Disclosure

May Demo

It was traditional the 1 May demo and Day of the Work in Vienna yesterday, and to express their solidarity with social-democratic, communist and national minorities movements in the country thousands of people marched along streets of the city toward Parliament and City council, where chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer, mayor Michael Häupl, trades-union leader Rudolf Hundstorfer held their welcoming speeches.
Alfred Gusenbauer, greeted by applauds of massive crowd at Rathausplatz, expressed motto of the day in a few words:
“We all want to have not only work, we want to have good work!”

I was in this crowd, and after manifestation discovered with surprise that Alfred Gusenbauer was quite approachable and open for communication with everybody, what was difficult to expect from Russian public figures of the same rank. The last ones probably always wanted to protect themselves from potential terrorists, provocateurs and charity pleaders.

I also noticed that mayor and chancellor, belonging to the same social-democratic party and representing Austrian establishment,
often use word “Genossen” (Comrades) when they address audience.
I thought the word was prerogative of communists and activists of fascist Germany (Parteigenossen),
on that reason (separating themselves from their own communist past), the word was for along time already banned in Russia by public opinion and sounds funny today there.
On some reason, police stopped the march of communists and minorities by Parliament yesterday.
The colors were the same - red, but one could quickly guess who stood for authority and who not

One of my Demo picture was used in weekly selection of Reuters world news agency

Reuters 

Action in defense of same-gender partnership
It was rather hot morning, and I felt the gravity of my photo bag, walking by zigzags and asking every pedestrian where civil registry office is. I anticipated picturesque manifestation at the place, but found only small group there. As usual, I photographed persons whose faces I found to be interesting. This time it was woman in red jacket
Ulrike Lunacek

The Green party parliament representative and speaker for equalization movement of gays, lesbians and transsexuals
http://www.gruene.at/personen/ulrike_lunacek/

10.04.08 Aktion “Wir wollen da rein!” zur gleichgeschlechtlichen Partnerschaft
Die Debatte um gleichgeschlechtliche Partnerschaften wird immer absurder: In der ÖVP wird darum gestritten, ob das Standesamt der richtige Ort für die Eintragung von Partnerschaften ist, und die SPÖ sieht zu und schafft es nicht, ihre eigenen Wahlversprechen auch nur ansatzweise umzusetzen. Gleichgeschlechtliche Paare haben das Recht auf vollständige rechtliche Gleichstellung (inkl. Sozial-, Pensions- und Fremdenrecht) und wollen ihre Partnerschaft auf dem Standesamt besiegeln. Unter dem Motto “Wir wollen da rein!” zieht die Grüne NR-Abgeordnete Ulrike Lunacek gemeinsam mit dem Wiener LTAbg. Marco Schreuder und AktivistInnen der Grünen Andersrum sowie Organisationen der lesbischwulen Zivilgesellschaft vor das Standesamt am Wiener Schlesingerplatz, um für dieses Anliegen zu demonstrieren. Gleichzeitig ist dies der Start für die Postkarten- und Internet-Initiative “Wir dürfen hier nicht rein!”

TeilnehmerInnen:
- Ulrike Lunacek, Nationalratsabgeordnete der Grünen, Sprecherin für Gleichstellung von Lesben, Schwulen und TransGender

- Marco Schreuder, Landtagsabgeordneter der Grünen Wien - sowie weitere Mitglieder der vom Bundesministerium für Gesundheit, Familie und Jugend gemeinsam mit Vertreter/innen des Bundesministeriums für Justiz einberufenen Arbeitsgruppe “Gleichgeschlechtliche Partnerschaften”

It was gloomy morning, and feeling worthless, I wept for three hours.

I always die during such paroxysms of desperation. But life always comes back to me. It comes and fills the body with warmth. Looking at the middle-aged woman with gray hair and two swollen rabbit eyes in the mirror I made a few telephone calls.

I called to biggest Russian press agency with offer to write about Austria. Sacramental question who will pay kills many projects in the root. TASS has no need in freelancers, as correspondents on staff normally cover all range of problems. In Vienna there are only three male journalists who represent all Russian press and provide news about Austria.

It is not easy to get such in house job, as soviet regulations still play significant role in journalism – structure responsible for public opinion. Only well checked persons can get access. These persons will never cross the border.

I also gave two rings to Chef editor of only Russian magazine in Vienna - “Novy Vensky Zhurnal”, who (the lady) on some reason was unwilling talking to me, and to correspondent of other Russian biggest press agency accredited in Vienna. Russian magazine does not pay to authors, and exists exclusively on advertisements. Agency man told me that freelancers had no chance in Vienna either, unless I would succeed with Moscow newspapers. Then I called to APA (Austrian Press Agency) and send job application there again. May be something will go out of it.

Dear Mr. Gusenbauer!
Excuse me for breaking rules and sending you photo with a piece of nudity, but I do not see other way to attract your attention to the point.
I am freelance photographer and journalist, and once you posed for me and other photographers during election campaign in Graz in autumn of 2006. Unfortunately, there were poor light conditions, and since that time, I had no possibility to photograph you again.
Here are a few words about my personal history.
Originally from Kyrgyzstan, I got higher education and worked for many years as journalist for Russian press.

In 2001, I fell in love with Austrian man and moved to Graz, where I resided permanently. Our relation did not last long, but I continued to live in the country and considered Graz to be my hometown. It was hard time, as being not EU-citizen I struggled for survival in Austria between 2001-2007 without work permit.
This way I came to photography! Posing for painters and photographers, I tried to earn for my life.

But my wish to create images, be not only passive object, but individuality, was stronger, so feeling myself happy I started as street photographer in summer of 2006.
I have special passion for spontaneous portrait, feeling sincere interest to humans and manifestations of their characters in front of my lens.
Last year I moved to Vienna seeking ways to earn in event, portrait and street photography. As I wanted to depict our time with all its peculiarities, I started writing non-fiction book about life in Austria, which would include best street and portrait photos.
I would be glad to get any formal permit to attain press conferences and public events, where I could portray you, Mr.Gusenbauer, and also some artifacts of Austrian political reality.
Any assistance and advice is deeply appreciated.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen Galina Toktalieva