After G8

      What is left to say after one week of noise, dirt, observation and fears? I couldn’t care less. If you barricaded yourself at home the G8 summit was bearable. On the other hand you could take many interesting photographs if you were outside!

      So let me say that there were approximately 1,000,000,000 photographs taken while the G8 summit was taking place. Most important for the photographers who want to get a load of money: Pictures of the representatives of the “Group of 8”. Here is an example:

Charming, isn’t it? The crowd wants to see happiness, peace and shaking hands.

      The demonstrators were also a popular motif. When they weren’t throwing stones (or their cameras?) they’ve taken some interesting shots right out of the pit. Who wouldn’t wish to take part in such a nice meeting?

Even more charming, huh?

      I, as a hobby photographer, have to say I’m not sorry about not having taken any photos of this event since it totally annoyed and bothered me. To everyone else who enjoyed this feast: Good luck for your wounds to heal and have fun looking at the photographs if your camera survived it…

written by D.L., 11.06.2007

Eyewitness reports

     After a week filled with the excitement and the anxiety of being at the centre of the world’s attention, everyone seemed to enjoy their return to the chores and pleasures of everyday life. We have also been busy catching up on our routine so that you can finally read our eyewitness reports.

 

Your G8-blog team!

P(oor)8

     On June 7^th  2007 the P8-event took place. This concert was a kind of protest against poverty in developing countries. Famous people and artists had the task to inform young and old people about this problem. The reason for this event was the G8 summit in Heiligendamm.

 

     Over 75.000 people came to watch this show and to listen to the speakers and musicians. The atmosphere was incredibly peaceful and great. I have never been part of such an event in my life before. The musicians, i.e. Die Fantastischen Vier, Die Toten Hosen, The Beatsteaks, Seeed and Herbert Grönemeyer, said that together we could reach something and could change the situation in developing countries. They and the audience had a lot of fun during this festival. The breaks were filled with traditional music of the African countries. There were people of all ages, young and old.

 

     The price for the tickets was very low, but you were not allowed to bring your own drinks and food. So you had to buy something there. And everything was very expensive. This fact and the terrible heat I could not stand. The first-aid attendants had a lot to do because of the heat. Some old people needed help, because they had problems with their circulation. Even my blood pressure was very low. The temperature while I was lying in the sun was so horrible that I had the feeling of being cooked. You would have dried out if you had not bought something to drink.

 

     But all in all the event reached their aim to inform people about poverty and caught the attention of media, public and politicians. I had a lot of fun listening to the music, being with friends and I would go there again anytime. 

 written by A.N., 10.06.2007

 

 

Impressions of the P8 concert

These are some impressions of pupils who were at the P8 concert in the IGA park on June 7th 2007.

Imagine 80 000 people – screaming, singing, laughing. Amazing bands, holiday weather and everything for a good purpose: against poverty! And you are a part of it! Unbelievable!

H.S.

Today I was at the big concert “your voice against poverty” organised by Herbert Grönemeyer and it was really great. Many popular bands and actors played and talked to us. Among them were bands from the eight poorest countries, too! It was a great atmosphere and there were peaceful people everywhere. The weather was really great and I was surprised because Bono of U2 sounded really good while he was singing live on stage. You missed a great event.

P.P.

Imagine a pop-rock concert was able to influence the decisions of the G8 countries. In the crowd you could feel the hope that the most powerful men and women will keep their promise to realize the “millennium” aims. “The world can’t wait”- that was the message of all the reports from Third World countries.

F.T.

Today there was a big event against poverty with many famous faces in Rostock. The sun was shining and the atmosphere was very good. I met a lot of friends. It was fun. The problem was that we had nothing to drink.

S.K.

The concert was great, we saw a lot of bands and relaxed on the grass. But I don’t understand why drinks and food were so expensive at a concert like this.

J.M.

The concert was pretty cool. 80,000 people and a great atmosphere. Between the bands’ performances the members of the P8 spoke about their problems and the G8 summit. It was really hot and the drinks were much too expensive, so there was a touch of capitalism at this concert. But all in all it was great, good music and lots of peaceful people.

F.L.

The concert was great. 80,000 people, a pleasant and peaceful atmosphere. A little bit too hot, but good bands and nice music!!! But not the music was the main event. The most important message was “Your voice against poverty” and that all people have to fight together.

A.K.

Die Fanta 4 were really great…! But the heat was so horrible. Many people were informed about poverty in the world.

A.N.

The concert was just amazing. So many people and also famous people who had only one thought: poverty and what everyone could do against it. The motto was “Your voice against poverty”. It was a huge crowd of about 80,000 people. The atmosphere was so peaceful. Amazing. Also, the music, which was performed by famous artists like Seeed, Fanta 4 and Herbert Grönemeyer was great. Only the heat and the expensive drinks were a bit nasty.

F.H.

Photos by Matthias Bannert

Do you agree?

 

Find out about our impressions of the P8 concert tomorrow.

Tell us your opinion.

Your G8 blog-team!

Music

      “Together we can save the world”, says Herbert Grönemeyer. Famous and local musicians also want to protest against the poverty in the world. Their campaign is called “Move against G8”. “The heads of government of the seven big industrial countries and Russia can’t ignore our concerts. They have to hear us, although there are fences and police everywhere; we’re just too loud.”, says Kettcar. On June 2^nd there are going to perform: Wir sind Helden, Madsen and Eva Briegel and Jonas Pfelzing of Juli, the day after Jan Delay and Chumbawamba are going to perform for free in the Rostocker Stadthafen. On June 5^th and 6^th Kettcar, Mediengruppe Telekommander and members of the famous Rio-Reiser band Ton Steine Scherben can be seen and heard in G8 opponent-camps.

      The biggest event will take place on June 7^th in the IGA-Park. For 2,50 Euro, everybody can watch the concert of Herbert Grönemeyer, Bono of U2, Silbermond, Sportfreunde Stiller, Fantastische 4, Toten Hosen, Seed and 2Raumwohnung. Their slogan is “Your voice against poverty” and 100 000 people are going to attend this event.

      But local musicians also want to take part in the fight against G8. “The whole world visits our country and we are not involved!”, says Martin Pollok. He, Dana Bauers of LAG-Rock&Pop, Susi Koch, Christian Kuzio, Philipp Bodin, Frank Richter and Wolfgang Schmied have produced the song “Schein Heiligendamm”. It’s about the G8 and the fact that one of the big villas in Heiligendamm was meant to be pulled down for a stage for the press. The LAG-Rock&Pop also called upon other local bands to write songs about G8 and to send it in to the local radio station LOHRO. To raise their voices is their way to do something against the G8 and they use them, as we can hear and see.

written by S.D., 30.05.2007

ART GOES HEILIGENDAMM

      There are a lot of articles about the G8 summit in the newspapers every day and the demonstrations are at the centre of their attention. Although nobody knows exactly what will happen in Rostock, most think that there will be thousands of people from all over Germany in Rostock to be a part of this event. A lot of famous people and artists will join in, too: From May 24^th until June 9^th there will be an artistic project in Rostock called “Art Goes Heiligendamm”.

      This project brings together artists, globalisation critics, politicians and the population. It tries to encourage comprehension and dialogue between these people. For this reason a programme was created which includes theatre, music and workshops. The cooperating partner is the Office of Culture and a lot of famous people will come to join this event. Twelve pillars with work of art, made by important international artists, will be put up in the city of Rostock.

   The project “silver pearl” created by “ramlabor Berlin” will probably be the most eye-catching piece of art in the city. Its name is an ironic allusion to the “Weiße Perle” Heiligendamm. There will also be a “Kurhaus” with the façade of the hotel complex Heiligendamm, with hotel, spa pool, and bar.

    Rostock’s institutions and clubs as for example the “Volkstheater”, the “Stubnitz”, the Literaturhaus Kuhtor” and the “Frieda” cooperate with “Art Goes Heiligendamm”. There are still a lot of artists announcing to support this project. The organizers are convinced that this art project will set an example to the following G8 summits. The next one will take place in Japan, Arts Initiative Tokyo (AIT) is already interested.

written by L.M., 22.05.2007

Here we are!

It’s only some days to go until the G8 summit starts in Heiligendamm. But people have been busy preparing for this special occasion weeks and months before. So have we. Here are the first articles that have been written by pupils of the advanced course English 3 in year 12 on different aspects of this event.

Have a look and feel free to ask questions and to tell us your opinion.

 

Your G8-Blog team!

Acting G8

      Art means expression. And if such omnipresent issues like those which refer to the G8 summit in Heiligendamm go round in everybody’s mind, it is obvious to express your opinion with the help of art. There are many ways, but to provoke and start the conversation with people, maybe theatre can be the best way. That is also what the “Gorillas” thought, a theatre group from Berlin, who could be joined in Rostock’s “Stadthafen.”. Their play was all improvised and dealt with themes like G8 and globalisation. Decisive on the occasion was the audience’s collaboration, because they had to choose the theme, for example the big fence in Heiligendamm, or the hole in the ozone layer. But everything had to be done in a funny and ironic way. Actress Regina Fabian for example had to play the fence…

 

      The “Gorillas”-evening had one more reason. It was the beginning of another art project. There is going to be a workshop during the G8 summit where pupils aged 16 and older can learn techniques of theatrical improvisation. This is going to take place from June 6^th to 8^th with the “Gorillas” and other theatre groups from Canada and Colombia.

 

  But this is not the only “acting” dealing with G8 and globalisation. Rostock’s “Lichtspieltheater Wundervoll” also had an offer referring to that theme. On May 21^st, the small cinema showed a film which takes place in Mali and deals with the problems of development policies in Africa. The film was followed by a discussion lead by the organizers of the film festival “globale”, which organized a whole film tour referring to G8.

 

 

written by U.S., 23.05.2007

G8 and photography

 

 

     Every historic event needs to be documented and the G8 summit is no exception. Besides writing, photography is the best medium to meet these requirements. Every poster, every newspaper article, every news report contains photos. The visual sense is the most important one for apprehending information. But photography isn’t exclusively used for catching up on bygone events – artists use this medium as a way of expressing their thoughts and individual opinions concerning the G8 summit.

     Photographies of protesters are most popular. The photographers want to capture the truth, the fear and the anger which are conveyed by facial expressions, postures and scenery. Another well-liked form are composite photographies. The most expressive parts of photos are put together to strengthen the intention. Colours and details are often alienated, contours are sharpened, words and symbols are added.

      The web page www.deviantart.com is the best in all matters concerning art. Browsing for pictures with the keyword “G8” gives you a huge collection of emotive portraits and photographies excoriating politics. My best compliments.

 

 

written by D.L., 21.05.2007