ALL-IN COMPLETED
BUGOJNO WORKSHOP
After the preparation in January below, it suddenly became March, and we set off with our young, but enthusiastic team to do our best internationally and gain film and photography experience. On the Skopje tour 2 years ago, we already experienced that the direct flights from Budapest to the Western Balkans ceased, this time we also arrived to Sarajevo with a transfer from Vienna. The director of the youth center was already waiting for us and after winding our way through the mountains, we arrived to the city of Bugojno, in the heart of Bosnia. In every direction you can reach in 2 hours from here every destination: Sarajevo, Split or Banja Luka. We saw from the car, that they have resorts with ski lift, which is normal if they have a 1662 meter high mountain in the area, but there are several similar peaks around here. The centuries-long rule of the Ottoman Empire and the Turkish influence can still be felt today, and there are also churches in addition to the many mosques. They don't eat pork and don't drink alcohol, but they live a sweet life if you only look at the coffee and the inevitable honey cookies. They showed us Josip Tito's hunting lodge in the forest, which has been lying in ruins on the border of the town since the breakup of Yugoslavia, and the traces of the South Slavic war are still visible as in the countryside in neighboring countries. Today, the population of the small town is around 30,000 people, which ethnical combination was based on a 1991 pre-war survey: 6,878 people claimed to be Bosniaks, 6,836 Croats, 6,809 Serbs, and 1,449 Yugoslavs, that's all for history. Unfortunately, the Wi-Fi did not reach the 4th floor at the Genex Motel, but they compensated us with a sumptuous breakfast, but we must definitely mention that the food was excellent throughout the week. I can say on behalf of all of us that our favorite was Bosnian Cevapi in an earthenware pot and kaymak sauce. Sarajevo is their best own beer, but beer from all the surrounding countries is available everywhere, Ozujsko, Karlovacko, and even Lasko. It was incomprehensible to young people, not so surprising to older people, because it used to be the same in our country that people smoked everywhere inside. Their money is also a bit reminiscent of the Marks and the pfennig, but the exchange rate should be taken seriously, you can get 2 units for 1 euro. Then, after the briefing held on the first day, filming and performances took place throughout the week, but of course the organizers made time for a few trips as well. We went on a trip to the small town of Jajce, chosen as one of the 12 most beautiful waterfalls in the world, which inspired Tivadar Kosztka Csontváry, not by chance. We also made it to the capital, although we managed to arrive in the biggest traffic jam during the afternoon visit, but we walked all the way through the city center, and on the riverside we found the site of the famous assassination that triggered the First World War. All in all, we spent a great project week at the youth exchange in Bosnia, now the processing begins and we can't wait to present the works, with the making of film and the photo exhibition in Slovenia in July. And as a proof, that I didn't just colour the sky with my report as a team leader, let’s see the feedbacks from the Hungarian team members about the experiences come.
Layous Norbert: I'm glad I had the chance to participate in this program because I did not only meet amazing people but I learned a lot and if anyone has the chance to take part in similar programs I recommend them doing it.
Kelemen Zoltán: I was on an Erasmus+ program for the first time, it was really interesting and exciting. The food was extremely delicious, we visited stunning landscapes and I got to work with very nice people. I had the experience of a lifetime.
Gábeli Botond: The exchange was a great opportunity for all of us and I am really looking forward to the 2nd part, I have been to many of these but this had to be one of the best ones, the food was amazing and we also had nice programs.
Sinha Gergely: We had a great time in Bugojno, the Bosnians were very good hosts, the food was delicious, and the hotel was comfortable, all together thanks for the opportunity to be there and the chance to take part in this project.
 

PREPARATION aka APV -------------------------------------------

This year's first trip abroad again led us to our Slovenian friends and at the MCT we have started preparation for the next youth exchange. We will once again participate in an Erasmus+ project with the participation of 4 countries, during which we will make a photo exhibition, 2 short fiction films and a making of about people with disabilities. The hosts and the main candidates were the Slovenians at the preparatory stage, where the delegations from Bosnia, North Macedonia and Hungary also arrived. After the briefing, the youth leaders immediately got down to work and began to outline the process and themes of the works. Meanwhile, the leaders of the participating organizations completed the dirty paperwork. We have agreed on the dates of the continuations, we will meet next in Bosnia at the beginning of March, and the work will already start there with all the participants. If we manage to shoot all the material that week, then we can return to Slovenia in July with "only" the editing left. And of course, all the rest, the preparation of the premiere, which will be presented on the Summer outdoor stage in Trbovlje, during prime time on Saturday evening! Unfortunately, our locomotive broke down on the way there and we arrived 2.5 hours late, but then we were compensated by the kind hosts, the new partners, the great programs, half a meter of snow, Celje Castle, the pizza challenge or the giant Trojane donut! So now the hot wire and brainstorming begins, so that by the time we arrive in Bugojno, we can't wait for the start and let’s work together!

Partners:
ZMST Trbovlje, Slovenia --- https://www.facebook.com/zmstrbovlje/
DJIFONI Skopje, Macedonia --- https://www.facebook.com/GiffoniMK
 
The program is co-financed by the European Union!
#erasmusplus /// https://erasmusplusz.hu/