20th Anniversary of Centro d'Ompio

It was one of the most impressive Seminars I've ever experienced and I've been to a few I must admit.

I've seldom dealt with a difficult theme with such ease and fun. This was made possible by alternating acting, dance, painting and clay sculpture with gestalt therapy exercises.

Paul is quite a sympathetic man. Even though handicapped with lung problems, he was always present and lead the seminar with an easy and souverain hand. Myself and many others were enchanted — like little children by a favorite uncle — by his story telling.

Daylight is fading fast as Satya introduces the group in her charming and elegant manner. In a moment the women dancers appear in simple black dresses and lie down with their bare skin on the damp grass, separated from the men by large bamboo branches. The audience is entranced by the slowness of the dancers' movements and the minimalistic sound stage. The slow and simultaneously strong and expressive movements tell no story. There is no script — there is an impromptu reaction to the moment. This in turn captivates and animates the spectators to dance within themselves and experience their own feelings. The dance is a flowing give and take — like the dance of life itself. The dramatic climax is when the bamboo barrier breaks and the dancers fall and incorporate the fall itself into a flowing dance movement. The presentation makes one think more than most dances do because the spectator is drawn back into herself.

Young people of all ages came out for this wonderful day of celebration at Centro d´Ompio. The days were filled with dance, song, and magic of all kinds. Participants enjoyed this multicultural festival with an exotic bazaar, massage and Yoga. The colorful mix of enchanting sounds, wellness, and entertainments kept us cheerful and at ease for three days Radiant sunshine and culinary delights pampered my palate and my spirit. Prem Joshua in concert got us into the swing. We enjoyed dancing and laughing together. What a gift that this enchanting locale has been available for 20 years offering space to evolve, be still and look inward. A reason to be joyful!

The artist's presence impressed me at once. She has radiant blue eyes and light skin — both of which fit Celtic sounds. Her voice seems to float in space and seems to whisk the listener to Avalon. She guides us safely through the mists and into the light. Then again one feels s/he is hearing a folksinger such as Joan Baez. She sings powerfully and passionately accompanying herself on guitar. A woman and a voice containing both tenderness and strength.

"Erik Berglund - what a special harpist! A mix of sung and instrumental music pieces, held together with little stories about the songs. And don't forget his harp, which he treats and presents like a living being. The sustained notes of ?miss harp", resounding in the old piemontese church, convinced us of her power and as I took a look around me, still enchanted by the magic of the last note, I saw that the whole audiance was standing up and applaudet... and even the priest had a smile on his face. ;)"

"Christophe Erard, a true virtuose! At least 20 different instruments are lying in front of him on the floor. He himself appears rather humble, stays in the background and lets the sounds and notes emerge from his flutes, didgeridoos, drums, horns, violins, lutes and other instruments from all over the world. With his voice he creates, for european ears, strange sounds - overtones and throat singing - like buddhist monks, deep down below. This concert is a journey into itself and through foreign cultures. In the end I am deeply touched and enrichend."

"Many peoples of this world celebrate and value the energy and the special magic of the fullmoon. Along these lines we took the oportunity and celebrated on this evening the unique charm of this place. Dancing around the blazing bonfire, singing underneath the starry sky and the rising fullmoon and improvised dance and fire performances made this evening into a happening that will stay in my memory..."