3 2 Editorial
CURRENT AFFAIRS 3 Pieces of a Tsar 5 Inside the New European Agenda on Migration
SOCIAL COMMENTARY 7 Hoping for the Homeless 8 What is University For?
CULTURE 11 Librotraficantes 12 Streaming Ahead: Classical Music at a Crossroads
2
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CURRENT AFFAIRS
Pieces of a Tsar By Chris Belous
The Columnist Issue 3
3
saw high economic growth and an increase in real incomes by a factor of 2.5, according to the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Many Russians seem to support his style of rule and look up to him personally as a great leader, much like the attitude
To call Vladimir Putin a tsar outright would be a
often was to the tsars. Perhaps it may even be that
misunderstanding of the nature of the Russian
a lot of Russians favour Putin’s ‘hard’ ruling style
Empire’s tsarist autocracy up until 1917, but it is still
for being so tsar-like, with some finding security in
worth looking at the parallels between Russia then
his firm, no-nonsense approach to diplomacy. For
and now to figure out what kind of leader Putin is.
instance, after Hilary Clinton’s comment that Putin
Moreover, to understand Russia today, one cannot
had “no soul,” his response was, “at least the state
overlook Russian history.
figure should have a head.” The Russian leader has a clear belief in practical over emotional politics,
What makes a tsar a tsar? Historically speaking, the
which is something his public favour.
tsar was the leader of the Russian Empire, ordained by God, and the father of his peoples. tsars often
Of course, there are many dissenters in Russia, and
headed economically backward and politically
they are invariably punished for daring to speak out
isolated, yet expansionist countries. They would
against an oppressive regime, with journalists shot
preside over actions which harmed minorities; they led proudly lavish lives; freedom of expression and assembly would often be supressed. Putin may not call himself the father of his peoples, and he certainly does not call himself ordained by God, but there can be no doubt that his actions in recent years have their similarities with tsarism. Technically speaking, Russia today is a secular state. Despite the fact that the majority of the population identify as Russian Orthodox Christians, religion is nominally secondary to politics. So, while the
and protesters imprisoned regularly. Indeed, freedom
tsar could claim his legitimacy from God, today’s
of speech is a touchy subject today, a key example of
Russian leaders must claim their legitimacy from the
this being the legislation against ‘gay propaganda’,
people, which Putin does well. Despite his party’s
passed in 2013 which in effect bans the distribution
lack of popularity, his personal approval ratings have
of content related to LGBT+ culture. Under the tsars,
remained consistently high; the independent, non-
censorship was also enacted frequently, as in the case
governmental Russian polling organisation Levada-
of the suppression of Ukrainian-language materials
Center found them to be as high as 87% last August.
in the 1880s. Moreover, freedom of assembly has
Putin has been able to keep his population happy in
been restricted under both Putin and the tsars. In
spite of recent economic problems and oppressive
2013, Moscow courts enacted a ban against gay
legislation, especially since his first presidency
pride marches for 100 years, and throughout the
CURRENT AFFAIRS
4 early nineteenth century, formations of any private
It is also important to consider Russia’s global
associations were forbidden unless personally au-
position. Despite Putin’s desire for the country to be
thorised by the tsar. The similarities are there, even
as strong and as independent as possible, a belief
if the focus of Putin and the tsars diverges.
shared with the tsars, Russia has nonetheless been embroiled in international politics throughout its
Then there are the comparisons that can be made
history, whether as invader or ally. The Crimean
between Putin’s presidential retreat (the extrava-
War was waged against Russia; both World Wars
gant dacha he occupies outside Moscow) and the
were waged with Russia as an Allied Power; the
Winter Palace, Saint Petersburg, in which the tsar
Cold War saw the USSR grow into the USA’s enemy superpower. Russia has also been consistently part of talks ranging from the G8 (although their membership is currently suspended due to the Ukraine crisis) to the 1814-5 Congress of Vienna. Putin understands Russia’s international status and his foreign policy reflects this, although he is also not afraid to make his own covert gains, as in the case of Ukraine, where his government has denied Russian military involvement despite this clearly
would reside. There is also the economic isolation
being the case.
and the fall of the value of the rouble following western sanctions in the wake of the ongoing
Putin, then, is both a modern and traditional ruler,
Ukraine conflict, which has some parallels with
picking and choosing western and Russian methods
the Russian Empire’s reputation for economic
as he sees fit, participating in international diploma-
backwardness. Finally, there is Russia’s ‘annexation’
cy but with an unapologetic eye on Russia’s agenda
of Crimea in March 2014, which is jarringly expan-
at all times. His approach and image is tsar-esque,
sionist for the twenty-first century and is really just
but he adapts his approach to fit the demands of the
a continuation of the territorial policy, spoken or
political moment, both inside and outside Russia.
unspoken, which Russia has always had regarding
Arguably then, Putin is a tsar for the twenty-first
the peninsula.
century.
First printed in The Columnist issue two.
CURRENT AFFAIRS
The Columnist Issue 3
5
Inside the New European Agenda on Migration By Maria Pabolaza Lacambra On 19th April, a boat sunk 70 miles off Libya
overruled, the quota system recognizes that Italy
claiming the lives of 700 people. The tragedy
and Greece cannot realistically cope with this crisis.
represented a turning-point in public opinion,
It acknowledges that our current approach to
not because an increase in migration during the
migration is far from unsustainable, setting the tone
summer season was surprising, but because the
and pushing for change.
incident anticipated the challenges ahead. Now the current migration crisis is without doubt the
Secondly, the resettlement mechanism is a favourite
greatest challenge facing Europe in 2015.
of mine because it attempts to develop a long-term strategy to migration. The Commission proposes
As a result of those tragedies, last May the European
resettling in Europe 20,000 people who are
Commission introduced the New European Agenda
currently living in refugee camps outside of the EU,
on Migration, a comprehensive initiative that rests
also over the span of two years. It seeks to prevent
on several pillars – it establishes new channels for
more tragedies, and recognizes that we need a
high-skilled migration, counters migrant smuggling,
new way for refugees to cross the Mediterranean
strengthens the role of Frontex and Operation
without risking their lives. Without a fundamental
Triton, sets the tone for long-term common asylum
change in how migration is approached, more
policy and, most controversially, introduces a
people will continue to unnecessarily risk their lives.
relocation and resettlement mechanism for asylumseekers.
The proposal received a mixed response – only Italy, Greece, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Austria,
First, let’s get down with the relocation mechanism.
Malta, the Netherlands and Cyprus agreed to it,
Over the next two years, this emergency initiative
and hence it was not approved. Eventually, it was
seeks to redistribute 40,000 Syrian and Eritrean
agreed that the Member States would redistribute
nationals that have arrived at the shores of Italy
32,256 asylum-seekers, and further talks about take
or Greece via a system of compulsory quotas on
place in December to expand this figure. Moreover,
the Member States. This proposal is surprising,
an agreement was reached to 22,504 refugees from
because it fundamentally changes the way the EU
outside of the EU.
approaches asylum-seeking. Previously, the Dublin III Regulation maintained that the state through
In principle, we are looking at a more generous
which migrants first entered the EU was responsible
policy of asylum. So what’s the catch? The truth
for processing its asylum-seeking application.
is the New Agenda for Migration is no bastion of
Although the Dublin Regulation has not been
European solidarity. The EU has tried to get member
CURRENT AFFAIRS
6 states to accept those numbers by exchanging a
What we fail to consider then is – if some countries
looser asylum policy for a more restrictive policy
are ‘safe’, why do people risk their lives crossing
in irregular migration. The Agenda increases
the Mediterranean? What are the motivations that
funding for security bodies, strengthens Frontex’s
drive someone to get inside a lorry in Austria, if not
legal ability to return migrants and establishes
a desire to fight for their lives? When the Agenda
new partnerships with key countries to accelerate
puts the focus on Syrians and Eritreans, who are we
return processes. It is unclear to me what kind of
leaving behind? How much persecution and fear is
solidarity involves drafting a list of ‘safe countries’,
enough to be considered an irregular migrant or an
so that migrants from those countries are returned
asylum-seeker?
immediately because their lives is not at risk enough.
Change is happening, but it may be small and insufficient. The New European Agenda
By acting tougher on irregular migration, the
for Migration changes the tone surrounding
EU perpetuates a dichotomy between refugees,
discussions about migration, challenging the
those worthy of sanctuary, and irregular migrants,
Dublin protocol to open the door for a sustainable
who need to be returned promptly. It is easier to
way of characterizing arrivals and redistribution.
convince electorates and governments to take
It is imperative that asylum-seekers find sanctuary
in asylum-seekers because the very word implies they did not ‘choose’ to leave their country, but are fleeing death. However, it ultimately implies that migrants are not worthy of solidarity.
in Europe, but the focus needs to shift onto the reasons behind the migration and culminate with a more inclusive understanding of migrants.
SOCIAL COMMENTARY
The Columnist Issue 3
7
Hoping for the Homeless By Maddy Churchhouse
when walking past someone begging. However, avoidance certainly does not make the problem go
Sat outside our door, there is somebody different
away; rather, it makes it worse.
every day. It is a pretty good spot after all – a broad step sheltered by an alcove, next to a shop exit
Every time we ignore someone our brains begin
where people have spare change to hand. But the
to rationalise their inconsequence, and so, by
guys (and occasional girls) do not always make the
purposefully placing homeless men, women
£4 needed to stay in a night shelter. One man asks
and children beyond the boundaries of what we
for strong coffee. “I don’t want to fall sleep tonight”
perceive, we reduce them to invisibility.
he explains, eyes dull with apprehension and worse, resignation, at spending the next twelve hours
The homeless are conspicuous in their absence
isolated and vulnerable on the freezing Edinburgh
from our own engagement with the world
streets.
surrounding us, even as we walk inches past them. This robs them not only of dignity but, most
Listening to the stories of local rough sleepers makes
crucially, agency. Denied the ability to participate
you realise that for those without strong networks of
in or benefit from the social network which the
family and friends, the border between security and
majority of us rely on for our wellbeing, the isolation
homelessness is one all too easily tipped over. Yet to
of the homeless becomes mental and emotional, as
us, the homeless themselves can seem to exist on a
well as practical and physical.
different plane. As students with potentially very little cash to hand, Marginalisation is most obvious when it happens
it is easy to think that there is nothing we can do,
directly, such as when private builders install
and it is arguably less embarrassing to pretend
homeless spikes, and councils shunt rough sleepers
you have not noticed someone than to refuse
out of city centres. However, it also occurs indirectly,
them help. However, making the effort to say good
as welfare cuts threaten the future of shelters
morning, to offer a hot drink, or to learn someone’s
and force growing numbers of families to drift
name, is very much within the capabilities of all of
between bed and breakfasts with no chance of
us. There is more than a little truth in the saying
securing permanent accommodation. But there is
‘fake it till you make it’; it is why making yourself
another, more pervasive obstacle that consistently
smile even on a bad day really does increase
marginalises the homeless, one that is both
happiness.
unthinking and largely unchallenged: that of our own perception.
Even if your interaction is just to shake your head and say no, sorry, not today, by responding to
It is a natural reaction to try to avoid or ignore
someone’s existence, you give them back the power
situations that make us feel guilty, and it is
to affect others through their actions. You have
difficult to escape the twinge of discomfort felt
acknowledged that they are a human being who is
8
SOCIAL COMMENTARY
worthy of consideration, and you are creating one
towards being more inclusive, and more effectively
small thread in what could become a network, and
able to tackle the problem.
potentially provide somebody with lifeline. Kindness alone is not going to get people off This is not the blanket assumption that ‘spread a
the streets. But since the consideration of others
little kindness’ here, and the fleeting comfort of a
provides the basis for all constructive humanitarian
coffee there, will spontaneously provide the triggers
action, it is a pretty fundamental place to start.
for rehabilitation. But it is a change in our behaviour towards the homeless which is needed to reduce
First printed in The Columnist issue two.
the stigmas and misconceptions surrounding the issue, and it is this change which will gear society
What is University For? By Pablo Pérez Ruiz When I first came to Edinburgh, my expectations of
expectations, I wondered whether university could
university were mixed and my understanding of the
have a single purpose. Is University merely a ‘factory
institution limited. Talking with others about what
of the middle class’, as US activist Staughton Lynd
uni meant to us, the ‘I’m just here for the piece of
puts it? Overall, I got the feeling that most of us
paper’ was a recurring theme. Others argued that
came to uni without really knowing why, viewing
attending university was a matter of access, both
it as another step in the ‘predetermined path’ of
to people and resources. For others, it was simply
life: you are born, go to school, go to uni, get a job.
the path to academia. Seeing people’s differing
Uni is seen as a means, something we go through
SOCIAL COMMENTARY
The Columnist Issue 3
to rush down to London immediately afterwards
education is to be a mechanism for social change,
seeking the hottest internship.
the student must be seen as an active learner, a
9
producer of knowledge rather than a consumer After the divestment protests last May, I was struck
of information. Although this can be achieved to
by my limited understanding of how the University
some extent through student-run societies, back
actually works. Who was deciding where to invest?
in the classroom we are faced with the same old
Why weren’t we taught about the bureaucratic
structures of teaching and learning. If we want
machine that the university as an institution
university to be a place for questioning established
really is? The management and governance of the
assumptions and structures, its functioning
university seemed completely alien to me, and a
(management, pedagogy, and governance) must be
little research made me even more confused as I
fit for that purpose.
ended in a pdf on the General Council’s Mace. That students usually spend an average of four years
How should we imagine the University of the future
at University means they are often seen to have
then? My vision is clear: co-operative.
no long-term interests in the University, and are thus excluded from much of its decisions. This is closely related to the ‘student as consumer’ model of higher education, associated with high fees and an increasing marketization of the university. Productivism is the University’s modus operandi: economic growth, reputation, and the reproduction and integration of the labour market. Is that all University is for? The ‘student as consumer’ model is not only reflected in the University’s management and governance but also in its pedagogy. We’re still stuck in the Freirean ‘banking model’ of education, in which the teacher is seen as a god and the student as an empty account to be filled by the ‘knowledgeable’. If
SOCIAL COMMENTARY
10 Look at the Edinburgh Student Housing Coop,
What a university is for and how it works are
the SHRUB, the Hearty Squirrel. They are all
closely linked. Although students have different
successful, alternative models of organisation.
expectations when they come to uni, promoting
They are at the same time sustainable, democratic,
social change should be the university’s main
accessible, and fair. Is their model unfit for the
priority. For this to happen, we need to rethink
massive institution that a University is? The people
the way we manage, govern, and teach at our
at the Social Science Centre in Lincoln don’t think
universities. Experimentation is necessary, and
so, and they’ve started a project based on the
the co-operative model has proven a feasible
concept of the Co-operative University. There are
alternative to mainstream models of organising.
precedents, such as Mondragon University in the
Universities have always been at the forefront of
Basque Country, which is a real alternative to the
innovation, being places to imagine the future
neoliberal university. The co-operative university
and criticise the present. A Co-operative education
would confront the issues of property and worker
would be an emancipatory education, focused
control, and would make us more aware of what
in developing agency among workers (students
the University is, how it works, and what its
or otherwise). For it to happen, a change in both
purpose should be. The change of governance and
expectation and beliefs is necessary, as some of the
management structures would also need a radical
practices are already out there and running and
pedagogical framework: the student would not be
functioning successfully.
a mere learner of skills, but also a contributor in the production of knowledge within the University.
Further reading: Joss Winn, Dan Cook, Stefan Collini, http://ww.ed.ac.uk/chaplaincy/events/
There are many ways in which the Co-operative University could come about, but the most interesting is that of dissolution. Dissolution would mean that the different components of the University would progressively turn into Co-ops, and the result would be the University as a ‘co-op of co-ops’. We have already started that process. No more halls, but student housing co-ops. No more EUSA shops, but more food sharing. No more waste, but swapping and re-using with the SHRUB. Why couldn’t also the different school departments become workers’ coops? It would mean more committed staff, and an overall organisational character that put education at its centre by lowering transaction costs. If academics value solidarity and democracy, why don’t we put them into practice?
whats-uni-for.
CULTURE
Librotraficantes By Natalia Baizán
The Columnist Issue 3
11
cited repeatedly by Jan Brewer (state governor) and her superintendents in defense of the initial event and the subsequent suspension and banning of Mexican American Studies in Arizona.
On January 10, 2013 in Tuscon, Arizona books were
In a state where 60% of the student population
taken out of the hands of students taking part in
identifies as Mexican-American, it is difficult to not
a state certified Mexican-American Studies (MAS)
see this as a deliberate attack on the state’s fastest
course while the class was in session. While it may
growing population and an attempt to erase its
seem to be an isolated if not extreme case, the
historical and cultural importance in the name of
varied and heated responses prove that this action
education, especially given that African-American
extends well past the classroom. Arizona’s 2010
studies and Asian-American studies (5.6% and 2.5%
bill ARS-15-112 states that no school course shall
of the student population respectively) remain
“... promote the overthrow of the United States
intact.
government, promote resentment toward a race or class of people, [be] designed primarily for pupils
Enter Librotraficantes - ‘Book smugglers’ in Spanish-
of a particular ethnic group, or advocate ethnic
a group led by Houston writer and advocate Tony
solidarity…” and it is this very law that has been
Diaz who since 2013 have been doing just that, smuggling banned ‘wetbooks’ back into Tuscon and beyond. The image itself is a romantic one- a repurposed taco truck that amasses books and then delivers them every few months to ‘readeasies,’ small underground libraries Librotraficantes have helped create for the sole purpose of giving communities access to critical and controversial books.
12
CULTURE
Yet the issues themselves are much larger
Nevertheless, Librotraficantes continue to fight
than simply the striking of a few books from a
for MAS, having shifted to a less romantic and
school curriculum, and it is to those problems
more strategic position: the book van has been
that Librotraficantes has begun to speak:
retired and changed out for packets, reading
denying individuals the ability to read stories or
lists, and “MAS Toolkits” mailed out to educators
comprehend their own heritage in light of others is
or community organizers who wish to kickstart
not only unjust, but fundamentally opposed to the
or revive student’s interest in the subject, and the
purpose of public education.
focus has shifted to maintaining underground libraries rather than starting them. Now that the
What Arizona’s government misunderstands is that
dust has settled and the fate of MAS hangs in some
Mexican-American studies is not a course solely
sort of limbo, is when Librotraficantes and their
for Latino students. Yes, the majority of students
demand for direct action need the most support
that take that course will claim Mexican-American
from any and all who view education as a complex,
heritage, after all it’s one of the few courses that
multi-dimensional enterprise. The topics discussed
speaks directly to some facet of their experience,
in Mexican-American Studies are not Latino-only,
and yes, few students who are not Latino will opt
and to present such a course as unnecessarily
out. But that is more a reflection of the issues
‘radicalizing’ or ethnicity-specific is not only an
within America’s educational system that values
insult to those who dare to validate the Mexican-
one group’s contribution over another than an
American experience in the classroom, but indeed
issue with school boards that dare to teach a course
to the state and the nation as a whole.
inclusive of 60% of its population. As time has gone on, the fight has gotten bogged down in the legal shuffle and bureaucratic mess that defines these sorts of events. Currently a group of students from the Unified School District, those same students who saw their MAS course suspended in 2013, are suing John Huppenthal, the state superintendent in charge of public education, for unlawful discrimination but they have yet to make any real inroads in reinstating MAS in Arizona. Nevertheless, the Librotraficantes still have plenty on their hands and so have shifted strategies accordingly. Most recently Texas senators have attempted to pass multiple bills which delegitimize Mexican American studies by not accrediting those courses, once again ironic in a state that is 38% Latino. Perhaps the biggest obstacle facing Librotraficantes is complacency- these fights take years, and the newscycle as well as its readers are quick to forget.
CULTURE
The Columnist Issue 3
13
Streaming Ahead: Classical Music at a Crossroads by Fiona Russell The past few years have seen the ascent of digital
signifcantly cheaper. The social element and the
music libraries, with the advent of the iPod and
ability to publicise what you listen to allows for
more recently, the increasing popularity of internet-
much wider audiences. Suddenly, traditionally elitist
based streaming services such as Spotify which
musical genres like classical or jazz are available to
allow people to browse, discover and share music of
all, as long as you have speakers and an internet
every genre on almost any electronic device.
connection.
However, Spotify has been subject to a great deal
There is however an element of truth to the idea
of controversy since its release in 2008, mainly due
that platforms such as Spotify are much better for
to the way it affects artists in terms of royalties paid
the listener than for the artist, especially where
out. Classical music particularly has been affected
classical music is concerned.
by it due to the large number of performers often required. And yet, when I polled fifty-odd students
Spotify only takes 30% of their earnings from
at some of Europe’s top conservatoires, the majority
subscriptions and advertising, which is the same
do use Spotify and acknowl-edge the part it plays in
amount iTunes takes from downloads. Since its
their interest in classical music.
foundation in 2008, the company boasts at having paid out over $1 billion in royalties, $500 million
Jeremy Wilson wrote in The Telegraph last year that
of which were in 2013 alone. But they received
“the loss of ownership cheapens our relationhip
considerable criticism earlier on this year for only
with recorded music.” To an extent, this is true:
paying out $0.007 per play of a song directly to
the nature of a one-click programme means that
record companies, and thence to the artists.
one is less likely to listen to full works, but instead to pick out highlights. A bit like reading a single
This is pretty abysmal, although it can be argued
monologue instead of watching the whole of
that this will increase significantly due to the fact
Hamlet, which is designed to be experienced as an
that the streaming market is likely to continue to
entity; similarly, the experience of a sports game
grow, allowing them to have a bigger budget for
isn’t as great if you only watch the winning goals.
royalties. Also, in a world where music piracy is a major issue, they at least ensure that artists are paid
But as young students, who travel and live off very
something.
tight budgets, it is far more practical to stream your music collection from the cloud. Not to mention
However, the royalties paid to classical music could be considered an even greater issue.
CULTURE
14 For example, imagine the Berlin Philharmonic
The debate surrounding the ethics of Spotify and
record a version of Wagner’s Ring Cycle, comprising
other streaming platforms, such as Soundcloud,
four operas which span approximately 18 hours,
Pandora and Google Play is therefore such a
played back-to-back. You need to account for the
grey area. While it encourages social sharing
immense cost of an orchestra of 100+ players,
and therefore increases listenership, it may
conductors, directors, singers, producers. If you
simultaneously be the demise of classical music
were recording this to sell as a CD, the box set
because of the financial instability with which it
would often cost ÂŁ100. This is a large sum, but it
presents its artists. That is unless these services
makes sense when you compare it to the cost of
rethink the way in which they help artists.
recording a short album on an acoustic guitar in a studio. Suddenly, earning 0.7 cents per play per
For readers interested in using Spotify to explore
movement seems ridiculous and performers are at
new and slightly lesser-known Classical music, I
a real loss.
have compiled a playlist entirely made up from suggestions from musicians and music-lovers alike, which can be found at http:// tinyurl.com/p7zy6na (Spotify account required). First printed in The Columnist issue one.
15
Who we are At the University of Edinburgh there is certainly no lack
tomorrow -- can be tackled with equal precedence.
of originality. You see it in tutorial discussions, during extracurricular activities and (ironically) at the Big Cheese.
Contained in this edition of the magazine are an array
The problem that the editors of The Columnist saw was
of human experiences, ponderings and reactions to
that there was a very visible gap in our University’s sundry
a variety of topics. As all articles are the opinions of
student publications: there seemed to be no place for
individual Columnists, and not those of the magazine,
short opinion pieces on topics relating to current affairs,
there are things and subjects we naturally disagree upon.
social commentary and culture.
They are relevant expressions nonetheless. Questions are raised, some are answered. If you read this and feel
The brief is deliberately encompassing. More than
the need to shout at us, then good; that’s what we were
anything this is a general interest magazine -- one we
going for.
believe is generally interesting. In our opinion, the ideas, beliefs and grievances widely shared by students needed
We urge you to join us. Comment, rant, draw, write—
a fresh outlet to spark debate in a more sustainable,
whatever your talent is, share it with us.
constructive way. Welcome to your magazine. Welcome to our magazine. The Columnist aims to serve as a forum for these discussions, creating a stage upon which the real
Let’s make our voices heard.
discourse can be engaged with, where the most demanding topics of today -- more importantly, of
CHECK OUT OUR PREVIOUS ISSUES ONLINE: Issue 1
Issue 2
Staff: Editor-in-Chief
Pablo Pérez Ruiz
Deputy Editor
Ross Devlin
Current Affairs Editor
Mai Nghia
Social Commentary Editor Lucca Rolim Culture Editor
Natalia Baizán
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Shona Warwick
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María Pabolaza
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Graphic Design
Kael Oakley
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