Inhale hate, exhale love

In the spring of 2015 I had got a message on facebook  from one of my friend. It was a broschure of a youth exchange called Painting and dancing, European Identity and my friend’s comment was only few words. ,,It is an amazing opportunity, please give a try!” I did not even thought that message will make my life upside down. I was hesitating about whether or not to go. I’ve been dancing for 14 years in several styles but mainly hip-hop and I also wanted broaden my mind through exploring new cultures and languages – and of course meet new people – so I decided to go. I wrote my application form and sent it. Fortunately the hungarian organization chose me. I had financial problems because my standard of living wasn’t so high, but I worked hard, earned the money and couldn’t wait to go.

                I didn’t know anybody from the hungarian group and I hadn’t met them until I arrived at Barcelona. I was very frigthened on the way and I didn’t want to believe what happened to me. I was ashamed about my feelings but I really felt that I’m only a hungarian poor youngster, who earns her own living by working as much as possible and trying to study hard at university to get a better life in the future while other youngsters live their lives happily without limits at the present…

                At the first day - after we saw some famous sights of Barcelona - we arrived at Sabadell where the eternal project took place. It was a bit embarassing because everyone were full of fears. We made our first impression about each other without talking a single word. First we played ice breaker games and discussed the schedule of the project. Through the groupworks and tasks we got know each other better and realized how similar we are. We felt that: hey, we have actually loads of common! For example we were all obsessed with dancing or painting or any other form of art. All of us had problems with expressing ourselves because english wasn’t our mother tongue but we were patient and liberal.

                We went on sightseeing tour and visited a dance-hall where we could figure out what to do in the final performance. The atmosphere became more lovely and familiar day by day. We were very active and we motivated each other. Brainstormings in groups and deep private discussions  were also valuable for everyone. At night we introuduced our countries and spoke about our traditions and habits. We showed our traditional dances and shared our experinences and feelings about our ways of living.

                One morning when we had a meeting the participants appointed me to do the choreography of the final performance. It was my field, becuase I have been teaching dance for 5 years and I got used to leading people but I was shocked. From one hand I was frightened and I felt stressed about the pressure but on the other hand it was the biggest thing that ever happened to me. Maybe there are some people who would think that: come on, is it a big deal? But I’d say yes! It is the biggest deal for me! That 40 people from 6 countries (Macedonia, Bulgaria, Spain, Italy, Sweden and Hungary) trusted me enough to let me lead them even we haven’t know each other a week before.

                The painters made amazing paintings and the dancers also did their best through the performance which was something like a flashmob at a square in Sabadell. I’ve never felt as free as that day.  I got know  people who dedicated their lives to create something special and teach people how to inhale hate and exhale love. I can’t express how thankful I am for these ladies and gentleman who I could share with the happiest week of my life. ,,We are family”