LINK M A R C H 1 ST 2 0 1 8
N°109
March Editor: Ophélie Cottier
Designer: Antía Fernández Martínez
Cover Photo: Antía Fernández Martínez
LINK
#LINKEXPLORE
CONTENT Contact 5 About us 6 Youth Center - program 14 How Carnival is Celebrated in my Country 16 This Was for Me a Revolution 18 Antía Fernández Martínez 20 Ophélie Cottier Bilal Zegoud
22 24
Majka Dokudowicz
26
Angelina Kaysina Maria Nadja Schädler Alexandru Ioan Costea Vlad Diculescu Rúben Pires Afonso Diniz Moita Angelina Kaysina
28 30 32 33 34 36 38
Paquita Couppey
39
EVS, K.A.NE.
Carnival Carnival Carnival: a Brief Anthropological Approach Carnival in Greece 5 fun activities to do during the Carnival holidays in Belgium The Harlequin's Carnival, J o a n Mi ro Visual Revolution My Project My Project My Sending Organization Interview With an EVS Volunteer "Tsiknotetarth" in the YC Future Event in the Youth Center Drawing
K.A.NE. EVS: Afonso Diniz Moita Alexandru Ioan Costea Angelina Kaysina Antía Fernández Martínez Claudia Andreo González Majka Dokudowicz Maria Nadja Schädler Mehdi Jaffar Mina Duma Ola Kaczurba Ophélie Cottier Paquita Couppey Rúben Pires Vlad Diculescu
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
6
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 capital 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.
RUBEN
OPHELIE
AntIa
Olá! I’m Rúben from Portugal. I’m a landscape architect and a brewer (I already tasted greek craft beer!). Usually I’m quiet, but I love adventures and new challenges, that’s why I choose to apply to be an EVS. To me, being a voluntary is an opportunity to improve my skills as a landscape architect, as a cultural curious, and finally, as a social person. Best regards!
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
AFONSO
JAE
MAJKA
8
Hello. My name is Afonso, I'm 21 years old, I come from Lisbon, Portugal. I will be in Kalamata for a 2 months EVS project. I'm currently finishing my bachelor’s degree in International Relations. Before starting my final semester of university, I wanted to have the opportunity of doing something different, because what is better than living a new experience with the possibility of gaining new knowledge right before an important stage in life?
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!
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.
ALEXANDRU
MINA
CLAUDIA
Salut! 24 years and introductions are still a challenge, but here I am, learning. Learning is one of my passions, but so is adventuring. As long as remember I used any opportunity to study and explore. Finished university in political sciences with a taste for youth work and social projects. I work an office job, but here I am again, taking the first steps into another learning experience, and adventure. With love, Alex, from Romania.
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.
Hey, I’m Claudia a Spanish girl from Barcelona. I turned 18 in October and the first things I wanted to do before is know the world and learn of the facts that can give you travel. By the way, I’m a passional person who is interested of art stuffs but also in society, so I just decided to participate in this project at Kalamata working with people with disabilities. Work with this persons its also for me an artistic way to know how life is around in my no comfort zone, and I’m learning a lot of everyone. I love my family here and I don’t want to leave, please EVS don’t finish. 9
VLAD
BILAL
Antoine
10
I’m from Romania and in the last 10 years I was mostly a tourist in my home country. I like to travel and I do it a lot. I’m working as an electrical engineer and whenever I have the chance I like to go biking and play backgammon. I like parties and good music, during free time I like to read about marketing, business and personal development. Most of my student time I was spending in youth organizations and I want to develop more into social enterprise / NGO / youth work.
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
MARIA
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.
Hallo. I’m Maria Schädler from Liechtenstein and I’m 19 years old. I finished high school this summer and now I’m doing EVS to take a break before attending university and hopefully studying social education. Working at my parent’s restaurant and now working at the dog-rescue-center is going to be a nice experience before my normal life routine will begin. Because it might be interesting I’ll answer some often-asked questions about Liechtenstein. Yes, we are a very small country (37000 people in 167km2) and we do speak German. It’s a pleasure to meet you all. Lots of Love, Maria.
11
K.A.NE.
FILARETOS
jelena
NANTIANA
12
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.
13
14
15
CA R N I VA L how carnival is celebrated in my country CAEN (FRANCE) In the french city of Caen (Normandy), takes place since 1894 the “Student Carnival”. Every year, the third Thursday of March, more than 20.000 students (and youth in general) parade into the streets from the campus to the exhibition park of the city. “Monsieur Carnaval” is burnt at the end of the afternoon and then concerts are starting. This Carnival is known as one of the biggest in Europe.
SPAIN In Spain, the Carnival is a pretty important festivity, but its celebrations differs from one city to another. Two of the most important and famous Carnival that we have are the Carnival of Cadiz and the Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Also, in relation to Galicia, we have to highlight the Carnival of Verín, Laza or Viana do Bolo. I cannot explain you so briefly their magic, you must go to some of them and discover it for yourself!
ROMANIA In Romania we don’t have a big tradition for Carnival but one of the parades I like the most is in Lasi during spring, where all the youth and student organizations participate in a parade around the city, which ends with a big concert. More than 1000 students are taking part to this parade and each organization prepare a different theme which can be very creative.
16
OLHÃO (PORTUGAL) My city doesn’t have a big tradition about carnival, usually it’s a festive time for the younger. They have one school day that they go with combined costumes and do a little parade around the city. I loved that day when I was a child because they gave us free snacks!
RUSSIA Instead of Carnival, we celebrate one-week-long (12-19 February) Maslenitsa with its attributes: puncakes, street festivities, dressings in authentic costumes and stage performances. The culmination takes place on Sunday when the huge straw Lady Maslenitsa is bonfired, marking the end of winter. Spring, we've been waiting for you!
LIECHTENSTEIN In Liechtenstein we go completely crazy at Carnival. There are multiple masked balls, long parades (1-2 hours) and child masked balls. Also there are the concerts of the bands we specially have for carnival. Almost everyone dresses up at least one time, often in big groups, to enjoy the 5th season together with everyone.
POLAND In Poland we don’t hugely celebrate Carnival, in reality we don’t celebrate it at all (except several “private” parties) but in the past the time before lent was an occasion to host a feast in nobilities’ manor houses as well as many folk celebrations (Zapusty) were being hold in villages.
17
CA R N I VA L THIS WAS FOR ME A REVOLUTION ALEXANDRU - ALTERNATIVE MEDIA The dawn of alternative media – News have always captured our attention and imagination. Since the first newspaper prints to the 24/7 new channels, we were feed information that changed our society and our lives forever. Now, with social medias being in peak usage, and the “mainstream” losing terrain, the best solution to feed out information hunger are alternative media: Facebook, Twitter, News sites, etc. Always connected to our devices to get the first and the most diverse sources of information out there, that, is what I’d call The Information Revolution
ANTÍA - CARNATION REVOLUTION When I hear the word revolution always a a historical revolution cames to my mind the Carnation Revolution (in Portuguese, Revolução dos Cravos), due to the symbological meaning that it has, especially for a Spanish girl like me. Two so closed countries and two so different ways to finish with our dictartoship and to confront the power: whereas in Portugal they raised pacifically flowers, our dictator died in his bed. Thanks, Portuguese people, for that moral lesson!
MARIA – LIECHTENSTEIN My personal revolution was simply getting old enough to get along nicely with my relatives. I’ve never had a bad relationship with them, they all are just at least 10 years older than me and they were not laughing at my jokes and I didn’t understood theirs. My life and my interest have completely changed since I am a ‘fully accepted’ part of them.
18
OPHÉLIE - TED.COM The TED nonprofit organization is to me a revolution. You just need internet connection to have access to powerful talks, subtitled in more than 100 languages. A place of free knowledge from every discipline and culture to better understand the world, to get inspired, to think, to learn… All the talks or lessons are fascinating and some deeply change my way of living and thinking!
RÚBEN – LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE One of my personal revolution was when I was at university and had contact with some disciplines that made me more sensitive about minorities and our planet. Doing the Landscape Architecture Master gave me tools to make differences, for example in cities, like planning natural parks and be sensitive about accessibility for all.
VLAD - JAY ABRAHAM For the last 10 years, I got really interested about business and personal development. During this time I studied many of the big names and for me, a personal revolution was when I discovered Jay Abraham and his work. He is the top business consultant / strategist who grew thousands of businesses from startups to 500 top companies.
ANGELINA - VISUAL REVOLUTION Modern people tend to bring and share their ideas via social networks posts, photos, paintings. Being active users of FB, twitter, readers/ followers of diverse blogs we are the details of a revolutionary machine, which brings conservative mind-thinkers to hysteria. And provokes the supporters to unite for drastic changes. POLITICAL issues excluded. 19
CA R N I VA L A BRIEF ANTHROPOLOGICAL APPROACH
In the contemporary occidental societies, our Carnival is connected with the religious calendar, taking place six weeks before the beginning of the Easter. But this is not an accidental fact; on the contrary, all the significance of this festivity lies in its timing: the Carnival means exaggeration, chaos and break of rules just before the Easter period of withdrawal. Actually, the subversion and paganism of the Carnival are the elements that make possible the religious period of Easter. One of the main scholars of the Carnival during the 20s, Mijail Bahtin, linked the phenomenon of this festivity with factors like corporeality (especially in practice like the process of animalization of the bodies, characteristic of these types of festivities) or polyphony (its means, the multitude, the people). All the Carnival process pursues the same finality than the grotesque: the subversion of the reality’s order. But if the Carnival is disorder, it is a controlled disorder, and historically, it has served like one of the principal elements of social control by the religious and political powers. The Carnival provided to the lowest stratums of the society the fleeting illusion that 20
the classes and the social differences had been broken: for some days, the harlequin could play to be a king, for some days, the Carnival turned our known world inside out and nobody could be sure of what was the “real” order. And there all the power, the huge power of the Carnival, lied. This sudden “chaos” was also the same that permitted the maintenance of the social control. This illusion of breakup was the one that allowed the acceptance of the rules by the people during the rest of the year; this illusion was the escape valve of their social aspirations, of their desire of change. Do you know the refrain that says that calm comes after the storm? The Carnival was the storm that permitted the calm of the Easter.
These entire opposed concepts are perfectly showed in the upper picture by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, The Fight Between Carnival and Lent (1559), since it presents us the elements of grotesque (the Carnival) in front of the spirituality and the seclusion that Lent represents. The grotesque is reproduced in the community, in the fixed characters and in the vague border between the everyday nature and the festivity. Enjoy the party! ANTÍA FERNÁNDEZ MARTÍNEZ 21
CA R N I VA L C A R N I VA L I N G R E E C E
What I learnt from Internet and my current experience here in Greece about Carnival. Carnival period is important because it arrives ahead of the 40 days Lenten fast, which is mainly keeping up in Greece. Those two celebrations matter because they are related to Eastern (Πάσχα), which is the most important Orthodox celebration. Carnival, Απόκριες in greek, means «away from meat». The celebrations are starting 10 weeks before Eastern and are lasting 3 weeks. Carnival’s roots seem to come from Ancient Greece and celebrations in honour of Dionysos, the God of wine, wine and its effects, madness and immoderation. If Greeks are celebrating Carnival time so much maybe is it because they invented it?! The first week of Carnival is called «Profoni» which means “announce”. It is a tradition to announce the beginning of the Carnival season from a high point in each village. The second week is «Kreatini», the meat-eating week. The Thursday of this week is Τσικνοπέμπτη or «smoked Thursday» because everybody is grilling meat. 22
At the end of the week this is Psihosavato, or All-Soul’s Saturday. On this day, the kollyva is traditionally eating. A dish made with boiled whole wheat kernels and decorated with pomegranate seeds, currants, powdered sugar, walnuts, parsley and cinnamon, is brought to church and sometimes to the graves of the dead as an offering. The third week is called «Tyrini», the main food eaten are eggs and meals with milk. Tiropita, galatopita, creamy rice pudding, phyllo-wrapped semolina…are some of the traditional dishes. This week and so the Carnival time are ending with Parades in the cities, the burning of the Kind of Carnival and the «Sunday of cheese». The last thing traditionally eaten is an egg, which will be the first eaten to break the Lent, 40 days later. About the dates in 2018: - Sunday the 28th of January: beginning of the Carnival period. Opening of the holy book in the Church. - From the 28th of January to the 4th of February: Profini week. - From the 4th to the 11th of February: Meat-eating week. - Thursday the 8th of February: Τσικνοπέμπτη – «smoked Thursday». - From the 11th to the 18th of February: Week of the cheese. - Friday the 16th to Sunday the 18th: Parades in the cities, the king of Carnival is burnt. - Sunday the 18th of February: Cheesy Sunday. - Monday the 19th of February: Καθαρά Δευτέρα Clean Monday – Beginning of the Lent. Eastern will be the 8th of April this year in Greece. OPHÉLIE COTTIER 23
CA R N I VA L 5 fun activities to do during the Ca r n i va l h o l i d ays i n B e l g i u m
Relaxing days are coming, it's time for fun! You will not have to travel far away to have a good time: Belgium also offers so many activities to do with your family, with friends or as a couple during the Carnival holidays! Here are some suggestions: 1. Enjoy the atmosphere of the Carnival Disguising, throwing confetti, attending Carnival parades and having a big party! This is what we mean by 'Carnival'. You do not have to go to Venice or Rio De Janeiro to celebrate it, in Belgium too there are a lot of festivities renowned for their atmosphere. Think of Aalst Carnival! In the vicinity of Holiday Suites destinations there are also many festivities: the parades in Blankenberge and Hasselt are definitely worthing it! Live the carnival party and do not forget your costume! 2. The Carnival festival in Hasselt with the whole family! Do your children love theater, dance and art? The carnival festival in Hasselt is, then, the activity par excellence for you! This festival, organized by the cultural center, offers many workshops in which you and your children can prove your creative talents. 24
3. Bike rides along the nodes-nodes
Cycling is not only good for your health, it can also positively influence your mood! The Carnival holidays are then the perfect opportunity to go for a bike ride. Compose your course and discover new places! 4. Take a walk in nature
The advantage of going for walks? You can do it everywhere and for free! Both in Limburg and on the coast you can take beautiful walks. In addition, the landscapes are everywhere very different! Choose a beautiful day for a walk and take your family with you. Why do not take a picnic to enjoy a meal at an idyllic place? Or installing a step counter on your smartphone to record the number of kilometers? At the end of the day you will definitely be proud of yourself! 5 Take a walk in cuistax at the sea
The coast offers much more than just the possibility of walks or bike rides. What do you think of a cuistax ride? Fun is guaranteed for the little and the biggest ones! On the seasides you can also rent other means of transport, such as bicycles, tandems, electric cars... BILAL ZEGOUD 25
CA R N I VA L T h e H a r le q u i n's Ca r n i va l , Joan Miro
The Harlequin's Carnival (Spanish: Carnaval de Arlequín) is called one of the best surrealistic painting ever. It’s made by Joan Miro, spanish painter, known mostly due to his abstract paintings. Although this one is not realistic it’s not abstract neither - we can see some more or less distorted forms and things. We call this kind of paintings figurative. This artwork was created in 19241925. The same year, it was also presented at Miro’s solo exhibition in Paris at the Pierre Gallery. The exhibition was attended by popular surrealist painters of the time (among others: Masson, Dali and Redon). The exhibition turned out to be a success and the visitors showed interest and appreciation for his work. Miro’s became most eye-catching artists in Paris after the exhibition. 26
At the first look the artwork may look messy, slovenly and random. And it is, indeed. Miro was, at this time, intrigue by one of surrealistic technique used in literature called automatic writing. In his painting, particularly doodling or automatic drawing, helps to achieve the dream like atmosphere. Let’s take a closer look at his artwork now. As the title suggest - there is a Harlequin at the painting. He’s the figure with a half-red, half-blue mask. What is the idea behind Harlequin? This character comes from italian commedia dell’arte. In this popular form of theater, the Harlequin is a foolish stock character who is perpetually unsuccessful in love. Artists often used the Harlequin as a stand-in for themselves. It’s not different for Miro. He often mentioned, that created this painting he had so little money that all he could afford to serve a friend for dinner were radishes. He described coming home at the end of a day without food and, in a kind of trance, drawing the forms that were the genesis of this painting. Hence, the hole in Harlequin’s stomach may allude to Miró’s own poverty and hunger. The mask he’s wearing have a disgusted or even sad face. That’s not really carnival mood. But Harlequin is the only one that seems not enjoying the feast. Maybe due to the hunger, maybe with a metaphorical meaning about the role of the artist in the society. As I mention before other figures seems to be happy and cheerful. We can know it from the gestures they make (open arms, celebrating, smiling). The whole painting was permeated with pure, happy and humorous atmosphere. There are two cat-like creatures having a jolly time playing with, what appears to be, a ball of wool in the lower right corner of the painting. The atmosphere of feast it enhance by warm colour palette reassembling Miro’s native landscape - Catalonia. Art historians think that this painting may be inspired by Mardi Gras. This term, from french, means Fat Tuesday and it’s reflecting the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season. It could be the inspiration for Miro. We can say that the painting looks like the scene from the carnival parade. What is the point of hiding the Harlequin figure among people lost in happiness and celebration? Well maybe it is to keep us aware of the reality. We celebrate, enjoy, feeling happy for one night...but what is happening during the rest of our lives? We can wear mask, but we can’t run away from reality for a long time. MAJKA DOKUDOWICZ 27
CA R N I VA L V I S UA L R E V O L U T I O N
Modern people tend to bring and share their ideas via social networks posts, photos, paintings. Being active users of FB, twitter, readers/ followers of diverse blogs... We are the details of a revolutionary machine which brings conservative mind-thinkers to hysteria and provokes the supporters to unite for drastic changes. POLITICAL issues excluded. In all times people expressed their feelings through such visual effects as pictures, cave paintings, freskos. According to scientific researches it's the human being’s nature to focus on images rather than text information. Pictures don't require any specific knowledge, there is no language or culture obstacles. Photo/image (with the help of holy Photoshop miracle) is the only universal means of communication and claims to be an integral revolution mechanism in Mass Media and social environment. 28
Emotional component grabs the viewers attention and make them think over again, long after seeing the picture. Many studies indicated that emotion has a tremendous effect on our memory formation. As a plus, that images are extremely easy for comprehension. In the era of Instagram’s boom all the facts mentioned above are skillfully used by advertising and marketing specialists. What is more valuable, screaming well-designed ads are the most powerful strategy for social issue campaigns. Let it be collecting food and clothes for less privileged humans, abandoned children, donating and supporting people struggling with natural disasters. Simply raising public awareness to finite resources and mindful consumption of what we have.
The British businessman David Ogilvy announced: “advertising justifies its existence when used in the public interest—it is much too powerful a tool to use solely for commercial purposes”. Following this wise statement, the ultimate result of well-developed advertising is revolutionary redressing the balance in nature, human rights and building sustainable society. ANGELINA KAYSINA 29
My project M A R I A S C H A D LE R
When I applied to the project and said I would prefer to work in the dog shelter, I had a clear picture in my mind. Because I’m always trying to imagine places where I will be going. The picture got even more clear when I got the contract from EVS telling me what my tasks will be. Feeding and walking the dogs, cleaning them and their surroundings, taking care of their health and preparing them for adoption. The picture in my head was clear. I knew it wouldn’t be like that, but I saw a small house, a big Fence around it, some dog houses inside and about 50 dogs and puppies jumping around. Obviously, it was not going to be exactly like that, but it was not only different, there are not 50 dogs, or 100 or 200. There are 600 dogs. There are indeed a small house and a big fence but there are about 300 dog houses (and a car) and dogs everywhere. Dogs in the houses, on top of the houses and most importantly in the car, don’t worry an 30
old specially prepared car, and some even outside of the fence. This is something you will most probably never see in your life again. Obviously, it was not going to be exactly like that, but it was not only different, there are not 50 dogs, or 100 or 200. There are 600 dogs. There are indeed a small house and a big fence but there are about 300 dog houses (and a car) and dogs everywhere. Dogs in the houses, on top of the houses and most importantly in the car, don’t worry an old specially prepared car, and some even outside of the fence. This is something you will most probably never see in your life again. But don’t get me wrong: it’s amazing! This is a kind of work I have never done before. Of course, I’m feeding the dogs and giving them water, cleaning the bowls and also picking up their shit. But there is more behind the work than that. You have to stop the dogs from fighting or at least try too. I’m still new so I should not take any risks. You give them medicine if they need them, you take care of the puppies and also, the best part, you pet and play with them. That is indeed part of the job as the dogs from the shelter need to socialize again after potentially being beaten or even worse. The work at the rescue centre is challenging, not because of the things you have to do, but because of the things you see and experience, dogs with 3 feet, bleeding and limping dogs and ones with holes in their faces. Dogs being hit by cars, beaten up, shot and tied to trees with cards saying ‘please take me’. I have only worked there for 4 days so far, but I met so many beautiful wonderful dogs that deserve a save home more than everything, and also a lot of strong people, all of them working voluntarily, by their own choice because they want to help and they know that Katarina, the owner of the centre, needs all the help she can get. This is an amazing place, with dogs that don’t love anything more than cuddling. Not only the dog but also the whole family that adopts would profit with such a lovely now family member. As I said I’m still new, I’ve got a lot to learn about these amazing animals but I’m looking forward to it. I’m ready to take the challenge and I hope more volunteers will do the same in the future as this centre and its resident deserve only the best. MARIA NADJA SCHÄDLER 31
My project
A L EX A N D R U I OA N C O S T E A
Hello again! I’m here to tell you about my first project as an EVS volunteer and why I was interested in it in the first place. The campaign is part of Kalamata Resilience City 2013. The aim is to inform the citizens and to monitor the proper use and respect of the access points in public areas; the importance of those access points to people with disabilities. Basically, raising awareness. Our responsibilities include designing and improving the campaign. Sharing flyers, informing people about the project, mapping the problematic areas, taking part in awareness actions with the citizens and helping the “Kalamata move� initiative. Now, to answer the question, why I was interested in this project in the first place. It should be easy. I have seen how a community can evolve, and what the impact of initiatives like this have on the city and its inhabitants. The public space, streets and walkways we use every day, the parks, the squares, benches and the buildings we enter into every day, for some, are taken as granted. We use them with ease and even without thinking about them. But for others, a walk in the park or just the daily routine of moving through the city is a challenge. The access to the facilities we take as granted is encumbered by the absence or poor placement of ramps, sidewalk blind-rails etc. Back home we have similar campaigns of informing and helping citizens to change the face of the city and to develop the inclusion of everyone as equals in the public space. The initiative does not come from outside, but from people who use, or can see the use of such details on our daily lives. The civic spirit, the realization of living in a community, I feel, should come to one as easy as keeping ones home clean and respectful. I chose this project because I want to have an impact. I want to see things changing into better, to help developing and investing into the construction of something good. I was impressed by the initiative and I want to give it my all, to learn on my own how projects like these are implemented. ALEXANDRU IOAN COSTEA 32
MY SENDING ORGANISATION A .C.T.O.R.
Cultural Association for Theater and Origami in Romania A.C.T.O.R.’s Mission: Human potential development of its beneficiaries (children, youngsters and adults) through their involvement, participation and voluntary work. A.C.T.O.R.’s Vision: A society, in which good communication exists, is certainly the society we dream to live in. The individual will only be able to realize his responsibility in society through the power and courage to express his personal vision on reality. A.C.T.O.R.’s Objective: Supporting its beneficiaries in order for them to gain creative communication abilities – these are useful for people’s tuneful development, underlining their responsibilities as actors of the community they belong to. Programs: Local, national and international volunteerings; Clinic animation; Intercultural education; Art in education; Cultural and social events; Intercultural and international youth exchanges based on non-formal methodology. VLAD DICULESCU 33
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 c l au d i a
So first of all tell us your name, your age and where do you come from: I’m Claudia. I have 18 years old and I come from Barcelona, Spain. Why did you choose to be a volunteer? After I finished the school I wanted to do something different that let me know the world and have different experiences. When I was thinking about this I remembered that doing voluntary is a good idea, because it gives me the opportunity to know a different place while I’m helping that community. How much time did you spend here already and how much time will you stay here? I arrived one week ago and I will be here for two months. Why did you choose this EVS in Kalamata? Next year I will study, so I wanted to find a good project this year. Here in Kalamata, there were different projects that I liked. After I applied I was selected to do the project 34
about helping people with disabilities. So right now, I’m observing and beginning to help them, because I don’t know how to speak Greek, and today I brought them to the care centre, so I am beginning to help them more. What do you love about Kalamata and why? Right now I’m knowing the place and I like being at hostel with the others volunteers. I already like the cold and rainy weather that we have now here in the winter, is an intense rain, and I love that. Did you have any experiences with the locals? At my second day, there was a party at the Youth Centre with traditional Greek music. At this party they introduce us to the Greek dances, so locals and volunteers from another countries were all together dancing. I don’t know how to dance this kind of music but I loved this experience. I really want to learn it before to come back to Barcelona again. So, you are enjoying the community life we have here with the others voluntaries, right? Yes. I like the good vibes we have here. In the flat I’m super comfy because I feel that there are any problems with the others volunteers, we can trust on each other’s. I even find some volunteers with the same taste in music and who like party as me, so I’m happy about living with these people. Did you notice any cultural differences between Barcelona and Kalamata? I noticed that here there are more local and family businesses, I like it because in Barcelona there are so many big and commercial businesses. How would you see yourself at the end of this project? I had beginning to do expectations about the project but usually expectations are not good for me. I am trying to enjoy and I will see, so right now I don’t know how to see myself in the end of this project. Thank you Claudia. RÚBEN PIRES 35
Past event "tsiknotetarth" in the yc
It has been one week now since I arrived in Kalamata, my home for the next two months. A city, I thought, which would be very calm and peaceful has turned out to be very lively and vibrant, wherever I go, whether day or night, I am greeted by people. On the day after my arrival, I attended my first event in the Youth Center. It was on the night before the “Tsiknopempti”. As I got there, still not entirely sure of the size or impact of the Youth Center on the people, I began to see person after person entering the building, and as I climbed the final steps towards a crowded main room. It seemed like this was the kind of place and event where everyone is welcome and where everyone can feel like home, from young to old, from greek to foreign. As it is normal for the “Tsiknopempti”, I experienced greek cuisine, my very first experience with it. I ended up eating, besides the obvious souvlaki, a little bit of nearly everything. 36
Soon after, a band began to play traditional greek music, which also meant the beginning of greek traditional dances, which started only with the people comfortable with the dance steps, soon became more evolving, as most of the people in the ever so crowded room started to dance, some better than others, but with the same excitement nevertheless.
Overall it was an unforgettable first day, which made me so excited about having the opportunity to experience the city even more. The truth is that even though I spent most of the last two years travelling, I have never been as well received in one place as I have been in Kalamata!
Pictures are from Bill Tsakalis AFONSO DINIZ MOITA 37
future event FUTURE EVENTS at the Youth Center
March 7th : The Association for the Protection of Abused Women Women violence is identified as crime, human rights infringement and gender discrimination. Still the topic is a hot potato issue since women continue suffering from being abused. For the purpose of raising public consciousness and consulting on the key points, The Association for the Protection of Abused Women is coming to the Youth Center KENTRO NEON KALAMATA . We open our doors for those who are not indifferent to the topic and who are struggling the vicious circle of unfair attitude. At 20.00. Let's break the silence together! March 14th: Hosting the art team Puppet Myth The traditional carnival time is over in February, you think? We still have an event in March, which deserves preparing a costume and proper make up. Save the date 14 March, 2018. The controversial art group Puppet Myth will present itself and bring extraordinary mood as a benefit. They introduce themselves as a Kalamatian art team which "reveals dark side of life. Dark from an artistic angle." One year ago in March they started "dusky business" and still full of ambitions. Their tools are urban myths and photo shoots, inspired by true-to-life stories. Don't be scared, but prepared! You are welcome in The Youth Center KENTRO NEON KALAMATA on 14 March, 2018 at 20.00. ANGELINA KAYSINA 38
PAQUITA COUPPEY 39
LINK M A R C H 1 ST 2 0 1 8
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.