"The World Is My Country": the Modern-Day Life Slogan?

     

  "Globalization" is a term that we've been hearing over and over again for the past couple of decades. People are now able to have and experience things that our grandparents, or even our parents in some countries didn't even dream about in their youth. Free circulation of people and goods, consumption of international media and popular cultures, or the ability to travel accross the world are only some of the consequences of globalization. 

      Today I'm going to focus on the last one: the freedom and ability to travel, not only as a tourist, but also for study or work purposes. Some people choose to do that for the sake of an interesting life experience, whereas others do so when forced by circumstances, such as a lack of professional opportunities in their countries of birth. Moreover, it is not even a case of East vs. West anymore, as the economy and quality of life in various countries of the world look increasingly like rollercoasters moving up and down, and the dynamics changing constantly. Plus, means of transportation are becoming increasingly varied and accessible, so that moving around is not even that big deal anymore, in terms of time and money (apart from some exceptions).

     Me and my family have also been moving around a lot, and saw my friends and aquaintances from all over the world do the same, and still doing it.  There are two sides of the coin: we can say that the world is full of opportunities, but we can also say that stability does not exist anymore. Will we ever find it? Will we ever "settle down" somewhere? Perhaps we will, but who knows where and when? Do we have a clear idea of where we want to be in a few years, geographically speaking? I don't, and I'm sure that many of you also don't. Maybe there are huge differences between what we would like and what is feasible or practical. Maybe we worry that we may or may not fit in with our adoptive society. Maybe we believe that if we leave and return after a certain period of time, we will not find things as we left them, and therefore we will have problems re-adjusting to our original environment. 

     But do we need to worry or simply go with the flow and embrace this new contemporary reality? What if the old spontaneous meeting for a coffee in town with friends will eventually turn into arrangements made in advance with that far-away friend who will only be in your city for a few days or weeks? What if our small group of friends will become a huge network of people spread all over the world, who circularly move around and separate and reunite accordingly? What if we start thinking from a micro-universe to a macro-universe? What if the world will become such a big mix of cultures, that we'd be able to fit in virtually anywhere? What if the world really becomes our country? 

(photo: www.bigstock.com)

Community Spirit and Social Cohesion: Part of a Country's Culture?

 

  Recent events on the Romanian political scene gave me some food for thought about an aspect of society which varies from country to country or community to community, and which some people regard as necessary, whilst others remain indifferent to its presence.  I'm not talking about political views, but about things like solidarity between people, social cohesion, or community spirit, and which, for the first time since the 1989 Revolution against communism, seemed to regain their place in the lives of Romanian people. This was an isolated event, but what about day-to-day life? 

    To tell you the truth, I always considered Romania a highly individualistic country. People rarely trust each other, or often keep communication to a minimum necessary, generally tending to stay within their circle of family members and long-term friends. In living or work environments, although relationships are cordial or civil, it is rare that people are interested in becoming a team if circumstances don't specifically require it, or simply becoming friends with the people they come into contact with every day. Of course, there are exceptions, but unfortunately, they don't represent the majority. Or at least, I refer to the capital city, Bucharest, and I'm not sure about smaller cities or the country-side. I am not sure whether it's about the current historical period vs. the past, or about the social environment.  For example, I grew up in a popular, not-so-high-brow neighbourhood of the city. My neighbours were not particularly rich, but they were friendly, trustworthy, we all knew each other, and supported each other in times of need. In the early '90s, though, we moved to a posh area, where our new neigbours were not half as friendly,  I always felt like a bit of an outsider, and it took me ages to fit in. 

      By the same token, in Italy there are similar discourses regarding contradictions between the North and South of the country. However, as you know from my previous post, or personally from myself if you know me, even as an immigrant in Milano, I would still give Northern Italians pretty high marks in that department. Maybe they don't have that "in your face", intrusive attitude, but still, needing help with something and being able to ask your neighbour without being given strange looks was important to me. Or, in a neighbourhood full of small businesses, shops and caffeterias where people know each other and greet each other even from afar, the atmosphere is just perfect. 
     And speaking of big cities, one big surprise for me was London. A huge city, indeed! But, being divided into numerous boroughs, it often feels like a conglomerate of residential areas that look like small cities (apart from the city center). Having separate administrative institutions, and everything close, life gathers around the same spots. People not only carry out their daily errands, but also socialize in these self-contained communities. It is impossible not to get to know a fair amount of people within the first month of living in the same neigbourhood. Not to mention that neighbour who invited everyone in our (small) appartment building for a getting-to-know-each-other dinner. You definitely don't get that everywhere!
       What about your countries, or your cities? Do you live and carry out your activities in a friendly environment? Is it easy to make friends, or everyone sticks to what they have to do and this is enough? Do you think it is a cultural thing, like a tradition belonging to particular parts of the world more than others? And, most of all, do you think that community spirit is a good thing or a bad thing? 

(photo: www.geekandjock.com)
        

     

Immigration and the Importance of Language Proficiency

 

  Yesterday I discovered an interesting discussion on the Debating Europe platform. The topic was whether EU immigrants should be required to pass a language proficiency exam, and whether it would mean "the end of freedom of movement".
   Personally, I would be in favour of a language exam, and I am not necessarily linking this requirement to the European Union and freedom of movement.  Freedom of movement still exists, legally - nobody changes your entitlement to live and work in another EU country. It is not what this is all about: it's about the capacity to make yourself understood in your new country of residence. The European Union is about unity in diversity, and, amongst other things, it cannot change the diversity of languages, and the fact that member states speak different languages. 
     Communicating effectively is essential. Perhaps various people emigrate for studies or work, based on the fact that speaking English will be enough in an academic or professional environment. And it may well be. However, if their chosen country's official language is not English, not everyone will speak it. And becoming fluent in the official language of the country of adoption is always useful, because it gives extra security, from interacting with local authorities, to being able to seize more work opportunities, to simply making more friends. Not to mention the fact that if the chosen career is based on language abilities, such as a career in communication, or humanities, or social sciences, the level of language proficiency must be really high.
     I have seen many people moving to a country whose language they did not speak. But, step by step, they started to learn it and now they are fluent. By the same token, I also saw people moving abroad without speaking any foreign language (not even English), and hoping to find a job. Needless to say that their chances were next to none. Yes, some languages are more difficult than others, depending on what your native language is, and depending on how naturally talented for learning languages you are. However, I think that with a little bit of willpower you can learn at least enough to make yourself understood. 
       Therefore, with these aspects in mind, why should we NOT sustain a language exam? Yes, it is a formality, just like the formality of having to prove your status in your new country - as a student or as a worker - in order to be recognized as a resident, and which also happens amongst EU countries. But in the context of NEEDING to speak the local language, an exam would simply be the crowining of our objective. Why fear or resent this procedure? 
       It is not about restricting freedom of movement, but really about unity in diversity, the focus being on the word "diversity". This diversity of languages will remain this way forever. We will still accept each other, but each immigrant also needs to make some adaptations to his/her new environment. And this goes beyond Europe, or the European Union. 

(photo source: www.shutterstock.com) 
   

The Romanian Traveller: Sibiu - an Elegant Travel through Time

  

  

 When I wrote about Brasov, I must have proved to you that Transylvania is not a gloomy place at all. On the contrary: it could be considered the most fairytale-like region of Romania. From Brasov, our travel through Transylvania continues, till we reach another special city: Sibiu.

                           

   The first thing that will attract your attention is that in this beautiful city, time seems to have stopped in its tracks. Classical architecture reminding either of the Middle Ages, or of the Austro-Hungarian influences, mixed with the general traquillity and cleanliness of the entire city. The city also bears the German name of Hermannstadt and it is home to a considerable German minority.   Moreover, Sibiu was the European Capital of Culture in 2007, the first Romanian city to be part of the famous European initiative, which has also earned its status of Romanian cultural capital. And even now, years later, a wide variety of cultural events are taking part throughout the year. So, if you are into art and culture, this is definitely the place to visit. 

         

      

      What other tips would I give you?

   ... when it comes to finding accommodation, don't go for mainstream "modern" hotels, but for those set in villas, which tend to be decorated in a style of times past. 

            

     

     .... the same goes for restaurants - be it medieval, rustic, or Belle-Epoque, it is important to find those who provide a unique atmosphere. They generally serve traditional food of the region - prices are moderate, but you know that you eat well.

       ... for an amazing view of the city, it is worth climbing the Town Hall Tower (Turnul Sfatului). The stairs are narrow and numerous, you may get dizzy on the way, but the view is absolutely magnificent.

              

         ... from ancient tradition in the country-side to refined art and high culture: Astra Museum (also known as the Village Museum) and the Bruckenthal Palace Museum definitely should not be missed. 

         ... what about Liar's Bridge (Podul Minciunilor), also located in the city center? Many legends circulate about it, and the most common one is that if you tell a lie whilst being on the brigde, the bridge will start to moan and fall down. So... maybe it's safe not to try! ;)

          

       

      ... coffee and tea must be consumed with courtesy. Caffeterias Pardon and Salut confirm it. Again, it is all about the atmosphere: particularly Pardon would be dedicated to music lovers who wish they went back to the 1920s. ;)

       ... most touristic objectives are located close to the city-center and the Great Square (Piata Mare), apart from the Astra Museum, which, like an escape to the country-side, will bring us closer to nature.

           

       ... rooftops have eyes. And I'm not kidding! :)

       ... last but not least, people seem to be very calm and friendly.

   What can we say about Sibiu? History, culture, atmosphere, and an escape from the hectic and modern life. I highly reccomend it - you will not regret! 

         

Matera 2019: Italy's Next European Capital of Culture

 

 One of my favourite European initiatives is, without a doubt, the European Capital of Culture programme. The first European Capital of Culture was designated in 1985 as the Greek capital city - Athens. Since then, every year the title goes to different cities, by rotation amongst EU countries. The project has various key roles:

• giving the designated city the opportunity to emphasize its local cultural identity;
• direct the attention of various European cultural operators towards the designated city, in order to organize their own cultural events and performances in these locations;
• raising the visibility of the city on the international level;
• providing economic and touristic growth to the city and the surrounding region.
• even after the year as a European Capital of Culture has ended, developments in the city's cultural life and infrastructure are still visible. 

   Last week, one of the winners for 2019 was announced as the Italian city of Matera, situated in the extreme southern region of Basilicata. Matera has a little more than 60.000 inhabitants, and it is the second largest city of the region, after Potenza. A decision which I appreciated, as Basilicata is not a particularly famous Italian region, nor a top-spot  destination for international tourists. So, why not discover it? 

    To tell you the truth, I have never arrived in that part of Italy, and I knew almost nothing about it. But I tried to inform myself about the city of Matera and what makes it special. Matera is divided in two parts: a modern one and an ancient one. The ancient part of the city is also known as "i sassi di Matera" ("the stones of Matera"), which were declared UNESCO heritage in 1993, being also the first UNESCO site in southern Italy. These are mainly houses carved in stone. During the Middle Ages, monks went to live there and started digging these caves in order to build monasteries. Later in time, these monks started to leave the city, and people started to occupy the monasteries and inhabit them, until around 1920. However, the poor quality of living conditions made Matera the "shame of Italy", and therefore, during the times of Mussolini, people were forced to abandon the cave-houses and live in the newly-built modern city.  

   Nowadays, the city is becoming revalued, as many of these caves are being used again. Many of them are hotels, rupestrian churches, and even bars - all with a special atmosphere, as everything is set in stone. Plus, given the fact that in prehistoric times the land of the city was under the sea, in these caves we can still see marine fossils coming out of the walls. 

    And, for cinefiles all over the world, you must know that the movie "The Passions of the Christ", directed by Mel Gibson in 2004, was filmed in Matera.

    Consequently, we have a landscape that is unique in the world, with its very own unique history. It would certainly be good for Matera, and for Basilicata in general, to enjoy a well-deserved touristic growth, and the creation of new professional and economic opportunities, which, until now, are quite scarce in the region. One thing is sure: I have become curious to visit it, and I will be following all the news and initiatives related to Matera 2019. 

 

Asia Fest 2014 - a Cultural Slice of Each Asian Country

    

 I am very proud to discover that my city and my people are becoming increasingly curious to discover other cultures. And the Asian continent is not characterized by physical proximity, and substantial resources are required in order to get there. Therefore, if the average Romanian citizen cannot afford to visit Asia, Asia is visiting us.

     

     As a matter of fact, in these days Bucharest is hosting its second edition of Asia Fest. In five days, we get to discover a little bit of... Japan, China, Korea, India, Sri Lanka, and (partially European) Turkey. Just like for any event that involves the participation of several countries, each of these countries has to put its best foot forward, through their most interesting cultural practices. 

    

    So, what could visitors entertain themselves with?

    ... workshops in Chinese, Japanese and Korean caligraphy

    ... Japanese costumes workshop

    ... Indian henna tattoos

    ... Ikebana worksops

    ... painting on water

    ... Korean tea ceremony

    ... music and dance shows from each country

    ... parade of national costumes

    ... sculpture in fruits and vegetables

    ... Origami workshop

    ... Manga drawing

    ... movie projections 

  ... and of course, loads of food - Chinese, Japanese (Sushi), Korean, Turkish and Indian. Some of them were even prepared on the spot.

           

         And the list could go on. I am sure I have missed several activities, but with one activity more interesting than the other, variety was the defining word for the event. And the setting was so full, that it was hard to find your way amongst the visitors. It is hard to be present during all the activities in these kinds of festivals. More likely, I believe that they also serve in stirring curiosity among people, if there is a particular culture, or language, or  topic, or artistic practice, that they wish to learn more in depth. And after all, the cultural institutes of the respective countries are always active and available for various initiatives of this kind. So, whoever wants to learn more, they have the chance. 

        

       As for me, I councluded the evening with a Sushi dinner (one of my favourite foods), which I also saw being prepared in front of me, and... I signed up for a 10% discount voucher on any trip to Asia, if taken before October 2015. If I am lucky with time and money... I will certainly be looking forward to that. ;) 

555 Years of Bucharest.... and Why I Think My City Has a Complex Identity

 

   A celebration lasting all year culminated last week-end. On the 20th of September, Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, as well as my hometown, celebrated 555 years since it was first attested in an official document. This year was full of cultural events of all types in our city, all matching, from one point of view or another, with the cultural identity of Bucharest and its inhabitants throughout the years.
  

  Apart from becoming overly sentimental, like many of my fellow citizens of Bucharest, I started to think about what makes my city special. And there are so many contrasting features! Being multi-faceted is surely a characteristic of all capital cities, but the features in themselves, and the combination of them, are unique for each city.

    

    When visiting Bucharest, most foreigners tell me that it is full of contrasts, and some of them rather painful. Our population typologies range from the hot-shot rich guy with a BMW and a luxury villa in one of the selected neighbourhoods, to the homeless beggar. Unfortunately, social equality is a distant dream for us. Our architectural landscape varies from the elegance of the interbellic era, which earned Bucharest the name of Little Paris, and whose atmosphere we always like to re-create and re-experience, to the massive and somewhat imposing reminiscence of communism, from the big appartment blocks to the worldwide famous Palace of Parliament. Parks, flowers and lakes meet circluated roads and glass office buildings. And last but not least, the cultural side of Bucharest is flourishing every year: music, theatre, exhibitions, festivals of all sorts are happening throughout the year, at prices that are accessible to most people. Bucharest is not just about an unique image.In theory, everyone could fit in and everyone can find something to suit them. 
   

   What do I wish for my city and for its people? More friendliness, more civilization and more respect towards the other, both between ourselves or towards visitiors from outside. More care towards the needy. Less negligence towards our city, and more willingness to keep it clean and to restructure places that need it. Less chaos in traffic, and a better infrastructure. And of course, to flourish every day with joy of life, even in spite of the nerve-consuming political life. 
    Happy birthday, my beautiful city!