World Village of Bamboo Artisans>June 4-14, 2004 USA

[CaroleMeckes]

updated: April 12, 2004:
Please note: this event has been postponed until further notice

Announcing a unique symposium/workshop in the form of a

World Village of Bamboo Artisans 4-14 June '04
Earth Advocates Research Farm, Summertown, TN

This 9-day event will be organized in a cooperative manner with all participants sharing infrastructure tasks (cooking, cleaning, etc.) in an egalitarian manner.

Bamboo artisans, teachers, and students from many countries and cultures will come together to share multi-disciplinary, cross-fertilization re: tools, techniques, and ideas.

Exchange of information and experience is our primary objective. An important secondary goal will be media exposure of some of the potentials of Bamboo as a short-cycle renewable material.

Co-participants are invited to bring bedding, eating utensils and small tools. We will camp out amidst forest, fields and Bamboo groves. Shelter is available for those without tents. There is a pond for swimming and bathing and a good spring with sweet water. As a group, we will undertake one or two Bamboo projects. There will also be some scheduling so that invited experts can more formally present their insights and techniques.

We are expecting co-participants from many countries and will thus use a sliding scale for registrations fees. $100.00 for people from developing countries to $400.00 for developed or overdeveloped countries. Children are welcome; pets are not. Nearest airport is Nashville, Tenn. Nearest Greyhound bus is Ethridge, Tenn. We will plan to run free shuttles on Friday 4 June and Monday 14 June. If you require an invitation for visa and/or travel funds purposes, or for more information call 1-931-964-4151 or write: EARF, 30 Myers Road, Summertown, TN 38483-7323 or send e-mail here. (WorldBambooVilla@aol.com)

Suzanne and Adam Turtle
Earth Advocates Research Farm, Summertown, TN

[Mark Meckes]

More on World Bamboo Village
(4-14 June, 2004 near Summertown, Tenn.)

A number of people have inquired if the Bamboo Institute of Tennessee will be offering any classes this year. The answer is both yes and no. While we will not offer any stand-alone classes as we've done previously, we are making arrangements with recognized experts in various Bamboo specialties to hold short courses during the 9-day World Bamboo Village. These short courses will be available at no additional charge, that is, they are included in the registration fee. (We plan to have course leaders in: Bamboo furniture making, toy making, fine basket making, instrument making, jewelry making, kitchen tools, etc.) As in the past, participants are requested to bring their own basic tools, ie. knife, saw, etc. All meals, snacks, handouts, campsite, shuttle service and Bamboo for practice are included in the $450. registration fee. That's only $50./day if you come for the full 9-day event (due half in advance, balance on arrival). For those who plan to attend for seven or fewer days, the rate will be $60./day for Pre-registration or $70./day at the door.

The basic plan is still to create an international village of Bamboo artisans and students to share and exchange insights, information, techniques, etc.
This will be an immersion experience where for 9 days we will camp and live together, sharing food, chores, play, ideas and Bamboo. Bonfire with cooperative entertainment each evening.

Inputs, feedback, suggestions, funding (we could sure use some help) are all very welcome. Together we can make this a memorable event. As plans are refined, we will try to keep them posted on our web site at www.growit.com/bamboo and then click on Unique Symposium Workshop on the bottom left under Bamboo Institute of Tennessee. A registration form will also be at that site or you may call to have one mailed to you.

Please look there and then call (931) 964-4151 or email (WorldBambooVilla@aol.com) if you have any questions.

For planning purposes, we need an idea of how many to expect as soon as possible. To this end we'll offer a ten percent early registration discount if received by 1 April 2004.

We are investigating the possibility of creating one or more documentary videos during the event. We also plan to invite coverage from both print and electronic media to emphasize Bamboo versatility. We will invite the public to an Open House on the final Sunday afternoon at no charge (also no meals, etc.)

Suzanne and Adam Turtle
Earth Advocates Research Farm, Summertown, TN