Living bambook
FESTIVAL
FESTIVAL
Central Java, Indonesia
August 5-18, 2018
August 5-18, 2018
The International Festival Living BamBook is a celebration of bamboo and its ancient wisdom. It is an ecology-in-action event aiming to showcase the wonder of this naturally regenerative material, replaced in our times with energy-consuming substitutes. It is also a community-in-action event restoring connection through traditional knowledge and techniques, and their modern uses. Living BamBook uses a wide array of educational modalities and community-building spaces, including workshops, seminars, focus groups, and circles to explore various aspects of traditional and modern uses for bamboo.
Living BamBook Background
- In Indonesia, India, China, Japan, Korea, Australia and parts of sub-Saharan Africa and South America, bamboo has been a traditional building and craft material for many centuries.
- Bamboo can be used for ecological building, furniture manufacturing, clothes, musical instruments, jewelry, toys, writing surfaces and more.
- Bamboo is even easy to use for complex design works.
- Nowadays bamboo knowledge is vanishing as large companies provide local
people with mass-produced, expensive, and energy inefficient materials. - There are many species of bamboo growing in Indonesia. And each species has
the potential to have its own unique uses.
Living BamBook Festival's
Integral Elements
Integral Elements
Hands-on Learning
There will be several workshops held at the festival each day. Participants will be invited to choose how they want to learn to work with bamboo — build traditional gazebos, try new ecological building techniques, make baskets, hats and dishes, create a bamboo art installation with a famous contemporary artist, learn to make musical instruments from a traditional Javanese bamboo flute maker, and much more.
Knowledge Exchange
During the festival there will be talks and seminars, in which representatives from bamboo initiatives around the world will share their knowledge and experience. During the festival we will also find new ways of preserving traditional methods of working with bamboo and document this knowledge with photo and video. We will also organize a laboratory of ideas and approaches for using bamboo to help initiate various projects, which will continue working after the festival.
Global Bamboo Community
Bamboo is a community plant that grows in groups, creating ecosystems for other creatures to inhabit. We will let bamboo be our guide and community-creating teacher.
We intend to help restore local traditional bamboo knowledge as an inexpensive sustainable alternative to modern man-made materials.
This festival intends to help start a Javanese Bamboo School where people interested in working with bamboo can learn and start projects together.
We intend to help restore local traditional bamboo knowledge as an inexpensive sustainable alternative to modern man-made materials.
This festival intends to help start a Javanese Bamboo School where people interested in working with bamboo can learn and start projects together.
Group Processes
At the festival we will have an international group of about 150 people, a group that we hope will become very dear and special friends. We will invite people with similar intentions and visions, but different backgrounds and knowledge. Our festival will be a great learning ground to study and share, give and take. There will be many activities organized for and by our bamboo community, in which we can spend time together. There will be open laboratories in which participants will offer and lead workshops and seminars. We will also have an opportunity to explore our selves and inner life in MySelf Circles, celebrate our bodies in LifeStream laboratory, and practice Qigong and Yoga. We will also have evening activities: watching movies, dancing, singing and jamming by the bonfire.
Beautiful Central Java
We will explore and get to know the most beautiful and mysterious part of Java with its lush nature, rich culture and warmhearted people. We will visit traditional villages, hike in jungles, trek to the top of the holy mountain Lawu, visit ancient Hindu erotic female and male temples, and tour the essential oil factory, learning how traditional techniques, usage and production found their way into the contemporary world.
Traditional Javanese Culture
We will get to know amazing traditional Javanese arts: gamelan music, palace and village trance dances, and wayang kulit shadow puppet theater. Those who are interested can explore these art forms or create their own orchestra with instruments we make from bamboo. During the festival we will eat delicious local food, and learn local culinary secrets in workshops.
Festival Team
Facilitator: Michael Yoshpa
Michael holds a PhD. in Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Chemistry, and Masters Degrees in Biology and Education. He is a photographer and facilitator of inner development retreats.
Michael is an author and facilitator of several self-learning laboratories: LifeStream, MySelf, Living Science, and Living Dreams. He teaches meditation, qigong and martial arts.
Michael holds a PhD. in Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Chemistry, and Masters Degrees in Biology and Education. He is a photographer and facilitator of inner development retreats.
Michael is an author and facilitator of several self-learning laboratories: LifeStream, MySelf, Living Science, and Living Dreams. He teaches meditation, qigong and martial arts.
Relations catalyzer: Alisa Dendro
Alisa initiates and supports transnational grass-root initiatives on ecology, non-formal education, social and personal transformation. She holds a Master Degree in Sustainable Development, is a board member and project manager of NGO Relearn and Cooperative People-Care. Together with an international community of activists develops Suderbyn Permaculture Ecovillage on the island of Gotland. Projects in which Alisa is involved include youth learning programs, action research, experiential learning for youth and adults, communities development and intercultural cooperation.
Alisa initiates and supports transnational grass-root initiatives on ecology, non-formal education, social and personal transformation. She holds a Master Degree in Sustainable Development, is a board member and project manager of NGO Relearn and Cooperative People-Care. Together with an international community of activists develops Suderbyn Permaculture Ecovillage on the island of Gotland. Projects in which Alisa is involved include youth learning programs, action research, experiential learning for youth and adults, communities development and intercultural cooperation.
Expert: Paulus Mintarga
Paulus is the founder of the architect, interior and landscape agency Timtiga which is a part of a creative space in Indonesiafor synergy among designers, architects, artists, academics, communities. In 2012 & 2013 he co-initiated Merajut Bamboo event, and in 2014 & 2016 – Bamboo Biennale. He is active in Indonesia Creative Cities Network and Solo Creative City Network. Paulus completed the degree in Civil Engineering and currently serves as a chair of R&D field of Asmindo Design, Furniture and Handicraft Association in Indonesia.
Paulus is the founder of the architect, interior and landscape agency Timtiga which is a part of a creative space in Indonesiafor synergy among designers, architects, artists, academics, communities. In 2012 & 2013 he co-initiated Merajut Bamboo event, and in 2014 & 2016 – Bamboo Biennale. He is active in Indonesia Creative Cities Network and Solo Creative City Network. Paulus completed the degree in Civil Engineering and currently serves as a chair of R&D field of Asmindo Design, Furniture and Handicraft Association in Indonesia.
Information and FAQ
What is MySelf laboratory?
MySelf is a co-creative laboratory facilitating group dialogue to explore our sense of self, to become aware of our inner calling and creative spirit within, to examine our patterns, habits and routines, and to see how current life situation affects our health, inner disposition and creativity.
What is LifeStream laboratory?
LifeStream is a co-creative laboratory for in-depth exploration of the human body. It is dedicated to studying, becoming consciously aware of, purifying, refining and mastering the body's material and subtle dimensions. LifeStream was created by Michael Yoshpa about 10 years ago as a harmonious synthesis of many traditional and innovative approaches, which were developed in the course of his extensive study, practice and research.
Where are we going to live?
We will stay in camping tents in a pristine environment up on the mountain in natural settings near the river, enjoying simple life and vibes of our bamboo tribe.
And what about food?
There will be a professional cook at the festival who will prepare delicious Javanese meals. Participants who volunteer to help cooking can learn many secrets of Javanese cuisine.
What about transportation?
Comfortable buses will take us around on daily trips.
How much money do I need for personal expenses?
Festival price includes accommodations, transportation, food, and all workshops and activities. You will have to pay for international airfare and taxi (around $35) to get to the festival location from the airport.
How to make a payment for the festival?
Please make a downpayment of US$300 in person, through PayPal or to our bank account. The remaining amount is paid in cash on the first day of the festival. We encourage you to make a downpayment as soon as possible, so you could take advantage of all early booking benefits, such as:
– The best price with maximum discount for "early birds"
– Guaranteed place in the program
– Possibility to get the best airfare prices
Participants are strongly requested to pay in US dollars with new, unmarked and undamaged bills! If you pay with other currency, marked or damaged bills, you will be charged an additional fee of 10% of the festival price.
– The best price with maximum discount for "early birds"
– Guaranteed place in the program
– Possibility to get the best airfare prices
Participants are strongly requested to pay in US dollars with new, unmarked and undamaged bills! If you pay with other currency, marked or damaged bills, you will be charged an additional fee of 10% of the festival price.
Let's go bambooing!
Send us this form expressing your interest in the festival
and we will keep you posted!
and we will keep you posted!
