I've been told that the most inspiring thing about me is my passion for everything that I do (hi, Will!). I think that's a nice way of saying I'm a geek!
I would love to visit Finland but my home from home is really the Czech Republic- a puzzling, beautiful country of contrasts and long history. *My* Czech Republic is the one far away from the tourist crowds, less glamourous but by no means less beautiful. It is the countryside, the little towns, but most importantly it is the people. This country will heal you, but it will also take something away. Usually it's your heart, so be warned! But London is great: a vibrant place with an eclectic music scene!
Er..music! The love of my life. I started with Film scores, and Rock during my teenage years (mainy Queen) before discovering Heavy Metal. I got quite heavily into the Swedish and Finnish medieval/Folk crossover. I also love Classical, Jazz, and World music- eclectic is good. Central European music, especially from the Czech Republic is beguiling, fiery, sometimes dissonant but consistently gorgeous. You can actually *hear* and feel the ethnic influences and history- it's all there like an aural record. If there is only one Czech band you listen to, then let it be CECHOMOR(CZ), who have all of that and more. I've recently discovered English/British folk music- in particular BELLOWHEAD (UK), and SPIERS & BODEN (UK). Scroll down for some links!
Books? Lord of the Rings! William Blake, for his passion and vision, and Arthur C Clark for the moving humanity behind his sci-fi writing. For something a little odd, "Too Loud a Solitude" by Bohumil Hrabal, and the Kalevala.
I'm proud to be part of the Czech/ Slovak folk dance group THE BESKYDY DANCERS, who I am beginning to promote. It is a tricky project, but I am determined that it will be a success. We are talking 54 years of history here. I've just created a website: www.beskydy-dancers.org .Other dancing: Scottish Ceilidh dances at Cecil Sharp House in Camden are a blast! In November '06 I joined THE VOLGA RUSSIAN DANCERS and made my 'debut' with them two months later at the Destinations Travel Show at Earl's Court. Huge venue, big audience, great fun!
I'm a Psychology graduate from the University of Westminster, but my love of music could not be ignored so I made a decision. I worked as a volunteer at Pishter Ltd, helping them promote the "Pulse Festival 2006", which is a celebration of Central/Eastern European music and culture in London. Incredibly hard work, but well worth it.
My fortune-filled summer months culminated in my getting a Marketing & Development training post with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE), which I've just completed.
I now work in the Marketing dept of the the Southbank Centre, London.
For the curious...
Beskydy Dancers http://www.geocities.com/beskydydancers/
Pishter Ltd http://www.pishter.com
Pulse Festival http://www.pulsefestival.net
Cechomor http://www.czechomor.com , http://www.myspace.com/czechomor
Bellowhead http://www.bellowhead.co.uk
Spiers&Boden http://www.squeezy.fsnet.co.uk/spiers_boden/
