Catch the Balkan rhythm. Nothing more than a few words that may not mean a lot to someone who is not introduced to their background meaning, but to the ones who actually could experience them personally, they can bring up a lot of memories, emotions and some of the unforgettable experiences. Although this is a name of only one Traveling Summer University, one of many, the question remains; what makes it stand out from the crowd?
A wedding.
It seems to be said quite often in AEGEE that one of the missions is to break down prejudices which young people can have. Taking place in the Balkan states, a quite unique and specific part of Europe, the event itself was already giving a lot of the material. It is not a secret that there are many prejudices connected to this territory, to its politics and people, but also, there is a big wish for understanding and discovering this attractive part of Europe.
As many people would say, a wedding is considered to be one of the biggest events in life, not just because of the obvious – getting two people married – it is because there, in that moment, you have a chance to experience just how strong connections of people with their cultural background can be. You will see many friendly faces, present to witness new union of their beloved ones, families brought together, smiling fathers and crying mothers, friends with a couple of (or more) drinks, loud, happy musicians and, if it is a Balkan wedding, you may be confronted with a couple of (or more) incidents. As there are two great countries connected with this event, Serbia and Bulgaria, organisers from AEGEE-Novi Sad, AEGEE-Niš and AEGEE-Sofia came up with the idea of making a lot of roles for the participants to play. With every role there was an assignment for the participant that would help them get more involved into the whole event, which included some part of the traditional wedding.
Starting the Traveling Summer University (TSU) in Serbia, wedding guests gathered in Novi Sad. Walking through streets of this sentimental city, standing at the Petrovaradin’s Fortress with breathtaking view over the city and blue Danube, one could say that the romance really hit it off, since there was one quite imaginative proposal involved at the National park of Fruška gora. Even though at a Balkan wedding everyone is dancing, no matter if they know how to or whether they are newbies, these wedding guests took lessons of traditional Serbian dances, trying some traditional Serbian clothes and getting more familiar with Balkan rhythm. After managing to survive this one-of-a-kind rhythm (especially after European night’s rhythm), the group of wedding guests headed to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Then, with great expectations of the final ceremony, the wedding ceremony, the bus was on its way to Niš.
Passing the streets of Niš, one could feel the difference in air, architecture and atmosphere from the northern cities of Serbia, both unique in their own way, characterised by the events they felt. The hopes were centered on one event – the wedding ceremony. This was the moment when tradition walked onto the stage, when guests learned how to salute, what the bride does at the wedding, what the groom does, their big families, when the dancing starts, and: does it even end? One could say, a perfect ceremony got to its end. Well, with a few incidents that would make even Shakespeare jealous, such as interruptions by the groom’s ex girlfriend(s), as well as the bride’s ex boyfriend – which caused two married couples in the end instead of one. But, who is counting?
No need to say that the whole family joined the couples on their honeymoon trip. When in Bulgaria, the wedding guests were introduced to its culture and language and to the streets of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, to its great Dragalevtsi monastery and amazing nature. After these experiences, it was time for some beach fun. The bus headed to Varna, honeymoon destination for married couple(s), a perfect place for romance, where many of the wedding guests waited for the sunrise, just to put great closure to the event.
When an event like this one ends, there is always this question of our own expectations – did we meet them? For some, main reason of choosing this event, A Chase for Balkan Rhythm, was to make new friends. For some it was to see all the differences that a new cultures brings, and for the others, to break down their own prejudices. Well, did they make it?
The end with honeymoon in Bulgaria
“Before this SU, I used to think about the Balkans like a group of countries whose people and whose places were very different from Spain. Now I’m in Spain, I think over the Balkans and I only can think of wonderful persons who have shaped my life in a really great way and who I will never forget and about welcoming cities with a lot of history in their roots, prepared to be explained to the whole world.” (Silvia Sierra Marin, AEGEE-Zaragoza)
“Most of all I can say that this trip served as a learning experience, making me more aware of the hardships that the Serbs have gone through. And my favourite experience in the whole trip to the Balkans was the wedding night at the Kafana – this was truly much better than I thought it would be. The people at the place were friendly and I was so happy to be able to sing there with that great band. The food was also amazing and there was lots of it and a good variety of things to taste. It was also great that we were able to dance in the middle of the restaurant.” (Denise Azzopardi, AEGEE-Valletta)
“I fell in love with the Balkans… Without questions, and I want to go back. That’s my short message.” (Janka Hoffmann, AEGEE-Budapest)
If they can look back to experiences and previous thoughts, compare them with the ones gained during an event like this, and feel like the richest person, we can say that they managed to catch the rhythm they have been searching for. And it is always nice to feel that you caught the rhythm, isn’t it?
Written by Katarina Kovčin, AEGEE-Novi Sad