The great Leonard Bernstein conducts from the heart.
Soloists are Gwyneth Jones, Shirley Verrett, Placido Domingo, and Martti Talvela.
"Ode To Joy" (German: "An die Freude", first line: "Freude, schöner Götterfunken") is an ode written in 1785 by the German poet, playwright and historian Friedrich Schiller, celebrating the ideal of unity and brotherhood of all mankind. It is best known for its musical setting by Ludwig van Beethoven in the final movement of his Ninth Symphony (completed in 1824), a choral symphony for orchestra, four solo voices, and choir.
The Beethoven setting is the official anthem of the European Union. The most amazing thing is that Beethoven was deaf by the time he wrote this. He imagined what each note would sound like in his head because he knew music so well. He never got to hear his own masterpiece. Beethoven truly was a genius and this finale to his “Choral” Symphony still has the ability to send shivers down the spine whilst proclaiming the greatness and optimism of humankind.
There was a poignant scene at the first performance in 1824. Despite his complete deafness, Beethoven insisted on conducting, but unknown to him the real conductor sat out of his sight beating time. As the last movement ended, Beethoven, unaware even that the music had ceased, was also unaware of the tremendous burst of applause that greeted it. One of the singers took him by the arm and turned him around so that he might actually see the ovation.
However be that as may be we can also admire this extempore version by one of the world’s most talented musicians, Beaker from the Muppets.
German words and English translation:
Baritone Solo:
O Freunde, nicht diese Töne! Oh friends, not these sounds! Sondern lasst uns angenehmere Rather let us sing more anstimmen und freudenvollere. pleasant ones, and more full of joy.
Choral Bass join in:
Freude! Freude! Joy! Joy!
Baritone Solo:
Freude, schöner Götterfunken Joy, beautueous spark of divinity, Tochter aus Elysium, Daughter of Elysium Wir betreten feuertrunken, We enter drunk with fire Himmlische, dein Heiligtum! Heavenly One, your sanctuary! Deine Zauber binden wieder Thy magic power reunites, Was die Mode streng geteilt; All that custom has strictly divided Alle menschen werden Brüder, All men become brothers Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt. Where your gentle wing abides.
Dedicated to Frederick III of Prussia the Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 "Choral" is the last complete symphony composed by Ludwig van Beethoven. At the first performance according to one witness, "the public received the musical hero with the utmost respect and sympathy, listened to his wonderful, gigantic creations with the most absorbed attention and broke out in jubilant applause, often during sections, and repeatedly at the end of them." The whole audience acclaimed him through standing ovations five times; there were handkerchiefs in the air, hats, raised hands, so that Beethoven, who could not hear the applause, could at least see the ovation gestures. The theatre house had never seen such enthusiasm in applause.
At that time, it was customary that the Imperial couple be greeted with three ovations when they entered the hall. The fact that five ovations were received by a private person who was not even employed by the state, and moreover, was a musician (a class of people who had been perceived as lackeys at court), was in itself considered almost indecent. Police agents present at the concert had to break off this spontaneous explosion of ovations. Beethoven left the concert deeply moved.
This is the unique Jackie Wilson with his unique version of "Danny Boy." My second favorite version (after Luke Kelly's) this cracks me up every time I hear it!
Danny Boy is one of over 100 songs composed to the same tune. The author was an English barrister, Frederic Edward Weatherly (1848-1929), who was also a songwriter and radio entertainer. In 1910 he wrote the words and music for an unsuccessful song he called Danny Boy. In 1912 his sister-in-law in America sent him a tune called the Londonderry Air which he had never heard before. He immediately noticed that the melody was perfectly fitted to his Danny Boy lyrics, and published a revised version of the song in 1913. As far as is known, Weatherly never set foot in Ireland. His most commercially successful ballad was 'Roses of Picardy' which became one of the great popular songs of the Great War, and it made its writer a small fortune.
Fred Weatherly
"Danny Boy" was originally said to be intended as a message from a woman to a man, and Weatherly provided the alternative "Eily dear" for male singers in his 1918 authorised lyrics. However, the song is actually sung by men as much as, or possibly more than, women. The song has been interpreted by some listeners as a message from a parent to a son going off to war or leaving as part of the Irish Diaspora.
The song is widely considered an Irish anthem, although Weatherly was an Englishman. Nonetheless, "Danny Boy" is considered by many as the unofficial anthem of the Irish Diaspora. These were the days when emigrants were given a “wake” before they left as their family and friends never expected to see them again. Hence the poignancy of the final verse with the returned emigrant before his mother’s grave who implores the returning son to sing an Ave. The song requires a wide vocal range to carry it off and many don’t a fact noted in this wonderful piece by John Sheahan of the Dubliners made by his niece Shona McMillan.
LYRICS OF DANNY BOY (Note; There are numerous variations)
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen to glen, and down the mountain side The summer's gone, and all the leaves are falling T'is you, T'is you must go and I must bide. But come ye back when summer's in the meadow Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow t'is I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
And when ye come, and all the flow'rs are dying If I am dead, as dead I well may be ye'll come and find the place where I am lying And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me. And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me And oh, my grave shall warmer, sweeter be For ye will bend and tell me that you love me And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.
Well, given these lyrics and the flow of drink in Irish Bars around the world (Same Ireland, different country!) sometimes folk get over sentimental when in their cups, a fact wonderfully parodied by none other than the Muppets!
Activists with a birthday cake for Aung San Suu Kyi
Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi marks her 65th birthday on Saturday under house arrest as activists hold protests around the globe and world leaders call for the ruling junta to free her. US President Barack Obama on Friday called on the Myanmar regime to free Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in a message sending best wishes for her 65th birthday. Obama hailed the Myanmar opposition leader's "determination, courage, and personal sacrifice in working for human rights and democratic change" as she marks her birthday Saturday under house arrest in Yangon.
Her integrity and commitment to non violence and the people of Burma contrasts with the ugliness of the regime of General Than Shwe and his fellow Military Goons who run the country as a personal kleptocracy as the steal the birthright and hope of the Burmese people.
The military regime has kept Suu Kyi in detention for almost 15 years and she has been barred from running in upcoming elections that critics have denounced as a sham aimed at entrenching the generals' power. Even so, the woman known in Myanmar simply as "The Lady" remains the most powerful symbol of freedom in a country where the army rules with an iron fist.
Monks protesting
The opposition leader is expected to spend a quiet day at her dilapidated lakeside mansion, where she lives with two female assistants, cut off from the outside world without telephone or Internet access. Her supporters plan to throw a small party at one of their houses in northern Yangon in her absence. Members of her National League for Democracy are planting about 20,000 saplings around Myanmar to mark her birthday and plan to send spicy food to her home to share with workers doing renovations. "We believe Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's political spirit will keep growing as long as the trees grow," said lawyer Aung Thein, an active NLD figure. "Daw" is a term of respect in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.
Shoes abandoned by protestors as they fled
Suu Kyi's party won the last vote in 1990 but was never allowed to take office. A UN working group this week pronounced her detention a breach of international human rights law, prompting new calls for her release.
"I wish to convey my best wishes to Aung San Suu Kyi, the world's only imprisoned Nobel Peace laureate, on the occasion of her 65th birthday on June 19," Obama said in his message. "I once again call on the Burmese government to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally and to allow them to build a more stable, prosperous Burma that respects the rights of all its citizens."
Amnesty International USA reports;
“Aung San Suu Kyi's last birthday was spent in the infamous Insein (pronounced "insane") prison – notorious for its foul conditions and unrelenting use of torture. Today, more than 2,100 political prisoners are being held in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), many of whom are hidden away in the prison's darkest corners.
Insein prison
But in Honour of Suu Kyi's 65th birthday on June 19th, we're doing all we can to fill those corners with light and expose Myanmar's treatment of political dissents for what it really is…insane. Help drive our ongoing work to protect human rights in Myanmar. Less than a month ago, a youth member of the former National League for Democracy, the political party headed by Aung San Suu Kyi, had his sentence in Insein prison extended by 10 years. Life without human rights is insane. His original offence - distributing a portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi.
General Than Shye Leader of the Goon Squad
This blatant manipulation of laws and outright injustice has got to stop. We've fought tirelessly on behalf of Aung San Suu Kyi for the past 2 decades and such abuse of human rights only fuels our desire to bring violators to justice once and for all. Our team of researchers and experts are observing Myanmar closely and reporting back whenever there are new developments and opportunities for action. And given that national elections are planned for later this year, our teams are remaining particularly vigilant to ensure that no person is improperly detained during election-related crackdowns without setting off major alarms across the human rights spectrum. But we need your help. This kind of in-depth reporting is done by few, but requires resources and the support of many.
Please say that you'll join the fight to protect political dissidents in Myanmar. Stand with us as we stand with Suu Kyi and the more than 2,100 political prisoners in Myanmar. Let Myanmar's government know that a light still shines for human rights even in the darkest corners.”
Next Saturday 19th June will be the 65th birthday of Burma's jailed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. As has been the case for much of her life, the brave freedom fighter and Nobel Peace Laureate will be allowed no celebrations or contact with her loved ones.
Tension builds once again as Myanmar prepares for its elections. Many fear that widespread arrests and detainment will result from election-related crackdowns. Moreover, contributing to the anxiety is the anticipated release of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been held under house arrest for nearly 15 years.
Aung San Suu Kyi addressing supporters before her arrest
But Suu Kyi has been close to completing her sentence before. Just last year, as she neared her release date, she was found guilty of allowing an uninvited American man to stay at her home after he strapped homemade flippers to his feet and swam across a lake bordering her house. Authorities sentenced her to 18 more months of detention - meaning that she would not be released until after Myanmar's elections were completed. These arbitrary sentences just won't do. Demand that Aung San Suu Kyi be released immediately and unconditionally.
Earlier this year, Suu Kyi's party, National League for Democracy (NLD), was dissolved for refusing to re-register as a political party, a move that would have forced it to expel its own leader because she is serving a prison term.
It is painfully obvious that Myanmar's government is doing all it can to box Suu Kyi and her supporters into a corner. Her very existence challenges the military's authority because she inspires the people of Myanmar to believe. More than ever, it's up to us to stand united.
General Than Shwe - Leader of the Myanmar Dictatorship
When news about one of the most iconic and revered leaders of our time breaks, whatever the outcome, we need to be able to call on you to stand with Aung San Suu Kyi and stand up for human rights.
The biggest tragedy of all is that Aung San Suu Kyi should have never been arrested in the first place. Her punishment is politically motivated and is an outright violation of international law. But as long as we continue to carry the torch for Aung San Suu Kyi, then Myanmar's junta can't touch us. Help light the way for the people of Myanmar.
Sign the Amnesty International petition to release Aung San Suu Kyi;
This video “Burma VJ” exposes the atrocities and injustices that have been taking place under the junta's unbending rule. In the film the undercover network of VJs (video journalists) record the appalling treatment of the Burmese citizens and monks which caused a global uproar during the recent uprising. The VJs risk torture, imprisonment and even death in their quest to report what is going on in their closed country.
History will record how the dual moral travesties of Bloody Sunday and Internment without Trial (and without intelligent intelligence) of 1,200 people created and empowered the Provisional IRA. The abandonment of moral authority by the British State to support the failed political entity of Northern Ireland created a poisonous moral equivalence to allow the IRA to justify its hijacking of the Civil Rights movement with its own brand of crypto fascism.
The moral abandonment was compounded by the no warning terrorist bombing of Libya and illegal attempted assassination of Colonel Gaddafi (which killed his 15 month old adopted daughter Hannah and injured two of his sons) by a group called the USAF operating from a British base which resulted in the IRA having an unlimited supply of Semtex explosive.
Berlin has been in the throes of a heated debate and local referenda about the fate of Tempelhof, the world’s first truly modern airport and the only part of Hitler / Speer’s masterplan for “Germania” to be completed. The imposing main structure of Tempelhof Airport finally ceased operations at the end of 2008 as part of the process that will eventually see Schönefeld take over as Berlin’s sole commercial airport. Once the focus of the famous airlift to save Berlin from the clutches of communism after World War II, Tempelhof airport has been transformed from "the mother of all airports" into a public park. Indeed as many ex- Communists from the East now form the majority on the city council defenders of Tempelhof have suggested they wanted it closed down as the potent symbol of the Luftbrücke, the airlift which broke the Soviet blockade of Berlin.
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Eighteen months after ceasing aviation operations, fabled Tempelhof airport in the heart of Berlin re-opened on Saturday as the German capital's largest public park. Formerly one of the 20 largest buildings in the world, the hangars now hosts occasional fairs and festivals, such as the DMY International Design Festival, Bread & Butter, whilst the rest of the airport grounds are being transformed—courtesy of a whopping 60 million euro government scheme—into Tempelhof Park.
Plan of Tempelhof
The historic airstrip, once described by star architect Norman Foster as "the mother of all airports," underwent a clean-up to transform the 380-hectare (950-acre) aviation hub into an expansive urban oasis. Although roughly the size of Central Park in New York, Tempelhof Park does not boast the hills, dales, ponds or leafy copses of its American counterpart. Instead, it presents open vistas of treeless, but breathtaking expanses, otherwise unheard of in an urban environment. The old airport terminal is still intact, but the typical aeronautic paraphernalia - the landing lights, signals and other gear - have been removed.
Proposed redevelopment
Although the airport had been operation in some for over 80 years, it is the absolutely huge scale and striking form of the terminal building, conceived by German architect Ernst Sagebiel between 1934-1936 (based on Albert Speer’s masterplan), that resonates with visitors seeing it for the first time. The audacity of the 50+ metre cantilevered roof arc over the terminal and the clarity of the functional diagram are still, despite of any Nazi undertones, to be applauded architecturally. Tempelhof is the forerunner and exemplar of today’s super-sized terminal buildings designed by Foster, Piano and Rogers’s et al. Hugh Pearman points out:
“(Tempelhof) was designed to last until the year 2000. Somewhat surprisingly, it has. It is the only major airport in the world to have remained virtually unchanged over more than 60 years. What can it teach us? “
The airport was iconic for a number of reasons – not the least of which was it’s intended position as an international gateway in Speer’s masterplan of Welthauptstadt Germainia – it was also one of the world’s largest buildings (for a while), in 1927 it became the first airport with an underground railway station, and was the hub during the Berlin Airlift.
After years of debate Berliners voted in a referendum held in Berlin, on April 27, 2008 to finally close down this historic airfield. However, Tempelhof will remain the effective monument to the Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949.
In June 1948 the Soviet Union made an attempt to take control of the whole of Berlin by cutting off surface rail and street access to and from the western part of the city. If successful this action would have resulted in effectively starving out over 2 million Berliners of food supplies. The US Truman administration’s reaction to the Blockade was to provide a daily airlift by the Allies to ensure that food and supplies continued to reach Berliners living in the western Sector. More than 5,000 tons of supplies were delivered daily. The “Airbridge” lasted until September 1949 when the Soviet government finally lifted the blockade. Popular stories about “raisin-bombers” and the ‘Chocolate Pilot’ are still told to children today.
For many Berliners, especially the older generation, Tempelhof remains a symbol of freedom and belongs to Berlin as much as the Brandenburg Gate. Even Germany’s conservative Chancellor, Angela Merkel, pointed out that “to many people and me personally this airport with the Airlift Memorial is a symbol of the city’s history”.
The airport was built by the National Socialists between 1936 and 1941 by Ernst Sagebiel, in typical Nazi monumental style, complete with carved eagles at the entrance and a roof constructed to hold an audience of 100,000 people watching military parades and air shows. Sagebiel was listed twice in the Guinness Book of Records for his architectural feats which included the Former Air Ministry as the largest office building in Europe. Tempelhof was designed to become the largest air travel terminal of its day, replacing the building that had stood on this site since 1923.
But the bulldozers aren't finished with Tempelhof just yet. Starting in 2013, the new park will undergo a four-year, 60-million-euro ($48 million) facelift to become the home of the 2017 International Garden Exhibition. By then, it should look a lot more like its storied New York counterpart. Let’s hope that the project respects the unique contribution of this site to transport, to history and being built by fascists through the Berlin Airlift to the freedom enjoyed in Europe today.
For updated info on the campaign to preserve Tempelhof and obtain UNESCO heritage status for the site see;
It may seem strange that whilst the rest of the world knows a “Greek Coffee” (in reality an Arabic or Turkish coffee) as the strong mix of finely ground coffee, sugar and water brought to the boil three times in a small copper cauldron and served immediately what the Greeks actually prefer is Nescafe or especially on a hot day a refreshing cold Frappé.
Frappé, which is a Greek Coffee. It can be served hot or cold and is often served with a glass of water. It is very popular in Greece and Cyprus, especially during the summer. Frappé has been called the national coffee of Greece, and is available at virtually all cafés. It is both refreshing and reviving and is made either using a shaker or a blender.
Ingredients;
2 teaspoons instant coffee (usually Nescafe!) • 1-2 teaspoons sugar • 2 ice cubes • 1/4 cup cold water • 1/3 cup chilled milk
Method;
Place instant coffee, sugar, ice cubes and water in a jar with a tight-fitting lid; shake well for 30 seconds, or until frothy. Stir in milk.
Often in cafes this will be served with the milk and sugar on the side for you to adjust to your own taste.
I recently reported on how Londoners were rubbing their eyes in disbelief as a colourful herd of 258 life-sized model baby elephants has appeared across their City to raise money for charity. Artists including Sacha Jafri and Sam Hacking have decorated each of the 1.5m (4.9ft)-high fibreglass models, which are being displayed in public places from May. Then on 30 June, the charity Elephant Family will auction the models, and hope to raise about £2m to protect India's elephants. The animals have been placed at numerous landmarks including Buckingham Palace. The 2010 London Elephant Parade has now become something of an obsession with many Londoners pursuing an unofficial challenge to photograph all the elephants across London.
Now imagine their distress reported in the Evening Standard that Gerald the Elephant is being held in captivity! According to the report a model elephant painted by artist Jonathan Yeo is generating a cult following after it was banned from its home in Selfridges for being too risqué. The sculpture is covered with Yeo's trademark pornographic collage, which proved too much for bosses at the Oxford street store who asked for it to be removed after complaints.
Selfridges, Oxford Street, London
The artwork, called Gerald and created by the son of South Suffolk Tory MP Tim Yeo, is one of 258 life-size statues of baby jumbos dotted around London for the 2010 Elephant Parade in aid of the Elephant Family charity, set up by Mark Shand, brother of the Duchess of Cornwall, to help save the Asian elephant from extinction.
Gerald was moved from Selfridges to the charity's Bloomsbury HQ, where staff were besieged with calls and emails from elephant fans who have been tracking the sculptures across the capital, desperate to find Gerald and take his picture.
Elephant with Tower Bridge in the background
After a "Free Gerald" Facebook group was set up to trace him, the charity decided to let visitors in to take a snapshot. Mr Shand said: "We had put him near the staff entrance at Selfridges because we thought he would keep the adults company and not offend anyone, but he offended everyone. So we brought him back to the office but we got two or three hundred emails and phone calls asking, 'Where is Gerald?'
Elephant with the Houses of Parliament in the background.
"Then a Facebook campaign started. All we could do was offer appointments to come and take a picture. More than 200 people turned up and we let them in one by one." Now John Stephen, co-owner of Chinawhite nightclub in Fitzrovia, has offered Gerald a home. "He said he belonged there," said Mr Shand. "All Gerald wants is a roof over his head." The statue will be on public display at Chinawhite between 1pm and 2pm on Monday. It will stay at the club until June 30. Sotheby's will auction the elephants, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, between June 29 and July 4 in a bid to raise £1million.
Each model has been decorated by a different artist or celebrity, including Tommy Hilfiger and Sir Terence Conran. Secretary Petra Jirusova, 32, from south-east London, who set up the Free Gerald Facebook group, said she has now photographed all 258 elephants. "This quest of finding them takes you to parts of London you may never visit," she added. "It's great fun."
For the full story on the 2010 Elephant Parade in London see;
Walking into Trafalgar Square last night reminded me why I enjoy London and its variety so much for this great showpiece public space was abuzz with thousands of people watching on a giant screen a live performance of Carmen from just up the road in the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and joining in lustily on the choruses. Trafalgar Square en fete in summer is a great urban set piece with Nelson’s Column at the centre overlooked by the National Gallery and the church of St. Martin in the Fields.
Lord Nelson, Britain's greatest military hero, and the mighty lions that surround him, pay testament to the position of Trafalgar Square at the heart of the London, at one time, the heart of an empire that controlled three fifths of the world. Yet, though it is dominated by these imperial symbols, and by the magnificent Victorian edifice of the National Gallery, the square is no relic of a bygone age. It was transformed under the City Squares programme when the road was paved over by former London Mayor Ken Livingstone in a £25million scheme in 2003, creating a piazza free of traffic fumes. At the same time lifts were put in to improve access along with toilets and a café under the paved area on the Northside of the square creating a quality, accessible and pedestrian friendly urban space in place of the previous traffic roundabout. A great pity then that Livingstone’s successor, Boris Johnson, abandoned the programme which was to do a similar much needed improvement of Parliament Square.
Now the oil company BP is getting a deserved bad press at the moment but they were sponsoring this wonderful open air relaying of Carmen last night on the 8th June 2010 at 7pm in Trafalgar Square and Walthamstow Town Square. Wayne McGregor's award winning ballet Chroma/Tryst/Symphony in C will be screened on 10th June 2010 at 7.30pm at Trafalgar Square and General Gordon Square, Woolwich. There’s also the chance to see Verdi's opera Simon Boccanegra on 13th July 2010 when it is screened live from 7.30pm to both Trafalgar Square and Canada Square Canary Wharf, and this is the last of the BP opera and ballet screenings to take place.
So last night London was exercising its vocal chords as part of a nationwide sing-a-long to the opera Carmen at the event hosted by Gareth Malone of the BBC television series The Choir. As for Carmen it is basically an everyday tale of sex, crime and murder set in a cigarette factory (!) in Seville. Gypsy girl Carmen plays a dangerous game of seduction and betrayal. After an ardent love-affair with an army corporal, Carmen abandons him - and his jealousy proves fatal for her. It was slated at its premiere as its heroine was working class and the setting was so unusual. Georges Bizet never saw the popular success Carmen was to become as he died 3 months after its premiere. The opera premiered at the Opéra-Comique of Paris on 3 March 1875, but its opening run was denounced by the majority of critics. It was almost withdrawn after its fourth or fifth performance, and although this was avoided, ultimately having 48 performances in its first run, it did little to bolster sagging receipts at the Opéra-Comique. Near the end of this run, the theatre was giving tickets away in order to stimulate attendance. Bizet died of a heart attack, aged 36, on 3 June 1875, never knowing how popular Carmen would become. In October 1875 it was produced in Vienna, to critical and popular success, which began its path to worldwide popularity. It was not staged again at the Opéra Comique until 1883.
But on this night in Trafalgar Square it was as popular as ever with Gareth also doing Vox pop interviews in the square in the intervals which were also shown on the Big Screen which was somewhat voyeuristic but added to the sense of occasion. You just can’t beat Opera for the masses!
Also adding to the sense of occasion and which caused me to chuckle at its sheer cleverness and inventiveness was Yinka Shonibare’s display on the empty Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square of a replica of Nelson's ship, HMS Victory, in a giant glass bottle. Using brightly coloured 'African' fabric he buys at Brixton market to fashion into the ship's sails, Shonibare set out to reflect the story of multiculturalism in London today, which began with Nelson's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. It's particularly appropriate given that admiral Nelson himself can survey the scene, looking down from his nearby column on the model of the ship on which he died. Shonibare himself was born in London but grew up in Nigeria - returning to Britain when he was 17 - and issues of race and class are recurrent themes throughout his work, which earnt him a nomination for the Turner Prize in 2004. With this nautical work his message in a bottle is set to reach an even wider audience.
The fourth plinth was originally created to accommodate an equestrian statue but because of insufficient funds nothing was ever commissioned and it remained unused until 1999. Now its aim is to raise awareness of art to the public and generate cultural discussion. Works which have been displayed on the plinth include Marc Quinn's Alison Lapper Pregnant and Thomas Schutte's Model for a Hotel.
It is good to see a public space like this being used so well and bringing pleasure and, dare I say, culture to Londoners and visitors alike. Not to mention that all this was being generously put on at the publics’ favourite price, FREE!
For my RLT (Reduced London Tour) featuring more free attractions see;
The democratically elected Hamas administration in Gaza has had a brilliant master stroke in appointing the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as its recruiting sergeant. Rarely has an organisation had a more effective recruiter in a territory which has been systematically destroyed by Israel (The Airport, Port, Hospitals, Factories, Government offices, power generators, etc ;) in flagrant breach of International Law including the Geneva Conventions on administration of occupied territories, protection of non-combatants and two UN Resolutions. The United Nations (unlike Israeli Spokesmen engaged in truth distortion) has no doubt what is happening in Gaza stating in the Security Council resolution adopted last Wednesday;
“Stressing that the situation in Gaza was not sustainable, the Council re‑emphasized the importance of the full implementation of resolutions 1850 (2008) and 1860 (2009). In that context, it reiterated its grave concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and stressed the need for the sustained and regular flow of goods and people to Gaza, as well as unimpeded provision and distribution of humanitarian assistance throughout the enclave. The Council also expressed support for the proximity talks.”
Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu, said he was distraught by the incident, which was a grave breach of international law and constituted banditry and piracy — it was “murder” conducted by a State, without justification. A nation that followed that path lost its legitimacy as a respectable member of the international community. The children of Gaza, meanwhile, did not know where their next meal was coming from; they had received no education and had no future. Today, many humanitarian workers returned home in body bags. Israel had “blood on its hands”. High-seas freedom, he said, freedom of navigation, was one of the oldest forms of international law; no vessel could be stopped or boarded without the consent of the captain or flag State. Any suspected violation of the law did not absolve the intervening State under international law. To treat humanitarian delivery as a hostile act and to treat aid workers as combatants could not be deemed legal or legitimate. Any attempt to legitimize the attack was futile.
The strangely entitled Israeli Defence Forces commandeered the Irish flagged ship Rachel Corrie & Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched! Israel engaged in a fresh act of piracy on the high seas at the weekend taking over an Irish-flagged aid ship bearing desperately needed supplies for the Gaza Strip. The crew of the Rachel Corrie included Nobel Peace Prize-winner Mairead Maguire and former UN assistant secretary-general Dennis Halliday. As planned they put up no resistance when the ship was seized in international waters during an early-morning raid by Israeli soldiers. The ship, named after a US activist killed by Israeli forces, was taken at gunpoint to the Israeli port of Ashdod where its cargo of essential supplies to 1.5 million Palestinians illegally imprisoned in the Gaza Strip was seized and its crew imprisoned pending deportation. Dublin had demanded safe passage for its vessel. Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign reacted angrily to news of this latest breach of international law. "For the second time in less then a week, Israeli forces stormed and hijacked an unarmed aid ship, kidnapping its passengers and forcing the ship toward Ashdod port," it said. Its fury was reflected at a demonstration on the streets of the Irish capital in scenes repeated across the world involving tens of thousands of people.
MV Rachel Corrie
In Palestine protesters marching towards Gaza's border scattered as Israeli forces opened fire with live rounds. And in a show of international solidarity following Israel's deadly assault on a Gaza aid convoy last week Swedish dockworkers will begin a week-long blockade on Saturday of Israeli ships and goods. The Swedish Port Workers Union was among the groups which backed the Ship to Gaza campaign involved in the flotilla. "The reason for the blockade is the unprecedented criminal attack on the peaceful ship convoy," the union said. Elsewhere, veteran alt-rockers The Pixies have become the latest musicians to cancel a planned gig in Israel. The band did not issue a statement but a local promoter linked the pullout with the attack on the Gaza flotilla. Israeli human rights activists from Boycott! urged the band three months ago to cancel the gig, saying: "As much as some of us are huge fans and would love to hear your show, we won't cross the international picket line that is growing in numbers steadily nowadays to come and see you." A flotilla activist who had a gun pointed at her head by Israeli commandos has said that the "horrendous" ordeal made her "more determined to get back out there." At a demonstration against the flotilla raid in Edinburgh, Scottish postal worker Theresa McDermott said to the crowd of 5,000: "If we sit back and don't go, that allows their intimidatory and aggressive tactics to work.”Our governments might not be doing anything but it won't stop the normal people from these countries from going back and trying to get the aid in because we could see the suffering in Gaza. "The people of Palestine need to know that they have not been forgotten by the outside world. We are standing with them and we're going to do our best to get the next flotilla in."
Demonstrators marched through the city centre to the US consulate and ended outside Bute House, First Minister Alex Salmond's official residence. Ms McDermott was on board the Challenger when it was taken over during the fatal attack on the flotilla by Israeli soldiers last Monday. She told a Scottish tabloid after returning to the Scottish capital following her release from Israeli prison: "It was needless brutality. "We were telling them they had an obligation to the people of Gaza to let us in. But they wouldn't listen and I even had a cocked gun pointed at my head." Scottish activists who were on the flotilla will hold a press conference on Monday about the raid of the three different ships they were on. They will also speak about their own experience of beatings, torture and detention in Israel. Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched through cities around the world on Saturday over the Israeli killing of nine Turkish activists last week aboard an aid ship bound for Gaza. Rallies took place in London, Sheffield, Edinburgh and other British cities as part of an international day of action which also saw demonstrations in Turkey, Lebanon, Spain, Ireland and Gaza itself.
In London, 20,000 protesters marched from Downing Street to the Israeli embassy to express outrage at the killings on the Mavi Marmara aid vessel and the seizure of the MV Rachel Corrie, another aid ship trying to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza, by Israeli forces on Saturday morning. As demonstrators left Downing Street they waved Palestinian flags and placards saying: "End The Siege" and "For Freedom We Sail." Others chanted: "Stop Israeli piracy." Among the protesters was Sarah Colborne of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, who was aboard the Mavi Marmara and was in Israeli custody for almost two days before being deported to Britain. "Israel cannot be allowed to continue to commit these crimes without being brought to justice," said Ms Colborne. "It cannot board boats in international waters which have nothing but humanitarian aid and peace activists, to murder nine people and to hold us hostage, to kidnap us effectively. "What we need to happen is for humanitarian aid to freely go into Gaza, for the siege to be lifted, for an independent investigation to take place into the events of the last few days and for Israel to end its violation of international laws." Green MP Caroline Lucas, who joined the demonstration, also called for an independent inquiry into Israel's "murder and piracy."
Stop the War Coalition convener Lindsey German said the event showed that victims' "deaths have not been in vain - what it has done is bring the world's attention to the terrible crime of the blockade of Gaza." Protester Ali Seylan, who said his brother had been aboard the flotilla, told the rally: "Israel made a big mistake. Israel's government managed to make all Turkish people the enemy of Israel." Former Respect MP George Galloway told the London rally that new Viva Palestina land and sea convoys to break the siege of Gaze would soon set off. He said after "extensive discussions in Istanbul I can announce that a land convoy will leave Britain in September.”At exactly the same time a flotilla of boats will be leaving to tour the countries of the Mediterranean before heading for Gaza." Around 5,000 Scottish protesters marched through central Edinburgh, ending in a rally where SNP MSP Sandra White read out a message on behalf of the Scottish government. She declared: "We have added Scotland's voice to that of the wider international community in condemning" the Israeli attack. The statement also demanded "the immediate lifting of the Israeli blockade of Gaza." International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell announced on Sunday that Britain would award £19 million in aid for refugees in Gaza to be spent on health care, education and other services.
This is Rachel Corrie a 23 year old peace activist who was killed on March 16, 2003 when she was crushed by a bulldozer on the Gaza Strip by the Israeli Army, while trying to prevent the demolition of the house of a Palestinian doctor. This is her 5th grade speech at school. The Irish ship intercepted trying to break the illegal Gaza Blockade (UN Resolution and Geneva Conventions) was named after her.
Malnourished children, restrictions on Gaza-fisherman, lacklustre sewage and water systems, and the confiscation of $4.5 billion in international aid will not improve Israel’s security in the long run. It will only increase the popularity of the Hamas Movement, decrease the effects of counterterrorism throughout the globe, and create the next generation of dangerous faith-based ideologues. As Cynthia McKinney, Mairead Maguire, and Betty Williams argue, it may be time for the state of Israel to start abiding by the concept of universal human rights. Not only would such activities have the symbolic effect of furthering international unity towards tolerance and respect (despite religion, ethnicity, or background), but may strengthen Israel’s right to exist by severely diminishing Arab hostility towards the Jewish people.
The solution is rather straightforward: allowing food and medicine into the Strip will help the PEOPLE escape the poverty that has dominated their lives thus far. Who knows, perhaps lifting the embargo and easing the life of the Palestinian people will save the world from the next wave of suicide bombers. Over to you recruiting Sergeant Benjamin Netanyahu? O one more point, during the past week has anybody anywhere heard a single word from the Special Middle East Peace Envoy, Tony Blair? Obviously nothing too much was happening to interest him?
