Szavanna_blog

Yesterday I went to listen to some poetry and music at Potchesftroom university. I was invited by Lerato of Muse Poesy – the poetry group I recently got to know – they agreed to recite some of their poems at our Software Freedom Day event at the OpenCafe.

I was treated to a real cultural experience with poems, stories and songs introducing the various languages and traditions of South Africa – very much an event I could attend regularly – best would be if I could just subscribe to the groups’ blogs and podcasts so that I can listen to them online whenever a new entry is posted.

Phuthy opened the evening – and kept it going throughout the show with taking his time explaining all about the members of the groups – Muse Poesy and the Serenaders – and kept us entertained with whatever came to his mind after hearing each poem.

While I was sitting there listening to the poems of Muse Poesy I kept remembering my visit to Howard University in Washington DC – where I ended up with the help of my aunt’s friend who used to work at the library there.

I was in the USA to do a summer job in New Jersey – I worked in Seaside Heights – a small holiday town by the ocean – I was selling ice-cream at a shop called Cohr’s Custard. I really didn’t enjoy my time there – however once my 3 months work was over – my aunt’s friend came and took me to Washington DC where I was to spend a few days before my return to Budapest. The next day she took me with her to work – which happened to be at Howard University. Once on campus she told me I should really visit Ethelbert in the library – he would be able to give advice on what to do and see at Howard so I set out to meet Ethelbert not knowing at all who he was.

In the library I met Ethelbert – who was very keen to find out what I was doing there and all the things I wanted to find out about his university. Since I was interested in the music classes and African language classes he explained where I’d find the music department and also how I could attend Swahili classes.

Then I set off to explore the Howard campus. I had never been to an American university and since most people on campus are African-American – at first I definitely felt a bit out of the crowd – but still enjoyed the experience of exploring a place so different from any other place I had seen before. I went to the music department where I attended a few violin classes – then I found myself some Swahili classes – so I was having fun listening to all the students learning the very same thing I learnt at the University of Budapest – but this time the American way. After the classes I often went back to the library and told Ethelbert all about my experiences. My time at Howard was just a few days long but those were definitely days that I will always remember.

Ethelbert kept in touch for quite a while – sending me his book of poetry and other materials – so in Hungary I could spend some time finding out more about who he was. I realised that till today he plays quite an important role in his community and university – he spends a lot of time teaching young poets and other artists, encouraging them to excel in their crafts – he is a real role model to many – to find out more about him, his students and community – click to visit his blog.

….. so while Phuthy was talking about his experiences and about the poets and artists that took part in yesterday’s performances, I couldn’t help comparing him with Ethelbert in the way he was relating to the young poets and singers here on the Potch campus.