Link #107 by NGO K.A.NE.

LINK

February 1 st 2018

NÂ°107

January Editor: Angelina Kaysina

Designer: Mina Duma

Cover Photo: Ola Kaczurba

LINK

#LINKEXPLORE

CONTENT Contact About us Youth Center - program EVS' Timeline Paquita Cuppey Ola Kaczurba

5 6 14 16 28 29

Antía Fernández Martínez 31 Antoine Werquin 34 Ophélie Cottier Majka Dokudowicz Ola Kaczurba Joana Ganilho Marques Yana Volkova Angelina Kaysina

36 39 42 44 46 48

Mina Duma

Ola Kaczurba Ophélie Cottier Janae-Amira Jussa

54 56 58

EVS, K.A.NE.

Time Cronus Historical Anniversaries of 2018 Interview with Cronus Time Travel is Possible... Mathematically at Least City Plaza Time in Art Melting Time Time to Learn to Choose 361 Days in Greece Interview with a Local Volunteer Interview with an EVS Volunteer Past Event Future Event My Sending Organization

K.A.NE. EVS: Angelina Kaysina Anna Szlendak Antía Fernández Martínez Joana Ganilho Marques Mariam Sassi Majka Dokudowicz Mehdi Jaffar Mina Duma Ola Kaczurba Ophélie Cottier Paquita Couppey Sofiene Lahdheri Yana Volkova

ACT Volunteers: Antoine Werquin Bilal Zegoud Janae-Amira Jussa

Staff members of K.A.NE.: Filaretos Vourkos Fotini Arapi Jelena Scepanovic Nancy Kanellopoulou Nantiana Koutiva Vyron Giannakopoulos

@kane.kalamata

WHO ARE WE?

OLA

PAQUITA

Angelina

Hello there! I’m Ola but you can call me Alex. I’m 18 and I have just finished high school. I come from capitol of Poland – Warsaw. I love chocolate, breathtaking harmonies, good guitar riffs, totally crazy hairstyles and classic rock. I’m a dancer therefore I will be teaching contemporary/jazz dance and polish in the Youth Centre.Also, I will be helping with therapeutic riding in a horse centre. See you around!

Hi ! My name is Paquita, I'm 26 years old and I'm from Marseille in France. I will stay here for eleven months. My mission will be to work in the therapeutic horse-riding and in the KEFIAP Center to assist people with disabilities. I just finished my studies in the Art-thérapy and I'm very enthusiast to begin my EVS. This will be a great experience for me :)

Hello! I’m Angelina an I’m 26 years old. I decided to come to Kalamata as a volunteer because I already knew about this kind of opportunities and it was time for drastic changes in my life. You can find me at the Youth Center where I’ll be leading the Russian language and the fitness + stretching workshop. Can’t wait to meet you at Kentro Neon.

JOANA

OPHELIE

AntIa

Hello ! My name is Joana, I’m 29 years old and I’m from Lisbon, Portugal. I studied fine arts, art education and museology and I just arrived Kalamata for a 12 months EVS project. I’ve worked for a lot of time in bookshops and I love to read. I like quiet places where I can be in touch with nature. I’m a curious person and I’m always better if I have a cup of tea with me.

Bonjour ! My name is Ophélie, I come from France. I am in Kalamata for 11 months and volunteer at the Day Care Center for children with autism. Living abroad is a wonderful opportunity to meet fascinating people and to learn about cultures. It allows to become independent, open-minded and to avoid ethnocentrism. I can’t wait to discover the greek way of life and to visit the country. I’m also excited about tasting the food (of course !). I like to exchange and discovering so… see you soon around Kalamata !

Καλημέρα! My name is Antía and I come from Galicia, in the northwest of Spain. I have arrived in this city because some years ago I made the “mistake” – but, who chooses these things? - of falling in love with Greece and with the Greek language. So, after finishing my university studies in Humanities and Literature, I decided to start my Greek periplus, periplus that, after Thessaloniki and Crete, has found its new stage here in Kalamata. Να μας δούμε στο ταξίδι! 7

ANNA

JAE

YANA

Kalimera! I am Ania and I come from Poland. I will be working for KANE and running Photography and Ukulele workshops. I studied photography in the Institute of Journalism of the University of Warsaw and worked for press photo agencies when I lived in my country. I enjoy every form of photography, I use both digital and film camera, I also create my own pinhole cameras. Besides, I am totally addicted to travel.

I’m not the best at introductions, but here goes nothing. I’m Jae, I’m nineteen years old and have lived in Liverpool, United Kingdom almost my entire life. My journey with K.A.N.E in Kalamata is centred around a project that’s going to help the migrants and promote the migrant crisis in Greece. For me this is an adventure of self discovery, testing my limits and finding out what I’m capable of. Bring it on Kalamata!

I am Yana from Ukraine. For 5 years I was studying architecture in university and I fond of everything about it as well as about natural building. Before coming here I was working as a project coordinator of the workcamps and as freelance graphic designer for different social festivals and non-governmental organizations. The last 4 years I’ve been travelling to different places in Europe such as eco-villages and rural areas helping people and promoting volunteering for peace. All kind of arts, nature, voluntarism, and travel - my biggest passions in life.

MARIAM

Stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things is the best way to grow, and this is what EVS is all about. My name is Mariam, I am 24 and I come from Tunisia. Passionate by traveling, arts, adventures as well as meeting new people and discovering new traditions, places and cultures. I decided to leave all of my normal steady life in Tunisia to come seek inspiration and explore a new way of living in Greece, in the beautiful city of Kalamàta. I would use all of my knowledge and dig even deeper to give the best of me, but also try to learn everything I can from other volunteers, from locals and daily life experience, either languages, dancing, music instrument, sports etc.

MINA

MAJKA

I’m Mina and I’m 28 years old free spirit. I don’t like routine and I think that everything that seems interesting is worth trying. I’m fascinated about human interaction and being part of K.A.NE. gives me the opportunity to meet and work with many beautiful people. I'm into science-fiction and superheroes, and I guess that shaped me into an idealist who believes that there is beauty and courage in everything, no matter how small. Therefore, our duty as human beings is to highlight it.

Hello! I’m Majka, I’m 27 and I’m coming from Poland. I grew up in Warsaw, but the last 8 years I was living in Poznan, Wrocław and Thessaloniki. I’m a printmaker and graphic designer, I’ve finish Academy of Fine Arts and I’ve participate in more than 50 exhibitions worldwide. In Kalamata I will work in the office and I will also create my own projects.

SOFIENE

BILAL

Antoine

Taking a decision to leave everything what you have and take a deep plunge into something unknown is never an easy one. I took such a decision, left my job and decided to take one-in-a- lifetime opportunity to do my EVS in Greece. My name is Sofiene, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; am 26 and I am from a tiny country in North Africa called Tunisia. I am a photographer, videographer, graphic designer and I am here to share my experience and knowledge as well as expand it and acquire new skills. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m social, open minded and always curious about different cultures and meeting beautiful people.

My name is Bilal, I am 25, I am Moroccan but I come from Belgium more precisely from Brussels. I study tourism. I am passioned by boxing and fitness. I will be in Kalamata for 6 months working with Refugees.

Amahoro ! My name is Antoine, I'm 25, I am here for 6 months. I'm a Graphic Designer and engaged humanitarian since 6 years. I joined the ACT (Youth on the Move) project to help migrants and refugees in Europe. I like traveling, meeting new people, music, cinema, my family, my friends, love, parties and pitas.

MEHDI

There are at least as many things to know as there are humans and countries. EVS enables the possibility to know much more about our World. Καλημερα, Hello, my name is Mehdi, I am 24 and I come from France. Passionate about Life and Nature, my biggest motivation is to learn from other cultures, from people, from life. I decided to quit my job there too, so I could catch the opportunity to experience something unique in Greece, in Kalamata, and all the Greek cities I will have the chance to see. I will bring you all I have, and I will learn from everyone all I can.

K.A.NE.

FILARETOS

jelena

NANTIANA

Hello, I am Filaretos Vourkos. For the last 10 years I am working in the field of Non-formal education as a volunteer, youth worker and youth trainer. 6 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.

Hi, I’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 KANE does, so I decided to stay and be part of it.

My name is Nantiana! I’m 25 years old. I live in Kalamata! I was living for 5 years in Patras! I was studying there greek philology and now I’m teaching greek to the youth center in Kalamata.

fotini

VYRON

Nancy

Hi my name is Fotini Arapi and I am project manager in K.A.NE. organization and responsible, among other things, for all sending motilities (sending EVS volunteers, participants in training courses, interns, etc). Apart from my work in K.A.NE., I also volunteer in the Youth Centre of Kalamata, a volunteer initiative managed by a team of local volunteers. I am very proud of and I love the Youth Centre, its dynamic atmosphere, and most of all, its natural inclusiveness that allows everybody to feel “at home” there. See you around :-D

I would describe Vyron as an imaginative fast learning and inventive generalist with a passion for remarkable food and the great outdoors. That’s enough talking about myself in third person. Hello, I am Vyron Giannakopoulos, I consider myself a curious and open-minded person. I am here to help by managing the creative projects of EVS volunteers, planning events, creating new projects and doing anything that will add value to our organisation. In my free time I like exploring new places and learning new things. But feel free to contact me on any issue if you need help. Hello World! I’m Nancy and I’m doing my internship in K.A.NE as a Project Manager. I am really excited to be here because I was always admiring their work especially the Youth Center and Street Festival. I’m passionate about meeting people and exchange knowledge, experiences and ideas. I love the fact that many young people visit every year my hometown Kalamata and contribute in our society.

time evs' timeline

PAQUITA COUPPEY 28

time historical anniversaries of 2018 15th of May 1618 400th of Kepler’s third law of planetary motion January 1718 300th of beginning of French-Spanish War of the Quadruple Alliance 29th of February 1768 250th of Bar Confederation defending the internal and external independence of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth 4th of April 1818 200th – The United States Congress adopts the flag of the United States as having thirteen red and white stripes, and one star for each state 7th of April 1843 175th of signing The Indian Slavery Act removing legal support for slavery within the territories of the East India Company 29th of May 1868 150th of The Capital Punishment Amendment Act 1868 putting an end to public executions for murder in the United Kingdom 5th of May 1893 125th of A crash on the New York Stock Exchange 29

11th of November 1918 100th of the end of WWI 19th of April 1943 75th of Warsawâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ghetto Uprising 11th of October 1968 50th of NASA launching Apollo 7, the first manned Apollo mission 1st of January 1993 25th of Dissolution of Czechoslovakia also known as Velvet Divorce 17th of February 2008 10th of Kosovo formally declaring independence from Serbia

OLA KACZURBA 30

time INTERVIEW WITH CRONUS

INTERVIEWER: Welcome Cronus. What a pleasure to have you here. We are really glad for the fact that you accepted our invitation. CRONUS: The pleasure is mine. Thank you very much for the invitation. I: How do you prefer to be called, Cronus or Saturn? C: Well, I leave the question to your election. It is true that the name of Saturn has better connotation that the name of Cronus. You know... who called me like that, the Romans, had a better vision of mine than the Greeks ones. For the majority of the Greeks I was simply a cruel force, source of chaos and disorder. Ok... maybe the fact of castrating my father and eating my children doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t serve for building a good reputation for me. I: And about Chronos... do you have something to declare or not? Are you the same person or not? What is exactly the relationship between both of you? C: No, actually we are not the same persons, despite the fact that sometimes we had been confused, intentionally or not. This has been happening from antiquity. The similarity between our names may help. It seems that to the pre-Socratics my colleague Chronos was the personification of time, while I... that... merely a bad Titan that wanted to take the power. Do you know also what happened? You knowâ&#x20AC;Ś This entire story with my children, the act of eating them and the fact that finally the story is repeated with my sons defeating me.... truly it fits really well with an allegory about time and about the generational change. 31

I: Your story and the story of your family is one of the best examples of the old saying “chip off the old block”, isn’t it? C: Yes, well, about that... Maybe I didn’t get the throne in the best way, but... I castrated my father only to pay attention to my mother’s pleas, Gea. About using my children like dessert... aaaa, we have been always a really aloof family, don’t take it so personally! I: Anyway, your story has had a considerable success in art. However you have to recognize that, normally, you don’t appear really good-looking. What do you feel after being represented like a monster of disproportionate eyes eating kids, like in the famous Goya’s painting? C: To be honest... I think that my person deserves a bit more of respect. In the case of Goya, I forgot him a long time ago. The poor guy was not in the best moment of his life... I was only one more of his victims. I: Well, thank you very much for your time, but this is over for us. We hope to see you again another time. C: The pleasure has been mine!

ANTÍA FERNÁNDEZ MARTÍNEZ 32

time t i m e t r av e l i s p o s s i b l e . . . m at h e m at i c a l ly at l e a s t !

Physicists have just developed a mathematical model of a "time machine". To build it, it's more complicated. "People think that the temporal travel is science fiction. We think it's impossible because we do not do it. But, mathematically, it is possible". A sentence signed by Ben Tippet, a mathematician and physicist at the Canadian University of British Columbia, who has just completed a study on "a time machine", published in Classical and Quantum Gravity. Great Scott ! Will we be able to travel in time as in Back to the future? Not exactly. The time machine that Ben Tippet imagined with David Tsang, an astrophysicist from the University of Maryland, is actually a kind of "box that moves back and forth through space and time", in a circular motion. Their mathematical model has been dubbed Traversable Acausal Retrograde Domain in Space-time, TARDIS, the same name as Doctor Who's Time Machine. The four dimensions all connected ! "The trick," explain the two scientists, is to use the curvature of space-time in the Universe to "bend time" to form in a time circle. A passenger sitting in the box in time could then move in the future and go back. 33

To be clear? Their mathematical model is based on the idea that we should no longer look at the Universe with a three-dimensional spatial dimension, and secondly a fourth temporal dimension, but rather that we must imagine that these four dimensions work simultaneously. This makes it possible to envisage the possibility of a space-time continuum where the different directions in space and in time are all connected to each other. "Repair eggs and separate milk from coffee" According to Einstein's theory of relativity, the gravitational effects of the Universe are related to space-time, which would explain the elliptical orbits of planets and stars. If the space-time was "flat", the planets would move in a straight line. But according to relativity, the geometry of space-time curves in the neighborhood of objects of high masses, so that moons revolve around planets, and planets revolve around stars. What the two researchers say is that it's not just physical space that can be bent and twisted, but also time. "There is moreover evidence that the closer you are to a black hole [objects whose mass is gigantic], the more the time is slowed," says Ben Tippet. "My time machine model uses spatio-temporal curves to make time pass in a circle rather than in a straight line," he adds. For the passengers of this machine, this circle would bring them into the future, worse in the past. "An outside observer who would look at the person inside this time box would see her evolve in the past, repairing broken eggs and separating the milk from her coffee," says the theoretical physicist. The necessary materials do not exist (yet) To illustrate their point, the two scientists propose an image with two characters. "A" is in the "time machine" and "B" is an observer, the black arrows representing the passage of time. "In his bubble, "A" would see "B" go back in time, then go back up, and outside,"B" would see two 34

versions of "A", one going back in time, and the other going back," explain Researchers. The problem is that even if the mathematical model of Tippett and Tsang was verified, it would still be necessary to build this famous machine... What is strictly impossible today, since the necessary materials do not exist. Scientists admit it, moreover, willingly. "It is mathematically possible, they say, but it is not yet possible to build this machine simply because the materials, which we call exotic matter, which we need to bend space-time have still not discoveredâ&#x20AC;Ś" Hope this day, travelers will have a machine such cool as a DMC DeLorean!!!

ANTOINE WERQUIN 35

time city plaza

In December I spent one week at ÂŤ Hotel City Plaza Âť in Athens. An unique place and the best hotel in Europe as it called. I will try to present the place and its values shortly before speaking about my experience there. City Plaza - what is it ? To understand this place, we need to go more than 1 year and half back. The 22th of April 2016, in the center of Athens activists and refugees took over an abandoned hotel. The aim was to host humanly refugees from all around the world. So they worked all together to transform this place into a Refugees Accommodation and Solidarity Space. The former employees allowed the use of the mobile equipments that have been adjudicated to them after the hotel was closed 6 years ago due to the economic crises. City Plaza is not funded by any NGO, professional funding or state subsidy but by donations from individuals citizens, support vouchers. Nothing but volunteerism is running in this unique hotel. National and international campaigns are organized (by artists, student unions, trades unions, neighborhood organizations) to collect funds. 36

Since the beginning, City Plaza has provided housing for more than 1700 persons (regardless their nationality and resident statut), 3 meals a day for 400 people, hygiene necessities, medical care and support. City Plaza is also enrolling children to school (1/3 of the hotel’s population) and offering goods as hygiene products and baby food where they are needed. Language lessons, cultural events and protests are also organized at/by City Plaza. The daily tasks are shared between the hotel residents. To name only some of them: the kitchen, the security of the building, the reception desk, the warehouse, the cleaning, the foreign language lessons, the activities for kids, the bar (without alcohol)… All the decision are taken collectively. City Plaza is a self-organized space. My experience as a volunteer there Only one week is not enough to understand the organization of the place, neither to fully appreciate its numerous aspects but still, it was enough to realize its strength! I stepped back from the capitalist society to realize, to live, to experiment the power of solidarity. I saw people providing their powers, time and souls for the others. That week also gave my faith in humanity. City Plaza is all about humanity, about equality, about the possibility to live all together. I observed and I took part to peaceful coexistence and to the cooperation between people from all around the world. The differences (cultural, linguistic, religious…) are not a gate to stay away from each other. On the contrary, these aspects are a unique opportunity to learn, to share, to open our minds and become stronger. I will never forget the talks I had with people while I was cutting pumpkins, serving breakfast or drinking tea. So many fascinating stories, so many interesting habits, ways of thinking… I was as a volunteer there but I received much more than I gave ! I met women, men, children with a history, with hobbies, with university and/or professional backgrounds, with hopes, with dreams, with the wish for a happy life… The term « refugee» refers to a huge amount of faceless people but they are individuals like me, like you. City Plaza is offering them a safe place, privacy, stability, dignity and so much more which are essential after all they had to live during their way to Europe and before. «City Plaza stresses a clear political message: decent living conditions for everyone is possible, even in a country as burdened by crisis as Greece». May this place spread seeds which will allow human living conditions for all these men, women, children who came in Europe to save their life. I will finish this article by quoting City Plaza’s call: 37

« Even though City Plaza’s expenses when compared to those of the official camps, are over 1/5 less, fresh food and heating oil take up a large portion of City Plaza’s budget. There are also many other expenses — medicines, laundry and school materials, cleaning and hygiene products etc.[…]. We ask for local groups and initiatives to organize solidarity events, parties, to spread the message. Collective or private individuals outside Greece can use the Best Hotel in Europe platform (from Germany), or they are very welcome to donate directly by coming to City Plaza. Support is also important because the very real threat of eviction hangs over City Plaza. An eviction order was published by the state prosecutor in April 2017, ordering the police to carry it out but it first has to overcome the broad solidarity movement of City Plaza, and so far, the Greek government has appeared to tolerate Plaza and the other refugee’ housing squats». Useful links : The website solidarity2refugees.gr/

http://

The facebook page (in english) https://www.facebook.com/ sol2refugeesen/ Best Hotel in Europe platform for donation: https://best-hotelin-europe.eu/

OPHÉLIE COTTIER 38

time t i m e i n a rt

Venus, Cupid, Folly and Time, Agnolo Bronzino, 1545 This work, created by Florentine mannerist artist, you can see now in the National Gallery, London. On the first plan we can see Venus and Cupid and at the right up corner a bearded Time. Behind him we can see the hourglass - one of the first devices to count time. With his strong and dynamic gesture Time provides a screen between the figures in the fore and background - the Lovers and Jealousy, Folly, Fraud and Nothingness (the eye less figure). Maybe after all everything is a matter of time. Maybe time is just a very thin and delicate curtain between good and bad, pleasure and pain. But maybe time is just an illusion, the explanation of perspective we choose. Many scholars believe that his gesture seems to say "Time is fleeting, and you never know when it may be all overâ&#x20AC;?. 39

The Rouen Cathedral series, Claude Monet, 1890s Most of the works from this serie of Claude Monet, the father of Impressionist movement, you can see now in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. All this serie is made from the exact same view at the exact same Cathedral. What is changing than, why he decided to create all serie of works instead of just one, you can ask. The answer is easy: light and time. The way we see things depends on light. It will be different in different time of the day, year, season, in rain, with snow, in fog or in the sun. Monet seria is, like all impressionism, is a heroic attempt to catch the light, to speak about it but always in time given. “The Persistence of Memory”, Salvador Dali, 1931 In this painting we can without doubts see its connection with time. Dali painted 4 big size pocket clocks in a seaside landscape from Catalonia. Three of them are melted ‘like a camembert in the sun’ (as Dali said) and one of them is covered by ants often used as a symbol of decay. The self-declared surrealist is showing us how liquid a concept of time may become in our dreams. Fascinated by psychology and concept of subconsciousness artworks of Dali are "hand-painted dream photographs". According to critic Dawn Ades: ”the soft watches are an unconscious symbol of the relativity of space and time." Counted Paintings, Roman Opałka, since 1965-2011 In 1965 Roman Opałka, a polish artist, started his life long project "1965 / 1 – ∞". Starting at the top left-hand corner of the canvas and finishing at the bottom righthand corner, the tiny numbers were painted in horizontal rows. One canvas, after another, continuously counting. Each painting was 1% more bright starting from black background with white numbers and finishing with white on white. Since 70s he also 40

started recording his voice during painting. The infinite counting is kind of a document of life, as long as it lasts. The seria finished in 2011 due to Opałka’s death. He wrote about his works “Time as we live it and as we create it embodies our progressive disappearance. We are at the same time alive and in the face of death — that is the mystery of all living beings.” “The World Flag Ant Farm”, Yukinori Yanagi, 1990 This work made by a Japanese artist is constantly changing. There is no way to see it ever again at the same stage. The artwork is created by means of colored sand formed in the world flags - and a corridor with ants. Living and moving inside the installation, ants are creating the visual distortions in the coherency of the flags. The artist, playing with the concept of national identity, is showing how in our time the cultural diversity is embracing and changing our way of defining a country. “The Minimum Monument Project”, Néle Azevedo, since 2004 The project created by a Brazilian artist is also connected with time. The project consists of thousands of ice sculptures that are taken to central places in cities and with help of the passers-by, are left to melt. The sculptures are tiny men and women, 20 cm tall. It has totally ephemeral caracter. It’s possible to see only during around 5 minutes. The aim of this project is to redefine the way we think about the monument. ‘In the place of the hero, the anonym; in the place of the solidity of the stone, the ephemeral process of the ice; in the place of the monument scale, the minimum scale of the perishable bodies” Azevedo explains.

MAJKA DOKUDOWICZ 41

time m elt i n g t i m e

So far, it’s my 6944th day on Earth. I was born on 426th anniversary of Warsaw Confederation (first European act granting religious freedoms) and 186th anniversary of first publish of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice in United Kingdom. The song "We Are the World" was recorded with involvement of more than 40 artists 14 years before my birth. The number-one hit song in the U.S. at the day of my birth was Baby One More Time by Britney Spears (Yes… you are that old). My zodiac sign is Aquarius, Chinese sign is tiger and my element is earth. By the time you have read this, 58 people got married, 54 died, the Earth moved 900 kilometers, 150,000 tons of ice had melted in Antarctica. Your heart pumped 188 liters of blood, you blinked approximately 5 times. We can’t live without time. It’s the non-explanatory, invisible creation that build and shape us. It gives us life. And takes it away… 42

It’s been more than 5500 years since first civilization, 2794 since organization of first Olympic games, 1542 from fall of Imperium Romanum, 964 years than the East-West Schism took plane, 201 from Luther’s thesis, 73 from the end of WWII, 29 since the Berlin Wall demolition, 13 that Facebook was founded, 5 since Francis became a pope, 1 since Donald Trump was elected president. Divided in two parts. We labeled it. Organized in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, seasons, years, centuries, eras… We named it. Captured in photography, songs, words. We saved it. But we didn’t tame it. We didn’t break it. We didn’t master it. We didn’t own it. 51, Love me Two Times – The Doors; 45, Time – Pink Floyd; 35, Time After Time – Cyndi Lauper; 31, Sign ‘O the Times – Prince; 23, Time To Say Goodbye - Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman; 17, One More Time – Daft Punk; 6, It’s Time – Imagine Dragons; 1 – Sign Of The Times – Harry Styles How abstract it is. Invisible but not unseen. Cruel but not evil. Unstoppable but not capturable. Stable but unpredictable. Melting but not liquid. Wastable but not unprofitable. Endless but killable. I theatrically performed more than 60 times, I cut my hair 32 times (Yes, I counted!), I had birthdays 18 times, I was abroad 11 times, I changed phones 5 times, I changed school 4 times, I moved 3 times, I was in a relationship 1 time, I was in hospital 0 times. It’s about time. We are not behind it. We don’t race with it. After all we are just biding because it’s all just a matter of time when we will run out of it. OLA KACZURBA 43

time t i m e t o le a r n to c h o o s e

As my time here as an EVS volunteer comes to an end, David Foster Wallace pops in my head more than ever. In his speech at Kenyon College, in 2005, for a graduation ceremony, that I have heard countless times, he shows me the obvious: we have a choice. But I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really understand it yet. Life has sense of humor. After 11 years of singing in a choir, a master in Art Education (where I learnt nothing about non-formal education, although the nature of our master should lead us there), and some actual non-formal education teaching experiences, I came here to finally understand the power of non-formal education. I love literature since I discovered it, I was about 10 or 11 years old; I also worked with books in most of my jobs. Writing was part of my life as well â&#x20AC;&#x201C; first as recreational activity, then as a kind of therapy or part of my research activity. Language was then a tool. It is still a tool, although I see it more and more as a cultural one. What I came here to understand was that language is also a true passion. 44

I was always a goal-driven person, and I work hard to achieve what I want. I came here to understand that goals and dreams are not the same thing at all. And, I hope, to learn how to choose to dream. In the end I only learnt about what I already knew. But I’m not leaving with what I brought; before I just didn’t have the time to realize what I already knew, to be aware of it, and to know how to position myself regarding my previous knowledge. Here I finally found the time to work on it from a personal point of view – I had the time to experience things in a different way and to feel in which shoes I want to walk, as well as to have a clearer picture of how I want the hike to be. Life has also its own sense of time. As they say, when the disciple is ready, the Master will appear. EVS was the right time bubble that allowed me to realize what I couldn’t before, although it was just in front of me. Besides that life happens, even in a bubble: you laugh, you cry, you get frustrated, you feel glad, you fall in love. And so you learn. What we do with our learning process is up to us and us only. It’s probably our first choice here, and we should choose regardless the conditions, regardless the difficulties, regardless other’s opinion; to choose by looking inside. We do have a choice, but choices require time: the time to learn how to make those choices and to choose them accordingly to the person we want to become. Choosing to come here was just the beginning.

JOANA GANILHO MARQUES 45

time

3 6 1 d ays i n g r e e c e

7 months later August was full of travel events. Even though it was extremely hot that month, we managed to leave the house and go to Kyparissia where we were hiding ourselves under the shade of trees. That month was also special by one event -- we went to hike one of the highest mountains in Greece at Night! (about this i was writing in the LINK #98, p. 12). I also went to beautiful city of Mathoni, hiking on Proti Island and one night we went to camp the east beach of Kalamata! 8 months later September started for me with a new place to live. I left EVS house to live with Yann in the house by the sea. Many things were connecting me to that house, many memories, people and even things that we were putting around to make it feel like home! Together with Sara we created an amazing event Pame Parko! (about this event you can read in the LINK #99, p. 17). I was so proud of us! But then Sara left… and something turned off. It felt like together with her my EVS also finished! I was extremely sad and demotivated… But suddenly a new project came into my hands -- volunteering in the Youth Center and creating posters for the events there! 9 months later New people came. Now it is our turn to call those guys “new people”, just like 9 month ago we had this nickname hahaha! We went together for the beach cleaning in Voidokilia 46

and it was one of our first things we did together. But it is still feels like we are not “connected”. There is something like a teambuilding is missing. We just said goodbye to our friends, to EVS who just left, and it feels like we are not ready yet to open our hearts for new friendships. But it’s just a matter of time... It was time also for Molly to leave. Before she left we decided to make a trip to Mistras! And then she left… And after she left, this city became so empty for me… 10 months later It took a lot of time for me to adapt to my new reality, to get used to new people, to life with my boyfriend in another house. But now it seems like I am ready again to share my knowledge, to create something. I have a fresh thoughts. And I’m already preparing myself mentally that it is only 2 month left… 11 months later One month left. It is extremely strange and unbelievable.I really don’t want to get back home. I want to explore more! I want to do something here! There is so many things to be improved here and I really feel like we have a power to do it. I feel a new energy, but… it is too late. Have I done enough? Did I use all my resources that I could use to develop something? Did I inspire somebody? If I would change something in the beginning, what it would be? Did I give maximum of myself to the project I was doing? Did I arrange enough events? What if I could have 2 more month what would I do? So many questions now in my head. And this last month is a time to answer it. To make evaluation of the whole circle of EVS life. 12 month later will be in… 4 days.

YANA VOLKOVA 47

i n t e rv i e w w i t h a l o ca l V O L U N T E ER I N T ERV I E W W I T H M a r i a

Good evening, Maria! How are you? Still in holiday mood? No, I was ready to start my work immediately. We met with you in the Youth Center, KENTRO NEON KALAMATA. Is it the only occupation of yours? No, I have a normal job. I work in a school as a teacher of technology. Hm... In Russia we don't have this kind of classes. Could you be more specific? Together with youngsters (13-15 y.o.) we construct different things. The aim is to put a student in the position of a constructor and learn how the inventor decided sizes, materials, etc. All students like my classes. In the first class of Gymnasium they construct an individual project, in the second class they do as it as a team, in the thirdwe work with experiments. How did you find yourself in volunteering? Your job is not related to it. I had a small experience. When I was a student in Athens, I worked with people who speak sign language. 48

What kind of work you helped with? Mostly going to the supermarkets and playing with them in a Day Care Center. Looking back to the beginning of your voluntary work, what was your most memorable moment? It was many years ago. Still I remember it clearly like it was yesterday. It was not strange ... but interesting to see how they live. It was meaningful. I realized that they are like the other people. What do you like about donating your time to the Youth Center? Although I don't have much time, I like to spend a bit of my time here. I like the concept. Firstly, offer to the society all the workshops without getting too much money. Instructors and all who help here, they are volunteers. And the second thing that I like is that I'm surrounded by young people from different countries. I have the opportunity to talk with them, learn about their languages, cultures, countries. Now it is eventful time for Greece, as far as I know. Do you like it or prefer another season? Of course, I don't like it. I'd prefer 10 years ago when the things were much better, before the crisis. When our income is lower, that's bad. When you have a family you have to program your life in another way. It's true. Family makes corrections. Yet which activities you like in Kalamata? I like to go to theatrical performances, performances with piano in the Cultural Center. Don't like carnivals and parades. Last Christmas I attended concert. Three musicians as a band from South Italy delivered good music. That was wonderful. I suppose that you met EVS volunteers from several countries, right? Impression for which country is the most positive/vivid/complete? Lucia from Spain. We went out many times for coffee, she was at my home, we talked much. We had a good chemistry. She was my Spanish language teacher. What might (someone) be surprised to know about you? Probably, that I was a champion in table tennis in 1989 in Greece. Nobody can believe that I could play sport. Maybe also languages: Greek, Spanish, French, German, once upon a time I was learning Serbian also. Ah... I was learning Chinese for 1 year as I was going to Beijing to study for tennis couch. Finally, I decided to stay in Greece, got 49

specialization of Civil engineer. After that - 10 amazing years around Greece, Germany (Berlin) where we constructed buildings, bridges, airports. Wow! It's high time to open your own classes in the Youth Center? I wanted to offer design classes, but it requires special equipment - which requires money... It's true that we can't provide students with everything... Let's keep the lesson for the future. I've learnt about Greece in school while reading Legends of Ancient Greece. Do you remember any characters? Every Greek knows all adorable 12 gods. They lived as humans, that's why we like them. Hercules and Odysseus are my idols. Hercules isn't a fairy tale like many people think, he is more meaningful... If you read between lines, you'll understand. Odysseus had a life full of experiences, everyone has to live his life, self-knowledge trip for a man. He traveled a lot (like me), met people, faced difficult situations. And never gave up. And had a goal - to come back home, always. I understood that you are admired by Gods. Which Goddess you are similar to? Artemis, living in the forests. Her favorite animal is a deer. Her arms are a bow and arrows. I'm also free minded, would prefer living in the woods alone. But I'm married and have 3 children! (Smile) So in the next life I'd like to be like Artemis! Maria, it was pleasure talking to you. Thank you so much!

ANGELINA KAYSINA 50

i n t e rv i e w w i t h a n E VS V O L U N T E ER I N T ERV I E W W I T h paqu i ta

Hey, Paquita! Thank you for taking the time do make this interview! Tell us something about you. Hey, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a pleasure! So, I firsta saw the light f day n the 5th of January 1991, in Normandy, France. I started art school at 6 years old in the same city. When I was young I travelled all around France and every weekend in England with my parents because of their job. All these travels were connected to arts. Whe I was 18 I started the supperior art school in the same region. During my 4th year of studies I participated in a student exchange in Quebec, Canada for 1 semester. I got my Arts & Media Masters degree there. I came back to France when I was 23 and I moved to Marssilia (the city of the Sun). There I founded an association that deals with upcycling. After, I created my own project in the field of economics, solidarity and entepreneurship. When I was 25, I decided to connect all my skills and become an art therapist. 51

So, you did so many interesting things…when and why did you decide to come to Greece to become an EVS? It’s been some time since I was thinking to go abroad because I was missing traveling. I just got back from an internship in Caledonia and I decided to search for EVS. Volunteerism is connected to what I did so it was obvious for me that this is what I want. Also, I am working in an NGO that deals with other volunteers and I’m used t this way of life. I found this project in Kalamata that is connected to my field and I thought it was a great opportunity and also, I’ve never been to Greece before. Since when are you here and how long are you staying? I arrived in Kalamata on the 11th of October and I’m staying until September. What was your first impression of your EVS life and how is it now? When I arrived, I was alone in the house and I was a bit scared that it’s gonna be a while untl people will come. But right the next day, in the morning, Mehdi came and at night, you arrived. After a few 52

weeks, it was Mirella, and right after, Majka moved to our house! At first, I had a bit of trouble communicating with everyone (yes, you!) but when Majka came with her “Rose Tattoo” (click it!) the atmosphere changed completley. Now, Bouloukou is my new family! I’m very happy you think this! And what about your work? Again, at first the communication was a bit difficult but after a few days I’ve met Amalia and things started to be great! I love what I do in the horse center and I discovered other ways of approaching therapy. I’ve learned a lot since I’m here and I’m sure that I still have a lot of interesting things to learn. I love the fact that there are many activities in the same place and that my actual work is outdoors! Do you have something planned for your stay here? I plan to explore and get involved in other activities and projects where I can use and combine all my skills and hope for the best. That’s nice and I wish you good luck! Thank you for your time, Paquita! …..my life ;)

MINA DUMA 53

Past event n ew Y ea r Ba r B eQu e

As all of us know, New Year is a pretty big thing. Lot of people find motivation to change, have a fresh start into the 365 days that will come. It’s also the time of celebrations and happiness. We find occasion to sit with our friends and family and simply enjoy our company… and food… Four days after the last number of the date officially has changed, all of us, volunteers and our mentors came to our organization’s (K.A.NE’s) office to do the impossible – eat 100 σουβλάκια and don’t get overeaten. Accompanied by some wine and rakija, nice people and music, we began to celebrate. BBQ was put on, smell of the meat slowly filled the air and yet, it was just the beginning. 54

The climax of the night was cutting the Βασιλόπιτα – traditional cake with a coin inside. It is believed that whoever gets the piece with a coin, will have a lot of luck in the upcoming year. Everyone was excited and impatiently awaited to get their piece. The lucky girl was no one other then Nαντιανά – out Greek teacher! We all wish her prosperity and welfare! The event finished late, all souvlaki ended in our stomachs but the joy and good memories will stay in our minds. May this night be a good start of the year that is just about to happen!

OLA KACZURBA 55

future event Pelo po n n isos I nter nati o nal D o cu m enta ry Festiva l From January the 24th to February the 7th, Kalamata is hosting the 4th Peloponnisos International Documentary Festival. The festival is also taking place in Amaliada, Sparta, Gythio, Argos and Dimitsana, but during the last 10 days of January the main events are centered in Kalamata. The Creative Document Center of Kalamata is organizing this event, which is more than only a festival with masterclasses, seminars, parallel events, tributes, an educational zone… The aim is to promote the cinematic genre of documentary and inspire people (especially the young audience) to create their own productions. The second goal is to develop the cultural life in the region and give the access to European cinematographic productions. The topic of the 4th edition special tribute is “Cinema and Health”. Projections, theatrical events, a visual exhibition and a two - day event with the participation of specialists and creators will be part of the special tribute. For the second year 1000 € will be awarded for the best Greek and international documentaries. Useful information: All the documentaries are screened with English and Greek subtitles All screenings, parallel events and seminars are open to the public The entrance is free The opening ceremony is the 24th at 8 p.m. and the first screening is at 6 p.m. the same day The full program: http://www.peloponnisosdocfestival.com/program-2018/ 56

OPHÃ&#x2030;LIE COTTIER 57

MY SENDING ORGANISATION Merseyside Expanding Horizons (MEH)

Merseyside Expanding Horizons (MEH) is a non-profit voluntary organisation based in Liverpool, UK. It is acknowledged as a special agency with skills in the direct delivery and services for the local community. What do they do? Training (e.g. filmmaking for young peopleâ&#x20AC;Ś) Opportunities to volunteer Supporting in job seeking Youth exchange in the UK and abroad. I am a part of the ACT project. The ACT partnership includes the organisations KANE (Greece), USB (Greece), ADICE (France), Dynamo International (Belgium) and Per Esempio (Italy). The AIMS of MEH and the ACT project: Creating innovative citizen pathways for young people Providing them with the opportunity to realize a volunteering project with migrants or refugees 58

The project itself will involve 54 youngsters from Roubaix, Liverpool, Brussels, Greece and Italy in volunteering projects supporting vulnerable migrants. The organisation provides accommodation, pocket money, insurance and transport costs as well as training in: Intercultural communication Different status of the migrants Fundamental Human Rights Situation in Greece and Italy regarding migration Basic knowledge of Italian or Greek How I found my sending organisation: In my personal experience, the organisation and the opportunity were recommended to me by a family member, who heard about it from an ex colleague. My suggestion for finding opportunities like this is being well connected within your community.

JANAE-AMIRA JUSSA 59

LINK FEBRuary 1st 2018

The volunteers responsible for this publication are hosted in Greece in the framework of the European Erasmus+ programme, KA1/youth - European Voluntary Service. This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.