Libertas+ 05

EDITORIAL Dear Libertas+ readers, The May issue of Libertas+ is dedicated to living in a multicultural world. What does it mean? Multiculturalism is difficult to define. You can find many explanations in dictionaries: a philosophy that recognizes ethnic diversity within a society and encourages others to be enlightened by worthwhile contributions to society by those of diverse ethnic backgrounds, interaction and communication between different cultures, diversity and cultural uniqueness, etc.

Several young people from different European countries would like to share their ideas and views on this topic. Use the opportunity, read the articles and think about "your multicultural world". In this issue you can find excellent essays about examples of multicultural societies and communities, culture and individuality, positives and negatives of multiculturalism, and interesting stories from various countries. Enjoy reading.

Vladimíra Brávková, coordinator

p. 12

p. 3 Why for god’s sake ?

Films about living in a multicultural world

Culture and individuality

Valentina Joshevska, Macedonia

Ramon Martensen / Netherlands

p. 14

p. 4

Friends without borders

Multicultural societies as an impulse to development

Evgenia Kostyanaya / Russia

Henrike Pauling / Germany

p. 6

p. 16

Interview: Living in a multicultural community

Milos Kovacevic and Tijana Mirkovic / Serbia

p. 8

p. 18

Charlotte Buchanan / England, UK /

Daniel John Carter / Wales, UK

p. 20

p. 10

Goran Stamatoski / Macedonia

Nevena Smilevska / Macedonia

Incredible Lessons from India

Cardiff: The Multi-Cultural City

Multiculturalism in Macedonia

Multiculturalism Positives and Negatives

Why for god’s sake ?

Volunteer in Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia.

Why for godís sake?

Lukas Valek / Czech Republic

review Films aboutFilm living in a multicultural world

The question is: who do you ask to

role of the individuals in the society.

Changes involve its models and

lend you a hand when you are faced

To this category of directors belongs

structures, and highlight questions

with difficult moments while you’re

our film director Milco Mancevski

about relationships between multicul-

abroad? Are you going to ask your

with the unforgettable film “Before

turalism and inter-ethnicity, putting

mate whose destiny brought it like

the rain”. Both, Fatih Akin and Milco

attention on issues about identity.

you or a foreigner /stranger whose

Mancevski use an essential point of

People think is important to work

family roots belong to that ground?

understanding the references to

upon these changes.

One of the leading European direc-

identity

tors Fatih Akin takes the multicultural-

protagonists’ research poses the

The directors use traditional music to

ism as a main topic for almost all his

question of cultural belonging and

tell already told stories and a destiny

films. He follows a specific line of

identity of roots of contemporary

already fulfilled.

creation in his films. He depicts a

migrant. After several failures and

The irony of life sends the protagonist

perfect picture about living in a multi-

the

in foreign countries where migration

cultural world. The heroes of his films

protagonist are stepping back to

are facing situations when the tradi-

their own lands. The souls of the

tion and sometimes ethnic back-

characters

ground win over the modern western

swimming pools of their hard lives

way of life. On one hand he is very

trying to answer the question about

subtle in unfolding the stories of the

the life philosophy and trying to find

lives of his protagonists and on the

them self in something that they

other hand he is very critical with the

don’t belong to. There are changes,

differences between people and the

as well.

and

struggle

subjectivity.

with

are

changes

captured

in

The

the

the

is a central issue of modern society.

Valentina Joshevska, Macedonia Director: Fatih Akin Writer: Fatih Akin (book) Stars: Birol Ünel, Sibel Kekilli and Catrin Striebeck Language: German | Turkish | English Release Date: 11 March 2004 (Germany 121 min

3

Multicultural societies as an impulse to development

During the past decades, our world’s economy has grown closer together as globalization casts its shadows everywhere. Economists will tell you how profiting multinational markets are. Their stories explain how important

international

contacts

«It has become tremendously easy to travel.»

are. confusing when using an airplane. below. Obviously, the one employer

Globalized economy, as well as You haven’t even found the best watching the sky waiting to refuel the social networks like Facebook and position for your feet or determined landing airplane will agree with you Twitter provide a constant and fast the perfect spot to rest your head on, that you approach from above. Is paced exchange of people’s stories suddenly someone announces the looking down on him the righteous and have had an increasing impact arrival. You exit the plane finding attitude to enter a different culture, his on cultural exchange.

yourself in a world where everyone’s culture? Knowing that our world is no

It has become tremendously easy to watches seem to be off by a few disc, one may question that point of travel into neighbouring countries: hours. Or is it your watch, which is view. From space you could be seen You simply jump on a train or get into off?

landing from below, since the earth

a car and only a few hours later you Jostein Gaader has once put into may be above the sky you came have arrived in a different country; in question, if descending from the sky from. a different culture. It gets even more makes you land from above or from Does the positional relation of the

4

strive to the unknown, absorb it and grow from it. People that share similar experiences, adventures and stories. Stripped off their fear and worries, the divert experiences these people make, share and eventually carry to other places will teach others to broaden their own horizon and maybe even step into their footprints.

Today, our contact lists in chat programs are sorted by the contact’s origin for matters of organization and order. Is this necessary?

The diversity that every travelling person offers, every person that leaves his own culture to enter another, adds another little piece to a better world. When someone visits,

Who can tell whose point of view is «normal», whose culture is «normal» ? plane and earth really matter? Who can tell whose point of view is “normal”, whose culture is “normal”?

Well, some people will rise up shout-

he will bring a little piece of his own culture to your home: a little present of knowledge, tradition and experience; a collection of stories, songs, scents, recipes or poems.

It is good, that people allow this to happen. Living here and there and always bringing small pieces of expe-

not at all new: Most scholars of the riences from one place to the other, 18th and 19th century have had will allow you to arrive home on every such experiences. It was necessary visit. True happiness is found by not only to fit the educational ideal, someone who can say:

If they were to do a handstand, they

but because mankind’s knowledge “As a child I was born into this world had passed the point of compre- and no matter where I arrive, I will be

would soon realize that in a multicul-

hending by a singular individual by a home”

tural world an airplane doesn’t neces-

long time. To study and learn, one

sarily descend from heaven, but rises

had to go someplace else, into a

from heaven. They would see a

different culture and society. It was

different, but at the same time very

their duty to manage cultural differ-

similar world to their own.

ences,

Experiments like that are necessary

language and traditions.

to widen our own horizon and learn

However, having been taken away

that a foreign culture may not be too

from a place called home – a place

different from your own.

where you feel safe and find refuge

To be valued as a highly educated

– one will soon discover that the

person these days, one is required to

unknown, the new world does not

spend at least a year abroad. This is

lack like-minded people. People that

ing “Mine, of course!”

learn

foreign

Henrike Pauling, Germany

rituals,

5

Interview: Living in a multicultural community It is important that young people not only from Serbia but from all over the world learn about other cultures and understand the beauty and importance of it. Besides all the things that have historically afflicted our country, we try not to repeat the same mistakes and to show young people that it is possible to live together no matter how different we are. On that occasion, following interview with peers from Novi Pazar (in Sandzak), Harris and Katherine and their stories of how they are living in a multicultural community.

MT: In Sandzak is there ethnic or MТ: What music is listened to in MT: Does the choice of music Novi Pazar?

religious discrimination?

affect culture, religion or nationality?

Harris:

Since

the

majority

are Katherine: As in any other city there

Bosnians I don’t feel threatened. is a division of people that go to Katherine: No, there is absolutely no However, there is no discrimination places where they listen to folk and division. All types of people listen to against the Serbs. In general, I don’t those who go out and listen to rap, everything. know of anyone in Novi Pazar who rock and other alternative music. was discriminated against; perhaps Most of those who go out, go to MT: Do you hear the Adhan and if it the older people a little bit more at places where they listen to turbo bothers you? (Adhan is the Islamic bay, but not the younger generation.

folk. They are usually high school call to prayer. Pronounced by the students who don’t listen to folk, but muezzin from the minaret five times a

Katherine: Sometimes a person may there are, of course, in other day) feel threatened, but I think that there schools, people who prefer other

6

is no specific reason. There are types of music, beside folk.

Katherine: Yes, you can hear it all

people who are not tolerant towards

over town, and I specifically don’t

people of other religions and there-

mind but I know people who do. As I

fore may experience some discom-

said, the majority population is

fort; only because of that. I specifi-

Muslim, so there are plenty of

cally don’t feel threatened or discrimi-

mosques from which you can hear

nated against, and I believe no other

the daily Adhan.

Serbs do either.

MT: Are there any secessionist

there is a special school in Pazar,

aspirations in the Sandzak?

where all the girls are covered. It’s something like a religious school.

Katherine: I didn’t notice, but there

When you look from the other side it

are probably people who think that

may look strange, but if you know

way.

the person you can see that she is happy and not looking at it as some-

MT: What about the rights of

thing that is limiting. They don’t do it

women? Hiding behind the veil

because someone makes them. It is

women is not accepted in the

simply their will. It’s rare that some-

modern world?

one is made to respect it. However, if a girl is not covered, it doesn’t

Harris: This is normality in Islam. It’s

mean she doesn’t respect other

not just extremists, as is usually

traditions.

thought. This actually applies to all Muslims; for Muslims from Sandzak,

MT: Are there arranged mar-

as well as for those in Arabia, at the

riages?

center for Islam. However, in terms of coverage of women in full-face, in

Harris: No, it's a myth. It doesn’t

Sandzak it’s not practiced.

exist. In order to marry a girl, some

«If she doesn’t like a certain guy, it isn’t mandatory to marry him.»

time needs to pass to meet a guy; MТ: Are the covered women more

he needs to be sure that she is the

respected than those who do not

one whom he wants to marry. But if

cover themselves?

she doesn’t like a certain guy or disagrees with him, it isn’t manda-

Harris: In Pazar thus be extracted is greater believer. There are not so many covered girls in schools, but

tory to marry him.

Milos Kovacevic & Tijana Mirkovic, Serbia

«Learn about other cultures and understand the beauty and importance of it.»

7

Cardiff: The Multi-Cultural City

“Cardiff grew into a major international dock.�

One simple and truthful fact Cardiff today. Irish immigration was Cardiff residents. Remembered for about Cardiff is that immigration continual right until World War 2, being a peaceful, safe and tolerant made the city what it is today. If the even late fifties / early sixties and area where racism had no place. city was built on the coal and steel of there are still very close links the industrial revolution then those between Ireland and Wales today.

As with the rest of the UK mass immi-

who built it were the immigrants the

gration continued throughout the 60's

revolution brought.

As immigration grew, so did Cardiff and 70's. This period brought large docks. In the turn of the 20th proportions of Caribbean and Asian

Due to the masses of coal in the century,

It

developed

its

own people and with them new cultures,

South Wales Valleys, the massive residential area which was called food and religious practises. Every steel works and the expansion of the Tiger Bay. Tiger was one of the first year Cardiff bay hosts a Caribbean British Empire, Cardiff grew into a real

'multi-ethnic'

communities festival and an international food

major international dock. Exporting within Wales and the UK. Tiger Bay festival.

Chinese,

Pakistani

and

coal and steel across the world to consisted of Africans, West Indians, Indian food have basically become serve the empires needs.

Chinese, East Europeans, Italians, national foods with 'traditional Welsh Spanish, Irish and of course Welsh. curry's' now in existence. Cardiff now

The fist major wave of immigration to The community was formed well houses 19 Mosques, 2 Gurdwaras, 2 hit Cardiff was not from so far away, before the UK's massive immigra- Synagoges

several Hindi temples

Ireland. The large population of Irish tion periods of the 60's and 70's. and a handful of Buddist centres as who moved over married into the Even thought the area no longer well as other religions existing in Welsh community which accounts for exists and has been incorporated practise. the

large

surnames

8

proportion and

on

Catholics

Irish into other suburbs as well as redewithin veloped, it lives on in the hearts of

Immigration as a whole has not only ing centre. The protest didn't go continued in Cardiff until the present down well with most local residents, day, but will continue for the foresee- a counter protest called 'Cardiff able future. More recently the large Together' was set up for the same influx of immigration has been from day by the Cardiff 'Antifascists'. On predominantly Islamic areas such as the day of the protest a couple of Sudan, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, hundred EDL turned up and a Iraq, Afghanistan as well as many couple of thousand antifascists from others. Due to large influx of Islamic Cardiff turned up. Four arrests were people,

Cardiff

recently

has

a made that day due to acts of proposal to build another mosque violence from antifascists against and in a nearby town the largest Halal the EDL. The EDL were escorted food processing centre in Western back to the central train station by Europe is to be built. the police who issue a statement to several organisations suggesting In the UK since the July 2005 bomb- the EDL were not looking to return to ings of London, Islamophobia and Cardiff any time soon. nationalism has been on the rise leading to the creation of the British National Party (BNP) and and organisation considered closely linked to them the English Defence league (EDL). The EDL travelled to Cardiff and held a protest on the 5th June 2010 against the building of the new Mosque and the Halal food process-

“As immigration grew, so did Cardiff docks. ”

Prime minister David Cameron was recently stated that “multiculturalism does not work”. I suggest

Davis

Cameron takes a good look at the UK, especially one of the nations capitals. Like Cardiff, most of the UK was built up by immigration, without it Cardiff and the UK would not be what they are today. Immigration has

been

continual

and

will

continue. David Cameron should put his hands in his pockets and realise the money lining those pockets is taxes paid by people whose ancestry and parentage is immigration.

«Cardiff recently has a proposal to build another mosque.»

Daniel John Carter.

Wales, UK

Sources: www.migrationnews.com www.census.ac.uk www.bbc.co.uk www.islamophobia-watch.com www.hurriyetdailynews.com

9

Multiculturalism in Macedonia

photo by Greg Lindquist, Flickr

I will begin with an introduction. I'm that so far I have achieved sufficient have already researched a lot of Goran Stamatoski, from Kicevo, success, given that I haven’t partici- them and have a picture of their which is my hometown, known as pated in many international projects, culture. I can say that ethnographic Mijak. I’m 21 years old and I am a other than the Youth Exchange in documentary films take great pleastudent at the Institute of Ethnology Strumica where the main goal was sure and I think just by visual presenand Anthropology. Since I enrolled in to revitalize old games from child- tation of other cultures through ethnocollege, some things about my multi- hood, and through it all evoke graphic film and photo will be enough culturalism have become clearer. It memories of childhood, what more to get a clear picture about the culture may have happened because I grew does someone need to see cultural they studied. English has benefited, up in a fairly conservative environ- similarities and differences that we as I communicated with cultural ment, so the environmental impact of have in huge numbers. After that presenters from other states. It is my socio-cultural development. But exchange my worldview on certain interesting that when you speak the anyway, after I realized the differ- segments of multiculturalism has native language it gives you an indigences (they are not large) between changed. Previously I had many enous perspective on certain things, people from different parts of the occasions to speak English, and I but when you speak English, you are world I saw that we are all unique in had a great need. Also I had a need, telling aspects that are more acceptat least one thing; the spread of to tell the situation to someone able to the various characters. culture and accepting of the "other". about Macedonia.

Somehow I found the smallest and

The spread of culture in Macedonia

least

common

denominator

that

represents a walking tour of some The situation of cultural values in plays a major role in multiculturalism. familiar and unfamiliar places, listen- Macedonia. While attending univer- It’s the self presentation, but not in ing to Macedonian folk music, and sity got received great knowledge of egoist-concept. Did you see my observation

of

Macedonian

folk other cultures and their values. I homeland as a multicultural country?

costumes. But my opinion is just that.

The spread and acceptance of crops are very dependent on how people see their and others' culture. I think

10

«I look for differences in the past and the similarities in the present.»

schools. The whole point was that people were not very politicized and so there was no great pressure on it.

The opinions I deduce that all people are equal but also different. I look for differences in the past and the similarities in the present. Since early

We are all unique in at least one thing; the spread of culture and accepting of the "other".

With a mouthful I would say YES. Here are several reasons for this.

From general knowledge of history it’s known that the Balkans represent a cultural crossroads in Southeast

human civilization we lean towards social progress and its definition as a special opportunity in each region differently. I also think that it is all very positive for all of us who explore world cultures as the only way we will know who we were, who we are and who we will be. According to me cultural similarities and differences will lead us to find a global solution that serves as a culture with all the features by which, they who will want to declare to the world will be fully understood.

Goran Stamatoski, Macedonia

Europe. Quite important historical moments occurred here in which some states have defined the multicultural image. In Macedonia there are three major ethnic groups. Macedonians,

Turks,

Albanians

and

smaller groups such as Roma, Vlachs, Torbesh, Armenians, Greeks, Bulgarians, Serbs etc. Especially in the western part of Macedonia, it is known for centuries in brotherhood which are living all these ethnic communities. Military conflicts in independent Macedonia artificially created inter-ethnic tensions in order to satisfy

certain

political

interests.

Before that inter-ethnic conflict there was almost no ethnic problems. I knew for myself, growing up in Kicevo with Roma, Turks, Albanians, Vlachs, and I had no problems with them. Many of them went to the same photos: Charie Delhumeau

11

Culture and individuality The traditional Dutch way of

The

first

time

I

was know now that if I am going to

dealing with diversity was to facilitate confronted with the meaning of express my cultural values and act every culture in expressing and living being from a different culture was upon them, they would be rejected by their own culture the way they when I was without any consider- the people I am relying on to have wanted to. Offering the opportunity to ation living the liberal lifestyle a relations with in this new situation. build their own schools, learn their normally do. I later found out that

Of course I cannot blame the

own language and have their own some of the acts contained in this people for that. It is unrealistic to religious places. Now the question is liberal lifestyle were gossiped about demand from them that they change raised if newcomers should adapt to by the people surrounding me in this a value system they have build up a greater extend to the dominant environment. This was a very strong throughout their lives. The other culture adapt to the dominant culture. eye-opener to me. Not only was it option is to put a lock on the behavThe native Dutch feel like their culture new to me that all the people in a iour that is rejected by the cultural and national identity have been place were so tightly connected that value system of this country, thereby ignored. Therefore they ask the an action of one individual is within denying a part of myself. question if newcomers should show one week known by all, it also made more connection to it by acting upon me feel very lonely; because gossip-

Getting back to the question

it. To them, giving the freedom to ing is a way of judging a person and about the newcomers in the Netherreject the culture entirely is denying his actions. If my acts weren’t lands. Can we expect that from its value to the own people and the considered controversial or morally them? To deny this part of themoutsiders.

despicable, no one would consider selves? For them it is even more them worth spreading around or urgent because they very often can’t

I have been involved in this focussing on it. My name became leave after nine months due to lasting question on an academic level. The connected to the moral judgements poverty or war/dictatorship in their problem with this approach is that people have of my actions.

own country. They don’t have the

you talk about others without involv-

choice to leave the environment.

ing the emotions that are involved in

The reason I felt lonely was

actually experiencing the situation the realisation that the acceptance they are in. Being in Macedonia is an for me as a complete person was opportunity to experience what it limited by the culturally determined means to be a cultural minority .

12

boundaries of those around me. I

«A compromise can be found.»

My first impulse was to with-

should recognise this effort and not

accepted.

draw myself from the culture I was in

Is there any good answer to this being too strict about the form in

and that was judging me for the

dilemma? I do not know. During my which the participation is presented.

things I consider normal. I wanted to

job as a temporary teacher in Social For instance, I could stop fighting the

seek out the people that were think-

and Cultural Dialogue I met a girl gossip or wanting to avoid it. Instead

ing alike. The people with whom I

who had a very creative way of I could embrace the role that people

could show myself and act the way I

dealing with this dilemma.

wanted without constantly having to

She was a very strict and convinced my liberal and individualistic behav-

question if something I do crosses

Muslim. She really liked to express iour. And they in return should not

some sort of unfamiliar line. Of

this part of her identity with pride. reject me as a person but accept it as

course this kind of escape is not

Once, during a discussion she part of my role in the collective.

possible. I have to work with Mace-

declared that dancing was devilish

donians and meet them on a regular

and therefore undesirable. A lot of

basis to have any sort of social life.

people who were more liberal

The newcomers in the Netherlands

attacked

also are facing this. They have to go

because they felt attacked in their

to school, work and the latest

identity and they couldn’t grasp an

generation is increasingly visiting

opinion like that being legitimate.

the universities. So to build up a

She was crying eventually.

successful life they are dependent

During a fieldtrip where everybody

on interactions with the people that

was dancing, she was sitting on the

view them through their own domi-

side. Until she stood up and

nant cultural perspectives.

declared she wanted to do an imita-

ÂŤThe native Dutch feel like their culture and national identity have been ignored.Âť

her

for

that

give me in the community based on

Ramon Martensen, Netherlands

opinion

tion game. The game was one in which she imitated all sorts of activities (running, vacuuming, arranging traffic) on the rhythm of the music while the others danced.

She was part of the dancing experience and in that way connected with the others without having to give up her

cultural/religious

determined

convictions.

So here is the dilemma.

People have to build up a new life

And maybe here a compro-

and they need to interact with others

mise can be found. The minorities

for that. They need to be part of a

can find ways and openings within

society that is rejecting parts of the

their value system to connect with

culture that they consider one with

the dominant culture without com-

who they are. They have the choice

pletely ignoring them. Not asking

between feeling the suffocation of

themselves what limits they should

not being able to be themselves or

have in restricting themselves to fit in

the loneliness of being rejected for

but rather what devices they can use

who they are by the people they are

to make their identity itself fit in. And

depending on to be loved and

the people of the dominant culture

photo - Paleontour, flickr

13

Friends without borders It is quite a funny thing when a friend Of course there are some disadvan- What you can: from abroad happens to be closer to tages in having friends who live far you than a person from your country. away, because you can’t:

1.Chat/talk to each other on Skype.

Even 5 years ago I wouldn’t have

2.Write

imagined that I would be so close to 1.Hug them.

messages/postcards.

emails/Facebook

my foreign friends who are ready to 2.Meet your friends in the evening in 3.Have some great time discussing give me a hand when needed, even if a bar and have fun with them. it is a hand via Skype.

where to meet up/planning your next

3.Call your best friend when your travel together. romance is over and cry upon 4.Benefit from an absolutely different

Friendship does not depend on the her/his shoulder.

point of view shaped by another

nationality, it seems, it more depends 4.Have a birthday party together.

culture.

hiking/shopping/to

the 5. Stay awake until 4 in the morning

bring people together and make them cinema/theatre/etc together!

chatting with your friends on Skype

on some inner waves, or fluids that 5.Go

friends. So even if you do not share 6.Make them understand your favor- trying to help him/her find their way in the same language, the same history ite joke in your own language (well, life – since you do not have an opporof a country, government, traffic jams usually).

tunity to do it together in a kitchen

on your way to work, you are still able

drinking tea or a bottle of wine

to be close friends.

(unless you sit there with your com-

14

puter).

But even if in “you can”-part there are Friendship does not have any mainly writing opportunities to keep in nationality, it is fantastic to compare touch with your friends, it doesn’t different cultures and different ways mean they are worse or the friend- of thinking, which is perhaps one of ship is not as intense as it could be if the greatest advantages of having you lived in the same city or spoke international friends – they look at the same language. Everybody has your situation from totally another the same problems and the same angle and thus help you find the issues to discuss – job, studies, love, solution you would have problems friendship, future plans, career, etc. finding by yourself.

So even if your friend eats tortilla and

«Everybody has the same problems and the same issues to discuss.»

even if you have never heard this Friendship is beyond language you word, it does not mean he/she will not speak, friendship is when your heart give you the best advice possible as speaks, and it speaks across the to whether you should quit your job or borders. not.

It is the quality of relation that

Evgenia Kostyanaya, Russia

matters, not the quantity of times you see your friends. Even if my friend lives a couple of thousand kilometers away from me and we have totally different time zones I know he cares about me, and that is what matters to

«Friendship does not depend on the nationality.»

me.

«It is fantastic to compare different cultures»

«Democracy is an echo of unrealized hopes and unful- 15

Multiculturalism Positives & Negatives tandbere

Researching this article, I’ve found culture as central; and my personal that most people write about their favorite: a “cultural mosaic” often own society as the “most multicultural contrasted with the concepts of one”. Does that mean we live in a assimilationism and social integracompletely multicultural world? That tion that can be described like a there are no pure cultures anymore? “salad bowl” rather than a “melting Is every culture becoming a mixture pot”.

«Is every culture becoming a mixture of other cultures?» turalism. Social, ethnic and religious

of other cultures? Influenced by Multiculturalism gives members of tensions, racism, ethnocentrism, the cultures that are brought assimilationism are among the most others?

First of all, what is multiculturalism? together a taste of what others have prominent negatives. But they are in We all hear this word used so often, to offer. As people come together, no case the only ones. but can we give one definition the different ideas are shared and Spend some time in a multicultural meaning? Hardly, and I say so others can learn things from society and you will soon be aware because the meanings of multicultur- cultures, things they would not have that multiculturalism, along with its alism are numerous. It could mean known about at all if there have not vibrant colors and tasty foods, brings appreciation, acceptance and promo- been more than one culture in their also the barrier of language. The tion of multiple cultures; having society. Some of us don't realize it barrier of language leads to low selfrespect for diversity; extending equi- but many foods they eat, or clothes confidence in newcomers to a socitable status to distinct ethnic and they wear or even games they play ety, driving them to find members that religious groups without promoting can belong to another culture.

belong to their culture and to confine the specific ethnic, religious or As with most things in life, there are themselves to the comfort zone of cultural community values of any positives and negatives to multicul- their own culture group, a tendency

«The positives of embracing multiculturalism are many.»

16

known as segregation. Some, for many and varied reasons, may find it hard to integrate properly into the new society which can often cause unemployment.

The

struggle

to

“Monument to multiculturalism”, Toronto - Canada

survive may see such people turning positives of embracing multicultural-

understands

to petty crime and other criminal ism are many – and are not limited

struggles of other people from a

activities such as drug-dealing, illegal to the introduction of mousaka or

different culture. The never-ending

prostitution, the selling of counterfeit chow mien, and of sarma or bourek.

array of food and language which we

or pirated goods and a lot of other Embracing multiculturalism means

can enjoy, the ability to connect with

that a newcomer to a society and his

other cultures and learn other

While such aspects of multicultural- or her culture become real and vivid

customs, as well as the doors being

ism may be becoming a problem, to a in the eyes of the people with whom

opened to present opportunities for

certain extent, for many, the positives they hope to integrate. It means

those wishing to grasp them scream

by far outweigh the negatives. The opening dialogues so that, one

in favor of multiculturalism.

organized crime as well.

a

little

better

the

As for problems, we can only hope that tolerance and compassion will prevail. But with so many different viewpoints on multiculturalism, will this be a likely possibility?

Nevena Smilevska, Macedonia

«A ‘salad bowl’ rather than a ‘melting pot’.»

17

Incredible Lessons from India

I have recently returned from an

To explain further, in Delhi I

incredible month in India, where I stayed with a traditional Hindu learnt a few lessons in Indian culture. family. And when I say family, I mean Just in case you ever find yourself in it! I lived with the immediate family of India or thinking of going to India, I my host, the Grandparents, the feel it is my duty to pass on these Cousins,

the Aunties

and

the

lessons to you, so you can avoid Uncles! In total there were about making the same faux pas I did.

twenty of us. So, as you can imagine

I was in India as a result of being I was never lonely. In fact, it was selected to take part in a “Study India such a novelty for me to Programme” sponsored by King’s be visiting them that they College London. The programme, followed me everywhere, which is based for three weeks in to the extent that I never Mumbai,

allows

undergraduate had a moment to myself –

university students the opportunity to even if I went to the toilet experience India first hand. This is they waited outside! So, done through a mix of language and lesson

number

1;

be

culture classes, visits to cultural and prepared to be followed. historic sites and a week’s placement But don’t worry this is with an NGO. The programme is friendly following not the really insightful. However, in order to same sort of following as gain as much as possible from the in CSI or other detective opportunity I spent an extra week in programmes. Your hosts Delhi and a weekend in Kerala, will just want to ensure where my experience of India was a you are constantly having lot more ‘hands-on,’ as I had to actu- a good time. ally live and breath Indian culture.

18

«I feel it is my duty to pass on these lessons to you.»

number 5; be prepared for the uniqueness of the Hindu religion. To explain further, I never realised how precious a simple cow was to the Hindu religion until we drove around a twenty-mile long mountain called “Cow Dung” in complete seriousness, to ensure we got good luck.

Equally, we attended – again, in complete seriousness – a religious service where an elephant led the

Road-side Pulse bu Meanest Indian@flickr On the first day of my stay with the seen as meat to traditional Hindus. family I was hesitant as to how to Consequently, my enjoyment and initially embrace them. I wondered

declaration that the omelette was

whether it was like England where a

delicious in front of the whole family

hug or handshake would suffice or

of traditional ‘vegetarian’ Hindus did

more European where a kiss on the

not go down too well. Thus, lesson

cheek is more appropriate. I decided

number 3; do not eat an omelette (or

to opt for the safe – and traditionally

any other egg-based dish) and

British – option of a handshake. How-

declare it as delicious in front of a

ever, after being looked at funny

whole family of traditional ‘vegetar-

when I first tried to shake hands with

ian’ Hindus. From that night forward,

the Grandmother, I decided for my

they cooked for me. And to try and

second introduction I would try a kiss.

ensure that I enjoyed the food they

So when being introduced to one of

constantly told me that the food had

the cousins I went in for ‘the kiss on

been specially cooked so that it was

the cheek’ embrace – big NO, NO. It

not spicy – it always was. Lesson

was at this stage of introductions that

number 4; even if they say it is not

I was informed of lesson number 2;

spicy – it is!

by kissing them on the cheek or

Another lesson I learnt was the

hugging them. This will give com-

uniqueness of the Hindu religion. It

pletely the wrong impression. Instead

is beautiful religion full of colour,

it is more polite to touch their feet.

animals

My third lesson arrived at dinnertime

celebration. Thus,

when I was taken to a local restaurant

lesson

fancied for dinner. Being afraid of picking something too spicy for my

My week’s stay with a traditional Hindu family was only matched in intrigue by my stay in Kerala where I was privileged enough to attend an Indian wedding. It was full of lots of colour and copious amounts of food, as you would expect. However, despite copious amounts of food, the pièce de résistance the wedding cake only had one layer of edible cake – the rest was cardboard! So lesson number 6; If you are attending a wedding and planning on trying the cake, make sure you get the tasty layer!

As you can tell I learnt a lot of lessons from my stay in India and if you are planning on travelling to India, I hope this has helped and I wish you lots of luck! But above all, I hope you enjoy it

do not embrace new acquaintances

and allowed to choose anything I

prayers!

and

as much as I did!

Charlotte Buchanan, England, UK

constant This is one of the winning articles of the www.Mladiinfo.com Article Writing Contest.

first night, I decided to choose something I thought safe – an omelette. As how can you go wrong with a simple omelette? Well, turns out eggs are

19

Volunteer in Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia.

Why for god’s sake ?

That is the question

understand how strange our social

I heard many times and every time I system is. During my studies of am trying to answer patiently and economics I discovered, that monexplain why I decided to spend nine etary redistribution (or if you wish months in Russia working for free. social) system of government of Especially in Russia it is quite a hard most of countries doesn´t work too thing to explain and only a few, good. To explain it shortly I will just mostly young people, are able to say, that as maybe you already understand. In next few lines I will try know, one of basic and most importo explain why I think it is so good to tant elements in contemporary socibe volunteer, what voluntary experi- ety is financial profit. What activity is ence gave me, what I think people not creating profit is considered a bit around got from me, how I came to it, inferior. This “business” thinking is also what I do, and maybe even also included when government answer the question “Why Russia?”

should support activities of its

I decided to be a volunteer for several citizens where it is obvious that they reasons. I was not satisfied with my will never create any profit, at least work possibilities after university, I not the kind that is measurable by needed more life experience and I money. These civic activities are wanted to do something useful. improving the lives of people in a Finishing

20

university

helped

me social and intellectual way. After

«Volunteering doesn’t only mean «working for free» trying to heal some big world issues.»

could do without it.

learning this I just pragmatically

process. Volunteering doesn’t only

assumed, that the work of volunteers

mean “working for free” trying to heal

is really needed in any useful

some big world issues. It is the

As I tried to illustrate above, I think

nonprofit area of human life. Until

process of learning from both sides,

by volunteering in any capacity you

governments start to care about their

for volunteer and society which

can be moved forward in the sense

citizens more, or at least on the same

he/she is working for. I can gain

of personal development. The main

level as they care about their own

experience in new areas, meet a lot

and most important thing is to

businesses it will always be neces-

of interesting people and change my

choose voluntary work that you will

sary, where citizens themselves take

ways of understanding. When I add

enjoy even if you are a bit afraid of it.

initiative and help themselves in

to this equation international volun-

There are so many opportunities to

areas that the government fails.

teering, then I also learn how to live

volunteer and most of them pose a

with and within different cultures. By

great challenge for a person who is

The conclusion to my simple

all this of course I will earn no money

willing to learn something new. My

assumption is that if I want to do

for living, but constant learning and

voluntary

something useful for both me and

discovering new things via volun-

Czech Republic by short term inter-

society, I have to start in the voluntary

teering which is giving me good

national

sector to discover new values, gain

chances for the future to do more

camps”. Than I was a leader of such

experience and at best help in the

useful things for living (work), than I

“workcamp” trying to lead interna-

experience projects

started

called

in

“work-

routard05, flickr

21

«A great challenge for a person who is willing to learn something new.» tional volunteers to do some good work, showing them my country and bringing people of different nationalities together. Then I became a member and got more and more involved in the Czech voluntary organization called INEX-SDA and over some time I decided to apply and participate in a project of the European

commission

called

EVS

(European Voluntary Service) which enables young people (18-30 years) to spend 2 – 12 months in foreign country as volunteers. EVS volunteers can choose their project (work) and can help in many different fields (social, environmental, information technologies, offices of non-profit organizations etc.). In return they get money for food, accommodation, visa, transportation and some little amount of pocket money.

From this we can see that the work of EVS volunteers is mainly to help with his/her project, but there is one more important thing. Nowadays you can hardly find better possibility to gain such an interesting and rich experience that EVS can provide you, the experience which develops you and

22

changes your ways of thinking at the same time.

I picked a project in

Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia organized in cooperation by local voluntary movement SFERA1 and Czech honorary consulate.

Now I am getting slowly to the question “Why Russia?” The title personally, I must say that I am glad, of my project is “Popularization of that I can spread awareness about the Czech culture in Russia/Nizhniy my own country. There are some Novgorod”. There are questions, as students here in Nizhniy Novgorod to why to make it more popular? The who

are

studying

the

Czech

answer is simple. I think that it is language both at universities and important to raise the awareness of privately. They need language to use people about countries around in it for their future work, studies or they general. To show them that foreign- study it just from pure interest. ers are not strange monsters and

As an answer to the most

they are normal people like you. common question of Russians “Why Especially in the Russia where you came to Russia?” I can ask at the situation with traveling is difficult it is same question to the ones interested really useful for many people, when in Czech culture “Why Czech Repubforeign countries (represented by lic?” and reply to ordinary Russians foreigners) come to them and they “Why not? As Slavic countries we can meet them and talk to them. have

in

many

senses

similar

That is one part of my project, to language, even when instant underraise awareness about some other standing is very hard and requires a country

in

general.

But

more lot of skill. Anyway there are many

cultural similarities which can help us greatly

in

understanding,

even

though Soviet invasion to Czechoslovakia in year 1968 and stay of occupation forces for next twenty years didn’t make any good impression as soldiers are not the best group of people to represent any country.

Therefore it is really important to make connection between normal ordinary people from Czech Republic and Russia showing on both sides, that Czech Republic is not only a small funny country in central Europe with similar language and a lot of beer, with an army that poses no real threat and Russia is not lair of millions of blood thirsty soldiers with

«Why Russia ?»

around their superiority, but behave

really bad. Only by breaking stereotypes like that can we move forward and don’t stay stuck in the prisons of our minds forcing us to see things only in black and white.

Lukas Valek, Czech Republic

machine guns and ridiculously rich people who try and show everybody

23

by Published ation Creactive soc Youth As e.org v i t c a e r www.c

Henrike Pauling / Germany Milos Kovacevic and Tijana Mirkovic / Serbia Daniel John Carter / Wales, UK Goran Stamatoski / Macedonia Ramon Martensen / Netherlands Evgenia Kostyanaya / Russia Nevena Smilevska / Macedonia es Charlotte Buchanan / England, UK Lukas Valek / Czech Republic Valentina Joshevska / Macedonia is additional European issue of the digital youth magazine LIBERTAS, published every 15th in the month with support from the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe.

LIBERTAS is a monthly youth magazine fully prepared by a group of young people from different countries, supported by the Youth Association creACTive (www.cre-act-ive.org).

Published for the young people worldwide, LIBERTAS and LIBERTAS+ are distributed through the internet to anyone who is interested - free of charge.

All texts published in LIBERTAS+ represent solely the opinions of their authors, not of the magazine, its publishers or funders. LIBERTAS, creACTive and the European Youth Foundation are not responsible in any way for the contents of the articles, or for the photos published with them.

If you want to get involved feel free to contact us by e-mail at: hello@magazinelibertas.com

Charlie Delhumeau