Emar Music

I first heard of Emar through a mutual Canadian friend & blogger Chung

Emar (Melissa Rebronja) was born in Belgrade in the former Yugoslavia, now Serbia. Shortly after her birth she and her family moved to Toronto where she spent her early childhood, moving back to Belgrade when she was six for almost a decade. Her music exhibits poignant influences from these early memories. Just before the country's collapse she moved back to Toronto. Some months after I met Emar online, I discovered she was to release her latest album Sacred Soul in October '08. Myself and another friend from Belfast were priviledged to be invited to the launch party in Toronto, where we enjoyed a covetted live performance. Emar's music breathes life, spirituality, peace, love and mysticism. Songs are in English, Serbian, Hindi, Persian, Arabic and Church Slavonic.Through world music instrumentation it encompasses a unqiue fusion of influences from East meeting West, Islam meeting Christianity.

Emar herself is a phenomenal person who is full of light & positive energy, a priviledge to know and share with.

For the album she worked with three world renowned producers, Genie Award-nominated Sean Eyre, Canadian Music Awards winner for Best World Music Group & 2009 JUNO Awards Nominee, Andrew McPherson of Eccodek and noted film composer Igor Vrabac. Also playing on five of the album’s tracks is World Music multi instrumentalist Boris Sichon. For me my favorite track is the Serbian "Sutra" (for we are love) featured here.

April 6th Egypt

Bloggers suffer for Freedom of speech

in Egypt

Violence Against women

By Walter Astrada

winning photographer of the Alexia Foundation award for Professional Photojournalism 2009



"Violence against women is not only the most widespread example of a human rights violation, but probably the least evident, going largely unpunished. This is shown by the reports published and research conducted by the United Nations, international human rights agencies and the global women's and feminist movements which have been denouncing this situation for decades.

It takes many forms, from domestic abuse to rape, sexual abuse and harmful cultural practices ranging from genital mutilation and honour crimes to premature marriage. In the context of wars in which most of the refugees and displaced population are women and children, women are raped, kidnapped, mutilated and used as sex slaves; the systematic rape of women and girls has been used as a weapon in numerous armed conflicts."

Walter Astrada

on Violence against Women

I found all of Walter's photos deeply moving & provocative

Today listening to Weary by Amel Larrieux

This woman is growing weary
Of having to be so strong
Of having to pretend I’m made of stone
So I won’t end up with no broken bones
I can’t fight every battle alone

I want someone to lift me
Heal my wounds and give me kisses on my head
Say words that should be said
Fear is not the matter
I would so much rather open up my heart
And lay down my guard

Blood into Gold

"Over 12 million people worldwide are trafficked for forced labor or sexual exploitation" ~ United Nations



Blood into Gold is the compelling new song from Peter Buffett featuring Akon, pinpointing the issue of human trafficking and slavery. The poignant video, produced by UNICEF, is a powerful visual representation of the songs message, utilizing moving images and video from around the world that depict the severity of this issue. As a complementary advocacy tool to the song, the hope of the video is to call attention to the issue and inspire others to help bring an end to the atrocities associated with human trafficking.
(press release)

Visit Is there something I can do
for more information on Human Trafficking

"Justice at its best is love correcting all that stands against love."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.