Comic relief

There you have it ladies and gents, here's your vote:

Oldest instrument found

After all the depressing news I need something nice every once in a while. Here's a message that cheers me up:

Human beings were making music as early as 35.000 years ago. Furthermore, music might have been why we outlived the stronger Neanderthals, through music we socialized much more. That's my answer from now on to any religious nutter who thinks music comes from the devil:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8117915.stm

Here's some intense flute playing that really goes nuts (especially in the middle part)

New blog

De Groene Amsterdammer (The Green Amsterdammer) is a great periodical, writing intelligently about politics, culture and society.

They have opened a blog for me to contribute to their site with articles about Iran. It will go live tomorrow, but here's a sneak preview:

http://irancentraal.wordpress.com/

Sadly only in Dutch, but I might translate some of the posts later. Spread the word!

Oops

It seems now that the rumours were untrue. My bad to publish rumours before they're confirmed as fact. At any rate, a strike in the current situation wouldn't be so bad anyway.

Mousavi arrested?

I don't want to spread rumours, but I've heard from certain people that Mousavi and his wife might have been arrested. Again, please don't take this for a fact, but if it's true, then he asked the people to strike!

Pictures of Sadness and Hope

In Amsterdam we held a candle light vigil last night, in memory of all the fallen brothers and sisters. The video here doesn't do full justice to the beautiful, sad and magical atmosphere of the night. If you don't read Persian, ignore the text and click on the video:

http://zamaaneh.com/movie/2009/06/light_up_the_night_part_2.html

Here's a Time photo essay of the people who are struggling. It's a painful detail that the man who took these pictures is now missing:

http://www.life.com/image/ugc1003082/in-gallery/28782/eyewitness-from-tehrans-streets

Documentary

Here's a great source for documentary makers:

http://www3.nfb.ca/webextension/capturing-reality/

I am sure we will need many to cover everything that's happening in Iran right now. Mousavi has said he is ready for martyrdom. Today is a very very sad day.