The ZarAgora ended some time ago but the memories of the fantastic event organized by AEGEE-Zaragoza remain with the participants that now have returned to their respective cities. There is no doubt that, despite being a peaceful Agora and a little bit flat on content for many people, many will remember ZarAgora for the great organization by AEGEE-Zaragoza and their helpers.

The beautiful settings of the Agora

Wednesday October 30th, 2013: AEGEE members gathered outside of the Congress Palace of Zaragoza (Palacio de Congresos) eager to get in and register their participation for the Autumn Agora 2013. A beautiful building where participants had it all in one place: delicious meals, the magnificient plenary hall, workshop rooms and the gym to sleep. As explained in a previous interview with the Fundraising (FR) responsible of the Agora, Ángela Campos, this particular place was the one where AEGEE-Zaragoza wanted to organize the Agora from the beginning and it is easy to understand why. Located next to the Ebro river, in the beautiful area that was constructed for the world Expo that took place in Zaragoza in 2008 and close to the center of the city, this palace made sure that participants had everything close. It was easy to arrive from the bus/train station, there was no need to wake up early in the morning to catch a bus to the place of the pleanaries and it is certain that participants enjoyed this gift of some extra sleep comparing it previous Agorae.

Sara Alcolea and Pablo Ruiz (AEGEE-Zaragoza) at the opening ceremony

As all statutory events, the Agora kicked off with a marvellous opening ceremony hosted by AEGEE-Zaragoza members Sara Alcolea and Pablo Ruiz, where the participants got to see the beauties of the city they had arrived to in a video. There were also several people that had messages for the participants of ZarAgora. To name a few, the AEGEE members present received a message from the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon, both in a video as well as in a message given by the Liaison Officers towards the UN.

The President of AEGEE-Europe, Luis Alvarado Martínez. also opened the Agora in a speech where he emphasized the importance of the European youth and how the future has to be affected through raising our voices and striving to be heard and have an impact at the same time! To entertain the participants there was also a musical show as well as a performance by the folklore dancers of Orgullo Aragonés that brought smiles on many people’s lips; especially when serenading the speaker of Network Commission, Antonija Parat.

Organizers and helpers

With the hot topic of the new Visual Identity and branding of AEGEE, which the Comité Directeur and Network Commission are especially focusing on these days, it was fantastic to see how much effort this antenna of “the center of Europe in the middle of nowhere” (as they say) had put into making the Agora a beauty for the eyes as well. Both AEGEE-Europe and AEGEE-Zaragoza had made a big effort in designing for the Agora. From day one, a large part of the participants were proudly showing the new blue AEGEE-Europe sweater and the organizers and helpers were to be seen everywhere at all times in their ZarAgora red t-shirts and hoodies.

Participants also had the opportunity to bring back a piece of AEGEE-Zaragoza merchandise in form of different merchandising that always have received great attention because of its design and quality and that could bought at the Agora as well. Five lucky AEGEEans also won a limited edition of the famous “I love Jamón” t-shirt that won The AEGEEan‘s Choice Awards for best merchandising in 2012. It was a great idea by AEGEE-Zaragoza to gather some money to help reduce the cost of organizing the big event through selling lottery tickets and give away prizes at the closing ceremony. It is definitely worth to mention as well the creation of a small cup “of AEGEE spirit(s)”, thanks to which the participants helped AEGEE-Zaragoza make the Agora more environmentally-friendly as they then avoided using thousands of plastic cups. Jonathan del Castillo Gil from AEGEE-Zaragoza took many hours in designing different items for the Agora, and there are for sure many grateful members for his dedication.

Ander Guerrero (AEGEE-Zaragoza) with the chocolate sponsored for the Agora and Lucia Molina (AEGEE-Zaragoza) with the limited edition of the I love Jamón t-shirt

Organizing an Agora in the middle of an economic crisis must most certainly be a challenge but AEGEE-Zaragoza overcame the challenge splendidly. With a welcome package full of different treats and with the opportunity to enjoy some of the 522 kg of chocolate sponsored by Lindt or energy drinks from Red Bull, AEGEE-Zaragoza also tried to ensure that the participants got the sugar boost necessary to enjoy all the different activities part of the program. Moreover, whenever there were some gaps in the packed program, many participants enjoyed a relaxing time in the spa nearby the Agora where large discounts had been negotiated again thanks to the great fundraising of AEGEE-Zaragoza. Some especially chose this option rather than waiting in line for the rather cold-watered showers. However, not everything can be perfect and providing showers for 800 people is definitely not an easy task.

One of the few energizers

In terms of the Agora itself, it was more quiet than other statutory events in the past. Less questions were asked and this became a topic at the European Level meeting where active AEGEEans wondered about this issue. The dancing remained part of the rich social program and did not draw the attention before the plenaries as the case was for example in Agora Rhein-Neckar. The amount of energizers was also reduced, but nevertheless there were smiles to be seen everywhere at all times. It was a more professional Agora, where punishments for flag and mascot recovery were left to be organized between participants and thereby protecting the image of our association.

Everything started a year ago and it was clearly visible all the effort that AEGEE-Zaragoza had put into the event

This Agora proved that with a strong team of about 70 organizers and helpers led by Chema Rueda (AEGEE-Zaragoza) and with hard work and dedication it is possible to organize a fantastic event and AEGEE-Zaragoza can be proud of having organized an event that members will talk about for many years. As this video says: ZarAgora in our hearts!

Written by Patricia Anthony, AEGEE-København

Thank you very much Jorge Sánchez Hernández (AEGEE-Alicante) and Jorge Barriendo (AEGEE-Zaragoza) for the pictures!

At Autumn Agora Budapest it took very little time until a large part of the participants got dressed in the same blue coloured sweatshirt. The new AEGEE-Europe sweatshirt designed by the Public Relations Committee was being sold like hot bread and this has ensured the Comité Directeur that there is a demand for AEGEE-Europe merchandise.

It is therefore not such a big surprise that the AEGEE-Europe sweatshirt is nominated for The AEGEEans Choice Awards 2013 and neither is it a surprise that there will be a new hoodie launched in Mannheim next week. The AEGEEan interviewed some of the masterminds behind the project.

The AEGEEan: What was the idea behind the design of the AEGEE-Europe sweatshirt? Why do you think it is important to design merchandise for AEGEE?

Zsofia Komaromi: The sweatshirts were the first elements of the merchandising program that was launched in the Autumn of 2012. Our main aim with the hoodies was to create a sense of a common identity for AEGEE members, in other words, a sense of belonging to the organisation. We thought: wouldn’t it be nice to create something that all AEGEEans could wear to show that they are part of this organisation, and also use it to stay warm during cold Agora nights? Additionally, by using merchandise like t-shirts or pins, AEGEE can also get some visibility when it comes to externals, including potential members. And as a last point, but nonetheless important, a merchandising program can also be a source of income. As for the sweatshirts, all the profits from the sales were used to support the Agora Budapest.

Some people are asking about the design itself, why did you use a hot air balloon?

Erman Berkay: Let me start my words by explaining the concept behind the design. As we all know, AEGEE people love travelling and they do great work around Europe at different events and in projects. They travel a lot, and sometimes it gets difficult to even follow their check-ins. That gave me an inspiration about the design, and I created not a hot air balloon, but a pin that shows the location where you are. Originally, the design concept was created for the cover of AEGEE-Europe’s Annual Review, the Key to Europe 2011/2012, and we made the decision to use the same design for our AEGEE-Europe hoodies in order to keep the same identity for these materials.

Are you planning to launch any new merchandise this year for AEGEE-Europe?

Pavel Zborník: Yes, for Agora Rhein-Neckar we will have a sweatshirt again as the demand for them at Agora Budapest was quite big, so we will print them again, this time in a different color. We will also have new merchandise: plastic cups. For the next Agora that will take place in Zaragoza we have some plans, but we will not reveal the secret yet.

Guess we just have to wait with being impressed once again by the creative AEGEE minds.

Written by Patricia Anthony, AEGEE-København

Every year since 1987 groups of enthusiasts are trying to build the perfect program, to show their country, to attack foreigners, to make people experience incomparable emotions… and an unforgettable summer. It is not a matter of planning. It is much more about creativity and heart.  The AEGEEan editor Liliya Buyukliyska descripes the first SU she ever organised was like a new-born baby to her which she saw grow up. These five suggestions will probably motivate you to dig even deeper in order to find the perfect SU for you, because these are the most untypical and surprising suggestions in the list of breathtaking offers. Enjoy reading and hopefully – see you there. Don’t forget the deadline is 24^th of April.

FinEst Design

Did you know that Helsinki is “The World Design Capital for 2012”? Me neither. But for sure if you go to the Travelling Summer University organised by AEGEE-Helsinki and AEGEE-Tallinn you will be drawn deep into the creativity. Because the only condition is to be curious, open minded and adventurous. Colorful emotions will do the rest in this event that meet the Eastern, Western, and Northern Design.

MerGER of 3 BEautiful countries: eNLightening trip

Do you know which country Aachen used to be the capital of or why Maastricht is so important for the process of the European Integration? If your answer is “No” then the best way to catch up is visiting this Travelling Summer University “MerGER of 3 BEautiful countries: eNLightening trip”. The theme is something we all experience – integration, but from the opposite perspective – nationalism versus European Union. Europeanise yourself with this eNLightening trip!

European School: 4 Elements 4 You!

School. University. Sounds boring? Not if is the European School of AEGEE. Fun and AEGEE emotions, exhaustive workshops and incomparable team building – that is the European School organised by the AEGEE-Academy. However, this summer you can mix it up with the flavour of Hungarian language and you will receive the great temptation of AEGEE-Debrecen.

Go East! Break the Borders!

Shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall there was a famous song “Go West”. Well, at this Summer University you will not hear this but just the opposite. Because from central part of Europe you will go deep to the East together with the Eastern Partnership Project. Because Ukraine is really a different world. But what this means exactly – you can tell us after visiting.

 Hack your Summer

Do you know the magical language that computers speak? They exchange 0s and 1s and they talk much better than girls and guys. There are people who speak their language. You can see them this summer in Patra and Peiraias at the first IT Summer University in the history of AEGEE. Maybe it is waiting just for you!

So after these amazing offers just find your way to your computer and fill your creative application at  www.aegee.org/su. It will be worth it!

Written by Liliya Buyukliyska, AEGEE-Sofia