Incredibly I only managed the one post before a way too long break has denied the fledgling FIC blog any momentum. Surprisingly, for me, not an issue of procrastination but more the perennial problem of a too heavy production admin role! and the slight distraction of a revolution!
The workload and all the marching has meant less time and so a couple of fundamental changes to the planned Summer of this festival director as timetables get juggled.
I will once again have to forsake Edinburgh to focus on FIC. I received my Fringe programme, took it to the beach to digest had a whimper to myself and while it hasn't even started I yearn to be there. It is simply what it is every year the greatest Arts get together on the planet, which it will be next year again. So have hidden the programme now, out of sight, out of mind and will just be following the reviews of the little slice of the Fringe we have heading Spain's way this Autumn.
I say Spain because we now have a pretty cool line up of events confirmed for Madrid and Tony Law's show will drop off in Valencia!
I also have my excuses as I am currently residing in North East Brazil in the 'city of the sun' that is Natal, named as it was founded on December 25. The city is full of monuments and different Xmas holiday symbolism including a tree whose lights usually stay on to July. But at a constant 30+ degrees celsius hard for an Irishman to feel festive even on December 25!
It is a small city with idyllic beaches, scenery, etc in the most secluded corner and closest point to Europe and Africa but recently it made a bit of a national name for itself and was the seed for so much more.
It was the 1st city to demonstrate against the bus fares some months ago. I use the buses and they are a truly appalling excuse for a transport service. It was a 20c rise, I joined in solidarity even dedicating a Quiz Night to the '2.40 e roubo' cause. (I run possibly the most exotic located Terrace Quiz night in the world www.facebook.com/Quiznightnatal if you are ever in this part of the world :) )
It stayed a local protest mainly the work of local students, but they kept at it, kept marching on the roads until the police decided they were going to try out all that new gear they had just got to protect FIFAs exclusion zones and started unloading rubber bullets, tear gas, Mace all the toys in the toy box into a group of young students on a peaceful march! The images shocked Brazil, fares were being increased everywhere for the same shit service everywhere!
The powers that be in Natal were so shocked by their own actions and a countries reaction that they pulled back on the price hike, the manifestantes had won! the streets had power...
This 'too big 'country had witnessed the little city in the North East, the bravery of her protestors, the behavior of the authorities, and the ultimate success of the protest. After all the years of corruption and stealing billions it shows the depth of the problems here that just 20c was the tipping point!
Fuelled by the moment the confederations cup was offering, the patriotism the football team was stirring, the realisation that 13.5billion pounds sterling of their money had been spent to make 3.5 billion pounds in profit for the quadrennial scam that is FIFA who wouldn't pay a penny tax while Brazilians were asked to endure appalling public services.
With no centralized organisation a nation and a million people were on the streets ready to face rubber bullets for the hope of a new Brazil. An organic movement with an unstoppable energy now that will change Brazil forever. It has being an honour to bear witness to its roots and I hope Europe and my own country Ireland wake up and do something similar!
Will try and get the blog back on the comedy track next post ;-)
The workload and all the marching has meant less time and so a couple of fundamental changes to the planned Summer of this festival director as timetables get juggled.
I will once again have to forsake Edinburgh to focus on FIC. I received my Fringe programme, took it to the beach to digest had a whimper to myself and while it hasn't even started I yearn to be there. It is simply what it is every year the greatest Arts get together on the planet, which it will be next year again. So have hidden the programme now, out of sight, out of mind and will just be following the reviews of the little slice of the Fringe we have heading Spain's way this Autumn.
I say Spain because we now have a pretty cool line up of events confirmed for Madrid and Tony Law's show will drop off in Valencia!
I also have my excuses as I am currently residing in North East Brazil in the 'city of the sun' that is Natal, named as it was founded on December 25. The city is full of monuments and different Xmas holiday symbolism including a tree whose lights usually stay on to July. But at a constant 30+ degrees celsius hard for an Irishman to feel festive even on December 25!
It is a small city with idyllic beaches, scenery, etc in the most secluded corner and closest point to Europe and Africa but recently it made a bit of a national name for itself and was the seed for so much more.
It was the 1st city to demonstrate against the bus fares some months ago. I use the buses and they are a truly appalling excuse for a transport service. It was a 20c rise, I joined in solidarity even dedicating a Quiz Night to the '2.40 e roubo' cause. (I run possibly the most exotic located Terrace Quiz night in the world www.facebook.com/Quiznightnatal if you are ever in this part of the world :) )
It stayed a local protest mainly the work of local students, but they kept at it, kept marching on the roads until the police decided they were going to try out all that new gear they had just got to protect FIFAs exclusion zones and started unloading rubber bullets, tear gas, Mace all the toys in the toy box into a group of young students on a peaceful march! The images shocked Brazil, fares were being increased everywhere for the same shit service everywhere!
The powers that be in Natal were so shocked by their own actions and a countries reaction that they pulled back on the price hike, the manifestantes had won! the streets had power...
This 'too big 'country had witnessed the little city in the North East, the bravery of her protestors, the behavior of the authorities, and the ultimate success of the protest. After all the years of corruption and stealing billions it shows the depth of the problems here that just 20c was the tipping point!
Fuelled by the moment the confederations cup was offering, the patriotism the football team was stirring, the realisation that 13.5billion pounds sterling of their money had been spent to make 3.5 billion pounds in profit for the quadrennial scam that is FIFA who wouldn't pay a penny tax while Brazilians were asked to endure appalling public services.
With no centralized organisation a nation and a million people were on the streets ready to face rubber bullets for the hope of a new Brazil. An organic movement with an unstoppable energy now that will change Brazil forever. It has being an honour to bear witness to its roots and I hope Europe and my own country Ireland wake up and do something similar!
Will try and get the blog back on the comedy track next post ;-)
BRAZIL'S COOLEST PROTESTOR - If we are retaking the streets, I'm taking the car
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