Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Vote for Mira Awad and Danny




Vote for Mira Awad and Danny

If you are fan of Mira Awad or you entered randomly on this page...please take some of your time to cast few votes for Mira and Danny on ''Dancing With The Stars''. It's not difficult at all although the page is in hebrew.... Before this poste I wrote in the old one about their participation in the dancing show. Please vote! You can vote no matter from what country you are!!! All votes are counted!

Here are the instructions:

Click on this link: http://reshet.ynet.co.il/11810.aspx

You will see the page with numbered little photos of dancing couples.

Mira and Danny are on number 12.

Click the little picture with number 12.

You will see now big picture of Mira and Danny and below the big picture will be small one.

On the left side of small one is one button were in hebrew is written vote.

Click on that button and your vote is IN.

You can repeat that 10 times! PLEASE!

THANX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Mira Awad in 'Dancing with the stars'

DANCING WITH THE STARS


Like in many other countries in Isreal too exists the popular dancing competition show...''Dancing with the stars'' where our sweety Mira is participating. Her partner is Danny Yochtman and by her own words that she confessed to us in her FB page...He is amazing and she is having so much fun that she actually fell in love with dancing :)))

Here you can see the glimps of rehersal of Mira and Danny.

And even though who don't understand hebrew (like me) it's clearly seen how much fun she has. She is actualy glowing and spreading all that positive energy that she seems carrying with herself in whatever she does. :) Gorgeous...isn't she?? :-)



Monday, October 12, 2009

Breakfast in Tel Aviv, lunch in Ramallah and dinner in Damascus



Mira Awad the Palestinian singer and Israeli singer Noa are in preparations before singing in Arabic, Hebrew and English with the stunning paisage of San Juan of Acre. The first with a cup of coffee in her hands and second with cup of tea. Outside this small detail and their background, the two artists have much in common: they are women with strong personality, don't care about criticism of their own and others, have an amazing voice and share a stage with message of reconciliation .

This week the message was exhibited in the place where exactly a year ago were experienced violent riots between Jews and Arabs. "I've invited you to our Festival to show that we can live in peace. Noa and Mira represent what we aspire to be," says Mayor Shimon Lankri.

"Nine years ago I've searched for a Palestinian artist to do joint projects for coexistence. I have found Mira and here we are," says Noa while her partner nods.

In conversation with elmundo.es, Noa and Mira speak openly. They declared that they are "in love with Spanish public and life in Spain" but the israeli does not forget the boycott of the group for her recent performance in Barcelona on the occasion of National Day of Catalonia.

Question: What do you remember of that act?

Noa: It was very traumatic because the group came just to annoy me. They whistled constantly. They wanted to humiliate me and force me to stop singing. It was terrible but I am a very stubborn person and not got off the stage, I kept saying what I think in Catalan. In the third song, 'Life is Beautiful',there was silence. Unfortunately it is very easy for a vocal minority to impose on the silent majority and they become hostages of their ideas.

Q: Do you understand your boycott?

Noa: I think that this group, as as also the radical left in Europe, are looking for a fight. I've heard Pilar Rahola, a very brave woman, saying that they needed something new to replace the cap of Che Guevara and they found the Palestinian keffiya. Many times they have no idea what they are talking. They don't do favors to the Palestinian people and do not help advance the dialogue. I'm for peace and dialogue. These people are so obsessed with being against that and I still do not understand what they are in favor.

Q: They justified their protest because of your support for Israel's military offensive in Gaza ...

Noa: For my words during the war in Gaza when I criticized the group of Hamas. I do not redraw it, because I do not think that their agenda represents will of the Palestinian people, but this is my personal opinion. You can not be in favor of peace and support Hamas, which is very extreme. It's absurd. I support many Palestinians who struggle to have peace. But because I support the idea of two states for two peoples they can't demand that I support Hamas. I can not, sorry. If you have a problem with that, it is a problem with me.

Mira: And me! I have no words to describe my sorrow for what Noa lived in Barcelona. People invest so much energy and strength to shout out against a singer who for 18 years has continually criticized policies of her Government and the Army and who opposes the Israeli occupation. Instead of attacking Noa they should go to the UN, Obama, Abu Mazen, Netanyahu, Hamas ... To boycott the government but not a singer.

Q: You tend to cause much attention when traveling together?

Mira: Yes, at a performance in Italy we got a nasty surprise. At first we were with emotions to see so many Palestinians and some Israeli flags. We were so proud. We saw many Keffiyas! I usually wear the Keffiya and I'm proud of it because it is a symbol of Palestinian identity. But suddenly we saw the slogans of hatred and they were calling us 'killers'. My keffiya from always against a hate-filled one as if I were a killer. I have always rejected and condemned the killing of people, wherever religion they are.


Q: Several Palestinian artists criticized you for representing Israel at Eurovision ...

Mira:I was harshly criticized "how I could represent Israel after when that country was killing my people." They accused me of being part of Israeli propaganda. But I say that from '48, the two sides have done bad things. We must remember the history that is very bad.

Noa: Our message reached many people, we received good feedback from everyone, also from Spain. It was a very hard time because Eurovision was held just three months after the war in Gaza. It was hard to play together but we said that is the best time to claim our message.


Mira: I wonder, 'When there is no war in this area?' There are days or weeks of truce and then others of violence again.

Q: The mayor of this city says you invited to the festival following clashes last year ...

Mira: The Festival represents the coexistence between Jews and Arabs. Last year, the truce was broken and the Festival was postponed. It was important to come to say that we can live together and that there is respect between peoples and religions.

Noa: There is no natural instinct of war and violence. People can live in peace if given the chance.

Q: Honestly, do not you think that what you do is just like a grain of sand? Peace is still far away ...

Mira: If our message is captured by a single person, every effort was worthwhile and modestly I think we have reached more than one. We have opened a little window into the harsh reality that can be seen in the news.

Noa: I think that we are very close to peace ...There is progress. For example, before in Israel, few dared to speak out in support of a Palestinian state and most do that today. Now it's only about negotiating the price to reach an agreement.

Q: Finally, what is your dream?
Noa: Be present at the ceremony of peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians. Perhaps let me sing (laughs).

Mira: Breakfast in Tel Aviv, lunch in Ramallah and dinner in Damascus.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Voces de las tres culturas


Voices of three cultures


CORDOBA, 2 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) --

The Israeli artist Noa, the Palestinian artist Mira Awad, the singer Miguel Poveda and Algerian musician Rachid Taha will be in October 10 at the concert "Voices of the three cultures'', which will be held on the occasion of the inauguration of the Institutional Headquarter and Area of Integrational Management of Joint Archaeological center ''Madinat al-Zahra''.

In a statement, the Delegate of Culture in the Andalucía en Córdoba, Joaquín Dobladez, said he wanted to have these international figures that "symbolize the three cultures that lived together peacefully during the Caliphate period, heyday of Madinat al - Zahra ".

He explained that "this concert will be a referal in the defense of peace, dialogue and tolerance between different cultures through music," so he encouraged everyone to participate in this "big show" with which " Cordoba, through the means Al-Andalus, will put their grain of sand on the implementation of projects that enhance the dialogue between cultures, like the Alliance of Civilizations ".

Noa, who will come to Cordoba with the Palestinian artist Mira Awad is one of the leading Israeli artists and a strong advocate of dialogue for achieveing peace, a role that has made her earn awards including the Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum held Davos (Switzerland). In this concert she will perform tracks from her latest work "Genes & Jeans', probably her most evocative and exciting repertoire.


Rachid Taha is part of the new generation of Algerian musicians who combine the rhythms of his country folk expressions with western music. In his album he combines reflections, dreams, emotions and memories.

For his part, Miguel Poveda, winner of 'Premio Nacional de Música' in 2007. He has countless awards. He has collaborated with great artists from flamenco gente 'til pop and he gave his voice in to film soundtracks such as 'Broken Embraces', by Pedro Almodovar. His latest album, 'Verses of willing' is proving very successful.


The concert will be free and held in Argentina Street outside of Cordoba.

Translated in english by me...

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Indignation of Mira Awad about boycot of Noa


Here is one fresh Mira's interview translated from spanish by me ;)


Indignation of Mira Awad about boycot of Noa



September 10, Jerusalem

Mira Awad is outraged! She can't possibly understand how in Barcelona ''they can treated that way'' her soulmate, israeli singer Achinoam Nini, better known as Noa. She didn't know. Her surprise was big when we informed her that the Catalan Party ICV-EUIA pretend to boycot her this friday in Diada (National Day Event) this 11. september.
''You made me very sad with that news. As a Palestinian I must say that it's unfortunate that they boycot Noa. She's one of the persons that helped Palestinian people and their just cause, even paying a price here in Israel for that. I really don't understand those who pretend to boycot her.'' - said the palestinian artist Mira.

''They are wrong. Why don't they look her trajectory. Like me she was always against violence.'' sais Awad , who pretend next 10 October to perform in Cordoba with Noa.

''Maybe the protestors have done many good things, don't know them, but they should direct their justified anger to the israeli and palestinan politicians, not direct it to a singer. They should pressure politicians, the rulers of the International comunity, to find a solution.
I don't understand how they can be angry to a singer who has always supported peace! Noa has never saved her critics of Israeli governement. She has used her voice, her reputation and social impact to promote cooperation between the two people.'' exclaims Awad.



The boycott has been promoted by the platform ‘’Stop the war’’, which accuses Noa of supporting in January the Israeli attacks in Gaza. Awad acknowledged that they had many arguments over the Israeli military offensive in Gaza against the Hamas Islamist group. "During the war, we’ve argued a lot. We come from different backgrounds. My father was expelled from his village in the north in 1948 and was able to return thanks to God. Fortunately we do not become refugees. Noa from the other side, is from a Yemenite Jewish family, from a village who also suffered persecution. Coming from such different places, it is sometimes difficult to accept what says the other side."

On that occasion, Noa asked the Palestinians to rebel against Hamas which she defined as "viruse, monster of bigotry, a cancer within the Palestinian people."

Awad criticizes Israel: "The Palestinian people is living under occupation and should get his freedom and his own Independent State. The occupation must end now. After the unnecessary escalation in Gaza, the result has been a very right-wing and radical Israeli government.''

But the Palestinian singer dares to self-criticism: "Fanaticism has increased on both sides. Unfortunately, I do not understand how our Palestinian political agenda is seen or presented, because of Hamas, as an extremist religious agenda. It is not the original agenda of the Palestinian people for freedom. I fight for our cause to be humanand political rather than fanatical. Hamas's rise to power is the result of many years of frustration.''


They have known each other for nine years. While Noa became a famous artist and international, Awad got known just two years ago with an Israeli TV series humorously portraying the situation of the arab minority. Her talent and beauty are beyond the screen, although she says - "first of all, I am a singer. I have always been linked to music, writing and singing.’’

Her musical dream became continental as she participated with Noa in the latest edition of the Eurovision. Their moving song 'There must be another way' won many hearts even though criticized by many Palestinians for representing Israel.


"It was a very painful because we received many criticism. But we will continue dialogue and cooperation. We will continue screaming for moderation and peace. Against fanaticism. So the boycott of Noa is unjustified’’ she concludes.


Source: http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2009/09/10/orienteproximo/1252579840.html




Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Interview with Mira Awad in her promotional tour in Spain




While Mira was in one of her recent tours in Spain she gave one great interview to a journalist/writer from Argentina. The interview include stuff on her artistic acomplishments but also some point of views on other things.


Here you can read it all:

http://textosincendiarios.blogspot.com/2009/08/while-she-was-on-promotional-tour-for.html

I loved the interview and especially the last part when she said what are her future plans:

''I am going to be acting in a second season of a TV satire series I participate in called: "Arab labor". And of course I'm starting to think of songs for the second album…''

Can news for her fans be better than this? :))))

PS: Thank you Federico for beautiful interview. Muchas gracias!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Mira Awad: ´Ser artista es un negocio arriesgado´

This note is from ''La Opinion'' spanish magazine from Tenerife...8.3.2009. I found it very opened, sincere and very interesting which needed to be shared, so I translated it in english...

Mira Awad: Being an artist is a risky business


The Palestinian singer acts in Leal theatre at International Woman's Day



ALMUDENA CRUZ | SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE
Born in a small Arab village in Galilee, northern Israel, of Palestinian father and Bulgarian mother. Mira Awad has always lived surrounded and influenced by a strong link with art and music.

"I started singing from the age of nine and began composing my own songs at age 15. Then I started my own band, we played Arabic rock music with songs that I wrote" she recalls.
The young Palestinian singer perform in the theater Leal on the occasion of International Day of Working Women. Female voices, different styles and hues will be submitted throughout the month of March to the public verdict in Tenerife.

Even though she is beginning to be known now in Europe, she is well known in her country and has participated in several productions as an actress, singer and songwriter.

"I love my two careers, actress and my musical side. I'll be happy if I continue working on both as usual. Acting is, to some extent, a healing process for me, working with emotions that maybe in real life I try to avoid. Beneath the mask of one of my characters I deal with these feelings, put them in the microscope without fear of being judged" she explains.

The music, her other great professional side, is the reason that brought Mira to the Canarian islands. Bahlawan is the title of her first album in which, as usual, she has also composed all songs.

"Music is something different in the sense that I can show myself openly, without masks, to let people ‘’look at you inside" said Awad and also add "being an artist is a risky business, you show your soul openly and you can only trust that people will connect with you" – she said.

About her album she explains that is the result of hard work and effort. In fact, many of the songs were written over a 12 years ago, others "she insists’’ are very recent.

She explains that album is kind of a diary of all these years devoted to art. Bahlawan, the title of this first album, mean acrobat in arabic and is dedicated to her younger brother. "He's always worrying about me and takeing care of me" says the artist.

Mira is also composer of soundtracks for films, including director Udi Aloni's Forgiveness and Lemon Tree by Eran Riklis, she explains that her creative side is "part of a clear intention to write about very personal things but at the same time, very universal about human emotion . I work a lot with feelings " insists Mira.

With Noa to Eurovision. After her visit to the Canarian Islands, where the actress and singer is for first time "it’s an incredible opportunity to perform here, I’m exciting. I've been waiting a long time for this" , Mira Awad will get to work on the final details which they will bring her, on 16 May, to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest with her friend, the Israeli singer Noa. They will attempt to give picture of unity after the disastrous consequences of the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.

"Noa, music producer Gil Dor and I wrote together four songs and Israeli audience has chosen one of them to represent in eurovision. All songs are dealt with the painful reality of our region and hope to find a way to change it. All songs were written in three languages: Hebrew, Arabic and English. It is actually the first time that the song that represents Israel has Arabic text in it " she explains.
The song tha they are singing at the final gala in Moscow is entitled ‘’There must be another way’’ (Tiene que haber otro camino) and speaks about in a composer's own words: "the urgent need to find a new path, one of the key phrases the song says - and when I cry, I do it for both of us, my pain has no name" concludes the Palestinian artist.

"I am very worried"

"It hurts me to see that the space that separates us from each other gets bigger and bigger instead of healing’’ says Palestinian artist when asked about her opinion on the conflict of Israel and Palestine.
"I am very concerned about our future and I fear that there will come a day when we all completely lose hope, that would be our final end" says
Mira Awad.

The singer responds openly and offers a rare and hopeful vision based on the firm conviction that
"we must keep fighting for reconciliation that is based on an idea of two people living together in respect and mutual appreciation" she insists.
A path that she recognizes, can not be seen as easy
it’s very long and complicated but it is possible if we leave aside our interests, and to my way of seeing things, the only priority that should guide us is the sacred value of the right to live" she concludes.


Her last production as a television actress, in fact, is a portrait "from the satire of the reality faced by Palestinians living in Israel today, has reached a big audience success, it is called Arab Labor" she said.

Source: http://www.laopinion.es/secciones/noticia.jsp?pRef=2009030800_8_204821__Cultura-y-comunicacion-Mira-Awad-artista-negocio-arriesgado