LINK #112

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A p r i l 1 5 Th 2 0 1 8

N°112

April

Editor & designer: Ola Kaczurba

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#LINKEXPLORE

CONTENT Contact About us Youth Center - program Easter Celebrations Main easter day Eggs Traditions Ophélie Cottier Ola Kaczurba Antoine Werquin Sandra Queirós

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Maria Nadja Schädler

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Mina Duma

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Antía Fernández Martínez 35 Angelina Kaysina 37

EVS, K.A.NE.

Easter Easter Easter Easter in Greece What the egg?

Easter Island dissapear Interview with a local volunteer: Stefania My sending organisation: Aha.li Interview with ACT volunteer: Antoine Past event: double birthday Future Event

K.A.NE. EVS: Angelina Kaysina Antía Fernández Martínez Majka Dokudowicz Maria Nadja Schädler Mina Duma Ola Kaczurba Ophélie Cottier Paquita Couppey Sandra Queirós Sheila Gomez

ACT Volunteers: Antoine Werquin Maïlén Malengreaux

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

@kane.kalamata

WHO ARE WE?

OLA

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PAQUITA

Angelina

Hello there! My fool name is Aleksandra but you can call me Ola. I’m 19 and I just finished my high school. I come from capital of Poland – Warsaw. I love chocolate, amazing harmonies, good guitar riffs, totally crazy hairstyles and classic rock. I’m a dancer therefore I will be teaching contemporary dance in the Youth Centre but my primary job will be in therapeutic horse riding 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-therapy and I'm very enthusiastic 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.

Mailen

OPHELIE

AntIa

Hello there ! My name is Maïlén I'm 25 years old. I come from Brussels in Belgium and I've graduated a few months ago as a social worker. This year is my volunteery year : before Greece I was in Bénin for 2 months where I worked with abused young girls, now I came to Kalamata for 6 months to work on the ACT Project helping refugees. In my spare time, I'm a musician (singer and violinist), I love to read, art, watch series and movies and have a drink with friends.

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!

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MINA

Antoine

MAJKA

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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.

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.

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.

SANDRA

MARIA

Sheila

My name is Sandra, I have 23 and come from the North of Portugal. I will be volunteering in Daycare Center for Autistic children. I’m very excited about this change in my life. I’m passionate about travelling, science, books and a TV series addicted. I decided do EVS for a new challenge in my life and I think that Kalamata will be a great place for it.

Hallo! I’m Maria 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 at the dog-rescue-center is going to be a nice experience before my normal life routine begins. 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.

Kalimera, I am Sheila from Spain, I love Kalamata and sharing moments with amazing people. I am a volunteer in Kefiap - center helping people with dissabilities. I studied environmental sciences.

I like nature, animals, travellig, dance salsa, capoeira and to have fun!

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K.A.NE.

FILARETOS

jelena

NANTIANA

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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.

Nancy

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.

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e as t e r easter celebrations OPHÉLIE - FRANCE As we are following the Christian calendar, Easter is on Sunday the 1st of April this year. Believers are starting the celebrations, one week before, as know as the “holy week”, with many events at the Church.

Nowadays, it is also a celebration for non-believer with holidays and chocolate. During that time creative activities related to Eastern are popular.

SANDRA - PORTUGAL The Easter celebrations in Portugal begin on Friday (is a public holiday) and last until Monday. We are following the Christian calendar and most of churches have big ceremonies in this days. This epoch of the year is also celebrated as the beginning of the spring and most people took the week before easter to do deep cleaning in their houses. The Easter is very associated with chocolates, sun and godparents too.

ANTÍA - SPAIN However the celebration of the Easter in Spain depends on cities -and for some places it is a really importation period of the year while in other not so much-, basically, it is characterized for its religious mood and for the processions.

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MINA - ROMANIA Depending on the region we have more customs during Easter, but the common ones are painting eggs and having a family Eater meal that has to contain lamb. Initially, the eggs were painted just in red, but as years passed, this custom has been approached in a more artistic manner and nowadays they come in different colours.

ANGELINA - RUSSIA Russian people who follow Christian rules, won't miss the main X day. After the night Church Service they visit relatives and share the symbolic treats. Sweet cylinder-shaped cake Kulich, cottage cheese-like mass with raisins, nuts and candied fruits Pascha and dyed eggs, of course!

MARIA - LICHTENSTEIN Easter was the 1st of April and the more religious people visit the church. After that it’s all about having a great day with your family and a nice Meal. Painting the Eggs and decoration the house is also a big part of easter.

OLA - POLAND Easter is a very important period for religious people in Poland. 40 days long lent followed by “Palm Sunday”, “Easter Triduum” and “Easter Monday” is full of churchoriented events and traditions but I believe that the most important part is when we all gather to prepare food, paint eggs, bless food on Saturday and then eat it on Sunday morning.

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e as t e r m a i n e as t e r d ay OPHÉLIE - FRANCE The main day, for believers or not, is the Sunday. It is an occasion for family reunions. Traditionally we are eating Paschal lamb with dry beans. Early morning (because it’s difficult to wait more) children are hunting chocolate eggs in the garden.

SANDRA - PORTUGAL In main Easter day we go to the houses of family and close friends. In villages, the priest usually go at the houses with the cross to bless the families. Usually families sit together for lunch and eat roast. We have always almonds and chocolate eggs for kids. In the afternoon, godsons visit their godparents to exchange gifts.

ANTÍA - SPAIN Like in Galician the Easter is not really an important period, let to talk about Seville, when these days are considered one of the most important of the year. In Seville, it is specially important the night of the Thursday to the Friday, know like “la madrugá”, when the night processions have place.

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MINA - ROMANIA The main Easter day in Romania is Sunday, I think because then it is said that people discover that Jesus was resurrected and that is a reason of joy. sunday is also the day when the kids discover their gifts from the Easter Bunny in the nests they’ve prepared a day before.

ANGELINA - RUSSIA Sunday is the most important day. This year it falls on 8th of April. However the date is quite flexible and is conditional upon solar and lunar calendars. The only iron-proved rule - Christian Easter can't be before 4 April and after 8 May!

MARIA - LICHTENSTEIN Easter Sunday which was the 1. Of April this year is the day where the family gathers to have a nice meal and enjoy a nice time together. I’m not very informed about the church as we hardly ever visit it.

OLA - POLAND The most important day is Sunday but it actually starts on Saturday (according to tradition, new day starts after the dawn). During the day we go and bless our food and when it gets dark, the mass called resurrection is being held. We celebrate Jesus’ coming back to live by saying good news to world and leaving church saying Alleluja!

Later, during sunday morning, we eat blessed food and spend time in family circle.

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e as t e r eggs traditions OPHÉLIE - FRANCE The Thursday of the holy week, bells from the Church are going to Rome to be blessed by the Pope. They are coming back full of chocolate eggs, they drop on their way. This is why children find the eggs in the gardens!

SANDRA - PORTUGAL In the last years, the eggs hunting became a tradition and is common see kids running in the gardens of their houses looking for the eggs. The godfathers always give to their godsons a big chocolate egg too.

ANTÍA - SPAIN In Spain we don’t have any tradition directly with eggs, but they are traditional for this day some sweets made with eggs. In some parts of Spain, like in Galicia of Catalonian, the Sunday of Easter, the godparents give to theirs godchildren a particular type of sweet.

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MINA - ROMANIA We break the coloured eggs in a specific way: we hold them one above the other and the person holding the top egg says “Christ has resurrected!”, followed by the other person who says “It’s true he resurrected”. After this lines, the eggs knock and we do the same with the bottom of the eggs.

ANGELINA - RUSSIA Common Easter eggs color is red which means Jesus Christ blood. To paint a batch of eggs fast we use oldfashion method: keep eggs together with onion peels in boiling water for 15 minutes. Friends and relatives like to exchange them or bit against each others foreheads - fun not for the weakest!

MARIA - LICHTENSTEIN We color the eggs and put them into nests together with chocolate bunnies and other treats, sometimes small toys, and hide them for the kids. Not the single eggs, the whole nest. Still a challenge to find.

OLA - POLAND Main activity for children and atults is to paint eggs (we have several traditional ways: pisanki, kraszanki, wydmuszki) that later, on Saturday, are being blessed. During easter breakfast we crack eggs with others (the came is called Walatka) or knock them on other’s foreheads. And of course we eat them on ten thousand different ways. It’s not so popular but sometimes there is also chocolate egg hunt.

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e as t e r easter in greece

Few weeks ago I wrote about the Carnival time in Greece, which let place to the Lent for 40 days. Now, this is time to present the Easter’s traditions! Let’s continue to discover together the Greeks traditions.

As Greece is following the Julian calendar, Easter was, in 2018, the 8th of April. As this is the most sacred celebration in the Greek Orthodox faith, it includes many traditions.

During the last week of Lent, the “Holy week” or “Megali Evdomada” is taking place.

This is a week with church services every evening, special opening hour in shops and food preparation. Let’s take a look at the main rituals (but as every place may have its own ways of celebrating, this article does not pretend to reflect all the Greek traditions): The Palm Sunday (1/04): The first day of the “Holy week”.

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The Holy/Great Thursday (5/04).

The preparations for the celebration of the Resurrection start. The Easter brioche “tsoureki” is baked and eggs are dyed red, which symbolizes the blood of the Christ. According to the Spruce, the first egg might be put at the place where the icons are to ward off devil and, small lamb’s heads and backs might be marked with the red dyed for protection. On that day, the mourning period is starting; women might stay the night into the church to mourn.

The Good Friday (6/04).

Know as the holiest day, the culmination of the Passion of Christ. The devout believers are supposed not to work and not to cook. If people are cooking this is beans boiled in water with oil or thin soup like tahinosoupa. Girls and women decorate with flowers the Epitaphs, which is a large piece of cloth embroidered with the image of Christ. The bells of the church are tolling all the day, Greek flags are lowered to half-mast.

In the evening a funeral service (The Service of Lamentation) is helding to mourn the death of the Christ. At 9:00 p.m the Epitaph Mass takes place. People join the procession through the streets of every single village and city, listening singers recite the funeral psalms. In some places an effigy of Judas is burned.

The holy Saturday (7/04).

Morning is dedicated for preparations for the festive dinner of Resurrection or Anastasis.

“Maghiritsa”, a soup with tripe of the lamb and herbs, is cooked. This dish and red dyed eggs we will be eaten after midnight to break the Lent.

The Eternal Flame is arriving in Athens by plane from Jerusalem. Greeks can watch it on the television. The flame is distributed to Priests who are in charge of carrying it to their local churches. At 11:00 p.m, almost all Greeks are at the church. Few minutes before midnight, lights are being turned off and everyone is holding special Easter white candle called labatha.

Resurrection of Christ is celebrated at 12.00 sharp, when Priest says “Christós Anésti” (“Christ has risen”). At that moment bells start ringing, ships sound their horns, fireworks light up the night sky and little by little all the candles are lighted. People are exchanging wishes “Christos Anesti” and the response is “Alithos Anesti” (Truly, he is risen).

After that people come back home with lighted candle, trace the cross three times above the door and place it with the icons for all year. Then, everybody gathers to break the fast and eat the traditional “maghiritsa”, red dyed eggs and tsoureki. As the Spruce highlights, before eating eggs, there's a tradition called tsougrisma. People have to hold their egg, tap the end against the end of someone else’s egg to try to crack it. The last person who has an un-cracked egg is considered the lucky person for the year 21

Easter Sunday (8/04) Lamb is traditionally prepared on the spit. In some places this is a day for family reunion; in others is it a community celebration. For all, it is a time to gather around tables full of food (roasted lamb or goat, olives, tzatziki, potatoes, pies, salads…) drinks as well as talks and dances. The tsougrisma is taking place again. In southern Messenia, people go to the main squares to watch the saetapolemos (rockets without sticks) that men hold while the force of the explosions makes them jump as if they were dancing.

Easter Monday (9/04) is a national holiday, a day, according to the Spruce “to take things slowly”.

Good to know: The actual celebrations for Easter have roots in the ancient time when “the Elysian Mysteries” were celebrating the spring as a rebirth after deathly winter time. http://www.greecetravel.com/easter/ http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/religion/easter_in_greece https://www.thespruce.com/greek-easter-traditions-1705457 https://www.xpatathens.com/living-in-athens/survival-guide/greek-traditions/ item/1414-holy-week-and-greek-easter-traditions

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OPHELIE COTTIER

e as t e r

w h at t h e e g g ??!?

As some may know, Poland is a nation that uses one product on hundred different ways. Eggs are no difference! Maybe we don't eat them as often and creative as potatos (Poland and potatoes are one big love) but still, eggs have a special place in our hearts.

Maybe a little bit of history first. Eggs had metaphoric and symbolic meaning since ancient times. The idea of new life was passed through generations and burned its ways into our mindsets. The colocation egg = life is almost as acknowledged in our culture as heart = love. Also, act of painting eggs is dated more than 5000 years ago.

In Poland, first traces of coloured egg shells from Xth century were found in Ostrówek and they were done the same way as we still do them – create pattern with wax and dip egg in pigment like boiled onion shells, beetroots or ocher.

In my country, Easter is all about the eggs! (Not the chocolate one unfortunately…) So, since the it’s the main ingredient, we found some creative ways to prepare it.

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Egg paste – It’s a thing commonly seen on my home table, to be honest. The preparation is as easy as it an be. We smash hard-boiled eggs in a bowl, add a bit of mayonnaise, seasoning end voila! It can be used as a spread for sandwich or as a breakfast salad. Also, if you prefer stronger taste, you can add some chive, dill, maybe vegetables like pepper. Basically, modify it by your own preferences.

Stuffed eggs – Another very simple recipe.

Hard boiled eggs need to be cut in half, then we take yolks (yellow part) out, mix them with mustard, mayo, horseradish, parsley and some seasoning (you can also add tuna or spinach if you wish). We put mixed filling at the place of yolks and decorate nicely.

Egg cutlet – This surprisingly contains only eggs. To prepare them, mix couple (4-6) of hard-boiled eggs with one raw, a bit of salt and pepper, form small balls, toss them in bread crumbles and put on the pan for some minutes. Fast, easy and suitable for non-meat-eaters!

Egg clouds – I think it’s my personal favourite way of serving eggs. Whisk egg whites with a bit of salt and on a baking paper form „clouds” with obtained foam.

Create a small hole and pour yolk inside.

Bake for 5-8 minutes in 180 degrees. Very simple but looking very spectacular.

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OLA KACZURBA

e as t e r

East er I s la n d d i sa p p ea rs l i t t l e by l i t t l e

The Spanish name of Isla de Pascua (Easter Island) is due to the Dutch navigator Jakob Roggeveen who discovered it on Easter Sunday 1722, and named it "Paaseiland". However the rise of the waters, due to climate change, now threatens Easter Island and the statues that haunts it. A tragedy for the past and the future.

Visiting the Easter Island is one of the greatest event for lovers of grandiose landscapes and archeology! Imagine big faces of blackened stones on an almost deserted island in the middle of Pacific Ocean. Tourists give themselves heart with unforgettable shots. But for how long? Scientists are formal: the island is threatened by rising waters and powerful waves that erode its steep banks. While climate models predict a sea level rise of about 1.5 meters by 2100, locals fear storms that will endanger the remains and life of Easter Island.

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Past and future in danger It's a long article in the New York Times that rings on the alarm: Rapa Nui - the Polynesian name of the island - and its "moai" statues are trapped. The disappearance of cultural heritage of Easter Island would be a tragedy, both for the descendants of ancient civilization that lived there and the rest of humanity. For first ones, their whole history and roots may be swept away by the waves: under the moai are pedestals, which often shelter the remains of their ancestors. More and more often, these tombs are being disemboweled by nature, leaving the bones to fry on the sun.

Centuries ago it was a whole civilization that lived on Easter Island, powerful apparently, given the gigantic heads that haunt the hills of Rapa Nui. If one has ever discovered the reasons for its collapse - the diseases brought by the continent, a civil war or even rats - it is perhaps in these tombs that are the answers of the researchers: some of them still contain treasures and clues that could be used to unravel the mysteries of the island.

The past is threatened by rising waters, but also the future of Rapa Nui is endangered: tourism is the main source of wealth, so the loss of monuments making it famous would be a disaster for its 6 000 residents. The disappearance of the island in short, would be dramatic, of course. The scenario is not unthinkable since the tiny Marshall Islands are already in danger of submersion by rising water. Its inhabitants would become refugees, while places like Easter Island are still the first to face climate change.

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A w e l l - be gu n d i s a p p e a r a n c e O n E as ter I sl a n d , t h e c h a n g es are al ready vi s i bl e. On e o f i ts most po p u lar s an d y b e a c h e s h a s co m pl etel y di s appeared i n peri o d of fe w ye ar s tu r ning i n t o a b l a c k ro c k th at du l l s f ro m year to year.

Tw o y e a r s a g o , r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f R a p a N u i b u r i e d a t i m e c a p s u l e w i t h o l d p h o t o s o f O v a h e B e a c h i n p a r t i c u l a r. " T h e y w i l l r e l e a s e i t i n 50 years and they will see us standing here, where there is no longer any beach," said Pedro Pablo Emmnuds, the mayor of Hanga Roa. As for the statues, of the 1,100 that still stand valiant on Easter Island after so many years, how many will stand still in the sight of future generations?...

ANTOINE WERQUIN

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I n t e rv i e w w i t h a l o ca l volunteer S t efa n i a T s i c h l a k i

v

Stefania Tsichlaki is a 23 years old speech therapist. She volunteers at the Daycare center for autistic children here, in Kalamata. It's time to find a little more about her and her experience as a volunteer.

Why have you decided to become a volunteer here?

Because I want to see how they work with the autistic children, I want to learn the techniques that they use with the children, take some ideas in my sessions with other kids. I also wanted to know therapists with more experience for they teach me how can I teach kids with autism.

Are you enjoying the experience? What do you like the most?

And the least?

I e n joy it bu t t h e re a re so m e pro bl em s . I o n l y wan t to s ee wh at the y are doing to h e l p t h e s e k i d s becau s e I wan t to co n ti n u e wi th the ir the r apies . I l i k e m o s t t o g o ou ts i de an d pl ay wi th ki ds , s ee th at the y are hap p y a n d s o m e t i m e s w hen I can g o i n s i de th e s es s i o n s . I d on’t li ke that they a re n o t h o n e s t wi th th e vo l u n teers . I th i n k th at th ey d on’t under s tan d w h a t i s a v o l u n t e er.

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Do you have previous experience with volunteering?

Yes, for a couple of months in a center for adults with disabilities. It was a good experience because they do things together as dancing, plant plants, speech therapies.

What is your favourite memory as volunteer?

I don't have any special memory. Maybe, in the beginning when we were doing some lessons with the kids.

Ho w do yo u d e s c r i b e t h e ex p erience o f hav e EV S v o lunte e rs here ? D o yo u l i k e ?

The whole experience of having volunteer is rewarding in many ways!

First I learned many things on how we teach these children and ways to manage them and second I learned how to be patient. At first I was passionate and I like it more, but there are some issues that make me sad! But we must be positive and offer our skills to the organization because we will benefit from volunteering!

SANDRA QUEIRĂ“S

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MY SENDING ORGANISATION aha.li

My sending organisation in Liechtenstein (which is also the only one) is all about helping young people dealing with problems and questions about themselves or with going abroad, they will gladly inform and help you with anything.

Aha has a big variety of informations and programs they support. They will help you understand how to succeed in the life of an adult person, which means knowing how to do taxes, how to save money if needed and what to do that is cheap but still efficient. They will also gladly help you were and how to apply for internships or how to survive your first job interview. For people that are still one stage earlier, they have lists of teachers that will help you if you have problems in school. Another important aspect they can help you with, is how to understand and deal with your sexuality and, if needed, how to tell your family and friends when you are ‘different’.

Their website is also a place where you can check most of the events for young people you can take part in, like free cooking lessons, playing in a theatre or an event in the skating park.

But most importantly, they help you to go abroad. Not only as an EVS, but also on holiday jobs, work abroad and much more. They ask all their volunteers to write detailed blogs or stories to show other potential volunteers the opportunities of such an experience.

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The organization itself is placed in an old Railway station almost in the centre of Liechtenstein. In school, they already tell us about it and you might visit it once or twice to gather important information for your future.

They are also very present at different events with their catchy flyers, so, whether you want it or not, you know about them.

What might be different between mine and others organisations is the size. As I have already mentioned, it’s the only sending organization in Liechtenstein, but, due to our size, you work very close with them. I found out about EVS by visiting my ‘future person in charge’ as my mother knew her. She explained everything personally and after I’ve done all the e-mail work with K.A.NE. I’ve met them again. Me and the other (yes one) volunteer that got sent away this February. Another day I drove there to sign the documents, as its only 5 minutes away of the centre of Liechtenstein. This close relationship with my organization made everything feel very easy and safe. They do everything to make sure you are not left with any questions or problems before and during your journey. I think knowing your sending organization and the person in charge is a great way to make things easier and, well obviously, more personal although I’m aware that this might not be possible for everyone as a lot of people live far away from the organizations place.

All in all, I love my sending organization! Their concept is just great. Young people are in the focus. We won’t exclude anyone. We work together and build a safe space.

MARIA SCHÄDLER

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i n t e rv i e w w i t h a c t V O L U N T E ER I N T ERV I E W W I T H A n o i n e

Hey Antoine! How are you?

Hey, I’m fine but a bit sad these days because I’ll leave soon and lots of people left already…the house is a bit empty.

How much longer are you staying?

I’m here 5 months now, so I’ll leave in 1 month. My project was 6 months.

How was your time in Greece so far? What did you enjoyed the most?

The people I’ve met here, the friendships and the moments I’ve spent with them. Of course, the trips, ‘cause this cuntry is beautiful!

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And how about your project? How did you like it?

Ah, that’s something I’m gonna talk about in the next issue of the LINK, until then I’m not saying anything :P Ok, fair enough! Another related thing: a few weeks ago you had a skillshare workshop with Paquita. We all enjoyed it, but what do you think about it?

It was my first experience as a “teacher”, it was cool to share our skill with others. For me and Paquita, the stencils are a passion and I think it’s nice to share this. It was fulfilling to see that people are enjoying. Overall, for me, the result was satisfying mostly because I saw people having fun and enjoying what we were teaching them.

You’ve mentioned something about trips in Greece earlier. Where have you been and what was your favorite place?

My first trip was in Sparta and we took the mountain road. AMAZING! After, we were in MONEMVASIA. This trip was in December. Monemvasia is the most beautiful place that I’ve seen here! Second trip was in Koroni, a beautiful place. The last time we were in Mystras and Sparta. That was cool also. And, the stencil workshop was in Vounaria so I got to see the village also.

My family will visit this month and I have already planned some more trips with them.

Is your family coming for Easter?

They will arrive after Easter, so I’ll be at the EVS house with the voulunteers for Easter.

Do we have a plan for Easter? Or we’ll just go with the flow?

There’s still early ( :P ) to talk about Easter plans but I know that I would like to see the Greek orthodox traditions.

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Do you expect something different from the traditions in France? How is the Easter there?

I’m not sure…I’m not from a religious family but I do enjoy eating chocolate on Easter!

That’s the only thing I do so that’s why I’m looking forward to see the Greek traditions.

Do you know what’s the traditional way of celebrating in France, even though you don’t celebrate?

The tradition is a bit weird strange. They have some religious celebration in the church but for the kids (here it gets strange!) they say there’s a flying bell that puts chocolate eggs in their homes and they have to find them.

A GIANT BELL???

A giant FLYING bell…I think it’s just something commercial just like Santa Claus. So, this bell is bringing the chocolate. I can find out and tell you why is it a bell.

I’m looking forward to it :P Thank you for your time, Antoine!

Merci beaucoup! Happy Easter to Ardeal and to everyone!

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MINA DUMA

Past event PAS T E V E N T : D O U B L E B I RT H D AY o f YC A N D K A N E

The past Saturday 31th of March took place in the Youth Center the celebration of the birthdays of the 10 years of KANE and the 9 years of the Youth Center itself.

For this special occasion the Youth Center “dressed for a gala” and the party was full of surprises. We had all the night a professional DJ to make us dance with his music, two delicious cakes to share with all of the friends of KANE and the Youth Center, a photo booth in the entrance to keep our best memories of the night... Even an unexpected present for Jelena, coordinator of the EVS programs in KANE, who also had birthday some days before the event.

What a nice way to start the Easter and put ourselves in a festive mood! Και Χρόνια Πολλά!

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ANTÍA FERNÁNDEZ MARTÍNEZ

future event

"ΑΝΟΙΞΗΣ OF THE KEYS"

The public Benefit Company "Faris" of the Municipality of Kalamata and the Municipal Conservatory of Kalamata, is organising the concert with keyboard instruments "Spring of the Keys".

This year's cycle is an important moment for the Municipal Conservatory of Kalamata, as it is entirely dedicated to one of Greece's most important pianists Νέλλη Σεμιτέκολο.

The presence, the personality and the tireless work of 33 years, resulted in a number of important pianists, that are active in Greece and abroad.

The cycle started on Saturday 24th March however you still have a chance to enjoy it! It is taking a turn in April!

22, 25 and 29 of April, in the Auditorium of the Municipal Cultural Center of Kalamata, the public will have the opportunity to take pleasure of the distinguished modern pianists.

The entrance to all the concerts of the cycle is free.

ANGELINA KAYSINA

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LINK A p r i l 1 5 Th 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.