BalBo deBra

BalBo deBra

nedeľa 17. júla 2016

Jubilejná Pohoda v podrepe a s bozkom pre Borisa

Nech si hejtuje ktokoľvek o čomkoľvek, dvadsiata Pohoda bola v mnohom výnimočná a vydarila sa. Vegetariánskeho jedla bolo dostatok, splachovacie toalety fungovali, zapršalo len raz a aj taxíky sa držali odporúčaných cien. Toľko k logistike festivalu. Čo sa týka sociálnych väzieb a socializačných momentov: Stretla som menej známych ľudí, ako som si priala, a videla menej koncertov, ako som plánovala. Dokonca som ani poriadne nevidela tradičné festivalové zvieratká, lebo chrústy sa návštevníkov a návštevníčok zľakli hneď vo štvrtok, v piatok zutekali aj hraboše poľné – po tom, čo obhrýzli sestre celú piknikovú deku (myslela si, že to niekomu z kamošov vibruje mobil, ehm). 
Tento rok som pre chorobu napríklad vynechala všetky čítačky či diskusie v preľudnených krytých stanoch. Teda okrem tej, na ktorej som sama vystupovala – v stane ZSE / Živica som totiž prítomným hovorila o tom, ako možno spoločnosť meniť a zmeniť metódou komunitného organizovania. O tom by som aj so zápalom pľúc vedela mudrovať celé hodiny. No a o čom / o kom inom je tá Pohoda, ak nie o komunite, podobnom vkuse i zmýšľaní a o komunitnej spolupatričnosti? 
Ale naspäť k hudbe: Vynechať koncert PJ Harvey v prvý večer sa skrátka nedalo. Veľa ľudí v publiku očakávalo rock’n’rollovú šou, kde bude Polly Jean behať v minišatách a s povestnou gitarou Gibson Firebird namiesto saxofónu. Nestalo sa tak, no nuda to tiež nebola. Dostať toľko slávnych mužov z hudobnej kariéry PJ Harvey na jedno pódium (a na trenčianske letisko) sa rovná doslova zázraku – boli sme pri tom. Zvuk skvelý, nasadenie grandiózne; veď Community of Hope.
Zvláštne je, že všetky speváčky, ktorých vystúpenia som tento rok na Pohode videla, komunikovali s publikom v húpavom podrepe – akoby posilňovali už i tak dosť vypracované stehná. Xenia Rubinos v Europa stane to skúsila hneď v prvej piesni, v RBMA stane jedinečná Sevdaliza zvyšovala frekvenciu týchto cvikov zasa ku konci svojej šou. Ak by mala na festivale svoj vlastný merch so športovým oblečením, asi by som neodolala. Tancovala skvele asi dva metre odo mňa tak, ako som čakala. A aj keď nebola dostatočne nasvietená, udržovali sme spolu aký-taký očný kontakt. Pravdepodobne pre svoju dĺžku vlasov (porovnateľnú s tou jej) som si vyslúžila dokonca pieseň s venovaním, ako inak – o láske. Túto iránsko-holandskú divu chcem vidieť opäť naživo stoj-čo-stoj. 



Ak ste mali chuť na latinské tanečky, mexická skupina Sonido Gallo Negro ponúkla náladu spagetthi westernov, na akú sa len tak nezabúda. Ani regíčko, ani obľúbená dychovka Miša Kaščáka, ale divoká cumbia. Len ste museli mať v Nay tanečnom dome na sebe málo oblečenia a dobrú tanečnú obuv. Nie takú, akú mala speváčka temnej rockovej kapely Savages. Na takých podpätkoch by som nezvládla chodiť, nieto vyše hodiny suverénne kráčať po pódiu, teasovať bubeníčku a liezť po zábradlí medzi fanúšikov a fanúšičky. Bola to sila!
Psychedelické japonské čudo: Shibusa Shirazu Orchestra som videla iba cez telefón vďaka živému prenosu z letiska. Ale vcelku mi to stačilo k záveru – že išlo o najväčšiu haluz jubilejného ročníka festivalu. Principál v slipoch, komiksová speváčka, mímovia na rebríkoch, tanečnice v županoch, mávajúce publiku banánmi, hráč na teremin – akoby náhodne odchytený na letisku cestou z Japonska do Európy atď. atď. Nádherné počúvanie a pozeranie. Ten papierový mega-drak nad hlavami ľudí – to už bol len taký fotogenický bonus.
České trio Midi Lidi sa vydávalo celý svoj koncert za skupinu Zrní. Pokojne by si  svoju šou mohli chalani strúhnuť v betónovej Garáži, kde by Petr Marek svojimi pohybmi, no predovšetkým svojimi modrými trenkami ešte viac rozčuľoval frajerov svojich početných fanúšičiek. Tie sa potom museli udobrovať bozkami pre Borisa pod minaretom…
 Text: Boba Markovič Baluchová, Foto: P. Markovič a M. Fabianek



pondelok 18. apríla 2016

How I tracked down: who made my clothes

Fashion Revolution Week has just started. During this week we're honoring the thousands of people who lost or almost lost their lives in the Rana Plaza complex collapse in Bangladesh three years ago. It is the best timing to take an action.

Have you ever asked a question: #whomademyclothes and tracked down the fashion brand of the item you use to buy? It could be very interesting self-learning process. I tracked down Australian brand: Cotton On that made my grey jumper. Even if that item was made in China (I guess its whole manufacture is located in Asia) – the Cotton On Group is very clear and transparent about its activities on its website. The representatives wrote the Ethical Practice Framework to support them in making choices about what they will (and won’t) do. They also set up Cotton On foundation to implement particular development cooperation activities in Uganda. An interesting reading indeed.




You do not need to go to developing country to understand what is going on in fashion garments industry, do you? But if you need that kind of lecture – read the story of three Norwegian fashion bloggers who agreed to star in a month-long reality show in Cambodia one year ago. Girls witnessed human rights violations and terrible working conditions of garments manufacture workers. Finally they had to admit that "they are rich because it costs them 10 euros to buy a T-shirt at large fashion brand, such as H&M. (But somebody else has to starve for them to be able to buy it.)"

Be active, be curious – read more about the topic. Unfortunately there are so many stories about Third World garments industry where workers are still children – facing very bad conditions and earning so little to keep a roof over their heads. After that (soon or later) you will start to think about shopping and dressing in more ethical way. It happened to me some years ago... Only by our deeper interest, public awareness and fashion brands' transparency we can eliminate inequity in fashion manufacture.

Written by: Boba Markovic Baluchova, Photo: Palo Markovic
#fashRev #ethicalFashion #sustainableFashion #fairFashion



nedeľa 3. apríla 2016

I care about the future of Takapuna Sunday Market

Every Sunday the Takapuna Carpark transforms into one of the most original and vibrant places in Auckland visited by locals and tourists. Every Sunday we use to go there to original ‪Takapuna Sunday Market because of beautiful milticultural atmosphere and the offer of fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy food, hand-made products, Kiwi music, vintage items and second-hand clothing. 
Now that public land is set for sale and redevelopment. If you care about the future of the public market place built from the bottom up, consider joining the initiative Save Takapuna Carpark: https://www.facebook.com/SaveTakapunaCarpark Balbo deBra already signed the petition (to save this place) because she cares about it / I care about the future of Takapuna Sunday Market!


Written by: Boba M. Baluchova, Photo: Palo Markovic
#SaveTakapunaCarpark #SaveSundayMarket

štvrtok 31. marca 2016

Following 7 steps towards Fair Fashion

Have you ever considered to shop and dress more ethically? No? It's not that tough job! Just follow these few steps to support Fair Fashion...

- Start by asking #whomademyclothes and tracking down the story behind the products you want to buy.
- Critically think, debate, read and watch documentaries about organic farming and fair-trade initiatives.
- You should also check the quality and sustainability of the items you want to wear (and want them to last).
- You can always buy some stylish clothes from vintage / second-hand shop on your street.
- Try to support local brand or hand-made designer. Local design is original and artisanal work is unique!
- Re-create / up-cycle your clothes from last season. Surprise yourself by creative mood.
- Do not forget to support organizations and initiatives (Ethical fashion initiative, Clean clothes campaign, Fashion revolution etc.) in their work to improve human rights and working conditions of garments manufacture workers in developing countries.
#balbodebra has taken all these actions already! Check the examples on her Balbo deBra style Fanpage and get inspired, :)
balbodebra - buying colorful fabrics from local producer in Zanzibar (summer 2013).


Written by: Boba Markovic Baluchova, Photo: Palo Markovic
#fairFashion #sustainableFashion #ethicalfashion #fashRev

nedeľa 27. marca 2016

A bit of my activism in Auckland

Even-though I'm European woman (currently living in Auckland) I've decided to support #iamNZ campaign of New Zealand's organization: Africa on my sleeve to encourage and acknowledge everyone's unique potential and identity. 


 Written by: Boba Markovic Baluchova, Photo: Palo Markovic 

štvrtok 24. marca 2016

I walked the labyrinth

The labyrinth is an archetype, a divine imprint, found in all religious traditions in various forms around the world. By walking a labyrinth, we are rediscovering a long-forgotten mystical tradition. The labyrinth's path winds throughout and becomes a mirror for where we are in our lives.
At the end of March (during Holy week) I walked the labyrinth in St Matthew's-in-the-city church in Auckland. It was first installed in 2009 - based on a medieval design and it's really beautiful.



Written by: Boba Markovic Baluchova, Photo: Palo Markovic