LINK #152 by NGO K.A.NE.

LINK #152

Ju ly 1st 2020

affection 1

Content K.A.NE p. 4 - 6

Volunteers & Collaborators

QUOTE OF THE WEEK p. 7 The Beatles KNOW US p. 8 “How do you express affection in your country?” p. 9 “Has social distancing influenced the way you show affection?” p. 10 “What’s the most uncomfortable that you’ve ever felt with affection?”

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HOW TO SAY? p. 11 “A hug should never be refused to anyone” MAIN ARTICLE p. 12 - 15 Oxytocin. The molecule of affection COMPARING p. 16 - 17 Differences between Greece and Portugal MY PROJECT p. 18 Catarina: Ιπόσχεση Horse Therapy Center

p. 18

MY SENDING ORGANISATION p. 19 Associação Mais Cidadania INTERVIEW p. 20 - 21 Interview with Hélène ART REVIEW p. 22 - 23 Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss (Amore e Psiche) RECIPES p. 24 p. 25

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Carbonnade flamande Tarte au sucre

Hania Wolak

Editor & Designer

@kane.kalamata +30 272 108 188 2

Editorial

www.kentroneon.wordpress.com www.ngokane.org info@ngokane.org Salaminos 8 24100 Kalamata Greece

LINK 3

Volunteers Alix

Hi ! I’m Alix and I come from France, I‘m eighteen and I’m taking a break from my studies because I didn’t like what I was doing so i decided to go on ESC. I’ll stay here for 6 months and I’m so grateful and happy to do this experience in Greece with foreign volunteers. I work in the Therapeutic Equestrian Centre. I love horses, to share moments with people and to discover new places.

I am Annalisa, I come from the wonderful city of BologAnnalisa Hello! na (Northern Italy). I have an academic background in Inter-

national Relations (European Affairs) and look forward to become a project developer in international cooperation, tackling social issues through the participation of civil society. I am spending a year in Kalamata, volunteering at the K.A.NE’s office, helping out with the design and management of youth mobility and social projects.

Catarina

Hello! My name is Catarina and I’m a 21 year old girl from Portugal. After finishing my studies, I decided to stop for a year to clarify my ideas and decide what I will do next. Right now, I will be a volunteer here in Kalamata for the next six months, I’m working at the Therapeutic Horse Center Ιππόσχεση in Analipsi (Messsini). It’s the perfect combination between learning and being in contact with nature. There’s not much to say about me, I’m a calm person and probably my hobby is to listen to some rock music while reading a book or walking around the city.

Volunteers My name is Hania and I come from Poland. I am a volunteHania Kalimera! er at K.A.NE.’s office and I will stay here in Kalamata until the end of

August. I really like to travel, because I think life gets boring if you stay in one place for too long! One of my biggest dreams is to live for at least couple of months in several different countries, so I can truly experience other cultures – not just as a tourist.

Tania

Yuhu! My name is Tania. I’m from Spain and I studied psychology. My hobbies are travel, photography, cinema and the nature. I love to know new places and live new adventures. My life plan is to live in as many different countries where I can. Now, I live in Kalamata and I’m volunteer in the Dog Shelter. I’m very happy with my project and living in Greece.

Collaborators I am Filaretos Vourkos. For the last 15 years I am working Filaretos Hello, in the field of Non-formal education as a volunteer, youth worker

and youth trainer. 10 years ago,I decided to create the Youth Centre of Kalamata, in order to initiate youth work in Kalamata and promote active citizenship as factor for change.

Jelena

Hi, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Jelena Scepanovic,an EVS coordinator in K.A.NE. and a volunteer of the Youth center. I came from Montenegro in 2012 as an EVS volunteer. I really liked the idea of the youth center and the work that K.A.NE. does, so I decided to stay and be part of it.

everyone! I am Nadiana, ESC & VET coordinator in K.A. Nantiana Hello NE over the last few years as well as Greek teacher. I am passio-

nate in travelling around, meeting new people and organising festivals.

Spiros

Hello, my name is Spiros Koutsogiannis and since the beginning of 2020 I am a project manager and responsible for the Research and Development department of KANE. I hold a degree in Civil Engineering and I have been working in the EU funded projects field since 2010, having implemented almost 65 projects.

Anna

Hi, I'm Anna Charalampous. I'm here to help with K.A.NE. social media, website and administration. I'm happy to be part of the team promoting youth work, education and volunteerism, both locally and globally.

Nancy

Hello World! Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Nancy and I have been working in K.A.NE. since 2017 as a Project Manager and EVS/ESC coordinator. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m passionate about meeting new people and exchanging knowledge, experiences and ideas. I love the fact that many young people visit every year my hometown Kalamata and contribute to our society.

Quote of the week

“Oh yeah, I’ll tell you something I think you’ll understand When I’ll say that something I want to hold your hand” The Beatles

Author: Annalisa

Catarina

st Q U E S T I O N

Affection for Portuguese people is normally expressed in a really effusive way: we love to kiss and hug. Just like other southern countries, we sometimes get too touchy - for us it’s completely normal, but for some people from other countries it might be too much. With our family and friends we greet each other always with kisses or handshakes (if you are a man) and we hug multiple times, because for us it’s just normal. Also if we are having a conversation, it is common to touch each other. Even with people that we just met, we might say goodbye by giving two beijinhos (kisses) before leaving. Fun fact: our president is called the “affection president”, because he is constantly caught by camera kissing and hugging everyone.

How do you express affection in your country? Alix

We don’t have specific way to express affection in France, for me it depends also on the personality of people. People are generally close with their family, friends or partners. But if you don’t know a person enough, it can be weird to be too close.

Hania I think we Polish people like to keep our distance, especially between strangers or if we don’t know someone too well. It’s not common to see people who have just met kissing or hugging - a handshake and a polite word is more than enough! But we love to show affection to our family and close friends. We hug a lot! I think we consider kisses as a sign of a very intimate relationship, so it’s usually reserved for romantic purposes or for moms and grandmas to kiss their kids :) So the physical contact is important to us, but we usually express our affection verbally.

Annalisa When it comes to showing affection, Italian habits can vary a lot, but let’s say that in the Southern regions people have very theatrical ways of expressing emotions using their whole bodies, so kisses, hugs and little pats are to be expected even if you are meeting someone for the first time. In the North, things tend to get a little bit more formal, but it is still very common to greet someone new with a couple of kisses on the cheeks, especially if there is a child or a lady (old or young) involved. By the way, in Bologna the kisses are three!

Tania Like the other Mediterranean countries, in Spain we have a reputation for being very close in social relations. It’s typical to give two kisses on the cheek when you meet someone new between women and man and woman. But among men it’s more typical to shake hands. It’s also not strange to observe the closeness between people who have just met or do not even know each other. Although always subject to individual differences, usually between friends, family or partner, the displays of affection are remarkable. Curiously enough, there is a stereotype of difference between the north and the south among Spaniards. Those in the north are reputed to be drier and colder, and those in the south more open and devoted. 8

Catarina

Has social

nd Q U E S T I O N

For me, social distancing is divided in two: with my flatmates (the other volunteers) we are close to each other, since we share the same house and same rooms, so we don’t really keep a distance between us - this means if we want to show some affection we can still do it; but when I’m outside I can see some differences. We keep our distances from other people and for example with the mask it’s difficult to show some affection/sympathy, because we hide half of our face with the mask. Basically no face expressions, especially if you also use sunglasses!

distancing influenced the way you show affection? Alix

Yes! I am a person who likes to go to the street and see people together. Thereby, it’s strange for me to keep social distancing. Feeling afraid to be next to someone it’s a new thing in our society.

Hania Personally, I’m actually glad with the social distancing, because it’s much easier for me to stay in my comfort zone. I love the 2 meters distance in the queues! And people don’t bump into me on the streets. Finally I have enough space for me and I feel much more comfortable. Although I do hug people less often, I haven’t changed the way I show my affection - as I usually express it with words. Tania Honestly, currently I don’t really notice the difference, because I’m far from my loved ones, who are the ones that I show my affection to. As for social distancing on the street, I don’t see big differences compared to before the pandemic, since here the area is not very affected. I think the day I return to Spain, it will be when I notice the change the most.

Annalisa I would say that social distancing has affected my perception of personal space when I am out of the house: usually in Greece it’s very normal to get a lot of unwanted physical contact when you are walking on the street or when you are looking and picking something in the market stand or on a shelf at the supermarket. Obviously, social distancing has changed that, although things are quickly going back to normal and after these couple of months I sometimes feel uncomfortable when I have too many people too close to me. I am lucky in that at least I was not forced to keep a distance between myself and the people I love, but still, masks do give everything a touch of coldness. 9

What’s the most

rd Q U E S T I O N

uncomfortable that you’ve ever felt with Catarina

affection?

Even though I’m , as a portuguese person, quite use to kiss and hug people, in some cases I don’t feel comfortable when I’m forced to greet people that I don’t know with two kisses on the cheek, but I do it, because if I don’t do it, I’m not considered as a polite person.

Alix

I guess it’s when someone that you don’t really know seems to be too close to you. In my opinion, it’s disrespectful with people that you don’t really know.

Hania

Annalisa

I feel very uncomfortable when people that I don’t know too well get “touchy”. Sometimes I face his problem with people from the southern countries. It’s normal for them to, for instance, pat someone on their shoulder during the conversation. I feel a bit awkward, as for me physical contact is reserved for close people. But I’m trying to understand that people from other cultures are more physical in showing affection.

Affecting me personally, I have to confess that when I was a teenager I felt very uncomfortable whenever a 2-3 years old child I did not know would come to me and give me a hug for no reason (apparently toddlers really like me, go figure). I know it sounds cold, but it took me a good 5-6 years to accept that it can happen and it’s nothing dangerous for any part involved. Adding to the list, I hate it when a guy I don’t know touches my back/waist to push me towards a certain direction, which is incredibly common in Italy. More generally, I am uncomfortable when I am a third wheel in a social space (a bar, public transport, a supermarket queue etc.): in some countries, couples (especially teenagers) can get really physical even in that kind of a situation.

Tania I hate when someone I don’t know or I’m not confident with touches my back or my waist to pass. I feel that they are invading my personal space and I find it very impolite. I like open and friendly people, but it’s always necessary to respect the physical space of people. 10

How to say? “A hug should never be refused to anyone”

Eine Umarmung sollte nie jemandem verwehrt werden

On ne refuse à personne un câlin

Un abbraccio non si nega a nessuno

Uścisku nikomu nie powinno się odmawiać

A nadie se le niega un abrazo

O καθένας αξίζει μία αγκαλιά

Objema ne bi smeli odreči nikomur

Um abraço não se nega a ninguém

Author: Annalisa

Oxytocin. The molecule of affection

ocial relationships throughout life are vital for well-being and physical and mental health. Social bonding is essential to species survival since it favors reproduction, protection against predators and environmental changes, and brain development. Exclusion from the group An individual suffering from physical or mental disorders ultimately leads to death, both in animals and humans. Thus, it is of particular importance to understand the molecular mechanisms that sustain the establishment and modulation of relationships between individuals.

tral and the peripheral level. Although its role was initially associated almost exclusively with birth and breastfeeding, recent studies are suggesting that in fact oxytocin could be involved in many other processes. It’s a neurohormone, that is, a substance that in the central nervous system has a role in neuronal communication, and in the rest of the body it works as a classic hormone. This double role makes it so crucial to play a central role in the neuroendocrine network that coordinates social behavior. This substance is synthesized by the neurons of the hypothalamus, a region of our brain related to the regulation of many states of our organism, such as sleep, food and reproduction.

A significant amount of research in animal models as well as in humans suggests that oxytocin plays an important role in the development of the capacity to form social bonds, the mediation of the positive aspects of early-life nurturing on adult bonding capacity, and the maintenance of social bonding. The ancient gene for oxytocin is more than 500 million years old, is present in all vertebrates and is essential for the survival of mammals, especially those that live in groups.

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(...) it’s popularly known as the hormone of love, pleasure or affection.

Functions of oxytocin Oxytocin is involved in many more functions than we were aware of until recently. It’s related to affective, social relationships, love, sexuality and pleasure and maternal or paternal behavior, among others. For all this it is popularly known as the hormone of love, pleasure or affection.

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Oxytocin (from the Greek ὀξύς [oxys] - “fast” and τόκος [tokos] - “birth”) is a hormone produced by the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus that is released into the circulation through the neurohypophysis. Oxytocin is a complex molecule involved in a variety of biological processes at both the cen-

Breastfeeding and birth As a hormone, oxytocin plays a very important role in childbirth and, by extension, in lactation: two fundamental processes in motherhood.

Social relations

Throughout pregnancy, the pituitary gland releases oxytocin throughout the bloodstream, and its receptors are in the uterus and mammary glands. At the end of pregnancy, oxytocin levels increase further in these two organs, and at the beginning of labor they play a fundamental role. Oxytocin is what makes certain muscle fibers of the uterus contract during labor and causes the uterus to contract. As the process progresses, the brain is literally flooded with oxytocin to allow contractions to continue. Not only until the baby is delivered, but also afterward; so that the placenta also comes out. Likewise, the baby also releases oxytocin throughout this process. In addition, oxytocin travels to the mammary glands generating pulses that in turn stimulates prolactin, the hormone responsible for producing milk and generates contractions throughout the breast tissue to facilitate suction.

In the brain the oxytocin seems to be involved in recognition, establishment and permanence of social and affective relationships. As a neurotransmitter, it stimulates certain areas of the brain that provoke direct responses in behavior. These behaviors are related to trust, altruism, generosity, empathy, and compassion. It stimulates cohesion between groups of people and is also key in the feeling of belonging. Oxytocin is produced among players on a team and also among fans or when we are with our friends, when we interact with them on social networks or talk to our mother on the phone. Oxytocin has been found to increase our attention to the social and emotional information in our environment, as it is involved in learning and memory, facial recognition, and recognition of emotions in others. It guides us towards certain stimuli to process them as significant and to be able to remember, interpret and process them. Once again this â&#x20AC;&#x153;connectionâ&#x20AC;? appears, this force that invites us to connect with what surrounds us in order to feel part of it, to be part of the whole. This opens a new mechanism of action with people with Autism Spectrum Disorders. In fact, it has been shown that oxytocin deficiency could contribute to the onset of autism.

When mothers listen to, smell or hug their baby, they also generate large amounts of oxytocin. This helps to keep milk production going. On the other hand, this release of oxytocin by the mother also affects the baby, that also produces the substance. For this reason the moment of breastfeeding can bring great pleasure to both and allows establishing and strengthening the mother-child bond. In fact, this hormone is involved in establishing mother-child attachment.

Love and pleasure Oxytocin is often said to be the substance responsible for love. This is still a reductionist conclusion considering that there is no single conception of what love is and, in any case, in the subjective experience related to affection and infatuation many other substances intervene (such as dopamine, serotonin etc.). Oxytocin, like all neurotransmitters, never works alone: it is always embedded in a biochemical puzzle that shapes our minds and our actions.

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(...) it’s also said to be “the hormone of monogamy or fidelity”.

”

However, it is true that there are some patterns in which the relationship between oxytocin and all that set of experiences and processes that have to do with love and affection can be seen. For example, oxytocin levels increase when you kiss and hug someone. They are also increased by looking each other in the eyes with loved ones and, in general, it is segregated in relatively large amounts in situations related to love and attachment. When we experience the sensation of sharing an intimate relationship with another person and when we feel that we are in an environment of trust, more oxytocin is emitted. During the infatuation stage the brain emits large amounts of this substance. There is a feeling of wanting to be with the person in question, and when it is achieved, oxytocin is emitted again.

person. This could also explain why people feel bad or depressed at the end of a relationship: oxytocin levels drop and the reward system is under-stimulated. Oxytocin is also present during pleasant intimate relationships. This molecule is one of the main hormones in this type of activity together with endorphins, dopamine and serotonin. During sexual intercourse, oxytocin levels increase

That is why it is also said to be “the hormone of monogamy or fidelity”. The higher the levels of oxytocin, the greater the desire to be with that

considerably, in both men and women, reaching their highest peak at the time of orgasm. For example, oxytocin has been shown to intervene in the development of vaginal contractions that make it easier for sperm to reach the egg. In the case of men, it produces contractions in the prostate and seminal vesicles.

Although its benefits have been revealed, oxytocin levels can also be high in undesirable situations, such as stress, social isolation, and unhappiness. It has also been observed that oxytocin can promote links between people from the same group or from different groups that can be a source of favoritism, inbreeding, prejudice, envy, aggression and even corruption born of collaboration. Jealousy can also be exacerbated by the administration of a dose of this hormone.

The other side However, we must be very careful when evaluating the effects and functions of oxytocin. There is no doubt that it is a prosocial hormone, that is, a hormone that contributes, although in a still very unknown way, to establishing or reinforcing links between people, not necessarily of a sexual nature. But it would be a simplification and an error to consider that it alone is responsible for those links in a brain where a multitude of chemical substances coexist, many of them also hormones or neurotransmitters, which interact in complex ways to generate peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feelings and behavior. Too many factors influence human interactions and social ties to oversimplify them into one hormone.

Perhaps, as some specialist has suggested, what oxytocin does, rather than creating emotional ties or making us better people, is to enhance the feelings we already have. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not fool ourselves or create new myths. There is no hormone of love, or of happiness, or of kindness, or something like that. Furthermore, many more and better controlled studies in humans are needed to gain an in-depth understanding of the effects of a pluripotent hormone such as oxytocin.

Author: Tania

What’s different? The differences between Greece and my home country

Portugal

hen I thought about Greece before coming here for my project, I assumed we share the southern way of living, which made Portugal and Greece similar. After being here for 5 months, I still have the idea that we share with Greeks more similarities than we have differences, but now I know we are not identical. I found really interesting the fact that we have a lot of similar cultural aspects, which made my adaptation to the Greek society much easier than maybe for other volunteers, for the simple fact that I feel some kind familiarity with them. For instance, since this LINK’s edition is about affection, if I compare both countries I can only find similarities: either in the way that we show affection to friends/family or to people we just met or saw for the first time. In Portugal, we show our affection towards the other in a very effusive and loud way- we hug and kiss on the cheek every time we greet and say goodbye and even with people we don’t know. I consider us quite nice, we always say Bom Dia or Boa Tarde with a genuine smile and here in Greece it is the same. The first thing you hear when you meet someone is Τι κάνεις, καλά; and this goes for 5 minutes. I really like this cultural part, especially because it is an aspect I can relate with. But of course, I found some cultural differences here... after a while you get used to it, but in the beginning, it might kill you! The biggest difference I found or the one that bothers me the most is the fact that Greek people don’t stop on zebras while driving, so people can cross the street. That’s something difficult for me to un-

derstand and took me a while to get used to it, as for me it is something I take for granted. If I’m in front of a zebra waiting - the car should stop, but here it doesn’t work the same way! Some other smaller differences I found are easily forgotten once you spend two weeks here. For example the supermarkets are closed on Sundays and the local / street shops are closed normally on Monday and Wednesday afternoon, which is something I was not used to, but it easily becomes part of your routine.

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What I can take from these months living here, is that we share more than the good weather and the amazing food and that’s why I cannot find as many differences as maybe volunteers from countries with a different cultures can. Simply because even if it is not 100% equal to the Portuguese way it is still very familiar to me, it’s something I can relate or find somehow comfort, when I see some things we also do in Portugal. We might not be as much as σιγά σιγά, but we also enjoy the small pleasure of life and for sure share the same love for coffee!

(...) for sure we share the same love for coffee!

”

Author: Catarina

My Project Name Ιππόσχεση – Κέντρο θεραπευτικής Ιππασίας Καλαμάτας Address Analipsi, Messinis, 241 00 Kalamata Website www.ipposhesi.com Facebook

Hello! I’m Catarina and at this moment, I’m a volunteer at Kalamata Equestrian Therapy Center. The Center works with children and young people with cognitive and physical disabilities with the help of three friendly horses: Melia, Palsar and Simon.

https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100010941100666 E-mail ipposxesitr@gmail.com from my point of view, I feel that my work as a volunteer is important and helpful.

People I work with: Right now, I work here with another ESC volunteer, Alix, and we assist Αμαλία (Amalia) and Παναγιώτης (Panayotis), the therapists, and of course we also work with the horses: Melia, Palsar and Simon.

What am I learning from it: This project allows us to learn how to deal with a horse and also how can therapy with horses help people with some kind of disabilities. We, as volunteers, have an amazing “teacher” to explain us how should we connect with a horse and how should we treat / talk with horses. This is quite important because it makes us feel safe when we are next to them, and since we spend majority of our time with horses - it’s necessary. We also learn a lot, in my opinion, by the time we spend in the sessions. This way we are, slowly, learning why some patients do specific exercises and why the horses are important for the progress.

What are my tasks: As a volunteer, my job is simple, but fantastic! Our main task as volunteers is to assist the therapist during the session: either leading the horse or participating in the sessions by making sure that the patient is safe while riding the horse and helping during some exercises. We have other tasks, for example we normally clean the horse, before and after the therapeutic session and sometimes we can “train the horse” and learn some techniques.

Author: Catarina

What I love about the project: The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about the project is the contact with nature. We are surrounded by nature and we work with nature. The center is at Analipsi, a village next to Kalamata, so the horses have a big space for themselves and it’s really nice to work in a place like this. What I also love about the project is the fact that we, as volunteers, learn a lot and we feel useful. At least 18

My Sending Organisation Associação Mais Cidadania was founded in 2003 and it is located in one of the most famous and typical neighbourhoods in Lisbon (and most probably in Portugal too), called Bairro Alto. It is a non-governmental organization (NGO) with the mission of promoting active citizenship through trainings, non-formal education and exploring societies’ multiculturalism. The main focus is on educating young people and adults through local and international projects, so they can contribute for a better society now and in the future. “Since our aim is to promote the citizenship and the participation in society, our methodology of work is very open to new ideas and constant discussion, for this, working in a multicultural context, we always like to acquire new tools and suggestions to be able to face different realities we work with in a multifaceted way.” Main projects:

Name Associação Mais Cidadania City & Country Lisbon | PORTUGAL Date of creation 2003 Website www.maiscidadania.pt Facebook www.facebook.com/maiscidadania Instagram www.instagram.com/amcidadania YouTube www.youtube.com/user/maiscidadaniapt

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My experience with Mais Cidadania: I found Mais Cidadania with the help of internet. I was looking either for a project that accepts Portuguese people or Portuguese organizations with projects abroad. This way I found Mais Cidadania’s website and as a consequence, I chose my project. From the beginning until now Mais Cidadania has been always present throughout an entire process. My Coordinator is really helpful and kind and we keep a regular contact, which for me is really important in order to feel safe. Knowing that my sending organization somehow “tracks” my steps makes me feel comfortable. I really appreciate the way we, as volunteers, are accompanied by Mais Cidadania.

Author: Catarina

Porque cada pessoa faz o mundo global | Because every individual makes the world global

”

Interview For this LINK’s edition, I interviewed the French volunteer from my sending organisation, who is doing her European Solidarity Corps project in Morocco.

Erasmus+ Volunteer

Name Hélène Darnet Nationality French Hosting NGO Tilbat Volunteering Center of integration and qualification for women in difficult situation Place Chichaoua | MOROCCO

Interviewer: What is your project? Hélène: My project is intended to participate in the emancipation of women. I am volunteer in a center for women in difficult situation in Morocco, in the region of Marrakech-Safi. We support women who are victims of violence and we offer training (cooking and sewing) in order to get a state diploma to help these women accessing employment. With my partner, we also organize photo-shooting to help self-entrepreneurs from these trainings in order to give visibility to their products towards the clients. As a volunteer and psychologist, I also animate some workshops in schools to improve social knowledge of students. Interviewer: Why did you choose this project? What does that bring you? 20

Hélène: I was always interested in the situation of women in the society. It was important for me to contribute to improving the independence of women in a country, where the big inequalities still exist. I liked the idea of improving these women well-being (I also do lessons of relaxation), teaching them new skills and opening their minds into the world. My volunteering is very interesting, because it’s very diversified. I participate in cooking workshops and I give language lessons to women and also children. It gives me more psychological skills on a professional level, but it also improves my adaptability, flexibility and comprehension. That could help me in my future to be better at my job, knowing that I need to adapt to people with different origins. On a personal level, I can see a huge improvement with more self-confidence and maturity, because - as we say - travel shapes the young! I met amazing people, visited unknown places and learned so much from a welcoming and traditional cultures.

warm atmosphere, even close, especially with older women. To conclude, when we begin to exchange and show interest, they are very generous to welcome and express affection! For instance, I learn the «Darija» and when I talk to locals in their mother tongue, a much warmer atmosphere is established. Showing that we try to be integrated and communicate with us is very important in taking back the barrier.

“ Showing that we try to be

Interviewer: Can you tell us a fun fact for your mobility? Hélène: During my mobility, my partner and me were very close with the director of the center, who is the same age as us. After only few weeks, she asked us to go with her family for a weekend. Everybody welcomed us with a lot of love, kindness and generosity, despite their modest living standards. It would have never happened to me in France, to live such an intense weekend! Now, everyone asks our news and they can’t wait to see us again!

Interviewer: For you, what is the best way to express affection? Hélène: Each person has their own way to express affection, but for me it’s important to show interest to the other and to their culture. I am very glad to be able to talk about France and to hear more about Morocco. Affection is also about food here and it’s true that sharing a good meal together unites people. I really like it, because it lets people to get to know each other in a warm atmosphere, but also to discover traditional dishes.

integrated (...) is very important in taking back the barrier.

”

Interviewer: Alix

Interviewer: How people express their affection toward others in Morocco? Hélène: In general way, locals are very warm and benevolent. Even if they are sometimes astonished to meet us (because there is not a lot of tourism in the place where we are), we just need to explain our project and people become very enthusiastic and curious. It happened once that I was invited by a family who considered us as a member of their community, even if I knew them for just a few hours! They seemed very happy to welcome us with their means and insisted that we stay and sleep there. It should be noted that Morocco is a very contrasted country: men and women aren’t together. But when we are in a group of women there is a 21

W’Art?! Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss (Amore e Psiche)

Antonio Canova, 1793

or our “Affection” issue, I’d like to go back in time a couple of centuries or so and talk about “Amore e Psiche”, a sculpture by Antonio Canova, one of the greatest representatives of Neoclassicism. Now, this is something that you can find in any basic Art history book, but we can all agree that once you see it you can’t unsee it. It is carved in marble, and yes, a first look might suggest that it belongs to the classical age of Ancient Greece (V century BC). But no: this was started in 1787 and completed in 1793. What’s “new” about it? I would say: the spirit. Here’s what I mean. Let’s take a closer look: two nearly naked figures (a human female and a winged male) caught in a hug. If you go around, there’s a random vase laying between them and the guy is carrying a bunch of arrows. Who are they? Well, the sculpture was commissioned by Colonel John Campbell to reproduce a moment in the Latin novel “The Golden Ass” by Apuleius (II century AD), about Psyche, a young lady too attractive for Venus’ taste, and Cupid, god of love and Venus’ son. Plot: the goddess decided to get her vengeance over the mortal beauty, with the help of Cupid, who however, as soon as he saw her, couldn’t help but fall in love, and brought her to his palace. There, they spent a happy time together, although she was told never to look at his face. Of course, one night, the girl - too tempted - did take a look while he was asleep, and an outraged Cupid woke up and left her in desperation. So much so that Psyche committed to pass a series of hardcore tests designed by Venus to become immortal and get her love back. The last one was mean: pay a visit to Proserpina in the Underworld and ask her to give a scrap of her beauty, which she did. The trick was that the “gift” was in a flask (yep, that’s the random vase), to be delivered to Venus without opening it. Again, Psyche couldn’t resist peering into it, and she was caught by a “Sleep of the Innermost Darkness”. As soon as he knew about it, Cupid decided to revive her with a punch of one of his arrows, which Canova turned it into a kiss (very Sleeping Beauty style, I know). What he carved into marble is the moment right before they kissed. By the way, there’s a happy ending: the gods were so impressed that they made Psyche Goddess of the Soul, and they allowed them to marry. And some symbolism: the struggles the soul goes through to become immortal.

Everything in the sculpture is delicate and balanced – and yet when you look at it you can feel the sentiment, the desire to be close to each other. That’s why you can tell this is not something from Ancient Greece: too much emotion. It is not obvious, it’s about looking and barely touching – not grabbing and being carried away by pure passion – but there it is. I think this kiss is more about affection than passion, partly because of the soft aesthetics of it, and partly because I think that Cupid cared more about Psyche being safe from his mother than being able to enjoy their love. So, young and affectionate and in a complex composition: the arms, the looks. the wings, the torsos, the legs…It’s dynamic and intriguing, but anyone can catch the sense of it: those two soft front diagonal lines – wing-to-feet, crossing exactly on the space between the lips, the action focus. To follow them, you feel the need to look from different perspectives (precisely Canova’s point). Geometry and equilibrium, but also a lot of movement, and maybe that’s this sculpture’s pre-romantic spirit. Side note: one of the major inspirations for this piece is a Roman painting found at Herculaneum (Naples, Italy) portraying a faun and a Bacchante, just to give an idea of how a similar composition can express very different concepts. Finally, where can you find it? The original ended up being bought by a French general (Joachim Murat, apparently Sir Campbell couldn’t afford the transfer), who brought it to his palace in Compiègne. After his death, the sculpture was added to the Louvre Italian collection, so seeing it today takes a trip to Paris. There are also a bunch of copies, because once aristocrats started seeing it, they wanted one for themselves. The most important are the one commissioned for Catherine II of Russia, which is now in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, and the one realized by Canova’s most important pupil, Adamo Tadolini, for the Italian Giovanni Battista Sommariva’s Villa Carlotta (Tremezzo, Northern Italy), where you can still admire it.

Author: Annalisa

Recipes from North of France Carbonnade flamande

Challenge 2 hours 6 servings

Ingredients: - 6 slices of gingerbread - 40 g butter - 1,5 kg beef lodge - 700 g onions - 25 g brown sugar - 30 tbsp flour - 1 l blond beer - parsley, thyme, bay leaf, mustard - 10 ml vinegar

Preparation: 1. Melt the butter, add the beef cut into medium sized pieces (5 cm) and let brown on both sides. 2. Remove the meat, add a bit more butter and cook the sliced onions until brown, sprinkle with sugar and flour. 3. Add beer and bring to boil without stirring. 4. Add the fried meat, thyme, bay leaf, part of the parsley, vinegar, salt and pepper. 5. Cover and simmer over low heat for 45 minutes. 6. Add the mustard, gingerbread slices and leave simmering for another 90 minutes. Voila!

Author: Alix

Medium 1 hour 6 servings

Tarte au sucre Ingredients: For pastry: - 100ml milk - 2 eggs - 80g butter - Â˝ tbsp salt - 300g flour - 15g yeast

For garnish: - 1 egg - 2 tbsp clotted cream - 80g brown sugar - 40g butter

Preparation: 1. Put the flour in a bowl, make a hole in the center and place the yeast diluted in 3 tablespoons of lukewarm milk, beaten eggs, salt and the rest of milk. Mix everything and add diced cold butter. 2. Knead until the dough is no longer sticky, it takes about 10 to 15 minutes. 3. Cover the dough with a cloth and let it sit in a warm place for 1 hour 30 minutes. 4. Put the dough on the floured work surface and work it for a few seconds to remove the air. Place in a buttered and floured round baking tray. Roll out the dough into a disc to adjust to the shape of a tray. Let it sit for 1 hour again. 5. Preheat the oven to 190Â°C. 6. Mix the cream with the egg, then make holes all over the surface of the dough with your finger and coat with the cream-egg mixture. 7. Sprinkle with brown sugar and small pieces of butter. 8. Put in the oven for 30 minutes. Wait for it to cool before removing it from the tray.

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