COMPULSORY LICENSING OF INFORMATION

" DOES DIGITAL FILE SHARING RENDER COPYRIGHTS OBSOLETE?"

Headline in the Business Section of THE INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE 6/4/07




Recently the World Health Organization voted by an
overwhelming majority to support the compulsory
licensing of prescription drugs by member states
such as Brazil and Thailand, which are now
manufacturing their own AIDS drugs to save lives
without paying the pharmaceutical companies
the exorbitant fees most countries cannot afford.
The sole dissenter was the United States, which,under
the Bush administration, has been relentless in its
pursuit of The Almighty Dollar" - AKA
intellectual property rights" - worldwide.


A tour of Asian capitals - or a visit to New York's
Canal Street - reveals this will be an uphill struggle.
One cannot advocate" free markets", and then complain
about cheap, high-quality knock-offs in the same
breath. And the ugly issue of class distinctions lurks
behind the desire to flaunt in-your-face-affluence.
As a Thai politician asked recently, " Why shouldn't
poorer people be allowed to look their best?"

A good question, which I will leave to my wonderful
former students at New York's Fashion Institute of
Technology ( home of many winners of "PROJECT RUNWAY"!)
to resolve as creatively as they did their work
in my classroom.

As a lecturer in Multimedia and a filmmaker, however,
I am more interested in the issue of compulsory
licensing of information. For example, can a poor
post conflict society like East Timor be
expected to pay Western rates for films about
her own history?

Let us suppose some East Timorese filmmakers wanted
to make a film to show future generations how their
country became a nation. Clearly, they would need
stock footage from Western sources to give their film
some historical depth and texture. In the bad old days
of film and video, getting such material was a costly
procedure; however, today, in the digital age, making
a perfect duplicate of an original is a simple and
inexpensive procedure.

So, the remaining issue is the one of licensing - ie,
paying for the use of the material. Happily enough,
it has been my experience that both musical and film
artists in the Western world are usually generous
enough to agree to a rock-bottom "courtesy fee"
for use of their work in non-profit projects.

The rule of thumb seems to be that assisting a worthy,
not-for-profit project (such as the history of East
Timor!) might generate some good public relations, and
that preventing the project from becoming a reality
by charging astronomical rates is
in no one's interest...

No one , that is, except for those who do not wish the
film to be shown - or who wish to keep East Timor in a
chaotic state. Such individuals might include those
in the Indonesian military who still cannot accept
the fact that East Timor is an independent nation,
and who are hoping that the country will eventually
be declared a " failed nation state" by the
powers-that-be, justifying a second Indonesian
annexation.

Anyone who is familiar with recent history in East
Timor knows these individuals exist; their existence
makes it all the more imperative that the TRUE story
of the creation of East Timorese told to future
generations of East Timorese, not to mention the
rest of the world.

Bad things often happen in murky corners.

The key issue in East Timor today is economic
development, but this development will be easier
with an informed populace.

Under the Indonesians, the Timorese did have radio
and television, but,in 1999, the communications
infrastructure was completely destroyed by the
retreating Indonesian army, along with most
everything else.

Since then, getting messages out to the
population has been a major challenge,
given the very limited electric grid available.

It is imperative that the new nation has access
to these basic communications tools NOW. It is
also imperative that new television stations
like TVTL have access to programming -
even if they can't afford it. ( An aside: I am
compelled to admit that TVTL's predecessor
under UNTAET, Televisao UNTAET, showed everything
it could find without paying a penny to
anyone . I regrettably was not in charge, but I
supported this policy wholeheartedly.


To the best of my knowledge, no one ever
complained. After all, it was no secret that
East Timor was Asia's poorest nation, with
a per capita income of less than $1 a day.

And had anyone ever complained, I think one
could have made a strong case for compulsory
licensing of information in East Timor.

Especially if the material in question was
about the country itself.

Which is certainly is the case with my film
on the recent history of East Timor, EAST TIMOR:
BETRAYAL AND RESURRECTION, (the subject of previous
blogs) , which former President Xanana Gusmao now
wants to sell in the National Museum of Timor-Leste,
and which non-profit organizations like ETAN and
The Foundation for Post Conflict Development have
been using to raise support for East Timor
in the US.

A week or so ago, the Foundation for Post Conflict
Development was about to show the film as part of
TIMOR-LESTE CULTURE WEEK when an e-mail surfaced
from a representative of an Australian filmmaker
named Carmela Baranowska claiming that
I had "pirated" her material without consulting
her, This was not the case; I had been
under the impression that I had her oral
permission for non-commercial uses like
this one, an arrangement that is fairly
standard in such cases.

However, I was well aware that, in the words
of the legendary Sam Goldwyn, " An oral contract
isn't worth the paper its written on!"

So I attempted to negotiate a courtesy fee for
non-commercial screenings. I offered $1000, but
she wanted $75,000 (!) an astronomical fee by
any standards, and almost double the budget of
the entire film.

Needless to say,negotiations broke down, and
the film could not be shown as announced, which
was a shame for all concerned.

Personally, I had long ago written off this
project as a very emotionally and intellectually
gratifing financial loss, but I was very upset
that the very organizations I was trying to
help were now being prevented from using the
film by an individual whose motivation was,
at best, suspect.

All I can now do is promise these organizations
my continued support with this and future
projects, and assure them that next time I will
be sure all licensing agreements are in
writing.

In the meantime, there is nothing I can do to
prevent anyone from making as many copies as
they want from the DVDs already in circulation.

And, if there is a God in heaven, the film
will become an underground classic on YouTube
and similar file sharing sites.

Indeed, as a recent article in THE INTERNATIONAL
HERALD TRIBUNE suggests, digital file sharing
on YouTube and other websites by the younger
generation is rapidly making traditional film
and music copyrights obsolete."Royalty
groups paralyzed by ethos of YouTube,"
notes the reporter.

In the immortal words of Bob Dylan,
" The times they are a-changin.."

As for East Timor, well, nothing would make me
prouder than if the new President issued a decree
asserting the compulsory licensing of the film
in the name of Timor-leste. Then the film would
belong to those who should have owned it all
along - the people of Timor-leste.

A luta continua..

Ted Folke's statement for Timor-Leste Culture Week

TED FOLKE'S STATEMENT FOR TIMOR-LESTE CULTURAL WEEK

I would first of like to thank Claudia Abate and the Gabarron Foundation for
making this wonderful event possible. The timing with the recent election
of Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta as the new president could not be
better.

Originally, my documentary film EAST TIMOR:BETRAYAL AND RESURRECTION was
scheduled to be shown tonight, but circumstances beyond our control have
made that impossible. Like most historical documentaries, the film uses
footage from many sources, and I have been seeking finishing funds to
pay for licensing fees for the past 5 years. Hence, viewing of the film has
been restricted to private , non-commercial gatherings on behalf of Timor-leste
such as this one.

Much to their credit, all license owners of music or footage used the film
have permitted me to donate the film for these screenings. That is, until
now. An Australian filmmaker named Carmela Baranowska chose this
moment to demand an extraordinary sum of money from both and
Claudia Abate at the last minute, and all my attempts to negotatiate
a screening fee for this event have failed.

For this, I humbly apoligize.

However, instead, we will show you an excerpt from the new film
I am working about the economic development of Timor-Leste.
This film is a co-production with TV Timr Loros'ae, and is being
done on the express personal invitation of H.E. President Xanana
Gusmao. The title: TIMOR-LESTE: NATION BUILDING 101

I hope you enjoy it!

A luta continua,
Ted Folke

FPCD Executive Director's Opening Remarks, Timor-Leste Culture Week

I ♥ TL Culture Week

In honour of Timor-Leste’s 5th year Anniversary of Independence and Culture

Remarks by

Claudia Abate
Executive Director
Foundation for Post Conflict Development


Its True! I ♥ TL!

But that is not why I chose this theme for the presentation of Timor-Leste Culture Week. More on that in a moment….

I would like to add my voice in welcoming you here this evening for the launch of New York’s first Timor-Leste Culture Week.

I will begin by thanking The Gabarron Foundation Carriage House Center for the Arts for their generosity in co-hosting Timor-Leste Culture Week in honour of Timor-Leste’s 5th Year Anniversary of Independence. They, too, are most appropriately celebrating their 5th anniversary of bringing art and cultural programmes to New York in the spirit of peace and goodwill and in the image of their father, Spain’s Maestro, Cristobal Gabarron.

I will take a moment to acknowledge, and would you please stand so that we can applaud you, Cris and Juan Gabarron of the Gabarron Foundation. Thank you most sincerely for lending us your valuable time and the use of this beautiful space and for working with the Foundation for Post Conflict Development on the I ♥ TL program. There is no better alliance than our two Foundations bridging cultural understanding world wide. I would like to especially acknowledge my sister Monika Abate of the Gabarron Foundation for all her efforts, personal support and not least of all, mobilizing Mayor Bloomberg to support Timor-Leste’s Culture Week.

The Permanent Mission of Timor-Leste to the United Nations must also be mentioned for their kind cooperation and support in making this series of cultural events possible. The people of Timor-Leste have fought long and hard, both inside and outside their territory to achieve independence. They fought against all odds for a self-determination that many thought would never be realized. There was a guerilla front, a clandestine movement, a youth front and diplomatic front. Some fought in the mountains, some lived in exile, but united they fought never-the-less. Timor-Leste achieved nationhood with the help of many supporters and international solidarity groups, however first and foremost independence was achieved through those closest to them…spouses, children…and family. Today, the struggle continues in a different way and all Timorese families merit our highest form of respect.

Normally, in the Diplomatic Community, we address Ambassadors, Ministers and Presidents as “Your Excellency”. In introducing our special guests this evening, and since we are amongst friends, I hope you’ll forgive me for not sticking to the standard protocol.

When I call your names, would you please stand up.
Your Excellencies Gabriella and Yuri Santos and Your Excellencies Niarra and Paulo Guterres – We have with us this evening the children of Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister, Jose Luis Guterres and the children of UN Ambassador Nelson Santos.

Your Excellency, Ana Maria Valerio Guterres
Your Excellency Mariazinha Freitas
Your Excellencies Sofia Borges and Hans Stromeyer and
Your Excellency Ambassador Nelson Santos

For all that you stand for today and for all that you fought for as individuals and as families, you are all Excellencies and you honour us by being here tonight. This week is about you and for you.

I knew I had to entice New Yorkers into knowing more about Timor-Leste with a theme that was ever so familiar.

The I ♥ NY logo was devised as more than just a tourism catchphrase. It was a label to unite the Catskills mountains, the beaches of Long Island, Brooklyn, Chinatown, Little Italy, Korea Town, uptown, downtown, eastside or westside. New Yorkers take great pride in cultural diversity. It is in fact, what makes New York, New York.

As a New Yorker, my life changed 5 years ago when the UN sent me to Timor-Leste to help organize the independence ceremonies. It was a profound moment of discovery that amongst so much visible destruction and poverty, the will and the hope of the people was unlike anything I had seen before. This experience is the inspiration for the creation of the Foundation for Post Conflict Development, founded to assist countries emerging from conflict situations.

The I ♥ TL logo was devised with all of this in mind. I wanted on the one hand unite two seemingly different worlds: New York and Timor-Leste. And on the other, I wanted to infuse a little national pride, in a new way, amongst the Timorese because they have so much to be proud of.

When I was in Timor-Leste 10 days ago, I brought with me 5000 I ♥ TL bags. I sampled the reaction of the bags with shopkeepers, taxi drivers, children, orphans, mothers and fathers, village chiefs, midwives…. The response was always the same – A big smile and an occasional VIVA TIMOR-LESTE!

In Timor-Leste’s post conflict state a new struggle has begun. The Timorese know well their fragilities and they will overcome them. Whether they are from the enclave of Ocuessi, the beaches of Los Palos or Bacau, the mountains of Same or the city of Dili, they are all Timorese and they love their country as much as we do ours. And they desire to sustain the same fundamental values as we do.
At the end of the day, we all want our children to be healthy and safe, educated, and cared for, we all want to have a vocation and make a meaningful contribution to society. The Timorese embody these values even more because in the face of adversity, they persevere!

And that’s what the I ♥ TL theme is all about… a message to the Timorese people that we will stand by you and for reminding us all that we are united through common threads of love, hope and respect. Through embracing each others cultural diversity, we can truly create a culture of peace, one heart at a time.

* *

The Foundation for Post Conflict Development commissioned Rose Bapier Productions, under the leadership of Artistic Director Sofia Gitis, to present and create music in honour of Timor-Leste and in line with her motto – the art of music making a difference. Sofia and her team are world class musicians who believe in more than music for the sake of music. For example, Rose Bapier created a unique CD in honour of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Sofia Gitis and Rose Bapier has attracted the attention of President Xanana Gusmao, to collect and consolidate the cultural diversity within Timor-Leste, for the Timorese themselves to preserve and embrace. And on the other hand, Rose Bapier has devised a way to introduce their culture and music to the West, starting here this very evening.

Before we hear this magical performance, I would like to give the floor to Timor-Leste’s UN Ambassador. He is a skilled diplomat, who amongst many achievements negotiated the border agreement between Indonesia and Timor-Leste. As his country’s 2nd Permanent Representative to the UN, and apart from his regular diplomatic duties, he is leading Timor-Leste’s campaign for a seat on the Human Rights Council in 2008. I will leave the politics to a different venue, however, I am certain that you will agree, it is indeed relevant to mention in the context of the I ♥ TL week, that Timor-Leste’s culture is very rich in the promotion and protection of Human Rights. Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your attention and please warmly welcome, His Excellency, Ambassador Nelson Santos.

Message from His Royal Higness Prince Joseph Simbwa of Uganda in honour of Timor-Leste Culture Week

Please click on image to enlarge


Please click on image to enlarge

Mayor Bloomberg and President Gusmao offer Suport to Timor-Leste Culture Week

Please click on letters to view full size

FPCD Joins the Change Round-Up Network

The Foundation for Post Conflict Development
joins the Change Round-Up Network, calling Attention to the needs of countries emerging from conflict situations

Online Donations to Generate Real Change for Post Conflict Development

Albany, NY- May 8, 2007. Change Round-Up, Inc., a cause-marketing service for online retailers, today announced The Foundation for Post Conflict Development (FPCD) has joined their e-commerce fundraising network that brings retailers and charities together to generate change for good causes. FPCD is a not-for-profit public charity that aims to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals in the context of post conflict situations. The FPCD focuses on the world’s most fragile nations such as newly independent Timor-Leste as they progress on their road from conflict to recovery.

Change Round-Up’s service takes the fundraising concept of the “spare change donation jar” and applies it to the e-commerce market by enabling e-shoppers to round-up their online purchases and donate the electronic “spare change” to a charity of their choice.

“Change Round-Up is an innovative and socially conscious way to assist not-for-profit organizations achieve their missions and FPCD is honored to be part of this unique network” said Claudia Abate, Executive Director of the Foundation for Post Conflict Development. “All not-for-profit organizations should join Change Round-Up”.

FPCD uses funds raised for concrete development projects that address basic needs like maternal health, education, assisting youth and cultural preservation. FPCD is raising funds to build a school in Madagascar and has assisted Timor-Leste’s youth by supporting programs with FPCD’s sister Foundation, Fundacão Xanana Gusmão. Additionally, as a means to generate employment, FPCD has all of its printing materials made with Grafica Patria, a local Timorese printing press. The FPCD has coordinated the building of a maternity clinic in Timor- Leste and as part of FPCD’s educational outreach, Timor-Leste Culture Week will be presented 14 –18 May 2007 in partnership with the Gabarron Foundation at the New York City’s historic Carriage House Center for the Arts.

“The FPCD fills a much needed void in directly contributing to post conflict reconstruction and development”, said Dan Quigley, President of Change Round-Up. “We look forward to helping this great organization raise much-needed funds so they can further their vital mission”.

Easy for donors Online shoppers can donate painless amounts of spare change, conveniently, to support the causes that are important to them. During checkout, consumers are offered a drop-down menu selection of charities that the retailer supports. With a simple click they can round up their purchase price to the nearest dollar, or designate any amount, to the charity of their choice and the donation is included in their payment.

Efficient for Charities With no upfront or hidden costs, non-profits are able to generate donations at a fraction of current costs. Change Round-Up deducts only 10% of donations received to cover the retailer’s administrative costs, credit card fees and operations. This fee is well below the maximum 35% standard for fundraising costs set by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. Furthermore, aside from the few minutes it takes to complete the online sign up form and then periodically cashing donation checks, there is no effort required by the charity.

Effective for Retailers With Change Round-Up’s easy online donation service, retailers can leverage their e-commerce business to provide their customers with the opportunity to join them in support of a cause. Retailers can also set up matching fund programs to extend giving support. The Change Round-Up service is provided free to retailers

Any 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization is eligible to join the Change Round-Up Non-Profit Network. There is no cost to sign up and Change Round-Up only charges a 10% fee of donations generated through the system. For information visit the Change Round-Up website at www.changeroundup.com or call 518-731-4CRU (4278).

About Change Round-Up
Change Round-Up is a cause-marketing service for online retailers. The Change Round-Up service takes the fundraising concept of the “spare change donation jar” and applies it to e-commerce. E-shoppers are asked at the time of checkout if they would like to round-up their purchase price to the nearest whole dollar and donate the electronic “spare change” to a charity of their choice. The service is easy for donors, efficient for charities and effective for e-retailers.

About The Foundation for Post Conflict Development
The Foundation for Post Conflict Development is a not-for-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501 (c) (3) that raises awareness about and assists countries emerging from conflict situations. The mission of the FPCD is to fulfill the Millennium Development Goals; eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other infectious diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; develop a global partnership for development and fulfill the aims of the United Nations Charter in the context of post conflict situations.

Through direct education, action and development or the promotion of a global partnership for such efforts, the FPCD is dedicated to assist post conflict countries with projects necessary for their reconstruction, among them the demobilization/disbanding of child soldiers, reintegration of war veterans, the creation of meaningful employment and cultural preservation.

The Foundation for Post Conflict Development is a civil society partner in improving global development and seeks to work with organizations that place development as a priority. In this vein, the FPCD and Fundacao Xanana Gusmão (FXG) have formally joined efforts as “sister foundations”

The FPCD has signed the UN Global Compact, committing the FPCD to adhering to and promoting principles of human rights, labor, the environment and anti corruption within its sphere of influence. More information may be found by visiting www.unglobalcompact.org or www.postconflictdev.org .


Change Round-Up: Give a little. Help a Lot.

Contact:

Change Round-Up:
Daniel Quigley
(518) 731-4278
dquigley@changeroundup.com
www.changeroundup.com

FPCD:
Claudia Abate
(212) 643-5467
cabate@postconflictdev.org
www.postconflictdev.org

Press Release Announcing Timor-Leste Culture Week

The Foundation for Post Conflict Development and The Gabarron Foundation

present

I♥ TL – Timor-Leste Culture Week, 14-18 May 2007

in cooperation with

the Permanent Mission of Timor-Leste to the United Nations

New York, 7 May 2007 The Gabarron Foundation Carriage House Center for the Arts (GF-CHA) and the Foundation for Post Conflict Development (FPCD) present Timor-Leste Culture Week 14-18 May 2007. This event is in honour of Timor-Leste’s 5th anniversary of independence. Timor-Leste Culture Week: I ♥TL, is taking place in one of New York City’s landmark buildings in the heart of New York.

The FPCD has created an I ♥TL theme, inspired by the I ♥NY theme. This famous logo certainly boosts the morale of all New Yorkers, even if just for a “New York minute.” The warmth of unity and national pride that the Timor-Leste version could bring will assist the young country on their road to recovery after suffering many years. The future is filled with hope and bound in the celebration of their unique culture while building community development in their post conflict era.


The Gabarron Foundation is a not-for-profit Spanish art foundation established to promote art and cultural exchanges worldwide. The Foundation for Post Conflict Development is a not-for-profit foundation established to assist countries as they emerge from conflict situations, especially in the area of cultural preservation. There is a natural overlap between both foundations, headquartered in New York City, as they both promote the cultural ideals that our magnificent city embodies.


Timor-Leste Culture Week is supported by The City of New York and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has noted, “This week, we’re proud to join together in support of something more important – a future of freedom and democracy for one of the world’s newest nations. With this vital goal in mind, the Gabarron Foundation has partnered with the Foundation for Post Conflict Development to organize a festive slate of events recognizing the unique, vibrant culture of this nation.”


President Xanana Gusmão and Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta will participate on 17 May, live from the capital city of Dili, in a special video conference during the Culture Week. President Gusmão said that “It is a pleasure for me and the people of Timor-Leste to know that various aspects of our culture are being introduced for the first time in the great city of New York.”


Opening night, entitled “Voices in Union” on 14 May, will launch a special musical creation by Rose Bapier Productions. “We joined forces with the Foundation for Post Conflict Development because the musical legacy of Timor-Leste has been displaced," stated Sofia Gitis, Artistic Director, Rose Bapier Productions. "Through our involvement with Culture Week, Rose Bapier is working to restore a part of this culture's traditions through music, so that the struggles and emotional journeys of what these people endured may be preserved and understood," said Ms. Gitis.


Other events include a photo slide show, “Fabric of a Nation” by Timorese photographer Carlito Caminha and American photographer Chrystine Hanely, a screening of Ted Folke’s award-winning documentary “East Timor: Betrayal and Resurrection” and presentations by Timor-Leste Ambassador to the United Nations, Nelson Santos, Ambassador Joseph Rees, former United States Ambassador to Timor-Leste and John Miller, co-founder and national coordinator of East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN).


“By the end of the week, New Yorkers will be a lot more familiar with the unique and beautiful culture of Timor-Leste” said Claudia Abate, Executive Director of FPCD and organizer of the event. “My vision is to unite two seemingly different worlds through universal values of love, hope and respect.”


♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥


The Schedule of events at The Gabarron Foundation Carriage House, 149 East 38th Street, NYC:

Monday 14 May 7:00 pm Opening Evening Musical Performance, Voices in Union, by Rose Bapier

Tuesday 15 May 6:30 pm Photo Slide Show - Fabric of a Nation by Carlito Caminha and Chrystine Hanley

Guest Speaker Ambassador Grover Joseph Rees III, (invited)
Former United States Ambassador to Timor-Leste

Wednesday 16 May 6:30 pm Preview Screening of Ted Folke’s Sequel to Award Winning Documentary Film - East Timor: Betrayal and Resurrection - Timor-Leste: Nation Building 101

Guest Speaker John Miller, National Coordinator of East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN)

Thursday 17 May 6:30 pm Live Video Conference Between Dili, Timor-Leste and New York

His Excellency President Xanana Gusmão and His Excellency Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta will participate* live from Dili (*unless unexpected circumstances arise)

Friday 18 May 1:00 pm Photo Slide Show - Fabric of a Nation by Carlito Caminha and Chrystine Hanley

Hosted by the United Nations Staff Recreation Council Friendship Club at the UN in honour of Timor-Leste’s 5th Year Anniversary of Independence(by separate invitation only)

About the Foundation for Post Conflict Development
The Foundation for Post Conflict Development is a not-for-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501 (c) (3) that raises awareness about and assists countries emerging from conflict situations. The mission of the FPCD is to fulfill the Millennium Development Goals; eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other infectious diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; develop a global partnership for development and fulfill the aims of the United Nations Charter in the context of post conflict situations.

Through direct education, action and development or the promotion of a global partnership for such efforts, the FPCD is dedicated to assist post conflict countries with projects necessary for their reconstruction, among them the demobilization/disbanding of child soldiers, reintegration of war veterans, the creation of meaningful employment and cultural preservation.

The Foundation for Post Conflict Development is a civil society partner in improving global development and seeks to work with organizations that place development as a priority. In this vein, the FPCD and Fundacao Xanana Gusmão (FXG) have formally joined efforts as “sister foundations”

The FPCD has signed the UN Global Compact, committing the FPCD to adhering to and promoting principles of human rights, labour, the environment and anti corruption within its sphere of influence.


About The Gabarron Foundation Carriage Center for the Arts

In 2002, the Gabarron Foundation Carriage House Center for the Arts was established by the union of two great men, Mr. Theodore W. Kheel, the celebrated New Yorker, mediator and non-profit master, and Cristobal Gabarron, the Spanish artist. Their philanthropic ideas created a magical synergistic exchange. This Center for the Arts is emboldened by these two men’s renaissance values.
The Carriage House Center for the Arts has set out to achieve its Utopian but possible aims. These are: To promote the cultural wealth and identity of both Spain and America, as well as the legacy of those lands and their peoples. Among them, the Spanish language, the mother tongue of 23 countries that unites more than 500 million native-speakers.

The main objective of The Carriage House is based on the promotion of Culture, making this multicultural space a reference in the city of New York, a meeting- and educational-point where learning is the cornerstone of freedom for a sustainable society. This exclusive international Center for the Arts is also a place for the interpretation and exchange of contemporary art and culture, as well as an echo chamber for the Spanish land outside its borders and, at the same time, a mirror of the American culture.

About Rose Bapier Productions

Rose Bapier Productions is a non-profit organization that links world class artists and unusual musical repertory to social issues by creating programs and concerts designed to bring people together. The organization's mission is to contribute to the welfare and betterment of people worldwide and strengthen communal ties globally by using the art of music as a unifying vehicle.
Rose Bapier Productions is collaborating with the Foundation for Post Conflict Development to begin a journey of cultural preservation and restoration of legacy on behalf of Timor-Leste and strengthen its connection to the western world through introduction of the Country's musical tradition. Through this collaboration, Rose Bapier will show that while two different countries can have different instruments, sounds and rhythms in their music, the similarities in how music is used and the emotions expressed in the music are the same.

The legacy of Timor-Leste, which has been transmitted verbally through its folklore, traditional songs, lullabies and children's stories have been deliberately displaced. Because so much human loss has occurred at the same time, few elders are left to rekindle the roots. Rose Bapier is making a first effort to invoke some elements of the tradition that have been shared so far.

For media inquiries:
Claudia Abate, The Foundation for Post Conflict Development cabate@postconflictdev.org , www.postconflictdev.org

Monika Abate, The Gabarron Foundation Carraige House Center for the Arts monika.abate@gabarronfondation.org, www.gabarronfoundation.org

Sofia Gitis, Rose Bapier Productions
artdirector@rosebapier.org, www.rosebapier.org

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Rose Bapier Opens Timor-Leste Culture Week

Rose Bapier Productions is a non-profit organization that links world class artists and unusual musical repertory to social issues by creating programs and concerts designed to bring people together. The organization's mission is to contribute to the welfare and betterment of people worldwide and strengthen communal ties globally by using the art of music as a unifying vehicle.



Rose Bapier Productions(www.rosebapier.org) is collaborating with the Foundation for Post Conflict Development (www.postconflictdev.org) to begin a journey of cultural preservation and restoration of legacy on behalf of East Timor and strengthen its connection to the western world through introduction of the Country's musical tradition. The legacy of East Timor, which has been transmitted verbally through its folklore, traditional songs, lullabies and children's stories have been deliberately displaced during 25 years of Indonesian occupation. Because so much human loss has occurred at the same time, few elders are left to rekindle the roots. Rose Bapier is making a first effort to invoke some elements of the tradition that have been shared so far.



The Rose Bapier program on May 14th at the Gabarron Foundation in New York City, titled " Voices in Union," will interweave a poignant performance of the Ennio Morricone piece, Nostalgia, from the film Cinema Paradiso. This piece will be followed by a unique composition of Jorge Bosso written to magnificent poetry of John Keats titled "Ode to Psyche," a U.S. premiere of unpublished work for 2 voices, harp, vibraphone and cello dedicated to the people of East Timor .



The evening will also feature a poem /multimedia presentation reflecting on the Spirit of Freedom and cross over into special arrangements of traditional Timorese songs performed in both original and western interpretations and sounds reflecting the positive influences and emotions from East Timore when it was occupied by Portugal composed by our talented colleague pianist/arranger Octavio Brunetti. Our artists performing that eve Mary Ann Stewart, mezzo-soprano, Sofia Gitis, soprano, Matthew Tutsky, harp, Joshua Nakazawa, cello, TIm Collins, vibraphone, Douglas Martin, conductor, Octavio Brunetti, pianist, Mauro Satalino, percussion, Martin Balik bass with Paulo Gutterres, Ambassador Santos of East Timor and little Daniela Santos, 8...will sing in tetum, native language...



It promises to be a beautiful event ...if you wish to join us...You may RSVP to artdirector@rosebapier.org or RSVP@gabarronfoundation.org directly before May 10th..