Babelingo Audio-Festival

September 12th – 14th, 2003

Place: Provitreff, Sihlquai in Zürich along with additional meeting places

Organizers: Adriane Borger and Ruth Kunz

Participants: circa 50

Background

The German language community radio “Hörfestival” (audio-festival) has been taking place every year or every other year since 1993 (www.freie-radios.de/bfr/veranstaltungen.htm). In the beginning the festival was a place for supporters of community radio to showcase their on-air productions and experiences. In particular, a great deal of emphasis was placed on the collective review and critique of broadcasts. Since then, due in large part to the increase in broadcasting over the Internet, this topic has taken on less significance. Now the festival serves as a place for exchanging ideas pertinent to broader issues of community radio.

The sixth “Hörfestival” took place in September 2001 in Linz, Austria. One of the main topics discussed then was the general issue of multi-language programming in community radio. (www.radiofabrik.at/hoerfestival/). During the workshop approximately 20 broadcasters from Germany, Austria and Switzerland reported on their experiences broadcasting in a foreign language and their further goals in producing such programs. The topic of producing single programs with multi-languages was of special importance. Out of this workshop came an initiative for the organization of community radio in Austria (Verbandes Freier Radios in Österreich – VFRÖ) to further address the issue of multi-language programming. Under the name “Babelingo” the VFRÖ has thus far held three seminars where interested and experienced representatives of community radio could engage in a deeper discussion of the topic. Some of the results of these meetings can be reviewed at www.freie-radios.at/babelingo.php.

Radio LoRa has been participating in the Babelingo events from the very beginning. Fitting with our 20th anniversary celebration and in keeping with the Babelingo ideals, we are proud to host the seventh Hörfestival in Zürich. Radio LoRa itself broadcasts in eighteen languages making it one of the most diverse community radio stations in the German-speaking arena.

Formerly, discussions at the Babelingo seminars on multi-languages were sectioned off under “special interest”. However with this festival the topic is brought into the open and discussed by a broader audience. We are expecting about 50 participants predominately from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. People from these three countries will also work together during the pre-festival advisory meetings.

The Project

The intrinsic goal of the Babelingo Hörfestival is to inspire multi-language programming among program coordinators in community radio. We are hoping to inspire those people who have never before worked with multiple languages in a single show nor perhaps even thought it possible. The idea is to raise awareness about what multi-language broadcasting actually means and how it can work.

We want to encourage the various festival participants to consider the possibility of multi-language programming. Although the main language will be German, there will always be the possibility of incorporating other languages especially during group discussions. In preparation for the festival Radio LoRa will put together a newsletter focusing on the topics of the festival.

The second main topic will focus on where to place foreign language shows in the weekly program along with the overall integration of foreign language programs and programmers in community radio. A podium discussion on the topic is planned.

Schedule

Friday, September 12, 2003

As of 17:00 arrival and welcome, followed by a group dinner and introductory warm-up game in which each participant introduces themselves by sharing their geographical and language background.

20:00 podium discussion on the topic of participation and integration of foreign language speakers and programs in the radio business

participants:

Tshiteya Mbiye, EPRA, Paris, France
Francesco Diasio, AMIS, Rome, Italy
Tülay Tüncel, Radio FRO, Linz, Austria
Andrea Seifert, Interaudio, Halle, Germany
Moderator: Juan Martinez, Radio LoRa, Zurich, Switzerland

The following topics will be addressed in relation to foreign language programs and program producers at the radio station:

Is the category “foreign” language even appropriate?
Is it okay to put all those who speak another language in one box for the sake of weekly programming?
Are there other possible means of categorization, for example by music style, content or target audience?
Is community radio marginalizing foreign language speakers into cultural ghettos? If so how do we address this?

Saturday, September 13, 2003

09:00 group breakfast
10:00 group discussion on how multi-language programs work on the air; overview of the possibilities of such shows with reference to the pre-festival advisory meeting
12:00 presentation of the small group topics and small group moderators; splitting up into four groups to work separately; lunch is served; discussion in small groups; preparation of a multi-language broadcast based on a topic provided
18:00 live broadcast on Radio LoRa; dinner is served; listening; socializing; party; open ended

Facilitators of the workshops:

José Carlos Contreras, Querfunk, Karlsruhe, Germany
Frank Hagen, Radio Orange, Vienna, Austria
Tülay Tüncel, Radio FRO, Linz, Austria
Bianca Miglioretto, Radio LoRa, Zurich, Switzerland

The multi-language shows that are produced during the small group workshops should address the topic of multi-languages. In this way we hope to foster thoughtful analysis and practical working relationships. The pre-festival advisory group has proposed the following topics:

What language requirements and patterns do first and second generation immigrants have? How do they use their native language and how do they use their second language?
Languages and their value in the community – for example the view of Spanish or Turkish in German speaking countries
Multi-languages on a day-to-day basis: which languages are appropriate for which situations? When should a particular language be used? In which language can an idea best be expressed?
The sound of a language – how does it flow?
Difficulties with other languages: problems understanding, fears, inhibition and how they can be overcome
Language and identity
Foreign language programs and German programs on our radios: what’s are the similiarites and what are the differences?
The participation of foreign language speaking programmers on the radio

We will leave the actual final choice of topics up to the workshop facilitators, leaving them to prepare the agenda as they see fit.

Sunday September 14, 2003

09:00 group breakfast
10:00 open group discussion of experiences in the workshops from Saturday
11:30 - 13:00 open group exchange or small group discussions of ideas and perspectives for further collaboration on the topic of multi-languages and multi-culturalism on the radio
13:00 group lunch and the possibility for small group workshops
Good-byes and closing
Also in the scope of the program will be a HörBar around the topic of multi-languages.