rich source of inspiration for my designs. Our ‘cupid’ and host was Pablo Ganguli, founder of Liberatum and the charming lady was Demet Muftuoglu, art director of VAKKO.

I described to her the art of hat design and my life on the international fashion stage. She mentioned that Vakko had originally been a hat shop when it opened in the ‘30’s. I described the amazing exhibition in MoMu fashion museum in Antwerp curated by Geert Bruloot and how hats can communicate will everyone, not only Fashionistas. Together we dreamt and devised a scheme to bring the 250 hats over the seas to Vakko….

From cocktail conversation to glamorous Istanbul!

Stephen Jones

Notes to editor:

About MoMu – Fashion Museum Antwerp

MoMu, the Antwerp Fashion Museum houses the largest collection of Stephen Jones hats – more than 120 items – outside Great Britain, thanks to a long-term loan by the Antwerp private collectors, Geert Bruloot and Eddy Michiels.

MoMu opened its doors in September, 2002. The museum is housed in a 19th-century building in the heart of the Antwerp fashion district and had been renovated in 2001 by the Belgian architect, Marie-José Van Hee. In less than eight years, the Fashion Museum has earned a substantial international reputation with an innovative exhibition policy, focusing considerable attention to the design of the exhibitions, in collaboration with the designers and their creative teams. The MoMu is famous for its solo exhibitions by Yohji Yamamoto, Bernhard Willhelm, Maison Martin Margiela and Stephen Jones, amongst others.

www.momu.be

About Stephen Jones

The exhibition centres on the Bruloot-Michiels collection, which has been complemented with works from Stephen Jones’s own personal collection and archives, as well as works on loan from the following institutions, designers and fashion houses: Aitize Hanson (Jean Paul Gaultier), Azzedine Alaïa, Comme des Garçons, Christian Dior, Collection Thierry Struvay, Giles, Huis A.Boon, John Galliano, Lanvin, Marc Jacobs, Musée des Arts et Histoires Genève – Collection Danielle Luquet de Saint Gemain (Claude Montana, Thierry Mugler), Coccodrillo, Anna Piaggi and Walter Van Beirendonck.

Following his graduation from the Saint Martins School of Art in 1979, Stephen Jones gained initial reputation for his work in the music industry through his collaborations with Boy George, Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet. Today, with numerous collaborations with some of the world’s top designers, he is considered one of the most radical and important milliners of the century. In the last 30 years, Stephen Jones not only pushed the boundaries of our imagination through his designs but also reminded the world that the hat is never out of fashion and a valuable accessory that adds the appropriate punctuation to an outfit.

www.stephenjonesmillinery.com

About VAKKO

In the course of the years that led to creating Turkey’s most established fashion brand out of Şen Şapka that made hats fashionable in the country back in 1934, Vakko has always been the bridge between the fashion, art and design industries. The new Vakko Fashion Center, which received the “Best Workspace” at the 2011 Wallpaper Design Awards, is the most recent embodiment of this unique vision.

www.vakko.com

Curators: Geert Bruloot & Kaat Debo, in collaboration with Stephen Jones
Exhibition design: Geert Bruloot. Special thanks to Europal Packaging.

The exhibition ‘Stephen Jones & The Accent of Fashion’ was initiated by MoMu – Fashion Museum Province of Antwerp

Exhibition Facts:

VAKKO Fashion Centre in Istanbul
8th April-8th June 2011
www.vakko.com

Kitab 2008 was held from 22-24 February in Mumbai. It was the third edition of Kitab in India.

Man Booker prize nominated author Indra Sinha gave a poignant talk on the last day of the festival. The festival also promoted an important message regarding Bhopal.

A host of literay stalwarts along with promising writers participated in the two days of book readings, discussions, film screenings, poetry sessions and interactive fora that have been carefully structured balancing elements of literature, culture, theatre and creative dialogue.

The British Cultural and Public Diplomacy Organisation in the South Pacific – 2nd Anniversary Edition – September 2003

Sir Michael Somare GCMG CH
Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea
“The people of Papua New Guinea have enjoyed getting to know more and learn about Britain through the colourful programmes that the Connect UK Office have organised for the last three years. The work Connect UK does is important as it creates cultural, social and educational ties between PNG and Britain. Papua New Guinea and Britain have a good relationship and I would like to thank the Connect UK Office as well as the British Government for their continuous support and friendship. Connect UK has brought numerous British personalities, exhibitions and events to our shores which have helped connect our island nation with another one – Britain. I wish Connect UK all the best on their second anniversary.”

Sir Michael Jay KCMG
Permanent Under-Secretary of State and Head of the Diplomatic Service
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
“I have been very impressed with Connect UK and the variety and quality of the activities it has organised in Papua New Guinea as part of this project. It has been a real achievement, which has contributed significantly to enhancing the UK’s reputation in the region in both education and the arts. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is very grateful for Connect UK’s efforts.”

David Green CMG
Director-General
British Council, United Kingdom
“I would like to congratulate Connect UK on their second anniversary and say how much the British Council values its work in Papua New Guinea. UK/South Pacific relations are greatly enhanced by Connect UK’s innovative and creative initiatives and activities in this part of the world.”

Carole Sweeney
Acting Head Public Diplomacy Policy Department
Foreign & Commonwealth Office, London
“Connect UK celebrates its second anniversary in August so it seems to me that now is a good moment to look back over what the organisation has achieved over the last two years.

The organisation was set up with the aim of helping Papua New Guineans learn about Britain, about what the country has to offer and why the UK is a relevant partner in the 21st century. The energy, imagination and enthusiasm of the team involved in taking forward this agenda is clear to anyone who glances at the list of activities over the last 24 months.

These range from a school link between Port Moresby Grammar School and a multicultural school in the UK, to a theatre workshop, a women’s rights conference, a film festival and a demonstration by a British chef. I am based in London, with a global remit to help British Embassies and High Commissions around the world improve the way Britain and British policies are perceived. Whenever I read of the work of Connect UK what emerges from all of this more than anything else is a sense of real engagement and enjoyment. The articles Janet Street-Porter wrote after her visit were a joy to read. I really wish I could come and visit one day and experience at first hand the excellent work of Connect UK and of the British High Commission.”

Human Rights and Governance

Indira Patel OBE, Commissioner of the UK’s Women’s National Commission to Visit PNG, Solomon Islands and Fiji in November 2003

Indira Patel will visit the South Pacific to give talks and run workshops on women’s rights. Her voluntary services for women include setting up Ethnic Minority Women’s Organisations in UK. She is a founder member of UK Asian Women’s Conference, and makes sure that the needs of ethnic minority women are brought to the attention of policy makers. She has been a representative at the EU Migrants Forum, Beijing World Women’s Conference, UN Commission on Status of Women in New York, EU Council, World Conference on Racism.

Indira has produced videos, and leaflets and has chaired national projects on breast cancer, HRT, menopause, hysterectomy, heart problems, diabetes, violence against women, women’s human rights, poverty, racism, violence against women, women and environment, and gender discrimination. She has also opened Well Women’s Clinics.

International work includes research on early and forced marriages, female genital mutilation in Kenya and Tanzania, female infanticide in India, HIV Aids in South Africa, widows rights, water projects developing countries, women in armed conflicts on the India/Pakistan border, tribal women in Nilgiri Mountains of India. She also represents the WNC on the Conference on Non-Governmental Organisations (CONGO) at the United Nations.

Indira has spoken at international conferences including the United Nations, on Harmful Traditional Practices affecting Women, Forced Marriages, Traditions of Dowries, FGM, Women’s Sexual and Reproductive rights, Trafficking in Women, Women in Armed Conflicts, Women and HIV Aids, and Human Rights of women.

Current projects include: chair, Task Force of Women’s National Commission UK on World Conference On Racism in Durban, Chair WNC Task Force on Female Genital Mutilation for CSW UN 2000, expert recommendations to UN on Women’s Participation In Peace Building and reconstruction process on Armed Conflicts and resolution 1325, UN working group on women in water management, empowerment of under privileged women in India and Bangladesh, trafficking in women and girls in Asia and Eastern Europe.

She has been a task force member of publications on: European Year Against Racism, WNC- Future Female, Gender and Poverty, Forced and Arranged marriages, Beijing+5 review, Elderly Our Asset, Leaflets on Menopause, HRT, Fitness and Exercise, Hysterectomy, Intersection of Race, Gender and Ethnicity, Widows myths and taboos.

Seminar and conferences work includes: Chair, Speaker and keynote speaker at local and international conferences, Violence Against Women, Human Rights are Women’s Rights, Globalisation and Poverty, Smoking Tobacco and Respiratory problems, Forced Marriages, Resolution 1325, Gender and Poverty, Women and Armed conflicts, Trafficking in women, Globalisation and poverty, Intersection of Race, Gender and Ethnicity, Effective lobbying at CSW.

Current Voluntary positions:
Chair, All India Women’s Conference London Branch.
Patron United Nations Year of Culture of Peace, Executive Member UN Women’s Advisory Body of Great Britain,
Executive Member UK Asian Women’s Conference,
Steering Group Member of Women’s National Commission,
Fellow of Business and Professional Women International,
Committee Member of Morning Briefing Sessions at UN Commission On Status Of Women New York.
Women’s Group of Swaminarayan Hindu Temple.
Board member UNIFEM UK
Trustee Widows In Empowerment
Council Member Britain in Europe Campaign.
Trustee Grass Organisation in Gujarat- India.
Awards and recognition for her voluntary services include an OBE in June 1998, Asian Woman of the year 1999 , Special Award by Indian Federation of UK 1999, Guest of Honour, Women Of The Year Lunch and Assembly 2000, Community Award 2002 and World Health Organisation recognition for Mental Health projects.

Women’s Rights

Message from Baroness Valerie Amos, the British Secretary of State for International Development:
“I was very pleased to hear that the first ever conference on Women’s Rights is taking place in Papua New Guinea. The empowerment of women is an essential precondition for the elimination of poverty and the upholding of human rights. Inequalities between women and men are deeply embedded, and they need to be tackled in economic, political, social and cultural life.

There is compelling evidence that shows that not only do women bear the brunt of poverty but also that women’s empowerment is a central precondition for it’s elimination.

I wish your conference every success in moving forward this important agenda for gender equality, human rights and empowerment of women.”

In September 2003, Connect UK will hold PNG’s first ever Women Rights Conference. Leading speakers from the UK, US, Australia and local speakers, selected for their expertise on key women’s rights issues, will be attending the conference to provide a forum for discussion and workshop to explore the options of what should be done to improve the promotion of Womens Rights in Papua New Guinea. The Chairperson of the conference will be Lady Carol Kidu, Minister for Social Welfare and Development.

Dr Purna Sen is a full time lecturer at the Development Studies Institute at the London School of Economics (as well as being a Visiting Research Fellow at the centre for the Study of Global Governance), where she teaches gender and development, social policy and gender studies. Her research and activism interests have been on violence against women (in the UK, India and elsewhere including the Middle East) and on advocacy in international systems, such as the UN human rights mechanisms.

She has written on these subjects also. She has worked with several NGOs focusing on human rights, violence against women and work with refuge and other minority groups. She has worked on Violence Against Women for over ten years and before that she worked especially on issues of race equality in the UK. She is connected to an NGO – Southall Black Sisters a resource centre and black women’s group involved in struggles over racism, domestic violence, forced marriages and prisoners.

She will be attending and taking part in the PNG Womens Rights Conference in September 2003.

Youth

The Connect UK ‘Youth Forum’ took place at the Main Lecture Theatre of UPNG on 26 March at 6:00pm. The aim of this forum was to let the voice of young people of PNG be heard.

The topics discussed at the Youth Forum are as follows:

1. Health
2. Education
3. Employment Opportunities
4. Crime, Violence, Law and Order
5. Sports
6. Environment

The format involved a panel of guest speakers and advisors who briefly addressed the issues involving youth in their areas of expertise and who were available for questions during the question and answer period. The ‘youth forum panel’ consisted of young people and leaders from various sectors including the media in Port Moresby who discussed issues of concern to young people. Following the panel discussion, questions from the floor were encouraged. The forum was filmed by EMTV for use in their programming.

HIV/AIDS

Connect UK in association with the British High Commission organised an AIDS Awareness Forum on 11 March 2002. The forum warned of an Africa-like explosion in PNG’s HIV/AIDS epidemic without urgent and “aggressive” government intervention. It was attended by key figures in PNG’s fight against AIDS, called for open and direct action “from the top” to combat the epidemic.

It warned the HIV/AIDS epidemic now was so severe it had the potential to affect every family in the country. Yesterday’s packed HIV/ AIDS forum, at the Port Moresby Holiday Inn, heard from several speakers who advocated the AIDS Council’s triple virtues of abstinence, faithfulness to one sexual partner and the use of condoms. Lady Roslyn Morauta, wife of the Prime Minister told the forum HIV/AIDS was a disease that had to be treated like any other and HIV/AIDS sufferers like any other people with a disease. “We must break down the stigma of HIV/AIDS,” she said. “We must help people living with this disease to be healthy and to live long.”

Family Violence

In a capacity-filled lecture hall at the University of Papua New Guinea on 11 March, guest speakers kept emotions running high in a family violence debate organised by Connect UK and the Family Violence Action Committee in conjunction with the British High Commission. Guest speaker Justice Catherine Davani, who described the problem as a cancer destroying families, said: “The present legislation dealing with domestic violence is outdated.”

All three speakers, including Member for Moresby South Lady Carol Kidu and visiting guest speaker Indira Jaisingh one of India’s leading lawyers, called on the public to play their part in addressing domestic violence. Mrs Jaisingh, who was instrumental in piloting much of the domestic violence legislation through the Indian system, spoke on the problem in India and about the vibrant women’s movement that had played a major role in addressing many social issues, including domestic violence.

Director of the Accidents and Emergency section of the Port Moresby General Hospital Dr Luke Tiriau, who was an observer at the debate, confirmed there are ongoing cases of victims of domestic violence being seen regularly at the hospital. Domestic violence is about one person in a relationship using a pattern of behaviour to control the other person. It can happen to people who are married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; living together, separated, or dating. Domestic violence should not happen to anybody. Ever. But it does, and when it does, there is help.

Publications on ‘Human Rights -Family Violence from the UK Perspective’ were available at the event. The British High Commission funded a senior Indian lawyer, Indira Jaisingh’s visit to PNG to take part in the event as the guest of honour and talk about the ‘family violence/violence against women’ situation in India.

Arts and Culture

Mime

In September 2003, Connect UK will present top British Mime artist ‘Mimbo!’ in Papua New Guinea. Mimbo is one of Britain’s only remaining white-faced mimes. He invites his audience into a world of silent mimicry. With proven successes at events worldwide he’ll either have people watching in disbelief, in stitches of laughter or simply fascinated by his antics. “There is no other – Mimbo! is your man!!” Britain’s No.1 rubber-faced mime.

Mimbo! is one of Britain’s busiest interactive mix and mingle mime artists. Always initialled by his exclamation mark and accompanied by his little brown case this foppish twit of all twits has been entertaining crowds for the past fifteen years with his buffoonery and silent art. His subtle wit and charm makes him a delight for any age, colour, or creed. He never compromises his humour by ridiculing the individual, (unless of course someone is really asking for it!) but moreover ridicules life itself as seen through only his eyes. He has been fortunate enough to have crowned the future king of England with a balloon hat, made the late Princess Diana laugh, entertain other royal families throughout the world, described by various directors of leading world companies as “the best meet and greet mime around” and described by notable critics of leading newspapers as ” Clown Price – a consummate professional”.

Mimbo! will perform in Wewak, Lae and Port Moresby between 5-11 September 2003.

Theatre

To promote a modern face of British theatre, Connect UK invited a small theatre company called ‘Unlimited Theatre’ based in Leeds to visit PNG during British Week and perform their play ‘Static’. It was a 40 minute performance consisting of two inter-cut monologues. It was almost purely text based with little if no movement from the performers. It followed the stories of two people in Europe. One, a man who returns home from a days work somewhere in the UK and the other a woman who travels across an eastern European landscape to find the body of her husband who has been killed in a civil war massacre. The denouement occurs when they both confront this final image of the dead husband. The man sees it as part of a television report, the woman is found by a camera looking at her husband. Static won an award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2001.

The two performances at the Port Moresby Grammar school were delivered outside with lights and microphones to an audience of 200. They also delivered two workshops in PNG each within schools. Participants were engaged with the ideas they were trying to explore and took part in everything they asked them to. They found that the focus of their workshops became about introducing themselves and overcoming shyness and cultural differences. The success of the workshops was that at the end of each session they felt as if a definite cultural exchange had been made. The company performed in Bougainville as well. The recent actual experience of civil war in Bougainville and the content of the women’s experience touched nerves in a more profound way than the company had ever previously experienced.

Classical Music

Connect UK brought out the world class British pianist Peter Donohoe to PNG to give a special recital. It was a truly musical evening and this was perhaps the first time in years for people here to experience and enjoy such a piano recital. Peter also gave a talk before the recital and the audience asked him questions about music in Britain in the 21st century. Peter gave a recital on 11 December at the Crowne Plaza. This was the closing event for British Week.

Anthony Crasner
Head of Delegation of the European Commission, Papua New Guinea
“Peter Donohoe played a varied programme with panache and style responding fully to the different sound worlds inhabited by his four composers: Debussy, Chopin, Beethoven and Liszt. The highlight of the recital was the second half which started with a sterling performance of Beethoven’s ‘Pathetique’ sonata which was truly grand in the first movement, sombre without being over sentimental in the second and had a third movement which answered the questions raised by the first two movements and was not an anti climax. Then there was Liszt’s Second Hungarian Rhapsody where the gypsy style was splendidly caught while at the same time you never felt that the thread of the musical argument was getting lost. Mr Donohoe’s technical command was extraordinary throughout but he is able to put this technical facility at the service of a keen musical sensibility. He clearly enjoys communicating through the piano and his sense of enjoyment was conveyed unstintingly to his audience. It was a wonderful evening: the audience demanding encore after encore.”

Exhibitions

Multilingual UK – Celebrating a Multi-linguistic UK
Innovation UK Science Exhibition and nationwide Science Essay Competition.
European Postcards Exhibition
British Modern Design Exhibition – part of the British Week programme

The Selector

July saw the launch of one of the most remarkable British music programmes ever to hit the Papua New Guinea airwaves. Somethin’ Else, the UK’s leading independent radio production company produces a weekly radio music show called The Selector, which is on air in PNG for the next twelve months – on NBC Radio Central Station 3290KHZ. Every Saturday 19:15pm to 20:15pm.

Created to reflect the excellence and diversity of British music today, The Selector is a two hour radio show which aims to promote to the world the new sounds, talents and musical culture of modern Britain. Combining an eclectic mix of current British music, including pop, dance, jazz, roots and contemporary classical, each programme in the series also features UK artist interviews as well as features sourced from musicians throughout the world. This is show is currently broadcast in 33 countries by an estimated 30 million listeners. Having won the title of Best Radio Programme as voted for by readers of Wanted music magazine and recently nominated for the prestigious Sony Radio Academy awards, the show’s producers are determined to maintain the show’s reputation as being challenging and unique.

“Welcome Madam Street-Porter”

One of the most well known and respected media personalities in the UK, Janet Street-Porter was sent to Papua New Guinea by the British Council in May 2003 to see the work Connect UK and the British Council do together to heighten the profile of the UK in PNG as well as other parts of the South Pacific. Janet had a very enjoyable time in PNG where she visited a number of provinces. On her return to London, she wrote an article about her visit to this part of the world in the ‘Independent on Sunday’.

In Port Moresby, she presented the Best PNG Film Award at the 3rd PNG International Film Festival opening. Connect UK, with the help of British Council, was able to show more than 12 films from the UK. While in the capital city, Janet gave a talk on modern day Britain and the British media. It was an informative event which the audience found very stimulating. People in PNG were delighted to have been given the opportunity to meet her as she is one of Britain’s most active, outspoken, talented and successful women media gurus.

This was Janet’s first visit to Papua New Guinea and one she will always remember. Not only was she greeted and warmly welcomed by everyone she met in Goroka, Kavieng, Mansava, Lemus and Moresby but she was also enamoured by this unique and fascinating country with the different cultures, 850 different languages, the different tribes as well as the exquisite islands, beautiful mountains and PNG’s rich musical culture! On Mansava Island in the New Ireland province, Janet was given a live pig as a gift from the people of the island. The Governor of the Province invited Janet to have a chat with the local women there. Janet talked to them about her life in the UK, job and many ex-husbands – having married more than three times!

Mr Zephaniah’s Poetry in Goroka!

Acclaimed British poet, author and playwright Benjamin Zephaniah who is also a trustee of the British Council came to PNG to give two very special performances. One of them took place at the University Auditorium in Goroka and the other at the Moresby Arts Theatre in the capital city. In Goroka, about 500 people including little children who had never been to a poetry performance before attended his show and loved what they experienced. It was a highly entertaining performance. We invited Benjamin to give performances because we felt it was important to promote a modern multicultural face of Britain and deliver the message that the UK is a country where everything from curry to pasta, R&B to Arabic tunes and English hats to dupattas are accepted and celebrated!

Hey Mr DJ!

To promote a modern image of Britain and its people, Connect UK invited a British DJ, Crispin Kerr, who played all the latest UK hip-hop, techno and dance music at one of the nightclubs in Port Moresby called the Lamana Gold Club during British Week in November 2002. More than 500 people attended the event and most of them were between 17-35. The DJ proved to be a success with the local crowd. Songs from the South Pacific were also played by the Lamana DJs. It was quite a fusion!

DJ Crispin was back again in July 2003 to play at a new nightclub called ‘The Junction’.

Her Majesty’s Portraits
To celebrate and mark the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a Fine Arts Exhibition, entitled ”20 Portraits and other Works”, was held in June 2002 at the Holiday Inn.

Each of the represented Papua New Guinean Artists displayed a portrait of the Queen, specially done for this exhibition. One of the Portraits was selected to be sent as a gift to the Queen from the artists of Papua New Guinea to commemorate her Golden Jubilee.

The panel of judges (who chose the best portrait) was:

Lady Roslyn Morauta, wife of the PNG Prime Minister
His Excellency Mr Simon Scaddan, the British High Commissioner to PNG
Her Excellency Ms Jean Kekedo, PNG High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
Mr Barleyde Katit, Head of Art, University of Papua New Guinea
Ms Wendy Harris, Head of Visual Arts and Deputy Principal, Port Moresby International School.

The opening night of the exhibition, 4th of June, was a ‘private viewing’ event (invited guests only) followed by a public viewing on the 5th of June. The exhibition was opened by His Excellency Sir Silas Atopare, Governor General of Papua New Guinea. All works were available for sale. We also exhibited the paintings at the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery later in June. The winning portrait was later presented to Her Majesty by the PNG High Commissioner to the UK. And the runner-up portrait was presented to the PNG High Commission in London by Rio Tinto.

British Food!

Connect UK invited a British chef, Glen Hall to prepare a special four course English meal at the Cellar restaurant during British Week. The food he cooked was absolutely delicious.
Chef Glen Hall gave demonstration at Boroko Foodworld on 30 December 2002. Boroko Foodworld had special British Food display for the week. On the night of 30 December, a dinner was hosted at the Cellar Restaurant to celebrate St. Andrew’s Day. This event brought together the Scottish community and friends of Scotland in Port Moresby.
Connect UK’s International Film Festivals and British Film Festivals in PNG

The 3rd PNG International Film Festival (IFF) was successfully held in Port Moresby, UPNG, Goroka, Madang, Alotau, Wewak, Rabaul and Lae. The 2nd IFF took place in Port Moresby, Goroka, Madang and Lae while the 1st IFF was only held in Port Moresby. More than 5 films from the UK were screened at the festivals each year.

PNG Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare delivers keynote address at IFF 2003 in Wewak

The British Film Festival 2003 was held in Port Moresby in July 2003. More than 18 modern British films were shown at the festival. On 8 December, the first ever British Film Festival was launched at the Divine Word University in Madang as part of the British Week. The Governor of Madang, British High Commissioner, Head of North East Asia and Pacific Department of the Foreign Office, President of Divine World University and Director of Connect UK were all present at the launch. The films were provided by the British Council in London. The following films were shown: ‘Charlotte Gray’, ‘Pandaemonium’, ‘The Magdalene Sisters’, ‘Last Orders’, ‘Large’, ‘Jump, Tomorrow’, ‘House’, ‘The Hole’, ‘Shiner’, ‘This Is Not A Love Song’, ‘Miranda’, ‘My Brother Tom’, ‘Like Father’, ‘Everyone’s Happy’, ‘Born Romantic’, ‘Bloody Sunday’, ‘The Warrior’.

British Filmmaking!

British filmmaking has a curious history. We can point to excellent films such as The Third Man, Brief Encounter, Lawrence of Arabia, The Crying Game, Four Weddings And A Funeral, Trainspotting, but to no consistent tradition. To brilliant individuals like Alexander Korda, Alfred Hitchcock, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, Robert Bolt, Richard Atenborough, David Puttnam, Stephen Frears, Derek Jarman, Peter Greenaway, Mike Leigh, Ken Loach, but to very few successful companies. To excellent studios and technical facilities, but which have a heavy dependence on American investment.

A short history of British cinema would be a story of successive crises underpinned by an extraordinary resilience, and much of that resilience has come from the opportunities given to filmmakers by television companies. Mike Leigh and Ken Loach, two of Britain’s most lauded directors, both perfected their skills on a series of low-budget films for television. Indeed Leigh describes the mid-1970s to mid-1980s as a decade in which ‘the British film industry was alive and well and hiding out in television, mostly at the BBC’. In the early 1980s the new arrival on the television scene, Channel 4, persuaded the cinema industry to join forces with it in the film-making cause, and produced such cinematic gems as Mona Lisa, The Crying Game and Trainspotting.

Twenty years later there is now a possibility not just of stability but sustained growth. The government has got the message about the film industry’s economic potential. The UK Film Council was set up in 2001 with an annual budget of £55m to develop both the industrial and the cultural infrastructure in Britain. It provides training for directors and scriptwriters, invests in challenging and high-quality films and in new talent, and is improving public access to cinemas and to film heritage.

Currently, British cinema appears to be in a healthier state, both economically and artistically, than at any time in its turbulent history. British films such as Notting Hill, East Is East and Billy Elliott command attention, and win prizes, at international festivals. Young directors like Asif Kapadia and Lynne Ramsey continue to emerge and the older generation appear to have taken new heart. Audiences are rising and new cinemas are opening. The For filmmakers, the challenge ahead is how to avoid the danger of the market-place, the temptation to compete for public favour with the lowest means, with sex and violence; and instead to consistently aspire to probing the reality and the central moral issues of our times.

Paul Howson
British Council, London

Education

Britain-South Pacific Museum Management Project

The PDPD Challenge Fund created by the Foreign and Commonwealth funded Connect UK’s British-South Pacific Museum Management Workshops that took place in Papua New Guinea, Fiji. Museum staff from Vanuatu went to Fiji to attend the workshop as well. The two UK experts who visited the region to conduct the courses were Tessa Hore from the Victoria and Albert Museum and Vicky Woollard from the City University.

The British High Commission Education and Projects Officer in Suva, Alex Konrote said “The course was definitely a success. The Director of the Fiji Museum could not thank us enough for organising the course and admitted that much of what was taught in the three-day course was more than she could have taught her own staff in a year. The museum staff were also very happy that the British Government and Connect UK had come out to support the museum activities as way too often they are neglected even by their own Government. The course was indeed an excellent idea and similar activities to promote British Ideas and Culture/Arts in the Pacific will definitely receive BHC Suva’s support.”

In Fiji, the British course facilitators, Vicky and Tessa tried best to relate their teachings to the structure of the Fiji & Vanuatu Museums. They covered important areas such as basic management, exhibition planning, museum project management, understanding the museum audiences, museum sponsorship and marketing, future museum projects, exhibition maintenance, life-long educational programmes, museum evaluation and groupwork on Museum Projects such as – mini exhibition displays, museum education programmes, outreach programmes, access to collections, events to attract new audiences and events to attract more income for the museum.

The British Deputy High Commissioner in Vanuatu, Joel Watson, said “The Course was very well run and covered all of the topics that the ni-Vanuatu participants hoped would be covered. The two members of the National Museum have returned full of ideas and inspiration at how to re-invigorate the displays at the National Museum. They were also struck by the fact that their colleagues from the region faced many of the same challenges that they faced and that the ability to share experiences and best practice was fantastic. From the High Commission’s perspective we are most grateful to Connect UK for bringing out to the region the two museum experts. The opportunity to learn, network and problem share with regional colleagues for the two ni-Vanuatu participants is one that will help develop the National Museum and help ensure that Vanuatu’s cultural past is preserved and displayed in a way befitting its past.”

In Papua New Guinea, the workshop participants were delighted to have been given the opportunity to take part in such a productive and important cultural project. They focussed on a wide range of issues concerning museum management and policies which they found both informative and educational. The Press and Public Affairs Officer of the British High Commission, Ms Hennah Joku should be acknowledged for the work she did on this front with Connect UK to help build new links between UK and PNG galleries as well as museums.

Nick Umney, Director of Collections Services of the Victoria and Albert Museum said “We are delighted to be taking part in the programme. We are all striving to make museum and exhibition management safe, efficient, fun and informative – for our own staff as well as for our visitors. Although the V&A is one of the world’s biggest Museums with what must look like unlimited resources, we have the same concerns and issues to grapple with as museums elsewhere. So, as well as sharing her expertise with colleagues there, we are sure Tessa will learn a great deal about museums of the region which she will be able to share with us on her return.”

Welsh-PNG School Partnership

In June, two teachers from the Cyfarthfa High School, Wales visited PNG to meet the students and staff of the Port Moresby Grammar School.

“While in Papua New Guinea I was expected to address large audiences and promote the school link. I met the secretary for education, several High commissioners and ambassadors for different countries and many industrialists with interests in PNG and its future. I was expected to run work shops and forums for both staff and pupils. A member of staff and a professional photographer shadowed me for most of my visit. My personal development included an increase in confidence after completing these tasks and representing Wales at all times. Press calls included the presentation of a Welsh flag to the school and a cultural afternoon at the school. This involved pupils and staff wearing traditional tribal costumes and headdresses and performing dances to local music.

The visit strengthened my working relationship with the Head of IT at Cyfarthfa who traveled with me and gave me insight into some IT solutions to problems that may have existed.

The visit highlighted my awareness for a large scale cross curricula project involving initially the heads of department and on average 30 pupils from every age category from 5 – 20 years of age.

It forged new developments in a range of teaching / learning styles e.g. Team teaching through lesson observations in PNG. Set up further e-mail facilities for pupils to become pen pals. Sharing citizenship and internationalism under the banner “Get Global”. Set up e-mail facilities for Heads of Department to share Schemes of Work and resources. Setup structure for PNG staff to visit Wales in October 2003. Investigate possibility of pupil exchanges. It was most rewarding and enlightening to experience of experiences ranging from formal meetings with Government officials, the breathtaking cultural afternoon provided by the pupils of the school and the amazing environment in which our contemporaries live. This has helped me explain to my staff and pupils what lifer really is like in this developing country and the problems faced by their people.”

Sue Taylor
Head of Geography
Cyfarthfa High School, Wales

On 28 February, Connect UK organised a welsh event at Port Moresby Grammar school. It was attended by about 600 students as well as the teaching staff. The welsh flag was flown and the Welsh National anthem was played. We had two speakers, both from Wales. One spoke (Ms Barbara Yates) about some of the cultural aspects of life in Wales including dress – the daughter of a local Welshman dressed up in national dress described as her “sunday best”, she also spoke about love spoons and several were on display. The other speaker (Dr Simon Davies) spoke about Wales and how it had changed over the years and provided an insight into subjects such as rugby and choral singing, both particularly appreciated by the local audience as there is a strong tradition of both rugby and singing in PNG.

The High Commissioner Simon Scaddan delivered the Welsh First Minister’s speech in English and the Welsh speaker read excerpts from the First Minister’s speech in Welsh.As part of the school twinning programme, a number of students then read out St David’s Day messages sent from the pupils of Cyfartha High School in Merthyr Tydfil to their counterparts in Port Moresby Grammar school. These were well received. The event took place in the inner quadrangle of the Grammar school.

A link between Port Moresby Grammar in PNG and Cyfarthfa High Schools in Wales was launched on 25 November at the Port Moresby Grammar School as part of the British Week programme.

Books Galore

Connect UK wanted people of all ages to be part of the British Week and thought it would be a good idea to encourage young people between the age group 12-19 to learn more about Britain and read some first class books written by UK authors. The UK Books Galore exhibition took place at the National Library in Waigani on 27 November and more than hundred British books were donated to the Library by the Friends of the Library Association, British Community and the staff of both Connect UK and the British High Commission. The books were contemporary and they were selected specially with young readers in mind. The Library staff said the titles that had been selected were excellent. They thought this was a good way of promoting UK literature amongst PNG youths. These books really promoted a multicultural image of Britain.

Mini-Book Writing Workshop

The United Nation Volunteers in collaboration with the Connect UK office in PNG organised a special writing workshop on the ‘importance of volunteerism’. More than 30 youths from Port Moresby were told to share the knowledge and skills they learn from a mini writing workshop during the week. The Commissioner for the National Youth Commission (NYC), Bruno Kakalave said this during the official opening ceremony yesterday. He told the youths that after the completion of the weeklong workshop they should at least feel that they have achieved what they would be taught.

The Curriculum Development Coordinator for NYC, Mrs Winnie Safkaur said the aim of the workshop was to teach youths about writing skills so that they can draft a booklet called the ‘Importance of Volunteerism’ in Papua New Guinea. She said they have the capacity to write but they need the skills to confidently write. “Papua New Guinea must have a heart to write their books,” she said. “The youths participating are from Pom Youth Training, PNG Youth Care, Niu Look in PNG Youth, PNG Youth Movement, YWCA, Cross Road Shelter Youth Group and Lutheran Church,” she added.

Mrs Safkaur said more than K2,000 was jointly set aside for the workshop by Nelson Anciano of the United Nation Volunteer office. The National Youth Commission thanked Connect UK for organising it and bringing up the idea. Mrs Safkaur and the Commissioner appreciated and thanked the donors and the NYC officers for their contributions towards the workshop.

The Commonwealth

We are delighted to announce that the Commonwealth Short Story Competition 2003 ‘Pacific Region’ winner is from Papua New Guinea! The winner will receive 500GBP. In addition, three other Papua New Guineans will be given 100GBP each as prize money. Connect UK promoted the competition in PNG in the hope that aspiring writers would take part. Winners will be announced by Connect UK and the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association on 28 October 2003.

Connect UK held a successful Commonwealth Day on 10 March 2003. Sir Rabbie Namaliu, Foreign Minister, at Connect UK’s invitation, delivered a Commonwealth Day address on PNG’s links with the Commonwealth to an invited audience and the media. His speech received good media coverage and was reported in the daily press as well as on television. He also read out the Queens’ Commonwealth Day message.

The Connect UK Office in PNG publicised and promoted the Commonwealth Arts and Crafts Award last year encouraging artists and craftspeople to take part. Thirteen young artists have received the 2002 Commonwealth Arts and Crafts Award and they had the opportunity to travel and study in another Commonwealth country. The 2002 award recipients represent a diverse range of cultures, experiences, ages and artistic media, ranging from printmaking and sculpture to jewellery and painting. Connect UK was delighted to announce that from Papua New Guinea, Pax Jakupa Jr was the proud Papua New Guinean recipient of the Commonwealth Arts and Craft Award. Pax has received the award for painting.

Under the Arts and Crafts Awards, funded by the Commonwealth Foundation in London, a group of artists and craftspeople aged 22-35 are selected every two years from over 250 applicants to receive an award for travel and study in another Commonwealth country. The winners are chosen after a long and rigorous judging process, passing through two panels of judges. The aim of the award is to encourage the sharing of artistic experience and traditions within the Commonwealth. The award gives craftspeople and artists a chance to share their skills, exchange ideas, develop their talents and create a network of artists around the Commonwealth.

Connect UK was delighted to announce that the Commonwealth Essay Competition 2002 winner from Papua New Guinea was a young girl called Susie Kutato. Susie received a special certificate from the Royal Commonwealth Society of which Her Majesty The Queen is patron. The certificate stated that she had taken part in the 2002 Commonwealth Essay Competition and has won a prize for the essay she had written.

The prize for Susie was 50 British pounds which was given to her by Connect UK. Susie is currently studying at the Koiari Park Community School. Susie is 11 years old.

Science

To promote science and to encourage young people and students to write about the importance of science and innovation in the 21st century, Connect UK, held an essay competition in 2002. Three winners were selected from different parts of Papua New Guinea who received a cheque each.

Connect UK also held a science exhibition called ‘ Innovation UK’ which was opened by the former Deputy Commonwealth Secretary General, Sir Anthony Siaguru. Dr Cecilia Nembou of the University of PNG gave a lecture on ‘How Science and Technology Can Help Develop PNG’.

UK-South Pacific Cultural and Public Diplomacy

Connect UK set up an e-mail club called the ‘UK-South Pacific Cultural and Public Diplomacy E-Club’ with the primary aim of working ever closer with our colleagues in the region to increase cultural and public diplomacy co-operation between UK and other countries in the Pacific, maximising the cost-effectiveness of UK performers and experts visiting the region.

The UK-South Pacific Museum Management Course was the first such project Connect UK managed that involved other SP countries. Indira Patel’s visit in November will be our second effort in taking forward this agenda. In March 2004, Connect UK will bring a well know media personality/world affairs specialist to visit the South Pacific to promote a modern face of Britain and the UK media.

Connect UK : Background and Aims

Connect UK was created by Pablo Ganguli and the organisation started its operation in Papua New Guinea in 2001. Connect UK’s mission is to promote and celebrate British Values, Arts, Culture, Literature, Films, Design, Education, Science and Technology in Papua New Guinea. Connect UK’s aim is to help Papua New Guineans learn about Britain and the opportunities it offers and also to enhance the UK’s reputation as a valued partner in PNG. Connect UK has already heightened the UK’s profile in PNG.

We would like to keep on encouraging young Papua New Guineans to learn about modern Britain and its values and indirectly the Commonwealth. Connect UK has re-affirmed Britain’s interest in PNG and it may stimulate more interest in trade. Connect UK is here to create mutually beneficial partnerships between the UK and PNG.

Our objectives:

• Strengthening cultural and educational relations between the United Kingdom and Papua New Guinea
• Gaining positive perceptions of the UK
• Increasing awareness and building appreciation of Britain and its values
• Gaining recognition of the excellence of British arts, literature, culture, science, education, design and creative industries
• Promoting Britain’s Human Rights policies and supporting local projects which have a social focus (governance and HR)
• Creating greater understanding and improving foreign perceptions of modern multi-cultural Britain in PNG. Heightening Britain’s profile in PNG and enhancing the UK’s reputation as a valued partner.
• Creating long-lasting partnerships and increasing links between PNG and UK institutions such as schools, museums, cultural groups and business houses.
• Increasing educational, scientific and cultural co-operation between Britain and PNG.
• Increasing UK cultural co-operation between PNG and other posts in the Pacific, maximising the cost-effectiveness of our UK performers and experts visiting the South Pacific region.

Connect UK Sponsors:

Foreign and Commonwealth Office, British Council, Rio Tinto, Mabey and Johnson, Steamships, ChevronTexaco, Victoria and Albert Museum, Australian High Commission PNG, US Embassy PNG, French Embassy PNG, Japanese Embassy PNG, PriceWaterHouse Coopers, Kina Securities, Courts, DHL, BP, Brian Bell, Air Niugini, Crowne Plaza, Hertz, Qantas, Lamana Hotel, Design Council, BBC, Friends of the PNG Library, Bank of South Pacific, Bank of PNG, Post Courier, Divine Word University, University of PNG, Boroko Foodworld, Port Moresby Grammar School, The Cellar Restaurant, Datec, Arnotts, European Commission PNG, PNG FM, Institute of National Affairs, Coca Cola, EMTV, ANZ Bank, British Film Institute

Connect UK People:

Pablo Ganguli, Founding Director
Carole Grotrian, Head of Projects
Judi Davies, Arts and Events Manager
Anne Briggs, Secretary

The Times of India Kitab – 2nd India International Literature and Media Festival

After the resounding success of the first Kitab Festival in New Delhi last year, Kitab returns this time to Mumbai with The Times of India as its title sponsor. From 23rd to 25th February 2007, The Times of India Kitab International Literature and Media Festival will bring together renowned and burgeoning authors, playwrights, screenwriters, journalists, actors, film-makers and activists from India, Britain, Pakistan, USA and other countries such as Academy Award winning film director Anthony Minghella and Indian film director Mahesh Bhatt, media figures MJ Akbar, editor of The Asian Age, Barkha Dutt, TV journalist and John Kampfner, editor of New Statesman, actor Shabana Azmi and authors Philip Hensher, Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi and Nirpal Singh Dhaliwal.
The festival will also bring together top editors, literary agents, publishers, journalists and activists from India and Britain. Some of these include publishers Alexandra Pringle, editor in chief of Bloomsbury, Nicholas Pearson, publishing director of Fourth Estate (HarperCollins UK), Jane Lawson, senior editor of Doubleday (Transworld/Random House UK), PM Sukumar, CEO of HarperCollins India, journalists Dylan Jones, editor of GQ, Ian Jack, editor of Granta, Geordie Greig, editor of Tatler, Robert McCrum, literary editor of the Observer and George Brock, Saturday editor of the Times (UK).

The festival programme aims to be eclectic and consists of thought-provoking discussions, Q&A sessions, debates and interviews which will tackle diverse subjects such as ‘Sexuality in Indian Literature’, ‘Media and Terrorism’, ‘Homosexuality and the Indian Law’ and ‘The Future of the Indian Publishing Industry’. There will also be a number of readings by contemporary novelists and poets, as well as film screenings followed by Q&A sessions with directors. In association with a couple of publishing houses, the festival will host a number of book launches. The Times of India Kitab will also hold several surreal and alluring evening events during the festival.

Participants at Kitab include Gregory David Roberts, Blake Morrison, Amit Chaudhuri, Helen Simpson, Jackie Kay, Kamila Shamsie, Justine Picardie, Farrukh Dhondy, Javed Akhtar, Peter Gordon, Chair of the Man Asian Literary Prize, Jaishree Misra, Toby Litt, Geoff Dyer, Deborah Moggach, Tishani Doshi, Jerry Pinto, William Dalrymple, Hoshang Merchant, Shashi Tharoor, Shekhar Kapur, Fatima Bhutto, Jyoti Guptara, Muneeza Shamsie, Arvind Mehrotra, Sonia Faleiro, Dilip Chitre, Altaf Tyrewala, Pavan K Varma, Sujit Saraf, Sooni Taraporevala, amongst many others.

London in Moscow – the aim of AngloMockBa is to strengthen UK-Russian relations by bringing together leading British and Russian cultural and media figures.

Grammy Award winning musician and record producer William Orbit (Madonna’s Ray Of Light), Academy award nominated director Stephen Frears (The Queen) and Academy Award nominated musician Michael Nyman represented contemporary Britain at the AngloMockBa festival in Moscow from 1-3 May 2009.

Liberatum & Red Square PR are delighted to announce that other British/international participants at AngloMockBa include the acclaimed artists Michael Craig-Martin and Gavin Turk, celebrated fashion designer Henry Holland, GQ editor in chief Dylan Jones, photographer Amanda Eliasch, distinguished milliner Stephen Jones, writer/screenwriter Danny Moynihan and filmmaker Martha Fiennes among many others.

Russian guests include award-winning directors Andron Kanchalovsky and Sergei Soloviev, caricaturist Alexei Merinov, “Best Young Sculptor of Russia” Award winner Svetlana K-Lie, TV presenter Dmitry Dibrov, political leader Irina Hakamada, designer and theatre artist Andrei Sharov, designer Masha Tsigal, writer Pavel Sanaev, film maker Pavel Lungin, photographer Alexander Astafiev, film maker Pavel Bardin and actor Peter Fedorov.

The festival programme consists of stimulating debates, art exhibitions, film screenings, discussions, talks, literary and fashion events, Q&A sessions, lectures, music/DJ events and interviews.

Swissotel Krasnye Holmy is the official hotel sponsor, bmi is the official airline sponsor and TIME magazine is the international media partner. BBC Russian Service, The Moscow Times and RussianUK are the media partners. With support from NFQ, Audi, Minale, Remember?, Veen Waters, Hg2, and MK. Special events will be held at the ABC FineArts Salon, The Most Club, The Chocolate Restaurant.

The aim of AngloMockBa is to strengthen UK-Russian relations by bringing together leading British and Russian cultural and media figures.

Liberatum has hosted invigorating cultural and artistic festivals celebrating the power of the human brain all over the world since 2001. These memorable adventures have connected nations and peoples through the power of the arts and literature. Liberatum’s history of promoting literature worldwide is substantial. Its literary endeavours have ranged from projects in Papua New Guinea to Morocco and India’s first international literature festivals.

On 23rd November, Liberatum hosted an important cultural diplomacy dinner bringing together distinguished international arts, music, literary, design and media personalities to celebrate the career of one of the most iconic literary figures in the world. The dinner was held in honour Nobel Laureate Sir VS and Lady Naipaul with whom Liberatum collaborated on a recent cultural mission to Turkey for the Istancool festival.

Guests who attended the dinner included Sir Richard Eyre, Sir Norman Rosenthal, Sir Evelyn and Lady de Rothschild, Grayson Perry, Julia Peyton-Jones, Sir Mark Jones and Terry Gilliam among many others.

The festival aims to celebrate Russia’s artistic contributions to the world and forge cultural relations between Russia and the West. St PetersBall with Corinthia will feature eminent cultural personalities and acclaimed artistic minds from the UK, Russia and other nations including Razorlight musician Johnny Borrell, taxidermy artist Polly Morgan, Royal ballet dancer Slava Samodurov, film director John Hillcoat, fashion designer Jasper Conran, artist Mat Collishaw, photographer Polly Borland, director Martha Fiennes, performance artist Fyodor Pavlov-Andreevich – to name a few.

“The St PetersBall programme features an exciting mix of art, literature, film, fashion and dance with leading international cultural figures collaborating with established and emerging talents in Russia. The St. PetersBall programme will also include a ballet production presented by the leading ballet dancer Slava Samodurov with his own ballet company (lead dancers from Mikhailovsky theatre). We will also have a very special performance by the St Petersburg Conservatoire at the festival,” says Pablo Ganguli, founder and artistic director of Liberatum Festivals. “Our main partner is the Corinthia Hotel in St Petersburg and we’ll be working with other venues and partners including Aurora Fashion Week, Academy of Fine Arts, Dom Kino, and Lazarev Art Gallery.”

The Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg will serve as the main host of the festival with events taking place at some of the City’s most esteemed venues. Corinthia Hotels announces its support of Liberatum’s St PetersBall festival ahead of the eagerly anticipated launch of their ninth hotel, a five-star luxury hotel in central London. The internationally renowned hotel brand will provide the home for the St PetersBall festival and will offer special travel packages for individuals wanting to enjoy the events.

“Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg is delighted to have partnered with Liberatum to organise the St. PetersBall,” says Vanessa Coleiro, Director of Marketing for CHI Hotels & Resorts. “St. Petersburg is a city steeped in culture and the arts and our recently-renovated luxury St Petersburg property will provide a perfect home for this festival which will showcase new artistic contributions to the world. We look forward to welcoming personalities and acclaimed artistic minds from the UK, Russia and other nations to celebrate this great city, its stunning venues and the magnificent world of arts.”

The St PetersBall festival with Corinthia programme is open to the general public. Audiences can expect an original and rich series of events that includes ballet, contemporary Russian classical music, world cinema film screenings, newly commissioned short films in both art and fashion categories, art talks, debates, literary events and music performances.

LIBERATUM and ISTANBUL’74
present

I     S      T      A      N      C      O      O    L
Istanbul International Festival of Culture
27-29 May 2011, Istanbul, Turkey
www.istancool.com.tr

The global British cultural diplomacy brand Liberatum and Turkish creative agency Istanbul’74 in association with AnOther Magazine will host the second edition of the prestigious art, design, fashion, film, music, literature and architecture festival ISTANCOOL from 27-29 May 2011. The festival founder and artistic director, Pablo Ganguli is collaborating with Demet Muftuoglu again who is the creative head of the festival in Turkey. The festival’s main sponsor for this year’s programme is VAKKO.

Once again, ISTANCOOL will feature leading cultural personalities from Turkey and other parts of the world. Participants this year include Terry Gilliam, Reha Erdem, Tilda Swinton, Riccardo Tisci, Dan Colen, Venice Film Festival director Marco Mueller, Nurgul Yesilcay, Courtney Love, Sophie Calle, Murathan Mungan, Ryan McGinley, Haider Ackermann, Michael Stipe, Serra Yilmaz, Jefferson Hack, Sam Taylor-Wood and Kirsten Dunst among many others. The artistic programme will aim to captivate and open minds.

The inaugural edition of ISTANCOOL created by Liberatum and held in partnership with Istanbul’74 was a significant and important cultural diplomacy summit in Istanbul. It took place in July 2010 to celebrate Istanbul’s status as the 2010 European Capital of Culture. The inaugural festival featured Zaha Hadid, Nobel Laureate Sir VS Naipaul, Hanif Kureishi, Gore Vidal, Franca Sozzani, Elif Shafak, Terence Koh, Jefferson Hack, Stephen Frears, Taner Ceylan, Daphne Guinness, Lily Cole, Philip Treacy, Bernard-Henri Levy, Leyla Umar and Michael Nyman – to name but a few participants.

ISTANCOOL is a fascinating and unique cultural experience bringing together some of the world’s most talented writers, designers, editors, actors, poets, filmmakers, dancers and musicians to the city of Istanbul. The festival is committed to creating a dynamic arts diplomacy programme in the world and forging greater cultural relations between Turkey and the international artistic community. ISTANCOOL 2011 is supported by:
Istanbul EDITION - Official Hotel Sponsor; Pegasus Airlines – Official Airline Sponsor; Ministry of Tourism & Culture – Silver Sponsor; Municipality of Istanbul Support; Vakko Fashion Centre, Pera Museum, Tophane-i Amire – Venue Partners; Hallas, Selamlique, Ultra RPM – Festival Supporters; Bravoistanbul – Design Partner; Promat – Print Partner; NTV - TV Partner; Audi – Car Partner; Toles Event and Congress – Logistics Partner; www.boomad.net – Digital Media Partner; 28 Black – Drinks Partner; Prime Class – CIP Service; Munferit, Karakoy Baikci – Catering Partners; Bocek Yarim – Film Partner.

-Ends-

Note to editors:

For further information on ISTANCOOL and the festival artistic programme and participants, please contact: Liberatum office@liberatum.org Istanbul’74  office@istanbul74.com

UK/International Press enquiries: Meena Khera meena@meenakhera.com +44 7834 538 190
Jacqui Soliman at jacqui@meenakhera.com +44 7885 450 569

US Press enquiries: Kate Schelter   kate@kateschelter.com +1 323 868 1960

Turkish Press enquiries: Serap Engin  serap@srpistanbul.com +90 532 271 81 81
Zeynep Sungur  zeynep@srpistanbul.com +90 534 826 47 00

Liberatum is holding the first Lufthansa Jewel of Russia festival in the imperial city of St Petersburg. The dates are 27-30 October 2007. Lufthansa Jewel of Russia promises to be a fascinating, inspiring and memorable festival. It is the first ever festival of international arts, cultural diplomacy, ideas and literature to be held in St Petersburg. The festival programme consists of stimulating debates, discussions, talks, Q&A sessions, lectures and interviews. Programme topics range from freedom of speech to media; literature to visual arts; and fashion to history.

The festival will feature acclaimed international and Russian personalities such as Thomas Ades, Stephen Frears, Hanif Kureishi, Edward Docx, Valery Gergiev, Charles Saumarez Smith, Sir Norman Rosenthal, Mikhail Piotrovksy and Jon Snow among many others.

The festival non-music events will take place at the State Hermitage Museum which is one of the largest, oldest, most important and famous art galleries and museums of human history and culture in the world. Events will also be held at the Astoria Hotel, Angleterre Hotel, Galitzine Library and the Ethnographic Museum. The music events will take place at the world-renowned Mariinsky Theatre under the title ‘New Horizons’. The Rocco Forte Collection is the accommodation sponsor and the International Herald Tribune is the international media sponsor. St Petersburg Times is the Russian media sponsor.

The festival aims to bring leading international cultural figures to Russia. Today, St Petersburg serves as one of the major cultural centers in the world. St Petersburg has always been known for its high-quality cultural life and therefore we are delighted to be holding Lufthansa Jewel of Russia in this magnificent city.

Liberatum presented a thought provoking festival of literature, debates, politics, discussions and Q&As in the capital of India. Spanning over three days, Kitab brought together some of the most intelligent minds to discuss topics of international interest and concern.

Speakers at HT Kitab 2006 in New Delhi included Clare Short, Vir Sanghvi, MJ Akbar, Rory Stewart, Muneeza Shamsie, Geordie Greig, Shashi Tharoor, Goldie Hawn, Tabish Khair, Aamer Hussein, Nadeem Aslam, Yasmin Alibhai Brown, to name but a few. HT Kitab 2006 was Liberatum’s first venture in India.

BOYD TONKIN, LITERARY EDITOR OF THE INDEPENDENT ON HT KITAB 2006

”From Amit Chaudhuri to Aamer Hussein, Nadeem Aslam to William Dalrymple, writers of varying dimensions met in Delhi last weekend to size up the state of literary culture in India and Britain. Aptly enough, the authors, publishers and journalists gathered for the first Kitab Festival found themselves among the truly pharaonic red-brick blocks of the India Habitat Centre, a sort of mega-Barbican looming over the green lawns and shady avenues of Lodhi in south Delhi. In this city, the cliches and concepts of fast-track globalisation take on almost comically blatant shapes. Worried authors could stroll across the courtyard and carry on fretting about the threat that English-speaking homogenisation poses to local culture and creativity at the All-American Diner, to a soundtrack of Dylan and Elvis. They also serve a lovely cup of spiced masala chai.

The writers at Kitab had passionately mixed feelings about the Indian story now sold around the world: what Dasgupta called “a massive escalation of confidence and ambition,… which percolates into all other areas of life”. For Amit Chaudhuri, Indian writers have been co-opted into a simplistic “narrative of success” in which English-language fiction joins movies or software as high-value exports for the global bazaar. To Dasgupta, the role of writers is precisely to resist the consumer-driven hubris of the Indian boom. Instead they should give us “images of a viable future, and ideas of happiness that are frugal rather than enormously exploitative”. Were the Delhi glitterati, cavorting at India Fashion Week, listening? Unlikely.

At least one writer – and perhaps the most celebrated of all – has dropped out altogether from the Indian fiction-for-export business. Arundhati Roy was very prominent in the Delhi media last week, although not in a literary frame. As she has done for years, she spoke up in support of the protesting villagers displaced by the huge Narmada Dam project. Their raggle-taggle rebel army is now camped beside the Jantar Mantar observatory in the swanky heart of commercial New Delhi. Roy the social activist has (literally) chosen to stand up against the floods of modernity rather than update her global brand with a sequel to The God of Small Things. Some people here deeply admire her; others can’t grasp why she should decline to make another killing on the literary stock exchange.

Behind many of the doubts and fears that make authors reluctant to endorse a crude, uplifting fable about Indian success lies the question of language. To stand a chance of triumph overseas means to write in English: a minority tongue whose social power stirs envy and resentment. Pavan Varma, author of the brilliant polemic Being Indian, spoke of the “debilitating shadow of English that overwhelms a lot of worthwhile stuff that’s being written in other languages”. As Anglophone writing swells in its fame and reach, so older traditions seem to shrink. Varma revealed that the latest book by a prize-winning writer in Oriya (the language of Orissa) had sold all of 743 copies. English-language culture partners the aspiration to think big and walk tall on a global stage. Dwarfed by the hulking towers and vast ambitions around them, many writers at Kitab craved a change of size, and pace. At least some of India’s literary heavyweights feel that it’s time to rediscover the good of small things.”

A North African arts showcase in the unforgettable, magnetic city of Marrakech. Sufi music performances, Arabic literary events and poetry readings in riads. A large scale art exhibition at the Musee de Marrakech.

“If the task of any cultural shindig is to unlock new doors, then the inaugural Arts in Marrakech festival crossed more thresholds than most.”
- Boyd Tonkin, The Independent 7/10/2005

The 2005 Arts in Marrrakech Festival was directed by Pablo Ganguli and included many prestigious participants and guests including Hanif Kureishi, Esther Freud and Annie Lennox, as well as the debut exhibition of the Wonderful Fund Collection at the Museum of Marrackech. This included artists such us Sarah Lucas, Grayson Perry, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Tracey Emin and Gavin Turk.

Liberatum’s artistic director Pablo Ganguli helped create and set up the inaugural festival with Vanessa Branson and Abel Damoussi which was held in October 2005. Today it is run entirely by Vanessa Branson and called the Arts in Marrakech (AiM) International Biennale. It is the first major trilingual (English, Arabic & French) festival in North Africa focusing on cutting-edge contemporary art, literature and film.

A fairy tale within a fairy tale. An exquisite festival of culture presented by Liberatum and Corinthia. This is the tenth year of Liberatum global festivals. This is also our third festival in Russia – one of the most fascinating countries in the world. Expect a rich and captivating programme. You shall go to the Ball!

The festival aims to celebrate Russia’s artistic contributions to the world and forge cultural relations between Russia and the West. St PetersBall with Corinthia will feature eminent cultural personalities and acclaimed artistic minds from the UK, Russia and other nations including choreographer Slava Samudorov, taxidermy artist Polly Morgan, film director John Hillcoat, designer Jasper Conran, musician Johnny Borrell – to name a few.

This year, the Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg will serve as the main host of the festival with events taking place at some the cities most esteemed venues.

The St PetersBall festival with Corinthia general programme is open to the general public and free of charge. Audiences can expect an original and rich series of events that includes ballet, contemporary Russian classical music, world cinema film screenings, newly commissioned short films in both art and fashion categories, art talks, debates, literary events and music performances.

ISTANCOOL Festival: FASHION FILM ART LITERATURE ARCHITECTURE MUSIC DESIGN PHILOSOPHY TALKS

The British cultural diplomacy brand Liberatum, Istanbul 74 and Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency invite you to take part in a riveting artistic journey. A special cultural celebration called Istancool to be held in the fascinating city of Istanbul. Dates: 2-4 July 2010.

Istancool promises to be a mesmerising festival of art, design, fashion, literature, film, music and ideas. It will reflect an unique and innovative collaboration bringing together some of the most renowned British, Turkish and other international cultural icons. Istancool aims to stimulate and captivate audiences.

Our vision is to produce a spectacular festival that will feature a diverse, stimulating, high-quality and thought-provoking programme aimed at raising the profile of Istanbul as a forward-thinking world city. One of the festival’s goals is to complement Istanbul’s new position as the 2010 European Capital of Culture whilst creating a dynamic and independent brand that will contribute significantly to the city’s cultural calendar. The festival will further strengthen UK/Turkish cultural relations and aim to promote a positive image of Istanbul in the international media.

Istancool will enhance the reputation of Istanbul as a great cultural city and pay tribute to Turkey’s cultural heritage. It will present an ambitious and original programme which will aim to place Istanbul firmly at the centre of the international cultural scene in 2010. Istanbul continues to evolve and an event such as Istancool will serve to nurture the city’s cultural identity locally and on the world stage.

PROGRAMMING INFORMATION:

The programme will include exhibitions, performances, art installations, fashion showcase, talks, discussions, Q&As, film screenings and masterclasses. Guests will include leading actors, designers, musicians, directors, artists, authors and media figures such as Nobel Laureate Sir VS Naipaul, Philip Treacy, Zaha Hadid, Taner Ceylan, Dazed & Confused and AnOther Magazine editor in chief Jefferson Hack, Gore Vidal, Terence Koh, Gareth Pugh, Lily Cole, Haluk Akakce, Academy Award® nominated musician Michael Nyman, Waris Ahluwalia, Elif Shafak, Academy Award® nominated director Stephen Frears, Vogue Italia editor in chief Franca Sozzani, Alfred Dunhill creative director Kim Jones, Serdar Gulgun, The Misshapes (Leigh Lezark and Geordon Nicol), Defne Sarisoy, Shekhar Kapur, Wallpaper editor in chief Tony Chambers, Daphne Guinness, Leyla Umar, Academy Award® nominated screenwriter and author Hanif Kureishi and Time Out founder Tony Elliott among many others.