FROM ALL DIRECTIONS
INDIGENOUS AND REGIONAL CULTURES
AND WORLD MARKETS
News from Bronitsky and Associates
Bringing Together Indigenous Peoples and the World Since 1992
a monthly newsletter from Bronitsky and Associates about events and people from indigenous and regional cultures in the international scene--festivals, funding, conferences, publications and current issues.
Correspondence, subscription/unsubscription, opportunities, talent news, etc should be directed to the United States office
Circulation: 4086
Our News - what's keeping us busy!
Cumbre Tajin Festival
Navajo delegation to the Dreaming Festival, Australia
New Website
Touring Acts
International Cultural Marketing Workshops
For Your Diary
Festivals
Funding
Conferences
Publications
News
Sites of Interest
Our News - what's keeping us busy!
Cumbre Tajin Festival
Bronitsky and Associates have just signed with Unidos por el Tajin AC, the organizers of the Cumbre Tajin Festival in Veracruz, Mexico, to promote the Festival internationally. The contract is also to promote and market local Veracruz and Totonac talent into world festivals and markets.
Gordon Bronitsky, President of Bronitsky and Associates, said, "We are honored with this opportunity. Cumbre Tajin is an extraordinary Festival that showcases an ancient culture across visual arts and crafts, performing arts, the healing and culinary traditions of the Totonac people, indigenous to the Veracruz region."
The Cumbre Tajin Festival is presented annually in March (19th to 23rd 2008) and is looking to develop itself into a recognized International Indigenous event. The Festival is staged in the Thematic Park Takilhsukut and as an important initiative and commitment to its future embarked on the construction of the Center of Creativity in Indigenous Arts in order to provide a well serviced and creative environment for artists and creators coming in from outlying towns across the state of Veracruz.
Bronitsky added, "The Totonac culture includes the Voladores (Flying Men), elaborately costumed and masked traditional dancers and their unique ceramics that have roots back into the pre-Hispanic era. The Totonac people are interested in sharing their culture with the world and I am confident that the World, once it is aware of what is being offered, will embrace and rush to take part in this globally unique and inspiring Festival."
The Sacred City of the Tajin is the physical and spiritual capital of the Totonac people. Tajin was founded in 300 BC and is located one kilometer from the city of Papantla in the northern region of the State of Veracruz, Mexico. The Tajin area has many ancient pyramids that complement the richness of the Totonac peoples living cultural heritage as demonstrated at the Cumbre Tajin Festival.
Please visit www.cumbretajin.com
The site is in Spanish and translation can be made using http://babelfish.altavista.com
Navajo delegation to The Dreaming Festival, Australia
The Dreaming - Australia's International Indigenous Arts Festival - has invited a Navajo delegation from the United States of America to be their honored guests at The Dreaming Festival June 6th-9th, 2008, in South East Queensland, Australia. Bronitsky and Associates will be facilitating and tour managing the delegation.
Rhoda Roberts, Artistic Director for The Dreaming, said, "I aim each year to bring the best of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent to showcase alongside a growing number of quality international Indigenous acts. I am excited to be hosting a delegation from the Navajo Nation."
The delegation will include:
- The Chinle Valley Singers - traditional Navajo music and dance
- Beverly and Rebecca Allen, traditional weavers
- Johnson Dennison, cultural speaker and Haatali (medicine man)
- Gordon Bronitsky, tour manager
Bronitsky and Associates are currently seeking sponsorship for the airfares and travel costs for the delegation. If you would like to sponsor this initiative or have some leads and suggestions, please contact .
Please visit www.thedreamingfestival.com
New Website
Bronitsky and Associates launched the new website - www.bronitskyandassociates.com - on November 15th, 2007 and we have had an overwhelming response to the new look. Thanks must go to Shelly Liebman for his work in crafting the site and to Tony Duke for his diligence in compiling the text and content.
Feedback and comments are always appreciated. If you would like to make a contribution please contact
Touring Acts
As announced in the last newsletter and promoted on the website, Bronitsky and Associates are now officially representing a number of high-quality artists whoa re available for national and international touring - www.bronitskyandassociates.com/artists.htm
Please visit our site and support these artists by networking their availability within your city and country. If you would like more information or detail about any of these artists please contact .
International Cultural Marketing Workshops
Negotiations are still underway for the presentation of the International Cultural Marketing Workshops in the USA, Canada and West Africa. www.bronitskyandassociates.com/whatwedo.htm#Workshop
If you are interested and would like to discuss your needs or ideas, please contact .
For Your Diary
If you would like to list an event, activity or publication with us, please forward details to before the 28th of each month to ensure its inclusion in the next FROM ALL DIRECTIONS newsletter.
FESTIVALS
YABUN 2008 - celebrating Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures - Victoria Park, Sydney, January 26th, 2008. YABUN is a festival that showcases the diversity of urban and remote Australian Indigenous Peoples with entertainment, information, engagement and celebration. YABUN is organized by the Gadigal Information Services Aboriginal Corporation. Please visit www.gadigal.org/au/Arts/Arts.aspx
PASIFIKA - The Pasifika Festival takes place in March every year at the Western Springs Park, Great North Road, Auckland, New Zealand, March 7th and 8th, 2008. It is one of the largest community events in the South Pacific. It is recognized as an important celebration of the art, culture and lifestyle of Pacific Islands communities of Auckland. The festival is part of the Celebrate Pasifika program of events, which take place throughout March. Please visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/whatson/events/pasifika/default.asp
CUMBRE TAJIN - 19th to the 23rd March 2008 showcases the ancient culture of the Totonac people across visual arts and crafts, performing arts, and the healing and culinary traditions indigenous to the Veracruz region. Please visit www.cumbretajin.com
The site is in Spanish and translation can be made using http//babelfish.altavista.com
THE SAMI EASTER FESTIVAL - presented annually in Kautokeino, Norway, the festival is a seven-day journey through Sámi culture and its diversity. The festival features the Sámi Film Festival as well as snowscooter racing and the reindeer racing world cup amid an extensive program of art exhibitions, theatre performances, concerts and religious activities. Please visit www.saami-easterfestival.org/Home.html
FESTIVAL OF PACIFIC ARTS - held every four years, the Festival celebrates the richness of the unique cultures and traditions of the Peoples of the Pacific. In 2008, the Festival will take place in American Samoa from July 20th to August 2nd (10 festival days). Please visit www.festival-pacific-arts.org/Festival.html
THE DREAMING FESTIVAL - Australia's International Indigenous Arts and Cultural Festival presented annually at the Woodford Folk Festival site about one and a half hours drive from Brisbane in the beautiful Sunshine Coast hinterland. The Festival dates for 2008 are 6th to 9th June. Please visit www.thedreamingfestival.com
THE WORLD OF MELODY FESTIVAL - Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - 2008 dates to be confirmed. Since 2004, the World of Melody International Folk Art Festival has been successfully organized in Mongolia by the Mongolian Association of IOV. The main purpose of this festival is to advertise national art throughout the world with its specific nature and tradition. Please visit www.iovmongolia.com
Funding
USA for Native American initiatives
The National Museum of the American Indian Visual and Expressive Arts Grants program offers support to a
wide range of arts activities with the goal of increasing the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of
contemporary Native American arts. The NMAI considers the recognition of living artists of the Western Hemisphere to be
of primary importance and will direct support to projects that strengthen the scholarship in this underserved field
and create opportunities for new and innovative work. Please visit
www.nmai.si.edu/vaeag/
USA Performing Arts International
USArtists International is committed to ensuring that the impressive range of expression and creativity of the
US performing arts is represented at international festivals abroad. The program works to strengthen the creative
and professional development of US artists by providing support for their performance at significant international festivals.
Through the participation of exemplary US artists in international festivals, USArtists International will help
develop audiences for, and appreciation of , the excellence, diversity and vitality of the American arts.
USArtists International targets support for US dance and music ensembles and is currently focusing on countries that comprise the European Union, Russia, and Ukraine. Grants are available to US dance music ensembles that have been invited to participate in international festivals in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. Please visit www.midatlanticarts.org/funding/special-projects/us-artists/index.html
Conferences
Awakening Consciousness & Forming Alliances: Indigenous Peoples and Philanthropy
January 18-20, 2008
Queretaro, Mexico
International Funders for Indigenous People (IFIP) announces their first-ever regional convening, scheduled to take place in Queretaro, Mexico, which features an optional post-conference trip to Oaxaca to explore the cultural richness and political reality of the state. The inaugural international gathering, themed Awakening Consciousness & Forming Alliances: Indigenous Peoples and Philanthropy, will bring together donors and Indigenous leaders from around the world to discuss emerging issues facing Indigenous communities. It will also explore new approaches to funding and provide strategies relevant to Indigenous issues and concerns, primarily in Mexico & Central America. Please visit www.internationalfunders.org/index.html
Communities and Memories - A Global Perspective
UNESCO
19 February 2008 to 22 February 208
Canberra, Australia
The third UNESCO International Memory of the World Conference - planning is progressing for the conference, which looks back on the achievements of the Memory of the World program and forward to its sustained growth, wide acceptance and importance. Please visit www.nla.gov.au/initiatives/meetings/mow/mowregohm.html
International Conference on Educational Leadership in Cultural Diversity and Globalization Call
For Papers
Prince of Songkla University
Thailand
8 April to 10 April 2008
The conference aims to assess the role of educational leadership and educational systems in assisting communities with diverse cultures to seek cooperation, coordination, and networks in order to compete and function effectively in this age of globalization. Please visit http://ed-lead.pn/psu.ac.th/index.php
International Conference on African Cultures and Development
ICACD
20 April 2008 to 24 April 2008
Kumasi, Ghana
The conference examines how global actions, policies and programs for Africa are affected by the various cultures of Africa. Please visit www.icacd.ccoghana.org/default.asp
Publications
Indigenous Peoples Funders and Resources Guide
Produced by the International Funders for Indigenous people, this invaluable publication is available free via
their website. Please visit www.internationalfunders.org
News
US House passes legislation to designate a Native American Heritage Day
Indian Country Today
Please visit
www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096416133
New Australian Prime Minister pledges quick apology to Aborigines
World Bulletin
Please visit
www.worldbulletin.net/news-detail.php?id=14057
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People
September 13th 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous People - the vote in the 192-member assembly was 143 in favor, 4 against, and 11 abstentions.
Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America cast the four opposing votes.
For comments and reflections, please visit:
Brisbane, Australia-based social commentary blog site
http://paradigmoz.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/un-declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples/
Ecuador-based international news blog site
http://colonos.wordpress.com/2007/10/10/un-declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples-the-real-work-continues/
United Nations press office official release
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/ga10512.doc.htlm
Official Site for the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs
http://www.iwgia.org/sw248.asp
Independent website that examines international issues of concern
http://www.globalissues.org/HumanRights/Indigenous/
For a copy of the Declaration, please visit
http://www.iwgia.org/graphics/Synkron-Library/Documents/Internationao/Processes/DraftDeclaration07-09-13ResolutiontextDeclaration.pdf
Sites of Interest
For more information please contact:
The Power of Culture
http://www.powerofculture.nl/en
International Federation of Arts Councils and Cultural Agencies
http://www.ifacca.org/
Powwow Calendar of Events
http://powwow-power.com/powwows/index.php
Native Web
http://www.nativeweb.org/
Native Technologies
www.nativetech.org
If you would like to contribute an item to FROM ALL DIRECTIONS, the monthly e-newsletter of Bronitsky and Associates, please forward your listing before the 28th of each month to .