Paco Diez

Paco Diez - photo by Nigel A.  JAMES

The Spirit of a Nation

Paco Diez

Music is, without any doubt at all, the greatest and strongest tradition that exists for us all. And, because it mostly reflects the moments of its times, it often falls prey to the emotions of now. And, so it is, that one by one, many beautiful pieces simply quietly vanish by stepping out of our hearts for ever!

And, folk music is the most vulnerable of all! But there is, thankfully, on the Iberian peninsular, a man who is doing all that he can to retrieve the treasures of sound that still lay slumbering in the depths of many Spanish souls; and his name is Paco Diez.

Living not far from the town of Valladolid in northern Spain, Paco Diez has become well known for not only his massive collection of now preserved songs, but also his collection of over 500 now rare musical instruments which he houses in his very own museum which is part of his home. But, that's not all, he also has his very own theatre, and, it was there, late one night about two weeks ago, that I witnessed one of the most magically loaded concerts that I have ever experienced!

And it was coming straight from his heart! This curator and collector is also one of Spain's finest musicians - and his playing isn't only restricted to the Spanish guitar. On stage he had a collection of instruments which included a set of Iberian bag pipes; a Pandea Narbanturn – an Arabic percussion instrument which looks like a flat skin covered box; a Thamfurmi – an instrument that's similar to a violin in nature but which is not played with a bow but rather a wheel produces the fiction which produces the sound; a Ulcher bone pipe which produces a very high sweet tone; and, of course, a set of castanets. And, he was fluent in them all!

And, as as he gently moved from one instrument to another, it was easy to understand how these musical rarities were once the emotional glue that held his country together! They were the spirit of a nation! And, maybe, that's why Paco Diez is as popular as he is; after all, his music is the music that makes the entire Spanish heart!

info - www.aulamuseopacodiez.net

Poem for November

Flying - Pencil drawing by Nigel A JAMES

THE DAY OF BATTLE

 

From the Shropshire Lad by A. E.  Housman

“Far I hear the bugle blow

To call me where I would not go,

And the guns begin the song,

"Soldier, fly or stay for long."

“Comrade, if to turn and fly

Made a soldier never die,

Fly I would, for who would not?

'Tis sure no pleasure to be shot.

“But since the man that runs away

Lives to die another day,

And cowards' funerals, when they come,

Are not wept so well at home,

“Therefore, though the best is bad,

Stand and do the best, my lad;

Stand and fight and see your slain,

And take the bullet in your brain.

Mrs. Maria Michael

Happy Camping Kids - by Nigel A  JAMES

Lights Out at Ten!

Childhood is the best time of our lives, and, this truth was even more so in the country where Maria Michael grew up.  She  grew up in Czechoslovakia.   

Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic and Slovakia) was, in those days, a communist country, and, despite all one may have heard, it was a paradise on earth for children. And, summer was magic - it was the time of  the camps.

Youth camps, as Mrs. Michael explained, were the perfect place for a perfect summer, and, what they offered was sensational.  To begin with, every child was treated like a king or a queen and they wanted for nothing! Apart from full service which even covered full  laundry, there were 5 full meals every day – for most kids a complete contrast to their regular life – and the meals were needed because of the energy they gave.  And strength was essential!

Because the camps were all set in the depths of the country, the main day time activities were all sporting. There was hiking, gymnastics and athletics. And, everything that was done was done together. Perfect for the body and the fun of being together.  But, what about the mind?

The evenings were the opposite.  They provided the balance for the building of comradery that is especially important for children. The end of each day was for music, literature and discussion; the ingredients for deep and lasting friendships! But, of course, even paradise needs rules!

And the regiment was strict.  Up with the sun, and lights out and no more talking at ten!  But, no one minded, everyone was too tired to want anything different, and, the same was wanted year after year.    

The crowning glory of the end of each summer was the knowledge that the coming year wouldn’t be different!  There was nothing better to look forward to than real life fun!  And, life in the communist east was perfect for children!

Hermina Katharina Jinga

Hermina Katharina Jinga - by Nigel A JAMES

Rock Hard Rumanian Steel

Faces show nothing of the characters they hide, and, expressions – being only questions or statements – do nothing to enlighten the depths of achievement and thinking that dwell in the shadows of us all. And, strength, too, is not easy to find.  Sometimes, it is obvious, but, only too often it is hidden by a cloak of humble simplicity.  And, if you were to believe that Hermina Katharina Jinga is both humble and meek, you would be wrong!  For this lady of years is not only a person of steel, but also a character of rock hard decision!

Coming from a family which was broken by war,  Hermina Katharina Jinga grew up with hunger, hardship and struggle as companions; and, so it was, that after practically educating and bringing herself up, she succeeded in her dream of becoming a teacher.  But, her young life had not only been bad, there had been blessings as well; and these were the people who helped her. And help, when received, has to be passed further; and she was in just the right place.

As teacher, and now headmistress of a Bucharest school, she realized that many of the children whom she knew had not even the faintest idea of where their food came from. These kids were all typical Bucharest townies! And the answer was simple.  A centre! And so it came to be, that deep within the Rumanian countryside, Hermina Katharina Jinga’s  “Kinderbauenhof” was born!  And,  this “farm for young people” took off!

In 12 day cycles, kids not only discovered the innocent truth of chickens and eggs and potatoes and cabbage, but also the hidden realities of slaughter.  Breakfast, dinner and tea,  they found out, were nothing other than last links of a chain! But, as Hermina Katharina Jinga discovered, the beautiful Rumanian countryside had another side, too!

And this was the side of the Romany children!  They were the complete opposite of the townies.  They knew and understood all about chickens, pigs and eggs, but were sadly lacking in schooling and study.  These were the ones who needed the most!  And so, at the end of every school holiday, the Kinderbauenhof  becomes a day centre of learning  and warmth for these children of need.  And here, the results are not good – they are amazing!

A great many of the Romany kids who passed through the day centre have succeeded in their education, and, thanks to their success, they  have managed to move on to conventional lives!  Dignity, the most valuable thing of all, is now what they have in their pockets, and all thanks to Hermina Katharina Jinga!  A lady of not only vision, but great and lasting achievement as well.

Over the years, Hermina Katharina Jinga and her team have managed to help many hundreds of youngsters, and, if you would like to help her to help others then you can so.  Donations, however small, are always welcome.

a/c.  Ro44BRMA0270027080895400-BIC /SWIFT CODE BRMA ROBUXXX

Banca Romaneasca B-dul Vvasile Milea nr. 12

Further info – www.kinderbauernhof.org    www.tabara-ruciori.org