The first Network Meeting (NWM) «Find your inSPIRITation», organised by the young and promising antenna AEGEE-Rostov-na-Donu, has embraced the territory between Spain and Russia! So, how wide did you say a NWM usually spreads? From the 29th of November to the 1st of December AEGEEans could recharge their spirit, take part in seminars, workshops and of course entertainment programmes.
Expectations
The main idea of this NWM was that it was supposed to have a Slavic atmosphere. Organisation meetings used to cause flaming debates and discussions on topics like: who are the Slaves in general and in narrow meaning, can the south of Russia (which is incarnated in the idea of AEGEE-Rostov antenna) use the common Slavic symbols and is it good to try to unite AEGEEans on the Slavic basis?
It is a really big question – during which the debates were more fierce. The debates during the event during or the preparation of it? I say, merely the observing of the organisation process was a great excitement to me! Although, however deep the contradiction between “ideologists” and “managers” of our antenna might be, there was still work to be done. So, under guidance of our dearest Network Commissioner Vira Kakhnych, the team of organisers, lead by Luybov’ Blinkova had made its way towards the event, which turned out to be…
Reality
…more international than expected!
Only when a participant from Germany suddenly sent me an e-mail two days before the Event was going to start and asked how he could reach the hostel from the airport, I understood that everything was going to be serious…
Although there were not so many participants as expected, the team’s appeared to be international and very active! The event, which was supposed to be devoted to seminars and workshops on HR and Antenna development – and therefore, be serious and busy – turned out to have an atmosphere like meeting of old friends. The NWM has gathered participants from Germany, Spain, Ukraine and several cities of Russia – now we could not just feel our Slavic unity ourselves, but also share this special spirit with our non-Slavic friends.
The right question, which may appear is: what did you do together, all weekend long? As every NWM, this event was about workshops from our tutors – Miguel Gallardo Albajar (Comité Directeur), Dasha Onokhova from AEGEE-Moskva and Vira Kakhnych. The informative seminars were perceived by grateful listeners in an atmosphere of friendly easiness. Thanks to that, the participants and also a great amount of the AEGEE-Rostov team have got to know how to organize international events on the highest level and also how to attract more newcomers and inspire oldies to realize all the best crazy ideas. Afterwards AEGEEans could apply this precious knowledge during practical seminars.
From the Rostov organisers there was a cultural and entertainment programme: participants got to know what the Russian lotto is, how does real Russian roulette works. They also had the opportunity to make traditional Slavic amulets “inseparables” and enjoy the walk through Rostov by night.
As a result – all the participants have got their inSPIRITation, lots of memorable moments and a great deal of AEGEE Spirit. It also can be said, that the AEGEE-Rostov-na-Donu team was inspired most of all – right after the NWM there was a great decision to participate in AEGEE Working-groups! We hope that this will make a good start for our antenna to grow faster. So, now we are all looking forward to more AEGEE events and for summer with its terrific Summer Universities!
Written by Alla Serikova, AEGEE-Rostov-na-Donu