yource blog: “YES – Youth European Soundtrack!”: “YES

The party continued until the next morning, when each group, one by one, started to leave and go back home, already waiting for the fifteenth edition of the festival next year. The YES project was a wonderful experience for all of us, we will miss it! But this is not the end, it is only the beginning of hopefully many more projects between all the people who met here in Sandanski!

The last soundtrack we heard was Gabana’s, on 2be1 like sun: they had gathered musicians from all the other bands of the YES project and had had the great idea to invite the Karandila Jr. Orchestra for a song that some called “the hit of the festival”!
After the most beautiful fire show of the festival, all the artists went on stage and received diplomas to thank them for their participation in the Balkan Youth Festival.

Sunday was already the last day of the Balkan Youth Festival. The Closing Act started with traditional and modern dancers, pop rock singers and other performances. Then came the moment we were all waiting for, the core of the whole YES project. What music had the groups managed to write for the short films they had selected a few days ago? All of them were simply impressive. Each band, while keeping its own style, managed to be true to the short film they were working on. They effectively conveyed the atmosphere given by the images, whether it was joyful, depressing, full of anger, funny (as was the ending of Lewis’ Big Night In) or ecstatic.

“Asylum” (Croatia) was the next group to perform. Though their gothic metal style was very different from that of the other groups, they enjoyed the same success. Finally, the Bulgarian band “Gabana” closed the evening –before the fire show– with rock songs.
Now, everyone waits for the soundtracks that they will all play on Sunday night!

And finally, Saturday night! After the performance of dancers and singers on the stage of the Summer Theatre, each band played a few songs. It was a huge success! “Drugo Rodjenie”, from Serbia, was the first group to arrive on stage. An arrival we won’t forget, as they were dressed up in nappies! Then, “Alien Perspective”, from Macedonia, played for their first time on stage, but no one could have guessed it as they really seemed very experienced. They left the floor to “Afterglow” (Scotland) and Faye’s enchanting voice. The audience, thrilled, invaded the stage and surrounded the musicians. The same thing happened for “BlueZone”, from Turkey, who set the public on fire with their blues and rock standards.

Saturday: all the different bands check the stage of the Summer Festival, tune their instruments backstage, try not to have too much stage fright. Tonight’s the big night: all the groups of the YES exchange will perform.

The YES participants took part in the Round Table “Partnership now and in the future”. A fair presented to them all the organizations gathered in Sandanski, their aims and their projects.

On Thursday, the “Downtown” Club in Sandanski opened its door for the Balkan Youth Party. The YES participants experienced once again how close the notions of “Balkan” and of “Party” are linked!

Today, early departure to Melnik, the smallest city of Bulgaria, very famous for its sand-pyramids, its typical houses and its great wine, not to be missed! Actually, it could hardly be missed, since you can find it in huge plastic bottles sold in front of every house. A few hours of rest –well deserved- far from the intense activity surrounding the Balkan Youth Festival in Sandanski.

On Wednesday September 9th, the 14th Balkan Youth Festival was officially opened by a parade crossing the whole city centre, from the main square to the Summer Theatre. All the participants in the festival, dancers, musicians, painters, photographs, as well as the participants of the YES project, took part in the parade. The Brass Band Karandila Jr, for example, played, some cheerleaders danced, other sang, danced, laughed, had fun!

During the whole period of the festival, always present but hidden behind cameras or microphones were two very important actors of the BYF: the Omai TV team (http://omai.tv), and in particular Vencislav, and the youth radio Radio ORV (http://www.radioorv.com). The major participants, artists and volunteers were interviewed by the TV, in the office, while they prepared the festival, the musicians rehearsing, the volunteers building the stage… All events were filmed and were broadcasted almost straight away on the Internet television Omai TV. Other media, like radio stations from Brussels or Blagoevgrad, were also present to share with Bulgaria and with the world what was taking place in Sandanski.

Tonight, several groups from the YES project should have performed on stage in the Summer Theatre, in front of the audience of the Balkan Youth Festival. But the weather challenged our plans and the concerts had to be cancelled for the night because of the rain. It was a real shame, but we will still hear everyone very soon!

The Balkan Youth Festival started on Wednesday Night. Custom has it in Bulgaria that participants are welcome with a traditional cake, “kozunak”, which they dip in a cream. The Summer Theatre had never been so full. After the first concerts and shows, the night ended with a fire show, a song on stage, and a party.

Before the final performance on stage, the YES participants took part in the different events of the Balkan Youth Festival, like the parade on Wednesday. Rehearsals start a bit everywhere; every music band starts working on the short film that it has chosen. For instance, the Scottish band “Afterglow” decided to write a soundtrack for the Polish film “Gadzio”, the Turks work on “Lewis’s Big Night In”, the Croatians on “Stabat Mater”, the Macedonians on “Vengeance”, the Serbs on “All different, all equal” and the Bulgarians on “2be1 like sun”. Everywhere in the hostel or in the parks of Sandanski, we can hear voices, guitars, drums, each group having its special style and influences. Photographs and video operators follow them everywhere, as does Vencislav, from Omai TV, interviewing the different groups.

On Saturday morning, volunteers of the BYF and participants of the YES project gathered on Bulgaria Square with empty plastic bottles for the Youth Eco Happening. They made as much noise as they could with them. Then, they crushed them and piled them up near the non-yet-crushed ones, so as to show that this simple gesture can save a lot of space. Finally, all the bottles were put in another huge one, displayed on the square. Lots of people seemed really interested by the event!

We also had the chance to listen to a great opera singer, who left the room speechless (and that was a big challenge!). We danced on the music of the drums, guitar, clarinet and vocals, played Polish and Serbian games: if only the YES project lasted a month we would also present all the countries of the people involved in the Balkan Youth Festival, that is to say Germany, France, Greece, Italy, and many others. Long life to interculturality!

The Turks did not have rakia, but rake, plus an infinite variety of sweet cakes, among which the famous and delicious loukoums. They also made us it a sort of powder that makes you almost choke if you take too much at once. Macedonians brought alcohol –mastica, the national drink, around 50° degrees alcohol, mentha and rakia– and lyutenitsa, a tasty sauce made from tomatoes and peppers.
We learn secret customs or stories from all countries. For instance, Dracula does not actually come from Romania! Or another one: in Serbia, it is a custom that a man takes a loaf of bread before the meal starts, turns it in his hands and speaks while a woman pours wine on it.

On Monday and Tuesday night, all the YES participants presented their countries to the group. The Scots had brought red-haired wigs, music, biscuits and whisky. The Romanians had wine and rakia, which is slightly different from the Bulgarian ones. They also had flag, old pictures, books on Romania: great invitation to travel. The Polish presented their country, its history and assets; they made us taste Polish vodka and small cakes strangely called “Bird milk”. The Serbs also gave us general information on their country and the music band “Drugo Rodjenje” sang a traditional song: you could feel the room quiver! Great wine and rakia too.

The first one comes from Macedonia and was entitled “2be1 like sun”. It is a documentary following a project organized by Mitko Gogov, an EVS volunteer for the BYF, with three American students in the Turkish neighbourhood of his town in Macedonia. A huge sun was drawn on the ground, everyone was invited to be part of the activities and workshops. Children played music –brass instruments, clarinet, drums– painted, danced, sang, drew… A great experience on tolerance and open-mindedness.

The second film, “All different all equal” is from Serbia. It presents images of the finals and semi-finals of the Plana Demo Fest in Velika Plana in 2008 and in 2009. This festival was created by Dejan Ilic, the leader of the Serbian participants for the YES project, and aims at giving young talented musicians a chance to perform on stage. The contest organized by this festival proved to be a springboard for many musicians, like the Serb group “Drugo Rodjenje” (“Born a second time”) that won the first prize … last year. This film on musicians, stage and concerts definitely needs a soundtrack!

The Scottish participants presented three short films to us, that were made by students in the same college as the music band participating in the YES project, “Afterglow”.
“Vengeance” is a short film made by Ryan Tudor. Its black and white colours reminded us in a way of the “All equal all different” logo. Characters are filmed as if they were taken from a comic strip. They go from shadow to light, walk, watch, hesitate, until they finally violently meet at the end. The tension is palpable and the music that will be written for it will certainly make it even clearer.

The next one was named “Stabat Mater” and was made by Marte Tokarz. Several people are in a room. Nothing gives us any clue of when or where the scene takes place and the bare walls give to the atmosphere a sense of imprisonment and at the same time of purity. The different characters seem to go through many different feelings, from rage to despair, sadness and peace. They either bump into each other or ignore each other: the story of how difficult it is to communicate and live together? Many interpretations are possible and open to the viewers.

Next film, next style! “Lewis’s Big Night In” was made by Lewis Braneld, part of the video team for the YES project. His film deals with loneliness in a very funny and touching way. It is a slice of life in which all of us can recognize ourselves. Again, many emotions in a few minutes, but mostly a good laugh!

Finally, the Polish team presented to us the trailer of the film “Gadzio”. It’s a story of friendship between an old man and a young Gipsy boy, living in two different worlds that usually never meet. Pictures and colours are beautiful and the film is shot in a very professional way. “Gadzio”, or how to overcome prejudices and build relationships despite all differences.
All in all, we all enjoyed the films very much and are looking forward to listening to the soundtracks that all music bands are going to write for them. Seeing these films without any music showed us very clearly how momentous the importance of soundtrack is. Without it, no matter how good the film is, something seems to be lacking. Now let the musicians take up the challenge!

On Monday afternoon, a very important activity for the exchange took place: the presentation of the short films. There were six of them, which we all watched with attention in the Cacao Club, next door to the BYF office.

While the YES participants are working on music, films and photography, the daily work goes on in the office of the BYF, so as to finalize the preparation of the festival. Sandanski found itself invaded by logos of the festival and of the YES project.

The participants in the YES exchange visited the centre for disabled children and youngsters „St. Nedelia“ in Sandanski. The children were very happy about their visit and gathered together to sing for them.

On Sunday evening, when everyone had settled in the Zdravec hotel and experienced, for most of them- their first hours in Bulgaria, we all met in the Hotel Sandanski to attend a very special evening, meant to give all participants an insight into Bulgarian traditions and customs. We all ate typical food, learnt a few steps of Bulgarian dances, but most importantly met and talked with everyone. Soon enough, chopska salad, horo and rakia will have become an habit for all the participants.

Before the start of the Balkan Youth Festival, Emilia Marinova and some of the volunteers gave a press conference to television and radio journalists, in order to present the festival this year.

Today, after a session of energizers, the YES participants were told more about the Balkan Youth Festival, Bulgaria and Sandanski. Aims, activities and agenda were presented and ice-breaking games helped everyone find out more about others. Sandanski found itself invaded by logos of the festival and of the YES project.

Saturday, the day we were all waiting for. All day long, participants from all over Europe arrived in Sandanski. And even after trips that were sometimes very long and tiring, how could they miss a first party in the big park of Sandanski? The first of a long series...

The countdown has started already: in one week, we will welcome all the participants of the YES project in Sandanski, that is to say 58 young people and 10 leaders from Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Greece, Turkey, Macedonia, Poland, Serbia, and Croatia. We are looking forward to meeting you and we can’t wait to get started!

The pre-meeting for the YES (Youth European Soundtrack) project organized in Sandanski from July 29th to July 31st gathered the organisers of the BYF, that is to say Emilia Marinova and Vladimir Tsvetanov, as well as the leaders of the YES project from Serbia, Poland, Macedonia, Turkey and Bulgaria, plus four German and French EVS (European Voluntary Service) volunteers and their mentor, Petar Petrov.

We started with a presentation of the Balkan Youth Festival to all the participants, from its creation in 1996 to the people involved in this project this year, the artists coming, the different activities taking place and the locations in and around Sandanski. Dejan, from Serbia, told us about a festival he organized, Plana Demo Fest. Serkan, from Turkey, then presented his organization, AEGEE Istanbul (Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l’Europe), its goals and actions. Karol, from Poland, did the same on the CWE, Centrum Wspolpracy Europejskiew. Gjorgji was replacing another Macedonian leader who was unable to come, so he quickly presented the association.
Among other things, we discussed the schedule of the BYF in detail, as well as other topics like logos and deadlines, while Emilia and Vladimir answered our questions about the YES project and about the festival in general.

During these few days here, we also visited Sandanski and Melnik and became more familiar with the premises of the BYF. The famous hot sources of Sandanski, from which water more than 70° C hot gushed out, and the very steep sand pyramids of the Melnik region are worth the trip!

See you again next month, Sandanski!

// Project summary

// Departures (Event)

// Last night 2 (Event)

// Last night 1 (Event)

// Performances on stage 2 (Event)

// Performances on stage 1 (Event)

// Preparation on stage (Event)

// Participation in the Round Table (Event)

// Balkan Youth Party (Party)

// Visiting Melnik (Culture)

// Participation in the parade (Event)

// The media on the scene (Culture)

// Thursday night (Event)

// Opening of the festival (Event)

// Rehearsals (Event)

// Youth Eco Happening (Event)

// Intercultural evenings 3 (Diner)

// Intercultural evenings 2 (Diner)

// Intercultural evenings 1 (Diner)

// 2be1 like sun (Event)

// All different all equal (Event)

// Vengeance (Event)

// Stabat Mater (Event)

// Lewis’s Big Night In (Event)

// Gadzio (Event)

// Choosing the short films (Event)

// Office work (Event)

// Visiting the St Nedelia Centre (Event)

// Bulgarian Night (Culture)

// Press conference (Event)

// The project officially starts! (Event)

// The YES participants are here! Let the project -and the party- begin! (Party)

// The « YES: Youth European Soundtrack » team in Sandanski (Event)

// Pre-meeting for the YES project: getting to know Sandanski! (Event)