For the 15th World AIDS Conference Bangkok we have premiered the multi-media art forum COM.PASSION: OVERCOMING AIDS TOGETHER (10th - 17th July 2004) – as part of the official cultural program “Silabha”. With the help of the Goethe Institute and BMW Thailand KROSSOVER started a live dialogue between people affected by HIV/AIDS and jounalists, artists, aid workers, politicians, scientists, economomists as well as donors from six continents. The ”Bangkok Post” described COM.PASSION as ”one of the highlights of the cultural program” (10th July 2004). Main objectives were ”ARV therapy”, ”HIV Edutainment”, ”Trafficking”, ”Women Speakout” and children`s projects in SE Asia with an opening speech by Thailand`s Vice Minister for Public Health H.E. Yongyoot Wichaidit.

We thank all participants of the 8-days-festival and cultural gathering COM.PASSION: OVERCOMING AIDS TOGETHER. Through arts, films, performances and discussions we successfully shared experiences and exchanged ideas of modern multi media work combatting HIV/AIDS.

• Performances: Ashe (Jamaica), Honey Bee (Thailand), Meeting Point (Uganda), Sapphire (India), Gaya Nusantura (Indonesia), Zamaleo ACT (Kenya), Roland Lee, Ratree Yodkaewrung (Thailand), Mercy Center Circus (Thailand), The Durgas (USA/Hungary/Germany), Julia Trybe (Australia), Peace Warriors (Burma), MCs Joni Anwar & Sandra (Thailand), Manish Kumar (India), Dr. Sax School of Music (Thailand) and Members of the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra

• Films: Irene van Dijtshuyzen (AIDS – The Woman`s Story), Carlos Cordero (Back to Life), Nalaka Gunawardene (Patents vs.Patients), Karsten Hein (AIDS in Odessa), Detlev Neufert (Heaven`s Meadow), Nico Mesterharm (Battle for Life, Building a Dream), Ian White (Mouth to Mouth), Wuthidanai Indrharakaset (Make Love Stories), Firdaus Kharas (Three Amgos) plus special media presentations by Nicolas Lainez (The Other Side of the Dream), Sir Cliff Richard`s Tearfund Cambodia (Karaoke) and Population Services International (Punishment of Love).

• Discussions: Siriporn Skrobanek (FFW/Foundation for Women), Maytinee Bhongsvej (Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women), Saree Aongsomwang, Dr. Kaikawus Aresteh (AVK Berlin/connect plus), Aarti Kapor (AFESIP/Action for Women in Distressing Situations), Frederic Thomas (AIDETOUS) , Lin Chew (GAATW/Global Alliance against Traffic in Women), Usa Lerdsrisuntad (FFW/Foundation for Women)), Wasant Techawongtham (Bangkok Post), Bhikunee Dhammananda, Dr. Suchada Thaweesit (Ubon University), Chalidaporn Songsampan (Thammasat University), Saisom Wongsasuluk (Caring Hearts for AIDS Foundation), Dr. David Wilson (Medecins sans Frontieres), Nimit Tiem-Udom (AIDS Access), Dr. Nop Sotheara (PSI Cambodia).

Thanks also to the staff at Goethe, the Berlin office of Krossover Media and the various aid projects from Thailand and from Cambodia, as well as Chumphon Apisuk (curator Silabha) and his team, Virginia Henderson (steering committee) and Jeanne Hallacy (FCCT). Luck and health to the kids from Mercy Center/ Bangkok and “Baan Gerda”/Lopburi!

As COM.PASSION is an on-going multi-media project please feel free to contact us via email: mesterharm@gmx.net.