VOICES September 2021

Magazine for all young people around the world

Michelle Sapion

september 2021

voices

Editorial

Едиторијал

“There are no rewards or punishments in nature: there are consequences.”

- Robert Green Ingersoll

„Во природата нема награди или казни: има последици“.

- Роберт Грин Ингерсол

A new edition of Voices is waiting for you, which introduces us to the new month - September. It is a breakthrough time of the year, not only for people but also for nature. In September, there is an autumn equinox in the northern hemisphere and spring equinox in the southern hemisphere.

It is undoubtedly a time of change.

Ве очекува ново издание на „Воисес“, што значи дека сме во нов месец - септември. Тоа е посебен период од годината, не само за луѓето, туку и за природата. Во септември, постои есенска рамноденица на северната хемисфера и пролетна рамноденица на јужната хемисфера. Тоа е несомнено време на промени.

We do autumn cleaning, not only material but also spiritual. This month is also a time of thoughts, changes, summaries, and plans for the future.

The ninth month is called September because of heathers - beautiful purple plants that can be found most often in late summer glades overgrown with vast moors. The theme of the month shows that poor planning can have tragic consequences but changing our behavior can make it better. The pandemic has shown us how important our relationship with nature is.

Is the real tragedy of our life losing our planet’s wildness? Recent months and tragic events such as record heat, fires, and floods have shown that human error and poor planning can lead to a great catastrophe in the near future. The article refers to David Attenborough’s vision of the future, which is by no means colorful. The natural world is disappearing, and the evidence is everywhere. If we start acting now, we can still change that.

The new edition also has positive stories. Hardly anyone takes home a living souvenir from a trip. David talks about how he fell in love with a little dog at first sight. You will also read about our volunteers’ crazy weekend in Albania and their road accident. Fortunately, there was no wounded. The new edition also brings new insights from volunteers. What do you think Belgians in Macedonia might like? For dessert, something from the world of sports, i.e., an interview with a football player from one of the Macedonian clubs.

Collect the heathers, clean up, and don’t forget to think about the future consequences of our actions. I hope this edition of Voices will bring a lot of knowledge and motivation to act!

Kacper Król

Ние правиме есенско чистење, не само материјално, туку и духовно. Овој месец е, исто така, време на размислувања, промени, резимеа и планови за иднината. Деветтиот месец се нарекува септември поради цветните полиња со прекрасни виолетови растенија што можат да се најдат најчесто во доцните летни острици обраснати со огромни залаци. Темата на месецот покажува дека лошото планирање може да има трагични последици, но промената на нашето однесување може да го подобри. Пандемијата ни покажа колку е важен нашиот однос со природата. Последните месеци и трагичните настани како што се рекордните горештини, пожарите и поплавите покажаа дека човечката грешка и лошото планирање можат да доведат до голема катастрофа во блиска иднина. Статијата се однесува на визијата на Дејвид Атенборо за иднината, која во никој случај не е шарена. Природниот свет исчезнува, а доказите се насекаде. Ако започнеме да дејствуваме сега, сепак, можеме да го промениме тоа. Новото издание има и позитивни приказни. Ретко кој носи дома жив сувенир од патување. Дејвид зборува за тоа како се вљубил во мало куче и тоа на прв поглед. Прочитајте и за лудиот викенд на нашите волонтери во Албанија и нивната сообраќајна несреќа. За среќа, нема повредени. Новото издание носи и нови искуства од волонтерите. Што мислите, што би можело да им се допадне на Белгијците во Македонија? За десерт, нешто од светот на спортот, односно интервју со фудбалер од еден од македонските клубови. Не заборавајте да размислите за идните последици од нашите постапки. Се надевам дека ова издание на „Воисес“ ќе донесе многу знаење и мотивација за дејствување! Кацпер Крyл

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

VOLUNTEERS: Christopher Machold Clarissa Leute Yvan Barbeau Anna Marek Kacper Król Jolanta Ciopcińska Niina Koivula

EXTERNAL WRITERS: Sascha Schlüter Dafina Veselinoska Michelle Sapion Karl Janson Translators: Dora Arifi Martina Danilovska

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

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

PROOFREADERS: Elen Wright-Stead Edward Stead

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

content

VOICES September 2021 - issue 9

topic of the month 4 Unleash your wild, rewild your life

Jolanta Ciopcińska

26

Ослободете ја дивината во вас, преуредете го вашиот живот

Јоланта Чиопчинска

interview

4

16 Together to achieve the goal

Anna Marek

poetry 15

Предучилишна исповед Dafina Veselinoska

erasmus+ 22

24

CUTE more than ever Jolanta Ciopcińska

The first part of an unforgettable experience

Anna Marek

reportages 6

How to start a business in Macedonia?

8

Kacper Król

10

Kacper Król

12

One week in Albania

18

Learning by listening – How we “accidentally” learn languages

Yvan Barbeau

Love at first sight

Clarissa Leute

Sascha Schlüter

20

Into the wildfires

12

Dashuri në shikim të parë.

Christopher Machold

28 The forgotten aqueduct

Michelle Sapion & Karl Janson

Cover: Michelle Sapion

15

topic of the month

d l i w r u o y h s a e e f i Unl l r u o y d l i w e r

Filip Zrnzevic | Unsplash Olena Sergienko | Unsplash Nathan Dumlao | Unsplash Annie Spratt | Unsplash

What awaits us in the post-pandemic world?

Will we get carried away by the growing atmosphere of the celebration and parties, or on the contrary will we face problems that will be more and more difficult to solve?

In uncertain times, people look for different solutions to cope with bad news and mental exhaustion. One of the mind-blowing pandemic trends that may stick with us and help people with their frayed nerves is human rewilding.

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тема на месецот

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one of us know how the pandemic will turn out. Can we take it under control, or will we have only a temporary break? How many more times will we open and close borders, institutions, our doors?

When can we say that the moment of transition is over and normality is back? Mourning, Zoom fatigue, isolation, loss of social contacts, job loss, permanent stress, fear of returning to normal life, depression.

All of this can go off to us like a delayed bomb. In moments of uncertainty and instability, we often turn to two things: remembering the good old days or escapism. Escapism can take many forms, but we will focus on the impact of nature on our well-being.

Our “new” relationship with nature has been discussed since the pandemic started. Last year’s “testament” by David Attenborough in the form of the film and the book “A Life on Our Planet” certainly helped.

In his movie, Attenborough created a witness statement and a vision of the future that is not at all colorful. He states that the true tragedy of our life is the loss of our planet’s wild places.

However, the way we humans live on Earth now is sending biodiversity into decline. Everything is happening due to bad planning and human error, and it will lead to what we saw as the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. We create places in which people can’t live. The natural world is fading, and the evidence is all around.

If we act now, we can still change it.

“So, what do we do?... We must rewild the world.” Attenborough advises.

In the field of nature conservancy, rewilding is an approach that assumes leaving as many wild spaces as possible without human intervention, which could help restore our planet’s biodiversity. Rewilding can help create a healthier, more resilient natural world. More or less extreme, there are different approaches to the term, but rewilding is more about nature and less about control.

The natural state of being refers also to humans. How does human rewilding manifest itself? Certainly

in redefining our relationship with nature. Rewilding doesn’t mean that we have to go back to living in caves as hunter-gatherers but finding ways of living in harmony with human biology. How modern life became disconnected from nature? We eat processed food, spend more than 8 hours in front of computer or phone screens, and the closest we are to the wilderness is when we watch survival reality shows on TV. Study after study confirm the psychological and physical benefits of connecting with nature. Contact with nature heals and strengthens immunity, reduces stress, anxiety, and blood pressure, promotes calm, lifts mood, and reduces the feeling of isolation. Even in small doses, nature is a powerful elixir.

Only 120 minutes a week is enough to improve our well-being. Imagine going to the doctor, and instead of a prescription for some medicine, you receive a prescription for a 30-minute walk with Mother Nature.

Nature has already officially been accepted as a promising approach to complementary medicine in the US. Prescribing time in parks and green spaces instead of medication is used to treat a range of conditions mentioned above. In Japan, the term “forest bathing” and awareness of its beneficial effects has been around for a long time – the practice of Shinrinyoku started in the 80s. When young, Swedes are taught the most essential and unwritten norm of everyday life: equal access to the natural environment. Allemansrätten - The Right of Public Access guarantees every human being free access to nature. You can pitch a tent wherever you want, except private residences.

You can eat the fruits of the forest, bathe in lakes and rivers, walk in the mountains, canoe or pick mushrooms.

Nobody can forbid it. But rights are also duties. “Don’t disturb – Don’t destroy” –anyone who spends time outdoors must respect flora and fauna and respect the privacy of landowners. What if you don’t live in the USA, Japan, or Sweden? There are plenty of possibilities for you too. You

just have to learn how to be a part of nature. Watch sunrises and sunsets, make compost, plant some greens, eat seasonally, volunteer outside, go birding. Make a diary and prepare a list of what makes you feel alive, or plan your weekly nature projects.

It can be debatable to follow the exact blueprint for healthy living that our hunter-gatherer ancestors laid but nature, movement, and human contact are things we instinctively know are good for us. When we are in the forest, we look at the birds and trees, marvel, feel the stress leaving us, breathe deeply, and regret that we cannot allow ourselves to be in sync with nature more often. Of course, we can, but every day, we make many anti-natural choices. We are always in a hurry without even knowing why. After all, even big cities have urban green spaces. There are parks, squares, and community gardens. Human rewilding doesn’t require some crazy revolution but changes in our daily routine. Two hours a week with nature, remember?

Walk more often, go shopping on foot, play games with your friends, smile at your neighbors, limit your time on social media. The small steps matter; try to get as close to nature as possible, and you will calm your mind. ___________ Jolanta Ciopcińska Sources: Rewilding Europe: What is rewilding?

Netflix: David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet Yale Environment 360: Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health Nature Connection Guide: US Doctors are Prescribing Nature in 34 States National Geographic: Forest bathing: what it is and where to do it Visit Sweden: About the right to access Swedish nature

VOICES - 5

reportage

How to start a business in Macedonia?

Starting a business is a well-spread idea among young Macedonian people, but many of them face major difficulties in developing their activity and being successful in it. How can the situation on that front be assessed and what are the tools for young people that can help them to be more enterprising and successful?

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acedonia economy is characterized by a certain number of pros and cons for young entrepreneurs.

Among these disadvantages, the GDP per capita in the country is one of the lowest in Europe, and it severely hinders any kind of personal investment in a business project, whether it is foreign or not. The country’s economy suffered from the 2001 insurgency and the global crisis of 2007-2008 after years of positive trends, but it still encounters substantial foreign trade deficits, which do not facilitate reinvestments.

However, and despite its small size and modest domestic market, Macedonia presents a number of truly remarkable advantages for potential investors: first of all, it has one of the most competitive labour costs in Europe, its inflation rate has constantly remained below 3,5% per year since 2012 while the EUR/Denar exchange rate has been almost unchanged over the last years. As

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for the official unemployment rate, which has always been historically high, it has decreased over the past years (29 % in 2013, 26,8 % in 2015, 22,4 % in 2017, 18,4 % in 2020). What’s more, Macedonia offers additional incentives for development in the Technological-industrial development zones (TIDZs), in addition to those normally associated with free economic zones : investors in TIDZs are entitled to personal and corporate income tax exemption for the first ten years. Investors are exempt from payment of value added tax and customs duties for good, raw materials, equipment and machines.

These economic considerations facilitate the global understanding of the conditions in which businesses are undertaken in Macedonia. However, if we look more closely at the young entrepreneurs’ scale, we can see more clearly the problems that arise in Macedonia. A series of surveys and reports enable us to highlight these problems: the Updated report on the key constraints to the business environment first found out that the levels of entrepreneurial activity in the country have been stagnating in the past few years, and most new entrepreneurs have been motivated by necessity rather than by identified business opportunities. In parallel, the secondary and tertiary educational systems still do not provide the knowledge and skills relevant to the country’s economy and the business sector. The 2016 GUESS (Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students’ Survey) discovered that the main reasons hindering business startup are lack of financial means and access to finances due to low financial

culture of early-stage entrepreneurs, including lack of adequate funds as well as entrepreneurship education at primary school and secondary levels. As for Startup Macedonia, it conducted research in 2018 in which entrepreneurs identified that the main challenge the companies are facing are improvement of growth. Moreover, the research was done by applying the method of entrepreneurial development stages and the different skills and knowledge needed to successfully transit from one to another, starting with prestartup, startup and growth stage.

They have identified funding (66 percent), talent and expertise (55 percent), access to a new (43 percent) and staffing (31 percent) as top challenges for entrepreneurs.

As regards the business landscape in Macedonia, State Statistical Office data for 2019 provide us with data: 80.1 percent of the companies have between 1-9 employees, 4.2 percent have 10-19 employees, 2.9 percent have 2049 employees, 1.8 percent are in the category of medium enterprises and only 0 .3 percent are classified as large enterprises with over 250 employees. As a result, Macedonian

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MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Entreprises) account for more than 99 percent of all firms, providing 67 percent of value added and 77 percent of employment. However, according to a study led by the International Labour Organization, Macedonia cannot realize the potential of MSMEs for creating additional jobs while the EU MSME employment grows almost 50 percent faster than total employment.

The Macedonian State offer solutions for young entrepreneurs who wish to launch a new business through the governmental agency "Invest North Macedonia". This latter was founded in 2005 with several missions such as these: attracting foreign investments, promoting the export potential of local companies to foreign markets, supporting investors, and establishing and enhancing business cooperation with local entities. In other words, when a potential investor wants to explore opportunities in Macedonia, their task consists in designing a tailor-made program to show the investor what Macedonia can offer on the current business climate, in comparison to neighboring countries. This work with investors goes from the preinvestment phase through the actual investment and beyond.

It encompasses an evaluation based on the potential success of the entrepreneur’s project. With their aftercare team, Invest North Macedonia provides assistance by mediating -on the supported business’s behalf- with local authorities and the Macedonian government to support the expansion of the business as well reinvestment plans. It also helps in obtaining required permits.

There are, however, some conditions for the granting of a financial aid, according to the Law on the Financial support of Investments. The financial aid can be granted for new employments, cooperation with local supplies, research and development centers and activities, investment projects of enormous economic interest, capital investments, support for acquisition of companies that are facing difficulties or the growth of the competitiveness of companies.

Yvan Barbeau Sources : PwC: Guide to Doing Business and Investing in Macedonia Invest North Macedonia: About us Invest North Macedonia: Business Operations Invest North Macedonia: Financial Aid Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in North Macedonia Market Assessment (Makedonka Dimitrova)

VOICES - 7

reportage

Love at first sight.

How did the Macedonian puppy end up in Spain?

When going abroad, not only for holidays, but also as part of projects or business meetings, we try to get to know the culture of another country as much as possible.

We gain new experiences, meet friends and leave our comfort zone. Many of the moments we live stay with us for a long time, sometimes for the rest of our lives. Each trip is different for us, gives us different stories, and teaches us something different.

And although the emotions that accompany us stay in our heads, we also like to get attached to material things. For this reason, we often buy small souvenirs that, after returning home, will remind us of the place where we have been.

Usually, they are magnets, postcards, clothes, or decorations, which then decorate the interiors of our homes.

Hardly anyone, however, takes home

a living souvenir.

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obody expected that one of the Spanish volunteers, who came to Macedonia for a two-month exchange, would take a puppy to Spain. David Valero Torrado tells how this story began: "I found her in the entrance to the Old Bazar, I was eating with my Spanish colleagues, and we heard a puppy crying, she was inside a box amongst rubble and trash, and she had some infection on the nose and on the side." It is very easy to find homeless animals in the streets of Skopje, including cats and dogs. People get used to this sight, so not everyone reacts to the animals they encounter.

So why did David decide to take care of the puppy? "At first, I was planning on bringing her to a vet and find her a foster family, but eventually, I got attached to

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her and decided to get her back with me." David lived in a hostel with other VET volunteers. The very fact that many people lived in one room indicates that these were not the best conditions to take care of a puppy. Nevertheless, David made such a decision and decided to take care of Bruna.

Caring for animals is a very demanding job. "Due to the infection and her early age, she cannot walk much, but my day usually starts with her waking me up at 6-7 am, then I clean up everything she has left over the night and walk her until she is tired. Once we are back, I have to put an ointment for the infection and another one in the afternoon after another walk, and I also have to bathe

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and one can only follow it. He is also undoubtedly the greatest hero of this pooch. Did this create a bond between them? "Yeah, for sure, we are almost too close sometimes, and After some time, a specific bond every time I must developed between David and go shopping, or Bruna: "I got really attached somewhere to her, and all the Refuges in “She will be fully else, she cries Skopje only accepted dogs a lot, and at least seven months old.

Macedonian; the even when So, I decided to bring her paperwork and the I have to with me.” Transporting chip are from here, go to the a dog over 3,000 and they can be bathroom. kilometers is a real updated from Spain, She is still challenge. So, David had a puppy to arrange many errands so it will still be after all, and to legally take the puppy to that way.”

I am the one Spain. "I had to fully vaccinate taking care of her and get her a Macedonian her." – says passport and chip, sadly because of her David. I also asked age, I had to stay two more weeks in David what his Macedonia in order for her to fly."- says opinion was about David. The puppy's health was also a homeless animals in problem, which, thanks to David's help, Macedonia? "Well, is getting better: "She is still recovering they look well-fed from the infection, but every day she most of the time, grows stronger, bigger and more active. and the government vaccinates most Now she is almost double the size than of them, even then there are so many when we found her, and she spends dogs and cats living on the streets, so all day playing." – adds David. Bruna the issue is still there." – says David. is very lucky to find David. Not every dog changes its place of residence and An unexpected friend made a becomes an international dog. Will the volunteer from Spain stay two weeks puppy be a dog of two nationalities, longer in Skopje on his own. Tuesday or will it be a Spanish dog? "She will 11 August was Bruna's last day in be fully Macedonian; the paperwork Macedonia. Before leaving for Spain, and the chip are from here, and they David and his puppy visited our office can be updated from Spain, so it will to say goodbye. Bruna was very still be that way." - David replies. energetic. To be able to take her, her For me, David's attitude is exemplary, her with a special shampoo twice a week. The rest of the day, I play with her most of the time." – adds David.

guardian left most of his belongings to make room for her belongings.

He also bought special transport to be able to take her to the cabin of the plane. At 11.00, a taxi arrived at the VCS office. These were the last moments in Macedonia for David, who returns home with new experiences, memories, and the best souvenir that could happen thanks to his good heart, Bruna, who is just starting a new life.

Kacper Król

VOICES - 9

reportage

Dashuri në shikim të parë.

Si përfundoi qenushja maqedonase në Spanjë?

Kur shkojmë jashtë vendit, jo vetëm për pushime, por edhe si pjesë e projekteve ose takimeve të biznesit, ne përpiqemi të njohim sa më shumë kulturën e një vendi tjetër. Ne fitojmë përvoja të reja, takojmë miq dhe largohemi nga zona jonë e rehatisë.

Shumë nga momentet që përjetojmë qëndrojnë me ne për një kohë të gjatë, ndonjëherë edhe për gjatë gjithë jetës. Çdo udhëtim është i ndryshëm për ne, na ofron histori të ndryshme dhe na mëson diçka të ndryshme. Edhe pse emocionet që na shoqërojnë mbesin në mendjen tonë, neve gjithashtu na pëlqen të lidhemi me gjërat materiale.

Për këtë arsye, ne shpesh blejmë suvenire të vogla që, pasi të kthehemi në shtëpi, të na kujtojnë vendin ku kemi qenë. Zakonisht, ato janë magnete, kartolina, veshje ose dekorime, të cilat më pas zbukurojnë brendësinë e shtëpive tona. Megjithatë rrallë kush sjell një

suvenir të gjallë në shtëpi.

Askush nuk e priste që një nga vullnetarët spanjollë, i cili erdhi në Maqedoni për një shkëmbim dy mujor, të merrte një qenush në Spanjë. David Valero Torrado tregon se si filloi kjo histori: “E gjeta në hyrje të pazarit të vjetër, po haja me kolegët e mi spanjollë dhe dëgjuam një qenushe duke qarë, ajo ishte brenda një kutie mes rrënojave dhe plehrave, dhe kishte disa infeksione në hundë dhe pjesën anash”.Është fare e lehtë të gjesh kafshë të pastreha në rrugët e Shkupit, përfshirë mace dhe qen. Njerëzit mësohen me këtë pamje, kështu që jo të gjithë reagojnë ndaj kafshëve që hasin.

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Pra, pse David vendosi të kujdeset për qenushen? “Në fillim, po planifikoja ta sillja tek një veteriner dhe ti gjeja një familje birësuese, por përfundimisht, u lidha me të dhe vendosa ta merrja me vete.” David jetonte në një konvikt me vullnetarë VETERINER. Vetë fakti që shumë njerëz jetonin në një dhomë tregon se këto nuk ishin kushtet më të mira për t’u kujdesur për një qenushe. Sidoqoftë, David mori një vendim të tillë dhe vendosi të kujdeset për Brunën.

hershme, ajo nuk mund të ecë shumë, por zakonisht dita ime fillon me tu zgjuar ajo në orën 6-7 të mëngjesit, pastaj pastroj gjithçka që ajo ka lënë gjatë natës dhe ecim derisa të lodhet. Pasi të jemi kthyer, më duhet të vendos një krem për infeksionin dhe një tjetër në pasdite pasi kemi bërë shëtitjen të radhës, si dhe gjithashtu duhet ta laj me një shampo të veçantë dy herë në javë.

Pjesën tjetër të ditës, unë luaj me të shumicën e kohës “. - shton David.

Kujdesi për kafshët është punë shumë e vështirë.”Përshkak të infeksionit dhe moshës së saj të

Pas një kohe, u krijua një lidhje e veçantë midis Davidit dhe Brunës:”Unë u lidha vërtet me të

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dhe të gjithë refugjatët në Shkup Ajo është akoma një qenushe në pranonin vetëm qen të paktën fund të fundit, dhe unë jam ai që shtatë muajsh. Kështu, vendosa ta kujdeset për të “. - thotë David. marr me vete.” Transporti i një qeni E pyeta gjithashtu Davidin se cili mbi 3.000 kilometra është një sfidë ishte mendimi i tij për kafshët e e vërtetë. Kështu, Davidit iu desh pastreha në Maqedoni? të organizonte shumë punë për “Epo, ata duken ta çuar ligjërisht qenushen të ushqyer në Spanjë.”Unë duhej ta mirë në të “Unë duhej ta vaksinoja vaksinoja plotësisht dhe s h u m tën plotësisht dhe t’i merrja t’i merrja një pasaportë e kohës, një pasaportë maqedonase dhe çip, por për fat të keq maqedonase dhe çip, por d h e përshkak të moshës së për fat të keq përshkak të qeveria i saj, më duhej të qëndroja moshës së saj, më duhej vaksinon edhe dy javë në Maqedoni të qëndroja edhe dy javë shumicën në mënyrë që ajo të në Maqedoni në mënyrë prej tyre, fluturonte.” që ajo të fluturonte.”-thotë por përsëri ka David. Shëndeti i qenushes ishte kaq shumë qen gjithashtu një problem, i cili falë dhe mace që ndihmës së Davidit po përmirësohet: jetojnë në “Ajo ende po shërohet nga infeksioni, rrugë, kështu por çdo ditë bëhet më e fortë, më e që çështja madhe dhe më aktive. Tani ajo është vazhdon të pothuajse dyfishi i madhësisë sesa mbetet aktuale.”kur e gjetëm dhe ajo kalon gjithë thotë David. ditën duke luajtur”. - shton David.

Një mike e papritur Bruna është shumë me bëri që një vullnetar nga Spanja të fat që gjeti Davidin.

Jo qëndrojë dy javë më gjatë në Shkup çdo qen ndryshon vendbanimin e tij i vetëm. E martë 11 gusht ishte dita dhe bëhet qen ndërkombëtar. A do të e fundit e Brunës në Maqedoni. Para jetë qenushja një qen i dy kombësive, se të nisej për në Spanjë, Davidi dhe apo do të jetë qen spanjoll? qenushja e tij vizituan zyrën tonë “Ajo do të jetë plotësisht për të na thënë lamtumirë. Bruna maqedonase; dokumentet dhe ishte shumë energjike. Në mënyrë çipi janë nga këtu por që mund që ta merrte atë, kujdestari i saj la të përditësohen nga Spanja, shumicën e gjësendeve të tija për andaj do të mbetet akoma t’i lënë vend gjësendeve të saja. kështu” – përgjigjet Davidi.

Për mua, veprimi i Davidit është shembullor dhe mundet vetëm që të ndiqet. Ai gjithashtu është padyshim heroi më i madhi këtij qeni. A krijoi kjo një lidhje mes tyre?”Po, me siguri, ne jemi shumë të afërt, ndonjëherë apo çdoherë që duhet të shkoj në pazar, ose diku tjetër, ajo qan shumë, madje edhe kur më duhet të shkoj në tualet.

Ai gjithashtu bleu transport special që të mundej ta dërgonte atë në kabinën e avionit. Në orën 11.00, një taksi mbërriti në zyrën e VCS. Këto ishin momentet e fundit në Maqedoni për Davidin, i cili kthehet në shtëpi me përvoja të reja, kujtime dhe suvenirin më të mire që mund të merrte falë zemrës së tij të mirë, Bruna, e cila sapo fillon një jetë të re.

Kacper Król Përkthyesja: Dora Arifi

VOICES - 11

reportage

One weekend in Albania

12 - VOICES

репортажа

What’s the best way to use a long weekend as a volunteer? Right, to travel! However those four days surpassed all of our expectations of sunny beaches and cheap meals.

Keywords: Car accident and a shop owner who chased a bus for us.

�

riday night. The bus station in Skopje. I arrive ten minutes before the bus to Albania’s beach paradise Serande is supposed to leave. I spy my three German friends Antonia, Nick, and Till, and they welcome me with the news: There is no bus to Serande.

So within 5 minutes, we decide to travel to Tirana instead.

After 8 hours of bus driving and no sleep, we arrive in Albania’s capital – without any hostel. We feel like Mary and Joseph when we knock on the door of a hostel at 4 am. We are lucky, and the Finnish woman from an international hotel welcomes us.

The next day, a 19-year-old Italian traveler is joining us when we discover Tirana. Albania’s half a million capital surprises us in many ways. On every corner, we see buildings related to Germany.

“Deutsche Market”, “German Hospital” and “Wiener Wurst”.

Also, the city is more clean and

modern than expected. The cars are big and expensive and the people are dressed fashionably. “We were expecting Albania to look poorer”, we all agree.

Touristic Serande Tirana’s 37° Celsius temperatures are difficult to handle. “We have to get to the beach as quick as possible”, Till says. But as always, we didn’t book a bus for our next destination Serande. At Tirana’s main station, we get an unusual offer. “My bus will drive close to Serande. But I can call my cousin who will cover the rest of the way with his car.” So the bus stops in the middle of nowhere, and the Albanian cousin appears.

Our whole experience in Serande is quite touristic. Thirty euros for a group breakfast. Crowded beaches.

Friendly locals, but they are clearly not excited about foreigners.

We also randomly run into a German girl that we know from Skopje.

She and her friend fell in love with Albania, and they prefer Sarande without all the tourism. “Outside of the tourism season, Serande is quite different and calm”, they say. “Now it’s the hot season. People in tourism work all day long, sometimes only sleeping three hours.”

Also, there was seemingly no pandemic. I did not spark a single mask, not even in busses or shops. The clubs are full, and the streets are crowded.

- About Covid-19 in Albania

A car accident as a foreigner “Albanian car drivers are crazy,” our Balkan friends told us before our trip. However, we decide to rent a car to reach more abandoned areas.

The first time Nick presses the brakes, the tiny Toyota gives us chills. “I have bad feelings about this”, Antonia worries. “I feel like something bad will happen.”

Life lesson: Listen to you gut feeling!

After five minutes of driving, an Albanian guy crashes the forefront of our car. He is overtaking us in the middle of a curve and doesn’t leave space for evading.

“Shit!” Nick jumps out of the car. The Albanian guy drives away, but we manage to take a picture of his number shield.

We desperately try calling the police, but they don’t pick up.

People around us aren’t a big help as well. “We don’t want to be involved with the police”, they keep telling us. Our big help is the German embassy in Serande. They manage to send four English-speaking policemen. After filling thousand of papers, we get the good news: It’s

“I have been everywhere, but this is where my heart belongs. I grew up with all the people that are here in this coffee shop.”

- Albanian man about his village VOICES - 13

reportage

not our fault. The insurance of the Albanian guy will cover the costs.

Peaceful Albanian village After this shock, we decide to leave civilization – no better way to do this than ending up in a sleepy Albanian village. It’s a Monday night, but half of the village is gathered in a coffee shop. One man approaches us to sit down with him. He has been in America, Asia, and Europe, but he always returns to his homely village. “I have been everywhere, but this is where my heart belongs. I grew up with all the people that are here in this coffee shop.”

Finally, at the paradise

The next morning we want to reach an abandoned beach the so we take the car over basically impassable paths. Every few minutes, a herd of cows or sheep blocks our path. We are glad enough when we

14 - VOICES

make it to the beach paradise.

Blue and clear water, few people, straw huts, and the fish we eat there is directly caught from the sea.

“How do we get back to Skopje?”

The way back home is an adventure in itself. We catch a minibus designed for ten people – for some reason, they let 15 people in. We are squeezed together, most people are standing for two hours, and the air conditioning is not working. At the next bus station, we wait forever.

“Is this even the right bus station?”

We wonder. We are relieved when the right bus finally arrives – our only chance to get back home that day. BUT: he passes by. We scream and jump to make him stop, but the bus simply passes by.

An Albanian shop owner hears us screaming and offers help.

“Come on, get in my car. We will follow the bus.” The guy’s driving skills scare us. He overtakes plenty of cars, he doesn’t keep a safe distance, and he doesn’t look at the street when he tells us stories.

“You know I was working in

Germany.” - “That’s great, but please look at the street.”

At a gas station, we find the bus.

We wish our unexpected savior a wonderful life and drive home.

Finally, at 6 am, we arrive in Skopje and finish this unusual weekend.

As we see the sunrise, one thought crosses my head: I am astonished how much bad luck we had – and how often everything turned out fine. We found a hostel at 4 am, and we survived the car accident. The Albanian guy chased the bus so we would get home. Final thoughts?

Our time in Albania had more ups and downs than a rollercoaster.

Clarissa Leute

поезија

Предучилишна

исповед

М

и доаѓаат некои мисли. Некои идеи. Од некој вид. Само што... Ова.. Не знам како да речам... Мислам знам ама.. Само што... Впрочем, само што? Ах, ти страву, ти трепет студен зимен! Те поистоветувам со ветер северен кој уништува убава летна вечер. Туку, што сакав да речам... Сакав да кажам дека толку идеи се раѓаат во главава, но остануваат да се пластат во душата. А, жива сум кратко, треба да сторам нешто. Епа, веројатно сега, доколку некои воопшто го читаат ова, се прашувате, зошто го читате ова? Што читате, впрочем?

Па, ова го пишувам како некој вид на поздрав, наздравување за нас младите, со големи идеи и многу храброст, која знам дека ја имаме, но исто толку и страв. Можеби не толку страв, колку сомнеж во себе. На пример, јас многу би сакала да напишам статија некоја, имам идеи за статии на многу теми. Но.. Некако никако да седнам да пробам да напишам некоја. Не знам како да почнам, со што, дали?!? Но, одлучив и затоа ја пишувам оваа исповед. Животот е многу краток. Следниот пат кога ќе добијам идеја за било што, просто ќе го дадам најдоброто од себе и ќе ја реализирам. Па што ако не знам како да почнам? Ќе настојувам на тоа да почнам. Но, сакам да се знае, дека тоа не е форсирање, молам. Туку просто, давање на простор за поттик за реализација на идеја... Ако не сега, кога? (Оваа новооткриена мудрост - доколку може така да се нарече, ми ја подари езерото и прекрасново лето, затоа сликите...) Поезија и фотографии: Дафина ,,Даффне” Веселиноска

VOICES - 15

interview

TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE

THE GOAL

An interview with Borche Manevski

Being a professional takes a lot of work, but the results are always rewarding. During the SALT project, which took place in Struga, we talked to FK Pelister team captain – Borche Manevski. As it turned out, playing football had more in common with the ideas of the event than we expected.

16 - VOICES

интервју

W

e are here for a project whose main aims are to encourage more young people to be active.

When you were their age, how did you try to stay healthy?

We all know that playing sports is a very important part of being healthy.

This is something I do professionally, so it has helped me a lot in my life.

It is extremely crucial to introduce activities in your everyday life. It’s good to be active, to do more sports like volleyball, handball, tennis and much more. I think playing sports may be easier for young people, but they need the enthusiasm to get started. I can also see it in my team, where a large part of our squad is young players, 18, 19 years old. They are playing in the first team. So, to be healthy, you need what everyone is talking about: a proper diet and playing sports.

How did it look in your life that you turned this passion into something that you do professionally today?

My adventure began, of course, in my childhood, when I played football.

I remember being maybe ten years old kicking a ball. However, I had to wait a little longer to be noticed. My professional career started at the age of 18. Since then, I have played for the national team, and I managed to play outside Macedonia, for example, in Poland, Serbia, Malta, and Thailand.

I am very happy that I could use this time to see more countries and cultures that can be seen there.

This is great because we also have an international company here. What have you learned from traveling and being with people from other countries?

I learned that each country is different and has a different culture, and this is something that we should appreciate because it makes us create one whole, even though we are non-identical.

Admittedly, some cultures are similar,

such as Serbia and Macedonia, which made it easy for me to find myself on the football team in the first one.

You can get to know life in another country, for example through food.

In Thailand, there is no such thing as sitting in a restaurant and drinking coffee. You have to take it out. Here in the Balkans, I go to a restaurant to have a coffee on the spot. I also notice that now we live in slightly different conditions, surrounded by the Internet. Lots of people are sitting on their phones, and communication is not what it is now. That is why it is so important to stop looking at the phone and observe individual cultures.

You have not only played in different countries, but also with people of many nationalities. What do you think about working with these people?

It was a very interesting experience that taught me a lot. Even when playing with different people, we have a common goal: to win the game.

The biggest barrier, of course, is the language. For example, it was difficult for me to find myself in Thailand. In Poland, on the other hand, I felt quite comfortable because we have a lot of common words. And even if not, the situational context has helped me get out of the situation. However, once this language limit is overcome, many goals can be achieved.

Playing professionally requires a lot from athletes. What kind of daily routines do you have?

Each player has certain routines, and it depends on each individual what they are. Drinking my morning coffee helps me a lot. I know it’s not good, but you have to remember also to take care of what’s going on in your head. I also eat a light breakfast in the morning, which helps me work better later during training. Before and during the season, you should also give up alcohol and drinks that do not help anything, such as Coca-

Cola. After the season, of course, a small reward is due. However, these little steps, which may not work much when looked at every day, allow you to achieve better results in the end.

These small steps also require teamwork. During the SALT project that we are doing in Struga, we learn how to make this cooperation even more productive. Do you have any advice on how to do it?

It is essential in the team that everyone is together. It doesn’t matter if they’ve achieved victory or defeat has struck them. The team must be together.

In our team, I also suppose that in any other, a leadership position is essential. This is a person who has to drag the entire team behind him. He needs to know how to play so that the whole team will follow him. Others must also be able to listen to the leader so that everyone will respect him. Thanks to this, everyone can help each other and pursue the set goals.

However, playing for the same team for many years can be difficult and exhausting at times. You have been playing football for many years. Are you still happy while doing it?

We’ve just started a new season, so the excitement is high, and it’s natural to want more and more. I know that I am 36 years old, so I think that I would like to play for a while, maybe a year or two, and then try my hand at a different field but still related to football. Maybe a coach, perhaps a manager. We’ll see.

Anna Marek

VOICES - 17

reportage

Learning by listening How we "accidentally" learn languages When I used to work in a shelter for underage `rally somewhere in the central-German countryside, I made a pretty enlightening observation. The youngsters I was working with were all teenagers from countries like Afghanistan, Syria, and various African countries, that arrived in Germany during the events of 2015. Of course, one of their first tasks - "formally "as "informally" - was to somehow learn this damn-hard German language to even have a chance to get around in life. But, as mentioned, they were all put in a small shelter in a place that cannot even be called a village (literally a farm with five small houses next to it).

So, how to learn German with nobody around?

18 - VOICES

репортажа

I

quickly noticed that most of our kids had a huge thing for Bollywood movies. Now in Germany, people are lazy with English (or any other language), and we love – we LOVE! - to dub all foreign movies in a very "standard " sounding – or should I say "plastical "? German. This is good if: you are a foreign kid (1) trying to learn German that, besides, (2) loves Bollywood movies and (3) just finds out that there is an entire TV station in Germany that is completely based on nothing but Bollywood! In German! Long story short: These kids probably learned more (and better!)

German, from awkwardly dubbed

“

Think about how you – and everyone else – learned their native language.

Did you do it with a grammar book?

I think not.

Bollywood-TV than in their actual German classes in school! The human brain is a wondrous thing, and it's learning more than we actually notice, especially when we are driven by intrinsic motivation.

But that's not the end of the story: traveling in the Balkan countries, I've noticed something very similar. As a German traveling around, it is not too unlikely to meet someone in a foreign country who speaks your language (I wonder how English-natives must feel?).

Well, in the last few years, I met quite a lot of people from the Balkans who spoke pretty solid German, telling me that they had it in school for like two years. "Wait!

Two years? And you speak so well? I had three years of Russian, and I remember sh*t!" The trick: cartoons they used to watch as kids on German TV! So the adventures of Son Goku in Dragon Ball, or the latest match of the Kickers and all the other heroes of my childhood in Germany were accessible to others too – and suddenly we share a common experience! Not only that: Several girls from Bosnia I've met, for example, told

me they learned Spanish with subtitled 90s-telenovelas from Spain when they were young.

Now, it's not a big secret that you learn much better when you're still young.

But of course, listening to a foreign language on a regular basis also helps with keeping it in mind. I learned Spanish with Manu Chao (like many others) and a lot of Chilean Rap and, due to still listening to it, I don't lose the "flow "of Spanish even though I live in Germany (and that's also how I still keep in touch with the Macedonian language). Rap music, in general, is probably the best music for this kind of purpose because it's focused on the lyrics (but that's just a matter of taste). That itself might not be great enlightenment. But I am, from time to time, amazed by how well it actually works.

A lot of research has been done about the link between language and mind and how we learn a language. German management-coach and "self-madewoman" Vera F. Birkenbihl once wrote a pretty good book about "brain-friendly" language-learning, where she gives some kind of step-by-step model which goes very roughly like this: First comes listening! Listening, listening, listening, to a native speaker. You are then talking, after some time reading and writing... and then, maybe, grammar – if you are interested and nerdy enough for that part.

Think about how you – and everyone else – learned their native language. Did you do it with a grammar book? I think not. You just picked it up from your environment.

This is the way our brains are "geared”.

So, why do we still try to teach languages with only "silent" vocabulary lists and confusing grammar tables about conjugation and declination? I won't say these things aren't important! But they're not essential to grab a language and get acquainted with it. First of all: learning needs to stimulate curiosity and be fun – the rest comes by itself. So, maybe it's time to "loosen up" a little and take a new approach to learn languages – because we learn more [passively] than we think!

Sascha Schlüter

VOICES - 19

reportage

Into the Wildfires Hard scorchers, no rain - during the last weeks, many woods lighted up. Especially Greece and Turkey, but also parts of Macedonia, were hit by the wildfires. Many people lost their houses and properties, some even their highest property – their life. Wildfires seem to become more frequent and stronger every year, so it’s high time to talk about this unpleasant phenomenon.

20 - VOICES

репортажа

F

or many people, it’s a clear case: its cause is, of course, the devil of the devils – the climate change! Sure, climate change plays a significant role, and the fact is that enormous wildfires accelerate climate change, even more, making it a vicious cycle. However, this is not the whole story. One of the biggest problems in the first place is humans and their actions. The vast majority (some studies even showed 95%) of forest fires are ignited by humans, not uncommonly through negligence or arson. A cigarette butt thrown to the ground, a bonfire made too close to or in the forest, and hot catalysts of parked cars or motorcycles as well as leftovers from ammunition can light up a forest for weeks.

A significant aspect that must be taken into account is the reconfiguration of landscapes by humans.

Deforestation in general, and especially illegal ones, is a significant cause of wildfires.

Wetlands have been drained, and therefore the hydrologic balance has changed – in turn, landscapes dry out faster naturally when the temperatures are high. Furthermore, Humanplanted monocultures of conifers burn much faster than a natural broadleaf forest. Last but not least, also our unhealthy relation to natural fires causes bigger ones to appear. From time to time, a forest needs to burn a little to stay healthy. By oppressing those useful natural fires, the forest becomes unbalanced, which in turn can be a cause for the next fire getting out of control.

That brings us to the question if wildfires are inherently bad? As we just found out, the answer is ‘no,’ at least when they are not too strong.

Wildfires are part of nature. Lightning strikes and other natural phenomena have caused forest fires for millions of years. Surely not all but many species of animals and plants profit from burned parts of the woods. As always in nature, the

death of one is the birth of another. But one of the species that suffers from wildfires is indeed humans. Estimated 339,000 people die every year due to the smoke of wildfires, mostly affected is Asia and the southern Sahara area. Asthma attacks increase tenfold if the smoke reaches residential areas. Needless to say, that it gets much worse when not only the smoke, but also, the fires reach the villages and cities nearby. In Turkey, the recent wildfires forced ten thousand to leave their houses and hotels. So far, eight people have died.

Also, in Macedonia, one person lost their life.

It almost seems like nature is trying to punish the responsible. A burned forest looks dead at the first moment, but in most cases, it will recover.

In severe cases, it may take decades or even centuries, but eventually, it will recover, and it will be different. One study found out that it takes up to 80 years until the forest soils are recovered again. For a forest, 80 years is nothing. For us humans, it’s a lifetime.

We are not able to think in centuries. Maybe we can think with regard to our life span, sometimes about our descendants’ too. But most of the time, we don’t even think about tomorrow, as we do neither about the place that we are just guests at for a while.

Christopher Machold Sources: Nabu: Ein Zeichen des Klimawandels?

National Geographic: Waldbrände: Ursachen und Gefahren für Mensch, Tier und Planet WSL: Waldbrandfolgen RUV: Waldbrand: Gefahr, Ursachen, Spielregeln DW: Weiter Hunderte Waldbrände auf dem Balkan und am Mittelmeer Mongabay: Forest soils take longer to recover from fires and logging than previously thought

VOICES - 21

CUTE erasmus+

more than ever!

The endless lake, golden sand, restless sun, and young power! Between the 10th and 18th of August 2021, Volunteers Centre Skopje hosted Youth Exchange “CUTE: Cooperate Understand Tolerate Empower” in Struga, Macedonia. The project was organized by VCS’s partner from Hungary: Hang-Kép Kulturalis Egyesület, and funded by the Erasmus+ program.

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еразмус+

F

or eight days, 32 young people from Macedonia, Hungary, Romania, and Poland worked on their personal and professional skills regarding intercultural cooperation and selfawareness. Youth exchange can be a learning, rewarding, and life-changing experience, but what were the main aims of the CUTE Youth Exchange? As the acronym for CUTE goes - promoting the fundamental values to the youth cooperation, understanding, tolerance, and empowerment. All the activities such as workshops, exercises, debates, role-plays, and outdoor activities were focused on implementing these values.

The participants proved that they are excellent team players and leaders. “As a leader of the group, I had to consider the concerns of my teammates and aim for improvement, as well as participate and enjoy the time myself. It was pleasing to see young people being enlightened by the discussions and broadening their horizons through different activities and tasks.” says Merima Saracevic from Macedonia.

For Istvan Gal from Hungary, it was the second youth exchange but the first visit to Macedonia. When asked about his experience, he didn’t hide from me that he had high hopes before arriving to Struga: “The feeling of unfamiliar surroundings was a bit strange at the beginning, but soon I managed to get in pace with the local lifestyle. As I hoped, the participants were outgoing and open to other people, so no surprise we got along easily. I gained many experiences, memories, and knowledge through various events.” What unexpected did he learn during the project? That “The

whole world is a bottle opener” and “There is always a Polish who dance better than you.”.

One of the project’s objectives was to empower youngsters to realize their needs and encourage them to take action and make a change in their smaller or larger communities. During the exchange, the participants learned how to manage projects and step by step organized the beach clean-up.

“Macedonia is much more beautiful than I expected. Unfortunately, it has a problem with littering. But thanks to our exchange, we could do something good, we managed to clean maybe a small area of the beach, but I think this small act inspired us to do more.” says Aleksandra Kołodziej from Poland.

experience? “The experience was unique, starting from location to participants and organizers. Through trainings, were addressed vital topics, like understanding, tolerating, and supporting each other. In my opinion, in this Erasmus+ exchange were trained, conscientious citizens.” says Nicoleta Tatarenco from Romania, and others agree that they had an unforgettable time in Struga.

Thousand of photos, new friendships, and memories that will be cherished for a long time. Dear friends, remember to stay CUTE forever! _____________ Jolanta Ciopcińska

During youth exchanges, there is also time to have fun. As youth exchanges are focused on intercultural dialogue, the program could not be missing cultural nights. Forget about boring presentations. In Struga, the participants presented only the best things. The evenings were accompanied by short movies, quizzes, singing, dancing, and richly set tables with delicacies from each country. The participants could experience a real taste of Macedonia, not just thanks to the food they tried but also thanks to exploring the country’s natural beauties.

Merima agrees with other participants that “the most joyful part for everyone was the trip to Ohrid and St. Naum and visiting the national park of Vevčani.

The magnificent springs and clear water were something you don’t see often.”

What was the participant’s overall

VOICES - 23

erasmus+

The first part of

Shake a

T

he training course Shake a leg, together! took place in Struga from August 12th to 18th. These few days were full of activities.

Young people aged 18 to 30 from Hungary, Lithuania, Macedonia, Slovenia, and Turkey participated full of energy and enthusiasm.

SALT abounded in numerous workshops concerning a healthy lifestyle and proper way of exercising. Other essential topics, such as public speaking and promotion, media literacy and fake news, body and brain functioning, were discussed. The most significant undertaking was the Facebook Challenge, which will continue on social media of the project. Participants learned a lot and tried to create something that can affect their local communities. The event in Struga was only the first part; the whole project consists of 5 activities: 3 transnational project meetings (each two-day meeting) and two blended mobilities (5-days mobilities).

The next blended mobility will be held in Lithuania, where the entire project will end with a festival.

Anna Marek

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еразмус+

an unforgettable experience.

leg, together!

Young people from five different countries met in one place to jointly try to change their approach to a healthy lifestyle, and then make changes in their local community. After a few days spent in a charming place, they left full of new knowledge and optimism to actually introduce a real change.

Laura, Lithuania (project organizer):

I think it was a bit different than we originally planned, but then again, I think with all that time that was gone during the pandemic, our views changed, and also other group leaders added additional value to the project. The whole group always brings the magic to these projects, so in the end, what matters the most is that amazing group of people connected and gained some new knowledge from us and each other. And that is exactly what we wanted. Now is the next part, the Facebook challenge, and activity in Lithuania. I am scared and excited about it at the same time.

Masuk, Hungary:

It is something that a word or an essay can’t express adequately. I love this project and the way it was organized. After these couple of days, I can feel myself in a new way. In Struga, I have found many friends that converted into a family on the last day of the project. I can happily say it was the best Erasmus+ Project I have participated in.

Elze, Lithuania:

SALT was my 5th project, quite different from the others. During the five days, we not only learned about a healthy lifestyle but also grew by being around each other. We had night swims together in lake Ohrid, danced in the sun on a boat trip, watched each other get more comfortable at speaking English, gave and received lots of hugs, pushed each other to exercise, took long walks resulting in at least 15,000 steps daily, we even had a wedding and made friendships and memories we refuse to let go of.

Tamara, Macedonia:

Before I started this project, I could have never expected it to turn out this good. From day one, I started to learn unexplainable much, not only about the importance of a healthy lifestyle but also about numerous life lessons through all the different backgrounds and life stories. Every participant in our group affected my life differently, and I am so grateful that I was given a chance to be part of this wonderful journey.

Gaja, Slovenia:

Without exaggerating, I could say that this was one of the best Erasmus+ projects I’ve been to so far! I returned home different, inspired, and with a wish for a change. I was enthusiastically surprised by the other young people, who, with their words and actions, proved that they carry so much love, acceptance, respect, understanding, etc., towards the others. I returned home sad but at the same time extremely happy because I brought a lot of new knowledge and, most importantly, new friendships.

Mehmet, Turkey:

I wouldn’t have believed it if they had told me about my experiences within the project before I came to Struga. I was amazed by the environment and friendships established by this project. Its content rekindled my (almost extinct) interest in sports. My personal trainer was surprised to see me at the gym days later. I am looking forward to the next steps of the project.

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topic of the month

, с а в о в а т а н и в т и о д в а и ј ж е т т е о д и о ш б а о в л о г Ос е т е д е р у е пр Filip Zrnzevic | Unsplash Olena Sergienko | Unsplash Nathan Dumlao | Unsplash Annie Spratt | Unsplash

Што нè чека во постпандемискиот свет? Дали ќе бидеме понесени од растечката атмосфера на прославата и забавите, или напротивдали ќе се соочиме со проблеми кои сè потешко ќе се решаваат. Во непредвидливи времиња, луѓето бараат различни решенија за да се справат со лошите вести и менталната исцрпеност. Еден од неверојатните пандемиски трендови кој може да се држи до нас и да им помогне на луѓето со нивните исцрпени нерви е преуредувањето на човекот.

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икој од нас не знае како ќе испадне пандемијата. Дали може да ја земеме под контрола, или ќе имаме само привремена пауза? Уште колку пати ќе ги отвораме и затвораме границите, институциите, нашите врати? Кога ќе можеме да кажеме дека моментот на промена е готов и нормалното е вратено назад? Тага, замор од Zoom платформата, изолација, губење на социјални контакти, губење на работно место, постојан стрес, страв од враќање на нормалниот живот, депресија. Сето ова може да ни падне врз глава како одложена бомба. Во моменти на несигурност и нестабилност, често се свртуваме кон две нешта: помнење на старите добри деновиили бегство. Бегството може да има многу форми, но ние ќе се фокусираме на влијанието на природата на нашата благосостојба.

Нашата „нова“ врска со природата се дискутира од почетокот на пандемијата. Минатогодишниот „тестамент“ на Давид Атенбороу во форма на филмот и книгата „Живот на нашата планета“ дефинитивно помогна. Во неговиот филм, Атенбороу создаде изјава на еден сведок и визија за иднината на светот која не е воопшто шарена. Тој изјавува дека вистинската трагедија на нашиот живот е загубата на дивите места на нашата планета. Сепак, начинот на кој луѓето живеат на Земјата ја намалува биолошката разновидност. Сè се случува поради лошото планирање и човечката грешка која ќе доведе до она што гп гледавме како последица од нуклеарната несреќа во Чернобил. Создаваме места каде луѓето не можат да живеат. Природниот свет избледува, и доказот за тоа е секаде околу нас. Доколку направиме нешто сега, сè уште може да се промениме. „Па што треба да направиме?...Треба да го преуредиме светот.“, советува Атенбороу. Во областа на зачувувањето на природата, преуредувањето е пристап со кој се претпоставува оставање на што е можно повеќе диви простори без човечка интервенција, што може да помогне да се обнови биолошката разновидност на нашата планета. Преуредувањето може да помогне во создавањето на поздрав, поотпорен природен свет. Повеќе или помалку, има различни пристапи на овој термин, но преуредувањето е повеќе за природата, а помалку за контролата.Природната состојба на

постоење се однесува и на луѓето. Како се манифестира преуредувањето на луѓето? Секако во редефинирање на нашиот однос со природата. Пренасочувањето не значи дека треба да се вратиме да живееме во пештери како ловци-собирачи, туку да најдеме начини на живот во хармонија со човечката биологија. Како модерниот живот стана неповрзан со природата? Јадеме обработена храна, поминуваме повеќе од 8 часа пред компјутер или телефонски екран, и најблискиот контакт со дивината ни е кога гледаме реални шоуа за преживување на телевизија. Студија по студија ги потврдува психолошките и физичките придобивки од поврзувањето со природата. Контактот со природата лечи и го зајакнува имунитетот, го намалува стресот, вознемиреноста и крвниот притисок, промовира смиреност, го крева расположението и го намалува чувството на изолација. Дури и во мали дози, природата е моќен еликсир. Само 120 минути неделно се доволни за да ја подобриме нашата благосостојба. Замислете да одите на доктор и наместо да ви препишат лек, ви препишува 30 минутна прошетка со Мајка Природа. Природата веќе е официјално прифатена како ветувачки пристап кон комплементарната медицина во САД. Поминувањето време во паркови и зелени површини наместо лекови се користи за лекување на низа состојби споменати погоре. Во Јапонија, терминот „капење во шума” и свесноста за неговите корисни ефекти се појави долго време-практиката на Шинринјоку започна во 80-тите години. Додека се млади, Швеѓаните се учат на најсуштинската и непишана норма од секојдневниот живот: еднаков пристап до природната средина.

Allemansrätten - Правото на јавен пристап им гарантира на секој човек слободен пристап до природата. Можете да поставите шатор каде сакате, освен приватни резиденции. Можете да ги јадете плодовите на шумата, да се капете во езера и реки, да шетате по планините, да возите кану или да одберете печурки. Никој не може да го забрани. Но, правата се и должности. „Не вознемирувај не уништувај“ - секој што поминува време на отворено мора да ја почитува флората и фауната и да ја почитува приватноста на сопствениците на земјиштето. Што ако не живеете во САД, Јапонија или во Шведска? Има

многу можности и за вас. Вие само треба да научите како да бидете дел од природата.Гледајте изгрејсонце и зајдисонце, засадете зеленчук, јадете сезонски, волонтирајте надвор, одете на набљудување птици. Направете дневник и подгответе листа на она што ве прави да се чувствувате живи или планирајте ги вашите неделни проекти за во природа. Може да биде дискутабилно да се следи точниот нацрт за здрав живот што го поставиле нашите предци ловци-собирачи, но природата, движењето и човечкиот контакт се работи за кои инстинктивно знаеме дека се добри за нас. Кога сме во шумата, ги гледаме птиците и дрвјата, се чудиме, чувствуваме стрес што нè напушта, дишеме длабоко и жалиме што не можеме да си дозволиме почесто да бидеме синхронизирани со природата. Се разбира, можеме, но секој ден, правиме многу антиприродни избори. Секогаш брзаме без да знаеме зошто. Впрочем, дури и големите градови имаат урбани зелени површини. Постојат паркови, плоштади и градини во заедницата. Човечкото преуредување не бара луда револуција, туку промени во нашата секојдневна рутина. Два часа неделно со природа, се сеќавате? Одете почесто, одете на пазарење пеш, играјте игри со вашите пријатели, насмевнете им се на соседите, ограничете го вашето време на социјалните медиуми. Малите чекори се важни; обидете се да се приближите што е можно поблиску до природата и ќе го смирите умот. _______________ Јоланта Чиопчинска Преведувачка: Мартина Даниловска Извори: Rewilding Europe: What is rewilding?

Netflix: David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet Yale Environment 360: Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health Nature Connection Guide: US Doctors are Prescribing Nature in 34 States National Geographic: Forest bathing: what it is and where to do it Visit Sweden: About the right to access Swedish nature

VOICES - 27

reportage

THE FORGOTTEN AQUEDUCT We passed some embassies like the On the weekends, American one, but sadly we weren’t we’re always free from allowed to take pictures of it. We also volunteering work by VCS, found a shortcut, but we weren’t allowed to use it because it was the so we decided to go on a private property of the military, so we bit of adventure. Our good were forced to take the long route friend Chris, who also works around the hill. But in the end, we at VCS, recommended the finally arrived at the aqueduct, and aqueduct and agreed believe us; it was worth it.

The scenery was to accompany us magnificent.

You because he never “The scenery could see how went there was magnificent. much history there either. is in this beautiful You could see

W

country. how much e began our trip by getting history there is The first thing some food and in this beautiful we did when we drinks from a local arrived there was to country.” grocery store close obviously, take some to our apartment. And pictures.

After that, we then we went on our way to went on top of the aqueduct.

It’s the aqueduct. It was a long, draining a bit narrow, but it’s walkable, so we walk. It was pretty tough because it were able to walk from one side to the was a scorcher, and Michelle quickly other. regretted wearing long jeans. Also, the roads didn’t always provide Michelle had the wonderful idea to pavements, so there were times when climb down the aqueduct, but we we had to walk on the street next to were able to talk her out of it. But then fast-going cars passing us by. So it was she decided to climb upwards from pretty dangerous from time to time.

28 - VOICES

the ground into a narrow hole in the aqueduct, where we also took some pictures of us.

After visiting this stunning place, we followed the river until we were back at a road nearby a village where we saw a big sign of the KFC, and obviously, we were famished after the long walk, so we decided to eat there. After that, we started to walk back home. But this time, we used a different route. This route was much safer for pedestrians, so we recommend this route if you decide to visit the aqueduct.

When we finally got home, we were all pretty tired. We were wondering how much we walked, so we looked it up. The distance surprised us because apparently, it was about 17 kilometers that we walked that day. But it was more than worth it. We hope this inspires locals here and tourists to visit it as well because once again, it is really worth it.

Karl Jans Michelle Sapion

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Michelle Sapion