Highlights from 2008

This year has been very eventful for Joy B aka Birgitta. Here are a few of the highlights.

I organized with my dear friend Hjörleifur Valsson two memorial events for my late mother Bergþóra Árnadóttir, who died from cancer 8th of March, 2007. The first event was held 15th of February when she would have turned 60. It was a total success - the event sold out and her lifespan was featured on the national TV the night before the event. We got some fantastic musicians to sing and perform her music and the event was something those attending will never forget, because of the quality of the music and the sense of warmth surrounding the entire event. A big thank you to everyone that took part in making this an unforgettable event:) You can find her music at the myspace page i created: http://myspace.com/bergthoraarna

Here is one video with her performing when she was young and was from one of the first TV shows in Iceland.




and here is a memorial piece i put together for my mother shortly after she died:



and finally the gravestone: thanx to Sólsteinar for managing to create my vision just they way I wanted it to be:



More highlight in the next couple of days:) until then Happy New Year: be the change this year:)

A message from Students for a Free Tibet

As 2008 draws to a close, we reaffirm our commitment to work for
Tibet in 2009. Tibetans across Tibet have risked everything to
make their stand and now we must answer their calls for freedom
with hard-hitting political advocacy that holds the Chinese
government's feet to the fire.

This March 10, 2009 will mark 50 years since the 1959 Tibetan
National Uprising, when Tibetans across Tibet rose up against
China's illegal invasion and occupation of their homeland.

As we approach this historic March 10th commemoration, and
following the Chinese government's rejection of the Dalai Lama's
attempts at meaningful dialogue, the time is ripe for political
action.

In 2009, SFT will highlight the Tibetan people's enduring
resistance, celebrate their embrace of nonviolence, and pressure
global leaders and the international community to push for a
resolution to end China's occupation of Tibet once and for all.

For the past five decades, Tibetans have steadfastly rejected
Chinese rule and, against all odds, kept their struggle for
freedom alive.

With your support, we can show the Chinese government, and the
world, that 50 years is too long. The occupation of Tibet must
end. Please donate now: https://secure.ga4.org/01/Support_SFT

In solidarity,

Lhadon, Tendor, Kate, Heather, Sam and everyone at SFT HQ

and Choeying,Tenchoe,Shibayan and Youndrung at SFT India

---

Students for a Free Tibet, India (SFT India) is the India National Network
of Students for a Free Tibet International, which has over 650 chapters in
more than 35 countries.

Founded in the year 2000 from a very humble beginning as a loose network of few
young activists and students based in Dharamshala campaigning for Tibet's
Independence,SFT India has grown as nation-wide network of youth, campaigning for
the Fundamental Rights of the Tibetan people, and we are still growing. It is from
our grassroots network that we gain our strength.

To ensure the effectiveness of our grassroots network.we create Awareness
and sensitize the world on the just cause of Tibet. We believe that young
people can and must take responsibility to change our world for the better.

For more information visit www.sftindia.org, www.studentsforafreetibet.org

Enough!

enough blood
has been spilled
enough hatred
has been bred

enough weapons
have been created
enough children
have died

enough, enough
the womb of the mother
is bleeding
her breasts dry

time
now
for the peoples of this world
to unite

our world on the verge of collapse
into darkness
time to unite
for real changes
for us all
not just the chosen few

time
for us
to choose for us all
for we are all chosen
to lead our world into another reality

Horror of War

I wish to dedicate this poem to everyone effected by war in one way or another. Deepest sympathies to the people suffering right now from the horror of war. All my problems are but luxury problems compared to your suffering. I wrote this around the time of beginning of the Iraqi war - but it could be about the same subject around the world. We really have to stop all this hate and fear in our world - I wish I knew how. Click on the image to see the poem better if you like to read it.

The International year of poetry: 2009!

Many have forgotten that once upon a time - poets were in the role of oracles - we still are - we have just forgotten - while reading through old poetry by some of those poets that never forgot their role and talked with the voice of reason - it is easy to spot this element of forth sight and future gazing - as our world will spin into even further turmoil and chaos - what better then find the simple tranquil voice within the worlds? the Voice within that empty space that speaks to us. Let us write - celebrate - and nurture the words of hope and rebellion against all odds.

Happy Brightmas

Next year 2009 will be the international year of Poetry - I have nominated this year to be the year when we need more then ever the voice of reason often found within poetry. Good poetry says more then 1000000 words. Now we need information, information, hope, faster then ever and the poem is the best form and method to deliver messages to humanity: viva la poesia: Lifi ljóðið:)

So dear friend - write down your thoughts in as few words as possible in a verse of hope...

Love - light - and joy
Birgitta