Hayes stars in the rain at WOMAD

Soul legend Isaac Hayes provided a rain-soaked WOMAD crowd with a truly memorable performance last night. The Oscar winner played to an audience of thousands, who shrugged off the awful weather to listen to the remarkable set. When the 64-year-old and his band performed Soul Man, followed by the theme tune to hit 1970s movie Shaft, you could feel the electricity in the crowd.

Melissa Shields, 27, of Reading, said: "It was amazing. To see someone like Isaac Hayes perform live is awesome and it was incredible when he sang Soul Man and then Shaft. He was superb." Thankfully, despite the rain, there was no electricity coming from the sky. However, there was no way to avoid the heavy downpours, which punctuated what had otherwise been a glorious day.

A severe weather warning had been issued earlier in the day and, right on queue, at 8pm the heavens opened. The rain was expected to last until about 7am. It worsened the mud at Charlton Park, after the ground had at last started to firm up again, making the journeys back to tents and cars less than pleasurable.

The estate is now a complete mudbath, with one person even remarking that it was "worse than Glastonbury this year," as they trudged through the main arena.

Christian Aid worker Katherine Hogg said: "The mud is pretty bad, but you can't let it stop your fun. Everyone is getting stuck and all you can really do is laugh along with each other."

Malmesbury's mayor John Lawton was also enjoying the event at the Mayor's Parlour stall, which is raising money for the town hall renovation. "It's great," he said. "It's a crying shame about the weather, but everyone is really friendly and jolly and the music has been very good."

Other highlights of yesterday's programme included Candi Staton, who played to a packed Siam Tent audience, and gave an energetic performance that included her smash hit Young hearts Run Free.

By Gordon Simpson

Severe weather warning for WOMAD

Roadies battle their way through the mud

Festival-goers at WOMAD have been warned to expect a torrential downpour this evening. The Met office have issued a sever weather warning. It expects the rain to batter the WOMAD site at Charlton Park, near Malmesbury, until 7am tomorrow. That is bad news for the estimated 20,000 audience ready to welcome Isaac Hayes on to the stage at 9.45pm. Festival organisers have been trying to combat the mud by bringing in sawdust and wood chippings to soak up the worst parts. But they are preparing for difficulties when the audience tries to leave later on this evening.

Gabriel back on stage at WOMAD

Peter Gabriel came out of retirement last night to perform for the first time in many years at the Wiltshire WOMAD festival. Despite two days of heavy rain immediately before the start of the event on Friday, thousands of people braved the mud and busy roads to take part in the 25th World of Music and Dance Festival which came home to Wiltshire this year after many years located in Reading. Gabriel, a Box resident and founder of the festival took to the stage at 9.30pm on Friday night under a clear sky that had miraculously cleared over the Charlton Park venue.

Addressing the cheering crowd, and with his daughter Melanie on stage to support him, he said: "I want to thank you all for coming to the festival and overcoming the problems with the weather and the roads. WOMAD comes home to Wiltshire this year and my artistic director thought it would be a good idea for me to come out of the cupboard, dust off and perform for you tonight."

With that he began a two-hour set which included new material and classics from the Gabriel back catalogue including Sledgehammer which got a rapturous reception. The audience may have found it difficult to move their feet, stuck as they were in the quagmire in front of the stage, but that didn't stop them signing along to the music and cheering Gabriel and the musicians who joined him on stage.

The Seckou Keita Quartet, a set of performers from the UK and Senegal, concluded Friday evening's performances on the Saddlespan stage accompanied by a female acrobat tethered to a large helium-filled balloon traversing the clear night sky.

WOMAD continues throughout today with performances from Asian Dub Foundation and folk act Seth Lakeman and finishes on Sunday with Palestinian act Le Trio Joubran and Frigg from Finland amongst others.

For more information visit www.womad.org

Gabriel thrills WOMAD crowd

Peter Gabriel thrilled last night's enormous WOMAD crowd with a stunning set that went on into the late hours. The co-founder of the festival returned to the stage to mark the event's 25th anniversary. An array of special guests, including the Zawose Family, Daby Touré and Kong Nay, joined him on stage throughout.

"It was 25 years since we started this whole thing off, so we wanted to try and do a few things to make it a landmark, so I was resurrected," said Mr Gabriel. The former Genesis legend played a high-octane hour-and-a-half set, which included many of his old favourites. He left the huge, energetic crowd begging for more, especially after firing out two of his solo classics, Solsbury Hill and Sledgehammer, back-to-back.

Sarah Penhaligon, who has made the trip from Cornwall for the festival, said: "With all the different guests he had on stage there was a real magic to it - it was very special." John Merriman, 27, of Moredon, London, said: "It was a first-class performance. It was great, he did all his big hits and he was awesome." Mr Merriman's brother Philip, 20, added: "It was absolutely fantastic. It's the first gig of his I've been to and it was incredible - I'm converted." Their dad David, 59, said: "There are lots of things I am trying to do before I am 60 and this was my first live concert, and it was a great way to start."

Other highlights of the day included Jamaica's "godfather of soul" Toots and the Maytals, who lit up the main stage in the afternoon. Toots, the first man to use the word "reggae", gave his thoughts on WOMAD and its ethos backstage after his performance "I love it," he said. "You have just got to live good and be loving to each other." Mexican singer Lila Downs also put on an eyecatching display on the main stage yesterday evening to precede Mr Gabriel.

The performances were all a welcome distraction from the ever-worsening mud at Charlton Park. Tractors have been busy pulling cars out, while an ambulance even became stuck in the main arena yesterday afternoon. Revellers are having to trudge through pools of mud as they attempt to navigate their way round the festival.

WOMAD co-founder and artistic director Thomas Brooman said: "This weekend has been really hit hard by the weather. It's been so cruel to us." However, the majority of people are doing their best to make the most out of a bad situation.

Susan Hall, 37, of Bournemouth, said: "It is pretty bad in a lot of places and moving around can be a little difficult. But it could be worse and everyone's in the same boat. If anything, it has almost made the atmosphere even better."

With a sunny forecast for today and the prospect if Isaac Hayes performing tonight the WOMAD crowd look to be in for a great day.

Article by Gordon Simpson, pictures by Diane Vose

Family fun at WOMAD workshops

The workshops that make the WOMAD festival the firm favourite of families begin at lunchtime today with a Mancala making session in The Little Big Top at 12.30pm. Organised by Wiltshire-based organisation The Learning Tree Workshop parents and children will be able to make their own version of the ancient game played with counters and pits to take home with them. Learning Tree is a family project, which organises hands-on activities for families ranging from arts and crafts to science and technology. The project was started seven years ago by Sue Smith, from Chippenham.

As a psychology student studying with the Open University and a mother of three primary aged school children, she wanted to share with others what she and her family were discovering about learning while playing at home. With the support of the children and staff at St. Peter's School, Chippenham, she was able to share these ideas through a workshop and assembly on learning to learn and the project was born.

Mrs Smith said: "This year at WOMAD we are running family arts workshops based upon world games and stories. The workshop will offer families the opportunity to make either the game Mancala or a fold-away miniature theatre to recreate stories from around the world. Mancala is an ancient game played with counters and a series of pits. The rules are simple to understand and yet like all good games can be played at many levels to suit all ages and levels of skill. In the workshop we will construct our own mancala game for families to take away and enjoy. Mancala variations are played all over Africa. They are found throughout the Caribbean and on the East Coast of South America having emigrated with slaves during the colonial expansion era.

The Miniature Theatre workshop involves building your own fold-away stage together with scenery and characters to bring to life a story of your choosing. The art of story telling is universal and yet it is a pastime often forgotten in our hectic lifestyles. The miniature theatre beloved by Victorians is an ideal way to re-create our favourite stories from around the world or closer to home."

The workshops are designed for family participation and each activity is designed to get children and adults working as a team. The Learning Tree workshop leaders support families by working alongside them. See www.learning-tree.org.uk for more information.

Le Web comme moyen de pression

L'expérience pourrait s'intituler « Le virtuel pour changer le réel ».

Une trentaine de défenseurs des droits de la personne venus des cinq continents se sont réunis du 15 au 27 juillet à l'Université Concordia, à Montréal.

Organisé conjointement par l'ONG Witness et l'Université Concordia, l'événement avait pour but de former les activistes à l'utilisation de caméras vidéo et au montage sur ordinateurs. Une fois revenus dans leurs pays respectifs, ces militants utiliseront leurs connaissances et les outils qui leur sont offerts pour dénoncer les violations des droits de la personne. La prochaine étape du projet sera la construction par Witness d'un site Internet consacré exclusivement à la diffusion des documents vidéo envoyés par les activistes.

L'ONG, fondée par le chanteur Peter Gabriel en 1992, accorde beaucoup d'importance à cette formation et espère que les documents que réaliseront les militants contribueront à changer la vie de nombreuses personnes ou communautés partout dans le monde.

trois reportages radiophoniques de Radio Canada en ligne :

• La directrice adjointe de Witness, Jenni Wolfson, explique les objectifs du projet
• Mathieu Pèlerin, un Québécois vivant au Cambodge, nous livre son témoignage
• Martin Allor, directeur du département de communication de l'Université Concordia, nous explique le déroulement de la formation

Kamel Bouzeboudjen

Le monde comme catégorie

Au coeur du Village.

Un accent de titi. Une allure de raver. Daby Touré est Parisien, depuis 18 ans. Il a donc autant sautillé dans les sables d'outre-mer que sur les quais de la Seine. Pourtant, il est à l'affiche du Village du Monde, jeudi, sous l'étendard mauritanien. «Pourquoi lutter? Si je m'offusquais à chaque fois que l'on me range dans la case Afrique, je ne jouerais jamais.» Daby a signé il y a trois ans un premier album (Diam) sur le label de Peter Gabriel, Realworld. Avec les valises de pognon que le chanteur anglais tirait de sa pop, il a décidé de changer le monde. Ouvrir une maison de disques qui amènerait aux oreilles occidentales les sons d'ailleurs. De belles pochettes, un son impeccable, une distribution à la hauteur. Histoire de ne plus entasser dans les galetas du savoir ethno ces perles du Sud.

Realworld n'a rien changé. Les ghettos semblent même renforcés. Daby n'est pas Parisien, parce qu'il chante en des langues vernaculaires (peul, wolof, entre autres) et jouit d'une peau noire. «On nous demande toujours, en tant qu'artistes africains, de clamer notre africanité. Je n'ajoute pas de balafon à mes morceaux, donc on me considère parfois comme un traître.» Sous le dôme de Paléo, il ajuste des compositions de chansonnier moderne, avec des effets d'électronique, des bricolages d'aujourd'hui. Il ressemble à tous les musiciens urbains de notre siècle qui trafiquent avec les technologies et les instruments à cordes. Il peaufine une expression contemporaine avec, comme décor parmi d'autres, la mélodie du désert.

Etre né quelque part. Daby Touré, dont les racines et l'enfance sont aussi sénégalaises, voyait certains membres de sa famille exporter au Nord une musique qu'ils définissaient comme du rock. Le groupe s'appelait alors Touré Kunda. Un quart de siècle plus tard, Daby a toujours le sentiment d'être un rockeur parmi d'autres. Il aime Ben Harper. Et les crissements sur le bitume. Mais on le range dans la world, c'est-à-dire dans l'autre monde. Tout autour de lui, sur l'Asse, on vend des loukoums dans une Casbah reconstituée. Et personne à qui en vouloir.

Arnaud Robert, le Temps

Youssou n’Dour à Paris : 3 dates à retenir !

Youssou n’Dour accèda à la notoriété internationale en collaborant avec Peter Gabriel, en participant à la tournée d’Amnesty Internationale (1988) et en chantant en duo avec Neneh Cherry "7 Seconds".

Mais "L’Enfant chéri de la Médina" est toujours resté ancré dans son pays, créant un studio d’enregistrement à Dakar et un label pour produire et diffuser des artistes africains sur leur continent.

Avec son orchestre le Super Etoile de Dakar il se produira devant le public parisien en septembre prochain pour 3 soirées au Cirque d’Hiver dans le cadre du festival d’Ile de France les 28,29 et 30 septembre 2007.

Photos Voix du Gaou

Gazette & Herald Womad Photo Gallery

and more here...

WOMAD founder praises festival venue

WOMAD co-founder Peter Gabriel has said he is thrilled to have brought the festival back to Wiltshire. Speaking at Charlton Park this afternoon, Mr Gabriel said had the festival stayed at its usual home in Reading, the event would have been cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions. "There were real constraints with the Reading site, although we loved it as a home," he admitted. "It was a site for us to grow up in but Charlton Park gives us wonderful new opportiunities. I think it's great to bring it back locally. It grew out of the west country and it's really nice to have it back."

Mr Gabriel added the number of tickets sold for this year's event is more than other WOMAD weekend in history. Explaining why he thinks the festival is so special, he said: "I think everyone comes here with their usual selves left at the gate. think what makes it special is the generosity of spirit from the audience and artists. People just get on with it and explore things and that's what I've always loved about it. In a sense WOMAD has always been about giving an amplification to the many voices out there in the world."

Braving the WOMAD mud in the name of music

Revellers at the WOMAD Festival who made it through the hours of traffic jams yesterday were then faced with a mudbath. The heavy rain that has battered the county has left people traipsing through the mud as they wander round the grounds of Charlton Park. Despite scenes reminiscent of this year's Glastonbury, spirits were very high on the first night of the event. Pairs of wellington boots were selling for as much as £20 as traders took advantage of the conditions.

Traffic, at one point in the early evening, was backed up over five miles, as far as Stanton St Quintin, just off Junction 17 of the M4. Cars were still stretching back as far as Corston, on the A429, late into the night. Heavy traffic is again expected today, as more festival-goers arrive for the weekend. Keep checking this website for further WOMAD news and pictures throughout the weekend in our special, dedicated section - Click Here

WOMAD stars set school life buzzing

Students at Malmesbury School have spent a week they will never forget, learning from some of world music's top talent. Organisers of this weekend's WOMAD event arranged for two workshops to be held at the school, featuring artists who will be performing in front of thousands at the festival.

On Monday, the Heal the Hood Hip Hop Crew from South Africa spent the day with Year Nine pupils. The group is made up of four young dancers, MCs and DJs from Cape Flats, on the outskirts of Cape Town. They taught the children a range of music, dance and spoken word pieces and did demonstrations.

Music teacher Chris Knibbs said: "It was so exciting and it completely set the place abuzz - they were absolutely fantastic," he said. "We have now got students setting up their own street dance club for next year."

Yesterday, the Zawose Family from Tanzania visited the Year Seven students. The group of eight young artists led the children in a percussion, dance and voice workshop. Mr Knibbs said: "It's incredible, I have walked through the main area of the school and all I can see is children dancing and copying what they have just seen. I just can't speak highly enough of the performers we have had in and also of WOMAD for giving us this opportunity."

Womad 2007 : Festival of music legends

The WOMAD Festival is a celebration of the best in world music, but the highlight of this year's event may well be an ageing British rocker. Peter Gabriel, who is the co-founder of the event, made his name fronting Genesis between 1967 and 1975, before enjoying a successful solo career.

To mark the 25th anniversary of the World of Music, Arts and Dance, the 57-year-old will take to the stage on Friday night for a special performance. Although the famous festival is closely connected with Mr Gabriel, whose Real World studios are based in Box, it is rare to see him as one of the performing artists. However, with this being a special year, he said he was delighted to come back. "It has been wonderful to see what has happened with WOMAD over the last 25 years," he said."It is different from any other festival I have ever been to and, although I usually get to enjoy it from the audience rather than the stage, I am delighted to come back as a performer for this 25th anniversary."

One of the festival's biggest attractions is its diversity. With more than 100 artists, stretching over five continents, due to perform, there is almost certain to be something to suit everyone's taste. Many of the names will be new to a lot of the revellers, especially those visiting for the first time, although there are also a number of stars famous across the globe. Isaac Hayes will be bringing his own unique brand of super-cool funk and soul to the festival's open-air stage on Saturday night.

The American artist is perhaps best known for composing the soundtrack to the hit 1970s film Shaft, for which he earned an Academy Award. A winner of multiple Grammy awards, Mr Hayes also spent nine years voicing the character of Chef in the animated comedy South Park, before finishing in 2006. A spokesman said: "Isaac not only put plenty of colour on the funk blueprint, but his trademark spoken-word monologues inadvertently made him one of rap's forefathers." American gospel singer Candi Staton is also likely to be a major crowd puller on Saturday night. The 67-year-old hit the charts in 1976 with her single Young Hearts Run Free. After her performance, she will also be running a workshop in the Woodland Tent, giving people a chance to learn from her first-hand.

Womad 2007 : Party in the park

One of the biggest parties in Malmesbury's history begins today, as the 25th WOMAD Festival gets underway. The World of Music, Arts and Dance is beginning its new life at Charlton Park, having spent its last 17 years in Reading. More than 100 artists from 45 different countries will be entertaining over 20,000 revellers between now and Monday. The ten performance areas have been set up, after a mammoth construction effort. Tickets are nearly sold out and have already been changing hands for well over £100 on Internet auction site eBay this week. Former Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel, who co-founded the world-famous event, will be performing on Friday night.

Schoolchildren from Malmesbury will also be taking to the stage. Artistic director and co-founder Thomas Brooman said it was a magical weekend for everyone involved. Speaking to the Gazette, he said: "We have some very famous artists playing, such as Isaac Hayes and Peter Gabriel and, as ever with WOMAD, we have artists who will be a surprise for everyone. You have to be a very uncurious person to come to WOMAD and not like something. The music itself is, time and again, very strong and expressive. Even though there may be the barriers of language and style, a lot of it touches people at a level they don't expect, which makes it very special. It is a fairly awesome thing to be in our 25th year. We didn't have any clear vision back then that we would still be doing it."

Mr Brooman said he, Mr Gabriel and everyone else involved were thrilled with Charlton Park. "It is marvellous," he said. "It is a lovely place and we feel privileged to be able to bring it here." Mr Gabriel said: "It will be great to hold WOMAD in some beautiful countryside. It gives people a simple way to approach music from around the world and I challenge anyone not to be amazed by at least one thing at WOMAD."

Insp Mark Levitt and Insp Neil Bagnall of Wiltshire Constabulary are supervising policing of the festival. Insp Levitt said: "We have been working with the organisers and partners for many months and look forward to a safe and enjoyable event. We have a large uniformed and plain clothed contingent on site and in the vicinity. The costs of the policing operation have been borne by the organisers."

Womad 2007 : Awesome opening night

School children in Malmesbury might be used to performing in front of a few hundred people at this time of the year in their annual productions. But for a select few, they will have the chance to take to the stage in front of tens of thousands later this month, as they open the WOMAD Festival on Thursday, July 26. The event, founded by Genesis legend Peter Gabriel, will be held at Charlton Park, near Malmesbury, for the first time. The choirs of Malmesbury Primary, Lea and Garsdon and St Joseph's are now busy preparing for the gig of a lifetime. They will open the festival with Grammy Award-winning group The Blind Boys of Alabama.

Joining them all will be the Malmesbury School Soul Band. Music co-ordinator at Malmesbury Primary School Angelique Martin is in charge of the younger children. She said it would be a dream come true for all of them to sing in front of such a huge crowd. "We are delighted to have the opportunity to perform at this year's WOMAD Festival, alongside such a number of fantastic musicians from around the world," she said. "The children at school really love singing, and performing in the festival will be an inspiring experience that they will never forget."

The choir, which features more than 70 youngsters, will then perform with the Vocal Works Gospel Choir from Bath, before being given their own set on Friday to sing and dance in traditional Indian costumes. While the primary school children are busy rehearsing, the senior school students are also hard at work for their big day. Music teacher Chris Knibbs said none of them could wait for the opening night. It was a jaw dropping moment when we found out we would be playing," he said.

"The WOMAD artistic director came and listened to us, was pleased with us and said they were going to put us on. It's a terrifying experience to play in front of that many people, but it is also an awesome feeling. It's going to be a big moment for the kids and they are so excited. They were totally blown away by it all and I still don't think they quite appreciate what it will be like. The school is hugely proud obviously because this is such a big event and it is something that just doesn't happen for school bands. We are very lucky and also extremely proud." Mr Knibbs said they were practising as often as possible, but there would still be a lot of nerves to overcome.

Flaw in warning on crooks

Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators in Malmesbury have admitted making a "stupid mistake" after sending out a letter warning of crooks "out to rob and steal" at WOMAD. Householders received the notice, ahead of this weekend's festival. The letter said upwards of 50,000 to 100,000 people would be expected, including "villains and opportunists".

But now Malmesbury Neighbourhood Watch coordinator Ian Mace has admitted he had got his numbers wrong. A total of 20,000 people are expected at the festival - less than half his lowest estimate.

Mr Mace said: "I made a stupid mistake and I put the wrong anticipated numbers down." His letter said 99 per cent of people would be there for fun, but one per cent, equating to 100 people, would be "crooks". It said: "Previous festival supporters talk of organised gangs' seeking every opportunity to steal.Not only on the campsite, but also in the community."

Mr Mace said he had tried to send out a correction, but it was too late. He added: "The rest of it I can't see anything wrong with. We are just telling people to make all the normal Neighbourhood Watch precautions."

A WOMAD spokesman agreed people should be security conscious, but was disappointed with the tone of the letter and the factual inaccuracies.

WaterAid at WOMAD

This weekend the WaterAid charity will be at the famous WOMAD festival in Charlton Park. Representatives will be using the long weekend to tell festival-goers about the vital need for water and sanitation in developing countries.

"WOMAD provides the perfect opportunity for WaterAid to make the link between providing plenty of water and hygienic toilet facilities at events in the UK and the need for water and sanitation in developing countries," said Jennean Alkadiri, WaterAid's campaign manager . "This year we'll be asking festival-goers to sign up to the End Water Poverty campaign, demanding sanitation and water for all."

Throughout the three-day event a team of 20 volunteers will be busy manning the stall, providing clean drinking water, hand washing facilities and most importantly, keeping the cleanest set of toilets on the festival site. To sign up to the campaign, revellers will be asked to put their thumb print on the giant End Water Poverty hands. Festival goers should also look out for WaterAid's infamous poo; one daring volunteer will be dressing up as a poo to spread the message that lack of sanitation and lack of safe water kills.

WOMAD traffic chaos

4:51pm Thursday 26th July 2007 ; Festivalgoers attempting to reach this year's WOMAD at Charlton Park are having a frustrating time on the roads. Traffic is gridlocked on the A429 from the B4040 roundabout in Malmesbury, all the way back to Corston, while Junction 17 of the M4 is also extremely busy. police are advising people who do not need to travel on the A429 to avoid the road, as it is likely to be congested for some time.

See our WOMAD section

WOMAD fans set for mud fest

WOMAD festival organisers are warning festival-goers to come prepared for the wet weather. After two days of heavy rain immediately before the start of the event today, the condition of the festival site at Charlton Park near Malmesbury has deteriorated. People coming in cars are being advised to attach a tow eye to their vehicles if they have one, just in case they need to be hauled out of the mud.

A festival spokesman said: "Please come prepared for wet weather and mud, and bring plenty of warm and waterproof clothing, and waterproof items to transport your belongings in. The site has not been affected too badly by the flooding as it has a clay soil on limestone brash and is on high ground, allowing efficient drainage, but better tot take precautions. Wellies are crucial but the vibe is good!"

The World of Music and Dance festival began last night at Charlton Park with performances from Malmesbury schools and The Blind Men of Alabama. There was traffic chaos in the area as thousands queued to gain access to the festival site but now thet are inside the atmosphere is relaxed and visitors are looking forward to the fun. Tonight there is music from Daara J, from Senegal, The Black Eagles, from Tanzania and the Tiago Gambogi Workshop, from Brazil. Festival founder and Box resident Peter Gabriel is also headlining tonight, his first performance for many years, at 9.30pm in the Open Air Stage.

By Benjamin Parkes

They planned to kill me - but I survived

Cambodia's Ray Charles lookalike endured serious hardships. Jon Lusk on the man who escaped the Khmer Rouge

With his legs folded under him as he sits on the floor, Kong Nay seems a frail figure, dwarfed by the large banjo-like instrument he holds. There's a flash of gold fillings in his smile, and when he sings, the voice of a much stronger man jumps out, answering the call of his strings.

This 61-year-old Cambodian is a master of the chapei dong veng, an ancient long-necked guitar with two strings thought to have arrived in Cambodia with the Buddhist faith nearly two millennia ago. Kong's penetrating, nasal wail closely follows or spars with the simple and often melancholic tunes he plunks out on the nylon strings of the instrument. The dark glasses that mask his heavily pock-marked face and sightless eyes have earned him the nickname of "the Ray Charles of Cambodia", but the two artists have rather different stories.

"I'm so excited and honoured that they compare me to him. But at the same time I'm not very happy with myself because the American Ray Charles was so rich and I'm so poor," he chuckles.

I meet Kong on his first day in the UK, where he is touring with his 21-year-old protege Ouch Savy to promote their joint debut album, Mekong Delta Blues. Kong admits he doesn't really know what the blues are - not the musical kind, anyway. But the superficial resemblance of his music to the African-American form, and the tough life he's lived do more than justify the title.

Born in the southern Cambodian province of Kampot, Kong was blinded by smallpox at the age of four, and as a boy fell in love with the sound of the chapei. "I felt it was something that I should learn, something that would give me a good life in the future," he recalls.

His family was too poor to afford one, though, and for five years he sang and mimicked the chapei vocally, until his father finally bought him an old one. At 13, he began to take lessons from an uncle, mastering the basic repertoire within only two years. He then began playing professionally, improvising on traditional folk songs by spontaneously spinning stories like a hip-hopper, tailoring them to each audience.

"At 18 I met my wife [Tat Chhan] and we started our life together, depending on chapei. We managed to earn a good living. Not too rich, not too poor, but just good enough to survive, like other people. But when the Khmer Rouge took over, that was a big turning point in my life," he says with characteristic understatement.

In 1975, like millions of other Cambodians, his entire family was deported to a forced labour camp by Pol Pot's genocidal regime. Despite the Khmer Rouge's dislike of artists in particular, they found a use for Kong. "I was forbidden from singing folk tales, or songs that touched on social issues. Instead they told me to sing something that served their propaganda. So during the lunch break, I would sing and play to entertain people."

While most prisoners were given three large spoons of rice per day, Kong and anyone else who was sick or disabled got only one, and starved more rapidly. After two years, they stopped Kong's music altogether and forced him to work. "They planned to kill me. I was on their list. But then the Vietnamese [army] invaded and so I survived." During the bombing that ended the Khmer Rouge's reign of terror, Kong and his wife each lost a brother. Another of Kong's brothers had been executed, but all seven of their children - three born in the camp - miraculously survived.

In 1979, the family returned to their village, where Kong resumed his life as a chapei artist, and they had three more children. In 1991, Kong won a national chapei singing contest in Phnom Penh, and the following year moved there at the invitation of the Cambodian ministry of culture. The salary was poor, but his family - and those of a few other artists who had survived the genocide - were allowed to build homes in the city's Tonle Bassac squatters' community.

Then in 1998, Kong received a young visitor called Arn Chorn-Pond, a former refugee who now lived in the US. He was another survivor of the killing fields, who had been forced take part in atrocities from the age of nine and had returned to Cambodia periodically over the previous decade, trying to make peace with his past. Cambodia had lost around 90% of its artists in the genocide, and Chorn-Pond's family, which had run an opera company, had been particularly hard hit.

"When I came back to Cambodia in 1989, I found nobody here, except one of my sisters," he explains from Phnom Penh, his voice still raw with anguish. "They were all starved to death or killed by the Khmer Rouge - my dad, my mum, my cousin, my nephew, my uncle ... 35 in my family had disappeared."

With Kong Nay and several others, Chorn-Pond founded the Cambodia Master Performers Programme, which soon became Cambodian Living Arts, a charity dedicated to reviving the country's performing arts by helping to lift surviving artists out of poverty and employing them to pass on their skills to the next generation. "It was for me an urgent thing to start this, because I knew that my culture was going down in the next 10, 20, 30 years, if no one did anything about it," he says.

In 2003, Kong began teaching four young students, including Ouch Savy. That same year both he and Chorn-Pond appeared in the harrowing Emmy-nominated film The Flute Player, now being shown before each of his UK performances. When Peter Gabriel saw it, he was so moved that he began donating equipment and expertise to CLA, which led to the recording of Mekong Delta Blues.

Chorn-Pond's vision is of a Cambodian artistic renaissance by 2020, but it won't be easy. The loss of so many artists created a cultural vacuum that has been filled by foreign music, leaving most Cambodian youth hooked on western rap and rock or Chinese pop, and scornful of their own traditions. Government arts funding has been very limited during Cambodia's slow economic recovery, but ironically, Kong and his neighbours are now under pressure to move 20km away as developers eye their inner-city land. He relates this in the song My Life - as close as he's prepared to get to singing about politics these days. Apart from wanting to stay put, what else does he wish for?

"I hope that peace will prevail. There should be no more fighting, no more civil wars, no more conflicts. I am sick and tired of it."

· Kong Nay is playing at Womad, Charlton Park (0845 1461735), until Sunday, then touring.

The Guardian

Festival's green solution for mobiles

Revellers at this weekend's WOMAD festival in Wiltshire will be able to recharge their mobile phones using wind power, thanks to a charity's bid to raise awareness of renewable energies. The wind-powered turbine will be installed at the festival site, near Malmesbury, by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. Staff from the Trust will encourage festival-goers to recharge their phones by plugging them in to batteries attached to the turbine, which converts wind power into electricity.

Steve Pagett, the Trust's fundraising events officer, said: "When you are part of a 20,000 throng spread over hundreds of acres of farmland, keeping in contact with your friends is really important. To help people get maximum enjoyment from the event we are running a Mistral wind turbine with two-metre diameter blades, sponsored by npower renewables, to make sure that mobile phones can be recharged. Ideally people should be thinking about minimising their energy consumption, but the Trust is also looking for new ways to support access to renewable energy."

The Trust believes tackling environmental issues such as global warming is vital to conserving wildlife. Mr Pagett added: "It's important that we emphasise the benefits of renewable energy to the festival-going audience and gain their support for wider conservation and environmental action. Now that WOMAD, a festival that celebrates global music, is located in a stunning corner of Wiltshire, we are hoping that everyone will see the thread between preserving our own natural beauty and protecting the environment globally."

WOMAD (World Of Music Arts and Dance) runs from tomorrow until Sunday.

Countries devastated by global warming represented at WOMAD line-up

At this year's WOMAD festival (27-29 July) Christian Aid is asking visitors to join its Climate Changed campaign as they listen to acts from developing countries which are struggling to adapt to the devastating effects of climate change.

Many acts at the festival come from countries that are hit the worst by global warming. Baaba Maal and Daara J's home country of Senegal has experienced a 30-40 per cent drop in rainfall since the 1970s, which has destroyed farmers' livelihoods. Mali, the birthplace of Tinariwen and Vieux Farka Toure, has also suffered extreme drought resulting in food shortages.

It's predicted Trilok Gurtu's home country India could see a rise in temperatures by as much as four degrees in the next 50 years, which would result in an increase in heat-related deaths, and the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

The Christian Aid Climate Changed campaign is calling on the UK Government to ensure the new Climate Bill includes a target for CO2 emission cuts of at least 80 per cent by 2050. It is also calling for the mandatory reporting of CO2 emissions by companies trading in the UK.

Nazmul Chowdhury from Christian Aid's partner organisation, Practical Action in Bangladesh, said: 'Forget about making poverty history. Climate change will make poverty permanent.'

Christian Aid works in 50 developing countries with some of the poorest communities, helping them to adapt to the effects of climate change.

Festival goers will also be able to find out how to join Christian Aid's 1,000-mile 'Cut the Carbon' march which runs until 2 October. It is the longest protest march in UK history taking in 70 towns across the UK before ending in London. For more information about the rallies in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, and London as well as concerts in Birmingham and Cardiff visit www.christianaid.org.uk and www.pressureworks.org

You can also join the Facebook group 'Cut the Carbon March' at www.facebook.com and take part in the march online.

Christian Aid is also offering FREE mobile charging on site using wind and solar energy from Equiclimate.

There will be a 'text' competition with lots of prizes including a weekend away in an eco-retreat in a tepee, guides to a greener lifestyle from Greenbooks, free tickets to music gigs, an extreme power kite, and ethical clothing worth £300. To enter the competition, text 'Carbon', your name and what you have done to cut the carbon to 84880.

For more information about the WOMAD festival visit www.womad.org

For more information or pictures contact Kati Dshedshorov on 07984 185838 or kdshedshorov@christian-aid.org

Notes to Editors:

Christian Aid is calling on the UK Government to ensure the new Climate Bill includes: · a target for UK CO2 emission cuts of at least 80 per cent on 1990 levels by 2050, so we play our fair part in keeping global warming below 2˚C

· the introduction of mandatory reporting of CO2 emissions by companies trading in the UK.

Christian Aid also wants the UK to take the lead in calling for a UN agreement on climate change that works for the world's poor and will cut rich countries' CO2 emissions by at least 80 per cent by 2050.

Christian Aid works in some of the world's poorest communities in more than 50 countries. We act where the need is greatest, regardless of religion, helping people build the life they deserve.

Manu Katché. L’élégance du rythme

Le batteur Manu Katché a séduit les plus grands artistes de la pop grâce à son jeu singulier et créatif. Il est au festival Jazz à Vannes avec Tendances.

Ce soir, vous menez votre quartet Tendances. De quelles tendances s’agit-il ? De toutes les tendances instrumentales. J’ai voulu réunir tout ce par quoi je suis passé. Des sonorités pop, la soul et des influences africaines. Aujourd’hui, on peut les mélanger.

Vous vous êtes entouré de jeunes musiciens... Après l’enregistrement d’un album avec des Polonais, je voulais absolument jouer alors qu’ils n’étaient pas libres. J’ai donc fait appel à des musiciens montants. Les trentenaires ont plus d’énergie... Et l’on a d’excellents musiciens en France.

Pourquoi la batterie ? J’ai découvert la batterie vers 14 ans. J’ai bloqué sur un batteur et sa gestuelle. Il donnait l’impression d’avoir plusieurs bras ! J’avais cela au fond de moi.

Après une carrière auprès des grands de la pop, on découvre votre propre style : la jazz attitude. Qu’est-ce ? C’est un jeu de batterie particulier. Les batteurs rock jouent des beats assez carrés et propres pour accompagner une musique chantée. Depuis mes débuts avec Peter Gabriel, j’ai une approche plus libre de la batterie. J’ai beaucoup écouté de jazz, et j’ai développé une attitude plus libre, improvisée.

Cherchiez-vous la jazz attitude dans l’émission « A la recherche de la nouvelle star » ? Non. Je cherchais à aider la nouvelle génération à se produire. J’ai toujours trouvé ça dingue de ramer autant en province. Pour la 4 e édition, nous recherchions un univers qui se démarquait d’une tendance très pop. J’avais aussi envie de montrer qu’un musicien pouvait avoir des choses à dire en prime time, habituellement investi par les directeurs artistiques.

Jazz à Vannes aujourd'hui

A 18 h, Dominique Carré swing quartet aux Carmes (11/9 €). A 20 h 30, soirée « jazz attitude » avec le lauréat du tremplin jazz professionnel, Eric Séva, saxophoniste à la musique éclectique, puis Manu Katché, qui n’est pas seulement un des jurés de la Nouvelle Star, mais surtout et depuis longtemps un grand batteur de jazz. Dans la journée : animations de rue, tremplin jazz professionnel. En soirée, concerts « off » dans les cafés. Gratuit.

lucky escape for WOMAD

WOMAD 2007, the new site will be able to cope

WOMAD festival, which will be taking place at Charlton Park, near Malmesbury in Wiltshire this weekend, looks like it will narrowly avoid the brunt of the bad weather that has recently caused severe flooding across the UK.

The festival has been based at Rivermead, Reading since 1990 (also the home of Reading Festival), and is moving to Charlton Park for the first time this year. According to the BBC, flooding is predicted to start in Reading and Caversham (where the festival was previously held) this evening.

The festival will go ahead as the new site has been unaffected by the floods. It has a clay soil on limestone brash and is on high ground, which allows for efficient drainage. So the ground, including the camping and parking areas, is still solid.

There is still a possibility of rain, so festival organisers are advising you to come prepared with wellies, waterproof clothing and plenty of changes of clothes

Although access to the site is unaffected by the heavy rain and floods, we recommended that you check your route before leaving, to avoid some of the worse affected parts of the country.

Unfortunately, Event Mobility (a company that assists the Disabled, Elderly and Mobility Impaired in getting easier access to countryside events) are unable to attend the festival this weekend due to flooding in the Pershore/Tewkesbury area where they are based. They will be contacting anyone who made a booking through them.

Please note, the River Avon that runs near to the WOMAD site is not the same as the River Avon in Gloucestershire that has been featuring in the news.

WOMAD has over 70 world-class artists from 40 countries performing over the festival weekend, including The Blind Boys Of Alabama playing a special Thursday night concert, plus playing over the three days of the festival: Peter Gabriel, Baaba Maal, Toots and the Maytals, Isaac Hayes, Seckou Keita Quartet, Taj Mahal, Ben Taylor, Chambao, Tinariwen, Candi Staton, Clube Do Balanço, Calexico, Dhol Foundation, DJ Shantel, Steel Pulse, Seth Lakeman, and more - click here for all the details to-date.

WOMAD Charlton Park will feature seven stages and workshop areas, including a children's village, many more activities and festival features, all in the idyllic environment of Charlton's open lawns and rolling fields.

Tickets are on sale, priced at £120. Camping from Friday to Monday is included in the ticket price - if you wish to camp on the Thursday there's an extra charge of £10. Click here to buy.

Dazzle Dreams to play

Ukrainian electro-band Dazzle Dreams finally presented their long-awaited debut album to Ukrainian audiences and have already planned a series of club concerts, “D.Dreams Club Party,” to get their present and future fans fully acquainted with their work. The official presentation of the album took place June 23 during the ethno-symphonic show “Groove Inspira” in the Green Theater with the participation of the symphonic orchestra and some original musicians.

Dmytro “Dimitriy” Tsyperdyuk, and Serhiy “Shura” Gera, are, each in his own way, notable figures on the Ukrainian music scene. The first one is a well-known music producer, composer and show director – an Honored Artist of Ukraine, by the way. The second one is known as a long-term member of Skryabin, presently playing for Druha Rika band and Molotov 20 (a solo project). In addition, Gera also created the CD series “Modern Interpretation of Traditional Ukrainian Music,” and participated in the latest album by Katya Chilly.

However all that was apparently not enough for the two ambitious creative people, and Tsyperdyuk and Gera spent the last year developing the Dazzle Dreams project. Actually, the project first appeared a few years ago, but it wasn’t until later that the concept of the band was fully formed, now offering a certain innovation to Ukrainian music. Dazzle Dreams easily stands out among local musicians, performing its synthe-pop mixed with expressive, bright elements of ethno-lounge, combined with English lyrics. Their single “Shock Your Mind” can now be widely heard on the radio.

In spite of the short history of the band, Dazzle Dreams has already co-operated with such famous names as Peter Gabriel and ethno-electronic formation Afro Celt Sound System. Together with the latter and Nazarkhan Sevara they have created a remix of a single “My Secret Bliss.”

Steve Berry saves the day

We always forget on tour how much we really rely on our drivers.

Steve Berry our lead Stage Truck driver is one of those amazing drivers who no matter what, will get our gear there as soon as he can. He and a second driver had to drive all the way from Brittany to Norwich this last gig. They only just made it at 5.30 p.m. The audience was already in, so we set up very very fast, but if Steve had not driven in the way he did then there would have been no show. The problem was that it was too far to do a back to back show, but we just thought we would do it anyway. It was close but, I think that almost made the show better!!

It was a great show, could have been the best so far. We started with two great support acts, one group from Cambodia called Master Kong Nay and Savy and then The Zawose Family from Tanzania.

Master Kong Nay and Savy play these huge guitars and sing Cambodian folk music. They are on tour now before and after WOMAD and very worth a closer look - and that's not just because its my project to bring them here. The Zawose Family brought the chilled out energy of the Cambodian's to a head as they danced and sang and played their big thumb pianos and drums.

Then we had our usual energy boost from Charlie Winston. Then we got to PG .. so if it had not rained it would have been a perfect gig. Loads of cool supports and then a great energy driven PG show.

We didn't really eat until after the show, it was just non stop all night. PG sang even louder and the band had lost the cobwebs of the last show and were suddenly back to our warm up standard.

Tony Levin say's that this is the best PG ever .. after listening to a lot of past shows over the years I would agree with him. Everybody gets along well and plays great. Rich and David work very well together now. Angie and Mel the same thing and they blend perfectly vocal wise .. OOOps I forgot how much we missed Mel this show. She had a family matter to sot out, but will be back in Monaco.

Angie's playing is fantastic and makes the band work so well. Tony and Ged are right on the money and PG is on fire right now. It seems like we have done exactly the right amount of shows to make WOMAD the best PG ever!

We are going to have some crazy guests and hope to bring the house down at WOMAD, so get there, or you'll miss an unforgettable show, Ii would say . I'm not being paid to say this, its my honest opinion.

Check http://www.cambodianlivingarts.co.uk/ for the Cambodian act I am helping, please try to come and see them.

http://www.zawose.com for a great night out next week at Cargo with some friends - Massive Attack's Daddy G, Zero 7's Sam and Henry and Ross Allen from Radio 1. A great DJ line up. Come and help us keep our Cambodian and Tanzanian acts on the road.

Next Monaco ...

Cult stars bound for Belfast

Two legendary bands will be making rare appearances in Northern Ireland this autumn as part of the 2007 Belfast Festival at Queen's.

Iconic Scottish group The Blue Nile and The Blind Boys of Alabama will both be appearing at the Grand Opera House as part of the two-week long festival, which kicks off in October.

The Blue Nile were formed over 25 years ago and in that time have released just four critically-acclaimed albums. The band have built up a cult following, including well-known fans such as Tom Jones, Annie Lennox, Peter Gabriel, Rod Stewart and Isaac Hayes. Meanwhile, The Blind Boys of Alabama, considered one of the world's finest soul gospel groups, will also be bringing their unique style of music to the festival. Formed almost 70 years ago, they predate legendary performers such as Elvis. They are still at the top of the gospel charts and have won an impressive four consecutive Grammy Awards over the past four years.

Graeme Farrow, director of the Belfast Festival at Queen's, said: "It should be a real treat to hear live music of such a high calibre in this unique setting. Music fans can look forward to two more exciting announcements for the same venue when we launch the full festival programme in September."

Tickets for the shows will be available from the Grand Opera House this Friday, July 27, at www.goh.co.uk or by calling 9024 1919.

By Matthew McCreary

Rare visit by 'Cambodian Ray Charles'

A Cambodian artist whose music was banned under the brutal Khmer Rouge regime is making a rare visit to Wiltshire to perform songs that have been saved from extinction.

Kong Nay, the 'Ray Charles of Cambodia', will be performing the Chapei in Bradford on Avon on August 2 as part of a tour to mark his first ever visit to the UK.

A film called The Flute Player is being shown before the concert about fellow Cambodian, Arn Chorn-Pond, who survived Pol Pot's genocide in the 1970s to set up the charity Cambodian Living Arts, which supports traditional artists like Kong Nay in teaching future generations so the music lives on.

The tour is thanks to former Genesis front man and WOMAD organiser, Peter Gabriel, who saw the film and sent his sound engineer out to Cambodia to find Kong Nay and bring him back to play in the UK.

Speaking at his Real World Recording Studios in Box, Gabriel said: "At the end of the Khmer Rouge one of the things Arn Chorn-Pond did was to try and save some of the great arts that Cambodia had had. Artists had been targeted by the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot - 90 per cent of them were eliminated. For us, to be a rock musician we get rewarded handsomely in many ways, but to be a rock musician in Cambodia may well have cost you your life."

Although Kong Nay's music seems very different and is thousands of years old, Gabriel believes it has many similarities to the Delta Blues, hence the nickname the 'Ray Charles of Cambodia'.

Nay is a master of the Chapei Dang Weng, a long-necked two-stringed guitar, which he plays while singing with his young student, Ouch Savy.

Speaking through a translator, Nay, whose instrument was confiscated during the regime, said: "During the Khmer Rouge time it was completely banned but in my heart the art was always there and I would try to remember the notes, the tones and the music by humming to myself. I have been waiting for this day for so long and have always been excited by it. The Chapei is uniquely Cambodian and it is very important that our young people know about these forms of art. If it dies we are going to lose it forever."

Gabriel added: "I think it's a wonderful thing to have a visit from Kong Nay to this country for the very first time and to be able to sample some of this extraordinary music."

Kong Nay with Ouch Savy and The Flute Player film is on at Bristol's Arnolfini on Wednesday, the WOMAD festival on July 26-29 and Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon on August 2. For Bradford tickets call (01225) 860100.

By Charley Morgan

Des images qui denoncent

Des militants des droits de l'homme à l'école de la vidéo

Le Rwandais Amédée Kamota se trouve à Montréal pour apprendre les rudiments de la vidéo. Il retournera tourner des images sur la réalité de son pays. Venus des quatre coins du globe, trente militants des droits de l'homme sont à Montréal du 15 au 27 juillet pour apprendre les rudiments de la caméra et du montage vidéo. Le but? Retourner dans leur pays respectif et tourner des images illustrant les causes qu'ils défendent. Parce qu'il faut parfois le voir pour le croire.

Photo: Jacques Nadeau

Amédée Kamota, un avocat militant au sein d'une organisation de défense des droits des autochtones, n'avait jamais touché à une caméra dans son Rwanda natal. Pourtant, s'il avait pu, il en aurait tourné, des films d'horreur... À commencer par les conditions de vie difficiles des Batwas, ces Pygmées chasseurs-cueilleurs confinés aux derniers lambeaux de la forêt rwandaise. Dépossédés de leurs terres, ils vivent désormais sur des territoires proclamés réserves nationales, dans des maisons faites d'herbes et de brindilles séchées. «On a fait plusieurs enquêtes et écrit des rapports pour essayer de sensibiliser le gouvernement à la discrimination dont ils sont victimes. Ce qui manque, ce sont des images pour la montrer», souligne M. Kamota, chargé du programme des droits de l'homme de la Communauté des autochtones rwandais (CAURWA).

Sélectionné par Witness, un organisme de défense des droits de la personne fondé par le musicien Peter Gabriel, le militant diplômé de la faculté de droit de l'Université de Kigali n'a pas hésité une seconde à participer à ce stage, qui prendra fin vendredi. Dernier né des projets de ce petit organisme basé à New York, le Video Advocacy Institute (VAI) dispense aux différents participants une formation accélérée sur l'utilisation de la vidéo comme moyen de protection des droits de la personne et de changement social.

En plus des ateliers vidéo donnés à une dizaine d'ONG de partout dans le monde, dans le cadre d'un projet triennal, près de 800 personnes reçoivent chaque année des formations d'un jour offertes par Witness. D'une durée de deux semaines, le programme du VAI se situe entre les deux. «On n'a par contre très peu de candidatures du Moyen-Orient, l'une des régions du monde où c'est sans doute le plus difficile de filmer», constate Jenni Wolfson, la directrice adjointe de Witness. En raison du nombre limité des places, une sélection s'imposait. «On essaie de privilégier les organismes qui ont moins de visibilité et qui travaillent sur des sujets dont on entend peu parler», explique Mme Wolfson. Les organismes admissibles doivent être bien organisés et avoir présenté un plan d'action qui démontre l'utilité et la nécessité de l'intégration de la vidéo. «On se demande toujours: "Est-ce que la vidéo va faire une différence, est-ce qu'elle aura un impact?"» Ces organisations doivent aussi être en mesure de démontrer qu'elles pourront se procurer une caméra et réellement s'en servir.

Pour rassembler tout ce beau monde, l'université Concordia à Montréal semblait toute désignée. «La plupart des participants quittaient leur pays pour la première fois. On a pensé qu'ils se sentiraient à l'aise dans une ville comme Montréal, multiculturelle et ouverte sur le monde», soutient Mme Wolfson. Il y a aussi le fait que, aux yeux des organisateurs, l'obtention d'un visa canadien semblait, d'emblée, beaucoup plus facile. N'empêche, un Nigérien et un Gambien se sont vu refuser le droit d'entrée au pays.

Filmer à tout prix

C'est ainsi que, par exemple, Numa Ngubane, l'une des rares à défendre les droits des lesbiennes, des gais, des bisexuels, des transgenres et des intersexués sur le continent noir, est venue de l'Afrique du Sud pour suivre les ateliers de formation vidéo. Et que Hseng Noung, un militant du Myanmar, est venu s'outiller pour dénoncer le régime birman qui recourt au viol comme arme de guerre.

Mathieu Pellerin n'avait pas imaginé revenir dans son Québec natal pour suivre une formation en vidéo à titre de représentant d'un organisme de défense des droits de l'homme cambodgien. Il y a quatre ans, lors d'un voyage effectué au terme de ses études en musique à l'université Laval, il s'était finalement retrouvé dans ce pays pauvre d'Asie. La vulnérabilité des Cambodgiens à l'égard du pouvoir de l'État l'avait alors touché. «Il y a un gros problème de terres. L'État vole les terres des pauvres gens sans négocier, en toute impunité. Les militaires sont appelés à venir évacuer les gens à la pointe du fusil. Ils tirent sur les villageois pour les chasser [...]. C'est un véritable fléau», dit celui qui travaille pour la Ligue cambodgienne pour la promotion et la défense des droits de la personne (Licadho).

«Ces événements-là arrivent quand les militants des droits de la personne sont absents. D'où l'importance de donner des caméras aux communautés. C'est un outil de défense supplémentaire», croit-il.

C'est ainsi que, dans le cadre d'un projet-pilote qu'il dirige en collaboration avec Witness, des caméras seront distribuées aux Cambodgiens pour les aider dans leur lutte. Mathieu Pellerin souhaite ainsi sensibiliser la communauté internationale, mais surtout les pays bailleurs de fonds qui donnent sans faire de suivi. «Le Cambodge a reçu 700 millions de dollars cette année. C'est le pays d'Asie qui a le plus reçu d'aide. Mais l'argent ne se rend pas sur le terrain», déplore-t-il. Par des images qu'il compte montrer aux pays donateurs, il entend prouver que le Cambodge est loin d'avoir réglé tous ses problèmes. Publiés d'abord dans le site de son organisme, les petits films ainsi tournés pourraient bien se retrouver dans des sites comme YouTube ou Dailymotion. «Comme il y a beaucoup d'analphabètes, on a déjà commencé à faire nos rapports en version audio. On est rendu là», lance le jeune homme âgé de 26 ans.

À l'automne 2007, Witness compte lancer un site Internet où citoyens engagés, journalistes, chercheurs et défenseurs de partout dans le monde pourront mettre des vidéos qu'ils auront tournées à partir d'un appareil portatif, comme un cellulaire, ou d'un ordinateur personnel. The Hub deviendra ainsi un espace en ligne de dénonciation et de sensibilisation aux violations des droits de l'homme.

Amédée Kamota voit tout aussi grand. «On veut sensibiliser pour que, sous la pression, le gouvernement n'ait d'autre choix que d'agir, souligne-t-il. On veut aller chercher des alliés et montrer la cassette à certains comités de défense des droits. Encore plus que de les sensibiliser, on veut faire quelque chose de grand tous ensemble.»

Lorsqu'on l'interroge sur les dangers potentiels, l'avocat rwandais esquisse un sourire en coin. Le sourire du militant combattant qui n'en est pas à sa première intimidation. «C'est certain qu'on craint. Les autorités vont réagir à nos images, c'est sûr, dit-il. «Il paraît que, dans mon pays, toute vérité n'est pas bonne à dire.»

Bien que conscient des risques encourus par la personne qui tiendra la caméra, Mathieu Pellerin continue de croire «au pouvoir des images». Très actifs dans leur lutte, des habitants des communautés cambodgiennes lésées avaient, de leur propre chef, déjà commencé à se munir d'appareils jetables pour pouvoir photographier les dirigeants qui commettaient des exactions. «La première fois que je suis allé les rencontrer pour leur expliquer notre projet de les équiper en caméras vidéo, ils m'ont regardé et m'ont dit: "Enfin!". Je pense bien qu'ils sont prêts», conclut-il.

Lisa-Marie Gervais /Le Devoir

Peter Gabriel à Monaco

- 20.30. Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival. Concerto con Peter Gabriel. Sporting Monte-Carlo, Salle des Etoiles, info +33.377.98.063636

The World of Womad, BBC Radio 4, 1.30pm July 24, 2007

The title of the musician Nitin Sawhney’s programme is partially tautologous, given that Womad is itself an abbreviation of World of Music, Arts and Dance, the first festival of which took place before a small but appreciative crowd at the Bath and West Showground in 1982. These days, of course, Womad is massive – “Womads” have now been held in 27 countries, and the latest begins on Friday. Here Sawhney looks to the past, and forward to the future, with a host of cool friends, Peter Gabriel, Billy Cobham and Charlie Gillett, the journalistic guru of world music, among them.

BBC RADIO 4 Tuesday 24 July 2007/ The World Of Womad/ Tuesday 24 July/ 1.30-2.00pm BBC RADIO 4

The World of Music, Arts and Dance, or the Womad festival as it's more commonly known, brings together artists from all over the globe, and, this year, celebrates its 25th birthday. Musician Nitin Sawhney charts the festival's history, from a small crowd of open-minded music fans at the Bath and West Showground in Somerset in 1982, to a massive cultural and musical celebration that has taken place in 27 countries worldwide.

From the very beginning, educating people about the culture behind the music was as important as the music itself. To this end, the Womad Foundation charity organises workshops at the festivals as well as other educational and outreach projects in this country and abroad, and Nitin visits one of these at a school in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. He also travels to one of Womad's international festivals, in Spain, and talks to some of the musicians performing there and the audience about their Womad experiences.

The programme includes contributions from Peter Gabriel, Thomas Brooman, Billy Cobham, Sheila Chandra, Guo Yue and Charlie Gillett.

Presenter/Nitin Sawhney, Producer/Julia Hayball

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/radio/wk30/tue.shtml#radio4

Peter Gabriel at Blickling Hall

Compared with his rock star contemporaries, Peter Gabriel seems a model of quiet industry and dignified restraint. Not for him making silly remarks about the Nazis or zonking out behind the wheel on drugs. Instead, he has carved an intriguing niche as a promoter of world music, technological innovator and songwriter whose oeuvre this year earned him an Ivor Novello award.

The set list for this intermittently soggy Saturday night having been chosen by fans via his website, the show comprised songs spanning his 30-year career, lesser-known material sitting alongside the hits. Kicking off with the doom-laden synths and tribal drums of The Rhythm Of The Heat, Gabriel stood at his piano for the following On The Air, guitarist Richard Evans wringing the Robert Fripp-patented screams from his instrument. Steam, the 1992 “son of Sledgehammer” (Toffee Hammer?) was discreetly funky, but with its haunting melody and plangent harmonies Blood Of Eden was arguably the highlight of the evening.

While falsettos were not always attempted, Gabriel's voice retains an achingly soulful huskiness, and whether punching the air or leading his band in a kind of puppet conga during Solsbury Hill, he proved that whatever the weather he can still work a crowd.

CHRIS TRACY