PREVENTIVE YOUTH MAGAZINE / ISSN 1840 -2461 | DECEMBER 2019 | YEAR XIII | ISSUE 47

Words in the Movement Photography by Denis Smajić | Title of the photography: Autumn Dance of River Una

My name is Denis Smajić. I was born on April 1st in 1994 in Bihać where I also live nowadays. For the past eight years I have been periodically doing a photography work, mostly landscape photography. My initial and basic motivation for the photography work is river Una, which is presented in this photo. I took this photo on the river Una canyon somewhere between Bihać and Bosanska Krupa, and in my opinion, that is one of the most beautiful parts of the Una. The river Una is famous for its frequent, bigger or less big, whirlpools, or water vortex, and this year the autumn leaves decided to play with it. The natural, primordial playground filled with countless movements and hidden from curious eyes. Impressum & Table of Contents

Jasmila Talić-Kujundžić, MA in Psychology, Saraje vo From Mayakovsky ...... 31 Tarik Kovač, MA in construction engineering , Vareš Bait ...... 3 Amina Mašić, MA in Communicology, Sarajevo You are the father in front of the shop-window ...... 33 Jovana Đurić, graduated psychologist , Belgrade Book Fair in Belgrade – the Culture or Kitsch? ...... 4 Emina Sarajlić, BA in English language and literature, Vareš The Comic Book...... 35 Emina Dedić, Sarajevo, student of the Gymnasium Obala The Free Zone ...... 7 Hava Puškar, Cazin, student of Gymnasium in Cazin The Songs...... 35 Bratislava Terzić, graduated journalist, Kakanj A Small House in the House...... 10 Jasmina Ejubović, Lukavac, student of International Relations at the International University of Sarajevo Elma Hasanspahić, Zenica, student of the Economics Shoes for Tatjana ...... 37 and Business High school in Zenica Karate World Champion ...... 15 Barbara Kustura, Zenica, student of the School of the Economics and Business in Zenica Jasmila Talić-Kujundžić, MA in Psychology, Saraje vo To Mothers, Sisters and to All Other Women ...... 40 Torbejarabi ...... 17 Jasmila Talić-Kujundžić, MA in Psychology, Sarajevo Azra Berbić, graduated lawyer, Kakanj Everything is fine with you, even though everything The Information Transforms into the Currency...... 20 feels more intensive to you...... 44

Elma Hasanspahić, Zenica, student of the Economics Tarik Kovač, MA in construction engineering, Vareš and Business High school in Zenica Two Fears...... 49 Zenica Gets the Youth Centre...... 22 Anela Suljagić, Zenica, student of the Economics and Dženana Selimović, Živinice, student of the “Meša Business High school in Zenica Selimović“ Gymnasium in Tuzla I Want to Stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina...... 52 An actor is… an actor… is an actor...... 26

Jasmila Talić-Kujundžić, MA in Psychology, Sarajev o Emina Sarajlić, BA in English language and literature, Vareš The peace is the essence of everything, not the happiness...28 The Bosnian Who Came in Bosnia from Germany ...... 53

Jasmina Ejubović, Lukavac, student of International Emina Sarajlić, BA in English language and literature, Vareš Relations at the International University of Sarajevo And, How Have We Been Doing?...... 59

IMPRESSUM Editorial team: Tarik Kovač, Jasmila Talić-Kujundžić Editorial staff: Azra Berbić, Emina Dedić, Jovana Đurić, Jasmina Ejubović. Emina Sarajlić, Bratislava Terzić, Barbara Kustura; Guest correspondents: Elma Hasanspahić, Amina Mašić, Hava Puškar, Dženana Selimović, Anela Suljagić Cover: Denis Smajić Illustrations and photos: NARKO-NE archive, Pinterest, Emina Handžić, Amina Zerdo, Luka Čavar, Tarik Hadžalić, Sanela Tufekčić, Teodora Mandić, Amra Imamović, fb/Visoko senzitivne osobe, fb/Slobodna zona Translation and Proofreading: Tarik Miskić Project Coordinator: Azra Halilović Publisher: Association for addiction prevention NARKO-NE For the Publisher: Amir Hasanović Design and DTP: Selma Mutapčić DTP of the English version: Naida Čelik PREVENTIVE YOUTH MAGAZINE | ISSN 1840-2461 | DECEMBER 2019 | YEAR XIII | ISSUE 47 Preventeen promotes the free expression and development of critical thinking among young people. Authors’ text do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial team or the publisher.

CONTACT: Association for addiction prevention NARKO-NE, Josipa Vancaša 21, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Tel/fax: +387 (0)33 223-285 e-mail: [email protected] www.prevencija.ba Facebook: Časopis “Preventeen” Instagram: @casopis_mladih_preventeen

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Jasmila Talić-Kujundžić, reading, you should know that you could read MA in Psychology, Sarajevo even more about that topic in the article of our Tarik Kovač, Jovana Đurić who interviewed the visitors of the MA in construction engineering, Vareš Book Fair in Belgrade, and we will also read about Vladimir Mayakovsky in the article of Jasmina Ejubović. You will find out more about There is something symbolic about the number fake information checking in the article written 47. There is even the so-called Society of by Azra Berbić. Besides articles about reading number 47 which members say that it is the and the critical approach, we have also prepared number which appears frequently than any several texts about acting. Dženana Selimović other number. Still, it is the first time that it shared with us her impressions about one old happens to us. By the way, another Preventeen but good play by Zijah Sokolović. Jasmila year is behind us, and 47th collection of journal- Talić-Kujundžić talked with a comedian Sandra istic and creative texts is before you! For this Silađev, as well as with the founder of the blog edition, besides our regular editorial staff, the Highly sensitive persons – Vesna Mirilo, and with columns of this magazine had been also Selma Mehanović, the creator of the brand decorated by several guest correspondents, so Torbejarabi. The leisure time which young we want to thank for their participation to Hava people spend in a special way is presented in Puškar, Amina Mašić, Elma Hasanspahić, Anela the article Free zone by our correspondent Suljagić, and Dženana Selimović. The previous Emina Dedić. The cats and their little houses are and 13th year in a row for the Preventeen, was covered by Bratislava Terzić. In our column Beet, marked by our continuous fight to “keep-alive” yoga and push ups you will read more about the written and printed word. As some hardcore vaccines through the interview with Semra traditionalists and media conservatives, we have Okanović, paediatrician, prepared by Tarik preferred for all these years to write and to BaitKovač. In addition, our correspondent Barbara “hand-address” as many as possible the maga- Kustura interviewed the gynaecologist Mirza zine issues to our readers. If we look back on the Mehić regarding the importance of the examina- previous year, as well as on all past years, we tion and self-examination. Our guest correspon- think that we did great in “conserving” media dent Elma Hasanspahić prepared the text about space, clear from advertisements, political the Youth Centre in Zenica, as well as the pollution, everyday depressive rain of negativity interview with Nirhad Mašić, karate world cham- and of any kind of bias. The magazine manages pion. Anela Suljagić shared her thoughts in the to stay original product of “youth for youth”. column Time Out about young people staying in Even though it is not an easy job to maintain it, or moving out of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The it still offers at least occasional entertaining and creative part of 47th edition was decorated by relaxing content for its readers. Nowadays, when Emina Sarajlić and her comic strip, as well as by different kinds of texts sparkle from the screen Hava Puškar and Elma Opačin with their songs, and make our already dried eyes from all-day and by Amina Mašić and her text about the screen staring even more tired, it is definitively prom and the father. Since we do classify calming to read the content of our printed Preventeen magazine as a soul medicine, we will edition. It makes us happy to “read” each other conclude this introduction with the following again, and that you have managed to reach one notification: For information on indications, of your copies. But don’t forget, sharing is caring! precautions and side effects consult with your Since we have already started to talk about doctor or pharmacist.

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 3 Geeks' The Book Fair in Belgrade – the Culture or Kitsch?

slogan Tails = Heads. What do you like the most about this Book Fair? Jovana Đurić, graduated Marija: I enjoy a lot in the possibility to see psychologist, a big number of books – the ones that I find Belgrade interesting, or for which I've heard. The sellers are very kind, they always ask me about which literary genre I like and after that, they give me recommendations, say something in short about the book and I like the fact that they do it with such love, The last year’s number of 195.166 visitors so it always ends up as a real conversation says a lot about the popularity of the and exchange of an opinions with an International Belgrade Book Fair, which acquaintance. takes place every year at the end of Octo- Dunja: I always wait for the Fair because of ber on almost 15.000 m² of exhibition some serious books because I know that space. The book fans come from neigh- some discounts will be offered. So, I follow bouring countries in organized groups – in my book list and buy everything I can. cooperation Geeks'with schools, Geeks'faculties or Do you follow any other activities during touristic agencies. During seven days, Fair, besides books? visitors have the opportunity to partici- pate in different activities: besides favour- Marija: I follow the schedule of public ite sightseeing and book shopping, differ- discussions and writers' attendance so I ent public discussions also take place – organize my time in accordance with the about books, political questions, and topics in which I'm interested, or I find the culture in general, as well as the partici- writer whose books I read, so I go to ask pation of the popular writers themselves him/her for a book inscription. who come to sign the books and chat with Nikola: Mostly no. I usually find something their readers. In my personal experience, interesting to learn more about a certain the most exciting thing about the Book books or something else while they talk Fair is that you never know what you will with other visitors, but I myself don't partic- have the chance to see – which writer, ipate in public discussions or similar activi- action or activities you might encounter ties. For example, I've just returned from (of course, everything can be checked the stall of one association for people with online but magic is in surprise). This year, vision impairment and they had been I've taken the chance to talk with visitors explaining how the Braille writing system and representatives of publishers, and and other devices are used by blind writers were unfortunately too occupied persons. by their faithful readers who had been How do you control how much money you standing in line and patiently waited with will spend? books in their hands. One interesting fact about this Book Fair is that every year one Kaća: Every year I make a budget plan, and guest country presents the main Fair every year I overpass it a little bit but not theme, and this year it was Egypt with the much, and only if I really, really like something.

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Aleksandar: I don't control myself. Some- ing which one of them will sell more books times that's good, and sometimes it is not. – any kind of books which value is, at very That's because sometimes I don't find least, questionable. anything, or almost anything, to be inter- What do you think about this year's Fair esting. Sometimes I just like buying every- theme? thing, and then I have to make compro- mise with myself and search for more Nikola: I just adore Egypt! Guest countries favourable option. are always interesting to me, and I always visit their stall, because they always What do you dislike about the Book Fair? expose different cultural objects, which is Marija: The crowd. People are careless, always nice to see. they don't look where they're walking to, *** smashing into each other. And it's fine The sellers or representatives on all stalls when one person hits you accidently while are very nice and kind to everyone, regard- walking by and say they're sorry. But when less of whoose stall you visit – of monas- 50 persons smash into you, it becomes tery, association or of a publisher. They're very irritating. very happy to chat and talk about the Sobodan: I don't like the kitsch. This Fair books or other Fair activities to which used to be the place of culture, and visitor could join in. visitors could learn something new. Nowa- At this year's 64th International Belgrade days, it all comes down to the competition Book Fair, Laguna was awarded as the best Geeks'Geeks'between three biggest publishers regard- publisher with over 370 published titles From Belgrade Book Fair

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during this year. The first place of their Top ing, and maybe we just go through the 40 list took our famous Nenad Janković transition period which doesn't have to be (aka Dr Nele Karajlić) with the second part necessarily bad. There is a big number of of his book Solunska 28. The first place on crticism on quality of the available books, the Top list 20 – Nonfiction – took Vedrana and the promotion of the less quality Rudan with her autobiography Dance books, but that also doesn't have to be around the sun, and for the youngest bad at all. We have all read some “bad audience, the most popular book is the Agi books”, or even worse – we were in phases and Ema by Igor Kolarov. when we had adored “bad books”. Sizif's grammar rules by my interlocutor Anyways, who are we to jugde other from the previous editions Bojan people’s imagination. Imagination is just Jokanović is one of the most selling books an imagination, and we may like it or at Vulkan's stall. dislike it, but we are the ones who are Having in mind all spreading digitalisation responsible for our own imagination and and online availability of the books – on for the effort to try to find the most computers, tablets or kindl, both written suitable book for us, in the sea of available Geeks'and audio books, maybe it is concerning books. that the number of book fans is decreas- From Belgrade Book Fair

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Fun fact: • According to the publisher’s assessment, book sale on the Fair is decreasing from year to year. • The famous writers who have visited this Fair are, among others, the following: Erica Jong, Peter Handke, Alain Robbe-Grillet, Charles Simić, Lyudmila Ulitskaya, Tony Parsons, Elizabeth Abbott, Patrick Besson… • All the rooms in which the program takes place during the Book Fair have been named by our greatest writers, like rooms of Borislav Pekić, Ivo Andrić, Vasko Popa, Janko Veselinović, as well as plateau of Miloš Crnjanski. • Allegedly, there is a Japanese word which describes the desire to buy more books then one can physically read throughout their entire life: cundoku. It is defined as piling up books you will never read. This name is actually neologism which combines the words “cunde” (which means to pile up), “oku” (which means “leave to rest”) and “doku” (to read).

                                     The Free Zone initiative and called it the Free zone. I had the honour to talk with Azra Džaferbegović, who was one of the founders of this idea. Emina Dedić, What is Free zone and how it had originat- Sarajevo, student ed? of the Gymnasium Obala in Sarajevo At first, the Free zone was actually the abandoned space that was part of the neighbouring street market Markale in Sarajevo. During the construction of one of a nearby building, one part of the area with The streets and squares every Friday are only one beautiful tree remained unused covered by people who express their and closed from all four sides. One day, dissatisfaction with a lack of strategy for during my daybreak at work I was standing fighting against pollution on our planet. A near the parking fence with my colleagues, mass movement, more famous as Fridays and we noticed that green area and big for Future was initiated by 16-year old girl tree. I thought that we should find out to Greta Thunberg, who started to protest in whom that area belongs, and see if we front of the Sweden Parliament each Friday could transform it into our little park and a year ago. She shared it on social media our space for resting, spending breaks and networks, her work became viral, and soon some other cool stuff. she became famous. Today, millions of We managed to clean the years of negli- people dedicate their time to a better gence and carelessness. During the bloom- future in some less polluted world. Howev- ing period of the Free zone, that was the er, three years ago, one group of young space in which young people could gather people, invested more than just their time around for free and implement their ideas. and effort. Dissatisfied by a lack of green This space provided the protection to all areas and space for youth, they started the those who were coming to draw, implement 2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 7 Time Out

shows and different educational activities. Nowadays, thanks to the negligence of the It gave us the opportunity to call our neigh- authorities in the municipality and their bours in order to make our mutual garden, carelessness, this space is transformed in which we managed to cultivate radish, back again into the dump. chard, raspberries, pine trees and plum What is the status of that area today, what tree. We all used the Free zone, both young went wrong? and our older neighbours who looked after the garden. It was the place where bands The Good Zones (a non-formal group with gathered to rehearse, and we also gave the similar activities, author’s comment) and space for rehearsals of different plays. Free zone were started by different people We used to gather in the evenings to play with the same ideas and goals, at the guitar and sing. This place was as alive as relatively same time. We cooperated the city itself during the Sarajevo Film Festi- together, but those were two different val. However, we also had some problems things. There was only one Free zone, and when some visitors started to misuse the Good zones were planned in a similar way Zone. Some kind of defensive spirit had but with the goal to connect people from been awakened within us and we wanted to the same neighbourhood and to make lock the Free zone, but we realized that it abandoned places live again. There are would be better if we would include those three Good zones in Sarajevo, and the aim Timepeople so that they could feel and perceive was to include a wider community. Howev- Out that space as their own. A group of young er, those Good zones are abandoned and men who worked at the nearby market neglected again due to the prejudices of Markale started to look after space, protect- older people. Some of them were not happy ed it, and even made some improvements. with having too many young people gather- ing in their neighbourhood and idea just didn’t work. Is it possible that someone was interested in your space and wanted you out of it? We found out that that land was shared between multiple owners but we received the confirmation that we can use it for free. However, the local investor offered to build the shopping centre at the Markale market, and that meant that some local shops and our Free zone would be gone. Together with the owners of those little shops, we attend- ed the public discussion during which another bad suggestion was proposed, and it was to move the Memorial to war victims on Markale. The argument of Municipality officials was that there is no Shopping centre in Municipality Stari Grad, and that we as young people should see it as an opportunity for us, even though there is only one park in the area of our municipali- ty. We went to talk with architects and other experts who helped us and we collected 2500 signatures for our petition. We submit- ted it as our citizen initiative, we followed all the procedures required by the Statute of Municipality Stari Grad, and we initiated

Azra Džaferbegović different advocacy campaigns to preserve

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this space. Throughout all that process we The crew from Free zone is everywhere. We got exhausted and lost motivation. We are still very much active in the nongovern- fought for that space too long, and still, the mental sector and we still fight for different municipality’s authorities didn’t perceive us things. We are still ecologically aware, and seriously. It’s been three years since then, through some small fights and advocacy and nowadays there is no neither Free zone actions we try to increase the awareness nor the shopping centre. regarding ecology and environment protec- Have you tried to create another Free zone? tion. I know that you are not a formally registrat- The five of us who initiated this project and ed association but do you organize some a great number of volunteers who had ecological actions, for example? supported us didn’t feel the need to try that because of our previous bad experience. We support the registered organizations We had spent two years in cleaning the Free who work on environment protection and zone, and we enjoyed it for only six months we try to support them individually as well. because most of the time we spent fighting We use the Facebook page which has big for its protection. Yes, we did get tired but it number of followers to promote the work of is still worth fighting for such values those organizations, and share their posts. because we also learned a lot in this Of course, Greta is an excellent example process. The number of people who are which shows that one person can do a lot. It interested in this green story has been is very important to talk about people like increasing and we hope that some new her, and it makes us happy in the nongov- generations will feel the need to build free ernmental sector to see that there are so zones and parks. In that sense, the authori- many young people who are role models to ties will have to take these initiatives more us, as well as to older and younger genera- seriously. tions. We see that not everything is so bad. What members of Free zone do today?

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 9 Time Out A Small House in the House has been left to my creativity because people like my houses at first sight. I Bratislava Terzić, have also built the Barbie house, and it graduated was completely left to my creativity. I do journalist, Kakanj make some drafts and sketches. Howev- er, most things get changed during the process. My imagination starts to work and I see that I could do this and that, and in the end it is just WOOOW! Where do you make these houses? TimeIna Spahić graduated from Economics Out and Business high school but she has In my late father’s work garage, he was a always wanted to study at the Academy car-mechanic. of fine arts. She has tried to enrol sever- Were all those things left as a memory al times but with no success. However, after your father death, before you had she never quit on painting, and she this idea? keeps it as her hobby. And who knows, maybe she will combine her two Exactly. I stared to use his tool eventually. passions which reflect in her plans I’m curious about how you got this idea at about houses for cats about which you the first place? will read more in the further text. It was winter, my cat had a toothache, How it all began? and I felt sorry for her. I thought that it See, I had it in me since I can remember. was caused by cold weather, but it I have always been into painting and wasn’t. She really did have some prob- making different things, and all started lems with her tooth. I watched her sleep when I lost my job. I had a lot of free in her previous sleeping place, and I just time and I decided to make a house for decided to make a house for her. my cat. My friend saw that and she asked And, which rooms are necessary for cats me to make one for her cat also. After to have? that, one lady saw what I made, and she asked me to make a new house for her The cats are really weird, and it is hard and that’s how it started. And when you for them to get used on entering the start something, your imagination devel- houses. However, I did some reading and ops and you move forward. researching, and I’ve found out that cats have some glands behind their ears, What does it take to build one house? Do which produce certain secretion, and customers usually say the precise instruc- which they use for leaving their trace. tions or you have your own examples, That’s why they are always scratching and do you make draft first before build- against some corners of furniture or ing the house? walls, because that’s how they leave their It all depends. So far, every work order trace and mark their territory. So if you

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want them to enter in the house, you should first touch their skin behind ears, and then use that hand to touch the corners and doors of their house. That makes cats to enter the house. So, you lure them? Yes. Dogs do the same by urinating around but cats are clean animals, and this is their way. Do you sell these houses, and how much does it cost one house? I used to give them for free at the begin- ning. The price of one house is between 60 BAM to 70 BAM, and I use really high-quality material. The quality of Outplywood is very good, and I have to use a lot of material for one house. These houses are both for inside and outside use? Do you make bigger houses for the outside use? Ina Spahić I mostly make houses for inside use, but if customers ask for outside use only, I you give it to her, and if she feels do adjust them. They are not necessarily unloved, she will leave you. But I like bigger but their roof is more adjusted for both cats and dogs. A few days ago my the snow, rain and other weather condi- work colleague asked me to restore a tions. Everything else is the same, there house for his dog, so I will gladly do it. is no difference. Still, I prefer cats. Are you more a cat or a dog person? Even What are your future plans? You are though it is more usual to make dog employed now and houses are still your houses, you still make houses for cats. hobby. Do you plan to make these houses Are cat houses really so innovative? more profitable? I saw once how the biker hit the cat with I never paid any sponsorship on social the motorcycle. She had four kittens, media in order to promote my houses. and two of them had died. I hardly saved It’s just a hobby which helps me to make the third one, while the fourth one was some extra money. I never meant to very cheery and healthy. So I was left make it as my full time job. with two cats. Their name is Babies, and Nevertheless, I have some ideas for my back yard was always full of cats. My improvement of the houses, but that’s father didn’t like cats, but when my hard to do in Kakanj. Kakanj is a special brother and I were kids, we saw a dog town with unusual people. It is the town attacking one small cat. We told that to of good people but the problem is that our father and he saved her, and since most people from Kakanj would rather that moment, we have always had some buy something in Sarajevo, instead of in cats. The cats are not like dogs, dogs like Kakanj? humans more themselves. On the other hand, cat will give you as much of love as 2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 11 Time Out

Are your ideas about improvements before this hobby transforms into some- connected with some visual modifications thing more? of these houses? I don’t really know. With customers or Yes, they are. I would like my houses to not, I will always work on something, be more mobile. I got this idea when one because that’s my way to escape daily of my customers said that he often takes routine. his cat to different people or to his aunts What’s it like when cat enters the house, because he has a lot field work. He says or when you make one for the customer? that his cat often gets lost because she Do you do delivery so that you could see just wanders off. So I think that she will the cat enter the house or will you would always feel like at home if she have to lure her into it? Do they pass the would have her house that could always test of entering the house? go with her. I am in the process of creat- ing the house which will not be too big or The cats will always come in; it’s just the too small, it will be possible to close it way they are. They are explorers but they and carry it in case you want to take your don’t stay in for a long time. My cat, as cat to someone else, or to a vet. It should Timebe a moveable little house. Out Do you often get new ideas or do custom- er’s orders awaken your inspiration? I just make a sketch on the paper, espe- cially the dimensions which are mostly the same: 50 x 35 cm, with five to ten centimetres, more or less. After first paper draft I get ideas about options regarding colours, dots, flowers… Did you help to your father in his work while he was alive? What did he do? Have you maybe learned certain tips and tricks while watching him work? I think you can’t make a house just like that, one should have some foreknowledge? Yes, he was an inventor, a machine inventor. He upgraded the lawn mower so that he could sit on it and drive at the same time. Also, he wanted to make a paragliding construction. He had a heart attack on Ponijeri while skiing and in that moment he was trying to invent new kind of snow-making machine, so it makes sense if I’ve inherited some of his traits. So, you’re both innovative and inspired! Does that mean that innovations could be your future path? Does it mean that it is only matter of time, customers and orders

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well as all others needed some time to That depends on the customer’s get used to the house, but I do give some demand. I prefer to put something in of these inputs to my customers so that because cats like comfort, and they are their cats enter the house as soon as really cute little spoiled brats. If you have possible. any vision how the cat house should How have your cats got accustomed to the look like, just tell me and give some time, house? Do they live in it now? I will make it. I fell recently down the stairs, so I spend most of my time draw- They have some wall house now, it’s ing and designing houses. crazy and I don’t know why I did it. Before Have you thought about combining your this one, I kept one house outside and painting skills with building cat houses? Cici did use it. During winter they all use the house and they don’t come out I have thought about putting some of my often, I guess because it’s cold for them. paintings on the house, as well as to Do you put any carpet or blanket, so that make houses more modern like. Still, cat has something to play with? Kakanj is not an easy market. What are your plans for the future? Do Time OutOutyou want to improve the look of your houses? Of course I would like to work on those improvements, to make them more architectural modern. In that case, I would actually have to work like archi- tects, and follow precisely all the sketch- es I had previously draw. I wouldn’t be able to change my mind too often during the building process. Maybe I would put some of my paintings on some of those houses, depending of the design. Have you thought about promoting your work in other towns across Bosnia and Herzegovina, or abroad? Is it possible? Or just to use certain online shopping pages? The problem would be the transport which would cost more than the house itself. However, I have thought about moving abroad and develop this as my full time because it seems that it would be more successful abroad than in Kakanj, where people are quite weird, and I’ve met really unusual people ever since I’ve been doing this job. In which country have you been planning to move? Would you have any people who could help you there with the equipment and other resources for building houses?

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I’ve applied for one job in Germany, and completely different? I was supposed to move there, but in It would definitively be something relat- the end I didn’t go. I think that people ed to my hobby, and nothing like my abroad are more dedicated to their pets current job. and they would do anything for them. All my jobs so far are related to So, I think it would be more profitable to economics, accountancy, banks, and not do this job abroad instead of in our connected with my hobby. It’s all relat- country. ed with numbers and I don’t like it. Have you sold any house in some other So, you are more prone to creative jobs in towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina? which people can express themselves? Yes, I have. Visoko, Zenica, Sarajevo, Yes, I am. I don’t like numbers, but I and some other towns. always end up doing them, even though Is proactivity on social media crucial in I try my best to avoid it. order that more people see your houses? Did you have any other wish when you More people would definitively see my were enrolling in Economics and Timehouses if I would have paid for some business high school? Out sponsored ads. But I’m not sure if I I didn’t pay too much attention to would be able to build all those houses options about my high school because I on my own. I would need help, and I was more into writing back then. Actual- don’t know if my assistant could follow ly, it was my 15 years of high school my visions. anniversary a few days ago. I haven’t And if I would pay for some sponsored told it to many people, but I have ads and had time, it would still be hard written two novels which I’ve showed to to finish everything because it really only few friends. I was always good in does take time to build a house, and it’s writing and teachers used to ask me to not as simple as it seems. I need one read my works before all the class. I was day just to cut all wood boards, and with 17 when I wrote my first novel and 20 every cut I get new idea. when I wrote my second novel. It takes me one to two day to cut and assemble everything. After that I colour, Do you still like to write, and do you and dismantle it while colouring. I put write? three layers of colour. Every layer of I do. I like riding bike, so I write travel- colour must be dried before applying ogues about certain places and new another layer of colour. It takes hours people, and that’s interesting. for one layer of colour to dry, and it’s one of the reasons why this process Writing, painting, cat house building - takes so much time. something has to work? One man who owns his own company It must (laugh)! I would like to be a bike has 150 built houses and they are still nomad, and other two things do along unsold. He told me that I could sell my the way; to come in some village and houses very fast, because they are make a cat house for someone who coloured, and that is correct. His houses needs it. Someone would bring wood are made out of plain wood, with no boards or nails, and when I finish with creative details. one village, I just ride myself to the next What would be your dream job? Would one. these houses be part of it or something

14 PREVENTEEN 47 DECEMBER 2019 Time Out Karate World Champion title of world champion. Since 2015 I have Elma been the state champion, and I’ve won Hasanspahić, many international competitions. Zenica, student Who is your biggest support? of the Economics My biggest support is my family, especial- and Business ly the parents. High school in Zenica Have there been any moments when you wanted to quit? There were hard moments, I must admit. World Karate Championship, organized There were countless sleepless nights by World Karate Fudokan Federation, due to injuries and pains. There were a took place in Stuttgart from October 31st lot of negative feedbacks form others, Time OutOutrd which can make you feel inferior and to November 3 in 2019. Bosnia and Herzegovina was represented by karate think about quitting. However, I gave club Gard, and their member is world myself for this sport, and I never wanted champion in karate. We interviewed to quit. karate world champion, Nirhad Mašić. How many times have you participated at How did you become interested in karate? the World Championship? What’s it like to be world champion? When I started the school, I was quite hyperactive, and I didn’t know what to do with all energy I had. So, my parents decided to enrol me in the local karate club, which was my first encounter with this sport. Slowly, karate became my lifestyle, since then until now. When did you start to practice this sport? I started when I was seven years old, in 2007. What results have you achieved so far? I didn’t have any remarkable results until 2014, and that is when the change happened. In 2015 I won the State cham- pionship and I became the member of national representation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. That was my turning point. In 2017 I received my first call to partici- pate at the big championship. It was World Championship in Romania where I became the world champion. The year after that I became vice-champion of Europe, and that’s how I defended my Nirhad Mašić

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 15 Time Out Nirhad Mašić at the medal award

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I have participated two times at the Have you had any bigger injuries during World Championship. The title of the your career? world championship brings big amount Yes, of course. I had fractures of tendons of emotions and feeling of pride. There at the tarsal joints, sprained ankles at are no words to describe the feeling hands, knee popping, rib fracture, and when you step onto the winner’s podium, different head injuries. to carry the flag of your country and thus show the world what kind of potentials What would you recommend to persons our country hides. All young people who who practice karate actively? represent our country anywhere in the To all those who are into this sport I wish world really make me pride because I’m a lot of success, and I would recommend aware of the responsibility which they them to prepare themselves as much as feel, but also the feeling of pride of your- possible for their competitions, to believe self and the country which results from in themselves, and especially, to never the achieved results. quit. Never. Out                                     Torbejarabi Jasmila Talić-Kujundžić, bi? How did you establish your cooperation MA in Psychology, Sarajevo and what are your future plans? Selma Mehanović is the creator of this cool We have known each other for many years brand, as well as an actress in the Bosnian now. During summer we cooperated national theatre Zenica. We have talked together because both of us exposed our with her about tailor idea, further plans, works at same market places in Zenica. I opening of work-room and the exhibition wanted to register my own business but I space, as well as about future cooperation couldn’t do it because I don’t have required with Amela Hasanbegović. . education, and Amela just wanted to work. How did idea about Torbejarabi develop? That is how we united and decided to open traditional tailor’s shop. Amela is a legal Idea is the manifestation of my need for representative, and I am her associate and additional creative expression. I felt a a friend. strong need to learn how to sew. Ideas We have many plans. Actually, in this from my imagination I try to make real by moment we are waiting the results about sewing canvas bags and backpacks. I’ve grants given by the city Zenica, and if Amela finished the sewing course in Medica, and gets the grant, she will invest it in the my adventure has begun. purchase of the machines, which would How did you come up with this original help in developing new models. name? Now you also have the space for your My husband gave the name for our project. work-room, as well as for the exhibition It’s a word game for which we thought it space in Mokušnica, in Zenica. How did you was funny, and it seems now that many manage to create it? The space is recogniz- other people think it’s funny. able by beautifully painted sewing machine Recently, Amela has joined the Torbejara- on the building wall. Who painted it?

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 17 Time Out

We wanted to have work-room for Torbeja- every bag is a special story for every buyer. rabi because the work at home became For example, my bag The Starry night by difficult. We also wanted to make exhibition Van Gogh is part of me and I can’t stop space in which our clients could see our wearing it because I’ve been fascinated by works, as well as other things which inspire Van Gogh as a painter for years now. I have us. The mural was painted by Viktor many bags but this one reflects my person- Baškarad, young street artist. ality. Do you maybe know if other buyers How was during the opening ceremony of attach to bags which they buy from you in a your working space, how did you feel? You similar way? wrote that you are happy to live in Zenica, I think that people attach to the quality, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Why? uniqueness, and to affordable price. I know It was fantastic because we were support- many girls who own five of my bags. They ed by all those who we perceive as decent like them, and they buy them for them- citizens of this city, our families, friends selves, to their friends, mothers, and and acquaintances. It was very nice children. because we saw that people were happy How do you manage to this besides your for our offer of something new, small, and regular job as an actress in the theatre? Do Timehandmade. they exclude each other or is this just your Out The colourful and lively design of your bags creativity which reflects in different fields? decorates many shoulders and backs. What I am a workaholic; I get up at 5 in the morn- kind of bags are the most popular, and ing. Everything can be organized with an could we classify them at all? I guess that additional effort. It’s not always easy but I Jasmila: My bag The Starry Night Selma Mehanović

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                                     Showroom Torbejarabi

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 19 Time Out The Information Transforms into the Currency have both the press community and celebrities include in the debate about the quantity, ways and nature of disinforma- Azra Berbić, tion which are served in our public space. graduated The application as well as the flyer were lawyer, presented. They can be used for a simple Kakanj explanation of how to recognize inaccu- rate content, mostly in online space, but also all those contents which seem unreli- able, inaccurate or manipulated. Jamila also highlighted that during the research The opinion is free but the facts are sacred. and conversations with young people they I’ve read this quote recently and I thought had confirmed one fact which we all prob- Timeably already know, and that is that young Out that it is quite relevant for the time in which we live in. Actually, the number of people use online media the most, and facts is pretty small in the sea of free opin- thus they are vulnerable and exposed to ions, in the sea that’s my opinion, disinformation the most; not only as users #samokažem (#justsaying), starting from but as well as those who knowingly or social networks to modern and traditional unknowingly, share the disinformation. media, influencers, conspiracy theorists, We have decided to start with workshops leaders of political parties, and to neigh- which took place in Sarajevo, Bijeljina, bours as well. We are experts for all ques- Tešanj, Trebinje. Several thousands of tions, from local issues to global problems young people participated in this work- and politics. Unfortunately, we don’t look shops, and they were mostly bloggers, for real facts as much as we should, and at influencers, journalism and communicolo- the same time, we are bombed by fake gy students and young journalists, and we information from every screen we look at. hope that the work with experts from the The phenomena of disinformation are not whole region made them more competent so familiar to our people, especially in the in recognizing and coping with the disin- press community. We think that we know formation and fake news – said Jamila. all about disinformation and fake news, It’s obvious that young people are the and in the reality, it is very hard to accept target group in this project, and young that we don’t know the techniques which people also worked on the application are used and which are available for development. Their software company is recognizing the fake news, regardless if it’s called Kingdom Alliance d. o. o. and they’re a fake photo or video, or just fact-check- from Kakanj. During the presentation of ing, says the communication director and this application it was highlighted that spokeswoman of the European Union special attention in the future will be paid Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jamila on the work with university students, high Milović-Halilović. school students, as well as on the work #NeVjerujNaPrvu (#FactCheckingMatters) with children from the elementary schools, platform has been presented in Bosnia and they will try to create special and Herzegovina this year with the aim to programs and messages regarding this raise awareness about disinformation issue for each of these groups. phenomena, to inform public, as well as to

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The application #NeVjerujNaPrvu (#Fact- information checking, and about how we CheckingMatters) enables you to inform actually finance the existence of fake yourself about the disinformation news, etc. Jamila highlights that the aim of phenomena, as well as about ways of this platform, mobile application, flyers, as fact-checking and responsible sharing of well as of the workshops, is to primarily information. It’s the place where you can show to young people and general public find educational video modules, flyers and that it is not that hard and complicated to texts of the leading regional experts in the recognize disinformation and fake news. field of disinformation. Still, besides all technical platforms which are free and online available, it is really The application’s cover page offers possi- necessary for all of us one thing we all bility for quick search of main contents via have – common sense, Jamila concluded. four links: project, video, materials and news. You can find out more about the project Education of journalists and general public about trends in the digital media, as well as about educational video modules on how to recognize unreliable online media, checking of fake profiles Video presentation Facebook Android app Outwith tools for photo and video online of the platform page Fact Checking Matters Fact Checking Educational platform presentation

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 21 Time Out Zenica Gets the Youth Center Elma Hasanspahić, Zenica, student of the First of all, the idea about the centre was Economics and Business High school in just perfect. Zenica really needs a place Zenica which will provide to young people the The youth association REaktiv in the coop- opportunities for productive use of their eration with the City government of Zenica leisure time, and where they can further started the campaign for the establish- develop their ideas and search for the ment of the first Youth Center in Zenica. implementation support, to dance, sing The Center will be home for the six organi- and be creative. Timesations (it is still not known for which Together with the rest of the friends and Out organisation because the public call must few acquaintances we started to work on be announced first) which work with some technical and strategically ques- young people. The free office space will be tions, even though the biggest part of the provided, and the conference and semi- strategy was finished by the moment I nar room, as well as room for socializing joined in. We worked on detailed develop- will be equipped, and available to all ment of the campaign and the promotion, young people of city Zenica who want to sent applications to “angels” for whom we improve themselves, their skills and thought that might be interested in knowledge. financing this idea, and we also organized With the support of the PRONI centre for educations for people who were willing to youth development from Brčko, the support us and be part of this project. creation of the strategy for the work of the After we received some donations, we youth centre started in the August of this started with voluntary work on the deco- year. Three modules of the training have ration of our working space. The most taken place so far, and the Youth centre important thing is that people, especially was open on December 5th of 2019. young people, recognized the importance of our ideas: to present this concept in a Ilma Hanjalić, the member of REaktiv and youth friendly way, as well as to citizens in the student of the fourth year at the general, by recognizing and sensing the School of Economics and Business at the needs, affinities, and thoughts of young University in Zenica shared her overview: people as possible users of the Center. I I’ve heard first about idea and the concept deeply hope and believe that this idea will of the youth center from my friend, the live in our city Zenica, and that young former president of the Youth association people will be able to use this opportunity REaktiv, Aldin Alić. During one non-formal for healthy and productive spending of gathering he asked me would I be inter- their leisure time. ested to be part of the crew which will Benjamin Skomorac, the alumni of Facul- support this idea and work on its imple- ty of philosophy at the University in mentation. Even though I was preoccupied Zenica also shared his reflection: First of with some private and business obliga- all, the aim of the Youth centre in Zenica is tions at that moment, I said yes, without to activate and promote many associa- any further thinking or questions asked. 22 PREVENTEEN 47 DECEMBER 2019 Time Out

tions which could gather young people in planned to organize different educations one space (this centre). For some time, and language courses for young people, Zenica lacks cultural, educational and fun as well as daily activities for the associa- activities by which young people could be tions which will work here. The young influenced to use their free time in smart people from our local community will be way and to participate in the projects of able to get new information, which they this centre. We started with the prepara- couldn’t find so easily on their own, and in tions for the reconstruction and repair of that way we will invite young people to this space, and for the next year we plan join in the Youth centre activities and to to establish few offices for the associa- actively participate in all the contents Time OutOuttions which initiated this idea. Also, it is which are available for them.

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 23 Author of photography: Amina Zerdo, third-year student at the Faculty of Health Studies in Sarajevo Author of photography: Luka Čavar

Author of photography: Luka Čavar, graduate student of Media Studies at the University of Dubrovnik Cool-tour An actor is… an actor… is an actor

has a dialogue with his father. In several occasions he also leads the dialogue with Dženana the audience and thus he includes them Selimović, Živinice into the play and maintains the communi- student of the cation with people. The intriguing fact is “Meša Selimović“ that it contains the elements of the Gymnasium in drama, comedy, and parody. Tuzla Two kinds of “fight” are presented in the play. We have external fight between the Coll-tourColl-tourartist and the regime in which he lives in, as well as his internal fight with himself. When we mention some timeless artistic The spiritual fight takes place in those work, our thoughts often wonder to the moments when he tries to prove the value works from realistic period, such as Ana of his work. He firmly believes that one Karenina, Vivaldi’s baroque, and Four must live acting, and he has no doubts seasons… Still, it is not necessary for about it. However, the internal conflicts certain work to be centuries old to be start when he questions the work itself. timeless. The monodrama An actor is…an How can one person, one individual actor…is an actor is precisely timeless, realize the value of his work? He wonders and it was written by Bosnian-Herzegovin- if people will recognize his effort, exhaus- ian actor Zijah Sokolović. tive work he made, but as his thoughts This play was created in Yugoslav’s Sara- wonder more and more, he sees that jevo, in 1978. This detail is quite intriguing there is some value in his work. And if not due to its theme. The entire play is about all society, at least some individuals will the lack of finance for organizing the play, see the significance of his work. and during the play the audience has the But dad, I want to be an actor! is the opportunity to realize the background of scream which echoes throughout all the this situation. We meet passionate actors theatre. The art is all around us but artists who crave for acting and the scene, and are rare. The dialogue between Actor and their illusionary persuasive conversations his father, when he tries to persuade him with the Ministry in which art is not that he was born to act, resembles to the perceived spiritually but as a material incomprehension of the society. The art is question. Even though this play was suppressed, and its value is beyond written 41 years ago, its story is still recognition. His father shares the same relevant, because the same questions perspective. That is the moment when bother this modern society. The fight of uniqueness of acting is highlighted, it is simple people is always gigantic. However, the way by which is lived and compre- Actor (the name of the leading character) hended. jumps from one role to another. In one There is no greater torture than the moment he leads the discussion with the torture of finding a word - Semyon Yakov- Ministry, and at the second moment he levich Nadson (a Russian poet). Through-

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out the entire play, one must be lost. He me, which will never get dry. Just like I will loses himself in his thoughts, feelings, and never know if I actually saw the comedy or memories. And after a while he returns to tragedy! And this is how one feels after the reality and sees that nothing is the play. Lost, somehow. The monodrama changed. The politics as such does not in the theatre is not a serious word but change. But one change can be seen. still it leads us through countless number While we were wondering before return- of emotional transformations. ing back to the play, the leading character The moment you think you understand a has already jumped in the new situation, great work of art, it’s dead for you - Oscar which makes audience to stay attentive. Wilde. That is how we could describe this In this way, I myself don’t know what to monodrama by Zijah Sokolović. It is very think about acting, not after I’ve seen that complex, and presents one big and unlim- beast on the stage on which she left her ited source of imagination. Coll-tourColl-toursoul and heart. And one drop of sweat to Zijah Sokolović

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 27 Cool-tour The peace is the essence of everything, not the are not allowed to speak on their father’s happiness funeral just because they are women and their brothers are the ones who can do Jasmila Talić-Kujundžić, MA in Psychology, that, women are not entitled to inherit Sarajevo some property, housewives are not paid by the state, etc. That is not related to the Sandra Silađev is the actress and a fight against men. It is related to the fight stand-up comedian who makes popular with the system and with the fight for the videos which make us laugh to tears and personal freedom. The topics are diverse: by which she dares to say all those things marriage of minors, female circumcision, that bother us. While she makes the prostitution, transgendered women, salaries, videos, she plays with herself and with her breast-feeding, giving birth, cooking, ego, but she also criticize certain phenom- employment, beauty, moral, abortion, etc. Coll-tourena suchColl-tour as hypocrisy in different life How did you come up with the idea for this elements: spirituality and religiosity, fake comic book and what’s the difference happiness, expectations from women, between this one and the previous two marriage, parenthood, social networks, comic books? and many other daily things. Sandra is primarily an activist, a feminist, and The first comic book was titled Pearls human rights defender. She is an author of before swine (Ne zna svinja šta je dinja), the documentary film Reality in the wheel- and the second as A Pompous Copy Cat chair, and she has also published three (Pokondirena tikva). They were created by comic books. We have also talked about drawing my previously made videos on her last comic book which she promoted paper. This is my first comic book (and on Belgrade Book Fair, the Feminism for third in a row) which was written first, and beginners. not drawn based on the videos. All three Sandra, what was the motive for the Femi- comic books were illustrated by Dušan nism for beginners, and which topics are Stokić who approached to everything in covered in this comic book? accordance with his perception of the content. All three comic books are about I’ve tried to explain that feminism is not social topics and mentality, and the hate against men; it is not the need of women rights are highlighted in the third women to rule over men and those women comic book. don’t want to be men. Instead, it is the You have written once that the patriarchy need to fight for your salary, job and is the bell jar of Sylivia Plath in which position in the society, and that nobody social norms are imposed to women. You stops you just because you have a certain have the right to remove the jar. Are women sex organ. No one shouldn’t be allowed to in our region aware of this jar and in which say to someone else: You must, or you whey they could remove it? must not just because you have certain colour of skin, nationality, sexuality, health By fighting for themselves. By not being issue or sex organ. In some countries quiet. Since the beginning of this year, 26 women are arrested just because they like women have been killed in Serbia, and 20 dance, many minor girls are forced to of them were living in small town or villag- marriage, clitoris of little girls is burned, es. They didn’t report the violence because women get fired if they get pregnant, they in small communities women are afraid of

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social judgement. This country needs to What are the feedbacks to your work, what change and protect the weak. Women are the reactions of the audience, and are should run away from positions of slaves you satisfied with the way how people and dogs, because that’s not who they are. understand you? What is your aim, except to make whole region laugh? You don’t have to be cheerful, warm, kind, smiled, wonderful. You have the right to be The feedback was quite big. Boris Trivan someone who disagrees with other made me famous because he shared my people’s attitudes or someone who is not videos on social networks, and then I supposed to make comfortable atmo- started to receive different calls for inter- sphere. You are not crazy if something is views or jobs. After I published my docu- hard for you and if you say it. You are not mentary The reality in the wheelchair, drama queen, complicated, hard, repul- which can be seen on my Youtube chan- sive, rude, arrogant or dysfunctional just nel, I was also invited to activate myself in because you don’t want to be kind or the politics but I refused it because I don’t coquettish. These are your words also. Is see myself in politics. The politics divides this the reason why you make the videos in people, and art connects them. What is my which you use humour to give advices to goal? It’s the same as in my work in acting women on how to “attract” and “keep” the or as an stand-up comedian. While I was man, as well as how to laugh and behave in making my public break through I had the society? And is it the same reason why been volunteering with children with Coll-tourColl-tourin videos we can hear many uncensored autism and with development dysfunc- words, which according to this imposed tions, as well as with people who have norms, are not lady like? some disabilities. I used my popularity to talk more about their problems. To talk There are different reasons. I don’t make about them was just something that it was videos only about feminism. I make videos so normal to do. about different things and phenomena which surround us. However, the fact is I am also interested in your attitude about that being an actress and female stand-up comedian also brings different prejudices and imposed norms, and one of them is how an actress should talk and look like. Since I like to make my money and do my job with all my being, and not only with boobs and lip-stick, then I also choose not to do make up or dress up. And I also like to use non-academic words, because one lady is not determined by the speech, and not everyone define lady in the same way nor everyone wants to be just a lady. Maybe I am a lady and I hide it? Why should everyone know that I am a lady? First, I am a person, an artist, and an actress. How did you start with making videos and what inspires you? The sources of ideas are all around us. Starting from entrance in the public trans- portation, waiting in lines at the post office or at doctor’s, to interpersonal relations at work. That’s how I started to make videos. I find parody in everything around us. Sandra Silađev

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social media networks because in many of strictly due to content which is not appro- your videos you sarcastically tackle the priate for children. And adults are respon- addictions of likes, fake happiness, selfies, sible for what they’re watching and doing. influencers, lack of intimacy, not even You talk a lot about happiness, the superfi- when it comes to spirituality or religiosity. cial one, about motivational speeches and How social media networks influence life coaches, as well as about all that is young people today, and is it even possible being served to us without giving us the to be authentic and to resist to it? opportunity to live our sadness and to If you have big number of followers, and experience our own being. Sandra, what is some politicians or journalists among true happiness for you? them, you have the power to push certain There is no such thing as happiness. There topic in the media but not to change the are only moments of happiness which are system. If you are not followed by politi- really short term. For example, when you cians or journalists, but by general public, get the child, pass the exam or go out with the biggest power you have is to sell some your crush. That is the moment. The nice T-shirts and to earn some money. happiness as an eternal state exists only Is virtual space the space of freedom or the with narcotics. There is a Maslow’s hierar- brain washing machine? chy of needs which indicates that men have certain needs and he aspires to their It can be both, depending on what kind of achievement. When he achieves his Coll-touruser you are. You are responsible for what needs, he is self-actualized. And that’s it. you are choosing to watch. Children People aspire to achieving their desires access to online space should be and peace. The peace is the essence of controlled because it’s full of different everything. Not happiness. maniacs. Also, their access to social media networks should also be controlled more Sandra Silađev on the performance

30 PREVENTEEN 47 DECEMBER 2019 Cool-tour From Mayakovsky

In July of 1915, at dinner in Moscow he met one marriage couple, Osip and Lilya Briks, Jasmina Ejubović, and he cited them his unpublished songs Lukavac, student (which later became one of the most popu- of International lar ones) A Cloud in Trousers. Lilya was Relations at the delighted by this song and thus first sparkles International of sympathy between her and Mayakovsy University of started. Sarajevo And so, huge I hunched by the window, In this article I will take from the casket of my forehead melting the glass. the Russian literature one of its biggest Love, no or yes? Coll-tourtreasures, the diamond buried inside and And what kind, covered by dust, and whose value even then big or teeny? does not fades away in the eye of the true From my body how could it be big? gold expert. So, dear readers if you are not It would have to be a quiet little lovelet the fans of the unique Vladimir Mayakovsky, that’s shy of noisy traffic, please skip this text and read another that loves horse-tram bells. article. The passionate love leads to new songs He was born in Baghdati, in July of 1893, and which Vladimir dedicated to his Lilya. In 1923, while in his cradle, he probably didn’t Lilya fell in love in another man, and she foresee that his 36 years of life would be leaves Mayakovsky, which he marked with more interesting than someone’s 63 years of the verse in his new song: life. He started to write his first poetry in the Now I’m free from deceptions and love. period of the first October revolution, and he quit on using the literature norms of that However, in 1925, in New York, Elli Jones time. Instead, he started to include anti-aes- gave birth to their daughter Patricia Maya- thetic movement, rude words and slangs kovsky. Later, when she grew up she took which he used to express beauty and love her father’s last name and wrote a book through paradox and contradiction. Togeth- Mayakovksy in Manhattan where she er with other writers of that time he partici- described the love affair of her parents. This pates in the creation of the Futurist move- relationship ended very fast but in Paris in ment and signs A Slap in the Face of Public 1928, Mayakovsky fell again in love, this time Taste through which they tried to resist to with Russian emigrant, Tatyana Yakovleva. norms imposed by society. He didn’t use Mayakovsky tried to convince her to go with traditional form of verses and songs. him back in Russia but she refused, and that Instead, he introduces stepped verse which event was his inspiration for two new songs fitted to his attitude of rhetorical poet who which were dedicated to her. He stays in talks to bigger audience. One of the most Paris and tries to win her back, but she interesting things about his life and his didn’t understand his “ice breaking” poetry, songs (even though his song might as well so he returned to Moscow, very sad and be his life presented onto the paper) are his expressing his love with the following verses: big love stories and the mystery of his never Despite everything, I will take you one day – solved suicide or murder. alone or with Paris.

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 31 Cool-tour

Still, one of the beautiful details of this story is that Mayakovsky left all of his earnings from shows in Paris to one flower shop with the request to send flowers to Tatyana every week, until all money is spent. Since then, Tatyana was finding flowers on her door step every week, with a note From Maya- kovsky. A year after that, she invited him to her wedding. He was planning to go to stop her and to ask her to marry him instead. However, his visa was rejected for the first time, and some say that Lilya Briks was responsible for that since she had good connections in the government. Still, even after the death of a great poet, Tatyana continued to receive flowers with a note From Mayakovsky, until the end of World War II. It is a very beautiful fact that this hopeless love saved her life. Later, during German occupation of Paris, Tatyana sold

Coll-tourthese flowers on the square and in that way Татьянa Яковлевa (Tatyana Yakovleva) she was able to make ends meet. His love saved her and lasted even after his death. written two days before his death, and there were some mismatch in the handwriting. Mayakovsky ended his life in 1930 when he Also, his neighbours were later reported to was 36, after the fight with his current say they'd heard two shots. In addition it mistress Polonskaya. However, circum- wasn’t likely that Mayakovsky would kill stances around his suicide are very suspi- himself because of Polonskaya with whom cious. The bullet removed from his body he had short affair, so the police started to didn't match the model of his pistol, it investigate the case again. The police officer appeared that the suicide note had been who managed to find evidence that Maya- kovsy was murdered by the state of Soviet Union because he opposed to them as a writer, was later found hanging in his apart- ment, and that is when all the investigation stopped. Mayakovsky's funeral was attended by around 150,000, the third largest event of public mourning in Soviet history. Still, the following day after the funeral, somewhere in Paris, Tatyana received the flowers with a note From Mayakovsky.

Anti-aesthetic movement – the movement in which aesthetic rules are not valid; beauty and love are expressed through paradoxes, which is prominent in modernism and avant-garde. The futuristic movement – a cultural direction which neglects traditional norms of art and glorifies love towards revolution, technology and progress; it was especially prominent in Italy and Russia in the beginning of the 20th century. Владимир Маяковский (Vladimir Mayakovsky)

32 PREVENTEEN 47 DECEMBER 2019 Creative heart You are the father in front of the shop-window shaking eyes, then with almost defeated tone said: I can't go inside in this store looking like this. Her insensitive response killed him: Alright, you stay here; I'll go to try the dress Amina Mašić, on. You'll see me through the window! MA in I just couldn't leave that man alone there. I Communicology, wanted to take his hand and say: Don't worry Sarajevo it's just a short phase. I did not do that, and I wasn't sure if it was temporary and will it pass. Because I know a lot of people that are living trapped in what was imposed on them, but leaving the treasure waiting in front of CreativeDad, this is a dress I told you about – they window where superficiality is being sold. I Coll-tourwere standing in front of a shop-window, like got close to him. We were standing right next they were watching an aquarium with rare to each other. Shoulder to shoulder. We kinds of fish, girl was telling her father, show- looked like we were waiting for a bad ing him rarest fish in aquarium. It is beauti- premiere of a terrible movie to end, and we ful. How much is it? - swallowing hard, father were there because of actress that he loves asked. and wants her autograph. Even though we didn't say a word to each other, I felt that he heartI mechanically looked at the displayed price. knew I was standing there because of him. It was a lot for a father that stands in front of When the girl came out looking like a doll, he a store in his work uniform. He probably just pulled his hands out of the pockets and finished his shift on some construction site. I covered his mouth to stop a cry of delight. I didn't hear her reply, I didn't need to barely swallowed a sigh when I saw his because I saw the price, as well as her hands. Hands dry as a desert. Hands covered father’s troubled face. He looked at the floor with blisters that are screaming pain. Hand with his hands in his pockets like when a full of bloody wounds like they were made cherry tree bends under the weight of its with dull razor. Hands that will for sure work fruit. extra shift so that they could afford that There is still time until your graduation – he dress. Dress that celebrities wear, so that she commented with a lump in his throat. May is is not different from Nina and other friends. coming, in a blink of an eye! Nina already Girl, look at your father’s hands! Every blister made an appointment for makeup, hair and on his hand is a wish fulfilled for you. Every photographer, she replied like she was wound on his hands is one popular trend of saying lines from a song that didn't have a your generation. Look at your father’s face! refrain. And then she added a refrain: I don't You will see sleepless nights of thinking how have to have a photographer! can he earn enough so you could have a Look around, maybe you'll like another dress phone worthy of selfie to post on social more - said father trying to cover up his networks, your clothes and shoes that are inconclusiveness. I really like this one; it's popular and everything else that someone very popular right now. Celebrities are else dictates. You will see the worry whether wearing clothes like this. I saw it on the net. you will be able to get into the college that And even Nina said that this dress is made you want or will he have to work another job for me. What do you think, shall I try it? - said if you decide to be a part-time student. the girl really fast and sealed it with a ques- Everything and anything he will do just so tion. Father started to look around with you can be “someone“, so that you don't

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 33 Creative heart

have hands full of blisters and wounds and so that you don't feel cruelty of life. Pay attention where your father watches while you are presenting the prices of your dreams. You will see that his eyes are nailed to the floor because of shame, because shamelessness rules. Listen to the way your father breathes while you are telling him about your desires! You will hear fear of not fulfilling your expecta- tions. Look at your father’s shoes. You will see the distance he walked to see your smile. Ask yourself when was the last time he bought something for himself? It's been years, right? Father will buy you that dress. Be sure about that. While he was standing in front of shop-window like a left puppy, he was calcu-

lating how much he already had and how Source: Pinterest much he still needs to earn. And when he Creativesaw you inCreative that dress he probably decided to authorised! You are your own favourite song skip his breakfast at work, just so he colud on a graduation night and that is what makes have more money. your legs shake from the dance. You are a Girl, you are not a makeup and professional relief when you take off your high heels, photograph that will have the most likes. You dress and heavy makeup when you get home are not clothes that celebrities wear – from graduation night. You are that kind of neither are they. They are paid to wear that, stripped person. You are not that what you while you are expecting him to pay for it with see in the shop-window. Instead, you are all his hard earned money. You are not a dress those things you leave in front of the that your friend Nina approved like the clerk shop-window. in a city administration authorizes a docu- Girl, sometimes when you look at the clouds ment. Remember, only copies must be hearthearttoo much you get surprised by the thunder. And thunder can kill. That's why you shouldn’t leave your father outside, in front of shop-window. Protect him and bring him inside. Your empty insides can't bare that loss. Don't allow that your life becomes “almost“ and “I could“. Take your father’s hands and kiss them. Kiss every wound and blister and say: Thank you!. Be a gentle shoulder for his tired soul. Be the love, understanding and goodness. That's always popular. And, what do you think? – she asked excited- ly while she closed the door of the shop. You are so beautiful. Can Nina's photographer take one picture of you? I'll pay him – he said while putting his hands in pockets like he is a terrorist, and not the best father in the world. Walking away, he nodded to me as a goodbye.

Source: Pinterest It suddenly got cold.

34 PREVENTEEN 47 DECEMBER 2019 Creative heart

Look at him, A no-good a colouring drug addict, book! for sure Emina Sarajlić, BA in English language and literature, Vareš

Hava Puškar, Cazin, student Thank Goodness you’re of Gymnasium CreativeCreativehome, we’re out of in Cazin brandy!

Happiness I feel something inside me heartheart completely new that suddenly appeared. I would describe that phenomena as a piece of happiness, Doctor! A patient a piece – because it consists of pieces just came in! and yet it is so lovely and heart warming because that is happiness after all. I think it was about time to get at least a piece (which is more than enough for my existence). I was afraid that chains of sadness put another layer around the heart, more heavy. Still, this piece unlocked all chains of unbearable sadness.

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 35 Creative heart Tornado Every time completely knowingly Just like how you assemble the puzzles I step into tornado You also assemble the memories. I step in But you don’t leave out those which you completely aware of consequences don’t want to remember Aware that it will crash me because then you will miss little wholeness to the last atom. which simply makes you feel uncompleted. And when this unfortunate event finish You know, tornado is And silent breeze is steady matter of circumstances, situations I collect sadness in the late Sunday evening and I assemble tornado is a death of a loved person atom by atom tornado is the life itself. piece by piece And you learn how to put your pieces I line up, together CreativeSometimesCreative I make mistake after each new tornado heartheart

Author of illustration: Azra Imamović, first-year student of Medical High School in Živinice, 16 year-old

36 PREVENTEEN 47 DECEMBER 2019 Creative heart

Jasmina Ejubović, Lukavac, student of International Relations at the International University of Sarajevo Shoes for Tatjana My window makes crackling It is the same But I could die sound No matter how much you Grass and iron fields, kneel It is hurt by rain clean Be silent, don’t lie I know that it hurts It will never be clean No better woman will come Everything behind your When you walk down the Maybe I should scalp backs street My skin Calm yourself Everything is huskily And colour it There is no other option It makes your heels rough In some of yours colours What kind of thunders The heart is muddy To make shoes The sky prepares for us You could run For your feet Die but keep silent But never fast To stamp my flesh CreativeCreativeLoudly shut your voice Whenever you go While they take steps Those are the rules You will come in time Maybe it would be only way Give up on your soul Do you love someone For me to kiss your feet Curse if you want I honestly don’t care The world would stop No one can hear The grapes were left Fragile and small If you toss your scream In the autumn Like the wings of a fairy It is that loud What does it mean to me Still, you were They plot something Your new feather So strong back then I don’t know what they On my paper It took many want You are dead Nerves and muscles Which Satan Why, dear Tatjana To crash my heart heartheart Set you up the fruits You didn’t love me Due to new findings Die all alone Have I felt too much sorry I cried The company is evil For wine and women You cried You can’t be with love It’s not my fault Lies don’t work The floor of black ground It’s only my fault You have nothing to hide You may love The star is not shining My shoulders hurt But the curse is clear The star is shining My ears hurt The one who can touch The fake happiness The existence alone your hair Suffocates my lungs In late blooming Is very happy Tell Tatjana Die and run From unfortunate Moscow That I’ve died here Because life is a shit To Algeria From small love Everything that is wonder- Flowers die The light is dark ful Tulips die The sky is blue Awakens dreaming To her nose But I cannot see The veins are hot You haven’t given your The rope is high Yet the hearts are cold scent The poet does not The bed is warm Hands die breathe… Yet the vanity is hungry Because you lose a lot Kill or pray I haven’t met death

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 37 Author of photography: Tarik Hadžalić, student of Technical high school of graphic technologies, design and multimedia, Ilidža Author of photography: Teodora Mandić My name is Teodora Mandić. I'm 26. Spending time in nature makes me so happy that I want to fly. Zelengora, 27. 10. 2019.

Author of photography: Sanela Tufekčić, fourth-year student at the Džemal Bijedić University in Mostar, Faculty of Humanities, Communicology department Beet, yoga and push ups To Mothers, Sisters and to All Other Women

expect at gynaecologist examination, what's the purpose of examination, Barbara Kustura, clinical tests, ultrasound examination of Zenica, student of genitals and breasts. Sexual intercourse the School of the carries a possibility of pregnancy from Economics and one side, transfer of sexually transmitted Business in Zenica diseases from the other, which make consultation about conception, pregnan- Beet,cy, possibilities of pregnancy and its later guidance, protection of unwanted pregnancy, and importance of PAPA test, I can't make it tomorrow; I have an HPV test and Chlamydia test which is appointment at gynaecologist… very important component of examina- What comes to your mind first when you tion. Of course, self breast check up hear this sentence? Pregnancy, sexually technique should be explained which transmitted disease, or something else? will stay with a woman all her life. You probably didn't think about regular Gynaecologist can make an earlier exam- check up, at least in the first few ination in paediatric age on little girls moments. Why does talk about female health represents taboo and how yogadangerous is it to be uninformed about & the most intimate and relevant topic for every woman? I talked with respectable doctor Mirza Mehić, specialist of gynae- cology and obstetrics, and member in the team of Institute of gynaecology, perinatology and infertility Mehmed- bašić. When is the best time to visit gynaecolo- gist (for check up like breast ultrasound pushor breast self check-up)? Does it depend ups on first sexual intercourse? First gynaecologist check up is linked to physical and emotional maturity of a woman, or adulthood. First check up is usually linked to first sexual intercourse, when it is really important to have a conversation with gynaecologist, or consultation about what a girl should dr Mirza Mehić 40 PREVENTEEN 47 DECEMBER 2019 Beet, yoga and push ups

when there is a health need and such more often (what are types of risk examination is done with presence of a behaviour or symptoms that we need to guardian, one or both parents, usually pay attention to)? mother. Various conditions and diseases can How often is recommended to have a cause the need to have more of gynae- regular control/check up (this is for both cologist examinations, treatment and gynaecologists and breast ultrasound control. In short, we could say that symp- examination)? toms like lower back pain/stomach and Once a year is enough to review and hips, with absence of menstruation, evaluate genital health, to discover menstrual cycle disorder, appearance of potential gynaecologist problems or larger vaginal secret or larger vaginal conditions that should be monitored bleeding, or suspicious findings during more often. Ultrasound breast examina- self check up of breasts, appearance of tion needs to be done when there is breast secret, problems with urination suspicious palpitation result, also once a and constipation are all signals that you Beet, year for individuals that have genetic need a examination and consultation risk of breast cancer. That risk is mostly with your gynaecologist more often. from mother’s side of family. After giving Pain can be symptom of inflammation, birth, routine US check up are recom- benign or malignant diseases, so exam- mended in next 1 – 2 years, while RTG ination is very important to discover the mammography is recommended after real cause of pain and to cure it in the reaching 40 years of age. After those right way. Menstrual cycle disorders are examinations we will decide about often linked to hormonal disorders that further routine strategy of RTG examina- have to be treated. Larger vaginal secret tions and US breast control. is often linked to inflammations of Why should we visit gynaecologist office uterus but it can be a symptom of some- yoga & thing more serious (cancer diseases), which requires urgent diagnostic and HPV (human papilloma virus) – genital adequate treatment. Risky behaviour is HPV infection is sexually transmitted linked to promiscuity people and STD, disease caused by human papilloma appearance of sexual warts, and even virus. In worst case scenario it can lead malignant diseases. to uterine cervix cancer, anal cancer or Do you think that visit to gynaecologist is penis cancer. a taboo in our region? PAPA test – doing PAPA test contrib- Even though we live in an age of Internet utes to reducing risk of dying from where the information flow is huge and uterine cervix cancer by 90%. Test is availability of information is very easy, push upsbest done between 10th and 20th day we have to say that seeing a gynaecolo- since the first day of the last menstrua- gist is still a discomfort. Of course we tion. need to take into an account that gynae- MAMOGRAPHY – is an x – ray method of cologist examination means examina- breast examination. It is considered tion of private zones of the body, so it is golden rule for discovering breast expected from gynaecologist to adapt cancer in its early stages. according to his/her patient’s mental

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age, which is especially important with Early discovery of disease is the key in younger patients or those that are doing treatment and one of basic conditions of their first examination. full recovery. During your work do you more often What's the probability of successful encounter women that are regularly treatment of malignant diseases if they doing checkups or most of them come are discovered early and what kind of only when there is a health problem? probability is there when they are discov- ered late? In practical daily work most of our patients come because of some gynae- Malignant diseases don't form from the cologist symptoms. Regular examina- start but from their early stages that we tions are mostly linked with compulsory generally call premalignant disease. If physical exam. In our surroundings the we discover premalignant disease prac- need and importance of regular exam- tically it is possible to cure it 100%. inations for prevention is not very devel- For now in gynaecology we have a devel- oped, while in developed societies oped system premalignant control of Beet,preventive examinationsBeet, are sponsored uterus cervix and endometrium (cells by the state and make the core of their lining uterus wall), but even though they work and control of population in the exist, we still didn't develop safe and health system. Developed countries precise diagnostic tools for early preven- around the world invest in so called tion, discovery and control of ovary and prevention programs because it was breast cancer. That is one of priorities for proven that it is the most cost effective next generations. yogaway in health yogapromotion of population. & &

Feel your right Feel your left Visualy check armpit armpit the surface of pushpushyour breasts ups ups

Feel the area of your Lie down and feel your Make circle examination of breast above the nipple breasts from both sides the area around the nipple Breast self-examination

42 PREVENTEEN 47 DECEMBER 2019 Beet, yoga and push ups

Do you think it's necessary to spread way, all important things they should awareness amongst women about impor- know regarding the cause of cervix tance of health care? cancer, as well as about possibilities and importance of early discovery and treat- It's very necessary, especially about ment. preventive examinations. There is estab- lished opinion that going to doctor What are worst health delusions that means health problem, meaning if there women/girls believe? is no problem there is no need to go to It seems there are few delusions that doctor. Sadly, the significance of preven- patients have about gynaecologist check tive programs is not promoted enough, up. It's important to demystify use of neither are the benefits that those vaginal probe in early pregnancy where examinations bring. pregnant women think that their baby We made great progress in prevention of will be hurt, that there will be bleeding if uterus cervix cancer. New discoveries they get examined with vaginal probe, about behaviour and diagnosing HPV which is completely wrong and retro- Beet,Beet, infections brought us to the point where grade attitude. Actually, with transvagi- we can with colposcopy examination nal ultrasound approach we get more indentify early changes leading to detailed photos, based on which gynae- cancer, and by giving treatment (opera- cologist can treat a certain condition tion) we actually cure cervix cancer. during pregnancy more effectively. There is same delusion about PAPA swab A lot of attention had been given by the during early pregnancy. It's important to world in raising awareness about that say that information evolution is growing disease, possibilities of diagnose and faster than biological one, and so the therapy, as well as about HPV vaccina- use of “Dr. Google“ brought more fear tion. and delusions than more objective help. Today there is organised vaccination for Also, there are a lot of delusions on yogayoga & &HPV infection in adolescents, which online forums, especially about means that by using practical and hormones and hormonal therapy, ques- preventive clinical, and pre clinical tions about vaccination and effects of methods, cervix cancer can be prevent- anti-vaccination groups, which is far ed. from medical truth and what our occu- If you think health awareness is low, pation promotes and what recent what do you think is the “main cause“of researches has shown. that? It's important to note that many articles Education is the key element for amount they read online are not fact checked, so of attention which society pays to health they have their weaknesses. I also have of the population. Education can be to say that absence of pain does not pushpush ups upsmean absence of disease. So don't wait implemented through formal approach; schools and non-formal, radio TV, print for pain, act preventive – come and do a media, health debates, billboards etc. In check up. accordance with that, our Institute will also work on the promotion activities. We plan to organize an educational gathering for young people, during which Breast self-examination video they will be explained, in a youth friendly 2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 43 Beet, yoga and push ups

Everything is fine with you, even though everything feels more intensive to you Jasmila Talić-Kujundžić, until I turned 30 years old; I lived in MA in Psychology, Sarajevo eternal discrepancy between what I want and what I can, and constant feeling of Everything is fine with me. Even though I falling behind other people. To be clear, feel it more intense is one of the main external factors, choices and life guides of those that discover they are segments did not show that. From the Beet,actually highlyBeet, sensitive personalities? outside everything seemed “as it should What does it mean to be highly sensitive be“. Internal feeling of something not person? One insight in that topic you will quite right was growing; paradox was that get through our conversation with Vesna I was promoted at work. I heard it, but I Mirilo. She is a woman that took a hard didn't listen until my smart body path toward awareness of herself and collapsed. Then I knew it was enough. others, who are they and why do they feel Done with everything. Enough of that kind in that way and that there is nothing of life. I started searching for an answer “wrong“ with them, it's just they have “what's wrong with me“and why do people different nervous system and they are – say that “I'm strong but gentle“. Where is highly sensitive personas. For that reason, that strength now? I knocked on countless yogaVesna started yogaa blog and Facebook page doors and got some kind of diagnosis, & & Visoko senzitivne osobe (Higly sensitive time passed, nothing was clear, I never felt people). All about what it means to be more powerless in my life. Without any highly sensitive, what kind of path she reason. Different experts put labels on took to reach that discovery, about me, told me general things, and gave me psychology doctor and researcher of this advice with pale gazes. They didn't under- area, Elaine Aron, as well as about advan- stand me. And suddenly, after everything, tages and strengths of this personality suddenly there it was official site of Elaine trait, we discussed in this interview. Aron, world expert in highly sensitive nervous system. And everything just Dear Vesna, searching for more informa- clicked. I started to piece myself together. tion about highly sensitive personalities, Considering that in our region there is pushbecause I am push one as well, I found your ups ups little knowledge about hypersensitivity, I Facebook page and blog Visoko senzitivne thought it's my human and professional osobe which were my great discovery. How duty to write and talk about it. How will did you get an idea to start this blog and people find out otherwise? So I unobtru- what was your primary goal? sively but clearly created Facebook page I always knew I was different. I feel every- Visoko senzitivne osobe and blog with the thing more intense and I notice things same name.. In that moment of maturity it others don’t. I lived just like other people wasn't important anymore what will those

44 PREVENTEEN 47 DECEMBER 2019 Beet, yoga and push ups Beet,Beet, yogayoga & & pushpush ups ups Vesna Mirilo

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 45 Beet, yoga and push ups

that don't understand say but how much true. I will be happy to come to Sarajevo relief will those that need it feel. Page when I have the chance. Thank you for currently has over 6000 followers. It invitation. speaks for its self. My events are also quite visited. People Your profession is culture manager, and that should come, they come; that is the you are working as a journalist, but you way I see it. They always get checked chose this topic. Why? And just how much information, science facts, encourage- actually do mental health experts know ment, understanding and a topic to think about this terminology in our region and about. You can see it on their tears and how much do they work to spread aware- smiles. They leave touched; but with new ness about it? hope. When I realised that western world Besides book by psychology doctor and seriously and scientifically is working on Professor Elaine Aron Vulnerability: how hypersensitivity since early 90's of the last to overcome emotional sensitivity is there century, and that in Serbia there is no other literature source about this topic, Beet,university of psychologyBeet, or medicine that which is translated in our language? Is this has in its program at least a page about book your main source of information, this characteristic, simply, I had to use my along with your personal experiences? journalist knowledge and skills to spread Elaine Aron is a scientist that proved awareness about this topic. The same existence of hyper sensitive nervous topic which I live daily. That was four years system, as well as to explain great differ- ago. ence in brain function of highly sensitive Nowadays in Serbia there are few experts persons and the ones who are not. Her (psychologists, therapists and doctors) book The Highly Sensitive Person is like a that are now treating hypersensitivity Bible for highly sensitive persons and seriously and are working with those everyone who is interested in this topic. In yogapeople. yogaour language it was translated as Vulnera- & & You organize classes and support groups, bility, not really the best title, but what's mostly in Novi Sad. Do people attend important is that we have translation of those events and what are the feedbacks? that book. Besides that book there is Is there any possibility for you to come in another one about highly sensitive Bosnia and Herzegovina? children. Of course Elaine Aron’s work is my main source, but there is a lot of avail- As people realised thanks to my writing able material online, also in printed that they are highly sensitive persons, versions (abroad, of course). there was a need for personal contact How did you realise that you are highly also. That's why I organise informative sensitive person? pushclasses, as wellpush workshops (usually on ups ups topic that is important to highly sensitive Completely by chance. Even though I was persons), but in that case there is always always told that I take everything too a therapist with me, because it reaches close to heart, whatever that means. The deeper topics that are not my expertise. collapse that happened to me, because I The support groups, also with therapist, didn't take care of myself in the right way are meetings where they can meet those and made choices that were against my similar to themselves, because most of sensitive nature, made me to look for them feel they are alone, which is not psychological testing. In my description

46 PREVENTEEN 47 DECEMBER 2019 Beet, yoga and push ups

rang one formulation by psychologist about shortfalls and weight of this charac- „very sensitive to what her close ones teristic? think of her“. More detailed explanation Yes, dark part of highly sensitivity is for that I did not get. But, my intuition mostly mentioned. But, if we nurture wasn't wrong – I started to dig around and ourselves in the right way and work on our finally discovered site of Elaine Aron. And “gifts“, dark side logically becomes everything changed. weaker, and our lives easier. Highly sensi- Can you share with our readers what does tive persons are marked with defined it mean to be highly sensitive person and sense for others, loyalty, imagination, what makes them different in comparison creativity, focus on spiritual, peacefulness, with other people? justice, sense for subtle changes in atmo- The science confirmed that about 20% of sphere or surroundings, love for nature total world’s population, same ratio of and art, love for life. boys and girls, is born with highly sensi- How much do people know about this tive nervous system. That characteristic is term and how often do they confuse it with Beet,Beet, named highly sensitivity (of nervous “introversion, anxiety“? Does it necessari- system) or sensitivity of sensor process- ly one leads to other or is it possible that ing. Brain of highly sensitive persons highly sensitive persons don't have these “works” in a different way, sensitivity is characteristics? primarily related with five senses, as well Sadly, people on Balkans are still not as with stronger emotional reactions. In familiar with existence of high sensitivity. literature there is one simple explanation But, I have to say we are going forward. and I use it often. Every brain has certain Slowly. Yes, high sensitivity is mistaken for number of filters through which it shyness, anxiety, and even neuroticism. processes stimulus. Brain of highly sensi- All that because of lack of knowledge. tive people has much bigger number of Some even confuse it with autism, being those filters. That means that they get and yogayoga & & spoiled, evasive behaviours of “over emo- process a lot more information, have tional“ people. Highly sensitive persons complex images, deeper insights, richer can cope with everything mentioned life, but they get tired a lot faster, they feel above, but they don't have to. That's not a overwhelmed and without energy. That’s rule. Also, it's interesting that 70% of why it's important to recognise and accept highly sensitive persons are introverts high sensitivity. The faster the better. If we and the rest 30% are extroverts. I am one weren’t thought as children to take care of of them. ourselves, because we do need a little different treatment, we are responsible to We live in consumerist society in which do that as adults. strength is prioritised in every possible way and where high sensitivity is treated It is important to highlight that high sensi- pushpush ups upsas something to cure. Never, but never tivity is not illness, neither disorder. But, if forget that highly sensitive people are just not treated in the right way, in some more different in their way of processing subtle sensitive periods it can be a foundation stimulus, you wrote once. for development of more serious condi- tions. Is it possible to stay true and accept yourself in society which supports being What are advantages of being highly sensi- predator, aggressive, intrusive? What are tive person, because most discussions are your experiences?

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 47 Beet, yoga and push ups

To stay true to yourself and accept your- sleep normally. Then they need to be self as different from the rest is main and aware of importance of isolation to charge most difficult thing for highly sensitive their batteries and rest, recreation to stay persons. You need awareness, courage in shape, as well as relaxation (whatever and maturity. We have to completely relaxes us). This is a foundation from rearrange our life to feel better. And that which our new strength comes from for all requires a lot of discipline and time. Help- that awaits us, for all other decisions and ers (doctors, therapists, practitioners of steps. alternative approaches) and methods of In the end, thank you. Once you’ve “healing“ are very important in that mentioned a saying by Bob Marley You process and we should choose those that don't know strong you are until being are familiar with topic of high sensitivity. strong is your only choice, which means In what way can highly sensitive personas that we as highly sensitive persons actually take care of themselves and listen to their have a flame inside that can spread to inner voice? Are there any practical advic- other souls. Do you agree? es? Beet,Beet,I completely agree. Thank you for amazing Of course there are. The key is that they questions and trust. yogadon't skip meals,yoga drink enough water and & & pushpush ups ups

48 PREVENTEEN 47 DECEMBER 2019 Beet, yoga and push ups

Conversation with doctor Semra Okanović Two Fears Tarik Kovač, MA in construction engineering, Vareš Battle of modern medical workers with people that don’t want to vaccinate their children. First they refuse when it’s free, and later they gladly pay 500 Euros.

In 20th and 21st century men used science checks. Bosnia and Herzegovina does not to confront nature, crossing thresholds, produce vaccines, it imports them. Origin both technological and medical. Medicine and composition of every vaccine is Beet,Beet, has prolonged a man’s life, stopped death known. And when Bosnia and Herzegovina of children, and eliminated certain imports vaccines, there are control labo- illnesses like polio, all with the help of ratories in which we check quality of vaccination. And then “natural selection” vaccines. Only then they are transported finds its way in people that start to spread from Federal institution to canton and disinformation by social media, in people lower levels. that “cure” everything with baking soda Regarding side effects, there are local and and fruit juice. general ones. On entry point there can be People are scared of autism, and when mild redness, swelling, pain and tempera- they realise that they could die from ture. That means our immune system is measles, they come “running” to get vacci- fighting and developing. It’s not a reason nation for their children and they gladly to reject vaccination of a child. Those side yogayoga & &pay for it. About modern battle of medical effects are harmless considering what you workers with people that expose their prevent. children and the rest of the population to Why are there some links with autism in unneeded risk from almost extinct or children? controlled illnesses, I’ve talked with specialist of paediatrics Dr. Semra This whole situation started from MRP Okanović employee of Public Hospital in (vaccine for measles, rubella and mumps) Velika Kladuša. a vaccine that’s given to children when they turn one year old. Problem is that What are vaccines and what do they do? one magazine published some irrelevant Vaccine means prevention of some information and when it became huge illness. With vaccine we take dead or news, both that magazine and a doctor pushpush ups upsattenuated virus of certain illness in our faced consequences, because it was organism and in that way we build up our proven that it is not true. Vaccination immune system against those illnesses. cannot cause autism. Are there some real side effects of vaccina- That was completely denied. Lately it’s tion that people should worry about? noticeable that religious people don’t vaccinate children which we can’t explain When it comes to vaccine, every vaccine, why. in order to be available on the market of a country, it has to go through series of Did anyone ever say why they don’t vacci-

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 49 Beet, yoga and push ups Beet, yoga & push ups dr Semra Okanović

50 PREVENTEEN 47 DECEMBER 2019 Beet, yoga and push ups

nate children? Are they followers of Miroljub Petrović and Jelena Karleuša? I asked them that. But, no one said anything and no one said it has some- We professionals are fighting with that. In thing to do with religion, but we’ve noticed smaller communities it’s easier, but in that more religious people rarely vacci- bigger cities it’s harder. One child is not a nate children. They simply avoid it. problem for us, the collective immune system is the problem. Sadly, Bosnia and Herzegovina has no law to sanction parents who don’t vaccinate It’s proven for a long time that it’s good children. There is no restriction on kinder- and that we should include vaccination as gartens, schools etc. part of our health protection. For example one of my colleagues called reis (Muslim That is how our collective immune system religious authority), and asked him to talk decreases. If in one class you have five more about vaccinations during prayers. sick children out of 30, collective immune system is 0 and everyone will get sick. That She even tried that way. We try to educate percentage of vaccinated to have collec- people in parks, kindergartens etc. Some- tive immune system is still holding on in times people tell us “bring your own child Beet, small areas like ours, but the problem is to vaccination so we can see you do that in big cities like Tuzla or Sarajevo. to your own child”. Every day we hear some unusual ideas. Our nurses don’t just There was just one case of measles this work at Hospital, they go out to field and year here, but in Sarajevo there were basically “chase” people down and try to hundreds. When people saw that children talk them to vaccinate. We have classes are getting sick then everyone started and media promotion, we try everything “running” to vaccinate children. Another just to beat the anti-vaxxer movement. thing, in other countries children can’t be enrolled in schools or kindergartens if Is there by any chance some kind of initia- they did not get vaccinated. Now that we tive to regulate vaccination as an obliga- have this exodus and migrations of our tion in Bosnia and Herzegovina? population, countries ask from them list yoga & We don’t have that law in Bosnia and of all vaccinations and if a child was not Herzegovina and that’s slowing us down. vaccinated they have to pay 500 euros for We simply don’t have any means to make every vaccine. Now they come and beg for people respect the vaccination schedule. a vaccine. *** Is it possible to be vaccinated after the right age for that vaccination? Only with vaccine we continue to work on improvement of community health and Some yes, some no. I was born in 1989, protect ourselves and others from old and back then there was no vaccine for illnesses that were almost extinct due to hepatitis B. Now there is. And when I start- vaccination. From our conversation we ed working, I got vaccinated for hepatitis found out that missed vaccinations can’t B. Meaning, some can be given at a later be taken at later time just like that. push upstime but others no. Don’t let ignorant people to affect both It’s fault of media. There are Facebook you and your children in the future, and groups like Not vaccinated children are make you walk on the edge of life! About healthier than vaccinated etc. There you all health related issues which bother you, have promoters of anti-vaxxer movement, visit your doctor! Talk with your neigh- where the biggest problem is that there bours about gossip and politics, not about are also doctors who support them! It has vaccines and doctors. turned into the massive problem.

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 51 Something on my mind I Want to Stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina where they are no strangers, and where everyone looks on them with warm heart Anela Suljagić, and where they can get help. It is the coun- Zenica, student of try in which they were born, raised, and in the Economics which they should get old. I find hard to and Business High accept any kind of judgement and strong school in Zenica attitudes regarding lack of job opportunities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. That kind of opinion is mostly expressed by those Somethingpeople who had never tried to do anything. They don’t feel that it is fine if one starts from zero. They are used to using different Stay here! … The sun of strangers’ sky kinds of shortcuts. That’s why they fall. Won’t warm you like this one does; Young people should show initiative and Bitter are the bites of bread over there use all opportunities at the best possible Where there’s no one close and no brother. way, in accordance with their capacities. on myA big number of educations, seminars and These verses of our poet Aleksa Šantić speeches have been organized with the aim present an anthem to many generations of to help young people to find a job in our people who had left their homeland in the country. The motivation and a certain level pursuit for better life. As he says, they of encouraging perspective for a step searched for shelter under the sun of further (not step for moving out of Bosnia strangers’ sky. Dysfunctional system of this and Herzegovina) I see in my colleagues mindcountry creates functional people who who invest great amount of time in their search for better life conditions. It’s the education. They stand for more rational system which motivates your mind to go for approaches, and less emotional ones. That something different, and to abandon the kind of combination is optimal. The young system itself. Are we aware of it? Has brain people should realize that problem is not in drain become our reality and part of daily the country. Instead, it’s in the people. Find lifestyle? Why do we let it happen? Why do motivation in people around you, and start we keep choosing the same government working and learning harder, because no and repeat the reruns? We already know one will call you and ask you to work for what could be the outcome, and yet we them while you lie down and do nothing. keep on repeating same mistakes. Why Nothing falls from sky; everything must be don’t we let young people to prove them- created with hard work, positivity and good selves, instead of holding them back? will. Besides, society and parents have big Because of that young people stay without influence on young people. Young people hope, they wonder without any goal and usually enrol in schools and universities thinking that there are neither job opportu- which are socially desirable or because nities nor point of staying in this country. their parents make choices for them. They You don’t give them voice, you don’t give neglect their dreams and due to big them the opportunity to stand up for them- influence they follow other people’s advic- selves, and you don’t let them to be free. es. Of course, not everyone is supposed to Instead of holding them back, we should study business or medicine. open the opportunities for them and let Some people are born to be artists, and yet them to prove themselves in their country they let other people choose for themselves.

52 PREVENTEEN 47 DECEMBER 2019 From our neighbourhood

This is usually reflected negatively, because could make them true. They abandon their their dream is still to be artists who express dreams, and often abandon Bosnia and feelings in their work. Some people are Herzegovina also. Instead of making laugh good in taking photos, other express their of someone’s dreams, we are supposed to feelings through songs which are part of support them, because those dreams could themselves. Of course, that’s the moment be their motivation to stay in this country when they lose motivation and will, because and succeed in it. Of course, I will finish in they are constantly exposed to a criticism the same way I started this article, with the which entails depreciation of their work. So, verses by Aleksa Šantić: many people are not able to get over …Here everyone knows you and loves you arrogant malice. Unfortunately, they give up, And there, no one will know you, they burry their dreams deep inside with a Our own karsts are better even bare small glimpse of hope that one day they Then the flower fields where stranger walks.

                                     TheFrom BosnianFrom Who Came our our to Bosnia from Germany Emina Sarajlić, BA in English language ed to stay. I came here to visit my father’s and literature, Vareš family many times before, but my dad didn't insist on teaching the language to Hanka Tahirović is a German volunteer of me or my brother, Armin. I hope that I will the European Solidarity Corps program slowly get better at it here. I came to volun- neighbourhoodwho came to Bosnianeighbourhood to do her volunteering teer in summer, and I will stay until the 30th service in NARKO-NE for one year with the of August next year. I was searching online hopes of getting a new insight into the for volunteering options specifically in culture, gaining new experience and learn- Bosnia, when I came across NARKO-NE. The ing the language. You will notice that her field of work seemed unique and interest- name sounds local, so you may wonder – ing, especially regarding healthy lifestyle how come that she was born and raised in and prevention of addiction. I always Germany? Is she German or is she wanted to volunteer to help people, but I Bosnian? How come that she doesn't know also wanted to spend more time with my the language? What does she think of family, learn something new, and get better Bosnia? You will find the answers to these at speaking Bosnian, so I could combine all and many more questions in this inter- of these by volunteering in NARKO-NE. view... Are you also staying with your family? Have Could you, please, introduce yourself a you made yourself comfortable yet? Does little bit? Where are you from? When did ESC finance your stay completely? you arrive, and why did you choose NAR- KO-NE? And, what I'm most interested in No I’m not staying with them, because knowing - how come that you don't speak most of my family lives in Butmir or Ilidža, Bosnian very well? and that would be too inconvenient for me because it’s far away from the office. I live My name is Hanka Tahirović. I just turned with a roommate here on Marindvor. She’s 18 in April of this year. I was born and 36, but I’d say her spirit is in twenties. She’s raised in a small town in East Germany. I super nice, and we get along well. It’s a have family here in Bosnia, as my father is tough transition though - from a small city Bosnian. He came to Germany as the oldest to a Capital, from living with my family to son of his family during the war, and decid- living alone, taking care of all the house-

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 53 From our neighbourhood

work alone and always cooking for myself… other volunteers at the event for the 25th ESC finances my stay completely, from jubilee of Youth foundation Schüler Helfen travel expenses, to living expenses, and Leben. even insurance. Are there many Balkan people in Germany? Have you ever worked on prevention in Is it true that Bosnians stick to each other Germany before? Are there any organiza- when living abroad? tions that deal specifically with prevention Yes, but there are many more living in West of addiction that you know of? What are the Germany or Schwarzwald. My cousins also volunteering opportunities in general? live there. I know one Bosnian and one As I come from a small town with not many Croat living in my town. opportunities, I don't really have much Speaking from the experience of my dad, knowledge regarding the topic. I chose this he used to hang out with a lot of Germans organization partially because I also when he played football in his youth. Now wanted to venture out into more fields to that he’s older he spends a lot more time see what I wanted to study later in life. It with Balkan people speaking his mother was also a personal choice in the sense tongue, which I can understand, as you can that both of my parents were smokers, and easily connect to someone who shares FromFrom our ourI'm not fond of that. I wanted to know more your homeland. about how and why addiction happens. I have a lot of friends from different When it comes to volunteering in general, cultures; many of them have relatives in most organizations are centered in big Kazakhstan, Italy or Russia. cities, which are at least a 30-minute train ride away from me. It would be hard to Are “pure Germans” still the majority in combine school and travelling to volun- Germany, or are the people mixed now? teer, especially in my graduation year. More mixed, especially since the migra- neighbourhoodneighbourhoodHow do you like working with NARKO-NE? tions in 2015. The level of diversity depends What are your obligations? What do you do from region to region. The west region has in your free time? more people living in general, like e.g. Dortmund, and you can find just about any I’m obliged to work from nine to three, but culture living there. Many people moved to it’s not fixed. If I do weekend events, I get Germany with their whole families, and those hours free during the work days, and many started a family with people of if I stay working overtime one day, I go German heritage, so it’s hard to say how home earlier the next. I do a lot of different many people actually have a German-only tasks – proofreading and translating is one background anymore. When you say some- of them, and in the afternoon - I help in the one is German, it usually implies that they finance department. I also go and help out grew up there. in workshops in schools, such as in School “Hasan Kikić”. This gives me time to take a Do German families share same household, Bosnian Course in the late afternoon. like Bosnian families do, or…? As for my free time, I met many volunteers In urban areas, it’s not so common. It’s here with whom I’ve hung out and went to usually only on rural land where families see places such as Trebević, or eating have large houses. People tend to want to dinner somewhere, I went to a standup be more independent; most young people comedy act from Peđa Bajović last week, move out during university, or shortly after. and I’m supposed to go to a concert the You don’t wait for marriage to move out for next. There’s also four other German the first time, like the tradition has it here. volunteers I met here in Sarajevo. I met two To break a myth – are people moving there of them in The Archdiocesan Pastoral because of job opportunities? Is it true that Youth Centre John Paul II, where I go to you can get a job easily in your profession? play piano from time to time. I also met two

54 PREVENTEEN 47 DECEMBER 2019 From our neighbourhood

It, again, depends on the region. West has your obligatory classes. You can also study more opportunities than the East. This is through a so-called “dual program” in why many people move there. On the east, which you work alongside your studies, but you can easily find work regarding physical your work is relevant to your field. The labour, as it is not the type of work which schedule is usually tougher, but it’s a good people from around there necessarily want program, at least in my opinion; in exam- to do. As the saying goes Germans live to ple, if you’re studying pharmacy, you can work, and southerners work to live. The work parallel in places like the Drogerie main reason for the existence of this myth Markt. This makes up for your practice is that people who come to Germany have during studies, it helps pay off your univer- the priority of starting a life, which is theo- sity fees, and helps you get work after you retically possible - as there are always graduate. opportunities for at least some work. Considering that the educational system is People who already live here for a long not the same here, what is your level of time, on the other hand, have the priority education right now? Can you see yourself of getting more comfortable. Many people maybe continuing something with youth from Germany also like to leave Germany work, pedagogy? for some time to see what the cultural Fromstandards are in less developed countries, I went to four years of obligatoryour primary or to get more experience, but they school, and then eight years of Gymnasi- ultimately come back as the secure um. Theoretically, I’m ready for University lifestyle suits them. It’s very common to go now, but I don’t know what I want to be yet, on an exchange program in school. As for as my passions come from completely getting an advanced job easily, if you know different compartments. There are days a CEO in your field of work in Germany, or if where I do want to study something you have any bonds or valuable experi- regarding methodology, but then again – ence, then you will probably get a job youth work, in example, can be hard when neighbourhoodthere, as well. However, starting from it comes to dealing with groups such as scratch without any beforehand business children from families with fewer opportu- relations or experience will not go as nities. I don’t know if I could mentally smoothly as people think it will. handle it, and I have a lot of respect for people who can. I can’t exclude it as an Is it common to study and work in Germa- option, but I’m not convinced yet, either. ny? Are there many opportunities? I’m very keen on medicine, but also music, Yes, you gradually develop work ethics as I have been playing the piano for eight from the age of 14 as there are many years now. I also like languages and small-scale and short-term opportunities. culture, but also Development Studies, so I First it’s things like delivering newspaper, really need to think about it. which is underpaid, but that’s why kids What are your hobbies and interests usually do it for pocket money. In high besides playing piano? school, from the age of 16, you can work in a supermarket or restaurant. It’s becoming I’m a classic teenager; I watch a lot of a bigger and bigger trend because of the shows and movies, Netflix… I like to read, pop culture; you always see kids in movies mostly romance novels and classics, like having jobs aside from going to school and Jane Austen. I like travelling, as well. I was they make it seem cool. You also have recently in Greece, and also in Croatia many holiday jobs, but our holidays are not through my ESC on-arrival training. As for only summer and winter holidays - we hanging out with friends, it’s not as have one or two weeks of brake throughout common to go out and do stuff all the time the semester when you can find short-term like it is here. First of all, everything is work opportunities, or even paid school much more expansive, and secondly, practice. When you go to university, you people like their private time. It’s common can legally find a job as long as you go to to arrange a get-together at someone’s

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 55 From our neighbourhood

house; we watch something, talk a little bit, for example, baklava. listen to music, drink and eat something… Is your dad a strict Bosnian-dad? Is vegetarianism and veganism common in No, not at all. He’s very supportive. He’s a Germany? Is it odd to not see it around bit curious when I go travelling – he always here? asks me where I’m going and how long I’m Yes, it was first vegetarianism, and now it’s staying, saying things as You’re so young veganism. The reason behind this is that and you’ve seen more than I did at 50. But, veganism is connected to environmental- he thinks that I should take the opportuni- ism, which is a trend in Germany now, ties that I have. He’s pretty neutral, espe- comparing to here, which shocked me cially since I turned 18. He says I’m old initially. For example, you almost can’t find enough to decide for myself now. a plastic straw in Germany anymore. The If you were raised German, then why norm is metal or paper straws. I’m not Hanka? Vegan, though; I can have the complete Bosnian experience (laughs). My parents wanted to find names for us that matched both cultures, so they got You’ve mentioned that you like travelling - some baby-name booklet of German is this the first time you’re somewhere away From our names and searched for names that sound from home long-term? Are there many Bosnian, and so they found Armin and travelling opportunities in Germany? Hanka. None of them are specifically popu- Yes, it’s my first long-term experience. I lar in Germany nowadays. However, Armin used to go to school trips that last for a is more common and has German origin. week or so, and for short-term vacations, Our mayor is called Armin, and there are a but that’s it. You have a lot of opportunities lot of variations to the name, as well, such to see Europe from Germany, but it as Amin. As for Hanka, I found it extremely depends on finances and mentality. I have rare. There aren’t even a lot of young girls neighbourhoodmany friends who travel a lot, many who named Hanka in Bosnia, and the most rarely do, and many who also never did. It’s popular bearer of the name is Hanka very individual. Paldum, the folk singer. At administrations, they often ask me where I’m from and What places on the Balkans did you visit where I was born, because they assume I’m before? not German due to my specific name. Vrelo Bosne, my favourite park, and then I Do you listen to any Balkan music, or watch spent also a lot of time on Ilidža and in the any movies? Old Town… We went on summer holidays to Ulcinj with my extended family for the past Folk music, mostly, as when I’m driving with couple of years, as well. I didn’t visit much my dad, he always puts Ana Bekuta on, or of the region that I wasn’t previously Jovan Perišić. When I’m with my cousins obliged to, but I’m hoping to do it now. they listen to more modern music, like Senidah. I’ve listened to a fair amount of Is your mother a real German? Does she songs from all genres, but I forget the speak Bosnian, or have any Bosnian names. I watched some movies with customs? English titles, and when I’m at my aunt’s My Grandmother is from Prague, but back house she has soap operas on, but that’s it. then – that was part of Germany, too. My I wanted to get more into it now, but I mother is born and raised German, just like didn’t establish a routine to make time for me. She taught herself to speak Bosnian, it yet. though. She knows how to make Bosnian Is there a difference between your relation- food, like pie, ćevapi, or stuffed bell ship with your German and your Bosnian peppers. Because a lot of Bosnian food has family? Turkish origin, we often also buy sweets from Turkish shops here in Germany, like As my mother is an only child, I don’t have

56 PREVENTEEN 47 DECEMBER 2019 From our neighbourhood

any direct cousins on her side. I usually see has more of an administrative role. The my distant relatives on family gatherings, youth is definitely more engaged in politics but don’t have regular contact with them. I than it is here. The media relies on satiric mostly just talk to my grandparents and my representation of politics, which shows us great-aunts. I have four direct cousins on that politics don’t have to be such a strict my father’s side and many extended family topic, and that anyone can participate in members, but not all speak fluent English political discussions, which is encouraging or German, so there’s a language barrier for the youth. Global politics make the that makes contact harder. I can’t say if this youth more engaged as well, such as the is a cultural difference, as I’m not as close Fridays for Future movement by Greta with many other people from pure German Thunberg – which is very popular amongst families. the German youth right now. I don’t want to sound rude, but speaking from my person- What's different in Bosnia in comparison to al observations; in Germany - people who Germany? What do you like more, and are not affected by current events are what are you not so keen on? You've mostly also people who do badly at school already mentioned that you visited before, and are uninterested in general. but staying longer probably changes things. Do you like it that Bosnians are more open? FromWhat I like mostFrom about Bosnia are the our our people. They are very open-hearted, warm There are days when I like having my and inviting. This is very different from the peace, especially since I came here and am German culture, where many people are just getting used to the lifestyle, and then very distant and reserved. Another thing someone comes and asks me to go out and that I like a lot is the food here. German do something and I find it hard to refuse… food is also nice, but if I had to choose one, it can be a bit overwhelming, but in a good I'd go with Bosnian. way. I think that it’s a good contrast and change, but I do need time to grow accus- What I don't like here is the infrastructure, tomed to it. neighbourhoodfor example, theneighbourhood traffic. I miss the order, as our carriers have strict schedules that they Could you picture yourself living in Bosnia? obey, and here – the tram comes, when it Or maybe you even have aspirations to go comes, you have to rely on luck. One more somewhere else. thing is politics that are somewhat better To be honest, I also partially took this ESC structured and function better in Germany. to figure out what it’s like to actually live in On the other hand, the overall atmosphere Bosnia, as I’ve only been here for, like, two in Bosnia is still more pleasant; Germans weeks at a time. It’s a big difference to visit have a negative view on life – they always a place and to try and live there. After want more than they currently have, these two and a half months, I can say that because they know they can have more, it’s hard when you’re used to German but they don’t actually do anything to make standards. I’ve met a lot of young people that happen – at least nothing more than that would like to move away from here, complain. Here, the people that I met don’t especially those who finished University. I have as much, but they cherish what they can understand their reasons, especially in do have way more. terms of being underpaid for certain jobs Speaking of politics, what’s the system and that are well-paid anywhere else. I can also structure like in Germany? Are young understand wanting to live in a system that people involved in politics more? provides more security. As for me, after ESC I want to decide on where I want to study. I The structure is very, very complex, so was thinking about Bosnia, but the sponta- handle my answers with a grain of salt. Our neity of the government and school system chancellor handles public relations, coun- makes me feel at unease. I think that I will try representation, and establishes inter- either go back to Germany and start right national connections, while the president away, or I will take on a job in Ireland and

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 57 From our neighbourhood

stay there for a couple of months to see if This activity was financed/organized with I like it. If I do, I could also stay and study support of the European Commission’s there. I have friends there, and I don’t like Erasmus+ Youth Programme. the idea of starting from scratch complete- ly alone. I have enough time to think it through during my stay.

The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is the new European Union initiative which creates opportuni- ties for young people to volunteer or work in projects in their own country or abroad that benefit communities and FromFrom our ourpeople around Europe. The projects are available to all young people from 18 to 30 years old. Europe- an Solidarity Corps partic- ipants could be selected and invited to join a wide range of projects, such as helping to prevent natural neighbourhoodneighbourhooddisasters or rebuild after- wards, assisting in centres for asylum seekers, or addressing different social issues in communi- ties. Projects supported by the European Solidarity Corps can last from two to twelve months. The partic- ipation in the European Solidarity Corps does not involve the payment of any fee, and all life, travel and insurance costs are covered by European Commission through the European Solidarity Corps program. You can find more information on the following link: https://eu- ropa.eu/youth/solidari- ty_en Hanka Tahirović

58 PREVENTEEN 47 DECEMBER 2019 From our neighbourhood And, How Have We

Emina Sarajlić, BA in English language and literature, Vareš Been Doing? What has been happening in our Associa- While the conference was taking place, tion since the last Preventeen edition? our actors and actresses in the Intercity Well, first of all, we organized one confer- theatre project were rehearsing their ence about social inclusion of children at roles, and in the beginning of October risk Mentorship model in the community - they had their first play in the Alternative opportunities and chances for healthy Culture House in Velika Kladuša. The play I development. The conference took place have a dream… was one of a kind because on September 11th of 2019, and big number it also had interactive discussions with Fromof experts who work with children in field the audience. That same day,our our actors of mental health, education, and social and actresses went to Bužim where they protection, as well as experts from repeated their play and the program in non-governmental sector, participated in the Youth network. The following day they the work during this conference. After went to Cazin in its Culture House where formal introduction part of the confer- they were given loud and well deserved ence, four parallel workshops were orga- applause. Their journey didn’t end there. nized, and participants could apply for Instead, following weekend, with more one of them during the application self-confidence, they headed towards neighbourhoodprocess before the conference. The topics Prijedor and Banja Luka. During project of the workshops were: Community work, activities which were organized before Individual model of mentorship, Group public plays, young people were specifi- model of mentorship, and Politics in the cally educated for lobbying, advocacy and field of child protection. Workshop Com- communication with local stake holders, munity work was moderated by Jeffrey so they were responsible to organize play Weisburg and Heart Phoenix from The in their communities, with the support of River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding, the project coordinators. and others workshops were moderated by On December 5th, International Volunteer the employees of Association NARKO-NE, Day, volunteers of the Association guided by the knowledge in the preven- NARKO-NE and volunteers of the Founda- tion field and work with children at risk. tion Older Brother Older Sister have gath- The conference was supported by the ered and together celebrated their day. Institute for youth development KULT and They organized non-formal gathering in by the Embassy of Sweden in Bosnia and Bossa Nova Cafe in Sarajevo, and approxi- Herzegovina, as well as by the project mately 50 volunteers celebrated this day Dialogue for the future which is imple- with healthy snacks and social games. mented by UNDP, UNICEF and UNESCO in This was a unique opportunity for them to the partnership with the Presidency of meet their colleagues from other projects Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project also. Dialogue for the future is financed by United Nation Office for the support in the peace development/ Peace Building Fund).

2019 DECEMBER 47 PREVENTEEN 59 From our neighbourhood

Author of the painting: Emina Handžić

My name is Emina Handžić. I was born on August 20th of 1994 in Bihać. This is part of my works called “Perception of Reality”. I’m into topics about atmosphere and energy of experienced areas. I rely on my memories when I work, and I play with colours in order to cause emotions. My art is fluid, metaphysical.