What do Mickey Mouse, Lara Croft, a Polish warrior, a vampire and a Scot do at seven in the morning in the streets
of Alpignano, a small village near Turin, Italy? Simply, what every normal person would do at that time… have breakfast! What makes them unique is that they are the participants and organisers of the Summer University (SU) of AEGEE-Torino!
As the title of the SU was inspired by a movie, Gran Torino, a movie party (with included breakfast after-party mentioned above) was mandatory. But the extra element was the environmental aspect, making Gran Torino, Gran GREEN Torino. Bike tours, cycling workshops, environmental discussions over hot coffee in the mountains and horse-riding are among the activities made to connect fun with respect for the nature. A superb wine-tasting in the Langhe area with a tour in the vineyards and local food from the producers completed the picture.
The Summer University did not stop just in the city, but extended to a bigger area, including Venaria, seat of the famous Reggia, former royal country house; Avigliana, where the team could refresh in the lake and sunbathe; Alba, the Roman city where ice-cream was the key mission due to the hot temperature; and Bardonecchia, famous ski destination on the border with France.
But the SU life was not limited to the daytime: the nights have been spiced up by drinks offered by the organisers, music from DJs who fell in love with our association, Pálinka water gun, alcoholic sugar cubes, female clothes on boys and vice versa… and much more, everything reported in the notorious Gossip Box.
It is impossible to talk about an SU in Italy without talking about food: pizza until you cannot stand anymore, barbecue, tiramisù workshop and meals garnished with love from the organisers, who prepared them everyday, made this experience unforgettable for the palate.
Something else that the participants will not easily forget is that “Showers are ready”: all gathered with an excuse under the windows, they have been victims of the organizers’ water attack from the top with buckets and from the side with water pump… nobody excluded! Revenge is a dish served cold is the saying, maybe the participants’ revenge will come at Agora Budapest??
AEGEE-Torino should beware!
Written by Martina Zanero, AEGEE-Torino.
Photos are courtesy of Andrea Nagy & Istvàn Juhàsz, AEGEE-Budapest