Lizzy, Pigeons and Other Inhabitants in Hyderabad

With my short-term flat-mate Maria from Brazil in my room

Perhaps, subconsciously I miss them. She used to greet me every morning when I turned on the light at 6 o’clock and fearfully looked around searching: where will she be this time? From where will she creep out? How will she shock me? That was her. Mischievous and completely unpredictable. But then there were some other guys. They used to sing and dance and make wild parties in the bathroom which we had reserved for them (sort of given away). They used to chat in their annoying hollow voices. I remember them as a sort of monotonous radio which you cannot turn off as it turns on whenever it wants..... Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, may I introduce you to my ex-roommates? Our lizard Lizzy and pigeons. Yes, that was our ex-family. Probably, they are still there – in our Lakdikapool flat where we used to live before we moved to Secundarabad, RTC Colony and changed our living place from busy and crowded to peaceful and calm. Did they actually notice that we moved out? I wonder.

Cautiously happy

View from our Lakdikapool apartment

Accommodation has been my major problem since the day I moved to India. On my first day here in Hyderabad I was allocated in one of the 3 AIESEC flats in Lakdikapool and faced the first problems: no electricity, no hot water, sharing a room (no, no, even A BED) with a guy whom you have just met, no internet...and on the top of that – no certainty about when, how and if those problems are going to be fixed. Don’t get me wrong! I am not here to complain. Imagine, this topic would never find me if all the things had been perfect.

Ok, let’s live and see. That became our motive. Or so to say – let’s live day by day. Let’s be happy that today we have light, but let’s not forget that tomorrow it can get down again. Let’s be cautiously happy.....The same to internet, water...In short, let’s appreciate the moment as it’s given to us. Let’s be thankful for what we have.

Finding an apartment: mission impossible!

When I found out that my school is 2 hours ride away from Lakdikapool, I knew I am going to look for another place and move out soon. Luckily, my Mexican friend had the same opinion, so we started searching for an apartment.

Initially, it seemed like a normal thing to do: find an ad, go and see the flat, then agree on the rent fee and move in. That’s what you would do in Europe, but not in India. We forgot many things: even when we find an ad, call up the person who rents out the flat and arrange to see the apartment, it’s not at all that simple. Problems start here:

First, if you are a foreigner, it’s not actually that easy to get to the place where the flat is located. Equipped with many addresses and the hope to visit as many flats as possible on a fine rainy (completely inappropriate for that) day, we got into auto and moved on. Needless to say that the auto drivers would supposedly take you in their vehicle even if they don’t know the address (everyone wants to live and EARN), but pretend they know it perfectly. Surely, that is not the way you can reach the place. Moreover, you cannot reach it on the agreed time. Furthermore, you get lost in the new city you have just arrived at and in our case of a rainy August day – you get wet and feel cold.

Second, even if you reach the apartment (after spending long hours on looking for it and most probably involving random Indians from the street to finally help you find the place), you realize that it’s most probably not in the condition to start living there. Most probably it will be unfurnished or semi-furnished and without kitchen utensils (if you are looking for something that costs below 5000 rupees a month per person). Basically, what they offer are empty rooms which you can rent. But that means investing extra time to find all the necessary utensils and spending a lot more money for it. Perhaps, it would pay off if you plan to stay in Hyderabad for a long time, but a few months stay wouldn’t make sense to waste your efforts knowing that in India things don’t move fast, however you need a place as soon as possible.

Third, roommates. In India, many landlords would not allow girls live together with guys. So, if you are only two girls looking for a flat and want to share a room to reduce costs you would need to find more girls to place in a 3-bedroom or 2-bedoom flat or you need to find a landlord who allows boys and girls stay in a shared apartment. 

As a result, we realized that we don’t want to waste our time and energy looking for an apartment. So, we decided to stay at AIESEC flats provided to us even if that brought a lot of problems too. 

‘We will remove your beds’

The most adventurous times we experienced were in our Lakdikapool flat. In total AIESEC has/used to have 3 apartments there. As I already mentioned, the funniest part was our „roommates” (Lizzy and pigeons) who always kept surprising us. Apart from that there was time when we used to say „the only organized thing about India is electricity cuts” as electricity used to cut every day exactly at 6 in the morning (time when I had to wake up and face Lizzy in the dark corners where she was hiding). Of course, electricity cuts were sometimes „unorganized” and occurred during day time and evening too. The final step that made us move out of the Lakdikapool flat was different kind of people that kept coming and saying that „you haven’t paid the electricity bill”, „you haven’t paid the internet” (though we never had one in our flat), „you haven’t paid this and that”. So we realized the rent money we pay doesn’t necessarily go to the people who are supposed to get it. Lastly, we got to know that even our furniture that we had in our flat is leased. „We will remove your bed if you don’t pay the rent,” one man came and announced. We were always the „you” ones, the ones who didn’t pay though we had always paid our rent and it was AIESEC who didn’t deliver the money further. And that continued for many months...

Happy up there!

Living room in Secundarabad apartment

When we found out that the debt for our apartment had reached an astronomical number, there was no way than moving out. Luckily, those were AIESECers who had in mind another flat in Secundarabad. Finally, the conditions improved. The flat itself was much better furnished, it had internet connection, I could have my OWN room as it was too small to share it with others, the neighborhood was nicer and more private, and our landlord (the direct contact person) was living just downstairs, so if anything happened we didn’t need to contact AIESECers and wait until they come and solve the problem. The landlord was a very nice lady who cared for us and wanted to help when something went wrong.

That is how I started my life in Secundarabad. It was also more convenient for the school as now it took just 1 hour in a bus to get there. Apart from the fact that we were actually located in Secundarabad which is quite far from Hyderabad, I didn’t have any more complaints. Moreover, I would say I liked Secundarabad more as it somehow looked healthier place to stay. On the main street you could find everything you need, and all the shops were walking distance from my apartment. Of course, things sometimes went wrong there as well, like we had electricity cuts and internet cuts, but we took it in a more moderate way as you could easier find a solution. No, no, I don’t miss Lizzy and pigeons after all.

Let’s celebrate it Indian way!

It seemed to be a usual school day, however it wasn’t. The school buses were picking up spider men, witches, butterflies, princesses and many other characters. What??? Am I going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry today? I was thinking. No. It’s 31st of October. Halloween. No wonder why children from younger classes were enjoying this day with their special customs. „Happy Halloween!” wished their school’s Principal in the morning assembly. Indians like to celebrate! And if there seems to be no reason, they will find it! Isn’t it nice to get sweets every day?

Light a candle for Diwali!

From one celebration to another. Sometimes I get an impression. Though I didn’t join the pupils of elementary school for Halloween performances (I was working with junior and senior classes), I don’t miss the celebration and festival mood here. Some days ago (from 24th to 28th of October) Indians were celebrating Diwali (Deepavali), probably the most meaningful festival or so called the festival of Lights. Though the duration of the celebration is five days filled with lots of traditions and legends, the actual holidays are two. Diwali sweets, little lights called Diyas lit in all houses, fire crackers, rockets, sparklers. Sounds like New Year’s Eve? Indeed, for Indians this festival is like a New Years Eve, however, it’s important to celebrate it in families and enjoying Indian hospitality. So, did we. My Mexican friend and I had just come back from a trip to Goa when we got an invitation from our Indian friend to join her family’s Diwali celebration. As we were asked we put on Indian clothes (for Indians you should always wear new clothes at this celebration) and took a rickshaw to our friend’s house. Surrounded by lights and explosions of the firecrackers we were moving towards our destination and feeling like in a war. You couldn’t know where the cracker will explode. It was a bit scary despite hiding in a rickshaw, our shelter, and also the sound was quite annoying.

Once arrived, we waited for the other guests and then started the celebration with lots of nice food -  snacks, rice, sauces, sweets. „You must eat until you feel uncomfortable,” the host was telling us. And indeed, food is very important part for Indians, especially, in celebrations. No wonder, why you feel stuffed after Diwali dinner. But, of course, it’s not only about eating. During dinner we learned about the importance of Diwali. It’s indeed a special festival marking the time when the monsoons are over, the harvest has been collected and the family can come together to prepare for the next season. Also school’s term is over by that time and a new one starts right after Diwali. As it’s said in one of the children books „it signifies the triumph of good over evil”. It also signifies hope and reminds us of that despite the evil that exists in this world.

Traditionally also the firecrackers have a meaning and explanation, however, nowadays it has become commercial and people seem to enjoy turning the whole place into a battleground and making it even more polluted. Though Diwali dinner is a one day event (out of 5 celebrated days), it’s not the same with the crackers – you can hear the ‘bombing’ also in the next Diwali days.

Worshipping for Ganesha

I had hardly settled down in India (beginning of September, 2011) when I noticed strange looking elephant faces all around Hyderabad – bigger and smaller sizes, on streets, in markets. Everywhere. What’s this? Ganesha Charatarthi or simply Ganesha is another festival that is celebrated quite visibly, widely and loudly.

It’s quite important to know the legend of this elephant and human body that is being worshipped. In short, there was a goddess Parvati (wife of Lord Shiva) who created a statue and made it her son. One day she asked the boy to guard the house while she was taking a bath. After a while Lord Shiva returned home and sadly the boy didn’t recognize him and stopped the Lord. It made Shiva angry and he cut the boy’s head. After finding out it was Parvati’s son, the Lord felt bad and asked his servants to put on him any creature’s head they find as first. The servants found an elephant and put on his head. Then the Lord made him Ganesha which means „Lord of the attendants” and said he shall be praised as a Lord of Power and Wisdom.

Therefore, the idol of Ganesha is worshipped in families and also in public places where large statues are installed under huge tents. The period of worshipping lasts for 10 days, though the statues are being made months before. On the 11th day which is a national holiday the big statues are taken through the streets in a procession with crowds of people gathering and cheering and, believe me, making a big mess. People are transporting the huge Ganesha statues in the trucks and their cheering is sometimes really wild both inside the trucks and on streets where crowds are gathering, dancing, screaming. Moreover, after seeing some foreigners they get around them and involve in their dances and take loads of pictures – well, it’s nice and spiritual and you can really feel the atmosphere, however, might be dangerous as some of people are drunk.  what happens After the procession (you won’t want to believe!) these beautiful creatures are simply immersed into the water (in the case of Hyderabad it was lake). Of course, also this procedure is accompanied with rituals and traditions. However, it’s sad to see so much work and beauty to just disappear into the water....

Celebrating two laptops

Religion has an important roles when it comes to different festivals and celebrations. The majority of Indians belong to Hinduism. However, there are also Muslims and Christians and other religions. Especially, here in Hyderabad, Muslim population is the highest one in India. Therefore, naturally, you get to experience Ramadan and Eid (for Muslims) and Christmas and probably many other festivals and celebrations which I don’t even know about yet. For example, today (7th of November) it’s again holiday because Muslims are celebrating Eid.

And sometimes you really don’t need to know who is celebrating what and for what reason. You just notice it when somebody gives you a sweet. It happens very often in my school. A birthday kid wears special and new clothes, not the school uniform and gives sweets to all teachers. When it was my birthday I also brought some Indian sweets to school. This is interesting that it’s more common for Indians to wish ‘Many Happy Returns of the day!’ than ‘Happy Birthday’ (at least I got such an impression)..

And the private celebrations don’t finish with birthdays. Someone can treat you with sweets because he/she celebrates a newborn or even finding his/her laptop after thinking it was lost and having bought a new one. Why not? Let’s celebrate! Let’s have some sweets!

Hello from Hyderabad!

It has been more than three weeks since I am in India for the internship at Oakridge International School. Incredible India! I must agree! I am speechless and in the same time feel like every day spent here writes its own chapter. Every day is a box of surprises, we tend to say. It’s me and my Mexican friend who has become my closest friend here. We arrived at about the same time, realized how  much common we have and now are sharing the room and have more or less settled down. Yes, it was only yesterday when I finally moved into a certain place (after moving from one temporary room to another) and could pack out my stuff. 

I am not really willing to tell you how everything happened from the beginning till now as I think it’s quite impossible to put in words everything I have felt, noticed, experienced and seen in the past days. However, be patient! By time, these tiny details of every day life will come out as nice stories. Here are some highlights I would like to share as the first impressions of my first days in India.

Arrival in Hyderabad

I arrived at Delhi airport at night and had some hours to wait till my plane to Hyderabad. I was trying to sleep on my luggage and in the same time capturing the new, undiscovered, excited and noisy world around me. Once the time came, I checked in for my flight to Hyderabad. „I wish you a pleasant stay here!” said a random Indian guy (currently living in America) who sat next to me in the plane. And actually only now the real excitement started. Hyderabad, the city where I was going to spend at least half a year, was in my arms now.

I wasn’t picked up at the airport, nor I was picked up on time in the bus stop where I was asked to get off from the airport bus. I could have started to get worried and become angry and blame the local committee, but somehow I realized it’s the way I chose: unorganized, surprising, unexpected and so much intriguing. I rather asked for the help to some local people to call the local AIESEC committee responsible and after that was done, I could finally meet my pick-up person and be put in a rickshaw (for the first time) to go to my residency.  I was enjoying the rickshaw ride as some kid trying a strange vehicle in amusement park. Indeed, if amusement park is about to surprise you and give extraordinary emotions, that is how I would describe the traffic in Hyderabad. Full of spirit, surprises, beggars asking for money, dogs, people sleeping or peeing on streets. You can find there anything and let your emotional carousel go up and down. 

‘Pleasant’ chaos

Once we reached our residency, I was excited to meet other interns and slowly start settling down. You wish!  Confusion about where to stay as the room that was offered to us was really dirty, double beds while we are put two people in one bed (male and female), no electricity, no internet, no hot water, general confusion about who is staying where (as there were a few interns arriving at this time), no understanding of the situation. That’s what we found in our welcome package. My laptop breaking down. Though it might sound like a full container of complains, I am saying it just because of reporting. Actually, because we were around four of us in the same situation, plus there were interns who were already living in the building (just in different flats), the general mood was not that pessimistic as it might sound. We lived hour by hour, minute by minute and enjoyed getting to know each other, taking the rickshaws and going to the city centre and having our first dinner in McDonald’s. It was four of us – two Tunisian guys, Mexican girl and me.

Movies and parties

And that is why I love India. As deep as it might drown you, as high it can lift you up. Extreme feelings is the regular lifestyle here. It’s something you can and cannot get used to in the same time. Already on my first arrival day after some exploration of the city centre, we went off to a party with other interns. It was supposedly Ladies night and we enjoyed disco rhythms at a full spirit. 

While the other interns had to go to work next days, we were still resting and waiting for information about our schools and works. Unexpectedly, an opportunity for earning money came to us. One message and we as foreigners were invited to take part in a movie shooting. The shooting took place at the Hyderabad airport and we were picked up from our residency and brought there. It started with Indian breakfast when the whole crew was eating Indian food. I couldn’t eat anything as it didn’t look attractive at all. Afterwards, me and a polish girl had to go and change our clothes. We were wearing blue uniforms to act as flight attendants from British Airways and they even fixed our hair accordingly. There was nothing much we had to do except for walking with suitcases on a background while main heroes were engaging in dialogues. However, we were not forgotten in neither of scenes shot that day (around 5-6). The so called „feeling like celebrity” work finished at around six when we were taken back to our residency with 1200 rupees (12 ls) for each in our pockets. Nice job! It was Saturday, so another party to put on your dance shoes and forget about things you are still lacking....maybe it’s all about feelings and day to day situations which you just take as they come...

Ar jokiem un leģendām pēc 17. gadsimta senlietām

Medijs: Alma Mater, Latvijas Universitātes Avīze
Links: http://www.lu.lv/fileadmin/user_upload/lu_portal/par/mediji-izdevumi-un-multivide/alma-mater/AM-2011-03.pdf

Anotācija: Gandrīz mēnesi (no 18. jūlija līdz 12. augustam) Jelgavas ielā 1, Pārdaugavā norisinājās arheoloģiskās izpētes darbi, pirms šajā teritorijā tiek sākta LU Akadēmiskā centra būvniecība. Darbu mērķis bija pārbaudīt, vai zem zemes neslēpjas liecības par Kobronskansti, ko zviedru karaspēks, aplencot Rīgu, uzcēla 17. gs. Darbus, kas iesākti jau pagājušajā gadā, veica divdesmit LU Vēstures un filozofijas fakultātes (LU VFF), kā arī trīs Ģeogrāfijas un Zemes zinātņu fakultātes (ĢZZF) studenti izpētes darbu vadītāja, LU VFF dekāna Andra Šnē vadībā. Par spīti lietum, kas patraucējis darbu pirmās divas nedēļas, studenti nav zaudējuši entuziasmu un turpinājuši pašaizliedzīgi strādāt. Draudzīgais kolektīvs var lepoties ar atrastajām senlietām, ko A. Šnē dala trīs grupās – ar karošanu saistītās, sadzīves un trešajā – ar būvniecību saistīti priekšmeti.

***

„Te noteikti ir Gustavs Ādolfs gājis, tā ir viņa kurpe!” Ar jokiem par 17.-18.gs. dzīvi, draudzīgā kolektīvā, jau pierastajām garāmbraucošā vilciena un mašīnu skaņām, kā arī nereto garāmgājēju apmeklējumiem gandrīz mēnesi Latvijas Universitātes (LU) Vēstures un filozofijas fakultātes (LU VFF), kā arī Ģeogrāfijas un Zemes zinātņu fakultātes (ĢZZF) studenti Jelgavas ielā 1 veica arheoloģiskās izpētes darbus, pirms šajā vietā tiek sākta LU Akadēmiskā centra būvniecība. 

Ir kultūrslānis!
Darbi risinājās no 18. jūlija līdz 12. augustam, un to mērķis bija pārbaudīt, vai zem zemes neslēpjas liecības par Kobronskansti, kuras kādreizējā teritorijā iekļauts mūsdienu Jelgavas ielas 1 zemes gabals, apstiprina izpētes darbu vadītājs, LU VFF dekāns Andris Šnē. Kobronskansts būvniecība sākās 1621. gadā, zviedru karaspēkam aplencot Rīgu un izveidojot zemes nocietinājumu. Skansts nosaukta tās cēlāja — zviedru pulkveža Kobrona vārdā, bet vēlākos gadsimtos tai doti arī citi nosaukumi  - Orānienbaumas skansts, Pētera I skansts. 1641. gadā skansti pārbūvēja, ierīkojot bastionus, ravelīnus un aizsarggrāvi, un tā rezultātā skansts ieguva zvaigžņveida formu. A. Šnē stāsta, ka šis ir vienīgais gabals, kas saglabājies neapbūvēts. „Uz Mūkusalas ielas pusi tur viss ir apbūvēts,” viņš piebilst.

Pētījumi Jelgavas ielā 1 jau sākti pagājušajā gadā. „Tad mūsu interešu lokā bija visa šī teritorija, kad vēlējāmies noskaidrot, vai šeit vispār ir arheoloģiskas liecības, vai te varētu būt kādas konstrukciju paliekas. Tāpēc tika veiktas apmēram 20 zondāžas un izrakti trīs nelieli šurfi,” skaidro A. Šnē. Rezultāti apstiprinājuši, ka teritorijā ir kultūrslānis, kas attiecināms uz 17. gs. „Atradām vienu datējošu elementu – baltmāla pīpes kāta fragmentu, uz kura bija redzami gadaskaitļa pirmie cipari 1 un 6, kas norāda uz 17. gs.,” stāsta dekāns.  Līdz ar to šogad izrakumi izvērsti ļoti plaši – ja pērn pētījumos piedalījās vien daži studenti no LU VFF, tad šogad izrakumu platībā pulcējas 20 studenti no LU VVF un trīs no ĢZZF, kas no astoņiem rītā līdz sešiem vakarā izrakumos strādā katru darba dienu. Turklāt A. Šnē piebilst, ka  „ir ārkārtīgi daudz kursabiedru, kuri intereses pēc atnāk pastrādāt, paskatīties, kas te notiek”.

Vēsturnieki ar ģeogrāfiem
Kā pastāsta darbu vadītājs, izrakumu laikā galvenais uzdevums ir apkopot un savākt pēc iespējas plašāku informāciju, lai pēc tam atrastās senlietas varētu analizēt. Tāpēc liela loma ir studentiem, kuri pašus rakšanas darbus brīvprātīgi veic un atradumus fiksē. Lai kombinētu dažādas metodes, izrakumos tiek iesaistīti gan VFF, gan ĢZZF studenti. „No mūsu puses ir izrakumi, kas ir arheoloģijas pamatmetode, lai gan ļoti destruktīva metode. No otras puses ir ģeologi, kuri mēģina ar nedestruktīvām metodēm apsekot teritoriju un to zemes slāņu raksturu,” skaidro A. Šnē. „Mēs nodrošinām sākotnējo izpēti,” skaidro ĢZZF doktorante Agnese Kukela, piebilstot, ka pasaulē arheoloģiskie izrakumi vēsturniekiem un ģeogrāfiem notiek kopā, vien Latvijā tas bijis aizkavējies. „Mēs pārbaudījām, cik dziļi ir kultūrslānis, kas savukārt vēsturniekiem palīdz rakšanā,” piebilst LU ĢZZF maģistratūras studente Linda Berga. A. Kukela paskaidro, ka „ģeologi piedalās ar dažādām netiešām pētniecības metodēm, tādām kā radiolokācija, radiometrija, notiek pētījumi ar magnetometru”. „Tad tiek sastādītas anomāliju kartes, jo tas palīdz identificēt, kur attiecīgajā laukumā varētu būt kādas izmaiņas no apkārtējās augsnes un vides, kur varētu būt kāda struktūra, kaut kas interesants, citāda veida ieži,” viņa stāsta.

Strādā pašaizliedzīgi
A. Šnē atzīst, ka darbs ir smags, taču „studenti strādā ļoti pašaizliedzīgi un ar lielu interesi”. Nodrošinājušies ar vestēm, cepurēm un cimdiem, lielākām un mazākām lāpstām rokās, daži pie ķerrām, spaiņiem, sūkņiem, cits basām, dubļainām kājām studenti teju mēnesi pavadīja lielajā laukumā, kurš dažās vietās sasniedz 1,80 m dziļumu. Pirms darbi sākušies, tika mehanizēti noņemts vismaz metru biezs sablīvēta māla slānis, kurš bijis bez īpaši augstas kultūras un arheoloģiskās vērtības. Tālāk rakšanas laukums sadalīts trīs daļās. Kā stāsta studenti, nekāda īpašā organizācija par to, kur katrs strādās, nav bijusi. „Ja sāc rakt vienā objektā, tad zini, ka tas ir tavs, un tur tu turpināsi nākamajā dienā. Katram ir sava vieta, un bez teikšanas visi iet un rok,” norāda LU VFF maģistre Aija Vilka. Rezultātā laukums izskatās kā trīs dažādas saliņas. Vienā redzamas ēkas paliekas, citā ir izteikti melns. Ir daļas, kas netiek aiztiktas. „Tas viss ir ļoti apzināti. Nejaušība šeit, es ceru, nav,” komentē A. Šnē. Alma Mater viesošanās laikā, kad līdz darbu beigām atlikusi nedēļa, ir sasniegts līmenis, kad var noteikt, kur ir kultūrslānis un kur tā nav. Tāpēc tam tiek pakārtoti arī darbi. „Mums tagad ir īstais kultūrslānis – tas, ko gribējām sasniegt visu laiku,” entuziastiski stāsta LU VFF 3. kursa studente Ērika Tālberga, kas strādā otrajā laukumā. „Vakar mēs noņēmām dēļu grīdu, atrodam arī daudz ādas apavu un visādas citādas vērtīgas lietas, sadzīves priekšmetus, lauskas,” viņa skaita. Savukārt pirmā laukuma racēji var lepoties ar tādiem atradumiem kā lielgabala lode, ēkas fragments, auduma un ādas apavu fragmenti, piebilst VFF 3. kursa students Jānis Goldšmits.

Mēs atradām!
Pat, ja noteiktu senlietu atrod viens grupas biedrs, studenti norāda, ka darbs nav individuāls, un svarīga ir komanda, tāpēc atradums tiek attiecināts uz visiem. „Tie esam mēs, kas atradām!” precizē Aija. Tiesa, bļaustīšanās pa laukumu, atrodot kādu priekšmetu, nenotiek, uzsver LU VFF 3. kursa students Viesturs Markovskis. „Laukuma ietvaros pasakam citiem, ko atradām,” viņš norāda. „Taču, ja kāds atrod ko īpašu, gadās, ka visi saskrien paskatīties,” piebilst Aija. Atrodot kādu priekšmetu, tiek pierakstītas tā koordinātas, augstums, dziļums. Priekšmets tiek ielikts maisiņā ar zīmīti un pēc tam nākamajā dienā apmazgāts no zemēm. Iepriekšējās dienas atradumu mazgāšanu jeb pirmapstrādi veic divi dienas dežuranti, kas pa dienām mainās. Turklāt dežuranti ne tikai apmazgā priekšmetus, bet arī rūpējas par pusdienu pārtraukumu un launagu, sagatavojot visu nepieciešamo. Tāpat arī pēc darba laika dežuranti paliek laukumā ilgāk, lai uzkoptu teritoriju un izslaucītu dzīvojamo māju, stāsta Jānis.

Ak, šie pielijušie laukumi!
Studenti atzīst, ka visgrūtākās bijušas pirmās divas nedēļas, jo darbu traucējis lietus. „Visu laiku nepārtraukti lija, un mums bija jāattīra laukums. Sanāca fiziski smags darbs: rakt ārā dubļus un vest tos prom,” stāsta Viesturs. Viegli nav gājis arī Jānim. „Tu pa dienu iztīri laukumu tā, ka tūlīt var fiksēt un tad kāds gabaliņš ir jāattīra, ko atstās uz nākamo dienu. Pa nakti atkal ir lietus, un atkal laukums pilns ar ūdeni un dubļiem, un tev jādara tas pats, ko tu jau iepriekšējā dienā darīji,” viņš skaidro. Stipra lietus laikā studenti neraka, taču smidzināšana darbu neapstādināja. „Šeit nevar tā īsti nerakt, jo nav tik daudz laika,” apzinīgi stāsta Aija.

Neskatoties uz grūtībām, studenti uzsver, ka svarīgs bijis draudzīgais kolektīvs, kas šķēršļus palīdzējis pārvarēt. „Ir gadījies būt izrakumos, kur nevar īsti sastrādāties ar cilvēkiem, tas ļoti apgrūtina procesu,” teic Jānis, piebilstot, ka atradumi un labās, pozitīvās emocijas ir daudz vairāk nekā negatīvā. Savukārt Ērika uzskata, ka „arī negatīvajā ir zināms skaistums. „Reizēm tas lietus un tie paši aizlijušie laukumi – tie jau kļūst tik absurdi, ka, no rīta ierodoties, tev nāk smiekli,” studente piebilst. Visi kā viens atzīst, ka darba process paiet ātri un rokot nekad nav klusums. „Tiek bārstīti joki, stāstīti stāsti, runāts par dažādām lietām un atgadījumiem, citiem izrakumiem,” teic Jānis. Lai gan garām braucošās mašīnas un vilciens neļauj līdz galam izjust 17. un 18. gs. elpu, studenti nenoliedz, ka, esot laukumā, par attiecīgo laika posmu mēdz šad tad aizdomāties. „Atrodot senlietas, tu sāc domāt, no kurienes tika izšauta šī lielgabala lode vai kas ar to zobenu ir cīnījies (par zobena fragmentu),” stāsta Jānis, piebilstot, ka arī pašu jautrības uzturēšanai tiek izdomātas leģendas.

Šīs nav bildītes grāmatās
Studenti izrakumos guvuši arī jaunas zināšanas. „Kā notiek dokumentācija, laukuma iezīmēšana, mērīšana, fiksācija - tās ir tādas lietas, kas ģeologos pa tiešo netiek apgūtas. Tā ir iespēja paskatīties, kā to dara arheologi,” stāsta A. Kukela. Savukārt vēsturniekiem tā ir prakse augstskolā gūtajām teorētiskajām zināšanām. „Vienmēr bildēs un grāmatās ir skaisti satīrītas un restaurētas senlietas, bet tev nav ne jausmas, kādas tās ir, kad tikko izceltas no zemes – netīras, melnas, aplipušas,” stāsta Ērika. Aija savukārt uzsver, ka jebkuri izrakumi notiek par savu laika posmu, līdz ar to var iemācīties atpazīt šī posma senlietas. Pie 17. un 18. gs. priekšmetu atpazīšanas studenti piešāvušies diezgan ātri. „Ja, piemēram, ir gaiša smilts zeme un iezīmējas tumšs četrstūris, tad skaidrs, ka tur kaut kam ir jābūt! Visādi kauli, pīpītes un apavi nāk ārā. Pēc zemes strukūtras var pateikt, ka tur ir kaut kas citādāks – zeme ir cietāka vai poraināka vai tumšāka, gaišāka,” stāsta Ērika. „Piemēram, rokot zemi, sāk parādīties ādas loksnes un tad, apstrādājot ar mazajiem priekšmetiem, atklājas, ka tas bijis apavs vai kaut kas cits no ādas,” piebilst Jānis, kurš ar Aiju piedalījās jau pagājušā gada izpētes darbos Jelgavas ielā 1. Arī Ērikai un Viesturam šī nav pirmā vasara izrakumos. Tiesa, daļai studentu šie izrakumi ir pirmā pieredze, kas ir Lauku prakses kursa ietvaros, piebilst A. Šnē. Viesturs uzsver, ka svarīgi izrakumus spēt izturēt. „Viens ir tas, ka tev patīk, bet otrs – vai tu spēj to izturēt. Šie patiešām ir ļoti grūti izrakumi,” puisis piebilst. Savukārt Aija, kas pati izrakumos piedalās jau piekto gadu, uzskata, ka pārliecība nāk ar otro reizi. „Ja pirmo reizi vēl var pašaubīties, tad, aizbraucot otro reizi, tu pēc tam turpināsi visu laiku. Tas kaut kā ļoti ievelk sevī iekšā,” uzskata Aija.

Trīs veidu senlietas
Alma Mater viesošanās laikā studenti strādā ļoti cītīgi, lai darbus līdz paredzētajam datumam pabeigtu. Lai to izdarītu, nepieciešams tikt pie pamatslāņa, kuru cilvēka darbība nav skārusi, paskaidro A. Šnē. Tālāk  visi savāktie priekšmeti tiks apkopoti un vairāku mēnešu garumā analizēti. „Analīze nozīmē sistematizāciju, sakārtošanu, analoģiju meklēšanu literatūrā, jo šajā ziņā šī vieta nav unikāla. Jauno laiku apdzīvotība Latvijā un Rīgā ir ļoti plaša,” skaidro A. Šnē. Lai arī precīzi rezultāti un apstiprinājums par kobronskansti tiks iegūts pēc analīzes, A. Šnē sliecas domāt, ka 17. gs. kobronskanstes līmenis ir sasniegts. Par to varētu liecināt atrastā ēkas daļa, kas visticamāk bijusi skanstes daļa, dekāns uzskata. „Esam guvuši pārliecinošu apstiprinājumu pagājušā gada prognozēm – šī ir jauno laiku (17., 18., 19. gs.) apdzīvotība,” uzsver dekāns. „Konstrukciju paliekas, kuras šobrīd varbūt nav precīzi nodatējamas, bruģa klājums, dēļa klājums, arī grāvja vieta. Tas viss liecina, ka šeit dzīve ir risinājusies,” uzsver A. Šnē. Turklāt par 17.gs. liek domāt senlietas, kuras ir iespējams nodatēt – atrastās monētas, dažāda rakstura senlietas un artefakti (attiecināmi arī uz 18. un 19. gs.). Darbu vadītājs atrastās senlietas dala trīs daļās. „Ar karošanu saistītās, jo skanstes ir militārs nocietinājums, cietoksnis. Tās ir gan lielgabalu lodes, gan muskešu lodes, krama gabali, zobena asmeņa fragments,” skaita A. Šnē. Pie otrās atradumu kategorijas viņš ierindo ar sadzīvi saistītus priekšmetus, kas ir baltmāla pīpju kāta fragmenti, pīpju galviņu fragmenti un daļas, kuras ir ļoti plašā skaitā, - sprādzes, jostas sprādzes, saktiņas un cita veida sadzīves priekšmeti. Savukārt trešajā kategorijā ierindojami ar būvniecību saistīti priekšmeti – ķieģeļu fragmenti, koku daļas, apkalumi, naglas utml.

Pēc analīzes senlietas kā pērn tiks nodotas Rīgas Vēstures un Kuģniecības muzejā, kamēr studenti, ejot garām izrakumu teritorijā topošā LU Akadēmiskā centra būvei, rakšanas darbus atcerēsies un pārrunās vēl ilgi.

The Bus Life of Cairo

Photo by M.S.

I happen to be in 6th of October City, a new city blooming in the neighborhood of Cairo. I have to get to the Downtown, an hour from here. Taxi, the most common means of transportation in Egypt, would cost me around 50 Egyptian pounds (around $10) to reach my destination. I am standing on a road, watching the cars, taxes and buses passing by and instead of jumping in the cab, I decide to order a sip of culture: go and try a bus ride. Some people think this can be dangerous, especially for girls as harassment can happen. However, I get a courage, but most of all curiosity to try it out.

Firstly, you need to know how to stop the bus. And that depends on where you want to go. If you go to Pyramids street, you form your hands in the shape of a pyramid, or Lebanon square – you draw a circle with your finger. I need Tahrir square in Downtown and that is a hand stretched forward and shaken from top to bottom. First time might be a bit weird. You feel uncomfortable trying to perfect your hand’s movement in order to stop the right driver. Finally, it stops.

 „Tahrir square?” I want to make sure.

„Yes,” the crowd answers and spends a glance on my getting into the transport.

I manage to find a seat among 15 other passengers sitting by 4 in four rows. Now I start thinkink: how do I pay for my trip? Someone has the same thing on his mind. A person on my left shows his hand as a sign to give him my part of fee.

„How much?” I ask. He is trying to show me on fingers and then a guy from the first row answers „2,50 pounds.” Everyone noticed I joined the club. I give money to the guy who asked me for it. He is the collector of the fee in my row and once collected he passes it to the driver. If you don’t have a change, you can give even 50 pound banknote as the driver will open his window and with a fast movement contact the other bus driver to change your money. The driver seems to be really experienced in this, he doesn’t even slow down as he performs the quick maneuver towards the other driver.

I get an impression this is not only a means of transport; it becomes your one hour socializing place with its unique life there. There’s a guy who suddenly starts talking to me and we end up him offering me a job in Cairo. Another guy needs to pee. The bus stops and gives him the chance. Another one wants to buy Pepsi as it’s unbearably hot, and the bus stops to let him do it. You never know what can happen when you enter a bus in Cairo. In fact, it can also break down on the way and you might need either to wait till it gets repaired or take another bus. One is certain – you better not be in a hurry when exploring this adventurous life. 

Photo by M.S.

Royksopp @ Positivus festival 2011

Positivus festival 2011, Salacgrīva, Latvia

Royksopp

VIDEOs: Hurts @ Positivus festival 2011

Positivus festival 2011, Salacgrīva, Latvia

1. Hurts "Evelyn"

2. Hurts "Better Than Love"

Positivus festival: review of the Baltic bands

Positivus festival, July 15-16, 2011
Salacgrīva, Latvia

Positivus as the largest music and arts festival in Baltics is a perfect venue for the local Baltic bands to show their music and gain new fans. This year Positivus festival hosted very well known Baltic music names, like Alina Orlova (LT), Ewert and The Two Dragons (EST), Gustavo (LV) and others, as well as the new or not so well known bands could have a space to show themselves mostly on I love you Stage and Red Bull Music Academy stage. Moreover, thanks to a close cooperation with Estonian musicians the festival this year opened Tallinn Music Week stage for the new Estonian bands.  

ZRYA (LV)

Zrya is a recently born project from Latvia coming together already very experienced musicians. Ksenija Sundejeva was a lead singer of well known band Tribes of the City while Gatis Zaķis is still active with his band The Mundane (also performing in this festival). The band opens the dark I Love You stage (tent stage) on the first day of the festival. Because this is one of the duo’s first performances, they gather quite a big local audience who are curious to taste the fresh artwork. They play something experimental. The music is so loud, deep and overwhelming that it’s almost impossible to hear and understand the lyrics and often even the language in which they sing. Luckily, we know it. They sing in English and Russian. 

Alina Orlova (LT)

Alina Orlova is singer-songwriter, painter and photographer from Lithuania. She is only 23 years young, but her talent has been heard and appreciated all around Baltics and even beyond. Alina sings in three languages – native Lithuanian, English and Russian. However, she is worth listening even if you don’t understand a word. Her music characterized as „exhilaratingly dark, Baltic folk pop” in combination with the singer’s high-trilling voice sounds joyful and doleful in the same time. It could be described exactly as it’s said on her Myspace profile – „someone’s crying behind a wall”. Alina comes on a stage with three other musicians who assist her. She herself plays the piano. Shy, warm and childish the orange-haired girl takes you in her fairytale and you naturally want to linger at her performance next to many other supporters who don’t save their applauses for Alina. Her music smiles at you, the same as the singer, even while singing. 

Das Sonntags Legion (LV)

Concertnews.be stops for a while at I love You stage to see the musicians from Das Sonntags Legion. This psychedelic rock/post rock/folk band from Riga is equipped with many instruments (guitars, violin, drums, cello and others) and are actually musicians that have previously played in other well known Latvian bands. As they have announced before they have specially prepared for this years Positivus to play compositions about anxiety, dreams and searches for power. The tent is pretty full of band’s supporters enjoying the melodies from the band’s only studio album „Acid Rain Will Eat Our Future”.

Gustavo (LV)

Gustavo is very well known Latvian hip hop artist, producer and beat maker. Even if you don’t love hip hop, Gustavo is a must see on the first day of the festival at the main Tele 2 stage. This talented personality will always find new ways to surprise his fans and listeners. Positivus festival wasn’t an exception. Before the show there were leaflets going around and saying that after certain words in his last song, everyone should sit down in silence for 90 seconds and then jump as he counts 1,2,3. Believe it or not, but that was really done. He sings in Latvian, and on Positivus stage performs mainly the songs from his latest album „Trešā elpa”/”The Third Breath”. He performs with fellow musicians and backing vocalists on a stage thus resulting his performance melodic and rhythmical. It’s enjoyable even if you don’t like hip-hop or don’t understand Latvian. Between the songs he tells a lot of stories and jokes thus creating friendly and positive atmosphere. In the end he gets almost the whole crowd ready to go for a bike tour with him. 

Auļi (LV)

Auļi starts the second day of Positivus and is a perfect band for waking up as their main music instruments – bagpipe and drums – rumble far from Cēsu Alus Stage. They are 10 people in the band – 9 Latvian guys and 1 girl from Estonia. The audience seems to enjoy them a lot as the supporters crowd dancing along with their powerful energetic music becomes bigger and bigger. They contribute to Latvian folk music scene and have gained recognition in all around Baltics. They also won The Best Folk Music Album at the Latvian Music Awards 2010. 

Iiris (EST)

She is one of the current favorite music names in Estonia, and on the way to become famous everywhere with her innovative music sounds, unique vocals and mysterious and attractive visual personality. You never know how she will surprise you in each show, but definitely she will. Iiris comes on a stage with her band and leaves an image of darkness and mystery as she wears a lot of black. Don’t be afraid! The cute Estonian girl is actually cheerful, friendly, positive and very natural. Sometimes she reminds us of a little bit naughty kid who wants to play with you – and you never know what’s on her mind. Her image and facial expressions keep changing together with her songs. Here she is a zombie, then she turns into a gummybear, astronaut or merman. She truly lives in her songs. She can be powerful and evil too. Despite her childishness, this girl seems serious, strong, hard-working and enthusiastic about what she does. There are also high expectations about her in Estonia. Iiris has been writing songs since she is 12, but on the day when she performs at Positivus, everyone becomes a guest on her 20th birthday party. The coinciding event makes her performance even more surprising as her band members have prepared a huge yellow banana as a present for her. This is the moment she hasn’t expected and therefore, „she loves the whole world tonight”.

Starmetis (LV)

This four-piece is quite new in Latvian music scene, however they know how to surprise with fresh sounds. As they have said themselves, the band loves experiments with electronica and other instruments and set no stylistic borders. They gather quite a big supporters’ crowd in the intimate I Love You stage. Their song „Natural desire” is something that surprises most – you could be interested to hear it more than one time.

Ewert and The Two Dragons (EST)

This is another Estonian band to be remembered in the current Estonian music scene. They are four professional musicians who all have gained recognition in their homecountry and after releasing their debut album „The Hills Behind The Hills” (2009) they have played sold out gigs in Tallinn and Tartu (Estonia). They have also toured the Baltic states. Moreover, last year this indie rock band made a great debut at Positivus festival. Therefore, the crowds waiting for them this year seem well deserved. In the beginning of their performance they play the well known and catchy single – „(In the End) There’s Only Love”. Perhaps, this is actually the most popular song from their second album „Good Man Down” released this year. The band seems to enjoy their presence in the festival which they suddenly call „the best festival in the world”, and so does the audience – they enjoy the happy and sometimes nostalgic indie-rock. The last song they play is „Jolene” (also from the latest album) which to our mind is their most beautiful song. But wait! Requested by the crowd here they come again for the second time and play one more song. 

Positivus festival: review of the foreign bands

Positivus festival, July 15-16, 2011
Salacgrīva, Latvia

Editors, Royksopp, Hurts, Beach House, Mark Ronson, OK Go and much more foreign and Baltic acts were welcomed at this year’s Positivus festival in Salacgrīva, Latvia taking place for the fifth time already and gathering around 20 thousand people from all around Baltics as well as Finland, Sweden and many other foreign countries. As the biggest music and arts festival in Baltics this is not just the venue for musicians to come and play. It invites you to a perfect location in the lovely and relaxing area of never-ending woods and the Baltic beach at the coastline. It offers a lot of activities and from year to year the organizers prepare new surprises for the visitors.

One of the surprises this year was a special festival newspaper distributed on the second day of the festival. It summarized the brightest moments of the festival’s first day as well as reported on the various attractions you can do inside the festival: take a picture of yourself and see how you will look in 90 years, become a rockstar on a special stage, charge your phone while riding on a bike, take a nap or chill in comfortable hammocks slung between the pine trees. Moreover, the newspaper revealed some secrets of previous years’ stars at Positivus and their special requests and behaviors (Muse, Fatboy Slim, Moby, Pete Doherty, James). 

This festival is definitely something more than just music.It offers a little place for everything: poetry, movies, beach zone, paint club, different kinds of workshops, arts and crafts. For sure, this all is a lot just for two festival days, therefore, it’s not surprising that after the festival the organizers say they hope to add a third day in the next year’s Positivus.

Concertnews.be reviewed some of the foreign bands here:

Freak Owls (USA)

This American band from Brooklyn, New York has the honor and in the same time the difficult task to open the Cēsu Alus Stage, the second biggest one in the festival. Even if they come later than scheduled, the festival is still lacking active audience, therefore they don’t receive as much as support as perhaps wanted and deserved. However, their performance is nice. It’s actually Josh Ricchio who has created the band and writes the songs. On a stage he is he accompanied by a violinist. The songs vary from slow and melancholic to cheerful and melodic folk and indie rhythms. One must admit that the song Seaquid starting with the catchy „Na-na-na-na-na-na” will stay in your memory for a longer time. 

Dry the River (UK)

These guys coming the second on Cēsu Alus stage really rock the crowd. In fact, it’s not a crowd yet when they start playing, but they manage to attract people quite naturally. Being compared to Mumford & Sons, the London based band gives contagious energy with their indie-folk music and active interaction with the audience. They are very talkative and openly admits being a bit drunk from too much beer at backstage, as well as wonder about tiny shorts the girls are wearing in this area. They express their regrets for flying back home already in the same evening, but enjoys their time on a stage with a full spirit. Especially during the last song they empty themselves completely – their passionate and energetic guitars, drums, violin in the end turn the show into a wonderful chaos. Get ready, Pukkelpop! It’s one of their next stops.

Yoav (IS)

Yoav is a musician from Israel who has accidently been linked to Latvia by famous Latvian band Brainstorm who discovered the talented musician and invited as a supporting act for their 2 gigs in the end on 2010. Since then his music is very well known to Latvians. Now there is no surprise why he deserves nothing, but the main stage when giving his third show in Latvia. Thanks to his unique musical influences the music created by just one person „fuses the singer-songwriter tradition with Eastern scales and rhythms, all rooted in a dance-club groove”. This is how Positivus festival speaks about him. Yoav starts his show with the song „Yellowbrite smile” and the audience doesn’t need much to start dancing already. He continues with other well known singles, such as „Club Thing”, „Beautiful Lie”, all of them well appreciated by the dancing crowd. Yoav looks truly happy to be here – he openly drinks Vodka, thanks the audience and is ready to enjoy this party himself. It’s amazing how one bright personality on a stage can make your legs move and everyone is just dancing as he says in his last song „We all are dancing”. Indeed, „we all are dancing anyway” despite the rain which starts exactly during this song. The musician seems truly proud to be here and dedicates this last song to the already mentioned Latvian band Brainstorm as their established contact 1,5 years ago is the reason for his recognition in Latvia. „Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here,” he admits.

Alcoholic Faith Mission (Denmark/Brooklyn)

I manage to see this Danish indie band (currently based in Brooklyn) just for 15 minutes in which they show pretty nice performance and a really warm attitude to the audience. The audience cheers as the band demonstrates some perfectly learned Latvian phrases. In fact, there are not much fans in front, but those who are there seem to enjoy their music that can start with acoustic folk and then grow to loud, fast and catchy melodies, all accompanied by Kristine Permild’s interesting vocals. They seem to purposefully seek for mixture of different styles and elements that result in interesting sounds.

King Charles (UK)

This very attractive personality with his famous great hair and passion for music comes on the main Tele 2 stage to get the crowd crazy for him. London based musician’s contagious energy immediately spreads in the audience and in the end everyone is having fun including the main hero. King Charles shows some acrobatic skills and bravely climbs up the stage rod with his guitar. Then he stays there for a while to perform one instrumental song. Everyone’s eyes and cameras are glued to him. For sure, the audience doesn’t miss his greatest singles „Love Lust” and „We Didn’t Start The Fire” and he ends his show with a slow song dedicated to all girls.

OK Go (USA)

The party at the main Tele 2 stage started with King Charles goes even wilder when the colourful guys from OK Go come on a stage. If there was a competition for the band with the best prepared homework, I would vote OK Go for this title. Apart from their vibrant music and colorful appearances, they like to talk a lot on a stage and make the audience laugh and enjoy. They have learned to say in Latvian „Sorry, I don’t speak Latvian because I am a stupid american”, as well as they keep being enthusiastic about performing in Latvia. They seem to have googled about this country a bit and now let the audience learn their findings about some facts, like highest ratio of women impresses them most. Then the singer doesn’t hesitate longer – he takes his guitar and goes straight to those girls in the crowd and sings from there. The crowd loves them even more. This band is really extravagant and overwhelmingly wild! And in the end everyone sings along with the catchy „When the morning comes...” as they perform the song „This Too Shall Pass”. And we want it or not, it does...it passed to give a stage for...Mark Ronson.

Mark Ronson & The Business Intl (UK/USA)

Grammy and Brit Award winner Mark Ronson comes on a stage to continue the great party at the main Tele 2 stage started with King Charles and OK Go. We hear „Valerie”, „The Bike Song”, „Somebody To Love Me”. His team keeps surprising the audience with crazy DJ sets and demands the audience for its maximum. „Bang, Bang, Bang,” everyone should sing in the end and the party can’t be finished until it’s not done properly loud.

James (UK)

„Possibly the most anticipated come-back in Positivus history”, this is how Positivus festival presents James. This band has been long awaited to come back to Latvia already since their first appearance in the very first Positivus festival five years ago. In fact, it might be likewise as the band has recognized their first performance at Positivus as the best ever. That time when Positivus was visited by only a few thousand of people they didn’t want to leave the festival territory and once arrived in the capital city Riga, James leader was so full of positive emotions that he couldn’t fall sleep and wrote a new song, reveals the festival newspaper.  The band’s warm and positive attitude accompanied with the great hits are the ones attractive to the audience and a perfect combination to create a special magic feeling. They are not lucky as the rain interferes their performance already in the first songs, but that doesn’t stop the band. The lead singer rather comes out and sings in the rain the well known „Standing in the rain”. Amazing, how he stops the rain with the next song „Waterfall”! It seems natural for the audience to love James as the leader of the band is simple in his nature, during the hit „Say something” he turns to the audience, greets them and let his hands to be touched by many admirers, mostly girls whose eyes he is looking at and singing. I miss a part of his performance as I go to see Beach House, but once coming back the scene doesn’t surprise at all. The same as in his first show at Positivus James end up with lots of fans on a stage performing together with him. 

Beach House (USA)

While James is loved by crowds at the main stage, a more intimate feeling can be gained at Cēsu Alus stage where Beach House, one of the greatest names of this year’s Positivus are welcomed. They are also not lucky with the weather, however, the audience keep standing and enjoying the lovely shoegazing duo’s dream pop melodies. Victoria Legrand feels sorry for the rain, but expresses the band’s happiness to be here and be welcomed so nicely. They mostly perform the well known songs from their third and the latest album „Teen Dream”. Everyone is silently pondering in their hits „Norway”, „Used to Be”, „Take Care” and others. Moreover, Victoria’s spectacular and charming vocals is something worth enjoying and admiring each sound as it stays in you for a longer time.

Röyksopp and their theatre

Positivus festival, July 16th, 2011
Salacgrīva, Latvia

To see a video of Royksopp at Positivus, click here.

Positivus festival in Salacgrīva was one of the rare opportunities this summer to see the amazing live performance of Norwegian electronic music duo Röyksopp. The band which has received numerous awards and gained well deserved world’s attention for the first time honored Latvia and music lovers of Positivus festival.

The band’s gigs have been famous for their outfits and visual images they create on a stage. Positivus wasn’t an exception. The band comes on the main stage (Tele 2 stage) as the final headliner of the second and the last day of Positivus and are warmly welcomed by cheering audience. They start their show with a long instrumental intro with sounds from the newest album Senior while this is the time for the audience to prepare for the show, as well as admire the visual creativity of Röyksopp. Besides Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland whose faces are covered with sort of masks, there is also a guitarist on a stage with a sack on his head and bright yellow costume.

Mysterious and unique the duo officially opens the show with the song „Happy up there” from their third album Junior. It’s well received and appreciated by the audience. Moreover, as the song says, „I am ready for it”...and the band is enthusiastic to start! They take off their masks as they continue with one of the duo’s biggest hits „Remind Me” from their first album. The audience keeps supporting the band, though this doesn’t sound like their maximum. It seems this is a music rather for watching and dancing, not that much yelling and screaming and singing along.

They continue the show with instrumental melodies from the newest album Senior and especially guitarist’s talent is highlighted. Then we get back to the disco rhythms to keep on dancing and then the next song comes with new masks as it’s time for „The Girl and The Robot” (from the third album Junior). The Girl is being performed by a female singer who comes on a stage and one of the Röyksopp guys becomes a Robot putting on a robot mask. The performance of this song turns out to be even theatrical as the main characters maintain a role-play, for example, there’s a moment when the girl tries to touch the scary robot.

The masks are being changed constantly and when necessary for songs new singers come on a stage. It seems each song is well prepared and designed not only musically, but also visually thus giving an image to every song. The audience cheers and dances when such well known hits as „What Else is There?” and „Only This Moment” from the second album The Understanding are played. It’s impossible to resist the alluring electronic musical rhythms and also the warm attitude that comes from the band each time they thank the crowd for being so nice. „Do you want to hear more?” they ask and the continues with one more song.

They go to the backstage, but only for a few minutes. Röyksopp guys are back for the second time with new masks and new instrumental pieces. It’s amazing to listen and watch them as the fireworks are sparkling up in the sky above the stage celebrating the end of the festival. The crowd would have wanted more songs, however the show is over. It was really impressive and it definitely fit in the farewell feelings of this years Positivus festival. Even the rain had stopped exactly for the show, not interfering the band’s performance as it happened in the case of James and Beach House. Röyksopp did a great job!

Editors who didn’t stop the rain

Positivus festival, July, 15th, 2011
Salacgrīva, Latvia

Photo by Margarita Ogoļceva

The main headliners of the first day at Positivus festival came right after Hurts whose romance and emotions were naturally flown away by indie rockers Editors from Birmingham. 

The four-piece is not about to be introduced as their music speaks itself. The band with oustanding and highly awarded three albums have finally come to play to Latvia and show their passion to the music fans of Positivus festival. They have been looking forward to it. Russel Leetch, the bass guitarist of the band said it in the interview to Latvian webbportal TVNET shortly before their visit to Latvia.

Though in the beginning of their perfomance they seemed to experience some technical sound problems, the show went on. Moreover, shorty before Editors arrived on a stage the audience was showered with rain, but even that didn’t stop enjoying the long awaited band and its performance.

As Russel Leetch said in the interview the playlist of their show will not much differ from the other venues they have played. They started with the song „Camera” from the first album „The Back Room” and kept playing some more songs from their debut album. Then the three albums were mixed inviting the audience to dance each time they hear well known singles, such as „Bullets”, „Munich”, „The Racing Rats”, „All Sparks”, „Smokers outside Hospital doors”and others. For sure, the crowd were not missing Tom’s piano solo. Tom introduces the band and they go off the stage to come back with three more songs. „Papillon” from the newest album „In This Light and on This Evening” is one of them.

The lead singer Tom didn’t talk much to the audience, but surely the bands greatest hits did giving to the crowd what they wanted. Everyone, especially in the front rows seemed enjoying, dancing and yelling, however, I must admit that the band doesn’t make such an emotional link with the audience as previously mentioned Hurts did. I guess, these are just different approaches and can’t be compared though.