In case of the some problems with my visa I had to reach Kaliningrad by train. It was a good opportunity to see the city from another perspective than the others on LovisŽs board. In fact it was a different experience.
I had a cup of “tschaj” (tee) with dealers of every kind of things you can buy in the tax free zone. Speaking with alcohol or perfume dealers proved that the border still gives the opportunity to become the king of commerce and this situation hasn’t changed for ages. On the impressive train station I was greeted by the special music, which gives the evidence of Russian hostility. Passing through the city I’ve met dozens of wedding couples riding extraordinary cars like black volgas, seen both the new hotels and communist blocks. And than I finally reached the Ocean Musem, where Kaliningrad’s MBS edition take place. By the submarine, old soviet ship used as hotel and modern building of the museum all the festival screenings are supposed to begin. Like all the city combining socialism and capitalism times.
Next day hanging around this marine area and waiting for the evening attractions lasted on chatting with Peer from Sweden, who was telling a lot about the nuclear power that endangers the Baltic Sea during his workshop. Just behind our info tent the hand made paper was introduced to the new people passing through museum area. Somewhere close took place photo seminar and all 48. hour contest teams were penetrating the city.
Finally the evening part gathered a lot of people of different ages, but mostly young and involved in the theme of festival. Everyone met at first in the museums conference hall, where according to rain the concerts took place. Sounds off different kinds of drums and the electronic samples reminded me of the ocean waves or at least the Baltic’s. Music was playing until the sun dried the benches outside and set down to begin the screening of “Colours of green”. Despite the fact many people didn’t understand English subtitles they stayed till the end, where in front the screen and with the soviet ship in the background “Zunda” made a performance “Barby and Can”. And as the first day of festival here finished I just felt something significant in the atmosphere of Kalinnigrad’s MBS. Many of the festival visitors joined the organizers team., helping to build the screen or collect the equipment just after the show. Kaliningrad’s people seemed to me really involved in the event. They did appreciate that someone came to their city to present them something interesting or just to have a talk in half English half Russian with a bit of German. Despite there were not so many visitors, they all made the real community of the festival and showed the Russian hospitality is not only the myth or ends on the train station, where the greeting march is playing. I really enjoyed that I’ve been working on the event where people spontaneously want to take an active part in it. Hope the Kaliningrad to keep on moving like this after the festival.