Merigar 30 Blog

Ladies and gentlemen,
It is with great pleasure and joy that we announce the winners of the Merigar Song Competition that was advertised this summer on the occasion of the Thirty Year celebrations. As you may have realized, the word “Competition” was meant in a playful way. How can we be in competition when we are all contributing together for the greatest success of a celebration – especially if the celebration is for the Thirty Year Anniversary of the Dzogchen Community.

The music of the arrangements that came in intrigued, entertained or captivated us. Many of us voted, sometimes discovering that we had a classical or anti-conventional side to us. So even through this competition we have discovered another side of ourselves and of our preferences …

But now, no more chatting. It is the moment to reveal who is behind the musical piece that was the most voted for:

The interpretation No.4) Merigar Song IS THE WINNER!!! And the performers were:

Francesco Postorivo, 33, (violin and arrangement) who plays an Andrea Castagneri (a student of Stradivari) violin, made in Cremona in 1749, in the Camerata Ducale di Torino Orchestra.
Gian Piero Fortini, 32 (oboe) who plays at the Scala in Milan.
Fabio Sioli, 34 (piano) who is a teacher at the Musical Liceo in Varese.

Special thanks to Adelia Boito who in some way provided the inspiration.

An applause also goes to the other participants who were:

No.2) World Dance remix of The Merigar Song By David Meyer AKA Shambolic Charm; Space Cadets; Lhundrup and Britz Underground

No.3) Merisongonpop Harmonic arrangement on the original song by Vincenzo Caputo

No.5) Merigar Song Improvisation composed and interpreted by Giovanna Natalini on piano.

Can you still hear our applause? It is for all of you! Thanks for having given us your musical notes, creativity and talent!

Dedicated to Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, without whom all of this would not have taken place.
Dedicated to all those who were there and want to remember. And to all those who were not there in person but in spirit and want to see.
In short, dedicated to us all!

PHOTO ALBUM Thirtieth Anniversary Celebration at Merigar

Time has come for you to vote for the version of the Merigar Song that you like the most!

They range from classical to pop to world dance … the musicians who sent in their entries were few but really good and it won’t be easy to decide on the best. They have put a lot of creativity and passion into their work and now we have the hard task of deciding.

Dear readers of this blog, your participation is essential – vote for the number of your favourite Merigar Song. It’s simple, just click below and … the one with the most votes wins!!!

N° 2: World Dance remix of The Merigar Song

N°3: Merisongonpop

N°4: Merigar Song

N°5: Improvvisazione su Merigar Song

Which one will be N° 1?

What happens when tradition meets modernity? What is the relationship that Tibetan artists have with their culture, their roots, with the history and the traditions of their lands? Do they follow that ancient artistic tradition which made Tibetan art one of the finest artistic forms in all Asia? Or do they completely move away from it? What does an impressively international group of Tibetan artists have in common?
You can find the answers to these questions by visiting the Tibet. Art. Now. Tibetan art between tradition and modernity art exhibition, organised by ASIA ONLUS, curators Paola Vanzo and Filippo Lunardo, that will be held from from July 14 to August 7 at Palazzo Nerucci, Castel del Piano.
The exhibition presents  ancient and contemporary periods of Tibetan art. Thangkas of Shakyamuni are side by side with Shakyamuni made of stickers, while Kalacakra mandalas are next to mandalas with cartoonlike characters. The prestige of the event is enhanced by the participation of ancient and contemporary art galleries of international reputation: Renzo Freschi – Oriental Art; Rossi & Rossi; Joshua Liner Gallery

A catalogue of the ancient and contemporary works on exhibit has been created for the event and will be distributed internationally.
The exhibition will be opened on July 14 at 7 pm. The actor Giuseppe Cederna will read passages of classical and contemporary Tibetan literature accompanied by Livio Brasi on piano. 
This is a unique precious exhibition, a testimony to the culture of a people  which, despite the real danger of its extinction, shows the originality and vitality of their art with power and intensity. 

July 14 to August 7 at Palazzo Nerucci, Castel del Piano
Open every day except Monday
from 10.30 am to 1 pm
and from 4.30 pm  to 8 pm

“Let the dance begin!” was the phrase once used for the official start of festivities.

Maybe also because dancing has always been an expression of joy, fun, meeting and getting on together, an auspicious wish for the start of any celebration. So, this is the way, on the evening of 15 July that students of Rinpoche from Germany,  Russia,  United States, Hungary, Argentina, Ukraine, Spain, China, Kalmyk, Lithuania, Venezuela, Israel e Italy will dance, on stage in Arcidosso. They have been rehearsing in different continents, with different kinds of music, sometimes even co-ordinating the last choreographic variations via skype. Nothing has stopped them in their will to meet and dance their steps for all of us, images of lands that, through the Dzogchen Community, have become much closer, to show the variety that is part of us and above all to show that it is possible to dance joyously together in spite of having different languages, traditions, customs and rhythms.

 And at 11 p.m. at the CIRCO GARUDA 
http://www.cirquegaruda.cz/video2.html
http://vimeo.com/cirquegaruda
In this case the tribute comes from Prague, from a group of circus artists bringing together juggling, acrobatics, clowns, fantasy and games of skill to lead us into a magic realm, to enchant us with displays of fire and light and acrobalance. To remind us, making us smile in surprise, that all is a dream, that the view that things are fixed and stable is just an illusion.

 A fantastic firework display, full of colours, will bring the evening to an end.

The Party is about to begin … are you ready to come?

We have the schedule of concerts that will be on stage in Arcidosso on the 16th  and 17th July for the celebration of the Thirty Years Anniversary! It is wonderful! And I am not just saying it to promote the event and make you all rush to get here… just browse the web and you will realize that we will be seeing a unique and exciting performance.

Many artists, many capacities, many styles, a fusion of talents from all around the world will be gathering to celebrate together this Thirty Years Anniversary. An homage to our Master, but also to all of us: it’s great to see that amongst us there is so much beauty! And as well as Rimpoche’s students there will be local talents, in a fusion of harmonies bearing witness of a successful meaning between the world and the local territory. Folk music of Amiata, classical European and crossover music, dance performances and magical acts, jazz, rock, soul, reggae music… There’s something to suit everybody’s fancy!.. we could write long descriptions for each one of them, and this post would become very long. Or simply list them, thanking each one of them for offering their art. Next to some names you will find a link of a video on youtube. I think that a video presentation will give you more of an idea of the variety we will be listening to on July 16th  and 17th . It is not all of them, only those whose video I found on Youtube, perhaps even a dated one. But at least you will have an idea of their music , style, face, energy, performance… I hope it will please you, as it pleased me during my research!  I apologise to those I left out, and I ask them to leave, below, in the comments, everything they believe represents them in the best way, website, video, links, don’t be shy, show us who you are and what we will see! Thank you everyone, see you near the stage!

SATURDAY 16th  JULY
Presenting  Anna Diogene and Adriano Crescenzi

Giuseppe Verdi Choir of Arcidosso Italy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFmDb8IYdd0

Alex Pollack: Israel guitar player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3sTUM70FD4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLXXkFb30GY

Irindjan Andriyanova: Russia, singer from Ethnic Theatre “Chingis Khan”

Diana Pandzarisz: Hungary singer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixk5-wFCNJA

Andrea Giulia Pietrobon: Italy,  young and talented harpist

Cardellini del Fontanino: Italy, Castel del Piano ensemble choral
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENaO0cXB1rA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEhxURDViB8

Brunella de Biase: Italy dancer and choreographer
http://www.brunelladebiase.info/sito/index.php?/categories/6-Video

Daniela Manusardi: Italy piano concert performer        http://www.danielamanusardi.it/it/music.html

MERIGAR WORLD ENSEMBLE: soloists who will play a classical repertoire for the occasion in different formations.

Petr Fedkov,  Russia, oboe, Ilia Pubants Israel violin,Natalia Plotnichenko Ukraine violin , Irina Cheverda Ukraine, violin, Ignazio Bernardoni, Italy contrabass, Alexander Korenkov Russia , baritone, Regine Alagno Germany soprano, Davide Severi Italy piano, Valery Tolstov, Armenia, flute.

Roberto Cacciapaglia Trio: Italy, music performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7vAAPnZQOs

Santa Fiora miners’ choir: Italy, vocal ensemble http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHfHmVX8ccY

SUNDAY 17th  JULY
Presenting  Anna Diogene and Adriano Crescenzi

Arcidosso Street Band

Slovak Band: Mato Namesny (bass and voice), Marcel Ven (Tablas, harmonica, keyboard), Peter Fabian, (guitar, voice), Jiri Karlik (guitar, violin, voice), Monika Satkova, Slovakia, singer.

Music School Jazz Band – Castel del Piano

Adriano Clemente Akashmani Project http://www.youtube.com/user/adrak58
Adriano Clemente, Italy, harp  Rosie Wiederkehr, Switzerland, singer.  www.rosiewiederkehr.com Nina Souza Reiss, Germany, singer Harvey Kaiser, USA, sax tenor Jasna Jovicevic, Serbia, sax soprano e sax alto, Romano Consoli, Italy, sax and percussions, Fabio Tomassoni, Italy, flute Alex Pollack, Israel, guitar Massimo Muratori, Italy, trumpet Massimiliano Santella, Italiy, trombone Massimiliano Ottaviani, Italy, contrabass, Livio Brasi, Italy, piano Pancho Company, Spain, drums and percussions

The Harvey Kaiser Four & More: Afro-American Classical Music called Jazz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxrCqWVvres

Merigar Swingin’ and Rockin’ Band:
Gabriela Arnon, USA,singer, piano, composer  www.myspace.com/gabrielaarnonmusic Marc Eagleton, USA, guitar, singer, composer, producer www.anniereedmusic.com/pdf/Marc%20Eagleton.pdf Richard Eagleton, USA, guitar,singer,composer Pancho Company, Spain,drums Harvey Kaiser, USA, sax.  www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=19898 Jasna Jovicevic, Serbia, sax soprano and alto  www.myspace.com/jasnajazz Valery Tolstov, Armenia, flute, organ, guitar,  composer www.myspace.com/valeritolstov Romano Consoli, Italy, sax and percussions www.myspace.com/latinjazzaxe

The Merigar Singers: professional singers and  soloists who will perform together for the occasion:
Nelida Saporiti Argentina singer, Naomi Zeitz USA, singer Rita Kaiser USA, singer Anna Bartenstein USA, singer Cristiana De Falco Italy, singer Jan Cornall Australia, singer www.myspace.com/jancornall Jan Blumenroth Germania singer www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8e33F7rh-c, Lauri Marder y Kathryn O’Connor, USA, singers.

Jaka & Fire band

JAKA NEW VIDEO CLIP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxtPkM-WeNQ&feature=channel_video_title

VIDEO Single “ A Erice”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhfQc_uOXX0&feature=related

We are approaching the time of The Joy of Being Here. Of fun, music, holidays, party. Of relaxation! The Thirtieth Anniversary will be celebrated in just over a month. July is a really wonderful month for meeting here in Amiata, the days are long, the weather is beautiful. During the teaching retreats there are many, many of us, and it’s not always easy to get to know each other. We are concentrated, trying to understand in the best way what our Masters are transmitting. We often go to bed early in the evening, we don’t go out too much so that we can be fresh the next morning.

During the Thirtieth Anniversary we will have the possibility of being together in a different way. Of going from one event to the other, of getting to know each other and meeting up. Of keeping late hours in the town squares. We want to enjoy it all!

For this reason, so that all those who wish to come may do so, we are working in order to find accomodation accessible to all pockets.

If money is an obstacle to your participation, fill in the form you find below, and we will do our best to find you the best solution for accomodation. From the 12^th to the 19^th July (note, only during this week) there will be beds available in rooms with 3 to 5 beds, and, in case you have a tent, it will even be possible to camp. The prices will be very reasonable.

Places are not infinite, and priority will be given to those who participate actively in the events or in the organization of the Anniversary.

To make a request for a place to stay click here and fill in the whole form. You will receive an answer as soon as possible.

Fill in the form.

For everyone else, here you can find a list of hotels, agritourisms and accomodation in the area:

PDF accomodations.

And for personalized solutions you can contact (in English, German or Italian)

Christina von Geispitzheim, accomodationservice@gmail.com

In case you found a cheap FLIGHT which arrives at inconvenient hours, when it would be impossible for you to catch a train or a bus towards Merigar, do not despair! Contact welcome@merigarw30.org specifying your name and surname, where you come from, time of your flight, airline company.

We will do our best to get in touch with practitioners of the city where you arrive and will ask for help. We will all collaborate so that you may spend the night in a welcoming atmosphere, in somebody’s house, and then leave for Merigar at a decent hour!

As always… We are waiting for you!

Do you want to take part in 4 days of celebrations, but you don’t know where to leave the kids? You’d like to come but think your kids will get bored? You haven’t decided whether to come or not because you don’t know how the kids could take it?
No problem! Children too are welcome to the Thirtieth Anniversary Celebrations!

It is to help parents to celebrate and take active part in the many events that we have decided to organize a babysitting service.

All the children will be able to pass their time here in a comfortable and safe environment while their parents will have the chance to enjoy the celebrations with peace of mind, or if engaged in certain activities to do so without any worries.

To this end we have rented a house with a garden at San Lorenzo (a small town between Casteldelpiano and Arcidosso), close to the location of the Celebrations.
The house will be open will from 9.30 to 12.00 and 16.00 to 18.00, but if necessary the timetable can be extended or shortened, as agreed. The period will run from 7 to 18 July, thus covering not only the days of the celebrations but also the preceding preparatory phase. So parents wanting to give a helping hand in the preparations are welcome!

The price is not fixed but by donation, to enable everyone to use this facility.

This service is available for children aged 3 older. The children will be insured during the timetable periods.
A team of babysitters will organize games, activities and events day by day. If there enough children then very interesting creative workshops will be arranged, meeting other children and taking part in stimulating activities.

If this has made you smile in relief, if this has resolved your doubts about being able to bring together children, celebrations and karma yoga, in word, if you are thinking of coming with your kids, help us organize this the best way we can:

We need to know the number of children involved and their age, the period or days when the baby sitting service is needed. On the basis of this information will help us decide the number of staff needed and evaluate if the space we have chosen is sufficient and, if it is not, find another solution that is pleasant, comfortable and safe!

If you are interested please copy the following in an email, fill in the form and send it to: info@merigarw30.org, titling the email: Baby sitting
Here is the information to copy, compile and send:

Name of the child:
Age:
Name of one parent:
Mobile/cell phone number:
Indicate the period or days when you need the baby sitting service:

We are expecting you!

Dugu Chögyal Rinpoche and Chögyal Namkhai Norbu discussing Gonpa decoration. 1993. © 2011 siedlecki/iss

In collaboration with the Dzogchen Community and in celebratation of the 30th anniversary of Merigar, the Shang Shung Institute is curating a photo exhibition documenting the first 30 years of the Community’s activities here in Arcidosso.

HH the Dalai Lama and Chögyal Namkhai Norbu arriving at the Gonpa for the inauguration, 1990. © 2011 siedlecki/iss

The exhibition will include images from the personal archives of the Namkhai family, as well as, the SSI archives, Mirror and various personal archives. All members of the Community are warmly invited to collaborate on this project by contributing their photos of Merigar.

The exhibition aims to document the evolution of the Community over the last 30 years through an exploration of the examples of sacred architecture in Merigar such as the Gonpa and the Stupa: their history, their significance and the phases of their construction.

This will be the first exhibition to be held in the new exhibition space of the Museo di Arte e Cultura Tibetana, in Arcidosso.

HH the Dalai Lama entering the Gonpa for the first time, 1990. © 2011 siedlecki/iss

CALL FOR PHOTOS

Members of the Community around the world can help in the preparation of the exhibition by contributing their photographs made in Merigar, during the last 30 years. We are especially interested in images of:Merigar from the early 80′s

the consecration of various site

the construction and decoration of the Gonpa

the construction of the Stupa

the construction of the library and dance mandala

the construction of the retreat houses

images of the many Gekko of Merigar

images of Teachers who have taught at Merigar

and of course beautiful images of Rinpoche and his family

The easiest solution would be to have your precious slides and prints scanned onto a Kodak photo CD or similar at your local photo shop and send the CD by post to:

Archivio fotografico / Istituto Shang Shung / Localita Merigar/ 58031 Arcidosso / Italy

The resolution of the images should be at least 300 dpi, to permit printing.

Please label all images – if sending snapshots, number them, placing your name and the date of when the image was made, on the back of the snapshot, in pencil, without damaging the image. Please provide a short description of each image. As important as the images themselves are your descriptions of the subject of the image, people present, what event is being documented. The images will become part of the ISS Photo Archive, unless requested otherwise. Please don’t send originals!

A DVD catalog of the exhibition is also being planned.

For any further information, please contact: a.siedlecki@shangshunginstitute.org

Some slight variations are possible and we will keep you updated, however, on the whole this will be the programme for our festivities.

Download the PDF.