CULTURE IS FREE WILL

Each day, which is closer to the big day than the previous one, was more intense. The atmosphere sparkled. And Friday the 13th crept on the calendar right at this time.

A peg top, spinning, carousel, the first turn—I see a chance, I can’t remember where, the second turn—I sign up for the “opportunity” at www.city-volunteers.si. Soon I realize that there’s no selection, there’s no first round or even the “Thank you for your time, we inform you in a week!” It takes just a few clicks to become a volunteer at the ECOC. This is it… Energy. New. Fresh. This is how I felt when I first entered the house. Even though they were nervous about the big day approaching with the speed of light, if I express it in the ECOC style, they were still incredibly friendly, helpful, willing to talk and discuss things, probably for the hundred and the first time, humane … warm. Everyone that I had an opportunity to work together in these five days was like that. Everyone behind their door, at their desk, working on their project, in their own world. Soon I feel it too—not only the people but also this Big Project. Little by little, but every day more. To feel it, I have to enter it. To give in to it. To take the chance. The wish to participate is strong and, I dare say, mutual. I chose marketing, PR, and I decided to work as an officer for the institute during the year. Every experience is unique. I also deliver brochures to bars. At the beginning, I was a bit skeptical about how the employees in bars would react when I, after the postman and a friendly introduction, add brochures on the shelf with newspapers, but later I was surprised by the power of the word ECOC. “Of course, no problem, you can bring more!” Positive energy glows in Maribor, too. I hope it’ll be like that the entire year.

Each day, which is closer to the big day than the previous one, was more intense. The atmosphere sparkled. And Friday the 13th crept on the calendar right at this time. The morning started quite miserably… It went by quickly, fortunately, but you never know what comes next. That day I was responsible for the protocol spirit. In the afternoon, I received the Portuguese delegation in Graz. Great ladies! Not to forget the friendly taxi driver who also gave his business card for the guests, because you never know when you’ll return. Friday the 13th left us alone. 

On Saturday, quite the opposite. In fact, very funny. For those who watched us with sitting orders in our hands… Though, it wasn’t funny for us, the protocol people. It was a mess. How to tell four hundred people where to sit in just half an hour, if I knew for only about thirty people how they look like?? I wasn’t alone, there was … I don’t know how many, but we all froze. Literally. With vague tasks because of the changes made in the last second. This is always wonderfully chaotic. Aljaž, hats off to you. I couldn’t take such pressure. Nothing was right and only a few people sat on the assigned seats and we bothered him with questions. What to do? Who’s this? Where does he sit? May I ask him to sit at the top of the bleacher? Oh, why over the twelfth row? No, he doesn’t have an accreditation. I don’t have time anymore! Do I have to go with them to Graz? May he call you? Will you arrange the transportation? Aaaaaaaaah!!! He received everyone and organized everything in a calm, professional, polite, and elegant way. He didn’t get angry at anyone. I would. All these people that thought on Saturday that they could do it better. You have no idea!! So much effort…

The most important is that we spin. Voluntarily.