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The Charango Controversy

This article was written by Miguel Esquirol and originally appeared in the Bolivian blog community site Blogs de Bolivia. The original Spanish version can be found here (ES).

Lately, many charangos have been given as presents. Evo Morales presented one to Condoleeza Rice, the Chilean President gave one to Bono and as a result, a conflict has surfaced about the “moral property” of this instrument (ES). The Vice-minister of Culture in Morales’ government, Edgar Arandia even sent a letter to Bono explaining that the charango is actually a Bolivian instrument.

Our favorite songwriter/blogger, Grillo Villegas (ES), took the opportunity to give a brief summary of the history of this miraculously beautiful instrument and demonstrated that: one, it is not Bolivian (nor Chilean) and two, all of that does not really matter. What matters is the soulful sound that musicians are able to make with the instrument. Here is a segment of his article:

During Colonial times, the Spanish brought to the Americas a chordophone instrument called the “vihuela”, with 6 or 7 doubled strings with varying sizes and tunings. It was used primarily in the 16th century in Spain and produced many published pieces of written music. Once it arrived in the Americas, this instrument took on many of its own characteristics of each region and produced many mestizo chordophones, from Mexico to Bolivia. The master charango-player and researcher Ernesto Cavour wrote various books such as “The charango, its life, customs and misfortunes” and “The musical instruments of Bolivia”, where he affirmed that after visiting countless European museums, the “vihuela” essentially had the same physical, resonance and size of the charango. The arrival and establishment of this instrument in the city of Potosí is well documented in the national archives, in the carvings of the San Lorenzo church in Potosí and in various colonial paintings.

The only thing we wish for is that the improving relations with Chile are not ruined because of details that should bring together, not divide the two countries. On the bright side, this recent attention given to this instrument can only attract more interest to the charango.

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Arabisc: Moderate Muslim Voices

Haitham Sabbah · 13:20 · Middle East & North Africa

It’s not only the English language bloggers from Middle East who are continuously trying to bridge the cultural gaps, but Arabic language bloggers are facing similar tough battle at home, within the Arabic blogsphere itself.

Muslim moderates are criticizing some of the taboos of their system. One of them simply pushed away the unworthy books he was reading, another challenged his authorities to treat Christians alike Muslims treated in the West, but worst is to get kicked out of your school for practicing your freedom of speech.

From Egypt…

Kareem Amer was kicked out from his school because he spoke freely on his opinion about Islam. Last year he was detained for some time in reference of what he published online, and what he argues on forums that discuss critical issues about Islam, especially of what is going on Egypt.

Few days ago he wrote that he broke Al Azhar chains. He said:

لست حزينا ! ، وهل يكتئب الإنسان ويحزن عندما يحوز حريته مرة أخرى ، لقد إكتشفت أثناء التحقيق معى ولأول مرة أن كونى طالبا فى جامعة الأزهر يعنى أننى عبد مملوك لها ، هكذا ودون أية مبالغة ، وجدت قانون تنظيم الأزهر ولائحته الداخلية تقيد طلاب الأزهر داخله وخارجه وتحظر عليهم التعبير عن آرائهم خارج إطار الخطوط الحمراء المرسومة لهم .
هل أحزن لأننى إستعدت حريتى ؟؟ ، هل يكتئب العبد عندما ينجح فى إنتزاع حريته قسرا من قبضة من كان يعد نفسه سيدا عليه ؟؟ ، هل يبكى من ينتصر على الظلم والإستعباد وتقييد العقول ؟؟ ، لقد إنتزعتها إنتزاعا من بين أيديهم وكانوا يساوموننى عليها ، كانوا ينتظروننى أن أنكر وأن أتنصل من نسبة آرائى الحرة الجريئة لشخصى ، كان ينتظرون ولادة شخصيتى الثانية أثناء عملية التحقيق ، ولكن هيهات هيهات لما كانوا ينتظرونه منى !!

I'm not sad! Would someone get depressed or sad when he reclaims his freedom again? I discovered during the first investigation that being a student at Al Azhar University means I'm a slave owned by the University, just like that, no exaggeration. I found out that Al Azhar internal regulations and laws tie the student hands inside and outside and forbid students from freedom of expression that goes beyond the frame of drawn red lines.

Should I be sad because I reclaimed my freedom?? Would a slave get depressed when he succeeds in extracting his freedom forcibly from the hands of his masters?? Would one cry if he wins against persecution, slavery and mind enchaining?? I forcibly extracted it from there hands when they were haggling for it, they expected that I denounce and controvert from my free fearless personal opinions. During the investigation, they waited the rebirth of a second character, but how impossible that is from what they waited for!!

(more…)

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Polish Blogosphere Update

Jordan & Maria Seidel · 06:56 · Eastern & Central Europe

Apparently, according to Real Warsaw, Poland is single-handedly styming EU progress. Poland's recently elected populist government isn't seen as a solution since future-oriented policies appear off the table. However, according to Bernski in the comments section, the problems may be deeper than a newly elected government — shibboleths such as Polish-style Catholicism and red-tape are mentioned:

Poland is a country full of great people, but the resistance to change and red tape is sickening. It was obvious to me the first day I came to Poland. I don't see Poland being a major player even in the next 20 years…

But is Poland to blame in all cases? In the spirit of passing the buck, Poland - IP news and resources reports that the dearth of Polish patents (an important index of national creativity) is the fault of “the European patent system.” In 2005, just 79 Polish inventors applied for patents, compared with 13,000 applications in Germany.

Not only having trouble at home, according to the beatroot, Poles are taking a beating abroad as well. Incidents of scuffles between Poles and local residents are not isolated, particularly in Ireland. The beatroot makes a religious connection, arguing that beatings are less common in Catholic areas. To be fair, Ireland is one of the few countries that have opened their borders to work-hungry Poles. A point that Michael M. reiterates in the comments section:

I think it has to do with the fact that the UK and Ireland both opened up their labor markets to new EU member states right from the get-go.

Maybe Susquatch can help? Coming right out of the X-Files, according to Polish Ufological Journal, a Yeti-like creature has been spotted in south-eastern Poland.

Attention Polish literati, Indian poems are available in Polish. In a ceremony hosted by India's Ambassador to Poland, and attended by the who's who of Polish literary circles, the Urdu poetry of 19th century poet Mirza Ghalib (translated by Janusz Krzyzowski and Surender Zahid) was released.

Polish political satire is on the rise. “We can observe a true renaissance of political humour” in Poland, according to Kurczeblade, that quotes a handfull of new political jokes in circulation (in Polish, regretfully).

Main opposition party leader Donald Tusk takes a beating this week from several bloggers. Michał Karnowski writes:

First Commandment for an opposition party is: always aim for early elections, always be ready to take over. It's a clear situation for voters, obvious element of a healty democracy. For the ruling party it's a constant treat. Although I understand an argument that “the longer Law & Justice stays in power, the bigger support for Civic Platform will get,” I do not accept it. If the rule of the PiS party is as bad as opposition claims, they need to be stopped immediately. And if there's no need to do it right away, then somebody's been using too strong words…

That’s the Poland blogopshere update! Until next time - Do widzenia!

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