JOANJO BOND: FLY A LOT AND LAND AS YOU CAN

Joanjo Bond with some prospectors

Joanjo Bond. Prospector. Cyprus.

I was born in Nicosia, the capital Cyprus, Pygmalion's country, an incredible Mediterranean country which is a cultural border between Occident and Orient. It's not easy living in an island and the most part of its inhabitants emigrate to search a better future. It's not my case. I search fortune in my land because I'm a prospector and I've found the most precious treasures here: the Cypriots. I like books and animals.

 

-Good morning, Joanjo Bond, and thanks to attend us.

-Thanks. It's an honour.

-Well, to start with our interview, I would like to ask you if you can explain what is a prospector?

-Yes, of course. A prospector is a person who searches fortune and good opportunities. During the 19th century, the most famous prospectors were the people who searched gold in the American rivers during the Conquest of the Far West, one of the most terrible moments in our contemporany history.

-Why was horrible?

-Because you can not arrive to a place where there are people living, occupy it and say to the native inhabitants that they must accept your culture and your lifestyle. This is a terrible mistake and, sadly, our history is full of moments like this.

-What's the work of a prospector in the 21st century?

-Searching fortune. The idea is the same. Gold, silver or diamonds in the past centuries and work and opportunities nowadays. Searching for a job is something very difficult and if you have the help of professional people like the prospectors is not as difficult as if you try to do it alone.

-What do you think people know about prospectors?

-I don't know, but I suppose that they remember San Francisco, year 1850 when Levi Strauss made some resistent trousers from the blue sailcloth, imported from France, for the prospectors.

-Is a prospector a profession of risk?

-All works have risk. Risk zero doesn't exist in life.

-Have you put your life in danger working like a prospector?

-No, I haven't. I only remember a time when I put my life in danger. I crossed one of the most dangerous streets in Barcelona to save my dog. 

-How do you feel being a member of The Bond's family?

-I feel very well. We're a fantastic family with open minds and a great sense of respect and collaboration, something very important for surviving like a group.

-How is a normal day with The Bonds?

-I don't know if we can talk about normal days because first of all we must define normal. If normal means that you're always doing the same routines, well, we aren't a normal family, then. We like innovation, creativity and we have tons of imagination.

-How long have you been studying English?

-Since the school. Cyprus was under British control from 1878 to 1960 when it becomes an independent state. English is a part of our recent culture and although British left the island, we kept their language because it was interesting for us. Remember, English is the world communication language.

-Is English difficult to learn for a Cypriot?

-No, it isn't. In Cyprus, we speak four languages: Greek, Armenian, Arabian and Turkish. As you know, the island is divided in two different zones, two languages, two cultures, two religions... but Cyprus is an important geopolitical place in the Mediterranean Sea and we have been occupied by Mycenae, Egyptians, Phoenician, Greek, Assyrian, Persian, Roman, Byzantine, Arabian, Venetian and British.

-What can you explain about your life with The Bonds?

-For me has been a great experience. It has been beautiful share time and experiences with this family and thanks to this I have discovered my sinister origin and how my surname can determinate my procedence. I thought I was Cypriot but now I know I was born in Nicosia but my origins are Occitan.

-Which is your best memory with the family?

-A lot of memories but the best, the day that M.José Bond and I represented my country in the Eurovision Song Festival and we won. It was an incredible experience. I felt like Céline Dion.

-What's your favourite book?

-I haven't got a favourite one. It's impossible but now I'm reading one about Christopher Columbus, when he arrived to Spain to sail to the west and how he believed that the Earth was round. After ten weeks, he saw a bird. They arrived to an island and he called it San Salvador. I like this biography because, although I think there's a lot of legend in this story, in fact, Columbus was a prospector because he wanted to search his own treasure and I like especially the scene of the bird because a bird has been always a metaphor of freedom and adventures.

-Do you think Columbus was a great example of success?

-He had success but, sadly, he was the beginning of a disaster. We remember Columbus everytime we talk about colonization. This is his legacy and it's not a good one.

-What title would you choose for this biography?

-Fly a lot and land as you can.

-Do you like this message?

-Yes, I do. You must try to reach your dreams and fly as far as you can but you mustn't forget that as high as you fly, as hard the landing can be. Follow your dreams but with honesty and remember your origins. Don't live in a cloud, live in the real world, where things really happen.

-Thank you very much, Joanjo Bond.

-You're welcome.

No matter where you’re going.
No matter where you’ll be.
Wherever the wind is blowing,
let me be your gravity.

Hovig