Today, the Quarantine Stories are brought to you by the special communication projects coordinator of TMW, Meisi Volt, main producer at our partner Vita Pictura, Serj Rimma and TMW Kids programme coordinator Terje Trochynskyi.
Meisi Volt has joined our team as special communication projects coordinator this year. She has worked as a reporter and photographer at the biggest entertainment publications in Estonia like Elu24 and Õhtuleht and as the web and fashion editor of the fashion monthly Anne & Stiil. Meisi’s personal stylistic trademark is a playful combination of vivid colours and patterns with feminine “vintage meets modern” glamour.
Serj Rimma is the main producer Vita Pictura, a video production company that has created TMW’s latest promo clips and the festival’s aftermovie. Specialising mainly in producing engaging and creative promo clips and music videos, Vita Pictura’s range of clients includes Sony Music Finland, Samsung Baltic, Swedbank and PÖFF, to name just a few.
Terje Trochynskyi who manages TMW’s Kids programme, has promoted Estonian folk heritage and education at the Viljandi Folk Music Festival as well as at the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy UT Viljandi Academy of Culture and the Estonian Traditional Music Center. She is also the manager of Estonian-Ukrainian fire-folk ensemble Svjata Vatra.
What are you listening, watching, reading etc?
Meisi: I’m discovering and listening to new music: mainly everything that is cheerful and keeps up spirits, but as a counterweight also deeper and darker electronica. For example, Yasmyn’s and Skalpel’s new albums, but also Amon Tobin and Skream’s older and newer stuff. When it comes to reading, I have the fresh editions of the magazines Säde and Pulss on my table.
Serj: Luckily I still have some work-related things that I can do at home at the moment. However, since I have unexpected loads of free time now, then I try to find productive activities – like working on a website for one of my other businesses.
I’m reading a lot about the current events around the world, but at the same time I am tired of seeing all that constantly. I have found some online courses that are interesting – right now is the best time to learn something new. Netflix is also a good choice, but at the moment I prefer spending time in a more meaningful way.
What are you feeling and thinking about in this situation?
Meisi: I feel happy to be at home and walk my dog in the sunshine every day, but I can’t wait for this virus season to be over and for people’s health to get better. I wish I could see my friends, carelessly sip wine in a cafe, meet people and get things done work wise, but right now it seems that everything is on hold, or at least has gotten very slow. It’s nice that now there is a lot more communication on social media, and also with those people, for whom I didn’t have enough time before. It’s a good time to think about your priorities, relationships, goals, and also for making plans for the future.
Serj: I’m worried since nobody knows for how long this situation will last. My plans for this year are more or less cancelled and I really don’t like my clear calendar.
Terje: I have been in domestic quarantine since the declaration of the emergency, because that day I became ill. Since I had almost all the flu symptoms but my situation was not critical, I was repeatedly assured that I was not a member of the test group, and in the end I didn’t really know what the disease was that I had for 2 weeks. Along with extreme fatigue and unpleasant symptoms, it is most difficult to withstand lack of knowledge. Since there is a family of 5 at home, the kids ask every day: are you dying now? Are we going to get sick too? Why can’t I go outside? Why aren’t any kids coming to my birthday? Etc… As my head became more clear after a week I began to realize that our family (working in the music industry) was deprived of any income. It took another couple of days for thoughts to move in the direction – if you can’t change the situation, change your attitude to it. So I’m glad my dear family is near me. I get a very clear idea of what the 1st, 5th, and 7th grade students are learning and how my two childs are developing in music. Musicians from our band Svjata Vatra presented their new album with live concerts from all over Estonia, from their homes, where they are currently nesting.
What kind of future are you dreaming of?
Meisi: I dream of satisfaction, in all areas.
Serj: I hope that things will get better soon and that this crisis will remain in our memories as just a huge life experience.
Terje: At Tallinn Music Week we’ll host our global colleagues and friends on a tender August night. I dream that as a result of the global crisis, everyone will restart their thoughts and actions to move on towards a better and cleaner world, more sustainable for themselves and others.