VOICES July 2021

july 2021

voices

MAGAZINE FOR ALL YOUNG PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD

Editorial

Едиторијал

Time to cool down!

Време е да искулираме!

The temperature has considerably increased in Macedonia, and our daily lives are being replaced by visions of a dip in the sea or the swimming pool or a breath of air in the mountains.

However, here in VCS, we are still working hard for you!

Температурата расте во Македонија, а нашето секојдневие се менува со визии за пливање во море или во базен, или, пак, со вдишување чист воздух во планините. Сепак, тука во ВЦС, ние сè уште работиме напорно за вас!

Little by little, music events are being allowed, and we are delighted about that! Vasil Garvanliev’s performance at the Skopje Pride in June and other musical events show us that the return to the old fun days is expected as live music slowly comes back to life.

However, we cannot know in advance what the future holds in store for us, and we dedicated some articles to near-future expectations: the changing place of TikTok among social networks, or the development of a new kind of tourism -space tourism- that might well change the vision mankind has about itself. At last, as VCS has been created with and for young people, we could not avoid talking about youth and volunteering, which are at the core of our concerns and action.

Малку по малку, музичките настани добија „дозвола за настап“ и ние сме воодушевени од тоа! Настапот на Васил Гарванлиев на парадата на гордоста во Скопје, како и други музички настани ни покажуваат дека се очекува враќање во старите забавни денови, бидејќи музиката во живо полека оживува. Не можеме однапред да знаеме што нè чека, па посветивме неколку написи на блиските идни очекувања: промена на местото на „ТикТок“ меѓу социјалните мрежи или развој на нов вид туризам: „просторен туризам“ што може добро да ја промени визијата што човештвото ја има за себе. Конечно, како што е создаден ВЦС со и за млади луѓе, не можевме да избегнеме да зборуваме за младите и за волонтирањето, кои се во основата на нашите грижи и активности.

We do hope you will enjoy this new version of VOICES! The world still goes on, and we want to write about that while remaining cool and promoting diversity. Stay tuned. We wish you the best.

Yvan Barbeau

Се надеваме дека ќе уживате во ова јулско издание на „Воисес“! Светот сè уште се движи напред, и ние сакаме да пишуваме за тоа, додека остануваме „кул“ и ја промовираме различноста. Останете со нас. Ви посакуваме само најдобро. Иван Барбо

VCS DIRECTOR: Nikola Stankoski COORDINATORS: Andrej Naumovski Goran Adamovski Goran Galabov Selina Niemi

VOLUNTEERS: Christopher Machold Clarissa Leute Yvan Barbeau Anna Marek Kacper Król Jolanta Ciopcińska INTERN: Rute Cardoso

EXTERNAL WRITERS: Enes Smailagić TRANSLATORS: Ejona Limanaj Martina Danilovska PROOFREADERS: Elen Wright-Stead Edward Stead

DESIGNERS: Selina Niemi Ewelina Chańska Rute Cardoso Clarissa Leute Yvan Barbeau Anna Marek Kacper Król Jolanta Ciopcińska

CONTACT: Volunteers Centre Skopje Emil Zola 3/3-1, 1000, Skopje +389 22 772 095 vcs_contact@yahoo.com www.vcs.org.mk

Voices magazine is coordinated, designed and created by ESC and local volunteers with support of Erasmus+ program.

content

VOICES July 2021 - issue 7

4

topic of the month 4

Live music slowly coming back to life

Anna Marek

30

Музиката во живо полека се враќа во живот!

Ана Марек

music 14

Patience is a Virtue

Anna Marek

interview 24

Somebody has to take a step to be a proper ambassador

Anna Marek

reportages 6

8

Does the language we speak change the way we think?

Rute Cardoso

Starships are meant to fly

Yvan Barbeau

10

Kacper Król

16

15 Seconds of Fame - How TikTok is Changing the Internet

16

Volunteering - Selfishness or Altruism?

Clarissa Leute

18 15 sekonda famë - Si TikTok po ndryshon internetin

Clarissa Leute

20 Rumi

22

Enes Smailagić

Руми

Енес Смаилагиќ

26

What is Youth Work?

Yvan Barbeau

28

Safe Space for Everyone to Express Themselves - Skopje Pride 2021

Kacper Król, Clarissa Leute & Anna Marek

32

Jolanta Ciopcińska

Europe heatwave - How to beat the heat

Cover: Stefan Cvetkovski

24

reportage

Live music slowly coming back to life

I

t’s already been 15 months (not that I’m counting). All the music shows were cancelled when corona had hit. That wasn’t easy for the artists, but definitely, it hasn’t been easier for the fans. Waiting for the concerts even for years, buying the tickets in advance (sometimes with a bit of good luck because there are too many willing people to go to the concert), and being in a live show is something that makes music fans alive.

“As a young adult and volunteer, I really missed going to concerts and live events in the past year and a half. Few times I even caught myself daydreaming about crowded and loud area, I go to the toilet and after that I can’t found my friends. Classic scenario”, says Maria, who also is a volunteer in some music events. As she is saying, it took her a pandemic to realize that organizing these things isn’t just helping her grow as a person and build team-working skills. Still, also it feels good because of helping

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Spending time without friends, not going out to favorite places, and not enjoying life to the fullest. Not only that, people were missing during the pandemic: playing music live had to stop. After spending a long time within the four walls and listening to performers only on electronic devices, the sun is slowly starting to come out, and concerts are on the way.

the community and making everyone feel good during the concert.

they don’t give the same feeling as the live concerts.

Fans were in kind of better position than artists – they didn’t lose a job and didn’t have to come up with other solutions to earn money (at least for that part of their life). Of course, money wasn’t the only thing that artists lost during the lockdown.

A growing number of vaccinated people are showing light at the end of the tunnel. The biggest festivals are scheduling the dates in the next year. Some artists have already sold the tickets for this year. But mostly, there is an opportunity for musicians who can perform in front of a smaller audience. Srdjan Vucic, a musician in one of the local bands, shares his thoughts about live music being back in Skopje.

“Before the pandemic, we were throwing gigs, and having so much fun, and it never felt like work. When it stopped, it was devastating: the fact that you can’t perform live for this huge period of time”, shares Behar, a musician. The worst is that many events are not covered by insurance; so smaller agencies in particular are threatened with bankruptcy.

To recompensate losses, musicians started livestreaming events that do not require heavy productions and can be easily streamed from an empty room. Even though they are high volume for the audience, it generates low incomes for creators. Obviously,

“Playing music live is not my main job. I don’t play that much, but still, I missed the feeling when you play live in front of the audience. Some people do it 3-4 times a week. When corona had hit, it was bad for me, but I think not as bad as for other people. After these several weeks, people seem to have more energy. Maybe they even appreciate it more because they didn’t have a chance to attend these kinds of events for a long time.”

репортажа Srdjan agrees that the atmosphere is different when there is live music.

During his few years in Belgium, it was much different from the music scene in Macedonia. There were more jam sessions, but still: it was live music. And as he is saying, having that: not only playing in that field but to be part of a crowd is an unforgettable feeling.

Some artists already had a chance to perform live. Darko Jovanov and Jasna Trpkova came back to the scene. So it wasn’t an easy time for them either during coronavirus. But also, it made them realize some things that they didn’t expect before.

“I did find several novel sparks. It suddenly felt like I could use the break to become more intimate with my performance blueprint. It became clear what parts are long overdue and what hidden flames I’d like to ignite more in future times. I also realized that when fully booked, we all fall in the trap of routine and feel less intrigued to shake things up. The silence was quite the bridge I needed for connecting some new dots in my sonic consolation”, shares Jasna.

optimistic. My inner sceptic bets her bottom dollar things will turn out for the worse. So, I’m somewhere in the middle. Feels good there, with no great expectations, no anxious predictions.”

They are sure that after long periods of social isolation, everyone wants to be with people, go to parties, dance, and have fun again. Some may be more conscious than others, but in general, putting fate in large groups that they will do what’s right is slightly foolish.

That’s why pubs, bars, nightclubs, and other cultural venues need to maintain the guidelines to ensure that we can all put this whole pandemic thing behind us once and for all as soon as possible.

Most artists can agree with that. Bona Dea is a multilingual Macedonian band that plays a little of everything. Even though pandemic time wasn’t easy, they’ve never stopped playing. On the contrary, they started performing online and discovering new forms of expression. As they are saying: “where there’s a will, there’s a way. “ During the lockdown, Bona Dea was performing at home through videos like many other musicians. It was very different from live concerts, but it helped them express their creativity and continue what they love. Even though they were productive in the worst time for artists, the loosening of the restrictions gives them hope.

Now, more than ever, music performances will help us to reconnect and enjoy ourselves.

They used that time to prepare new music material to share with the audience later.

Darko says: “In that time, we’ve made an entire album that’s now in the process of being recorded. With the gigs being back, we can use the cash flow to finance the album and make something we’re both proud of.”

For the past year and a half, he’s been at home writing and composing music with his girlfriend. To perform that music live is something he has waited for a long time. His girlfriend, Jasna, shares: “What mostly stirred my pot of anticipation was the opportunity to try out some new performance spices and see how they taste in my audience’s hungry mouths. “ What’s in store for the future? Artists are not sure that what has returned will stay forever. Duo Jazzna Dares is being rather realistic than optimistic.

“I am quite unsure. My avoidance of all kinds of media that draw power from fearmongering and doom makes me Sources: CRISIS, RESILIENCE, RECOVERY CISAC GLOBAL COLLECTIONS REPORT 2020

“Being able to perform again is a liberating and amazing feeling. Music, and every form of art in general, is a powerful remedy. It guided us through this difficult period. Now, more than ever, music performances will help us to reconnect and enjoy ourselves. Stay tuned for our next concert. Bona is coming back in town”, they share.

The music industry lost a lot during the pandemic. Some artists had to change their profession for a while to reach their music dreams still. However, the hope and joy of returning remained in many of them. Maybe this time it won’t go away.

Anna Marek VOICES - 5

reportage

Does the language we speak change the way we think?

L

anguages are way more than mere words to name objects or label things – they are the greatest gift of the human being. It is through languages that we express thoughts and feelings. We can exchange complex ideas just by making sounds or even through drawings. We can trigger emotions, put a thought in another person’s head, and have a complex exchange of arguments.

Nowadays, more than 7 000 languages are spoken worldwide. That sounds like a lot, right? With such variety, it is impossible not to wonder if different languages impact the people who speak them.

between mind, world, and language.

Through research on labs at Stanford University and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she achieved concrete data that back up the theory that yes, the language we speak changes the way we think.

This is a very old question. Does the language we speak change the way we think? Maybe even perceive the world?

Does learning a new language shape your brain? If we are polyglots, do we act or think differently depending on which language we speak? For thousands of years, this was discussed but conclusions were never reached since there was no scientific data to back it up.

One of her first examples is Pormpuraaw, a small Aboriginal community on the western edge of Cape York in northern Australia. The locals, the Kuuk Thaayorre, have a very specific view of space. Like many other Aboriginal groups, they don’t use words like “right” or “left” – instead, they use cardinal-direction terms like “north” or “west”. And no, this is not only to give directions, it’s for everything. They use sentences like “There’s an ant on your southeast arm” or “Move to the north northwest a little bit”. This means that the speakers of this language have to be oriented at all times; an ability is not that evolved in, for instance, English speakers. Even their greeting includes the direction you are going to – you have to keep track of your position in order to speak the language correctly.

Lera Boroditsky is an associate professor of Cognitive Science at the University of California San Diego, and she is specialized in the relationships

Their different perception of space also influences how they perceive time. When asked to organize pictures that show some temporal progression,

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Several studies have collected scientific data that backs up the theory that yes, the language we speak can, in fact, change the way we think. But how?

Different perceptions of space, time, colors, and how we see an object are among some examples of Lera Boroditsky’s research.

English speakers arranged the cards from left to right and Hebrew speakers from right to left (which also shows that the direction you write in a language plays a role). But what did the Kuuk Thaayorre do?

They arranged the pictures from right to left, left to right, toward the body or away from it. But it was not random; it had a pattern – from east to west. Depending on the direction they were seated, they would arrange the pictures differently regarding the position of their bodies, but it was always from east to west. So even though they weren’t told which direction they were facing, the Kuuk Thaayorre knew it and “used this spatial orientation to construct their representations of time”.

We can now see how the idea of time can differ depending on the language you speak. Comparing to English speakers who see the time as a horizontal line, often using sentences like “the best is ahead of us” or “the worst is behind us”, Mandarin speakers talk about time vertically, using expressions like the next month is the “down month” or the last month was the “up month”.

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Languages can also influence how we perceive colors. Boroditsky’s research compared Russian and English speakers by analyzing their ability to distinguish shades of blue. In Russian, there are two words for blue: light blue (goluboy) and dark blue (siniy). Since there is one word for the color in English (blue), the theory was that Russian speakers could distinguish more easily different shades. And the theory was proven correct: Russian speakers have the ability to differentiate the colors faster than English speakers.

Another thing that the research focused on was grammatical gender. In Romance languages like Spanish, Portuguese, or Italian, the nouns are either feminine or masculine. But what happens when the same word has different genders in different languages?

Does that change anything at all?

Boroditsky’s research says yes.

When asked to describe the word “key” – masculine in German and feminine and Spanish – people’s answers were usually influenced by the gender of the word. German speakers were most likely to use words more related to masculinity like “hard”, “heavy” or “metal,”

while Spanish speakers used more feminine words like “golden”, “little,” or “shiny”. This pattern repeats itself with a lot of other words. About “bridge” – feminine in German and masculine in Spanish – German speakers used more feminine words like “beautiful”, “elegant,” or “peaceful” while Spanish speakers used “big”, “dangerous,” or “strong”.

Some of the differences between perceptions due to genders in languages can even be seen in art. One of Boroditsky’s examples is how artists represent death.

“It turns out that in 85 percent of such personifications, whether a male or female figure is chosen is predicted by the grammatical gender of the word in the artist’s native language”. Since “death” is masculine in German and feminine in Russian, German painters were more likely to paint death as a man while Russian painters painted death as a woman.

language on how people construe events, reason about causality, keep track of the number, understand the material substance, perceive and experience emotion, reason about other people’s minds, choose to take risks, and even in the way they choose professions and spouses”. With all of this taken into consideration, we can positively say that the language we speak does change our thinking.

These studies also open our eyes to how important languages are and how they are the greatest ability of human beings.

Rute Cardoso Sources: Edge: How Does Our Language Shape The Way We Think?

Go Fluent: More Than Words: How Language Affects The Way We Think Language Advantage: How Languages Shape The Way We Think YouTube: How Language Shapes The Way We Think | Lera Boroditsky

With these few examples, Boroditsky showed how language could influence our thoughts about space, time, colors, and objects, but it can shape a lot more. “Other studies have found effects of

With these few examples, Boroditsky showed how language could influence our thoughts about space, time, colors, and objects, but it can shape a lot more.

VOICES - 7

reportage

STARSHIPS ARE MEANT TO FLY Space tourism has existed since the 2000s, with several missions organized

by Virginia-based company Space Adventures reaching the International Space Station on Russian Soyuz spacecraft. However, times are changing as private companies are increasingly becoming part of this lucrative business, which creates opportunities beyond imagination.

8 - VOICES

O

n the 2nd of June 2021, Houstonbased Axiom Space will fly three additional crewed missions to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Space X’s Crew Dragon capsule.

It is not the first cooperation between the two companies, though : Axiom has already booked one confirmed Crew Dragon flight to the orbiting lab located on the International Space Station. This mission will launch no earlier than January 2022.

This progressive privatization of space is something revolutionary in

mankind’s history and has become known to the public under the term of “New Space”. This expression means that space conquest is not the monopoly of States and public institutions anymore, as it tends to involve more and more new actors.

NASA’s decision to entrust Space X’s Crew Dragon spacecraft with the task of ensuring the replacement of the International Space Station’s crew is a decisive token towards this evolution.

This shift reinvents the traditional conception of space, which has been until recently restricted to tasks such

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as observing the Earth or exploring and studying the Universe. From now on, spatial destinations must correspond to specific commercial aims, which implies a thorough study about their outlets before any program is launched.

In other words, the customer is likely to become the actor who defines how spatial conquest will be shaped in the future.

Axiom Space’s ambitions are not limited to these sole programs, though.

In the end, Axiom wishes to organize up to two private flights per year, each mission bringing three clients and a professional astronaut. Its services are also offered to researchers who want to go there to perform some scientific work or even to actors

in a film production. Axiom’s offer encompasses a training session for clients and their transport and the planning of the missions. The costs of these have increased a lot, though. A one-week stay for four people aboard the International Space Station now amounts to 12.5 million dollars, transport fees excluded.

In contrast, they have announced around 1 million dollars in 2019. In addition to these manned flights, the company intends to launch a private module to the International Space Station in 2024 and has raised more than 130 million dollars in funds.

By 2028, that module should be ready to detach and fly freely as the base module of a privately owned orbiting outpost to replace the

International Space Station which lifespan has already been significant.

Axiom President and CEO Michael Suffredini are aware of the historical significance of this project, which bespeak his company’s ambition: “Axiom was founded on a vision of lasting commercial development of space. We are on track to enable that future by managing the firstever private missions to the ISS as a precursor to our development of the world’s first commercial space station”.

Yvan Barbeau Sources: SpaceX to fly 3 more private astronaut missions to space station for Axiom Space | Space NASA and Axiom ink deal for 1st private astronaut mission to space station | Space

VOICES - 9

reportage

VOLUNTEERING SELFISHNESS

OR

ALTRUISM?

10 - VOICES

репортажа

A longer journey to the farthest corners of the world is undoubtedly a tempting vision. Our actions can make the world a better place, each day bringing us new challenges.

In pursuit of a career, we often try to prove to ourselves that we are the ones who want to do something for others.

However, this beautiful idea may have many faces.

Some people say that nothing is obvious in life. Discussions on travel blogs and statements of specialists indicate that volunteering is a topic that causes many discussions.

Critics say there may be a harsh reality behind this idea.

Because I am an avid traveler and currently volunteering in Skopje, I decided to take a closer look at this topic. What is volunteering?

T

he starting concept with which I want to start is volunteering, which in Latin means voluntary. According to the dictionary, it is a free, conscious work for other people or society, going beyond family friendships.

However, it is not just a job. It is also a willingness to help others and openness to newly met people.

“Helping is an affirmation of good.

It is taking pleasure in the fact that I can give something of myself to another person and, apart from a smile, and sometimes even not, I do not want anything in return.

The mere fact that I did something well is already a reward because someone is better “ says the trainer, member of the Polish Psychological Association Ewa Wojtowicz, who also cooperates with publishing houses and reviews books and runs her fan page “Po trenersku”.

All those who decide to volunteer,

undertake a responsible task that often brings many difficult situations. How to deal with it?

“Systematic evaluation and monitoring of the course of volunteering are critical. That is why I believe that every volunteer who goes on such a trip should have a mentor who works hard with him, who will have time for him, who will have psychological education, who, apart from scientific theory, will simply be a helper. At the level of mentoring, the facilitation process is much better. Group processes are more effective. Therefore, the volunteer is able to monitor the course of learning, set goals and implement them among, for example, children whom he wants to help” adds Ewa Wojtowicz.

and there are many such kids there, often as young as 5-6 years old. Added to this is that these little ones often come into contact with stimulants (we most often encountered sniffing glue). I remember that it shocked me very much, and it was one of the events that I remember the most “.

What is volunteerism?

It is a combination of leisure trips and voluntary work. It had its origins in the 70’s. This type of expedition was initiated by international organizations. Subsequently, the idea of sustainable tourism resulted in the fact that volunteer trips quickly became the domain of travel agencies and individual companies.

Along with the development To delve into the subject of of tourism in the world, new volunteering, I also spoke to Maciej destinations are gaining popularity.

Garmada, who was volunteering For developing countries, tourism in Kenya. During his month-long can provide an opportunity stay in Africa, organized by the for economic growth, but the Combonian Missionaries from increasing number of tourists Krakow, he had the opportunity to also has negative consequences. spend three weeks in Korogocho, In recent years, international one of Nairobi’s most dangerous volunteering has also become slums, and a week in the small more and more village of Amakuriat popular. It is often in the northwest Volunteering is an essential promoted as a way thing in the 21st century of the country. The for young people purpose of the trip because this idea assumes to gain experience was to get to know multidimensionality and and learn about the mission, see how new cultures. So I the win-win principle in missionaries work, decided to check practice. and get to know the the website of one local people. As Maciej says, the trip of the organizations that offer such was of an introductory nature to trips. Global Crossroad has been on the idea of volunteering: the market for 15 years and sends over 20,000 volunteers. On the “So there was very little of my website, you will find several offers specific, active work there, it is an of countries to go to, and many opportunity to try it for myself if it offers of internships and internships. is something that I would like in the future in the form of a longer mission contract (usually for two years)”.

Maciej also helped in a facility called Napenda Kuishi, which serves as a day club for street children.

“We had the opportunity to run various games for local kids, help the employees of the facility, talk or spend time with them. The problem of street children is widespread in Korogocho,

VOICES - 11

reportage

Currently, such trips are mainly used by young people who often combine helping with tourism.

Europeans are the most numerous group. They primarily work in orphanages or public schools attended by children from more impoverished families.

“Volunteering is an essential thing in the 21st century because this idea assumes multidimensionality and the win-win principle in practice.

Basically, win-win is that each side wins, and we have two sides here.

On the one hand, a person in need, i.e., a child from a poorer family, on the other hand, we have a volunteer who can get cultural freshness, get to know the world, and strengthen his interpersonal and communication skills when coming to a given country. This is the whole spectrum of benefits that such a trip offers. I know from my own experience that traveling is incredibly educating, and I am a “great commander” says Ewa Wojtowicz.

What qualities should a good volunteer have?

A person who decides to go on such a trip should first consider whether he is able to cope with this task. A volunteer must be open to other and diverse people. Working with people in need, children, and the sick, he must communicate well with them. Therefore he must be

12 - VOICES

communicative and empathetic.

Commitment and motivation to act are also of great importance.

At work, our motivation is usually money, while in volunteering, we should not look for financial benefits.

Additional qualities that will be useful are optimism, endurance, both physical and mental, as well as understanding, teamwork, and tolerance.

As Ewa Wojtowicz says, stereotypes have a huge impact on shaping our thinking: “Our societies are saturated with cultures, and each individual culture has separate stereotypes. I have the impression that it cannot be avoided a bit because stereotypes signal certain cognitive shortcuts that make it easier for us to function in an environment that is new to us.

That is why we create certain points of reference to know how to find ourselves in changing conditions that the trip to Kenya took the form of several weekend meetings. It was an opportunity to meet other people who also went on a mission: We were learning about the places we would visit, we listened to the testimonies of the missionaries who worked / work there, we learned the basics of the Swahili language, and we dealt with organizational matters, such as vaccinations. The Combodians made no exorbitant demands here; after all, this trip was for those who had very little in common with the missions. The main requirement was motivation, openness to other people and to experience volunteering and missions”.

Volunteering mission or business?

Some may argue that there is no need to look for a second bottom.

If people were willing to combine leisure with helping, it would be a good idea to enjoy it. Reading articles about volunteering more and more often, we can read about the negative aspects of this phenomenon. The desire to help communities from the countries of the global South is undoubtedly admirable. However, specialists in the tourism industry enumerate the consequences of this trend. The process of supporting local education or health centers may contribute to an increase in unemployment in a given country. Despite good intentions, unknowingly travelers may therefore worsen the situation on the local labor market. The conversation with Maciej shows, however, that the goal of many volunteers is not to visit other countries, but to help. “I think I inadvertently forgot that it was not a typical tourist trip - our goal was not a safari or the steppes, but mission areas, which is one that is unlikely to be found in tourist offices’ leaflets” says Maciek.

“I naively expected that this enthusiasm that accompanied me at the beginning would last forever. Meanwhile, the admiration for Africa

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passed after a few days, and then it turned out that this is exactly the same contact with people that can be experienced here in Poland, and if such work is difficult for us here, nothing will change there. There is also a foreign culture, longing for home, for what is familiar, for family and friends. So you have to be ready for many sacrifices, which the exoticism of Africa will not “cover”.

I felt quite painfully that I still saw this trip as an adventure and not as a mission to work with a human being. I know that if I ever return to missions, I have a lot of work to do first to be more open to other people, to their needs and shortcomings. Without it, such a trip does not make any sense” he adds.

Ethical aspect of volunteering The discussion on the idea of volunteering makes us reflect on the ethical aspect of this phenomenon.

On the one hand, it is an opportunity to improve the situation of various communities, to change the world the better. Many volunteers feel the need to help. They do it voluntarily without expecting anything in return.

On the other hand, statistics show that volunteering is a threat in some areas.

I asked Maciej what his opinion was on the ethical aspect of volunteering and whether he thought that such

practices are a chance or a threat to children who often have no other development opportunities: “I think that volunteering in such places as slums has the most meaning.

White man is so rare and unique phenomenon there that kids (and not only) are much more involved in what is done with them, because they are simply curious about what mzungu (in Swahili “white man) has to offer”. Maciej points out that in such places, there is a shortage of trained personnel for medical, social, or teaching care, especially English: “If someone from outside, even from the other side of the globe, can help them, I don’t see any obstacles for that to happen. However, I am in favor of such volunteering lasting at least a year, or preferably a few years, so that a given person could bond with the local community, be accepted by it, and thus help them even better and give them something of themselves”.

Volunteer trips also change the perception of the reality of the volunteers themselves. They allow us to notice things we do not see every day, living in their safe space. They sensitize and make us better people. Each volunteer will get something different from such a trip.

Maciej was struck the most by how many things he underestimated in his life and how many things he took for granted.

Recommended reading: Keeping Children Out of Harmful Institutions: Why we should be investing in family-based care (Save the Children 2009) Raport: With the Best Intentions: A study of attitudes towards residential care in Cambodia (UNICEF 2011)

Sources: Poradnik pracownika: Wolontariat wasy i zalety tej formy Wyprawy do azji: Wolonturystyka pomoc ale czy aby na pewno Glennies: Wolontariat czy wolonturystyka Misyjnie: Wolonturystyka pomaganie, które może zaszkodzićW Publicystyka: Wolonturystyka to nie wolontariat Post -turysta: Wolonturystyka

Kacper Król VOICES - 13

music

Patience is a Virtue

Flickr | Liliane Callegari

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It’s been four years since she released new music.

Fans were getting crazy, coming up with theories, expecting the latest chapter in their life.

But the waiting has ended.

She’s here, and she’s sexy, playful, feral, and free.

музика

Flickr | Annette Geneva

L

orde was only 16 when she put her first album, Pure Heroine, into the world. Being a teenager in the music industry isn’t easy – people judge artists by the banal lyricism and lack of creativity. That case didn’t streak the young New Zealand musician. A fresh breath of ideas and words that sounded like poetry were the concepts that people connected with Lorde. Even though she wrote about things that already a lot of artists did, she had done in it a new way that was definitely needed in the music industry. Songs like Ribs, Buzzcut Season, and Tennis Court are the soundtracks of adulation to this day.

People had even more expectations when she announced her second album, Melodrama. Lyrics that people have identified with themselves, creative production in her first album, and a long time after releasing her debut made it even more anticipating. There was a lot going on in social media, her giving a new era in fans’ lives and finally coming back with a second chapter.

Well, she didn’t let people down.

Even better production (thanks to Jack Antonoff); lyrics that people quote a lot, confirmed that she has the idea for herself, and knows how to give people what they want.

Then she disappeared. Melodrama was released in 2017, and it’s been already too long for her fans. One of them even made a Twitter account

named, “Did Lorde Release a New Album Today.” Every day, there is a funny answer with saying in different ways: no. During that period, she focused on herself. Reaching her dream (going to Antarctica must be a dream, right?), leaving social media, and giving herself time to prepare the music. Then a new post on her “onion rings worldwide” Instagram account showed up (she is this unproblematic musician that feels most of the gossips about her, when it’s just about that weird account).

Then Primavera Sound announced her as a headline in the 2022 show.

That’s why fans were making even more theories that she will come back. And she did. On her website, people could see the sneak peek with her photo with caption: Arriving in 2021… Patience is a virtue. A few days later, she came back with a new song Solar Power. Lorde communicates with her fans via newsletter, where she sends new information about her music and life, because being off social media makes her feel incredible. In the first half of June, she addressed one of those, and in that way, confirmed that a new album is on the way. On the summer solstice, she officially announced the date of release.

There’s someone I want you to meet. Her feet are bare at all times.

She’s sexy, playful, feral, and free.

She’s a modern girl in a deadstock bikini, in touch with her past and future, vibrating at the highest level when summer comes around. Her

skin is glowing, and her lovers are many. I’m completely obsessed with her, and soon you will be too, she wrote in the first mail addressing the rumors about new music.

Lorde introduced fans to her third studio album, Solar Power. New music celebrating the natural world and an attempt at immortalizing the deep, transcendent feelings seems to be a bit different path in her career.

One of her fans commented: I won’t disregard the thought that Lorde started Melodrama in a city, where it’s night and different city lights fill the lonely scene. And in her Solar Power, it’s daylight, and everything is just lit from the Sun. It is a new chapter for her.

She had planned everything. A new chapter has already begun. A full story people will get to know on the 20th of August, when there will be 12 new songs with two bonus tracks.

New Lorde, happy Lorde, gives hope – not everything has to be as hard as it seemed to be in her first two albums. And as she said at the end of her mail: Feels right.

Anna Marek Sources: Lorde Official Newsletter Lorde Offical Website Primavera Sound Offical Website Twitter: @babadjeer Twitter: @DidLorde Instagram: @onionringsworldwide

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15 Seconds of Fame – How TikTok is changing the Internet Nowadays, you are either a TikTok fan, a critic or confused about the hype. TikTok is the most popular app on the planet right now. The short 15 to 60 second clips can turn you into an internet sensation in only one night. Lip-syncing videos, one-act dance routines, 1-min recipes and challenges. Let’s try to understand this recent media phenomenon.

S

o, TikTok is an app for making and sharing short videos. The app started as a less popularly known “musical.ly” in 2014 but in 2016 it changed its name to TikTok. Now owned by ByteDance, a Beijing-based Internet technology company, the app has reached over 2.6 billion downloads. Especially during the first Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020 the platform gained immense popularity.

People allover the world suddenly needed a way to both entertain themselves and connect with others.

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How TikTok adapts to your interests You will mostly see content related to your interests. As soon as you open the app for the first time, they are testing you by populating your feed with all kinds of clips. If you like, comment or share a video, the algorithm remembers that and shows you similar content. Most of that is consumed in the main “For You” feed – a place where TikTok suggests you clips based on your individual interests.

“Part of the magic of TikTok is that there’s no single For You feed”, the social media homepage states.

“While different people may come upon some of the same standout videos, each person’s feed is unique and tailored to that specific individual.”

Yet there is criticism that the “For You” page creates a bubble. You are only confronted with topics and viewpoints that you agree with.

The feed might not be designed to encourage critical thinking.

Wasting time Since the videos are so short you easily forget how much time you are spending. According to Business of Apps, users spend 52 minutes per day on the platform, opening the app 8 times a day.

Why it’s so easy to gain followers Many creators prefer the platform to YouTube because it’s easier to gain followers there. It took YouTube’s main face PewDiPie over 9 years to pass the 100 million-subscriber mark.

TikTok’s most successful creator Charli D’Amelio reached 100 million subscribers after 18 months of joining.

At the same time creating the short clips requires much less time than uploading YouTube videos. Gaining popularity on YouTube demands high quality videos at least in tone, camera and editing.

Gen Z who was born between 1997 and 2015 regards the platform as a place to authentically express themselves. The platform became a core way for them to express its own ethos, aesthetics and attitudes. It is also a place of activism where the young generation is loud about racism, sexism, homophobia and climate change.

However, all you need for a TikTok account is a smartphone. On there you have the music and the filters. There is no high-quality standard for the quick and light entertainment.

The Covid-19 pandemic was essential for the rise of the platform. For many youngsters, the polished life of Instagram influencers is less alluring during a pandemic.

TikToks most famous face

On the app people are sharing relationship advice, experiences with mental illness and yes, even their traumas. “We feel so comfortable in our bubble that we forget everybody has access to our profile and our personal stories.” a viral TikTok clip suggests.

American teenager Charlie D’Amelio is only 17 years but already the mostfollowed creator. The young girl from Connecticut, who was a competitive dancer for over 10 years, earns her living with short dance clips. Recently she landed a Hulu Reality Show. She became a teenage household name overnight – before uploading her short dance clips for fun she was a normal high school student. She has expressed confusion regarding her rise to popularity.

In an interview with Variety, she said, “I consider myself a normal teenager that a lot of people watch, for some reason. It doesn’t make sense in my head, but I’m working on understanding it.”

Gen Z’s favorite platform While TikTok is attracting every age group, Gen Z is clearly the most dominant target group on the platform. According to Wallaroo Media, 60 % of users belong to Gen Z – a group who never knew life before complete self-digitization.

The future of social media Even though critics diminish the app as a short-lived trend, it is becoming evident that TikTok is changing the way we consume media. We are looking for more authenticity and we want to leave social media feeling better than before.

TikTok saw that need. Who else will?

Clarissa Leute Sources: How TikTok is rewriting the world - New York Times Charli D’Amelio is TikTok’s biggest star.

She has no idea why - The Washington Post What The Rise Of TikTok Says About Generation Z - Forbes TikTok Finally Explains How the ‘For You’ Algorithm Works - Wired

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15 sekonda famë - Si TikTok po ndryshon internetin Në ditët e sotme, ju ose jeni një tifoz i TikTok, ose një kritik ose i hutuar nga zhurma. TikTok është aplikacioni më i popullarizuar në planet tani. Klipet e shkurtra prej 15 deri 60 sekondash mund t’ju kthejnë në një sensacion në internet në vetëm një natë. Videot e sinkronizimit të buzëve, rutinat e vallëzimit me një veprim, recetat dhe sfidat 1 minutëshe. Le të përpiqemi të kuptojmë këtë fenomen mediatik të fundit.

P

ra, TikTok është një aplikacion për të bërë dhe shpërndarë video të shkurtra. Aplikacioni filloi si një “musical.ly” më pak i njohur në 2014 por në 2016 ai ndryshoi emrin e tij në TikTok. Tani në pronësi të ByteDance, një kompani teknologjie interneti me bazë në Pekin, aplikacioni ka arritur mbi 2.6 miliardë shkarkime.

Sidomos gjatë izolimit të parë Covid-19 në Mars 2020 platforma fitoi popullaritet të jashtëzakonshëm. Njerëzit në të gjithë botën papritmas kishin nevojë për një mënyrë për t’u argëtuar dhe për t’u lidhur me të tjerët.

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Si TikTok përshtatet me interesat tuaja Kryesisht do të shihni video që lidhen me interesat tuaja. Sapo hapni aplikacionin për herë të parë, ata ju testojnë duke mbushur feedin* tuaj me të gjitha llojet e klipeve.

Nëse ju pëlqeni, komentoni ose ndani një video, algoritmi e mban mend atë dhe ju tregon video të ngjashme. Pjesa më e madhe e tyre konsumohet në feed-in kryesor "Për Ju” (For You) - një vend ku TikTok ju sugjeron klipe bazuar në interesat tuaja individuale.

“Një pjesë e magjisë së TikTok është se nuk ka asnjë feed të vetëm Për Ju”, thotë faqja kryesore e medias sociale. “Megjithësë njerëz të ndryshëm mund të përballen me disa nga të njëjtat video të dallueshme, feed-i i secilit person është unik dhe i përshtatur për atë individ specifik”.

Megjithatë ka kritika që faqja "Për Ju" krijon një flluskë. Ju ballafaqoheni vetëm me tema dhe pikëpamje me të cilat jeni dakord. Feed-i mund të mos jetë krijuar për të inkurajuar të menduarit kritik.

Duke harxhuar kohë Meqenëse videot janë kaq të shkurtra, ju harroni lehtë sa kohë po shpenzoni. Sipas Business of Apps, përdoruesit kalojnë 52 minuta në ditë në platformë, duke hapur aplikacionin 8 herë në ditë.

kryesore të YouTube, PewDiPie iu deshën mbi 9 vjet për të kaluar 100 milion ndjekës. Krijuesja më e suksesshme e TikTok Charli D’Amelio arriti 100 milion ndjekës 18 muaj pasi iu bashkua platformës. Në të njëjtën kohë krijimi i klipeve të shkurtra kërkon shumë më pak kohë sesa ngarkimi i videove në YouTube. Fitimi i popullaritetit në YouTube kërkon video me cilësi të lartë, të paktën në ton, kamera dhe redaktim. Sidoqoftë, gjithçka që ju nevojitet për një llogari në TikTok është një smartphone. Atje keni muzikën dhe filtrat. Nuk ka një standard cilësie të lartë për argëtimin e shpejtë dhe të lehtë.

Fytyra më e famshme e TikTok Adoleshentja amerikane Charlie D’Amelio është vetëm 17 vjeç, por tashmë krijuesja më e ndjekur. Vajza e re nga Connecticut, e cila ishte një valltare konkurruese për mbi 10 vjet, e fiton jetesën e saj me klipe të shkurtër vallëzimi. Kohët e fundit ajo filloi një shfaqje televizive me Hulu. Ajo u bë një emër i njohur për adoleshentët brenda natës - para se të ngarkonte klipet e saj të shkurtër të vallëzimit për argëtim, ajo ishte një studente normale e shkollës së mesme. Ajo ka shprehur konfuzion në lidhje me rritjen e saj të popullaritetit. Në një intervistë për Variety, ajo tha,

“Unë e konsideroj veten një adoleshente normale që shumë njerëz e shikojnë, për cfarëdolloj arsye. Nuk ka kuptim në kokën time, por po përpiqem ta kuptoj”

Pse është kaq e lehtë të fitosh ndjekës

Platforma e preferuar e Gen Z

Shumë krijues preferojnë platformën në vend të YouTube sepse është më lehtë të fitosh ndjekës atje. Fytyrës

Ndërsa TikTok po tërheq çdo grupmoshë, Gen Z është padyshim grupi më i dominant në platformë.

Sipas Wallaroo Media, 60% e përdoruesve i përkasin Gen Z - një grup i cili kurrë nuk e dinte jetën para vetëdixhitalizimit të plotë. Gen Z (Gjenerata Z) e cila ka lindur midis 1997 dhe 2015 e konsideron platformën si një vend për t’u shprehur në mënyrë autentike.

Platforma u bë një mënyrë thelbësore që ata të shprehin etosin, estetikën dhe qëndrimet e veta. Është gjithashtu një vend i aktivizmit ku brezi i ri ka ngritur zërin për racizmin, seksizmin, homofobinë dhe ndryshimin e klimës.

Pandemia Covid-19 ishte esenciale për ngritjen e platformës. Për shumë të rinj, jeta e “lëmuar” e ndikuesve në Instagram është më pak tërheqëse gjatë një pandemie.

Në aplikacion, njerëzit ndajnë këshilla për marrëdhënie, përvoja me sëmundje mendore dhe po, madje edhe traumat e tyre. “Ne ndihemi aq rehat në flluskën tonë saqë harrojmë që të gjithë kanë akses në profilin tonë dhe historitë tona personale”, sugjeron një klip viral TikTok.

E ardhmja e mediave sociale Edhe pse kritikët e pakësojnë aplikacionin në një trend jetëshkurtër, është duke u bërë e qartë se TikTok po ndryshon mënyrën se si ne konsumojmë media. Ne po kërkojmë më shumë vërtetësi dhe duam të lëmë mediat sociale duke u ndjerë më mirë se më parë. TikTok e pa atë nevojë.

Kush tjetër do ta shohë?

Clarissa Leute Përkthyes: Ejona Limanaj Burimet: How TikTok is rewriting the world - New York Times Charli D’Amelio is TikTok’s biggest star.

She has no idea why - The Washington Post What The Rise Of TikTok Says About Generation Z - Forbes TikTok Finally Explains How the ‘For You’ Algorithm Works - Wired

*Një feed lajmesh, ose TikTok në këtë rast, është një format të dhënash i përdorur për të pajisur përdoruesit me postime të azhornuara shpesh.

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“Come, come, wanderer, worshiper, lover of learning...

It does not matter.

Just come.”

In this article, we will talk about Sufism, precisely about Rumi, who reached depths and insights of spirituality.

His poems are interpreted according to the level of maturity of one individual. Who was Rumi?

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Dervishes Avanos, Schorle, Wikimedia CC

J

Rumi was a disciple of Sayyed Burhan Termazi, one of his father's students.

He practiced Sufism with him and acquired a lot of knowledge about the secrets of the spirit world. At the age of 24, he was already a scholar with tremendous expertise and insight into religion.

Rumi was a well-known teacher and theologian, when in 1244, in the streets of Konya; he met Shams al-Tabrizi, a wandering dervish. This meeting was a turning point in Rumi's life, which pushed him even deeper into himself, and into becoming a poet and a Sufi-mystic. Rumi had a good reputation as a teacher with students all over the country and as a family person. People loved him, and out of this love, they gave him the name Mawlana (beloved one). After the meeting with Shams, he neglected his students and his family, and the two of them were spending the days talking about religious matters.

Shams could have met Rumi many years before, but according to some sources, Rumi was not prepared yet for this meeting, which had Shams waiting a little longer.

They continued to teach each other valuable lessons for their spiritual growth, and one day sitting beneath the shadows of the tree, they started whirling, expressing the overwhelming joy they felt in that moment. That was the moment when the famous whirling dervish

dance was created. Rumi later said that the inspiration for this dance came from observing the children. When they feel joy and happiness, they start to whirl. Then Rumi decided to try this dance in the city square. He was whirling for 38 hours without stop.

People were passing around, going about their everyday obligations, but Rumi was overwhelmed with his dance.

After he finished, he just fell to the ground. People had said that when he lifted his head, he was a different person and his face looked 20 years younger. He attained enlightenment and said,

“Whirling is like the whole universe.

Everything is constantly changing and spins, but only one thing stays the same and fixed, and that is the innermost core of our beings.

The one who comes to his center has done the purpose of life and connection with the source.”

Shams was looking for a friend to give him the complete knowledge that he gathered and experienced in his life.

When he met his beloved friend, they wrote history together and gave an immense value in spirituality for the next generations to come.

Both of them were facing a lot of pressure and hate, especially Shams.

People were saying that he was the creation of the devil himself, and he didn't want to make problems for Rumi anymore, and decided to leave Konya for good. When Rumi found out, he was desperate and sent his older son to find him. The days were passing without any news of Shams.

Finally, his son found Shams close to Konya and asked him to come back.

a hy ,C mi Ru

alaluddin Rumi, also known as Mawlana, was a 13th-century Persian poet, an Islamic dervish, and a Sufi mystic.

He was born September 30, 1207, in Balkh, Afghanistan, and died on December 17, 1273, in Konya. Rumi’s father, Baha al-Din, was a teacher, theologian, author, and mystic.

Sufism is the heart of Islam, just as Zen is the heart of Buddhism. The difference between these teachings is that Sufism is softer, and Zen is stricter in its approach. A Sufi person will explain to you stories, and help you find out the answer, while the Zen master will hit you with a stick and bring you back to yourself. There are different methods of how to attain enlightenment.

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Shams knew that if he came back, he would die. His nafs (the fake ego) were telling him to stay here and avoid death, but Shams decided to come back and spend the last days of his life with his beloved friend.

When he returned to Konya, the envy raised even more among the people who hated Shams and felt abandoned by their master, father, and husband. The youngest son of Rumi decided to hire an assassin, and kill Shams. Rumi was waiting 40 days before finally he accepted the bitter truth about the death of his beloved friend and master. This sadness, and longing for Shams made Rumi a poet.

His most popular works are Diwan-e Shams Tabrizi and Mathawi. Rumi's works are spread all over the world and translated into many languages.

His massive influence and audience across the globe make his spirit live forever. Many of the readers describe their experience with his poems as a love affair.

After his death, he was buried beside his father in Konya. His people made the Mawlana mausoleum in Konya. It consists of a mosque, dervish living quarters, and a dance hall. Many people can come there to visit this place and to give honor to one of the greatest, if not the greatest Sufi poet that has ever lived.

Enes Smailagić Sources: thefamouspeople.com: Rumi Biography britannica.com: Rumi rumi.net: Rumi's Untold Story Elif Shafak – "40 Rules of Love” Illustration: Mewlana Rumi’s, Toksoz, Wikimedia CC

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“Дојди, дојди, скитник, обожавател, вљубеник на учењето... Не е важно, само дојди.” Во оваа статија ќе зборуваме за суфизмот, поточно за Руми, кој достигна нови длабочини и увиди во духовноста. Неговите песни се толкуваат според нивото на зрелост на една индивидуа. Кој беше Руми?

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Dervishes Avanos, Schorle, Wikimedia CC

Ј

аиалудин Руми (Jalaluddin Rumi), исто така познат како Мавлана, бил персиски поет во 13 век, исламски дервиш и суфиски мистик. Роден е на 30 септември 1207 година во Балх, Авганистан, а починал на 17 декември 1273 година во Коња. Таткото на Руми, Баха ал-Дин беше учител, теолог автор и мистик.

Руми бил ученик на Сајед Бурхан Термази, еден од учениците на неговиот татко. Тој практикувал суфизам со него и стекнал многу знаење за тајните на духовниот свет. Кога имал само 24 години, тој веќе бил научник со огромно знаење и увид во врска со религијата. Руми бил добро познат учител и теолог, кога во 1244 година на улиците во Коња го сретнал Шамс ал-Табризи, залутан дервиш. Оваа средба беше пресвртница во животот на Руми, што го турна уште подлабоко во себе и да стане поет и суфи-мистик. Руми имал добра репутација како наставник со ученици низ целата земја и како семејна личност. Луѓето го сакаа и од својата милост му го дадоа името Мавлана (саканиот). По средбата со Шамс, тој ги запостави своите студенти и неговото семејство и заедно со својот нов пријател деновите ги минуваа зборувајќи за верски работи. Шамс можеше да се сретне со Руми многу години порано, но според некои извори, Руми сè уште не бил подготвен за оваа средба што го натера Шамс да чека малку подолго. Тие продолжија да си предаваат едни на други вредни лекции за нивниот духовен раст и еден ден седејќи под сенките на дрвото, тие започнаа да се врткаат, изразувајќи огромна радост што ја чувствуваат во тој момент. Тоа беше моментот кога се создаде познатиот вртлив дервишки танц. Руми подоцна рече дека инспирацијата за овој танц доаѓа од набудувањето на

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a hy ,C mi Ru

Суфизмот е срцетo на исламот, исто како што зенот е срцето на будизмот. Разликата помеѓу овие учења е дека суфизмот е помек, а зенот е построг во неговиот пристап. Суфи-личноста ќе ви објасни со приказни и ќе ви помогне да го дознаете одговорот, додека зен-мастерот ќе ве удри со стап и ќе ве врати на себе. Постојат различни методи за тоа како да се постигне просветлување.

децата. Кога ќе почувствуваат радост и среќа, тие само почнуваат да се вртат. Тогаш Руми реши да го испроба овој танц на градскиот плоштад. Тој се вртеше 38 часа без запирање. Луѓето поминуваа наоколу завршувајќи ги своите секојдневни обврски, но Руми беше обземен со неговиот танц. И откако заврши, тој само паднал во земја. Луѓето раскажаа дека кога тој ја подигнал главата, бил поинаква личност и неговото лице изгледало 20 години помладо. Тој достигна просветлување и рече:

„Вртењето е како целиот Универзум. Сè постојано се менува и се врти, но само една работа останува иста и фиксна, а тоа е центарот кој се наоѓа во нас самите. Оној што ќе дојде до својот центар, ја исполнил целта на животот и поврзаноста со Изворот“. Шамс бараше пријател за да му го даде целото знаење што го собра и го доживеа во неговиот живот, и кога го запозна својот сакан пријател Руми, тие заедно напишаа историја и дадоа огромна вредност во духовноста за следните генерации. И двајцата се соочуваа со голем притисок и омраза, особено Шамс. Луѓето велеа дека тој е олицетворение на самиот ѓавол и тој не сакаше повеќе да му прави проблеми на Руми и реши да ја напушти Коња засекогаш. Кога Руми дознал, тој бил очаен и го испратил својот постар син да го најде. Деновите минуваа, без никаква вест за Шамс. Конечно неговиот син го најде Шамс близу до Коња и го замоли да се врати. Шамс знаеше дека ако се врати, ќе умре. Неговиот

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нефс (лажното его) му велеше да остане тука и да ја избегне смртта, но Шамс реши да се врати и да ги помине последните денови од својот живот со својот сакан пријател. Кога се врати во Коња, зависта се зголеми уште повеќе кај луѓето што го мразеа Шамс и се чувствуваа напуштени од својот господар, татко и сопруг. Најмладиот син на Руми реши да ангажира атентатор и да го убие Шамс. Руми чекаше 40 дена, пред конечно да ја прифати горчливата вистина за смртта на неговиот сакан пријател и учител. Оваа тага и копнеж кон Шамс го направија Руми поет. Неговите најпопуларни дела се Диван-е Шамс Табризи и Матави. Делата на Руми се распространети низ целиот свет и преведени на многу јазици. Неговото огромно влијание и публика низ целиот свет го прават неговиот дух да живее долго. Многумина од читателите го опишуваат своето искуство со неговите песни како љубовна афера. По неговата смрт, тој бил погребан покрај неговиот татко во Коња. Неговите луѓе го направија мавзолејот Мавлана во Коња. Се состои од џамија, дервишки живеалишта и сала за танцување. Многу луѓе можат да дојдат таму да го посетат ова место и да му оддадат чест на еден од најголемите, ако не и најголемиот суфи-поет што некогаш живеел. Енес Смаилагиќ Извори: thefamouspeople.com: Rumi Biography britannica.com: Rumi rumi.net: Rumi's Untold Story Elif Shafak – "40 Rules of Love” Илустрација: Mewlana Rumi’s, Toksoz, Wikimedia CC

VOICES - 23

interview

Somebody has to take a step to be a proper ambassador –

A

an interview with Vasil Garvanliev

lot happened during Skopje Pride. One of the highlights of the day was performance of Vasil Garvanliev – the Macedonian Eurovision representative. We’ve asked him about the event, queer music scene in country and his ESC experience.

24 - VOICES

интервју

This is a second pride in Skopje. How are you feeling about that?

It’s an emotional day; I just finished my performance in front of all these people who just went through streets in Skopje. To be honest it’s interesting: performances like this are way more emotional and scary than the actual Eurovision. It’s smaller; you connect more with the audience. To compare, Eurovision is a beast, so you just get there and do everything that you are supposed to do. But this performance because of the cause makes it very emotional.

It looked different from here – more people were walking on the streets just celebrating love. But this, once again, is more powerful because in a way it’s not safe. In that way we all are taking a big step towards the future. In America and Canada they already there where we want to be, they’re way ahead of us.

It’s accepted and people are battling different demons.

As you said, you just finished your performance. What were you thinking standing there, knowing you’re in Macedonia?

The performance was full of emotions.

I felt a lot and I thought that it’s a sign that things are changing so for me everything felt very good that people were so happy when I was performing.

I’m from Poland so I can already see the difference between my nation and Macedonia. Your country took already a lot of big steps.

We have to remember: it doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from. We are all people. Likewise, we need love and energy.

Let’s hope for the better future for all the countries.

The performance was on special occasion. You’re part of queer music scene in Macedonia. How does it look like for artists?

Honestly, it’s scary. This is a step you have to take while you struggle with views and likes and followers, but I always choose the truth. I sing to inspire people, and I’m doing it to everyone – to every human being. We’re all human being so that connects us. Music is universal and doesn’t choose. So, is it easy? No, it’s not easy, but who wants the easy? I don’t.

In some way, music can help to change that. When you write your songs, what’s on your mind?

You know, it just happens. For the song Here I stand it just came out.

Considering everything that has been going on in my life: all the struggles. So I said: despite everything here I stand, I’m smiling and maybe everybody can relate to this. No matter where you are and who you are. I know there are a lot of mean people out there; people who try to break you, to bring you down.

But we will not let them.

You’re one of those people who chose to take that brave step. How did it look like for you?

It wasn’t easy but I was ready. It’s one of those things I said: somebody has to take a step to be a proper ambassador.

There’s not a need for drama, there’s no need for tabloid news, etc. I wanted to make a step, even if it’s not safe for me - it’s better for future generation to come. Even my struggles always remind me that I can change the future, and it’s always worthy.

It reminds me of acceptance speech of one of the famous artists, during which she said: If you are met with resistance that probably means that you’re doing something new. So even when you meet negativity, you’re taking step.

So I’m taking a lot of steps. But it’s true; we should always look for our better future, even if it’s hard.

This is second pride in Skopje. Have you attended first parade?

No, back that time I was performing in Toronto and last year we didn’t have it. But I was at pride in Toronto.

You also did a step being part of Eurovision Song Contest. What surprised you there?

How well everything happened despite the protocol, which was very strict.

To be honest I’m very glad I went on 2019 with Tamara, so I experienced full Eurovision. This year was hard because of how it was restricted. I didn’t

have chance to meet many people.

Of course, there is social media: the opportunity to get to know them but maybe of all the singers I met 6-7 face to face.

Who you were rooting for?

My favorite was the song Voilà by Barbara Pravi who was representing France. Deep down I also liked Ukrainian song: Go_A - SHUM. Despite the results, the most important thing for me was the fact that Eurovision actually happened. The fact that we went: we’re all winners. It’s cliché, but this event was a test to the world to see if we can go back to normal, and we all proved that.

And now we can see what future will bring us. What’s in store for you?

I want to do many things. My Macedonian album is done, I’m working on my English record, and ideally I would love to enter the global market to do tours. Just to make people happy.

I wish that this dream would happen.

Thank you for your time!

Thank you!

Anna Marek

VOICES - 25

reportage

What is youth work?

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репортажа

Youth work is a central element in our democracies that enable young people to develop their intellectual and physical skills in a way that is aimed at ensuring better development as well as enhanced opportunities for their prospective adult lives. What is youth work, and how can it help young people throughout their development?

A

t first sight, it is difficult to describe youth work, as this concept is a multifaceted one: in some countries, it is a relatively welldefined, distinct practice. In other countries (especially in Southern European countries), the term is less known, and there is no identifiable overall concept of youth work.

of non-formal education and the emphasis on voluntary participation are common features of youth work as they distinguish youth work from other educational interventions, be its interventions in the private sphere of the family or interventions in public, formal institutions like schools.

Youth work starts where young people are and does not have to bother with pre-structured programs or predefined learning outcomes. This is exactly the meaning of non-formal education, which could be summed up as “educational activities outside the formal educational system” or an alternative form of education that is added to the formal one.

According to the Maltese definition of non-formal education, “Non-formal learning is learning that has been acquired in addition or alternatively to formal learning. In some cases, it is also structured according to educational and training arrangements but more flexible.

It usually takes place in community-based Regarding the target group, for settings, the workplace, and through the example, the definition of youth work activities of civil society organizations. is not the same: in a number of States, Through the recognition, validation, and it is restricted to the accreditation process, work with young people non-formal learning can Youth work starts (15-25 years), while in where young people also lead to qualifications other countries (Belgium, and other recognitions.”

Germany), there is are and does not have to bother with preno strong distinction Peter Lauritzen, who between children’s structured programs committed his whole work and youth work. or predefined career to the development But there is however a learning outcomes. of the Council of Europe clear tendency in most youth sector, stressed the countries to take a broad important role of youth work as being perspective on youth work integrating a place of inclusion of integration for differentiated practices with different young people. The role of youth work target groups and varying aims. also consists in alleviating processes In the Council of Europe Resolution on a renewed framework for European co-operation in the youth field, youth work has been defined in such a way: “youth work is a broad term covering a large scope of activities of a social, cultural, educational or political nature both by, with and for young people.

Increasingly, such activities also include sport and services for young people.

Moreover, youth work belongs to the area of “out of school” education, as well as specific leisure time activities managed by professional or voluntary youth workers and youth leaders, and it is based on the non-formal learning process and voluntary participation”.

These two features -the use of methods

that prevent individuals, groups, or communities from accessing the rights, opportunities, and resources that are normally available to members of society… and structural forces such as laws and public policies are often responsible for social exclusion, as well as being commonly associated with the traditional concept of “formal education”.

Yvan Barbeau Sources : Defintion of non formal (gov.mt) The Peter Lauritzen Collection (coe.int) Youth work (coe.int) What is youth work? - National Youth Council of Ireland

VOICES - 27

reportage

Safe space for everyone to express themselves Skopje Pride 2021

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репортажа

The heat did not stop them from going to the street and celebrating love. For the second time in history, a pride parade was organized in Skopje. We went there to see what the organization of such an event looks like and how people feel participating in it.

I

t was supposed to be the third time, but the pandemic made it impossible to organize the event the way everyone wanted to last year. But on Saturday, the 26th of June, people went through the streets of Skopje to celebrate.

Stefan Petrovski, one of the organizers, says: "2-3 months ago, we were mainly looking at the COVID-19 situation and seeing if it would be possible. Thankfully, we were able to kind of predict what the official protocols were saying. We were dreaded doing a pride virtually the second time in a row, but fortunately, we can meet and celebrate."

Several NGOs fighting against homophobia and transphobia were involved in organizing the event this year. Many teams were responsible for different areas, such as volunteer team, security, event management and fundraising. As Stefan is saying, people had the main goal to reach: "to create a safe space for everyone to express themselves but also to find support if they don’t have it at home, with their friends or family."

Several hundred people marched from the Woman Warrior Park to the Shell in the City Park. In there, Skopje Pride was enriched with the participation of this year’s Macedonia’s contestant at the Eurovision Song Contest, Vasil Garvanliev.

The event was organized by the “National Network Against Homophobia and Transphobia”. Held under the slogan “Outside the Walls”, it emphasized the life of isolation that many members of the LGBT community experience. Same sex-couples still don’t have the same protections as heterosexual couples. In 2019, ILGAEurope ranked Macedonia 34th out of 49 European countries in terms of LGBT rights legislation. So even if the march was festive, it was still a protest about discrimination and stigmatization.

At Macedonia’s first pride in 2019, priests from various denominations attended a counter-rally that called for “Support of Family Values’’. However, during this year’s pride, no counterrallies took place, and in general, participants shared that they felt safe.

When we talk to people from Macedonia, they all agree on how important it is for the local community.

But while walking between the attendees, we also meet foreigners.

Richard came from the US to celebrate the day with his husband: "We came to support. I’m married to a Macedonian, but I can’t be here for more than 90 days because the government doesn’t recognize our marriage. It’s very different from our pride. Even though people are having fun, it’s more serious." He thinks that these kinds of events are very important for countries like Macedonia.

"In that way, people can show who they truly are. Until people make themselves seen, I’m not saying get crazy and get yourself hurt, but there has to be something and the Pride Parade in Skopje is a big step to change the way people think", Richard adds.

The equality march brought people from different parts of the world in the capital together. Some have travelled thousands of kilometers to support the LGBT community in Macedonia and exchange their experiences and just spend time together in a good atmosphere.

It wasn’t hard to find people who could help organize the pride. Narcisa and Eva were two of the volunteers.

For both of them, it was a significant day, not only because after two years, they could finally gather, but also because it felt so good being a part of a movement in their city. The Girls share happiness when we talk to them.

"This is not my first pride. I attended the one in 2019. I’m so happy to be here. This is also very important for me because I’m part of LGBT", shares one of them.

Kacper Król Clarissa Leute Anna Marek Sources:

For North Macedonia’s LGBT Community, Pride is Taste of Freedom | Balkan Insight North Macedonia’s President Joins Hundreds For Second ‘Pride’ Parade (rferl.org)

VOICES - 29

reportage

Музиката во живо полека се враќа во живот!

В

еќе поминаа 15 месеци (не дека бројам). Сите музички настапи беа откажани кога короната нѐ удри. Тоа не беше баш лесно за музичарите, но дефинитино, не беше полесно ни за фановите. Чекајќи ги концертите со години, купувањето на билети однапред (понекогаш со малку добра среќа, бидејќи постојат многу луѓе желни да одат на концертот), и присуството на едно такво шоу ги прави љубителите на музиката полни со живот. „Како адолесцент и волонтер, мене наавистина ми недостигаше одењето на концерти и настани во живо во минатата година и половина. Неколкупати, дури се фатив себеси како мечтаам за преполн и гласен простор, одам во тоалетот и после тоа не можам да си ги најдам пријателите. Класично сценаио“, вели Марија, која, исто така, е волонтер на некои музички настани. Како што вели таа, пандемијата и требала за да сфати дека организирањето на овие работи не помага само да расте како личност и да ги гради своите вештини за тимска работа. Сепак, исто така, се чувствува добро бидејќи помага на заедницата и прави сите да се чувствуваат добро за време на концертот. Фановите беа во еден вид на

30 - VOICES

Поминување време без пријателите, не излегувајќи на омилените места, не уживајќи го животот во целост... И не само тоа, за време на пандемијата, луѓето пропуштаа и уште нешто: свирењето музика во живо мораше да запре. Откако поминавме долго време меѓу четири ѕида слушајќи изведувачи на електронските уреди - сонцето постепено почна да излегува, а и концертите се на пат.

подобра позиција отколку музичарите, бидејќи не изгубија работа и не мораа да смислуваат други решенија да заработат пари. Секако, парите не се единствената работа која музичарите ја изгубија за време на карантинот.

постојат можности за музичари кои ќе настапуваат пред помала публика. Срѓан Вучиќ, музичар во еден од локалните бендови, ги сподели своите ставови во врска со враќањето на музиката во живо во Скопје.

„Пред пандемијата, правевме свирки и се забавувавме многу, никогаш не ни се чинеше како да работиме. Кога тоа престана, беше поразителнo: фактот дека не може да се настапува толку долго време“, кажува Бехар, музичар. Најлошо е што многу настани не се покриени со никакво осигурување, па конкретно на помалите агенции им се заканува банкрот. За да се надоместат загубите, музичарите почнаа со пренос на настани во живо за кои не е потребна комплицирана продукција и може лесно да се врши пренос од празна просторија. Иако тие се голем обем за публиката, создаваат ниски приходи за креаторите. Очигледно е дека тие не го даваат истото чувство како концертите во живо.

„Свирењето музика во живо не е мојата главна работа. Јас не свирам толку многу, но сепак, ми недостигаше чувството на свирење во живо пред публиката. Некои луѓе го прават тоа 3-4 пати неделно. Кога короната го удри светот, беше лошо за мене, но мислам дека не толку лошо како на некои други луѓе. По овие неколку недели, луѓето изгледа како да имаат повеќе енергија. Можеби дури и повеќе нѐ ценат, бидејќи немаа шанса да присуствуваат на вакви настани долго време“, вели тој.

Растечкиот број на вакцинирани луѓе ни го дава светлото на крајот од тунелот. Најголемите фестивали веќе ги распоредуваат датумите во следната година. Некои музичари веќе ги имаат продадено билетите за оваа година. Но, најмногу од сѐ,

Срѓан се согласува дека атмосферата е различна кога има музика во живо. Во текот на годините кои ги поминал во Белгија, било многу поразлично од музичката сцена во Македонија. Имало повеќе џем-сесии, но сепак било жива музика. И како што кажува самиот, не само свирењето таму, туку и да се биде дел од публиката е незаборавно чувство. Некои музичари веќе имаа прилика да настапат во живо. Дарко Јованов

репортажа и Јасна Трпкова се вратија на сцената. И за нив не беше лесно за време на корона вирусот. Но, им помона да сфатат некои работи кои не ги очекувале претходно. „Пронајдов неколку нови искри. Одеднаш почувствував дека можам да ја искористам паузата за да станам поинтимна со нацртот за мојот перформанс. Ми се разјасни кои делови се веќе одамна направени и кои скриени пламени сакам да ги разгорам во иднина. Исто така сфатив дека кога сме целосно резервирани, сите ние паѓаме во стапицата на рутината и се чувствуваме помалку заинтригирани да ги размрдаме работите. Тишината беше мостот кој ми беше потребен за поврзување на нови точки во мојата звуна утеха“, сподели Јасна.

Тие го искористија тоа време да спремат нов музички материјал кој подоцна ќе го споделат со публиката. Дарко вели: „Во тоа време, направивме цел албум кој сега е во процес на снимање. Со враќањето на настапите, може да го искористиме приливот на средтства да го финансираме албумот и да направиме нешто на кое ќе се гордеемме и двајцата“.

Тие се сигурни дека после долг период на социјална изолација, секој сака да биде меѓу луѓе, да оди на забави, да танцува, и повторно да се забавува. Некои можеби се повеќе свесни од други, но генерално, имањето целосна доверба во големи групи дека ќе направат сѐ што е исправно, звучи малку глупаво. Поради тоа, пабовите, баровите, ноќните клубови и останатите културни места треба да ги одржуваат упатствата за да се осигураат дека сите ние можеме да ја оставиме оваа пандемија зад нас еднаш засекогаш во најбрз можен рок. Најголем дел од музичарите се согласуваат со тоа. Бона Деа е повеќејазичен македонски бенд кој свири од сѐ по нешто. Иако периодот на пандемијата не беше лесен, тие не престанаа да свират. Напротив, започнаа со онлајн изведби и откриваа нови начини на изразување. Како што велат: „каде што има желба, има и начин“. Во време на карантин, Бона Деа имаа изведби од дома преку видеа, како многу други музичари. Беше многу поразлично од концертите во живо, но им помогна да ја изразат својата креативност и да продолжат да го прават она што го сакаат. Иако беа продуктивни во најлошото време за сите изведувачи, олабавувањето на рестрикциите им дава надеж.

„Имањето можност да свириме пак е ослободувачко и прекрасно чувство. Музиката и секоја друга форма на уметност е моќен лек. Нас нѐ водеше низ овие тешки времиња. Сега, повеќе од кога било музичките изведби ќе ни помогнат да се поврземе и да уживаме. Останете информирани за нашиот следен концерт. Бона се враќа во градот“, велат тие.

Сега, повеќе од кога било музичките изведби ќе ни помогнат да се поврземе и да уживаме.

Во минатата година и половина, тој престојувал дома, пишувајќи и компонирајќи музика со неговата девојка. Да се изведе таа музикa во живо е нешто што го чекал долго време. Неговата девојка, Јасна, вели: „Нешто што најмногу ги разбрани моите очекувања беше можноста да се пробаат некои нови нешта во изведбата и да видиме дали ќе го заситат гладот на нашата публика.

Што нѐ чека во иднина? Музичарите не се сигурни дека она што се врати ќе остане засекогаш. Дуото “Jazzna Dares” е повеќе реалистично отколку оптимистично. „Прилично сум несигурна. Моето одбегнување на сите видови медиуми кои црпат моќ од страв и пропаст ме прави оптимистична. Мојот внатрешен скептик се обложува дека работите ќе излезат на полошо. Се наоѓам некаде на средината. Убаво е чувството таму, без преголеми очекувања и без вознемирувачки предвидувања“. Извори: CRISIS, RESILIENCE, RECOVERY CISAC GLOBAL COLLECTIONS REPORT 2020

Музичката индустрија изгуби многу во пандемијата. Некои музичари мораа и да си ја сменат професијата за некое време за да си ги достигнат своите музички соништа. Сепак, надежта и радоста за враќањето останаа присутни во многу од нив. Овој пат можеби и нема да исчезнат. Ана Марек VOICES - 31

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the heat?

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At temperatures above 30oC, Europe is experiencing its first heatwave of the year. High temperatures not only cause a decline in well-being but also pose a threat to life. However, there are many ways to keep you cool, even if it feels like a sweltering hot day will squeeze all sweat out of your body.

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reportage

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eat bothers us less than hurricanes, floods, wildfires, or earthquakes, probably only because there is nothing violent in the wave of high temperatures. Although few of us know it, heat is one of the most deadly weather phenomena for humans and animals. The studies estimated that from 1998 to 2017, extreme temperatures were third only to earthquakes and storms in terms of fatalities, “From killing 166,346 people.

the ecosystems are some of the consequences of 1.5oC of global warming.

Farming and fishing communities will be hit hardest by these changes, especially in the poorest countries, the Arctic, drylands, and islands. Implementing adaptation and mitigation options might slow down the risk of extreme temperatures and reduce the severity of some other temperaturerelated issues. However, global warming and 1998 to extreme temperatures extreme are unavoidable.

2017, temperatures The heatwaves were third only to become even more With the temperature dangerous as a result rising, heat can earthquakes and of climate change. become unbearable. storms in terms of As reported by the Your body can fatalities” European Environment constantly strive for Agency (EEA), Europe is warming faster than the worldwide average. The European lands will be 1.5oC hotter than the preindustrial level by 2025. What will the world look like at 1.5oC of warming?

Extreme temperatures, increase in frequency, intensity, and amount of heavy rainfalls, sea-level changes, increase in intensity or frequency of droughts, biodiversity loss, and a breakdown in the functioning of

32 - VOICES

internal balance and ways to stay cool. You can feel dehydrated and low on energy.

How can you beat the heat? Check these nine tips that can help you prevent heat-related problems:

• Stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids every day. Try to avoid alcohol and too much caffeine.

Make water your drink of choice.

• Keep your diet full of water-rich foods. Avoid hot and heavy meals that require more effort to digest.

• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, natural clothing.

• Try to keep your home and workplace cool: use fans, blinds, or shutters, turn off as many electrical devices as possible.

• Avoid exercise or strenuous physical activity outside.

• Rest frequently and seek shade when possible.

• Protect yourself from the sun. Use sunscreen and decrease the risk of skin cancers and skin precancers.

• Take care of your family members and friends.

• Stay informed. Check weather forecasts and warnings.

If you or people around you experience symptoms of overheating, such as fast heart rate or breathing, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, or heavy sweating, seek help by calling the emergency number.

Jolanta Ciopcińska Sources: IPCC: The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C UNDRR: Economic losses, poverty & disasters: 1998-2017 WHO: Heat and health in the WHO European Region

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