Balkan Beats 50- The Responsibility of Change

Balkan Beats

The Responsibility of Change

issue 50

The Responsibility of Change

Dear readers,

Welcome to the 50th edition of the Balkan Beats magazine!

A s we are a team of young volunteers, for this issue we decided to investigate the topic of intergenerational dialogues. We often compare ourselves and our lives to the ones of the previous generations and at the same time we wonder what will happen in our future. As young people we are asked to make decisions that will influence our lives and we feel the responsibility of these choices.

This magazine will delve into the topic of intergenerational exchange, exploring family traditions, cultural differences and their approach to the future.

We traveled through historical, artistic and political collective challenges. We witnessed personal stories interlacing with the previous and the future generation. We wondered what are the challenges and the benefits of time passing through different lives and how the social context influences the relationship between generations.

A s we look ahead, it’s essential for us, the generation Z, to recognize the impact of our choices while honoring the wisdom of those before us. Every generation faces its own problems, our articles are showing how connected we all are, linking the past, present and future. Talking between generations isn’t always easy, but it’s really important. By listening to each other and respecting different perspectives, we can build a better future that respects where we come from.

Thanks for joining us on this journey. We hope it encourages you to have similar conversations with people in your own communities, appreciating the stories that make us all human.

Ken Maciej Starczewski

Iryna Stryha

Alina Mancino

Friederike Schulz

INTERGENERATIONAL SOLIDARITY AND LONG-TERM THINKING

Systems and mindsets we need to secure the life of future generations

by Luise Meerheim

T he generations of tomorrow will inevitably face significant challenges: climate change, food scarcity, resource depletion, overpopulation, and social inequalities are just some of the issues that will shape the future. Without a doubt, it is the responsibility of present governments to not only focus on the shortterm benefits of their policies but also making long-term sustainable decisions that secure or at least do not restrict the quality of life for future generations. Currently, however, as philosopher and author Roman Krznaric describes, we are living in “an age of political short-termism.” This is most evident in the issue of the climate emergency: despite warnings about human-induced climate change since the mid-20th century and the irreversible consequences of global warming since 1971, the measures taken against it are insufficient. Despite decades of knowledge, our current way of life is driving us towards a 3-degree warming scenario, which would have catastrophic consequences and severely

threaten the lives of future generations. “The problem of short-termism in democratic politics has become so acute that a growing chorus of voices has begun speaking in favour of ‘benign dictatorship’ or ‘enlightened despotism’ as the solution to our problems, especially to take the tough measures required to deal with the climate emergency.” (Roman Krznaric in “The Good Ancestor”).

The Intergenerational Solidarity Index (ISI)

But is it really true that only a non-democratic form of government can achieve sustainable policies and thus generational justice?

T he model of the Intergenerational Solidarity Index can provide us with an answer to this question. It’s a measure that compares 122 nations in how they care and take action for the well-being of future generations. Developed by Jamie McQuilkin, it was first published in 2018 in the journal “Intergenerational Justice

Review”. The ISI combines indicators of economic, ecological, and social long-term policies of states and assigns them a value from 0 (poor intergenerational solidarity) to 100 (good intergenerational solidarity). The interesting result: “the highest-scoring nations, such as Iceland, Nepal, Costa Rica, and Uruguay come from a wide range of geographical regions and income levels” (Roman Krznaric in “The Good Ancestor”). Furthermore, the ISI also provides insights into whether and to what extent democracies and autocratic regimes differ in terms of intergenerational solidarity. The evaluation reveals that 21 of the top 25 scoring states are democracies. Of the 25 states with the lowest scores, on the other hand, 21 are autocratic regimes. When averaging, democracies have a score of 60, while autocracies have a score of 42. What can be

drawn from these results? There is no scientific evidence that suggests we could pursue more sustainable policies with more authoritarian regimes. On the contrary: “You are much more likely to find high levels of intergenerational solidarity in a democracy than an authoritarian regime.” (Roman Krznaric in “The Good Ancestor”). Despite these findings, we should not forget that current democracies cannot rest on these results. Despite their better performance, our democracies should be restructured and improved in their essence to enable sustainable policies.

Ways of learning Long-Term-Thinking

A n inspiration for making politics, as well as our own thinking, more sustainable in the long term, is provided by the concept of 7th Generation Thinking. Indigenous populations as the Haudenosaunee already implemented this model for a long time as a fundamental aspect of their way of life. It implies that all decisions made in the present should take into account the lives and quality of life of seven generations ahead of us. With every important decision, we must ask ourselves: Will this decision also serve the people in the 7th generation after us, or at least not harm them?

Another way to approach long-term thinking is an extension of the thought experiment created by philosopher John Rawls called “The Veil of Ignorance.” Imagine you are behind a veil of ignorance. You have no knowledge of your own gender, background, wealth, abilities, or preferences – basically you have no idea what defines

Correlation between Democracy and Solidarity Index

Generational exploration Opening Act

your own identity. Now you are asked to make decisions for society as a whole. How would you distribute wealth and resources?

Now also imagine you do not know which generation you will be born into. How do your decisions change? Would you distribute resources differently? Rawls assumes that in the ignorance of our identity, we would make the most socially just decision for society as a whole because we cannot decide in our self-interest.

Putting Long-Term-Thinking into Practise

Although this kind of thinking may seem distant in our current society, there are already approaches to implementing this concept and understanding intergenerational solidarity and justice as part of daily politics. For example, in Finland there is a parliamentary “committee for the future” that evaluates draft laws based on their impact on future generations, and other countries are following suit with similar groups evaluating laws regarding their

international justice. One example is the position of the Commissioner for Future Generations in Wales, currently held by Derek Walkes. He describes his task as follows: “Promote the sustainable development principle, in particular to act as a guardian of the ability of future generations to meet their needs and encour-

“There is no scientific evidence that suggests we could pursue more sustainable policies with more authoritarian regimes.”

age public bodies to take greater account of the long-term impact of the things they do.” These examples provide hope and should encourage each of us to be part of a larger restructuring: moving away from short-term thinking and toward long-term thinking.

“ The most important question we must ask ourselves is: Are we being good ancestors?” (John Salk)

Visualization of John Rawls Thought Experiment © McQuilkin & Krznaric Created with Datawrapper

DIFFERENT GENERATIONS, SAME FIGHT: COLONIALISM, INDEPENDENCE AND NEOCOLONIALISM IN AFRICA

A short reflection about the last 150 years in Congo as an example of how neocolonialism affects Africa

by Uxío Fernández Ferrás

S ome weeks ago, my colleagues and I had the chance to watch a documentary called Soundtrack to a Coup d’État during the 26th edition of the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival. During the 150 minutes of duration of this masterpiece, we learned about how the CIA used 60’s musicians like Louis Armstrong or Nina Simone to introduce American soft power in the booming African colonies. We also had the chance to listen to several audios and documents from USSR leader Nikita Khruschev, meetings of Malcom X with Fidel Castro or loads of files from the UN Assembly, diverse Western ambassadors (mostly Belgian), etc, which allowed us to have a broader picture of this period of time. And primarily, go deeper on revolutionary figures such as Patrice Lumumba or Andrée Blouin, whose role as a woman fighting for the independence of African colonies deserves, at least, a whole article for herself.

A global overview

T he rich but impoverished continent of Africa suffered for decades the dominance of Western imperialism and its consequences.

France and the United Kingdom accumulated several possessions all around the continent and lasted during all the 20th century until the last ones got an eventual independence. Apart from the main powers, also Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal were involved in the repartition of the African land. In this article I will focus on another kingdom, the Belgian one, whose rule of the Congo and subsequent independence meant the paradigm of the Western dominance of Africa.

“African societies are rising again.”

C ongo was owned by the King Leopold II since 1885 and formally incorporated to Belgium in 1908 this small European country managed for decades a huge territory (75 times the size of Belgium) full of diamonds, uranium, coltan and several diverse elements, indispensable for the functioning of the world in the last century. There, and mostly in its first twenty years of Belgian dominance in the Congo, Leopold

Generational exploration Opening Act

II administration committed loads of crimes such as mass assassinations, forced slavery and hand mutilations, killing at least ten mil-

lions of people and reducing Congolese population to the half in what is known as “The Unknown Holocaust”.

Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Independence but not freedom

After some more decades of Belgian rule, in the 50’s and 60’s of the twentieth century, Congolese society started to rise up against the regime. Following a trend in the whole continent where African countries could finally be independent and have a position in the Cold War global context, Patrice Lumumba (surrounded by icons like the revolutionary leader Andree Blouin, compared in Africa with Che Guevara) led the country to its eventual independence in 1960. Many things can be highlighted of Lumumba, one of the most iconic leaders in the continent and key to the impulse of Pan-Africanism ideas during his career. Once independent, however, the country never met peace and stability. The region of Katanga, where most natural resources are found, proclaimed its independence with the support of the Mining Union (Belgian property), Belgium or the USA, who used Congolese uranium for the atomic bomb, for example. There and in Kasai a cruel war had begun, involving both regions (helped by the USA and Belgium), the Congolese government supported by the USSR, NU troops, diverse ethnic tribes… It lasted until 1963, when the NU liberated the capital and defeated the independentist attempt of both states.

“Many things can be highlighted of Lumumba, one of the most iconic leaders in the continent and key to the impulse of Pan-Africanism ideas during his career.”

Contemporary struggles

W hen the war in Katanga ended, the revolutionary leader Lumumba had already been murdered by the CIA and a Coup d’Ètat had

been produced in the Republic of Congo. Dictatorship, cruel wars in the 90’s and 00’s involving a big part of African countries and still conflicts against paramilitary groups (like the M23 in Kivu) in some regions of this huge nation, made the progress and development of one of the richest parts of the world in natural resources impossible. Modern slavery in the mines, sexual crimes and a whole normalization of the violence around the country is the consequence of the Western interference in Congo.

Several foreign companies have been and are extracting material from their mines since independence, using local labour but exporting its benefits. Other countries like Rwanda or Uganda use the instability of the country to steal tons of minerals. The Democratic Republic of Congo, in general, got independence but not real sovereignty. Western economies, highly dependent on its resources, threaten to never leave the country to develop by itself.

X XI Century: the rise of Africa?

H owever, African societies are rising again. As their grandparents fought for independence during the 20th century, it is now their moment to fight against neocolonialism and start to get real freedom in the whole continent. Some leaders and their societies are rising in recent years to start seeking for real sovereignty. As Ibrahim Traoré is following in Burkina Faso the steps of another revolutionary martyr as Thomas Sankara and countries like Niger or Mali rose up against French interference, Congolese society should take the example of Patrice Lumumba and start building by themselves a promissory future for their nation.

HOW DO FAMILY TRADITIONS EVOLVE ACROSS GENERATIONS

A Comparative Look Between Different Eras

by Robin Le Blay

I n the complex web of family history, traditions are common threads that connect generations together. They transcend eras, providing a cultural anchor and emotions to those who perpetuate them. However, these traditions are not fixed in time; they evolve, transform and adapt to the changing realities of each period. By examining how these traditions have evolved across generations, we can better understand the family and societal dynamics that underpin them.

Family traditions; a heritage in motion

Family traditions encompass a wide range of practices, rituals and values passed down through generations. This can include milestone events like Chritmas or wedding celebrations, as well as daily routines like family meals or bedtime stories. These traditions are

not just ways of doing things, but they also embody deep values and emotional connections.

The evolution of traditions: a mirror of society

One of the most fascinating features of family traditions is their ability to reflect social, economic, and cultural changes over time. For example, traditional roles within the family have evolved from a patriarchal structure to a greater gender equality. This is reflected in traditions such as the division of household chores or important family decisions. Likewise, technological advancements have also impacted family traditions. Instant communication has reduced physical distances between family members, but sometimes diminished the quality of in- person interactions. New traditions, like weekly video calls or photo shar-

Opening Act Generational exploration

ing on social media, are emerging to respond to these changes.

The persistence of traditions: a generational link

D espite these developments certain traditions remain deeply rooted in family like religious celebrations, recipes passed down from mother to daughter, or family stories told by the fire continue to play a central role in many families. These traditions act as bridges between generations reinforcing the sense of belonging and continuity.

Persistence

and resilience : the pillars of family traditions

Despite these tumultuous changes, certain traditions persist, immutable and timeless. They serve as beacons in the night, guiding generations through the storms of life, religious celebrations, annual family reunions, stories passed down from generation to generation – these ancestral traditions continue to weave the bonds that unite members of a family reinforcing the sense of belonging and continuity.

The digital revolution and the evolution of traditions

T he advent of the digital revolution has brought a new chapter to the history of family traditions. Modern communications technologies have transformed the way families interact, breaking down geographic and temporal boundaries but sometimes replacing in person visits, social media, photos are becoming the new family, and emerging traditions like only family gaming are transforming the very nature of family bonding.

An example of personal tradition: among the Jews there are multiple traditions which persist over time, mainly due to the religion which allows it. We can take the bar Mitsva as an example, it is a very respected ritual for the passage of the child to adulthood in Judaism, a ritual which has lasted over time for years and years and which does not intend to fade away. Religious tradition on this facility persists through time.

Travel and vacation tradition

Families may have favorite vacation destinations that they return to year after year, creating a sense of familiarity and tradition.

Traveling together provides opportunities for adventure, exploration, and bonding as family members, to share new experiences and create lasting memories.

One aspect of traditional travel is seeking out authentic experiences, such as staying in locally owned accommodations dining at family run restaurants and participating in cultural ceremonies or festivals. These experiences not only provide insight into the local way of life but also support the community economically.

Additionally traditional travel often involves learning about the history and heritage of a place through visits to museums, historical sites and guided tours led by locals, this deepens travelers understanding of the destination and fosters a greater appreciation for its traditions.

Furthermore, traditional vacations may include activities that have been passed down through generations such as cooking classes to learn traditional recipes, craft workshop to

Generational exploration Opening Act

create handmade souvenirs, or nature walks guided by indigenous people.

Additionally, traditional travel often involves learning about the history and heritage of a place through visits to museums, historical sites and guided tours led by knowledgeable locals.

Gift- Giving Rituals

Some families have specific traditions around gift-giving, such as exchanging handmade gifts or following a particular gift giving theme.

These rituals often emphasize thoughtfulness and creativity, rather than materialism, reinforcing the importance of relationships over material possessions.

Conclusion: A legacy in motion

A s we explore the evolution of family traditions through the ages, we discover a complex and captivating saga of resilience, reinvention and resistance to change. Family traditions are not fixed in time; they evolve, transform and adapt, while retaining an immutable core of values and connections. Ultimately, in this timeless dance between past and present, the true richness of family history lies, providing future generations with a living legacy to cherish, honor and preserve for centuries to come.

CREATING A DIALOGUE BETWEEN 4 DIFFERENT

POLISH GENERATIONS

Bridging the gaps between the generations is not impossible though they require a deeper understanding.

by Ken Maciej Starczewski

It is difficult to create a dialogue between generations and understand each other especially when said generations are split by contemporary socio-political manners. Such a situation is currently in Poland where we have four different generations (five if you want to include the youngest – gen Alpha): baby boomers, generation X, generation Y (or millennials) and Gen-Z (or zoomers). The question is how do we come up with ideas and solutions for polish generations struggling to find a com-

mon ground for dialogue and understanding each other.

Differences between generations and what are the classifications for the generations

In order to think about the dialogue between the generations in Poland it is important to understand what makes them in the first place. There are 4 main generations in Poland. Baby boomers, generation X, generation Y (or mil-

Generational exploration Opening Act

lennials) and Gen-Z (or zoomers). Polish baby boomers consist of people born between 1946-60 after World War II ended and Poland became occupied by the USSR. People from that generation are considered to be hard-working and self-disciplined, although that idea clashes with the problem of alcoholism created by the communists in our country. They lived to work and often drank their sorrows away, this included especially the vast majority of people doing the physical labours. One of the elements coming from this generation is not understanding the millennials and zoomers’ problems with education and finding a job, or rather “correct” job. In short, it is supposed to be related to your acquired skills and education (I’ll get back to it later). Additionally, they do not understand that in today’s job market, working hard, especially in Poland, isn’t going to make you wealthy or moderately prosperous. They also do not like to be accused of something or having their ideas challenged.

G eneration X or generation PPR (Polish People’s Republic) consists of people born between 1961–1985. Their main characteristics are focusing on their career and improving and extending their ambitious skillset. They are also known for their desire for freedom, change and rejection of stagnation. Which is why this generation led the most important changes during socio-political changes in communist-occupied Poland. They saw the fall of Communism and the rise of democracy with their own eyes. That is why in some cases this generation is also called “generation of transformation” (pol. pokolenie przełomu). However, much like the previous generation, they believe that it is important to also get “correct” education and jobs, which makes them clash with millennials and zoomers.

Generation Y or millennials consists of people born between 1986 – 1997 though some believe that the date should start with the fall

of communism in Poland, but the timeline is not always precisely the same. Unlike the previous generations, millennials do not remember the fall of communism or PPR/ PRL and do not associate with it. Their main characteristics are cynicism, thinking about the future, demanding better quality of life, likely not having one job for their whole life, adapted to using technology fast even though said technology was not initially available to them. They also tend to make conditions and set their salary expectations to their employers directly. Millennials struggle to understand their parents and grandparents (the boomers and Xs), even when it comes to something as simple as entertainment and hobbies, or at least the ones that are acceptable to them. It is understandable that the older generations might not enjoy or comprehend why the younger generation is invested in a particular hobby. The issue is that millennials and older generations tend to avoid accepting or outright rejecting each other’s hobbies and entertainment. It would not be out of place to see millennials make fun of Gen X and Y soap operas and vice versa. Particularly, in Poland Gen X and Y tend to overlook the entertainment millennials and zoomers enjoy, because in their view it is not realistic or grounded. And you have to understand that those are the two last generations that lived under Communism in Poland, meaning that those two words are much more conservative and older in meaning. By that I mean that people from that generation will see an animated character or anything close to fantasy and think about those two words and give up the stories having such elements. Whereas to a millennial or a zoomer they might mean that the story has parts that are simply “not over the top” or “very exaggerated”. And on top of that, the older the person is, the more difficult it will be to persuade them to join your hobby or even passively accept it. Millennials also struggle to un-

Opening Act Generational exploration

derstand the previous generations’ need to go to university. The prospect of studying at university and spending at least 5+ years without knowing if they will actually be employed afterwards is extremely unappealing. In general, cynicism is the leading trait of Polish millennials and likely that is not going to change in the foreseeable future.

Generation Z or zoomers consists of people born between 1998 and 2010. Their main characteristics are being emotional, first full-digital generation, but is not as technologically “literate” as millennials, insecure about taking responsibility, being

money. Their slang evolves very fast and by the time it gets popularized, it is already dated. This includes words such as śpiulkolot (refers to a place to sleep, coming from the verb śpiulkać), baza (English borrowing of based), making śpiulkolot being the most popular word among Polish teenagers in 2021. Though it is very unlikely you are going to hear it in Poland in 2024. Much like millennials, they also do not like the idea of going to the university “because you have to” which made vocational schools (szkoła branżowa, 3+2 years) and professional technical schools (technikum, 5 years) in Poland more popular and appealing to them.

sensitive to criticism and tolerant, liking face-to-face contact with other people. They also prefer positive and not stress-inducing workplaces over high profits, but interestingly at the same time they try to save

How to create a dialogue between the generations in Poland, ideas and solutions

T here are several ideas and solutions to the generational misunderstandings and clashes based on the current Polish socio-politi-

People from different generations playing a board game

© Centrum Aktywności Międzypokoleniowej ‘‘Nowolipie” CAM

cal situation. To convince Polish boomers and Xs to understand that people no longer need to work in just one job for the rest of their lives, it is important to approach them calmly and without a prejudice against them or even worse, generational-based accusations. Doing so will only cause more damage, make them retract and become defensive. Instead it is important to convince them with not just the emotional appeal but also with statistics as well. They need to understand that this is a global phenomenon.

“This generation led the most important changes during socio-political changes in communist-occupied Poland. They saw the fall of Communism and the rise of democracy with their own eyes. That is why in some cases this generation is also called “generation of transformation” (pol. pokolenie przełomu).”

If they pressure a zoomer (or someone from gen alpha in the future) into going to university with arguments “because everyone does it” or “you’re not gonna get a job” and the person does not feel like studying at university, they should have a serious conversation with them and carefully explain why instead. Again no generational-based accusations or insults. In this case appealing to the statistics and that it is a global phenomenon that people after graduating from university cannot find a job related to their studies or any job at all is a vital answer. This can be followed by the personal skills and desires of the young person. A very important sentiment can be brought to this conversation is that after the fall of Communism in Europe, there was a tendency in many post-soviet European countries to see young people study at university. The young people would years later become parents and

convince their children to do the same. As such many young people from those countries, including Poland, go to university for the same reason and many of them end up disappointed and angry.

If the older generations are mocking and belittling the younger generations for what they like, particularly the entertainment, it is very likely that they do not understand it. Likewise, the youngsters likely will not understand why their parents and grandparents are watching very long-running soap operas (do not mention that word to them) and what is their appeal. To bridge the gap between the generations entertainment-wise, first it is important to understand what the boomers and Xs like in general, what movies and music do they enjoy, what other activities they like or used to do in the past etc. Then perhaps it is time to bring it back to them and engage together with them with what they enjoyed, ask about their past, their friends and “the good old, young days”. This will definitely bring them a lot of joy and happiness and open themselves up, especially when someone younger will listen to them. A younger person now will have the opportunity to introduce their hobbies and what they like to their parents and grandparents and see similarities between. It might seem hilarious or weird to them at the beginning, but introduced gradually will likely convince them to understand, thus closing the gap.

Conclusion and not a definite answer

There are no definite answers and solutions to the problem of closing the gap and bringing dialogue between older and younger generations in Poland. Though I personally believe that those are some of the important ones that needed to be tackled in the current generational spectrum.

WHAT IS THE APPROACH OF GENERATIONS TO THE EVOLUTION OF MUSIC?

The cases of 20th and 21st century

by Hugo Croizé

T hroughout history we have seen the evolution of music playing multiple times with the generational war corridor, representing best the sensation of incomprehension of the new. Especially in the 20th century, the changes are quite visible.It was in the late 1940s that rock appeared as a result of the evolution of Rhythm’n blues and rock’n Roll. The Rock will integrate the first texts of protest which will shake up the codes and interest the young people of this time who will recognize them-

selves in the texts, while for the old generation have reacquainted a little by little disinterest of its style, do not feel concerned they will take rock for crazy music.

The first controversies

P unk is to be taken as an example due to its *niche nature (The products are suited for a specific customer segment), appearing in the 1970s. Then it was the turn of the early rap

© https://www.thearchaeologist.org/blog/the-evolution-of-music-40000-years-of-music-explained-in-8-minutes

Generational exploration Opening Act

to make its appearance on the scene also in the 1970s, continuing to stir the rock generations that still, for some people, is still considered as the golden age of music. Punk, a protest and anarchic cultural movement, due to its style, quickly became the music of the bad boys of its time. The same happened to the emergence of rap, which began to focus more on lyrics while slowly developing its own instrumental style to adapt more and more to increasingly engaged lyrics.

So, here we are in the 1980s-1990s; with this new story, many rock fans quickly transitioned to rap, starting to tell the story of the young generations of the time and societal problems. It is not uncommon to see the older generations boasting about the best years of music, especially rap and its beginnings. Almost simultaneously, we observe the emergence of electronic music towards its peak, which, like its previous innovations, was much better received by a young niche generation still in the sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll model. But the road doesn’t stop there, because after this period, we begin to talk about differing musical tastes. Turn after turn, emerging music styles increasingly compete in innovation, constantly stirring controversy, especially with Generation Z and the arrival of trap, a rap style focused on dance rhythms and lyrics advocating wealth, credibility, and women. Among all these styles, which one will be the talk of tomorrow?

The new controversies

N owadays,and especially since the summer of 2023, techno has taken a significant place in our club nights and even monopolizes festivals. A style from the year 1988 coming from Detroit, with a little more enthusiasm year after year, has developed like a rising star, leaving room for big names to have a real performance and a community that advocates respect and tolerances. It is

therefore complicated for an older generation to feel at home among this new generation, which nevertheless returns to this sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll mode.

“It is not uncommon to see the older generations boasting about the best years of music, especially rap and its beginnings.”

The infinite cycle of music

Music will continue to evolve, perpetually playing the same endless cycle that will never stop repeating itself, much to the delight of future young generations. Just like fashion styles, music is constantly evolving, and yesterday’s styles are tomorrow’s styles. Chronologically, each generation as soon as the music came out has been able to experience rock, funk, electro, RnB, house, but it only matters if we are interested because most people only focus on the current style, impacting the lifestyle of the current generation in their twenties, which is based on the renewal of existing styles or the arrival of new styles.

W hat to retain from all this? It is impossible to know the music of tomorrow, both due to the temporary popularity of current styles and the possibility of a new style suddenly emerging. But who decides all this? Well, it’s the top 50, classification of the most listened to music and other ones, TV shows from the early 2000s, which influenced the styles of the time, turning music into a fashion effect that one must always keep up with. Listening to the known music of the moment has become necessary for social integration within a group, while as one ages, it becomes necessary to have solid foundations of.

PRESERVING TRADITION: TSAROUCHAS RESTAURANT’S JOURNEY THROUGH GENERATIONS

Dimitris Tsarouchas on the Challenges and Joys of Running a Historic Family Restaurant

by Iryna Stryha, Lale Khoshnoud

Tsarouchas is a restaurant in Thessaloniki (Olympou 78), founded by two brothers — Nikos and Grigoris Tsarouchas in 1952. It’s famous for its Patsas (tripe soup) and

Local Life Thessaloniki’s POV

serves dishes from traditional Greek cuisine. Since the day the place was open, the eatery has traveled through decades, changing with the city.

We got a chance to interview the current owner, Dimitris Tsarouchas, from the second generation of the owners, and we got some insights about the place, the struggles he had

to get through, and the vision and hopes for the future.

C an you tell us about your family’s restaurant’s history and your story in it? How has it been passed down through generations?

T his family restaurant started in 1952 and has a 72-year history. It began with my uncle and my father — brothers Tsarouchas. I’m continuing the history of the place from 1996 until today, so it’s the second generation of this restaurant. My big value is my name; it has many years of value. Though the place has been passed down not only by name.

I began working here when I was 12 years old. Every summer, when I didn’t have school, I would come here with a bicycle — and I was an assistant waiter. I took care of the bread, water, plates, tables and chairs, all this. So it’s been passed down not only by name but also by work. I’ve known this work for years, and I am 51, so I have a lot of experience.

C an you tell us about the traditional dishes your restaurant is known for? Do you add new recipes to your menu?

We keep the old recipes. The main food we are famous for all over the world is Patsas (tripe soup). It’s a soup that we make in a boiler of 200 liters. We are making this soup 24 hours per day, again and again we put fresh meat and boil it non-stop. This soup is very popular, it has 33% collagen. After bouzouki and alcohol, people come here to cure their stomach, because this collagen fills the holes and damages inside, and makes the stomach feel better, to recover it after drinking. That’s the reason we are open 24 hours per day.

We have many food types added to our menu, but with respect for traditional recipes. For example, chicken filet with mushrooms, fresh red peppers, onions — in a casserole. This with tomatoes in the oven, or with rice — it’s an old dish, but we serve it nowadays. We use only fresh ingredients everyday. Tomatoes, onions, garlic. Those are ingredients that must be fresh everyday — mediterranean cuisine.

How do you make sure your restaurant stays current and attracts new customers?

T he promotion of the company is different now. Today everything works on social media. We have a lot of customers from all over the world, because we have very good reviews on Google, Tripadvisor, and we also have a lot of followers on Facebook and Instagram. And soon we will start making videos on Tiktok, because a lot of people today view it. We’re following the present to stand good in the future.

What do you think is the most special aspect of your place that keeps customers coming over the years?

We have three generations of customers. I will tell you a story that happened 10 years ago, when I was renovating the place. A customer from the second generation — his father had been coming to the restaurant since 1960 — came with his son here, and said: “Mr Tsarouchas, I read on the glass outside that you will make a full renovation. I know this place from my father, and this place, it’s a stable value in the history of the city and Greece for me, just like the White Tower or Acropolis. Why do you want to remake something here?” I told him: “Relax, this renovation will be done with respect to the past. The place will remain famil-

Local Life Thessaloniki’s

iar to your father, and your son will see it as it was many years ago. But, cleaner, lighter. The marbles — like the old marbles in the tables. The old chair — but new and clean. So, relax”. He came after the renovation, and said that everything was how he knew it to be, so he felt relieved.

It’s challenging to have new customers everyday, but it’s even more difficult to have three continuous generations of customers. We try to do our best everyday. And the food is something complicated, because the stomach of every man is different everyday.

Also the tourists in Thessaloniki, it’s the first year that we have 12 months of tourism. After Covid a lot of people from all over the world come to visit, so we have customers from New Zealand, Alaska, Australia, China, and not only the traditional tourists like Germans, Italians, French. We are located in the historical center of the city, close to ancient sights. And the tourists read reviews: “What’s your restaurant? Oh, 24 hours per day, okay. Traditional Greek food, okay”. Not only Gyros and burgers and some street food. It’s easy food, not fast food. That’s the reason we have more customers.

How do you see the future of the restaurant? Do you plan to change something?

The future is a really big question. Not only for our restaurant, but all over the world. For example Covid – during three years, the restaurant was closed with 20 employees without a job. In the season of Covid, we had only the takeaway, and delivery, not the tables. What can I do as the restaurant owner to have money for all the employees? The state has a minimum wage, but with the money the restaurant made then, it was not enough. So, an anthropological situation for me. I have two shifts of people in my restaurant, day and night-shift. We stopped being open at night, and people who worked night-shifts started working part-

time during the day, with people who worked day-shifts, who also had a part-time job now. To leave all of the 20 people, not fire them. It was a very difficult situation, not only for me, but for all the people. Not only for the sanitary of the situation, but the reality of the people that work and live here. So, the future… I’m a positive man, and I see that tourism goes better in my country. I believe in God, and I try everyday to do my best, for my people, for my customers. That’s all.

A s for changing something, I think everything is traditional, pure, good, and approved. It’s not good to change it. It’s good to keep and to refresh it, but the same. In the days that most people eat plastic food and fast food, we say “Kratame Thermopyles” — a quote from the ancient Spartan warriors in Thermopylae fighting the Persian people. It meant, we stand here, three hundred Spartans, with millions of Persians, but here we are, because we believe in what we’re doing. The reason I’m here is to protect the traditional Greek cuisine. So what can I change? What must change? I only want to refresh it.

ENCOURAGING CREATIVITY IN CHILDREN

The experience of Action Art’s ESC volunteers

by Friederike Schulz

In today’s digital age, children are bombarded with stimulation from screens and social media, leaving little room for imagination to flourish. Kids now are always overstimulated, kind of hypnotized by a screen. As society leans towards digitalization, the art of creation risks being overshadowed by instant gratification and passive consumption.

E ncouraging children to engage in hands-on activities not only stimulates their creativity but also cultivates essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and

self-expression. In a world that values rationality and logic, nurturing creativity becomes paramount in shaping well-rounded individuals who can navigate complexities with innovation and ingenuity.

It’s disheartening to observe that many schools seem to prioritize conformity over creativity and individuality. With immense pressure

to meet standardized testing requirements, there’s often a narrowed focus on rote memorization and standardized curriculum delivery methods, leaving little room for nurturing the unique talents and interests of each child.

“It’s nice, you have the feeling that you give the kids something.”

In Thessaloniki, near a children’s library on Filikis Etetrias Street, lies the office of Action Art, a project dedicated to igniting the sparks of imagination in young minds. Today, I met two of the project’s dedicated French volunteers, Ambre and Anais, who have been here for the last five months. Their workspace is a light-filled apartment where they are current-

A local view, Project Action Art: Young Minds in Thessaloniki

ly planning their next workshop. When asked to describe their work in three words, they answered clearly: creativity, passion, exchange.

A s we delve into their experiences of working with children, Anais shares a heartwarming moment when a child rushed to hug her in greeting. Another cherished memory they have is receiving a drawing from a child the day after a particularly engaging workshop, a reminder of the impact they have on young lives. What else drives and motivates these volunteers? Ambre reflects, “It’s nice, you have the feeling that you give the kids something.” This sense of fulfillment, of enriching lives through art, fuels their dedication.

Working with children, however, comes with its challenges. Anais acknowledges that the language barrier can sometimes be a problem. There is also a wide age gap between children, which is sometimes quite difficult to manage, but most of the children are very willing to participate. Yet, she observes that the most introverted children often surprise her with their creativity, using art as a medium to express thoughts and emotions.

Action Art is collaborating with the local library and four different workshop places. Their mission and workshops are a crusade to reclaim the lost magic of childhood imagination. By providing a space for young minds to explore, experiment, and create, they sow the seeds of a more vibrant and imaginative future.

The importance of art in children’s lives cannot be overlooked. Art nurtures creativity, emotional intelligence, and cognitive development, laying the foundation for success in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. As our society becomes more rational and non-artistic, the need to preserve and prioritize art in children’s education and upbringing becomes more urgent than ever. It is incumbent upon parents, educators, policymakers, and society as a whole to recognize the value of art and ensure that every child has access to meaningful artistic experiences that enrich their lives and shape their futures. Only by embracing and celebrating the arts can we cultivate a generation of innovative thinkers, empathetic individuals, and well-rounded human beings capable of navigating the challenges of the 21st century.

A JOURNEY INTO THE HISTORY OF TRADITIONAL GREEK FOOD

Tzatziki, Pita Gyros, Souvlaki

by Jeanne Mousset

I have been in Greece for two months, I discovered the beautiful history and culture of this country, I also discovered different cities and regions. I tried a lot of different typical foods and that’s what I’m going to talk about in this article. I will reveal to you three recipes and speciality fast food unavoidable in Greece. These three recipes are passed down from generation to generation. Greek food is a tradition and a cultural heritage, it is deeply rooted in millennia-old traditions, this creates a strong link between the old and new generations.These are friendly meals and moments of sharing that bring us back together and comfort us. In addition to that, Greek food is renowned for being healthy cuisine, with fresh and natural products. This provides goods for both older and younger people with great nutritional value that also helps transmission. Greek food is a varied and adaptable cuisine, the dishes can generally be modified, vegetarian, gluten-free, or others, it allows great flexibility and adaptation for each generation to appreciate. I will also talk to you of their history and of my experience with this speciality.

Tzatziki : Tzatziki is Greek specialty invented by the Perces who introduced this preparation to the Middle East, then it was found and spread throughout the Ottoman

This is a Tzatziki

Empire, including Greece. According to theories, the term tzatziki comes from persian “zhazh”, wich means mixtures of herbs and which would become in Turkish “cacik”, condiment. This preparation is based on Greek yogurt, garlic, cucumber, olive oil, lemon, mint, dill. You can find it in all restaurants in Greece, often accompanied by bread and olives. It is delicious. Tzatziki is also accom -

panied as a sauce with Souvlaki, Gyros, Pitas, ect… You can find Tzatziki everywhere in Thessaloniki and in Greece, in fast food or traditional restaurants. Always served on a plate, they always put it very generously, for many people it’s ok, alone prepare yourself because it’s a lot. You will always find a real Tzatziki. In my opinion it’s very very good, better then in my country, France. You can find a Tzatziki between 2€ to 5€ in restaurant or fast food, they sell them everywhere.

Pita Gyros : The Pita gyros is a dish originating from Thessaloniki, Greece, which would have been invented by a cook from Istanbul but originally Greek, in the 1950s. It looks like what French call “kebab” and “grec”, Gyros Pita literally means “meat roulade”. It consists of grilled pork or beef, chicken, lamb, depending on the fast food or restaurant. They add onions, tomatoes and mustard.. There are a lot of condiments that someone can put in, not just Tzatziki. Ex. Tirokafteri (made by feta cheese), ouggareza (with mayo, pieces of bacon, etc), Spices, peppers and aromatics herbs, sometimes you can’t find feta there depending on the regions and restaurants. All this preparation is wrapped in a pita bread. Eaten by hand and without moderation. About the Pita Gyros for me you have to choose a good place to eat good ones. Some restaurants do not necessarily serve pitas with all the traditional ingredients like a tzatziki, salad ect… others will be bland or dry, less garnished. I advise you to come in the fast foods that are recommended on Tripadvisor or ask locals for advice, personally that’s what I did. I also ate the good Pita Gyros in the small fast food that didn´t look like much and it was very

This is a Pita Gyros

good and really not expensive. You can find pita for 3€ to 5€, it’s very cheap and it’s very different from the French kitchen. I really enjoyed discovering this specialty.

Souvlaki : Souvlaki is a dish of Greek origin. The existence of skewers dates back to ancient Greece, known under the name “obeliskos” which means brooch. Marinated in lemon, olive and herbs for long hours, you can enjoy it at any time at noon or for dinner, in a bread Pita “PITA GYROS” or in a small brooch. They can be found with chicken, beef, pork, or mutton to suit everyone’s tastes and desires. Souvlaki can be served with fries, lemon, onions, cheeses for grilled vegetables to give even more taste. In my opinion it’s similary of Pita Gyros. You will find some in fast foods or restaurants, they make worse ones and better ones. Refer to the premises, note and or Tripvasor, follow your intuition in general we are not wrong. I find this dish very simple and very good, the aromatics herbs used really bring out the taste of the meat. I ate some with beef and chicken, the aromas were not the same. Depending on where you go it’s not the same meat or aromas. It was always served to me with lemon, also there to flavor and bring out the taste of the meat. It was a great discovery too, it made me thing of the «brochette» we have in France, which we make in Summer on the barbecue but the taste is not the same. You can find it for a reasonable price but more expensive than Tzatziki or pita gyros. I ate it for between 7€ and 12€ but the prices vary depending on the reputation of the restaurant.

To conclude, Greek Food Greek cuisine and the Greeks themselves have a deep respect for their cultural heritage and their cuisine. Greek cuisine is truly a bridge between generations,

mixing respect for traditions while adapting to new influences for young people, while honoring more classic recipes. Here I’m only talking to you about specialties, fast food but there are still many specialties to discover such as moussaka, Greek salad, melitzanes papoutsakia ect...maybe in a new article. Once again I have spoken to you in general about my experience, it’s up to you to make your own and enjoy the traditional Greek dish. To make you want to eat it even more…

This is a Souvlaki

BLOSSOMING BONDS: NAVIGATING FAMILY DYNAMICS IN A FLOWER SHOP EMPIRE

Balancing Tradition, Conflict, and Growth in a Family-Owned Business

by Iryna Stryha

*Names changed for privacy purposes

Flora* is a large flower shop chain located in a politically contentious country. The business is deeply rooted in family ties, and is owned and distributed among one big family. Multiple generations of this family have contributed to its growth, nurturing it from a tiny market stall to a flower shop empire. I got a chance to talk to Jane*, the daughter of the founder, and better understand what it’s like to be a part of the business that is run by her whole family. Through her lens, we wander through the garden of Flora’s* intergenerational legacy, where the seeds of the past find new life in the ever-evolving garden of the present. Here is what she shared:

My family has a florist business. We have six flower shops and a greenhouse. The history of our company started with my mother. When she was young, she began selling flowers on the market herself. I think what inspired her was simply her love for flowers. Then, there was an opportunity; my grandfather started buying flowers in another country where they were cheaper, and brought them for my mother. So it was very small at first, just on the local market. But then it began to grow, and my mother’s sisters and my aunts joined her and

started buying shops to make them flower shops. And then it got bigger and bigger. But initially, it was just my mother’s initiative. And because their competition was really low at that time, the business got pretty successful. Then, all of the family members got involved, and everyone got their own stores. But all of the flowers were distributed equally. The values behind the business have been family and being together.

I’m the daughter of the person who created this business. Sometimes, I was working there during summers, and I also helped with Instagram. In terms of relationships with my relatives, being a part of this business has been quite complicated. And there are particular members of the family with whom my relationship was ruined because of this business.

One of the lovely moments I remember about being a part of this family business was when we gathered every evening in one of the stores to discuss stuff and share money. It was really nice, I was a kid then, and we were running around with my other young relatives, looking at different souvenirs in the store while our parents were talking and sharing how their days passed.

Personal Narrative

Our family stores are now run by family members from different generations. Everyone is trying to keep up with the times and trends, but I noticed that for the owners from the older generation, customer preferences and market trade are more difficult than for the younger generation. So, everyone is adapting at different speeds. My cousins, for example, adapt quicker. My mom and aunts — slower.

I would say the most challenging aspect of a family business is to keep communicating clearly. A difficult moment for us was when the company was going to divide money and responsibilities. There was a certain political situation that had a huge effect on the company. Before it – everything in our business was common, and nobody ever divided anything. But after, there was a division, and every store started to belong to someone specific in the family. Challenging moment. It was when a great fear was placed on the company, everyone quarreled, and a big division went down after that.

I think family businesses are unique because in a family, we know each other more, and we value our relationships more. So we don’t want to argue to fall apart; that’s why we have this huge motivation to run this business. On the other hand, there’s another effect of having a family business — when something doesn’t work out or you are unsatisfied, it can damage your family relationships. And I know cases in my family; for some of the family members, it just fell apart, and they are not talking anymore.

In the end, from my perspective, family businesses always have advantages and disadvantages. But you always have to create a contract in the beginning, even if you think it will go okay without it, that nothing will happen because you are a family. I believe you always need a contract because you never know what can happen. You need to know all the risks and make communication very clear.

INTERGENERATIONAL STUFF

Echoes of Yesterday in Today’s World

by Iryna Stryha

Antique store on Tositsa Street © Iryna Stryha

Antique store on Tositsa Street

Antique store on Tositsa Street

© Iryna Stryha

© Lale Khoshnoud, Iryna Stryha

Mix Fix Intergenerating

Antique store on Tositsa Street

Antique store on Tositsa Street

© Iryna Stryha

© Iryna Stryha

Antique store on Tositsa Street

© Iryna Stryha

Mix Fix Intergenerating

Vaudeville Room (Gkarmpola 3, Thessaloniki)

© Iryna Stryha

Mix Fix Intergenerating

Vaudeville Room (Gkarmpola 3, Thessaloniki)

© Iryna Stryha

Mix Fix Intergenerating

Palaeokosmos – old world (Gkarmpola street)

© Iryna Stryha

Palaeokosmos – old world (Gkarmpola street) © Iryna Stryha

Palaeokosmos – old world (Gkarmpola street) © Iryna Stryha

Mix Fix Intergenerating

Palaeokosmos – old world (Gkarmpola street)

© Iryna Stryha

Palaeokosmos – old world (Gkarmpola street)

© Iryna Stryha

INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA

A comic trying to explain what it is and how to cope

by Luise Meerheim

BALKAN HOTSPOT TEAM

Lale Khoshnoud

United Societies of Balkans is a Non Governmental Organization, founded in Thessaloniki in 2008, by a team of active young people. The organization was created as a response to the pressure of constant changes in the Balkan and Eastern European region and under the need for the creation of a better social environment. Key areas of the organization’s activities concern the defense of human rights, the organization of youth exchanges and training courses, which will bring young people from Balkans and Europe together, the organization of local educational seminars and multimedia production (webradio, videos, documentaries).

Main goals of the organization

To promote the values of non formal le- aring,volunteering, active citizenship and democracy for the creation of a better future for European youth.

To promote human rights, solidarity and respect for diversity.

To build healthy cooperation bridges between countries of the Balkan area and that of Eastern Europe with the rest of Europe.

To locate and multiply the special cultural attributes of our societies.

The break down of prejudices and stereo- types between Balkan countries.

Property of Balkan Beats

The United Societies of Balkans, NGO, does not necessarily share the opinions expressed in Balkan Beats. It is illegal to reproduce any part of this publication without referring to the source.

Balkan Beats, a part of Balkan Hotspot

Balkan Hotspot is the ESC (European Solidarity Corps) project of “United Societies of Balkans”, a NGO founded in Thessaloniki in 2008 by a team of active young people.

The Balkans and Eastern Europe are geographical regions with many cultural features which offer a broad spectrum of actions and youth involvement initiatives. The organiza -

tion was created as a response to the pressure of constant changes in the Balkan and Eastern European region and under the need for the creation of a better social environment.

Key areas of the organization’s activities concern the defense of human rights, the organization of youth exchanges and training courses, which will bring young people from Balkans and Europe together, the organization of local educational seminars and multimedia production.

The volunteers responsible for this publication are hosted in Greece in the framework of the European Solidarity Corps. This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission can not be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

This magazine is distributed free of charge.

General Directors:

Aristodimos Paraschou | Christian Cibba

Editors: Ken Maciej Starczewski | Iryna Stryha | Alina Mancino | Friederike Schulz

Graphic Designer: Anna-Maria Diamantidou