At the beginning of October we finished a youth exchange in Finland, where our small group represented Ljubljana Pride!
Together with 25 other participants we explored the idea of hope – what does it mean to us, where to find it, how to support each other, how to find solace in nature, how to organise and protest, how to improve our communities.
During that week we talked (about hope, about ourselves, about being Queer in our countries), learned (practical skills, information, but also canoeing, climbing, archery), played, crafted, sang, laughed.
Participants came from 5 countries (Estonia, Finland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia), and were supported by our amazing Partner organisations:
- Höllä Yhteisö from Finland,
- Estonian LGBT Association (Eesti LGBT Ühing),
- Grupa “IZAĐI” from Serbia,
- Saplinq Association from Slovakia,
- and of course Youth Center Metsäkartano, our lovely host!
We came back with much to think about, connections to friendly people from other countries, and memories about the Finnish forest.
You can read some of our thoughts below!
This Erasmus+ Youth Exchange was funded by the European Union.
“The week we spent in Finland was a special experience for me, one that will stay with me for a long time. During the week, I had the chance to try out new experiences: learning traditional dances, going boating on the lake, walking in silence in the forest. Learning to reconnect with nature is what will stay with me the most, along with discovering the roots of different cultures. Perhaps because other people shared some of their cultural traditions during the youth exchange, I found myself thinking about those of my home country, and how much I’d like to rediscover our legends and customs. One episode that truly embodied the feeling of hope was when two people I met there decided to go for a swim in the lake. The sun was setting and the colours were breathtaking, but the water was so cold. One of them wanted to go in, but didn’t want to do it alone and was almost giving up on the idea. Their friend realised how important this gesture was to them and said: ‘If you’re doing it, I’m doing it with you’, and so they went in together. They were there for each other, doing something a bit reckless but special, and to me, that was truly hopeful — knowing that you’ll have someone beside you in a cold lake because you care deeply about doing it, regardless of what others might think. I can’t wait to be there again, and I will be forever grateful for having had the opportunity to experience this.”
– Sere
“My experience at the youth exchange in Metsäkartano was fun and peaceful. We were situated in a forest mansion, next to a lake. The nature was so quiet and clean that it felt like I was able to allow my body and mind to rest.
People from different countries shared their experiences, language and culture. I learned that art and dance can bring people together better than any words or agreements can.
Canoeing and climbing were the parts I enjoyed the most, because I don’t often get the opportunity to participate in sports with a group of open-minded queer people. I will forever value the friendships I made there.
It really brought me hope to connect with great people through games, dance and collage. I came back feeling optimistic and inspired. I recommend Metsäkartano for anyone wanting to feel at home in a place where sunsets are the prettiest I have ever seen.”
-Maša