November issue of VOICES magazine by Volunteers Centre Skopje: VOICES magazine

V magazine ices November, 2011

One big family and three generations of women by Antonella There’s no better way of comparing the life of children in Macedonia today and in the past than to go and ask your neighbour. Once, long time ago, I saw a film in which young university students had to take an exam on a scientific subject. They had studied hard, but the majority could not answer the last question: “What’s the name of the cleaning lady in this building?”... Everyday, we volunteers pass by and shop at a greengrocer’s in the corner of the square next to our house. But how many of us know the name of the salesclerk? How many of us stopped to talk with her about her family?

The Voices in my Head // Verschwende meine Jugend by Koen Having spoken with many local youngsters in Skopje and Macedonia during previous trips and my current stay as volunteer, I have heard a magnitude of different future plans, hopes, dreams and expectations. From the often-heard cravings to travel and live in other countries in Europe; starting your own business in Macedonia;

Teë huajt në Shkup by Martina Përderisa ne rritemi, ne duhet të marrim vendime për ardhmërinë tonë, njëra prej tyre është se ku do të vazhdojë arsimimi jonë. Ka shumë mundësi,ne mund të vendosim për të shkuar në universitetin lokal ose mund të zgjedhim për të shkuar në atë të kryeqytetit. Pa marrë parasysh se çfraë do të vendosim, ne duhet ti marrim në konsideratë anën pozitive dhe negative.

ЕВС во Eвропа од Силвиа Што се однесува до запознавање на нови луѓе, младите во Македонија се исти како и сите останати, посакуваат нови искуства, нетрпеливи се да запознаваат луѓе од цел свет, си бараат свое катче во Универзумот. И повеќе од јасен е слоганот- “Патувањето е мед за мислата”. Токму овие две компоненти, младоста и патувањето се инспирација за програмата “Европски волонтерски центар” или “Млади во акција”.

CONTENT

“Volunteers Centre Skopje” (VCS) is a non-governmental youth organization created in 2005 by former EVS volunteers. The main goal of the organization is to give non-formal educational possibilities to the young people, in different fields, on local and international level; to promote the idea of volunteerism and to connect young people without reference to their nationality, religion, political, economical or social status. We are putting effort to develop a multicultural civil society, to reinforce the existing democratic structure, to enhance the affirmation of young people through their individual abilities and skills, and to connect the young people with the purpose of their closer cooperation.

The Voices in my Head //

7 Foreigner in Skopje 13 The ‘90s in the heart of mediterranean sea

Voices Magazine is a project of VCS and it is created to provide more opportunities for young people to get to know other countries and cultures, as well to promote volunterism, non-formal education programs and active involment. Contributors Antonella Nuvoli Anouk Craps Sylwia Gorska Sanja Paunovska Elena Petrevska Sara Fantova Koen ter Heegde Monika Ashtalkoska Martina Lozanoska Design Antonella Nuvoli Sylwia Gorska Publish By Volunteers Centre Skopje

4 Editorial

Recipe for Social Life My tango experience

One big family and three generations of women

25 EVS in Europe 31 We are all Kukutza 36

Office address: Emil Zola 3-2/3 www.vcs.org.mk +389 2 277 20 95 +389 2 277 20 95

° Manaki brothers’ 32

38 European

Youth Capitalѕ

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Editorial

by Koen ter Heegde The theme of this autumn edition of VOICES is ‘Youth’. Obviously a topic too large to fully cover in just one magazine, but here we use it as a ‘coathanger’: addressing it in diverse articles about hopes and dreams of different generations, growing up on the countryside or in peripheral cities and many others. Since this magazine is made by and for young people in Skopje (and Macedonia) we figured that portraying local generations and visions of the future would always be (at least) interesting and raising questions about (y) our own youth and future. Another motive for this theme is that within certain generations of EVS volunteers there are always age differences. Moreover an extended period of voluntary work in another country makes you better equipped for future life, studies or jobs. That’s basically the whole reason the European Union supports a separate and independent youth program and provides these opportunities for us. Contact Volunteer Centre Skopje if you would like to help us making VOICES, contributing (or translating) articles, pictures, drawing, discussions or insights.

The Voices in my Head // Verschwende meine Jugend by Koen ter Heegde

Having spoken with many local youngsters in Skopje and Macedonia during previous trips and my current stay as volunteer, I have heard a magnitude of different future plans, hopes, dreams and expectations. From the oftenheard cravings to travel and live in other countries in Europe; starting your own business in Macedonia; studying in America and so forth. Every generation has different visions of their and their offspring’s future. Your grandparents had a vision of what they wanted for their (grand) children; your parents had a vision for themselves and for you. Priorities and expectations change over the years and in different generations. Since I personally still haven’t got a laid out

plan for, let’s say the next five years, the concreteness of some of the plans of the young people I speak with surprises me. Maybe (probably) this is something that I like to avoid thinking of. In the last ten years I always preferred living from day to day and not knowing where I will be the next year (and not remembering where I was last week). Now that my EVS in Skopje is running to and end, I am somewhat forced to plan ahead -having no house, job or money in The Netherlands- and coping with the constant questions and pressure coming from the ‘homefront’. My friends send me job vacancies on a regular basis, that I read, think about, but I didn’t apply for any. This off course doesn’t say that I don’t have

dreams or visions for the future. Perhaps I can be a promoter of a small music venue, or manage bands or do the PR/ promotion for a group, venue or organization. I have some experience in different fields, a master degree from university and a strong idealism about youth work and the cultural sector. On of my personal motivations for coming to Skopje as a volunteer was to allow myself to think about the near future, which I did on many occasions, but it hasn’t led to concrete plans. With one month left in this country I will have to force myself to make some. Any help or discussion is much appreciated.

Foreigner in Skopje

Since my brain cannot function without linking everything to songs and music I here present you the soundtrack to the article you have just read, and maybe even some of the articles in the rest of the magazine. Please note that there are thousands of songs dealing with this theme (there are whole lyrical genres based upon it), these are just some personal favourites, in no particular order.

by Martina Lozanoska

- DAF – Verschende deine Jugend (“Waste your Childhood”) - Rue Royale – Parachutes and Lifeboats - Iron and Wine – Upwards over the Mountain - Arcade Fire – Wake Up - Belle and Sebastian – Dog on wheels - The Undertones – Teenage Kicks - The Veils – Not Yet - The Gaslight Anthem – Great expectations - Blur – Country House - Pulp – Disco 2000 - The Rakes – 22 Grand Job (And half of the discography of Bruce Springsteen, but …)

5 Random Personal Favourite Movies about growing Up

-Herr Lehmann (2003 / Leander Haußmann ) -Where the Wild Things Are (2009 / Spike Jonze) -Almost Famous (2000 / Cameron Crowe) -Let the right on in (2008 / Tomas Alfredson) -The Breakfast Club (1985 / John Hughes)

As we grow old we have to make decisions about our future, one of them is where will continue our education. There are many options, we can decide to go to the local university or we

mitory. It is very important in which one you will get in. students usually apply in the ones that are closer to the faculty they go to or to the ones that are in better shape. But if you are a fresh-

can choose to go in the capital city. No matter what will decide, we have to consider the positive and the negative side.

man there isn’t much to choose, you will live in the one that is available. If you decide to go in the dorms you must be prepare to meet whit different kind of people and to be able to communicate whit everyone in an civilized way because you don’t have much choice, everyone in there are different and come from different places form the

For those that decide to go in Skopje it is very important where they will live. There are two options you either rent an apartment whit friend or go to the dor-

country. One of the advantages is that you pay rent in which is included bills and food. And you also meet all sorts of people and that will use you in the future. If you decide to rent, you should be prepared for the upcoming challenges. You will have to find an apartment that is suitable for you, economically and to be in a good location. There are also rent, bills and food, you have to take care that everything is on time, so you’ll don’t have problems. But one of the perks is that you have more privacy and you get to live whit someone you know. There are a lot of differences between local students and the ones from the up-country. Local students can’t always understand the others. After all they have all the advantag-

es from living at home. Not much is changed for them; they still have the same surrounding, the same friends and the same problems as before. It is much better to come home from school and your mother made lunch, or when you get up in the morning and your only obligation is to go to school and study. When you are alone you have to do everything for yourself. You are the one that has to thing whether you eat home or go out, whether you save money and don’t go out tonight, bills and rent. These are some things that can be very stressful when you are eighteen. Even the night life is different. They don’t have the same habits. Local students usually go to cafés and then to the clubs, as the others have private parties and then they organize some sort of group going out. There are some sorts of clubs in the dorms where the students organize parties and everyone is invited. Local students

usually go to these parties just of curiosity or if they know someone from there. When you come from a different city you can be a little confused. Suddenly, you are in environment where you don’t know anyone and you can’t adapt to the new surrounding at first. It is hard to be away from the people you know and love. You have to learn to

take care of yourself and to depend on anyone. As you adapt to the new situation you will learn that it is not that bad to be by yourself. Not everything is as scary as it

seems. You have made new friends and learned how to function without someone telling you what is right or wrong. But whit freedom comes and great responsibility, you can’t just relax and whatever you want. Now you are responsible for your choices and mistakes. You can’t just have fun without thinking about the consequences. Not everything is the

way you imagined when you came. Some students can’t afford just to go to school and study, they have to find a job if they want go get through the month or to afford to

go out and party like the others. Students that go away to study don’t just get a degree and go home. They also learn to how to survive in the unknown. The fact is that everyone knows everything when you live in a small town, and every move that you make is watched and jugged. It is safer when you know what is expected from you and what you shouldn’t do. But when you come home after studies you realize that everything is changed. You are treated differently because you act differently. You have learned not to worry what everybody thing of you and learned that you are who you are. Even your parents treat you differently, now they look at you as an adult and expect to act like one. But the real question is how to ménage to combine all that you learned and all that you become? Something is for sure; you are not the same person that you were when you left. Your

priorities have changed. And your goals are different. Going away for studies is a life changing experience. That is a way to shape your personality and to learn your limits. You meet all kinds of people and make friends that will last for life. You learn how to behave in unknown surrounding and how to adapt to everything that life brings you. It is one of the most important parts in a men’s life. Everything you’ll gain it can be useful in the future. Every experience teaches you to something, and you become a better person. There is nothing that you will change; even the

bad memories are good because they are yours. There is one thing that you should keep in mind, note everything is what it looks like at first. You have to make boundaries how far will you go and what is the purpose that you came for. There are some of us that got lost along the way, but you learn from other people mistakes not just your own.

Teë huajt në Shkup by Martina Lozanoska Përderisa ne rritemi, ne duhet të marrim vendime për ardhmërinë tonë, njëra prej tyre është se ku do të vazhdojë arsimimi jonë. Ka shumë mundësi,ne mund të vendosim për të shkuar në universitetin lokal ose mund të zgjedhim për të shkuar në atë të

kryeqytetit. Pa marrë parasysh se çfraë do të vendosim, ne duhet ti marrim në konsideratë anën pozitive dhe negative. Për ata të cilët vendosin të shkojnë në Shkup,

është shumë e rëndësishme se ku do të jetojnë. Ka dy opcione:ose merr një banes me qira me shokun ose mund të shkosh në konvikt. Është shumë e rëndësishme në cilën do të shkosh. Studentët zakonisht aplikojnë në ata të cilët janë më afër fakultetit ku studijo-

jnë, ose te ata të cilët janë në formë më të mirë. Por nëse je një student/e, nuk duhet shumë për të zgjedhur, ju do të jetoni në atë banesë që është në dispozicion. Nëse ju vendosni të shkoni në

konvikt, ju duhet të jeni të përgaditur të njoftoheni me njerëz të llojeve të ndryshme dhe të jeni në gjendje të komunikoni me ata në mënyrë të civilizuar sepse nuk keni shumë zgjedhje, të gjithë atje janë të ndryshëm dhe vijnë nga vende të ndryshme. Njëra nga avantazhet është se ju paguani qira ku janë të përfshira faturat dhe ushqimi. Gjithashtu ju do të njoftoni të gjitha llojet e njerëzve dhe kjo do të ju shërbejë në të ardhmen. Nëse ju vendosni të merrni banes me qira, ju duhet të jeni të përgaditur për sfidat e ardhshme. Ju duhet të gjeni një apartament që është e përshtatshme ekonomikisht për ju dhe të jetë në një vend të mirë. Aty hyjnë faturat dhe ushqimi ku ju duhet të jeni të kujdeshëm që çdo gjë është të rregull dhe në

kohë, kështu që nuk do të keni problem. Por njëra nga përparsitë është se ju keni më shumë liri dhe mund të bashkjetoni me dikë që e njifni. Ka shumë dallime ndërmjet studentit vendas dhe atij jashta saj. Studentët vendas jo gjithmonë mund ti kuptojnë të tjerët. Para se gjithash, ata kanë gjitha avantazhet nga të jetuarit në shtëpi. Jo gjithçka ndryshon për ata, sepse ende e kanë rrethin e njëjtë, shoqërinë e njejtë dhe problemet e njëjta si më parë. Është shumë më mirë kur kthehesh nga shkolla dhe e ke gati darkën të përgaditur nga nëna, ose kur duhesh të zgjohesh në mëngjes, detyra jote është vetëm të shkosh në shkollë dhe të mësosh. Kur je vet, duhesh të bësh gjithçka për veten.Ti je ai/ajo që duhesh te mendosh se a duhet të hash brenda apo jashtë, a duhet të shpenzosh para për ti paguar faturat dhe qiranë. Këto janë disa gjëra që mund të jenë të vështira për ju kur jeni në të tetëmbëd-

hjetat. Edhe jeta e natës ri ku nuk e njifni askënd është e ndryshme. Ata dhe nuk mund të adapnuk i kanë zakonet e tohesh menjëherë me

njëjta. Studentët vendas zakonisht shkojnë nëpër kafe dhe më pas nëpër klube, ashtu si të tjerët që kanë ahenge private dhe pastaj ata organizojnë një lloj të grupit për të shkuar jashtë. Ka disa lloje të klubeve nëpër konvikte ku studentët organizojnë ahenge dhe gjithkush është i ftuar. Studentët vendas zakonisht shkojnë nëpër këto ahenge vetëm për kureshtje ose në qoftë se e njohin dikend nga aty. Kur ju vini nga një qytet tjetër, ju mund të jeni pak të shqetësuar. Papritmas ju jeni në një ambient të

rrethin e ri. Është rëndë të jesh larg njerëzve që i njeh dhe i don. Ju duhet të mësoheni të kujdeseni për veten dhe të mvareni nga çdokush. Përgjatë përshtatjes me rrethin e ri, ti do të mësosh se nuk është edhe aq keq të qenurit vetvetja. Jo çdo gjë është aq e frikshme sa duket. Ju keni bërë miq të rinj dhe keni mësuar se si të funksiononi pa ju treguar dikush se çfarë është e drejtë apo e gabuar. Por me lirinë vjen edhe një përgjegjësi e madhe, ju nuk mundeni vetëm te relaksoheni dhe të

bëni gjithçka që dëshironi. Tani ju jeni përgjegjës për zgjedhjet tuaja dhe gabimet. Ju nuk mund të keni argëtim pa menduar për pasojat. Jo çdo gjë është ashtu siç e keni paramenduar kur keni ardhur. Disa studentë nuk mund të përballojnë që vetëm të shkojnë në shkollë dhe të mësojnë, ata duhet të gjejnë punë nëse duan që ta kalojnë muajin apo nëse duan të dalin dhe të kënaqen si të tjerët. Studentët qe shkojnë jashtë për të studijuar, jo vetëm që e marrin diplomën dhe kthehen në shtëpi. Ata gjithashtu mësojnë se ti të mbijetojnë në panjohuri. Fakti është se të gjithë dijnë çdo gjë kur ju jetoni në një qytet të vogël, dhe çdo lëvizje që ju bëni shifet dhe gjykohet. Është më e sigurt kur ju e dini se çfarë pritet prej jush dhe çfarë nuk duhet të bëni. Por kur kthehesh në shtëpi pas studimeve ,e kupton se gjithçka ka ndryshuar. Ju trajtoheni ndryshe, sepse keni vepruar ndryshe. Ju

keni mësuar që mos të shqetësoheni se çfarë mendojnë të tjerët për ju dhe keni mësuar atë se ju jeni ky qe jeni. Edhe prindërit tuaj ju trajtojnë ndryshe, tani ata shikojnë në ju si një i rritur dhe presin të veprosh si një i tillë. Por pyetja e vërtetë është ajo se si ti kombinosh të gjitha ato që i ke mësuar dhe çka je bërë? Diçka është e sigurt,j u nuk jeni i njëjti person që keni qenë kur jeni larguar. Prioritetet e juaja tanimë janë ndryshuar dhe qëllimet e juaja tani janë të ndryshme. Duke shkuar larg për studime është një ndryshim në përvojën e jetës. Kjo është një mënyrë për krijimin e personalitetit tuaj dhe për ti mësuar kufijtë e juaja. Ju njoftoheni me gjitha llojet e njerëzve dhe krijoni shoqëri që do të zgjasin deri në fund. Ju mësoni se si të silleni në një rreth të panjohur dhe si të përshtateni në gjithçka që ju sjell jeta. Kjo është njëra nga pjesët më të rëndësishmë në jetën e njerëzve. Çdo gjë që ju

do të fitoni mund të jetë e dobishme në të ardhmen. Çdo përvojë ju mëson diçka dhe kjo ju bën një njeri edhe më i mirë. Nuk ka diçka që do të kishit ndryshuar, edhe kujtimet e këqija janë të mira sepse janë të tutë. Një gjë ju duhet ta mbani në mend, jo çdo gjë është ashtu siç duket në fillim. Ju duhet ti bëni kufijtë se sa larg do të shkoni dhe çfarë është qëllimi që keni ardhur. Ka disa njerëz prej nesh që e kanë humbur rrugën, por ju duhet të mësoni nga gabimet e të tjerëve dhe jo vetëm nga ato të juajat.

The ‘90s in the heart of mediterranean sea by Antonella Nuvoli How was childhood in a small village of Sardegna? Tales of everyday life without mobile phone, internet and cinema, when still it was possible to survive without all these things. Usually when people ask me “Where are you from?”, instinctively I would say “From Sardegna”. But often I should explain “One of the biggest islands in the Mediterranean Sea... No, it’s not in France, that’s Corse... No, there isn’t mafia, that’s Sicily”.. Un-

fortunately sometimes I simply say “Italy”, that’s also a truth confirmed by my passport. But when people hear Italy, they begin to think of Rome, Venice, Milan or Turin, and their reaction is “Italy? Cool!!”. I’m Sardinian and for Italian people Sardegna is cool only in summer because loads of famous people, from the entertainment and political world (as you may know, in Italy there is a strong connection between showbiz and politics...), kings, queens and moneybags from all over the world fly to Costa Smeralda (in the north-east of the island). Most of them stay in Porto Rotondo or Porto Cervo, prudently avoiding to put their feet in the unknown part of the island. The “must” is to be there, to show themselves with their yacht and drink

champagne in Briatore’s Billionaire disco. Telling other people “I spent my summer holidays in Sardegna” means that you’re cool, rich, glamourous, fashionable. But it’s a completely different story to spend autumn, spring and winter there as well... I lived my childhood there, in a small village in the heart of Sardegna. Me and my two sisters shared everything: we studied in the living room together and when finished we went to the

street to play together there isn’t one. The first with the other children time in my life I went to a cinema was one week before my 15th birthday. We organized an expedition with all of our friends to a different town to watch one of the biggest of the neighbourhood. critical and commerThere weren’t any mo- cial successes, Titanic... bile phones in the ‘90s There weren’t armchairs, but it wasn’t difficult to but only wooden and meet each other in the not-at-all-comfortable village. We just had the chairs. Nevertheless, we phone at home and in enjoyed the epic moone of my friends’ house ment: we were in a cinthey managed to lock it ema!! so that children couldn’t Remembering my childuse it. hood means rememberLiving in the ‘90s in the mountains also meant also that sometimes, but especially during Christmas holidays, when we could go to sleep later to watch a movie, for sure there was a power cut and we had to ask our cousins from another town to know how the film ended. There was no cinema in my village and still ing the Fiat Uno Bianca.

During these years, my mother used to drive this Fiat Uno Bianca all along the winding streets of northern Sardegna. At the same time, in Italy there was a criminal organization called “The gang of the Uno Bianca” that from 1987 until 1994 committed a lot of crimes and also killed 24 people. Before every criminal action, they used to steal one Uno Bianca (every time they stole a different one) because it was a very popular make of cars. Fortunately, they never went to operate in Sardegna and our car was safe! With the time, me and my sisters developed a

special ability to rec-

ognize the roar of our Uno so that we knew in advance when mum was arriving and we had enough time to turn off the tv and start to pretend to study. There were some clothes shops in the village (now there are only a few... crisis’ blame!), but in my family there was the ritual to go to the city before Christmas and Easter and during sales in January and July. These kinds of journeys were real odysseys: all of us in our car, the smell of petrol that for sure would kill the stomach of one of us, forcing my mother to stop the car and let us throw up in the middle of nowhere.. Then, we would run to check as many shops as human beings can visit in one afternoon, trying clothes in a hurry and going back home tired and happy. We did the same also for the dentist and the oculist, but back home we were tired

as always and sad (new braces or glasses are not as exciting as new trousers or new coats...). In the neighbourhood there were a lot of sheperds and we used to go to one of them to buy fresh milk every morning. I mean like Heidy, but at least not directly from the cow.. Sundays were special

cousins from Rome that spoke with a “weird” accent and sometimes they didn’t understand Sardinian... Yes, they arrived from a different world, that world that people in Sardegna call “Continent”, known in the rest of the world as “Italy”.. As usual, we went to the beach in the Uno Bianca, all oily and sticky from the suntan cream and heat because, as you can imagine, our car didn’t have air conditioning. Nowadays things are a little bit different and life in the middle of Sardegna in the ‘90s can seem boring, but I regret days: we went to the nothing. There’s hapchurch with our new pyness also in the small clothes and after that we and simple things of life. had lunch in one of the grandmothers’ house (there were turns in order to avoid useless family arguments) to meet the cousins from the other towns. During the summer, the meeting point for the family was the big house by the Coast of one of my aunts and there we met our

Recipe for Social Life by Monika Ashtalkoska Human Beings are social animals, and the tenor of our social life is one of the most important influences on our mental health. Without positive durable relationships, both our minds and our bodies fall apart. In recent years the world went forward so its change us all and the young generation, to which they belong, and pull me in that world, which for us is as unknown wave. We have a big change in this modern age, and that is how grow and develop children in this century. With globalization increasingly evolving technology ,and the computer is a phenomenon of the 21st century. When I walk back to my childhood, I feel positive vibration, life was filled with the

spirit and rapidly rising bursts of warm thoughts, much companionship, carefree. The girls most of the time spent playing Lastik, Dama, Lepcinja, Narodna before the

building. Outside, during the lunch I could hear the voices of mothers, who invited to eat. But we were rapt in our games pretended not to hear and hiding just

not to be at home. And then careful mother was coming outside and gave us a sandwich. Our time was filled maximally with different activities from cultural events through to sporting activities. All the time with my friends I went to stay with each other. The boys from all quarters gathered and played different games, most popular were kaca dzandar and dzamlii. They went to play game (fliperi), sometimes gathering in groups and stole any fruit from the fields of neighbors, if they stole corn, they burning fire, and with pleasure will bake and eat. We did not have computers, mobile, play station, or 100 TV channels , we had friends and went to play outside. I must men-

tion that we had a great respect for our parents, the elderly and of course teachers. We knew just to recognize evil. In our time we lived in a social society, where most of the time we spend with our friends, I feel that

mother, all of the time, they spent on the computer, playing games without a break of about 5 hours, and knew to turn the computer although they cannot read Latin. She was surprised how children spend

closeness, the shy glances of passion and premeditation for life, surmountable confusion in careless spending, lived hours, wandering along the paths we crossed. While I wrote the essay, accidentally went to see my mom, who did a pindzur and just came one neighbor. It began to discuss about her grandchildren aged two to five years. While, they were in visiting their grand-

their time. Children are now being modified in any form, it’s like loosing that connection, the friendship. There are no longer fights and playing in the street, only technologically advanced nation on earth .When they pass by me in my building, do not say good afternoon. I must mention my friend who is a professor, and she always complains and hook from their stu-

dents, and their insolence, lack of behavior and respect. This simple and mechanical life that leads a meaningless wisdom, crushing a working intelligence, morality and respect as to be lost in empty abstractions of life. According to a survey one in ten now suffers from a clinically recognised mental health problem, and UNICEF report on “childhood well being” found out that out of 21 nations across the developed world, British children are the unhappiest. A damning survey by the National Consumer Council reported in the Mail, revealed that children who watch too much television and spend hours on the internet are “greedy and unhappy”. We have come to believe that 21st century children are different from children in the past that they can get by with less parental time and attention skip stages in their development and cope with pressures and emotional burdens

children shouldn’t have to cope with. The world spins faster and faster— or maybe it just seems that way when an email can travel around the world in fractions of a second—we mortals need a variety of ways to cope with the resulting pressures. We need to maintain some semblance of balance and some sense that we are steering the ship of our life.

I would suggest A recipe for Social Life: Get Fun, Get Creative, Get Together Ingrediens: One fine day of the week Grab a few friends of your choice Buy a large band of 1 m Go to a place that is convenient for playing, often it is done outside Directions: Dial up to all friends and collect them before building Two people hold a band with your finger in the middle A third friend can start jump on the bands Substitutions: This is a robust recipe and, therefore, can easily handle substitutions of most any kind: day of week, time of day, venue, activity, number of people involved, etc. Just be sure to stick with the key ingredients: get social, get together & get creative.

My tango experience by Martina Lozanoska

There are a lot of ways of expressing yourself; one of them is through dancing. Dancing is a very sensual way of moving your body to the rhythm. Especially tango dancing, this way of dancing comes from Buenos Aries and Montevideo. It has influence form European and African culture and first was performed from slaves and lower- class people. There are a lot of dance studios in Skopje that give classes for this kind of dancing, but there is one group that is not like the others. They call themselves “Tango Gang”. This group

of people started meting spontaneously; it all began when two tango players came from Slovenia. Now they exist for five years and organize all kinds of events. It is an open group and everyone is welcomed to join, all you need is passion for dancing and open mind as the members say. They invite dancers from abroad ones a month and organize some kind of workshops. Dancers came from Serbia, Greece, Slovenia, Austria and Argentina. They give free dancing classes and organize Milonga, which is a different style

of tango dancing; it uses the same elements as Tango and requires a relaxation of legs and body. The movement is faster and there are no pauses. It is much more “rustic” way of Tango. Usually there are no instructors, they dance as they listen and they are learning themselves. They meet in various locations because they don’t have a studio or an office. This is a way to stay free in the spirit of Tango; also they are trying to avoid bureaucracy because it can ruin the main purpose, as they say. They perform original Tango and improvise whit the dancing and the music. Every member is trying to find its own way of dancing and expressing and they try to help each other to do that. Their only urge is passion and love towards the music. In this way

they express emotions that are well hidden, and this is one of the reasons why they don’t charge for the lessons. You can’t charge someone for expressing them self, as they say. They have chosen this way of organization because they don’t believe in existing prices for

doing something you love, because there are no prices for freedoms. How can you charge something that you really enjoy doing? Improvisation is the main key of their work,

they move like a well organized group because they understand each other and their secrets came to life trough the dancing and Tango. Every member is equal, there are no leaders and there is no hierarchy. The ones who are there from the beginning and the ones that came yes-

terday have sane place in the group. This group is one of a kind for now they want to send a message to the young people that being involved in something like this can be very satis-

fying and fun. It is better to do something like this whit your free time than to sit home in front of a computer or TV. You get to meet a lot of people that share your interest and goals in life. Tango can take away your mind of your problems and for a few moments during the music is playing you fill like you are able to do anything you want and be anything you want. There is no better way to relies yourself and fill the passion inside you. If anyone is interested in trying to do this kind of performance, the group can be found in many cafes in Skopje. Every Thursday they organize beginnings lessons in “Magor” café from 1921h and 20- 22h. Also, parties are organized in “Magor” café every Monday from 21- 24h, café “Fan” 21- 24h on Thursday, and “Temple” café from 21- 24h on Friday. You can also contact them on Facebook as Tango Praktika info group.

One big family and three generations of women by Antonella Nuvoli` There’s no better way of comparing the life of children in Macedonia today and in the past than to go and ask your neighbour. Once, long time ago, I saw a film in which young university students had to take an exam on a scientific subject. They had studied hard, but the majority could not answer the last question: “What’s the name of the cleaning lady in this building?”... Everyday, we volunteers pass by and shop at a greengrocer’s in the corner of the square next to our house. But how many of us know the name of the salesclerk? How many of us stopped to talk with her about her family? When we decided that the new edition of Voices had to talk about youth Macedonian people, their childhood

and their hopes, I asked myself where to find a youngster for an interview. Later that night, going back home in the same street as always, I realized that the child I was looking for was under my nose. Or even better. I had in front of me 3 generations of women of the same family with thier past and present experiences to share. And so, in the warmth of the heater inside of the fruit shop, after four months I

discovered the names of the women from which I daily buy the food. Edalhaida and her doughter Marija have run this shop together since 2001. They told me that many years ago everyone in the country had a job, there were a lot of factories in Skopje and this helped to have an easier life. Now people have to manage everything inside of the family and pay to feed them. Edalhaida, 52 years old,

learned the trade of a hairdresser’s and worked in this field for a while, but later changed and for 16 years she worked as cleaning lady in a mu-

seum in the city centre. Her daughter Marija, 31 years old, is married and a mother of two children. When I asked her which dreams she had in her childhood, she answered that she would have liked to be a teacher. Actually, she started to study that but then life took a different path: she got pregnant and had to leave the school. Marija said this with dreamy eyes while looking happy to her eldest daughter. When I asked her about her daughters’ future and whether she

wanted them to continue to work in the family business she said no, in no way. Her dream is for her daughters to continue to study and, with a

little bit of luck, it would be great if they could go to live with their aunt (Marija’s sister) that currently works in Switzerland. The children were there with us: Bissa, 11 years old, that tried to participate in the conversation and from time to time said some words in English, and Haidi, 8 years old, ready to go to karate classes. They are two nice and happy sisters, very similar despite the three years that separate them. Their childhood is peaceful: they go

to school in the neighbourhood and after that they are busy with karate classes and dance. Bissa and Haidi, unlike their mother and grandmother, had the possibility to travel abroad and visit Montenegro, Serbia, plus a lot of excursions with the school to Ohrid, Struga, Vevcani, Krushevo. The two sisters, as every other child in the world, have their secret wishes and maybe in the future they will be able to fulfil them: Bissa wants to become an architect and Haid a photoreporter. This is the meaning of an happy childhood: to dream, to imagine the best for the future, to daydream. There will be a time to start struggling to realize everyone’s desires.

Една голема фамилија и три генерации на жени од Антонела Нуволи

во пиљарата, после нас застанале и 4 месеци ги открив разговарале за имињата на жените, од нејзината фамилија? Кога се решивме дека кои купувам секој ден храна. во наредниот VOICES магазин ке зборуваме Едалхаида и нејзината ќерка Марија, ја имаат за младината на пиљарата уште од Еднаш, долго Македонскиот народ, 2011 година. Тие ми време наназад, Јас нивното детство и кажаа дека многу гледав филм, во кој нивните надежи, се години наназад, во младите студенти запрашав себе си, Македонија секој од универзитетот, каде да најдам млад имаше работа, многу требаше да полагаат дечко или девојка за фабрики работеа во испит по научен интервју. Покасно предмет. Тие истата вечер, на студираа тешко, но пат кон дома во многумина од нив истата улица како и неможеа да одговорат секогаш, видов дека на последното детето кое го барав прашање: Кое е беше на височино името на чистачката некаде под мојот нос. во школото?... Секој Или уште подобро, ден ние волонтерите, имав пред мене 3 одиме на ќошот на генерации на жени, плоштадот, близу од иста фамилија со нашата куќа во нивните минати и пиљара. Но колкумина сегашни искуства за од нас го знаат името споделување. И така, на продавачката? под топлината на Колкумина од радијаторот внатре

Нема подобар начин од споредба на животот на едно дете во Македонија денес и во минатото, прашувајки го соседот.

Скопје и дека тогаш живеачката била многу полесна. Сега луѓето мораат сами да си менаџираат внатре во нивната фамилија и да се борат за егзистенција. Едалхаида, 52 години, на времето била фризерка, но подоцна скоро 16 години работела како чистачка во музејот на градот Скопје. Нејзината ќерка Марија, 31 година, е мажена и е мајка на две деца. Кога ја запрашав какви и биле соништата кога била дете, таа одговори дека сакала да биде наставничка. Всушност Марија почнала да учи за наставничка, но животот ја однел по различни патеки: затруднила, па морала да го напушти школото. Марија го соопшти ова гледајки со зажарени очи наспрема постарата ќерка. Ја прашав исто така за иднината

на нејзините ќерки број на ексурзии и дали истите би ја организирани преку продолжиле работата училиштето во Охрид, во пиљарата, таа Струга, Вевчани, веднаш одговори Крушево... Двете со НЕ. Нема шанси. сестри, како и многу Нејзиниот сон за други дечиња, имаа нејзините ќерки е тајни желби, кои да, тие студираат и можеби во иднина кога ке завршат да ке им се исполнат: одат и да живеат Биса сака да стане во Швајцварија, архитект а Хаиди фото каде што живее и репортер. работи нивната тетка Ова е значењето (сестрата на Марија). на едно детство: Децата беа тмау со нас. да се сонува, да Биса, 11 години, која се имагинира се трудеше да ја прати нашата комуникација и од време на време туку ке кажеше по некој збор Англиски, и Хаиди, 8 години, спремна да оди на карате часови. Тие се две прекрасни среќни сестри, многу слични. Нивното детство беше мирно – Тие одеа на училиште, а потоа на карате и на часови за танцување. Биса за најдброто на и Хаиди, нажалост иднината, дневно за нејзината мајка и да се сонува. Ке баба, имаа можност дојдат времиња кога да одат во Црна Гора, ке зпочнат да се плус на огромен реализираат сите овие желби

EVS in Europe by Sylwia Gorska While meeting new people, young people in Macedonia and from other countries, I may say that we are all the same, open for new experience, eager to meet new people from all over the world, learn new things, search for our own place…Obvious things as much as the slogan “travelling boarders your mind”. Those two things, youth and travelling were used as an inspiration for starting such programme like European Voluntery Service or the Youth in Action. Such programmes offer young Europeans the chance to make a real difference to the world – and to their own lives. The European Voluntary Service (EVS) provides young Europeans with the unique chance to express their personal commitment through

unpaid and full-time voluntary activities in a foreign country within or outside the EU. In this way, it seeks to develop solidarity, mutual understanding and tolerance among young people, thus contributing to reinforcing social cohesion in the European Union and to promoting young people’s active citizenship. Learning for life! Everything looks nice on the paper, and the perspective of living for a while in new country is for sure very excited but how does it look in real? Is such experience really useful for young people or maybe it is an unnecessary break from their normal life? I decided to check the feelings of people who has just finished their projects and come back to their home country. Are their feelings and enthusiasm

about EVS the same as at the beginning? Do they regret anything? Let’s check their stories.

A Spanish EVS Story by Ivana Trajanovska from Macedonia Hace 1 año fui a España… Ups… I’m sorry, you actually speak/ understand English?! Well, a case like you was very rare to find during my EVS stay in Spain. This fact was causing me problems at first but with the time I started loving it! I could learn Spanish fast and practice it in any situation. And actually, it was one of my main motivations to do an EVS. So, a year ago, with my life packed in one backpack, I arrived in Lorca – a small city in the southeast of Spain. (Lorca is also known as ‘The city

of the Sun’ because of its more than 320 sunny days a year.) I got introduced to my flat-mates 3 other EVS volunteers, my tutor, my colleagues, my Spanish teacher... to the neighborhood, the city center, the monuments, the market, the bars… It was all new to me but I was easily seduced by the view of the palm and orange trees all around, the smell of the sea that was near, the taste of the Mediterrane-

an food and the siestafiesta life-style. I was happy to be a volunteer sent by Kreaktiv

and hosted by Cazalla Intercultural. The two organizations were providing me the needed support and training before, during and after the 9 months of my voluntary service. Cazalla Intercultural is an organization that works at the social education and social awareness in the areas of immigration and multiculturalism, youth and human rights. My tasks were varying from organizing events,

contacting international partners and designing promotional materials to teaching kids English, developing a radio emis-

sion and helping the affected people of the big earthquake that happened in Lorca in May. I would like to encourage every young person to consider doing a European Voluntary Service since the only requirement to participate in the program is to be at the age of 18-30. And the list of what you can get out of the program is very long. Here is a part of the content of my list: a new language learned, many dear international friends gained, a new country explored, valuable job experience, a new culture met, Granada, new skills, improved attitudes, Valencia, becoming more independent, improved cooking skills, Seville, work with kids, Malaga, diving, video making (http:// w w w. y o u t u b e . c o m / atch?v=yYlN7G5UfgE), concerts and cinema, Madrid, new music and dances, living library, radio experience, Mallorca, biking, amor, museums, hitch-hiking, Barcelona...

A Hungarian EVS Story by Marjan Angelovski from Macedonia My EVS project started in April and finished in October this year in Hungary. I was part of the project title „Different culture on the same wavelength”. I worked with other volunteers from all around the world on the radio, the project was about „Language lesson”: the volunteers speak in their mother language. They talking about a topic that they chose and they speak in their mother tongue. ”Point of View”: the volunteers speak about serious topics (for example: youth policy, school system, exchange programmes, environment, intercultural dialogue, 2010 the European year of the combating poverty and social exclusion) with each other in English language with Hungarian translation. “Free”: the volunteers

speak about free and youthful topics (for example: habits, marriage, “Our trip in Europe”) with each other in English language with Hungarian translation. They say about their opinion about these kind of topics. “Experience the world”: the volunteer

ing the technical task as well. When I went on EVS I was 25 years old and I just graduated “Faculty of Political Science” and post-graduated “Faculty of International Security”. I decided for to go on EVS project because of

make radio interview in their mother tongue or English language. They usually speak with famous people. For example: famous bands and politicians. Next to things above, collecting information, making reports and interviews, editing and presenting the programme - includ-

the radio. I am very interested about music and about the global politics, and my radio show was about that. I worked on several radio stations in Hungary as a radio producer and resident DJ in several clubs in Hungary, and for me it is the best experience I ever had in my life.

I was so excited when I arrived to Hungary but at the same time I had many projects on my mind about the music and so many interviews with artists and bands from Europe, because I was a promoter and manager of several European bands. So I started the first week promoted the new songs and albums from them. It was about global promotion and I am very proud because of that. My project lasted 6 months and for me it was just enough, I used the time as best as I could. I still working with the radio stations in Hungary, my show “Music Wonders” is broadcasted in several radio stations in Budapest and Nyíregyháza. I have so many projects to realize in the future. I will work on them in other countries in Europe, middle East, and in Macedonia. While coming back to Macedonia, I worried whether I would be able to find another project but fortunately I found

one. Macedonia is 20 years in transition, it is wonderful and sad place in the heard on the Balkans, If you have some projects that you want to work on it, it’s a little bit difficult, we’re small country but I hope after my second project I’ll be back in my country, I am Macedonian and I am proud of that EVS helped me a lot because I collaborate with the others radios in Europe and in the Middle East, now I am part of several radio stations with my show “Music Wonders” translated on several languages (Spanish, English,Hunagrian, Sloavkian,Porugeese,Ma cedonia,French etc.) My plans for now…? After Europe my plan is the Middle East, because I studied politics I would like to work on a political project with the refugees and with the music in the background. Nowadays I am working with the EVS volunteers in Skopje on my radio show “Music Wonders” on “Chanel 103” (Kanal

103) from Skopje best underground station on the Balkans. I would like to invite all volunteers to participate in this radio project because it is multicultural radio show, they can speak in their language, they can play music from all around the world because the main words of this show is “Listen without prejudice” with so many jingles about the world, war, freedom and about the daily life and a lot of interviews from musicians and politicians I am using now the experience from EVS, I think if you’re good in something and if nobody gives you a chance in your society, you just have to take a risk, go out and try, I am dreamer and now I know the dreams come true. Definitely I would recommend EVS to all the young people! For them is better if they choose the project that they want to work on it not only the country, this is not a job even not a project this is our life, our

background for the future. As for tips for people going on EVS…Don’t be selfish with the other volunteers, you must be ready to share the flat and your office together, work in team and go!

A Macedonian EVS story by Justyna Golecka from Poland Why you decided to go on EVS? At what period in your life you were while going on EVS? Before going on EVS I graduated my study in pedagogic and I was already working for one year. I was not satisfied with my job so I decided to use the chance and try something new and also improve my language skills.

organization. I tried to and it was high time to find out about the host go back and start a new organization as much as period in my life. it was possible. What kind of worries First impression – was did you have at the end of the programme? it like you expected? I didn’t expected too Since my project was much, and first impres- very long sometimes it sion was not so great - was hard for me to momess in the apartment, tivate myself so I was coldness at the place afraid how I would manwhere I was supposed to age to stay until the end. I work. But what was the was also worrying about most important – people my future after finishing the project. I knew I were very nice! would have to find a job Was it difficult to come and it was a bit scary and full of doubts. back? Not at all!! I was missing my family and friends Has EVS helped you and I think that the somehow? Maybe after months spent in Mac- EVS you have other viedonia were just enough sion of your future?

What was the most important for you when choosing the project? Place, programme or organization? For me personally the most important was the

For sure it helped me to improve my English, meet new people, culture and country. Macedonia still sounds interesting and a little bit exotic for many people. I still don’t know whether it will help me in my future but international community is nice anyway and maybe can be also helpful, well I really believe it can.

What are your plans now – ideas, worries? Now it’s high time to find a work but this time for money not for free, that’s the reality. Would you recommend EVS to others? Yes! Yes! Yes! What tips you would give to a person going on EVS? Make your own plan and don’t wait for the others

with the realization and don’t expect too much!!!

We are all Kukutza by Sara Fantova We can’t speak about the history of Rekalde, neighborhood of Bilbao, without speaking about Kukutza, because Kukutza has always been connected with this neighborhood and their people. Rekalde had some needs and the city hall didn’t give enough help, so the neighbors of Rekalde took the initiative and started to fill up the cultural needs. The history of occupation in Rekalde always has being present. Rekalde hadn’t got civic centers, places were young people could met, workshops for children or for old people. There wasn’t any cultural center. And after this Kukutza appeared, a group of young people, with dreams and a lot of energy decided to change this. Kukutza is an occupied social building. And this is used to do

social activities, to create any activity that is done for other people. The young people from Rekalde, hadn’t got their own space, and they felt it necessary to have a place managed by the young people of Rekalde, to develop their own projects and cultural needs. With this Kukutza started. But the place that we know now, isn’t the first Kukutza, before this there were another two buildings but one only dream. The police and the city hall overthrow the first Kukutza

with all the material and things inside. The second one was overthrown when they found out that inside the building there was cyanide. The owner get a fine, but nowadays the cyanide is still inside the building. In 1991 lots of kilos of cocaine were found inside the building of Kukutza III. The building was supposed to be of a company that exported construction material. The boss of this company disappeared, and the building was abandoned. After seven years in

1998, some young people of the neighborhood enter in the building and occupied it. When the people from Kukutza arrived to the building it was destroyed, there wasn’t electric cable… They fixed all; they put all they had to build an amazing place full of dreams. The whole building were 6000 meters, and this requires

conferences, debates, informatics workshops, mechanic workshops, recitals of poetry… They also had a vegan dinning room, a library, a climbing wall, free clothes for the people that haven’t got money to buy them. Kukutza filled up the empty place that the institutions left in Rekalde. Kukutza was of everyone and whenever a decision

maintenance and a lot of work. These thirteen years, they have helped the neighborhood; they have organized, juggling festivals, the youth day, concerts, dancing workshops, theatre, circus, crafts for old people, workshops for children,

had to be taken, all the people could show their opinion and everyone had a vote. Once a week the people from Kukutza and other organizations met to speak about the progress of the building, new activities, complaints… Kukutza wasn’t a way

of getting rich, the people used Kukutza because they like dancing, theatre, they like to help the neighborhood…It wasn’t a place where young people met to drink and smoke, it was a cultural place, it was a place where you could do whatever you wanted, were you could developed your dreams, a place to help people, a place to learn and to enjoy, it was a place to met people of all social classes and backgrounds. The entire neighborhood was so happy with this place that there weren’t complaints. But the 21 of September, the city hall gave the eviction and demolition order. Because a constructor named Kabisa s.a. bought the ground and wanted to construct there. This company, had corruption problems before under another name. The city hall, said that the ground cost 6 millions, but after, it was found that the ground really only cost 2 mil-

lions. The city hall only wanted to get the biggest amount of money that it was possible. The next day, the neighbors of Rekalde got the chance to go to the court, and ask for the stop of the demolition. But the judge didn’t accept the petition of the neighbors and approved the demolition order. The police, behave very badly with all the citizens, since five in the morning a lot of people went to Rekalde, people from all Bilbao and the surroundings, to support Kukutza. The police department sent all they had, very old cars, vans, water tanks, gum ball guns, gas… They attacked every kind of people; kids, mother with kids, old people… They didn’t care who was in front of them. They broke into shops, and hit people who was sitting peacefully. Those three days were three horrible days of sadness and fights. With the end of this building

the police and the city hall ended with a lot of bricks, but the dreams and the expectations of this young people are kept in the hearts of all the people that one day dreamt with being part of a better Rekalde and a better Bilbao.

Ne gjithë jemi Kukutza by Sara Fantova Nuk mund të flasim për historinë e Rikaldes,një mahallë e Bilbaos ,pa folur për Kukutzen për shkak se Kukutza çdoherë ka qenë e lidhur për këtë mahallë dhe njerëzit e sajë. Rikalde kishte disa nevoja e udhëheqësia e qytetit nuk i jepte ndihmën e nevojshme kështu që fqinjët e Rikaldes morën iniciativën dhe filluan ti përmbushin nevojat kulturore. Historia e okupimit në Rikalde çdoherë ka qenë prezente. Rikalde nuk ka pasur qendra shoqërore,vende ku njerëzit e rinj mund të takoheshin, punëtori për fëmijë ose për njerëz të moshuar. Ska pasur asnjë qendër kulturore. Dhe pas kësaj Kukutza u shfaq, një grup i njerëzve të rinjë me ëndrra dhe shumë energji për ta ndryshuar këtë gjendje. Kukutza është

një banesë e okupuar shoqërore. Dhe është e përdorur për të bërë aktivitete shoqërore, për të krijuar çfarëdo aktiviteti për njerëzit e tjerë. Njerëzit e rinj nga Rikalde nuk kishin hapsirën e tyre dhe e panë të nevojshme të kenë një vend që do të udhëhiqet nga të rinjtë e Rikaldes për të zhvilluar projektet e tyre dhe nevojat kulturore. Me këtë Kukutza filloi. Por vendin që ne e njohim nuk është Kukutza e parë, para kësaj kanë qenë edhe dy ndërtesa tjera por me një ëndërr. Policia dhe kuvendi i qytetit e konfisuan Kukutzen e parë me gjitha materialet brenda saj. Të dytën herë ka qenë e konfisuar kur ata morën vesh se brenda ndërtesës ka lëndë helmuese, por helmi është ende brenda ndërtesës. Me 1991 në ndërtesën

Kukutza 3 u gjetën shumë kilogram kokainë. Ndërtesa kinse duheshte të jetë e një kompanie për eksport të materialeve ndërtimore. Shefi i kësaj kompanie u zhduk dhe ndërtesa u braktis. Pas shtatë vitesh më 1998,disa të rinjë nga mëhalla hynë në ndërtesën dhe e okupuan. Kur njerëzit e Kukutzas arritën në ndërtesën ajo ishte tërë e shkatërruar, nuk kishte kabllo elektrike…Ata rregulluan gjithcka ,ata vendosën gjithçka që patën për ta shëndruar në një vend të mahnitshëm përplot me ëndrra. Gjithë objekti kishte 6000 metra dhe kjo kërkonte mirëmbajtje dhe shumë punë. ëeto trembëdhjetë vite ata i kanë ndihmuar mëhallës, kanë organizuar festivale të zhonglimit, ditën e të

rinjve, koncerte, punëtori për vallëzim, teatro, cirqe, tubime për njerëz të moshuar, punëtori për femijë, konferenca, debate, punëtori informative, punëtori mekanike, recitale të poezisë…Ata gjithashtu kanë pasur një dhomë vigane për ngrënie, një librari, një mure për ngjitje,rroba falas për njerëz që nuk kanë para që ti blejnë, Kukutza i plotësoi vendet e zbrazëta që institucionet e Rikaldes i lanë. Kukutza ishte e gjithëve dhe kurdoherë që mireshte ndonjë vendim,çdokush jepte mendimin e tij dhe kishte një votë. Njerëzit e Kukutzes dhe organizatat e tyre takoheshin njëherë në javë që të flasin për progresin e objektit, aktivitete të reja, ankesa… Kukutza nuk ishte mënyrë për tu bërë i pasur, njerëzit shfrytëzonin Kukutzen sepse donin vallëzimin, teatrin, donin ti ndihmonin mëhallës…Nuk ishte vend ku të rinjtë mblidhen për të pirë dhe për

të pirë duhan,ishte një qendër kulturore, ishte një vend ku mundeshe të bësh gjithçka që don, ku mundeshe të zhvillosh ëndrrat e tua, një vend për të ndihmuar njerëzit, një vend për të mësuar dhe kënaqur, një vend për të njoftuar njerëz nga gjitha prapavijat dhe shtresat sociale .E gjithë lagja ishte e lumtur më këtë vend saqë nuk kishte asnjë ankesë. Por më 21 shtator kuvendi i qytetit dha urdhërin për rrënim sepse një ndërtues me emrin Kabisas.e bleu truallin dhe donte të ndërtojë aty. Kjo kompani ka pasur edhe më herët probleme korrupcioni me një tjetër emër. Kuvendi i qytetit ka thënë që trualli kushton gjashtë milion por me vonë u konstatua se trualli kushton vetëm dy milion. Kuvendi i qytetit vetëm donte që të fitojë shumën më të madhe të mundshme. Ditën e ardhshme fqinjët e Rikaldes fituan shansin që të shkojnë në gjyq për të kërkuar ndalesën

e rrënimit. Por gjykatësi nuk e pranoi peticionin e fqinjëve dhe e miratoi urdhërin për rrënim. Policia u soll shumë keq me gjithë shtetasit, qysh prej pesë ora në mëngjes shumë njerëz shkuan në Rikalde, njerëz nga e gjithë Bilbao dhe rrethina për ta përkrahur Kukutzen. Departamenti policor dërgoi gjithë çka kish pasur, automobila shumë të vjetër, kamione, tanke uji, revole me municion prej gume, gaz…Ata sulmuan çdo lloj të njerëzve, fëmijë, nëna me fëmije, njerëz të vjetër,…Ata nuk kishin dert se kënd kanë përpara. Ata hynë nëpër shitore dhe sulmuan njerëz që po rrinin qetë. Ata tre ditë ishin ditë përplot mërzi dhe luftë. Me fundin e kësaj ndërtese policia dhe kuvendi i qyteitit prishen shumë tulla, por ëndrrat dhe pritjet e këtyre njerëzve të rinjë janë mbajtur në zemra që ëndërrojnë në të ardhmen të jenë pjesë e një Rikladi dhe Bilbao më të mirë.

32° Manaki brothers international cinematographers FIlm festival’ by Antonella Nuvoli & Sylwia Gorska

In October we had the great possibility of participating in the most important film festival in Macedonia. Bitola welcomed us with its harsh weather and its cosmopolitan atmosphere. Here are the reviews of some of the films that we watched and liked. La prima cosa bella (english title: The First Beautiful Thing) (Italy, 2010) The director Paolo Virzì set his last film in Livor-

no, a provincial Tuscan city, to tell the story and the troubles of an Italian family. Bruno, a teacher of philosophy now living in Milano, has to go back to Livorno to spend some time with his dying mother. For him this also means to return to the ‘70s, when he was a child, and to live again the collapse of his family’s harmony due to his mother’s artistical inclinations. This retrospective analysis of his childhood allows him to finally understand his unpredictable mother and following his own way of enjoying live. From the same director Tutta la vita davanti (english title: Your whole life ahead of you), Caterina va in città (english title: Caterina in the Big City), Ovosodo, My name is Tanino.

The Boy Mir (United Kingdom, 2010) In 2002, shortly after the beginning of “Operation Enduring Freedom” launched by Americans and British special forces against the Taliban, the documentary film-maker Phil Grabsky went to Afghanistan to film the effects of the war on civilians. At that time, Mir was 8 years old and lived in the caves with his family in a state of extreme poverty. The director decided to follow Mir’s calamities: as the film progresses, Mir

changes. Day by day, he becomes aware of the situation of his family: he stops going to school and starts to work in the mines. This is an astonishing portrayal of life during a decade of war in Afghanistan in which Americans and other allies’ presence did not improve the situation of the people. From the same director Heavy Water: A Film for Chernobil (2006) and Escape From Luanda (2007).

David Wants To Fly (Austra/Switzerland/ Germany, 2010) The director and at the same time main character, David Sieveking is following his idol David Lynch, trying to find out the source of his inspiration and his genius. He discovers that David

Lynch is a devoted follower of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, guru of the Transcendetnal Meditation sect. The film does not give simply answers. It touches the fundamental questions of sprit and creation. It hard to believe that a creator of such priceless movies like “Twin Peaks” or “Lost highway” could get so easily caught up in this kind of ideology. On the other hand what’s wrong in it if it gives him inspiration and helps to create great movies? Where is the truth and the balance?

The Turin Horse (Hungary, 2011) reż. Bela Tarr Winner of the Golden Camera 300 for “the

outstanding ability to capture the difficulty of human’s life and the power of the film rolls to inbuilt all the nuances between black and white in the wondering above the sense and nonsense of human existence with the film camera”. It is not an easy film, long, with almost no dialogues or fast action. However the beautiful raw images and hypnotic music will stay long in your mind.

The Wonderful World of the European Youth Capital by Anouk Craps January 2011: the city of Antwerp proudly celebrates the beginning of a year full of youth initiative. Antwerp obtained the title of ‘European Youth Capital 2011’; a title that allows the city to show off youth policy and create a sustainable youth structure. There is space for new ideas and new projects that involve young people and can function as an example for other cities in Europe. The European Youth Capital was an idea of the European Youth Forum , which firstly elected Rotterdam (The Netherlands) as European Youth Capital in 2009. Considering I come from a city close to Antwerp, I must say that I myself was aware that Antwerp is this year’s European Youth Capital. I saw the official opening and

some actions of young people in the street and on national television. I must admit I only knew about it when it had already started. With this idea in mind, I decided to conduct short interviews with people from all over Europe. I wondered if they had ever heard of the concept of the European Youth Capital, if they could imagine what it meant and what they would like to do if their cities where to be the European Youth Capital (EYC). I also asked them about the place of EVS volunteers in this project.

Lola (Velika Plana, Serbia, 18), a local volunteer in Velika Plana, has never heard of the EYC, but she thinks it is a city in Europe where the biggest number of young people live or where the biggest youth organization is settled. ‘If Velika Plana were to be EYC I would invite all local bands and organize some concerts with beginning musicians.’, she says. She would also want to involve as many people as possible. According to her, theatre and cooking workshops would attract a lot of young people. EVS volunteers could help coordinating several events.

Felix (Berlin, Germany, 31), a very active volunteer on local and international level, also does not know what the EYC is. He believes it is the idea of creating a virtual capital of all young people who feel European who have things in common. If it were up to Felix he would not elect Berlin as the EYC due to the fact that there are already a lot of activities for young people, such as a carnival of cultures. He would suggest his city of origin: Hamburg. ‘Different countries could represent different bands and music styles. People could gather in a big stadium, being lured there with music and street theatre as in ‘Pied Piper of Hamelin’, the fairy tale of the brothers Grimm. They could sing and play a collective song.’ Felix illustrates his ideas. Youth around the country could gather in that city coming by train and through hitchhiking. Social media and flash mobs should con-

vince other people to come and join. EVS volunteers could promote the idea of a EYC. But he emphasizes that the main goal is that European citizens participate. The volunteers could promote the idea of a European spirit of collaboration and respect among the European citizens.

promote EVS, the Youth in Action Program and volunteering in general. He would not organize a movie festival, arguing there is one already in his city. Instead he would like to gather young people through sport activities. He thinks a lot of people would participate in these activities. Theatre and a Music festival are also an idea, but they already have that too in Cluj. He claims that one will have to be original to step out of the established activities. It is important to have people from different cultures; that is why Liviu thinks EVS volunteers can be Liviu (Cluj, Romania, an asset for the EYC. 27) has to think a while before answering the first question. ‘Can I use Google?’, is his first respond after a few minutes. I have to refuse. He then connects the EYC with Brussels, being the European capital. Liviu would invite all the schools, universities and NGO’s to Cluj if it were to Ana (Zagreb, Croatia, be EYC. The EYC could 24) thinks that the EYC

is probably the capital city of the Youth in Action program, although she is not sure what city it would be. In Zagreb she would like to organize meetings for the European youth, including workshops with musicians and creative workshops. One of the goals would be getting to know young people from different countries throughout Europe. ‘Parties should be part of it as well!’, is the last, but not the least important activity she would like to organize. ‘It speaks for itself that EVS volunteers would have a big part in this’, says Ana. ‘They could help organizing the events and promote volunteerism. At the same time they could improve the image of volunteerism.’

Velichka (Karlovo, Bulgaria, 21), who gained quite a lot of experience within the Youth in Action program, imagines the EYC as one concrete capital in Europe where youngsters dispose of several institutions. In Karlovo young people could organize workshops to include disabled and disadvantaged young people. They could raise awareness of the problems of the local community trough non-formal education. People could gather in language groups and practice in a non formal way. Several street actions should draw the attention. Velichka would like to connect the EYC with learning opportunities for young people. ‘Extra courses and trainings could help the youngsters improve their skills and provide them some practical experience’, Velichka explains further. Making young people more responsible would also be one of the aims of the EYC. As a future EVS-volunteer

in Slovenia Velichka is convinced that EVS volunteers can contribute to this project. ‘They can start the intercultural dialogue and exchange their, cultures, ideas and skills. According to the interest of the EVS volunteers they can also organize some events.’

Maria (Braga, Portugal, 24) is a volunteer for the Red Cross in Braga. She is well aware of the concept of the EYC. ‘The idea was created a few years ago. The aim was to strengthen relations between the European institutions and the local community.’ According to her the European Youth Capital seeks to promote the active participation of young people in several initiatives on European and local level, while encouraging them to contribute

for building better society. She says the project also increases young people´s positive awareness of other cultures. Maria knows that this year Antwerp has the opportunity to streamline its culture, developing many activities and projects related to young people. ‘My city will be the European Youth Capital next year and I would like to organize some actions such as training courses, exchanges, and meetings.’ Maria would like to promote Portuguese culture, language and creativity and furthermore increase the opportunities for young people to experience culture and to develop their talent and creative skills. She thinks that is very important to involve the EVS program, because the volunteers can develop new skills and the local communities can benefit from them. Therefore, the volunteers will have the opportunities to enhance their knowledge of their countries,

languages and cultures, by participating in several activities, because this project supports dialogue and intercultural meetings between young people with different backgrounds. The volunteers can also carry out different initiatives.

organize great outdoor activities such as theatre plays, flash mobs, concerts and sport events and maybe even some debate and public speaking competitions. He says it is important to include EVS volunteers and other international volunteers in Skopje. It will add an international touch at the event. The volunteers will enthusiastically support the project because according to Gjorgji they are always very positive about these kinds of projects.

Gjorgji (Skopje, Macedonia, 23) is a local volunteer in Skopje that has a lot of international experience. He thinks that the EYC is one particular city that can be the capital of youth actions for one year. He supposes that in that city the young people will be a priority for that city during that period. He believes that a lot of things for young people could be organized in Skopje. The young people could

More information on Antwerp, European Youth Capital 2011: http://www.aeyc2011. be/en/

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be a Volunteer! 44