Ahoj !
Ako sa máš? From my side, I’m doing veľmi dobre! Spring is here, and just seeing nature bloom makes me happy. Also, a lot has been going on at INEX, and I love it!
Let’s go back to the beginning of March.
On the first Sunday, I helped with a food distribution for homeless people. It was hard to see the reality that so many people are living on the streets in difficult conditions, it really hurt my heart. But at the same time, it felt nice to help, to feel useful, and to see that everyone can help even making small actions.
I also attended the Leadership Academy in Modra, where I met a really nice group of people. We shared a lot, learned together, laughed together, played together. I’m really excited about the idea of leading workcamps this summer and putting what I learned into practice!
Slovak classes are going well! After learning some verbs to describe what we like to do, we moved on to numbers and family members. It’s a lot for my brain to process, but we (my brain and I) are doing our best!
I had the chance to join my first weekend workcamp ever (and the best so far!) We were in Svätý Jur with Lenka, Dana, Klára, and Pavol, helping to clean a room full of 100-year-old mess in an old and magical Renaissance house. It felt like a real treasure hunt! We discovered old statues, musical instruments, and even handwritten books with notes. And I must admit the lunches at the café were amazing and gave us a lot of energy! We also painted old chairs to give them a second life. It was inspiring to see how the local partners take such care of the place, preserving its history while also building a community. I met there Lucia, who gives art workshops for children, and she invited (with a perfect French) me to come back the following Friday to attend one.
This month, I also had my first Tea Meeting as a presenter! I talked about France and the small village of 20 inhabitants where I’m from. In the morning, I walked along the Danube, repeating my text to myself to memorize it. Then, I cooked creps plus a salty cake with olives. Just before the presentation, I was really nervous. But once I started talking, I felt safe and relaxed, and I really enjoyed it! I think it was the first time I truly enjoyed speaking in front of 40 pairs of eyes.
I also had the chance to join Prešporkovo 20th anniversary celebration and the platform for families with disabilities where I did creatives activities with children.
Outside of INEX activities, I enjoy going out for coffee with friends and chat about everything and nothing. I also try to go to as many art workshops or museums as possible to learn as much as I can about art.
I joined Lucia’s workshop, where I painted an owl with dry pastels on a huge blue paper. It was really challenging since I had never done anything like that before, but I liked the result, thanks to Lucia’s advice! I also went to the Sashe market, where I learned embroidery, and later, I joined a workshop at A4 cultural center, where I painted scarves with a friend.
I’m grateful to be part of this project. It allows me to do so many things I love. I also spend a lot of my free time working on my online illustration course from France, which makes me really happy.
Right now, I’m preparing for you an INEX workshop about bookbinding, where we’ll talk about environment, social movements, and creativity. A French club might be launching soon as well!
It’s a lot of work, but I’m so happy to bring these projects to life, they truly mean a lot to me.
So, I hope to see you at the next activities!
Ahoj,
Take care,
Sarah
