OCA Magazine: Tell us about yourself and your activity / work
Ilona Reeves: I am a musician, social activist, teacher and writer. Since my early childhood, I have loved and have been very much attached to the world of literature, but life brought me into the field of music. I graduated from the Belorussian Academy of Music. Being a Member of the society of Music figures of Belarus I have written the songs, lyrics and several scenarios for kids whom I was teaching those days. On the other hand, many years of work (14 years) in the Gulf countries have largely influenced my personality. Gradually I was getting ready to open a new page in my professional career. Over the last few years, I have devoted myself completely to the literature and my children.
OCA: What is “Eurasianism” for you?
IR: “Eurasianism” – as a writer I understand this word as an endeavour to emphasize the common unity of the continent. Throughout the history of the Silk Road, its routes are an important link in building dialogue, trade, interaction, the exchange of experiences of various peoples and cultures. Of course, there are always many contradictions in that but this is already a question of the geopolitics of a particular country or nation.
OCA: Who are your favorite artists?
IR: Speaking of my favourite artists, first of all, I have to mention the art of Pushkin, Picasso, Shakespeare and Andersen. The list may be too long I guess… Undoubtedly, the heritage of these prominent artists has formed a fundamental layer in modern culture. Among my favourite contemporaries is Leonardo DiCaprio ( American actor, producer and environmentalist). His art of acting as well as the things he has done in protecting animals and nature has been an enormous source of inspiration for me. And the apple of me eye is Elon Musk, the most successful entrepreneur of the Silicon Valley with whom I was honored to talk to quite recently. These are the people you want to write books about.
OCA: Have you taken part in the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London)?
IR: I did take part in some events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London). At the end of summer 2018, I found a writers’ contest on the internet. Then I realized the same platform offers a professional internship as well. I filled in the intern form and was acquainted with the ECG. I really enjoyed meeting many wonderful writers and members of the society during my internship. The curator of the department I went in was M.I.Akhmedjanov, the Vice-Chairman of ECG. It’s like I saw the life of the company from the inside. It was a good experience to improve my professional skills. During an internship, I sent my artwork “The Tales of The lost Forest “ to the Open Eurasia Contest and to my great joy I became an awarded writer! There was an amazing week of Open Eurasian Literary Festival & Book Forum in Thailand. We were given a lot of inspirational and positive moments which are yet in my heart . Last summer, Belorussian poets and writers , members of the ECG, had an honor to take part in the Great British Festival held in Minsk . It was quite a massive event where we introduced our art to an audience. The town of Minsk turned into a part of Great Britain. I was presenting my book of tales “The Children of The Sun “ as well as the interests of the guild. You know, the thing I like best in the Eurasian Creative Guild – is giving people of the large list countries the good chances and needful instruments for career growth. If you are strong enough – you will succeed. If you really have an interesting project or product –you will succeed.
OCA: Do you have any personal projects that you would like to talk about?
IR: This winter, the ECG announced an international social project “Resolution “ which I cared for tremendously. The goal of the project – a call to action in the name of protecting our planet. A musical project that was created to attract the attention of world leaders to environmental disasters and global climate crisis. In a duet with the ex-soloist, Pesnyary ensemble, we made our version of the “Resolution ” song. Besides that , in cooperation with John Farndon, a British writer and poet, an article about the “Resolution ” project and climate change problems were launched for science magazine in Belarus. Some things were pretty hard to achieve but we have done it. I love our planet and our nature, in my every fairy tale you can feel it. And if there is a thing I can do for our planet, for our kids and their future be sure I will make that thing happen. Of course there are moments in life where you want to surrender, but if you find your truth you will be a winner.
OCA: What does the Eurasian Creative Guild mean to you, and how did it affect your creativity / activity?
IR: I really love the ECG. I thank it for uniting people through art and through love for that art. I wish you can discover more and more treasures on the path called “The Great Silk Road.”