Dear Friends!

Merry Christmas
and
Happy New Year 2008!!!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1646374775

Lack of Inspiration

No news from friends, no new blog items, what comes next?

There are so few things nowadays to inspire the members of the Master of Puppets group (also known as the Master of European Improvisation and Bullsh_tism), that some of them have undertaken drastic measures to deal with the psychological and emotional consequences. A random passer-by captured Todorovic considering jumping into the river, close to Tower Bridge...

Want to win a 6-day trip for 2 to Estonia?

Here is your chance: http://quiz.mfa.ee/

Good luck!

10th Estonian Youth Song Celebration

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuhkU3NbCjo
Let me share a moment of a big Estonian event with you that took place 1 July 2007 - the 10th Estonian Youth Song Celebration (see also your Estonian passport page 27:). I try to post a small video where you can see the opening song and about 80 000 people around! If you want to experience the spirit of the song festival yourselves then the next General Song and Dance Festival will be held in 2009. In 2011 Tallinn will be one of the culture capitals of Europe and at that time the 11th Youth Song and Dance Festival will be held. Welcome!

Danube Delta

You see beauties in beautiful places. What more could one desire?

...except for being there with them!

BRYAN ADAMS

BRYAN ADAMS

2007. június 30.

19:00 Felvonulás tér

Special guests: Hedvig Samai & Andi Gereoffy

V&A or the new Brussels Moments

While most of the world's art attention is concentrated on the Cannes Festival, another movie's premiere revived the cultural life in Brussels - "V&A for Valentina and Angelina". The famous MEIR director bases the film on a real story about the boheme culture in the early 21st century somewhere in between Paris and Brussels, although the battle with the terrible Luxembourgeois remains a constant thread in the fabric of the film's atmosphere. After the premiere, V&A is expected to visit other European cities by the end of 2007.

view from Valentina's apartment

Valentina thinking about her next move...
...while Angelina is wasting time in a cafe >

jazz moments

(adapted from an article published by Le Monde)

Cyber-Meeting

Given the possibilities of the 21st century, I suggest we organize a small meeting online on Thursday,24th May around 19hrs (Brussels time). Some of us have already group-chatted using Skype, but in a more random way, let's say. (The search is easiest via the e-mail address of the person in question.)

If you cannot make it this week, next Thursday, same time, is also possible.

News of a Dead "Haris" Reminded Me of You All

Classmates, Friends, Bastards, Zoki!

The other day Eniko (the very same girlfriend predicted by Vale's cards) and I were having beer in a Budapest cafe with X, one of those environmentalist types, who told us sadly that during a weekend excursion their car had hit and killed a "haris." Now, why should you people give a damn about a haris? Because "haris," friends, is the Hungarian name of the dreaded CREX CREX, the famous bird favored by Latvians and the Kürbiskernöl-swilling, Schmankerlstube-haunting people of Styria.

Please don't take it as an insult when I say that this news of a dead crex crex reminded me of you all and inspired me to visit this blog.

On a brighter and darker note, on Thursday morning we are leaving for four days in Luxembourg! Luxembourg, oh Luxembourg, where I go to visit nice people, enjoy fine food and wine, and hike through the sunny countryside, and where you people go to... Oh well, forget I mentioned it.

Personal Update Series (I)

Given the long period of quietness and laziness, perhaps the group needs to start a new blog rubric "Personal Updates" - something that happened to each of us recently, seriously, truly or at least somehow believable!

As for me, I spent a week-end with Dracula and managed to survive (we both turned out to be Bulgarian :)). Otherwise, nothing new: I have only changed my taste for drinks...

/reality behind:

working group meeting in Sinaia for cooperation

in South East Europe/

WHY

As it's the first of April and everything I guess I could admit... forgot to continue my story last time.... Just noticed the comments and i can only hope you agree with the "better later than never" thing. :)
To dissolve the (guess, forgotten :) mystery (see blog “Off-topic: Marrakech” of February 07):

The Jamaa el Fnaa is this special place (the main square of Marrakech), where there is actually nothing. Nothing, except people. This is what people do in Marrakech: they don’t have bars, theatres, blabla, but: they go to the Jamaa el Fna. It is an amazingly moving space, with some people having to tell a story, so they just tell it and the others listen. When they finished, they stop, and circles of people simply reorganize on the square. Others playing music together, each with their own instruments, and anyone can join. Others being dressed in costumes, and playing some sort of scene (don’t understand Arabic that well…). It is true that it was hard to watch cause -being tourist-like- wherever we stopped for a moment to stare, someone sent a kid to ask us for money. (noone asked the locals. :)

There were also snake-dancers (people making snakes dance…), and “classical looking” street musicians (but whom also only asked tourists for money :). We had the chance to observe all this from a terrace, on our last day. Until that I didn’t get what is so great about this smelly and noisy place… And well, this is it. It is not a place made famous by buildings and statues. It is a place made great by the people of the city, sitting on their small blankets, gathering and playing music every night (Marrakech is a city of 900.000 inhabitants). I recommend it to All. :)

KGB? LOST OR ABDUCTED?

No one knows what happened to KGB in the year 2007. Scientists, researchers, intelligence agencies continue to put all their efforts in revealing this top secret.
In the academic world, proudly represented by the MEIR 2004-2006 generation, two main theories prevail:

LOST

OR ABDUCTED???

“The Importance of Being Macedonian” dedicated to Maja, Eddy and Zoc

Key Macedonians:
Philip the Macedonian, Alexander the Macedonian, Nikolo Maceavelli, Nelson Macedonela, Christopher Macolumb, Georgy Washingtonsky, Jesus Christovsky, Macel Jackson

Key achievements of Macedonians:
Macroeconomics, Macintosh, Maceroni, Macedonals, Macrocosmos, Macandromeda, macroscopism, mackle-paper, macadam, macsimas, macrobiotic macgredients, macron, maculas (on the Sun), machanics, Machelmas, the macrobes, Macederranean Sea and macny others

Could a KGB agent forget a key ceremony?

Yoo-hoo, in Latvia we used to wrap all our university diplomas in a hard-core folder. But Professor Marko has probably stolen these cylindrical cases of uranium bars from secret Kmezic’s nuclear project “Blok-45” (or “Restoration of the Serbian Empire”)!?

Although I received my diploma by mail in the previous year – I extremely wanted to attend this ceremony, but simply forgot. Now I simply try to imagine how I am shaking hands with my dear comrades and kissing with professors, eating Austrian grissini’s with beer, reading official porno-journal “Community Hot Tits”, and stealing grapes with Chinnar Mahmad (ok, he is not guilty, It is me, he did not understand that stealing is bad, because I tricked him).

To manage our next meeting I propose everybody to become presidents of their states and organize the World Domination Summit, all Ladins already supported this idea with songs and yodeling.

Thank you, Sergiu, for photographs! http://www.eurac.edu/Events/meir/alumni/Foto+Gallery.htm

(written by KGB)

Master's meeting in Skopje

How to comment this magical peace of art written by Edi? What to say in order to mach this story of handsome men, cool chicks with new wheels, Luxembourgian wisdom's, quotations that go against time...
Here's my side of the story: while driving with the taxi to the meeting place my heart was pounding with excitement and my hands were sweating on Edi's diploma supplement, while I was trying to ignore the taxi driver's profound discussion on the weather, as well as simultaneously attempting to lower his optimism by exposing my concerns about the consequences of the weather deterioration on the flora in Macedonia.
After that discussion the taxi driver exposed his ingenious idea that the city of Skopje should buy 3 bulldozers which would break the cars that do not follow the traffic rules, but not hurt the drivers (I swear that he said this!). After 2 min, he broke the traffic rules by stopping in the middle of the street to drop me off at the meeting place...
I saw the well known fisionomy, surrounded by two young ladies. After hugging him I was introduced to them as "the genius that they will hear about soon".
Edi has not changed. He only got better looking by purchasing (purchase, purchase- quotation courtesy of Mr.Mammad when he was helping Edi buy a Ryan Air online ticket) a wonderful grey coat, which I didn't miss to compliment on. After a brief discussion in which caffe we should go (one being pro-government, the other pro-opposition), we decided for the latter, only because of nostalgia, our previous meeting was there...
Again Edi introduced me to 5-6 girls. Apparently they were really drunk together last night. I stated that I was pleased to meet them. For several seconds I felt a strange shadow watching me. First I thought that it was some student asking me whether I posted the essay marks at the Faculty. Fortunately I was wrong- it was Dzabi. We urged her to go to another caffe, since it started to rain. She replied that we should get her car, apparently because the parking was expensive. We were soon to realize that this was not the true reason...
After approaching to a brand new Volvo S40 Dzabi pressed her key and to our mutual excitement entered the car without fear... I look Edi straight in the eyes, he looked me back with similar concern... While we were preparing to run, fearing that Dzabi acquired the key through illegal activities... she spoke out... don't be afraid, its mine...
We were very happy, excited... I remember wishing her that she has very pleasent inter-genderous moments there and Edi confirmed that with this car they will be inevitable.
Edi wanted to speak to several other girls that he didn't know, while me and Dzabi where stopping him. At the next caffe my girlfriend and my sister joined, while me and Edi where treating the audience with stories from my bodies reaction to a very spicy food+grappa that I consumed with Edi in Bolzano at the 5 Module... There was spontaneous laughter and we sipped from the "drink that you give to your daughter" while nodding with Edi.... we apparently haven't lost our humor yet, although the audience was made of my relatives + Dzabi which in any case will laugh out of friendship to us....
We then agreed that we will go to a kafana, but that we will get drunk so much that the waiter will come and pick our heads from the table in a fruitless attempt to tell us that they are closing....
Can't wait for that...
Love you all,
Zoc.

The Re-gathering of the Master of European Studies Gang

In the present day (February, 17 2007), in Skopje, in the very heart of the charming Balkans, I have had that exquisite (phrase copyrighted by Angie) opportunity to share a dose of caffeine and a scandalously (this one by Zoc) intellectual chat with Comrade Zoran Ilievski and Mademoiselle Marija Dzabirova.

By the way, its me Eddie in case you have forgotten (I am aware that now when we are de facto academics, “being senile” is a truly normal thing)

Nonetheless, let me resume with the story about the reunification of the Macedonian Master of European Studies “gang” (As Prof. Marko nicely stated).

Awkwardly, last night I received a late night call by Zoc (which is quite surprising, having in mind that he himself has become quite “cocky” after the smashing speech he has delivered in Graz).

Zoc said Hi, I Hi-ed back.

Zoc: I have supplementary documents for you, sealed with a kiss by Emma. Lets meet up, so I can give ‘em to you and we have a chat?

Eddie: I’ll come to pick up the kisses.

Wimbledon silence.

Zoc. After MEIR you surely know how to prioritize.

Eddie. And you have become even more eloquent and brainy.

Pause and than the unique long-lasting acoustic grin by Zoc.

Zoc: You give me a call tomorrow.

Eddie. Done deal.

As agreed we met in front of the Mother Theresa monument at 1 p.m. sharp. Zoc was punctual as always. No academic 15 minutes. When I saw him, I joyfully concluded, “The bastard got rid of few kilos”, which is not my case. His smile was there and his elegance into full potential. I was terribly glad to see him again, after his departure for the Graz graduation ceremony. Let’s go to T-Club, we unanimously decided, as we were doing during the studies. I remember that we were having a tea there, when he was creatively presenting to me the modalities how to reach Graz in the cheapest manner. (Being an MA candidate is surely a luxury right?). Unfortunately, although scientifically and practically justified I was not in position to apply any of his wise advices. I have had, again unfortunately, profoundly justified reasons to stay home by my family, when they needed me the most. Instead of seeing you all in Austria I unwillingly stayed at home, deprived of your smiles, your hugs and your shining appearances. In addition, three Monkeys pub, Frankfuter Plaz, “Schnicl”, “Grosse bier” “Wurst mit kartoffen”, yeah right, some other time.

Nevertheless, we shook hands, hugged & kissed…as prescribed in the Balkan customary legal system and we decided to call the local (and to be, at least regional) superstar, MA and BAR degree holder, Ministry of Justice high official – her holiness Marija Dzabirova herself.

In a blink of an eye, she appeared on her brand new classy wheels, and it could be easily noticed that she was thrilled by seeing us, her two massive bodyguards.

The feeling was truly mutual. Instantly, we have established a” joint position”. While walking, Zoc hilariously stated that…when he sees Marija, he feels like he is abroad. And he is always happy when he is abroad. Grin and joint position numero due. He sadly stated that they have seen each-other in Skopje only twice. I nodded. That’s indisputably tragic. I am seeing her quite often. Inter-institutional collaboration must be the reason. Or the Skopje night life maybe. She disputed the second theory of mine by telling that she is not the party beast she used to be. She has become even greater bureaucrat that the biggest bureaucrat in Estonia and in the whole Baltic region. The “system” took its toll.

We “positioned” ourselves in one fancy place…Marija ordered coffee, I naturally had Jegermeister (best thing after “the hair of the dog”), Zoc too (associated by a cupcake naturally). I had a sip of the Jegermeister and I thought of one famous quote presented to me by my truly Balkanized Luxembourgian colleague from Hungary, originally coming from Southern California, Mr. Andrew Haupert. When studying hard, he occasionally had problems with his tummy and therefore he was occasionally having Underberg - der natürliche Kräuter-Digestif. When I asked him, does he, as huge Underberg fan, prefer Jagermeister, he wisely responded “Jagermeister is what you give to your seven years old daughter”. I have always smiled at that one. Afterwards, while refreshing our memory, we smiled we cheered. I felt good. Damn I miss all those personalities. I asked Zoc, does anyone know where is Mr. Chinar Mammad, the Master of the Modeling Industry from Azerbaijan who used to live in Milano. Zoc simply replied. No.

I am really eager to find out which is his current destination. Lago di Como maybe? Who knows?

I also found out (incidentally), that the “hands of MEIR” Sergiu have had a spectacular performance in Graz, and that the wedding bells are about to be heard, here in the hood, right next door in PristinaJ I am really happy about that magnificent couple Gresa and Trim. I said to myself, Gresa surely knows how to prioritize after MEIR. I am also delighted that Gresa has kept her pace of unselfishness, and that she plans to reunify the MEIR generation, by inviting us at the official signing of the imprisonment decree (Without doing anything against the law. Gresa is a die hard Gandhi follower)J.

So, let Pristina be out next destination, our next Bolzano, Graz, Luxembourg, our next Barcelona…

After this day, after a day like this..I am really eager to meet you all guys.

Salutations,

Eddie

I wish you all a nice S. Valentine's Day.
With love,
Vale

Off-topic: Marrakech

Dont know if you ever felt being a tourist. Just an outsider. Different. If someone should think they know everything about people and interact with the most solid self-confidence, I suggest to go to Africa. My adventures were in Marokko, last week more precisely, thanks to a half-priced last minute drive into the "world of Tui". In Marrakech, more specifically, which was like a page from a school-book about inequalities.
In our slightly globalised and europeanised worlds, where I, as an Eastern european proudly felt the most "different", Marrakech was a revelation about the difference and hence force of survical of human societies (sorry for this sentence). It is the first time I really felt a "tourist", a tourist in the complete sense of the world, meaning, I could not just mingle with the locals, I was not allowed to do as they did and overall this strange feeling of being associated with... the colonisers.
There is the big square, to start with.
In every big city, there is one (some) big squares, and Marrakech is no difference. The Grand Place in Brussels, the area around the H&M shop in Graz :), the Ramblas in Barc. Where everyone rushes immediately when they arrive. To see It. Well, we went to see the famous big square, the Jamaa el Fna in Marrakech, at 10:30 at night (when we arrived) and were slightly dissapointed. Nothing except some girls wanting to put Henna on your hands. No amazing facades, palaces or anything. I only understood on the last day, why.

Panic

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_hZDTpxdgMc

Self-Produced Gossip about Marko

The whole MEIR generation freaked out following the self-produced gossip that our Marko broke his legs.











Kmezic, please, join the blog and confirm this is NOT true for the sake of all your friends, fans, secret and open admirers, acquaintances and any other who might still be praying for your life, health, happiness, freedom...!

The Saloon Story III

Two financial inspectors with suspicious Soviet background quietly stepped into the 3 Kugeln. One glance around the space filled with smoke made them realize none of their colleagues could be waiting for them inside. The cash machine kept rolling, but no receipts appeared, because the ‘programme’ had ended.
How sad? How depressing?
The girl with the short blond hair (who was known to be in the illegal migration business, having issued and successfully distributed fake Estonian passports) whispered ‘None of ours is here. No sense wasting time. We should go and check the next place.’
The other one, stubborn as a national of a new EU member country, hesitated a moment, but then asserted ‘They will come. I know them. Trust me.’
The waitress approached them – angry face, German sense of humour, dress torn apart after the long drunken nights in the 3 Kugeln with the local criminals…

Speech! Speech! The whole speech!

Dear Distinguished Professors,

Dear Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are honoured to have been selected to speak on behalf of the students in this Master Programme and each of us would like to describe a different aspect of our course. I would like to give the word to Angelina to present some ideological or perhaps idealistic elements of the programme, to Gresa to speak about the contextual issues. Finally, I would conclude with the personal touch. Angelina, please!

Thank you, Zoran!

Today we officially become Masters of European Integration and Regionalism. But have we mastered European integration. Do we know what our degree means? Allow me to summarize the results of our group.

First and foremost, European integration is a dream, a product of the mind. Like Professor Marko, we are young intellectuals who are convinced in the necessity to identify, analyse and follow influential ideas. In all our countries, the countries in South-eastern Europe, in the beginning there was a dream – the dream of united Europe, Europe without borders, not only because borders can cause conflicts, but because borders always damage freedom – freedom of movement, freedom of establishment, even the freedom to choose a state, peacefully of course.

Second, European integration is a programme which complements the dream. As you all know, this programme includes EU law (including the case law of ECJ), regionalism and federalism, minority integration, migration and enlargement policy, and cooperation with international organizations such as the United Nations, OSCE, the Council of Europe.

Finally, European integration, as we lived it in our Master Programme means tolerance through enlightenment. Academic knowledge and depth are necessary but not sufficient. To benefit from the Master Programme, each of us had to sacrifice time and effort, yet also home comfort, lifestyle, inertia, even prejudice. These sacrifices however did not affect the uniqueness of each of us. They only allowed us to know each other and live together – sing the same songs (in different languages), create common jokes, ask the world the same questions.

I know it may not sound credible, but it is possible, since it happened to us. It happened to us and prepared us for the present moment and the future. Gresa?

Thank you, Angelina!

It is true that there have been two years of hard work and commitment, preparing ourselves for the challenges of the future.

The 2007 is crucial year for South Eastern Europe! It has started with two new members states joining the European family. The Western Balkans has come a long way as well. The incentives related to the accession into the European Union have proven to be very effective in helping to promote reforms. The actual integration process has paved the way for successes that have been difficult to imagine just seven years ago.

Being from Kosovo it is important to mention that the European integration perspective and the European oriented youth like ourselves are the greatest guarantees for peace and stability at the eve of the Kosovo’s future status determination as the last remaining piece to be resolved in the Western Balkans. We hope that notwithstanding what comes out of the status package, the situation will be kept constructive, the cooperation spirit alive and that future boundaries will not become walls between enemies but bridges between neighbors.

As soon to be alumni of the Masters Program on European Integration and Regionalism, we will be able and better prepared to embrace obligations and contribute to the reforms in our countries, regional cooperation and European integration itself. This Masters has given us the knowledge and experience to understand and deal with the requirements of the path towards EU in one hand and the importance of the local governance and protection of minority rights in the other. The latter is especially important in the context of most of the countries that are represented in the Masters Program. Respecting our differences is a great value and the base for building a future together. This Masters is a witness of the strong friendships that have grown among us. Amazing things can happen when we are only given the chance to speak to each other….

On this note, we need to express our deepest gratitude to the institutions involved in this initiative, the University of Graz, the European Research Academy and the European Institute for Public Administration, for seizing the opportunity to build a new generation of people whose ideals will be to respect and work for incorporating the EU values into those of their own countries.

Our special thanks and deepest respect to the Scientific Director of the Program, Professor Marko for all his support and commitment not only to the program, but to the idea of bringing youth together through higher education with the purpose of expanding values, networks and cooperation.

Of course lets not forget that the soul of this program have been the students with whom we have been through some of the greatest moments in our lives. Now, I will pass it on to my colleague Zoran who will speak about the Masters Program from a more personal perspective.

Thank you very much.

Thank you Gresa!

Let me express my greatest honour to speak about the personal perspective of what we have been through and the people that made this wonderfull experience possible. Since, becoming an expert in a certain field is hard, but becoming and remaining a good human being is one of the hardest and greatest challenges in life.

Prof.Marko, it seems to me that apart from the knowledge filter you have applied some kind of an invisible “good character filter” in the selection of the participants of this program. And this also applies to the management of our program. Emma and Sergiu were always very kind, cooperative, helpful, supportive, both so professional and so personal with all of us.

And my colleagues- they ranged from hitchhikers and adventurists, urban legends from the Balkans, gracious and very intelligent ladies whom I had the greatest privilege to meet and work with.

Sure, we worked hard, but we didn’t forget our social activities. From exploring South Tyrol and visiting the Aichner familiy for an unforgettable lunch, sledging in Austria and even some bizarre moments like recovering the stolen briefcase of our professor on the streets of Barcelona...

We built an atmosphere of high mutual respect and friendship, a curiosity to learn about each others cultures, the “soft learning” the Prof.Heichlinger was talking about. We made a big European family with a joint European vision!

I would feel deeply honoured if I have given my small contribution to the overall great success of this programme!

Therefore, Prof.Marko, let me thank you for being the mastermind of this programme, let me thank the management of the University of Graz for having the courage and vision to support Prof.Marko’s adventurous endeavours to found this MA Programme that already became very popular and “talked about” in all of our countries, let me thank Emma for being the heart of the programme, Sergiu for being the hands of the programme and each and every one of you for being its living cells!

On behalf of the three of us, congratulations and all the best in life!

(Huge applause:)

The Saloon Story II

And then the girl from Kosovo went into the 3 Kugeln. Although she looked fabulous in her black suit and long blond hair, the shabby men in the darkness stared at her as if they had seen a Balkan ghost. The girl was uncertain as to where she was, why she happened to be there and whether any of her friends would dare to join her in the 3 Kugeln - the sentiments of Alice in wonderland.

Smelly food, the squeaky sound of the roulette table, a number of gunshots, plates and broken glasses on the floor - that is why she decided to leave.


One hour later...

Graz Ceremony - lucky moments

This is how we officially concluded our Master ceremony - everybody is happy and smiling at his or her best! Aren't we nice and easy to handle? Thanks again to Prof. Marko, Emma, Antonija and Sergiu who prepared this great ceremony at the Meerscheinschloss. Not the slightest mistake happened: nobody stumbled, nobody got a cough attack and I fear that almost nobody noticed Reinis' great drawing of the barefoot South Tyrolian politicians presented that was included in the PPP ;-)

Euro-kebab or kebab-euro?

In Graz we often had to resort to Euro-kebabs.

Following these developments, the ECB plans to introduce a new currency! Our special correspondent there is invited to report in the near future on these and further issues...

The most recent gossip is that Zoran went to Cuba and joined the revolution?

El cubano es como es: alegre, dicharachero, simpático, ocurrente, enamorado, hospitalario, generoso. Entusiasta, no existe para él problema que no pueda resolverse. Pero sobre todo el cubano es noble y digno patriota.

New pictures!

My pictures of 2007 Graz trip, as promised, at http://en.album.ee/kukkhelle

The Saloon Story

Back then, in the good old times, they all had guns, or at least some of them...
Two men in black were walking down the path. One of them had even shaved. The stone face of the other looked like that of Napoleon after Waterloo. He enjoyed no talking. He barely mumbled in a low, angry voice: "We go there."

And then the two men went into the 3 Kugeln. The dreadful music stopped. Silence. Hesitant eye contact with the public.
Only the barman kept drying the old whiskey glasses.
"Two", ordered the shaved man dryly. "Do you want one?", he turned bluntly to a random local on his left side. "Yes". "Greedy bastard", and he shot the scared stranger. "Do you want one?", he turned to the one to the right. "No"."Impolite to the bones", and he shot him too.
A short figure was hiding in the corner, and shaking...





Did anyone survive in the saloon story?

THE GRADUATION CEREMONY

Naturally, after our graduation ceremony we can create this alumni blog...
22 January 2006
University of Graz
Austria





The student graduation speech:
coming soon!