The members of the artists group 'Roots' that are involved in the Flags project met last Friday evening to plan our activities. We met in Ana Carreras' studio and had a nice dinner after the meeting. I took this shot while we were seated at the dinner 'table'. From left to right: Birgit, Esther, Francesca, Angel, Lilianne, Jordi, Monica, Silvia and Ana. I was holding the camera.
We had fun and we also decided the course to follow. We are barely starting to create our flags, so I can't show you any yet. But we did make a definitive decision on how we will fly them. They will all be hanging together from a rope or wooden bar and we will be meeting with representatives of the local institutions to find a public space for them. Some alternatives (pending authorization):
* In the square in front of a fourteenth-century castle
* Near a Medieval stone bridge in Valderrobres (the main village in the area)
* In one of the main streets of Valderrobres
There are 18 villages in Matarranya (an administrative devision comprising a number of municipalities) and we will try to get them all involved, so that the children of each village participate in the project too, creating their own flags for 21 September. It really depends on the teachers in each village to organize workshops for the children for the occasion. Then there would be flags flying in each one of the villages, apart from our own flags. I think it's a wonderful idea and I do hope the teachers will collaborate. This way, the Flags for Peace Project would become a mass event in the area.
I must say the Flags that have already been posted in this blog are really inpired. I love the creativity and open-mindedness in them and the beauty of the resulting works. They make the project even more inspiring.
what a beautiful thing it would be to have the children involved... i am hoping to talk to some art teachers as well - it's a little hard given that the school year here will have only just begun, but i am hoping that because it is a simple project that perhaps it might work...
ReplyDeletethank you so much for sharing your friends and your world, your thoughts and plans... i sometimes have a hard time believing that this was just an impulse with heart a few months ago... i am so moved by the energy that has been building... thank you -
Thank you Mary Jane! What started as an interesting project on a subject we all care about is becoming a fun, passionate and varied experience! Our conversations during the meeting went on for almost two whole hours before dinner time!
DeleteThe school year begins by mid-September here too. The teachers, however, go back to (office) work at the beginning of the month and we hope that they won't mind organising a pre-school workshop with the children. Just as you say, it's a simple project.
how wonderful Ersi...talk about taking the ball and running with it!
ReplyDeletealways trust your impulses MJ!!
Thank you, Lisa! I hope there will be quite a ball game in September :)))
DeleteIsn't it great how small the world has become with the internet at hand? Having the children involved would be awesome!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I curse the Internet for taking up so much of my time but then I come across people and ideas I love and the Internet is a blessing! I think I'll soon have news about the children's flags.
DeleteSounds awesome, Ersi! I am really looking forward to the flags from your group and wouldn't it be fantastic if the children and surrounding villages were also involved!
ReplyDeleteThe very fact that all of you embrace our ideas and encourage us to go on is a unique 'fuel for our engines'. This project is such a happy experience!
DeleteFrom far and wide it's just so awe inspiring! Can't wait to see what everyone brings to the table. It does the heart good to see so many gather "in peace"! Love it.
ReplyDeleteI have rarely felt so close to people I've never met in person. Yes, let's see 'what everyone brings to the table' and share a peaceful 'dinner' across the world :)
DeleteE & team - you rock - such energy - the ripples will just roll. Go well. B
ReplyDeleteGrab your surfboard and roll with us :)) Thank you, Barry!
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