Cairo – Belly of the beast

“Man, bring my cap and some clothes it’s getting cold, and give me a ring when you’ll be there” It was Andrew McConnell, calling me from the rooftop of one of the buildings surrounding Tahrir square. “Yeah i sure will, but it’s gonna take some time for me to get there, the streets are crowded,see you man!”

When i managed to get to the enterance of the bulding i tried to call him, so he would send a guy down, and unlock the door. No way, no signal due to overcrowding of the place. It was chaos!  “Shit! What should i do now?!!” For a minute i stood there, at the enterance of a building, next to a steel frame door, facing tens of thousands of people chanting and yelling in Tahrir square. It was about 5 o’clock. After i watched people trying to convince the youngsters which were guarding the gates, i saw they’re letting some press people inside. So i told them “Sahafi sahafi” and showed them a press card and they let me in.

First i was happy as i saw how that private flat, was turned to improvised press centre and the staff there was really helpful. But i had to meet Andrew. “Is there any stairs leading to the roof than the one i came through?” “Yes, just a second,i will show you way to the roof”. Some middle-aged kind lady led me to the roof.

The roof spot was actually expensive place to stay, but the look on Tahrir square is worth it. About 25 ,30 meters high There was one TV crew on the roof, but i couldn’t see Andy. Well of course not, he climbed on a wall which was meant to be the edge of the roof, about 2,5m high. Then with really happy feeling i met him, and thought to myself;  “Andy wtf, you crazy bastard!”  He was sitting on this thin,50 cm wide ledge, on left side, there was 2,5 m of height to the floor of the roof, on the right side, about 25m to the ground. And he was totally not giving a fuck about anything in the whole world, except his work. He was, as he would be photographing some cats or bees on flowers and stuff like that. But actually,the whole scene could be compared to the huge hive. It was few minutes to seven. Sun already set down, the orange street lights were shining and i had chills over my body definetly for more than 10 minutes. Adrenaline overflow!

“Andrew, as he sits down while crowds below gather on anniversary of beginning of the Egyptian revolution”

To be a witness to such an amazing event, with hundreds of thousands of people gathered and connected together by loud chants, yelling their demands to transfer the ruling power of SCAF to the civilian ruling body, to free the imprisioned activists, trials for the suspected killers of the revolution martyrs and social economic saftey.

Yet the opportunity for a shot was missed. The moment to pull the trigger and to lead people onwards with maximum power was during the day.

As the time i’m writin this, things got calm. In Tahrir square. In people’s hearts? Who knows.

 

Cairo – The blur of Tahrir

It was one of those rare shits, that takes more than five minutes. When you sit down on a toilet and you just exist. When the sounds around you just don’t wake up your mind and you just dream. As my head was supported by my arm, the image of tiles on the ground got blury as current  political situation is right now in Egypt. It was just my imagination, which turned a small orange pattern painted on one of the tiles, into the image we were served after 25th of January. The massive crowd, at the stronghold of Arab revolution. El Tahrir.

As one year’s mark of  revolution in Egypt is few hours away, a numerous rumors and predictions still go around on a streets. Some people claim there will be just anniversary, celebration or even carneval, but others, including 6of April movement, who did not forget about 850 demonstrators who got killed and beaten activists say they will not take a single step away from their demands.

15O-Occupy Ljubljana (day 8)

“Flag printed with the revulotionary icon “Che Guevara”,  remains on a light pole, above the tent where food is stored. On the kitchen tent, paper is sticked on, saying “True democracy”.

“People are seen in the reflection glass of a stock exchange building, discussing the current governing system.”

“One of the supporters of the “15O Global change” movement, stands under the enterance to the stock exchange buliding (slovenian: Borza). Protesters swaped the letter “R”, after it fell down, with letter “J”. BOJ ZA” is equivalent to the English translation “Fight for”.

“One of the supporters of the “15O Global change” movement, poses for a portrait.”

“The reflection of a playing musician is seen in the glass at entrance of the stock exchange buliding, while one of the protesters carries the main banner to the “Ljubljana city annual marathon”.”

“One of the supporters of the “15O Global change” movement, cheers up the participants of annual Ljubljana city marathon. About 18.000 of the voulenteers signed up to run the marathon.”

“A participating of the Ljubljana city annual marathon passes by a flag, carried by one of the supporters of the “15O Global change – occupy Ljubljana”.

“Runners participating the Ljubljana city annual marathon passes by participants of the “15O Global change – occupy Ljubljana”.

“Participants of the “15O Global change – occupy Ljubljana”, run at the course set for annual “Ljubljana city marathon”. To sign up for the participation in the run, one had to pay up to 70€ to get the starting number and a run tracker. The protester is wearing symbolic “15O Global change”. 99% number.”

“Participants of the “15O Global change – occupy Ljubljana”, move around the marathon’s course with the flag, promoting the movement’s idea.”

Participants of the “15O Global change – occupy Ljubljana”, cover the citylight advertisment with their flag, only leaving sentence “Vem kaj hočem (I know what i want), in the advertisment.”

“Runners participating the Ljubljana city annual marathon passes by participants of the “15O Global change – occupy Ljubljana”, with the flag saying “Mi smo 99% – Revolucija v teku. (We are the 99% – Revolution in the run.”

15O-Occupy Ljubljana (day5)

Sky above occupied square in front of a stock exchange is getting cloudy, but things are getting clearer by every day of occupation of Ljubljana. The “war cry” of the participants is louder and it’s echoes through the media, and hopefuly through the ears of people who, should get the message and act in a way. Way which is obligatory, for one to remain status of human being with concience, reasonable mind and responsibility.

Today was the first rainy day, but surpisingly more tents arose at the square. Two army tents were delivered and are now in use. One as a press center, the other one as a place for food supply, where participants of a movement, (also bypassers are warmly welcomed) are served various food and drinks. Also an improvised cinema is present.

“As the fifth day of occupation is rolling to it’s end, despite light rain, more tents are present, also improvised cinema was put up at the square.”

“Meeting about discussing future daily plans is held in an alley protected by roof, as rain starts to fall.”

“”Reflection of interior of a shoe shop, with an employee behind the counter, counting daily income, is visible in the shopping window. Outside the supporters of “15O Global change – occupy ljubljana” are attending an evening meeting.”

“Participant of the evening meeting, taking notes about future actions of the movement at stock exchange square occupation.”

“One of the army tents is used to shelter the food supply centre, where participants of the protest are able to get free food and refreshing drinks.”

“One of the participants is distracted while helping herself with free food – “bograč”".

“The particpant lighning up the darkness in the food supply center tent, in order to have a dinner.”

“Other one of the two army tents provides shelter for technologic equipment, as the tent is used as an improvised press centre, which is vital to maintain free flow of information to the media and also to a livestream applications.”

“One of the protesters at the square wearing a make-up and a wig, masking him into visual similarity the Guy Fawkes character.”

“As cold is getting intesive at evening hours, the participants cope with  it by distracting themselves with watching improvised cinema films and physicaly warming up.”

15O-Occupy Ljubljana (day3)

As the “battle” against corrupted capitalism finished, “war” is still in progress. The participants of 15O-Occupy Ljubljana movement, settled down at square in front of the stock exchange building in Ljubljana on Saturday, 15th.

At evening they set up their tents, about 7 of them were risen up when sun went down. Despite cold weahter forecast, around 0°C in the morning and evening hours, for some occupiers, for others liberators, maintain their establishment in front of the stock exchange buliding. Brokers and other employees, were not yet confronted by protesters, as they entered the building by the side enterance. During the daytime, meetings are held to debate future plans of movement, some workshops take places – about social topics, such as finding a job, about giving up addictions, etc. . The protesters did surprise main Slovenian public, more tents were set up (about 15 now) as many slovenians are not used seeing such strong will and commitement to stand for an idea. The battle against corruptive capitalism still continues, if protesters are warriors, then this occupation of a square is a “war cry”, getting louder by each day of persistence.

15O Presence counts – Occupy Ljubljana

“On October the 15th, the streets, squares, parks and other public areas in cities all around the globe were crowded by supporters of a “15O-Global change movement”, which’s cause  is to initiate changes in the social system build on neoliberalistic capitalism, corruption, and corporations, ruled by top 1% of a wealthiest percent of world’s population. In Ljubljana – capital of Slovenia, as media reports, about 3000 people gathered at Kongresni trg, where the public microphone was available to those willing to share their thoughts and ideas. Later the crowd moved to square in front of stock exchange building, with plan to occupy the square by setting up the tents and continue to discuss the issues of the system.”

“Flag representing worker’s party, is put in the air at the square in front of main stock exchange buliding in Ljubljana.”

“Participant of the “15O Global change” movement, prepares one of the banners saying “Goodbye to neoliberalistic capitalism.”

“Speaker on a public microphone shares his ideas and opinions at Kongresni Trg, Ljubljana.”

“Man holds a cardboard banner saying “This story is about you too!” at the public gathering at Kongresni trg, Ljubljana.”

“Participants of the “15O Global change movement” move through Kongresni trg, with cardboard banner saying “Let’s heal the system of hipocrisy and trading.”

“Participants of the “15O Global change movement”, wearing Guy Fawkes masks which represents anonymity, rests at Kongresni trg.”

“Masked as Guy Fawkes, man gives away propaganda flyers at the city bus station.”

“Woman rising a sign saying “Life before capital, while she passes by building of “Banka Koper” bank.”

“”Participants of the “15O Global change movement” gather at square in front of stock exchange building.”

“Poster representing Guy Fawkes’s icon as a symbol of efficient changes in the system.”

“Woman holds purse with the suffering Jesus illustrated on it, next to a cardboard sign saying “You’re not getting fucked by gay people-but capitalists!.”

“”Participants of the “15O Global change movement” gather at square in front of stock exchange building.”“Bank buildings near stock exchange,where particiants decided to occupy it’s square,are illuminated by city lights.”

“At evening, despite cold temperatures, participants set up tents at square in front of stock exchange building, some of them them with plan to occupy the square by sleeping on it.“

“Participants entertaining eachother,after setteling down at square in front of stock exchange building, where they plan to sleep overnight.”

“Participants discuss problems about the global system,after setteling down at square in front of stock exchange building, where they plan to sleep overnight.”

more photos here

Second look (2) : Alley of immortals

Thinking, about the endless sea of photos and information that is flooding our daily life, i’ve started to wonder about what are we really seeing when looking at photo in magazine,newspaper,internet,TV,exhibition…

Alley of immortals

Quick glimpse on the photo, and we can see the line of plastic dolls, used for exhibiting probably the dresses from nearby clothing shop called Beauty Girl. Photo could be taken almost anywhere in the world, considering the ambient, this could be taken somewhere in mediterranean, could be Italy – kingdom of high fashion. But this ain’t no high fashion shop. High fashion shops are all shining, clean, filled with brainwashing advertisement billboards. And this dolls look worn out, used, damaged and scratched. Like the many of bypassers, which look at them daily, are.

Photography was taken in Gaza city centre, in Gaza strip on 4^th of June 2011.

 

 

Those plastic dolls actually are in a line, with backs against the wall. Similar to the people, which live near this alley. You could compare this line formation of the dolls to one, that soldiers use. If this would be soldiers, the doll in a white-facing the camera would be some higher ranking official, inspecting the privates and their equipment. In this case, people inspect the dresses. During the inspection, soldiers are at attention, silent and still. Dolls are the same all the time. But if they could talk-they would have something to say. Things about the suffering of the people that pass them by. Because they could relate to them. At least neighbourhood people saw can see them daily, like we can see those people on TV, in newspapers… How they have to remain positioned there against their own will, some of them even tied by their necks to the wall. Like the prisoners. The higher ranked doll wears the white shirt, and it looks like it can move freely, while others are imprisoned and waiting. Waiting forever. The first doll from the left looks relaxed, like it’s used to posing. Next two dolls are tied, characterizing the fundamental and more conservative principles and rules for women, that Hamas imposed when it won elections in Gaza strip. But the dolls, they don’t care about politics, they are not aware of occupation, they are dead, static. But the people of Palestine are not, even with serious bruises, scratches, shooting wounds, shrapnel injuries, amputated limbs – they remain alive with strong spirit to resist the ties around their necks. They are the ones who hold the spirit of immortality.

Gaza 7 – A look through the blood covered keyhole

On about 360 square kilometres, the largest open air prison on the planet with more then 1.5 million inhabitants. Prisoners of Israeli occupation. 1.1 million of 1.5 million people living in Gaza, are refugees who left homes during the Arab-Israeli war in 1948. Half of the refugees live in eight refugee camps, many of them overcrowded. One of them Jabaliya northern part of the strip, is one of the most dense populated places on earth – with 120.000 people living in just 700 square meters. This kind of density develops countless problem for the residents as health issues due to contaminated water, problems with sewage system, lack of fresh air, lack of sunlight in the houses (they have small windows, but mostly they get light with artificial lights) due to buildings constructed next to each other, making streets narrow as 70 centimetres. Some cases of kids are known, when the infection caused by degrading dump, led to  fever and illness, which couldn’t be healed in time. Constant high body temperature, resulted in brain damage and children were left paralysed.  Many families therefore live in inhuman conditions, where up to 9 people sleeps in a room about 15 square metres. There is no space and also not any resolution coming on a horizon for them yet. The key to their homes across the Israeli border, remains in the hands of this prison’s ruthless warden – Israel’s hands, covered with a blood of Palestinians. But the right of return and justice is on side of Gazans.

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Na približno 360 kvadratnih kilometrih, v največjem zaporu na odprtem, prebiva več kot 1,5 milijona prebivalcev. Zapornikov v Izraelski okupaciji. 1,1 milijona od 1,5 vseh prebivalcev Gaze, je beguncev, ki so zapustili domove med Arabsko Izraelsko vojno v letu 1948. Približno polovica beguncev živi v enem od osmih begunskih kampov, večina njih pregosto naseljenih. En izmed njih je Jabaliya, na severnem delu Gaze, ki je najbolj naseljen prostor na svetu – z okrog 120.000 prebivalci, ki živijo na 700 kvadratnih metrih prostora. Taka prenaseljenost vodi v neštete težave za begunce, zdravstvene težave zaradi onesnažene vode, problemi z odplakami in vodnim sistemom, pomanjkanje svežega zraka v hišah, pomanjkanje sončne svetlobe (večina jih ima majhna okna oziroma živijo v umetni luči), saj so hiše zgrajene drug ob drugi. Ulice so široke tudi le 70 centimetrov. Primeri otrok so poznani, ko so ob razgrajajočih se odpadkih pojavila infekcija otrok in posledično vročina in bolezni, ki je niso mogli znižati pravočasno. Stalna povišana telesna temperatura je povzročila možgansko okvaro in vodila do paralize udov. Družine tako živijo v nehumanih okoliščinah, kjer po devet ljudi spi v sobi, nič večji od 15 kvadratnih metrov. Ni prostora in tudi ne rešitve na vidiku, ki bi končala to utesnjenost. Ključ do njihovih domov, ki so čez Izraelsko mejo, ostaja v rokah krutega čuvaja tega zapora, s krvjo Palestincev okrvavljenih rokah, v rokah Izraelove tiranije. Pravica do vrnitve pa v rokah prebivalcev Gaze.

Gaza 6 – Way of Fadi

 

 

At Cast Lead, Israeli’s military attack on Gaza, which caused 313 deaths amongst children, there was insufficient medical treatment available due to overcrowding in the hospitals. One of the victims of the war is Fadi Al-Arir. 14 year old boy, who had his left leg amputated because his treatment was not correct. Fadi’s injury was caused by some undetonated explosive device he found with his friends, while they were playing around the house.

 

In 2010 he was in a group of the children who visited rehabilitation centre in Ljubljana, Slovenia. A reason for his visit was rehabilitation and instructions, led by group of therapists, how to use prosthesis for a replacement of his leg. He is recovering moderately good, while his prosthesis is already too small for him to use. In June 2011, Fadi completed his exams, having a free time with his friends and he aims to be a construction engineer in the future.

 

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Med operacijo Cast Lead, Izraelskem vojaškem napadu na Gazo, ki je botrovalo 313 smrtnim žrtvam med otroci, je bila zdravniška oskrba nezadostna, zaradi prevelike zasedenosti bolnic. Ena izmed žrtev je Fadi Al-Arir. 14 letni deček, ki je nad kolenom izgubil levo nogo. Amputacija, zaradi nezadostne zdravniške oskrbe. Fadijevo poškodbo je povzročilo, takrat še neeksplodirano eksplozivno sredstvo, ki ga je našel skupaj s prijatelji med igro okrog hiše.

 

Leta 2010 je bil Fadi član skupine, ki je obiskala rehabilitacijski center Soča, v Ljubljani. Razlog njegovega obiska je bila rehabilitacija in napotki za uporabo proteze, ki nadomešča njegovo levo nogo. Fadijevo okrevanje je razmeroma dobro, protezo pa je že prerasel. Leta 2011 je v Juniju Fadi končal s poukom in testi, kar mu daje prosti čas za druženje s prijatelji in razmišljanje o prihodnosti, v kateri se vidi kot gradbeni inženir.

Gaza 5 – Power of the needle

With Mohammed, we visited a home in Beitlehia,known by the craft of sewing cloth. Both wives of the man living in this house, are highly experienced in this skill. Slowly, the 18 children of the family will get into the sewing business after completing their elementary schools. Because of the low price of material, which they buy on a weekly market, part of their final products is sold to poor refugee families, which cannot afford to buy new covers for mattresses, clothes.

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Z Mohammedom sva obiskala dom družine v Beitlehiji, ki je poznana po svojih rokodelskih sposobnostih. Obe ženi v družini, obvladata šivanje. Sčasoma, ko zaključijo šolanje, se bo družinskemu poslu pridružilo 18 otrok te družine. Zaradi poceni materiala, nekaj šekelov, ki ga kupijo na tedenskih marketih, veliko svojih produktov prodajo revnim begunskim družinam, ki si ne morejo privoščiti novih prevlek za žimnico ali oblek.