This week, Tangaroa Blue Foundation extends our heartfelt thanks to musician Ondrej Smeykal from the Czech Republic.
Ondrej was 14 years old, walking along the Charles Bridge in Prague when he first heard the sound of the didgeridoo. Little did he know that the instrument would become such a large part of his life. He is especially grateful because playing the instrument was key to helping him cure his asthma. These days, the didgeridoo is not only part of his livelihood, but also a way to give back to the communities of its origin
Ondrej writes,
“I heard an unusual sound and that sound walks with me, from then, till now. It was the sound of the Digeridoo and I became a player. Today, nearly 30 years later I use this instrument on many occasions, in theatres, operas, rock bands, ambient acoustic concerts, etc.”
Today Ondrej crafts his own magnificent digeridoos from crystal, which he sells at auction for charitable causes.
“In the last decade I was thinking of how to contribute back to the digeridoo’s original land, its beauty, and its power …So now I organise a beneficial auction every year, where people can buy one of my instruments made out of Czech crystal glass. This year, thanks to all of the great donators and helpers, part of that financial auction was sent to your project for helping to protect the nature of Australia – its cultural heritage and natural environment.”
Ondrej has donated $1887 from the auction of one of his instruments to the Tangaroa Blue Foundation, which will go towards the work of the Thamarrurr Rangers in the Northern Territory.
This generous contribution will help to educate the Junior Rangers and school students in the community on the issue of marine debris.
“So, my message to the young rangers is simple … This globalized world requires people to rush. Work, career, ambitions, stress, fear, travel. But still, one of the oldest human needs is to belong somewhere and to take care of it. So be proud to belong to such a unique and beautiful part of EARTH.
Beauty is often fragile. So be proud and protective of that beauty. Beauty can be much greater if we can share it, over time, again and again. Your land offers the world many gifts. Your work in this global world is very important and honorable. Thank you for your work to keep the land beautiful!”
We are grateful to Ondrej and to those who taught him, for turning music into positive action for our oceans, for present and future generations.
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