(An investigation about Winter University Tsangala&Gogona )

The place of action: Gudauri, Georgia;

Time: 07/02/2013 – 14/02/2013;

Suspect: AEGEE Tbilisi;

Witness: 27 participants from 13 AEGEE Locals;

Case # 702-1402

In 2012 the board of AEGEE-Tbilisi decided to make something new and inexperienced for their local, so the board organised the first winter university (WU) in the history of AEGEE-Tbilisi in February 2013. It took two months of hard work to fulfill the idea of WU ‘Tsangala&Gogona’.

The interest toward the project was high, but only 27 participants were chosen to experience skinging (skiing + singing), unearthing the secrets hidden in the legend ‘Tsangala & Gogona’, creating their own legends and spreading echoes in the Georgian mountains.

It is believed that the event was indescribable, overwhelming and mind blowing, so I decided to ‘investigate’ this curious case. By reading further you will find all the facts, evidence, photos and even get to read witness statements relating to this event.

• Day 1: Arrival in Tbilisi

After long hours of travelling, the planes with the participants finally landed in Tbilisi (some in Kutaisi). The first stop for the participants was a ski-shop to get their equipment fitting. Afterwards they went to The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs of Georgia. Participants were represented to the long-term action plan for implementing Youth Policy in Georgian legislation and the plan of the Ministry to cooperate with non-governmental organisations and institutions that manifest interests and will of youth by Chief of international relationships of the Ministry. The day was continued by visiting a Georgian restaurant. This was followed by an exhausting city tour in Tbilisi, but everyone relaxed in pub later in the evening.

• Day 2. Departure to Gudauri

The participants left for Gudauri early in the morning. After arrival and moving into their rooms, they got dressed and tried their snowboards and skis on the slopes of the white mountains. Later, they had an intro to AEGEE, and a Folk intro about Georgian folk songs and the culture of singing.  They enjoyed tasty welcome wine and tasted varieties of traditional Georgian cheese.

• Day 3 – The mafia is still alive!

The day started as usual: morning coffee, followed by long hours of skiing and snowboarding, dinner and free time for participants to update Facebook and Twitter from time to time. But the main action was ahead. Guys dressed like Tony Montanas and Don Carleones and girls with their tempting outfits and sexy, mysterious looks went to attend the MAFIA Night. They played poker (for snacks and drinks) and other games with cards in the smoggy situation that of course had the proper music on. However, no mafia boss was killed that day.

• Day 4. Watch your liver! Its European Night…

Early in the morning other the participants were joined by other AEGEE-Tbilisi members and Olaf Czempa from AEGEE-Katowice in Gudari. The members had fun skiing and snowboarding the whole day long, while enjoying each other’s company, funny stories and AEGEE gossips.

The European Night started at 10:00 pm. Local by local, everyone was introduced to different kinds of drinks, snacks, songs and dances. No flag or mascot were stolen that night.

• Day 5 No time for Snoozing!

Mornings after European Nights are always tough, but motivated skiers and snowboarders did not miss a chance to try the snow first. After skiing in mountains participants faced their first singing lesson; they were taught the Georgian folk song ‘Tsangala & Gogona’ which does not have too easy lyrics to pronounce nor really catchy rhythm. The lessons were continued with a Pajama Party, with relaxing music and lullabies, tea with lemon and sweet pies. It was a really cozy and nice candlelight evening. NO pillow fights were held that night.

• Day 6: Nothing but SUPRA.

Day full of emotions continued with another singing lesson and participants really did their best. After leisure time, everyone was ready for Georgian Supra, with lots of traditional food: khinkali , khachapuri, mtsvadi and Georgian wine. During supra the organisers held a Khinkali workshop, so volunteers had the chance to make their own Khinkali and  taste it later; Supra was accompanied by Georgian folk songs, traditional toasts and dancing.

• Day 7: Color day and night + Valentines eve

The dress-code of the day was anything colorful and bright. Participants were given papers and paints to express their emotions, feedbacks and stories of WU on it. After skiing and filming the song Tsangala & Gogona on the top of the mountain, everyone was ready for the color night.

Participants split in groups representing their masterpieces and shared their emotions that had a great impact on their paintings. After midnight the group celebrated Valentine’s Day, the heart-shaped red sky lanterns were lunched and valentine notes handed.

It was the last night in the mountains; the next day everyone packed their stuff and said goodbye to snowy Gudauri.

Note #1

As skiing and snowboarding are extreme kinds of sport, some unpleasant injuries may happen sometime. Only two participants made it to the hospital. Luda Chornaia broke her arm on the second day but she still continued to snowboard with the bandage. Zane Salaka was less fortunate, she felt from snowboard and hit her head on the 6th day, and therefore she was hospitalized to Tbilisi.

But AEGEE is a big Family, and likely to every family member everyone visited Zane at hospital after the event, with wishing cards, flowers and fruits, the day that she was discharged from the hospital. Now everyone is healthy and happy of course.

Witness statement #1

Tom Braakman (AEGEE-Leiden)

For me the most special moment of our WU was when the organisers told us to go outside during color night. The surprise was awesome, when we were outside in the beautiful Caucasian mountains and light our balloons with fire and see them lift up in the clear sky.

Witness statement #2

Johan van Houten (AEGEE-Utrecht )

The whole event was happy, because I was surrounded with such nice people, from everywhere, with whom I enjoyed nice talks about random things and a moment of sadness when Zane fell down. However, we all cheered up again when we started drinking again, and when she was recovered.

 Written by Sali Ebanoidze, AEGEE-Tbilisi

1. Keep calm and follow the ‘‘Rules’’!

The key to fun and excitement is the discipline and the rules that are recognised and obeyed by everyone. Traveling Summer University “GandaGana” had its own codex of rules that were hung in the TSU house. To make them more memorable and enjoyable we styled them up in a classic “Keep Calm..” phrases and made them fun for the participants: ”Keep calm and wash your dishes”, ”Get excited and have a quick shower”, ”Get excited and clean up”. But the most demanding, an absolute “must-do”, the so called Golden Rules of the TSU were: ”Get excited and drink Chacha”, ”Get excited and have fun ” and ”Get excited and get excited!!! You are in Georgia!”.

These rules were never ever broken and were obeyed in the honest manner.

2. Get Excited and taste traditional food!

TSU GandaGana had its rules, one of them was ”Get excited and eat Khachapuri! ” (if you have never ever tasted it, just visit Georgia and have a bite). But that is not the main source of excitement. While traveling across Georgia, participants tasted all the food that is typical to the local regions. Participants took part in some food making workshops, best of which was the making of Churchkhela. In Kakheti they tried Mtsvadi and Chaqapuli, in Kazbegi the delicious Khinkali, after climbing the high mountains of Svanti they enjoyed Kubdari and after sun bathing in Adjaria they had the tasty Acharuli Khachapuri.

3. Get Excited and Drink!

Literally from the moment participants landed in the Georgia the first thing that they tasted was Georgian wine. While wearing the Georgian traditional hat (Papakhi) and holding a horn full of wine, participants made toasts for the TSU, coming to Georgia, having  fun and creating friendships.

One of the golden rules of TSU was ”Get excited and drink Chacha’’, the basic firewater that really makes everyone excited. On one of the parties (the Vampire party) participants, dressed like vampires and sucked Georgian human blood for the first time – Chacha from the organisers (the mechanism of this motion is secret, visit AEGEE-Tbilisi and maybe someone will tell you). After this party participants got addicted to Georgian alcoholic drinks and had the chance to visit the traditional and contemporary wine-making factories and even Georgian families where wine is being produced.

After drinking Georgian wine or Chacha, hangovers are not as horrible as you think, so do not bother and just drink as much Georgian alcohol as you can to get more and more excited.

4. Get excited and enjoy Sufra!

Sufra is the place where all the revelry and enjoyment takes place. It is the place where one can eat and drink, make toasts and listen to others, sing traditional and contemporary songs, dance and simply have double the fun. Georgian Sufras connect people – no matter the nationality, culture, gender and beliefs! It is the Georgian version or fiesta – celebrating life, love, friendship, beliefs, homeland and all the things that are worthy in our lives.

TSU GandaGana participants enjoyed Suftras in almost every region and city of Georgia. There is not a slight doubt that Georgian Sufras make miracles.

5. Get excited and be a Tamada !

Full of excitement, Georgian Sufras are supervised by a Tamada – a person who makes outstanding toasts. During TSU GandaGana participants enjoyed the Sufra and some of them were even Tamadas of these Sufras – rather good ones actually. The art of making memorable toasts is the main task for Tamada and for other members of the Sufra.  For all the places that were visited during this TSU, GandaGana people had their AEGEEan Tamadas. The most memorable and unforgettable toasts were made on closing party by the person who was nominated for the best drinker and then was holding the post of Tamada – Mr. Paul Smits (AEGEE-Enschede). All the participants behaved like the real Georgians during Sufra and absorbed Georgian culture and traditions.

6. Get excited and Party even in the bus!

One thing you get a lot on a TSUs is travelling, and when you travel with 50 other people the fun is guaranteed. During TSU GandaGana participants crossed Georgia from north to south, from east to west, so they spent a lot of time in the bus. But do not get confused; bus trips are the most unforgettable, and full of unexpected moments. If there was a problem with air conditioning, participants enjoyed it with a great fun of having a free sauna; when the engine problem popped up all the male participants and organizers had their own unique rescue plan and with team work they made ”miracles”. Even singing in the bus sounds better – because of the noise no one can hear how you try to sing ”Wonderwall” but it sounds like ”Yesterday”.

7. Get excited and Start Camping!

Can you imagine a TSU without tents and comfortable sleeping bags?

Of course not! That is why all TSU GandaGana participants and organizers were excited, they enjoyed camping.

In Svaneti, after seven hours of hiking and climbing the mountains, TSU GandaGana landed near the lake, and with the support of great team work, a little TSU camp city was build in 15 minutes. The hard work of participants and organizers, the team building and kissing games, the warmth of the campfire, stories, jokes and funny songs and visits of wild but friendly horses and baby bulls, that is what stuffs camping with excitement.

8. Get excited and build a team !

They say: “two is a company, three is a crowd and 50 people are the Excitement!”. During TSU GandaGana a real, undivided and strong team was built. No team building or ice breaking games can make people fancy each other or be a team. Mind-blowing excursions, weary climbing trips on the mountains, the overwhelming and racy rafting on the Kura River(Mtkvari), campfires that were set together, tents which were built, the weight boys carried for the girls and helpful participants enjoying every hard situation and the will to help each other – that is what builds the team. These moments make the trip unforgettable, strengthen the friendship, reinforce the AEGEE spirit and produce great excitement.

9. Get excited and dance GandaGana!

The Georgian national dance was the main theme of TSU GandaGana. Culture and arts as well as dances created by humans in the course of historical development go beyond the territorial borders of a country. GandaGana participants were enjoying one-hour dance workshops during the TSU. Step by step, participants managed to learn nearly all the moves from the Georgian traditional dance ”GandaGana” and they really became true Georgian spirited dancers, and every time they heard a Georgian folk songs it was hard to stop them from dancing. At the closing party participants made a great show for everyone in Batumi at public square Piazza.

Huge energy, dirty dance shoes (some motivated dancers even tore down the dance shoes during the dance workshops) and satisfaction on the faces of participants – this is what made GandaGana dance workshops absolutely magical and unforgettable for both the participants and organisers.

10. Get excited and save the best memories!

From 14th to 29th of July TSU GandaGana was a long, exciting, interesting, but a bit overwhelming trip across Georgia. This unforgettable travelling was overloaded with emotions, sweet memories and most of all by AEGEE spirit. Some participants may remember all days spent in Georgia, some will recall moments by looking at the photos and videos or by having a glance at their souvenir magnets on the fridge. But we would like to think that these two weeks actually played a significant role on the lives of our dear participants; that it was not just regular fun days of your lives, but important memories worthy of cherishing for the rest of your lives!

TSU organising team will always remember the time we spent together with participants and the song that participants wrote and performed for us on the closing party. With the great honor we would like to represent the extract from the song:

”We would like to drink a toast 

For the time we have spent here

For the mountains, for Sufras 

For Georgians, for Black Sea .

chorus

We love Georgia and 

GandaGana dance X3 ”.

All the TSUs are unique and they all have their own manner of having fun and making an unforgettable summers, but if you follow the instructions made by AEGEE-Tbilisi, believe us these 10 tips will show you how to get really excited and have the best time and unforgettable moments in your life.

So next year, you should consider visiting Aegee-Tbilisi.

Written by Sali Ebanoidze and Ani Zakareishvili, AEGEE-Tbilisi

“Such initiatives once again prove that AEGEE is not only about voting, candidates, and committees, but about people connected with each other and helping on a distance of thousands of kilometers.” This is what Olga Iatsyna, former Network Commissioner, wrote on her Facebook profile. We never thought otherwise!

The members of AEGEE-Poznań united their enthusiasm and willingness to promote the cultures of European countries and combined it with their mission to help. This is the motivation of the charity initiative “Serce dla Gruzji” (in Polish – “Heart for Georgia”). Consequently, a unique event was born: “AEGEE with Heart for Georgia”.

The main aim of the action is to show how many people need support and how we can contribute. During the last years, as a result of the wars and the political transformation in Georgia, a great part of its citizens were struck by many unexpected difficulties and suffering. The standard of living deteriorated for many people. Therefore, the purpose of this joint initiative of AEGEE-Poznań and “Heart for Georgia” is to show that there are people who support the children, the elderly, the poor,  and the sick and lonely. Thanks to the money collected, the local will be able to help an orphanage, a health centre for the poorest, a soup kitchen, and home care for those in need and for the handicapped who are no longer able to move from their homes.

Visiting Georgia during international projects showed me not only the beauty of the country and the immense hospitality of its citizens, but also revealed vast social needs. Last year, our group of volunteers from Poznań decided to start the initiative “Heart for Georgia”. Currently our actions are meant to support the already existing projects lead by Caritas Georgia. This organisation is widely known for its effectiveness. What is more, its employees recognise the needs of the people they have been taking care of for years. We believe that the money we fundraise is not going to waste, but will be used in the best way possible.

“As a former AEGEE member I have been in touch with its members for years and  I know very well that their enthusiasm can bring new ideas and energy to this project. I could not have been happier than in the moment I received the answer from AEGEE-Poznań and saw the support from AEGEE-Tbilisi and the Eastern Partnership Project (EaP),” says Ligia Szulc, the coordinator of the charity initiative “Heart for Georgia” and an officer of the Poznań City Hall.

“This project is undoubtedly unique. And what makes it this special? First of all, it is the aim: Helping those in need. Through our action we are able  to make a real difference in other people’s lives. Secondly, an incredible and very effective cooperation between two groups – AEGEE-Poznań and Heart for Georgia. I am very happy to be a part of this team. Together we can definitely achieve more,” says Marta Wnuk, coordinator of the Exchange Working Group in AEGEE-Poznań.

On 28^th May 2012, students of the universities in Poznań were encouraged to join, learn more, and contribute during the fundraising. To thank them for each offering, the sponsors of the event decided to give some fresh baked pastry which was distributed by the volunteering students. A Georgian culture evening in the Blue Note Jazz Club with music, Georgian cuisine, and interesting guests followed. Two music bands offered live concerts for the participants as an afterparty: the Polish band “Propaganda Dei” and “Bullit” from the United Kingdom.

The charity auction, supported by the biggest Polish auction portal Allegro.pl will last for a few days. All assets fundraised will be sent to partner of the initiative , Caritas Georgia.

“I do not regard the geographical border of Poland as the right criterion to choose which people we should help. Social aid is well-developed in Poland, while in Georgia it still is not,” says Paulina, one of the volunteers when asked why she decided to fundraise for the needy in Georgia.

Let us follow then our hearts and words “Some call it Europe, we call it home.”

Written by Ligia Szulc, Initiative Heart for Georgia and former AEGEE-Poznań, and Marta Wnuk, AEGEE-Poznań

Photographs by EaP and AEGEE-Tbilisi