Warmer towards the source

Yesterday evening I went to a Vigil (organized by SOAS) where 200 students attended. A few people spoke during the vigil. I think he was the head of Chinese students unions spoke first. His voice always on the verge of breaking, holding back the emotions. A woman who i think was from Chengdu spoke of friends and family in the affected area. Two girls, i think were sisters read an poem. All were holding back emotions, emotions i felt during this week. I am partly glad i could only understand about a 5th of what they were saying, as shooting the event would have made it very difficult for me. I was already feeling heavy when they spoke with such gravity and heart rendering openness.

Students placed candles and flowers around the 'china made from candles'. The man who spoke approached me with a little scepticism and ask me what i was shooting for as everyone else i presumed was accounted for (the two Chinese news channels). I began to speak to one journalism student and then her friend who i ended up starting to make friends with. She happen to know a lot of people including the head of student union and the editor of Phoenix TV (Chinese TV in Europe). She is also making a documentary. So I happened upon a nice person and excellent contact. I also met a friend of hers who is the festival director of Filming East Festival (http://www.filmingeast.org/).

Hearing the people speak, the turn out, the friendly (some, not all) faces made me feel part of something again. Similar to what i felt in the protests a few weeks ago. But i think these contacts are solid.

But most importantly, it help me, through being close to these Chinese people from China, feel able and strong to continue to have a daily meaningful discourse, communication, understanding and the perseverance of spirit. Because this is what we have to do for our people who are suffering so far away.

Images from vigil and other recent events:

http://www.busstrikeproductions.co.uk/pages/headings/blog/central_nation_blog.html

- J