Skopje, July the 24th 2008…

After 4 months of loneliness, of separation, of work, everyone on his side, in Lille, Strasbourg, Krusevac and Skopje, we all gathered together the 24th of July, in the volunteers’ house in Skopje.

But no time for sentimentalism. After a big general hug, we started to work. We needed to discuss about the project, the association and prepare the juggling equipment in advance.

So we finally had a meeting which was not an Internet one. Then we spent all the day in the garden (which was really messy), making fire poi and staff, and costumes. We also practised some juggling, teaching each others new tricks, making passing and trying to walk on steels…

We had our first audience: kids of the neighborhood squatted the garden with us, trying to help us (putting a mess), supporting and watching us with those big opened and impressed eyes that made us come back in Balkans.

In the evening, we started to pack our bags and to get ready for the first stop of our trip in the city of Kumanovo, Macedonia…

To be continued!

Itin’errance

Following the last meeting we had all together, we managed to “fix” an itinerary for this juggling trip.

So we are open to anybody wanting to join us on the way, to give some hand, or to encourage us, or to make music, or take pictures, or drink a coffee and/or rakija… Whatever, feel free to contact us by mail.

Here is the way and dates we will try to follow:

From 26th to 28th of July–> Kumanovo (Macedonia). We will take part in this festival: http://www.streetskumanovo.org/

28th to 31st of july——> Leskovac (Serbia) Working with a local association.

1st of august to 5th——> Sutka (area near Skopje, Makedonija) it’s a kind of “Roma community” full of kids with brigth eyes, where we already did some stuff before, which gave us the will to do it again!

6th to 13th of august—-> Kosovo (we still don’t know exactly which places, will be given soon) working with the Balkan Sunflower: http://www.balkansunflowers.org/ This association is organizing activities for young children all around Kosovo

13 to 18th of august—–> Albania (we don’t know the place yet as well…) Making activities with an ONG: http://www.terredeshommes.org/

19 to 22 of august——> Struga (Sth west of Macedonia) for the final, working with some friends, friends of friends, local volunteers of the association Youth Forum Eye…

We hope to bring you nice pictures, to share good experiences with you.

Ajde da žonglirame! (let’s juggle)

Qui m’aime me suive!*

Dear all,

I’m glad to welcome you on the page where all of you will have a chance to travell with us. We are still packing our things. But the trip is already in the minds. Our nights are already full of dreams and our feet ready to ride! One day after another, we are getting closer and closer to the departure. One day after another, the adventure sounds more and more exciting.

I think that most of you have heard about the project. But I would like anyway to introduce it. First of all because you might have one more chance to understang something which was not clear enough in the mails. Then, because some random websurfers could stop by accident on this page…

Juliette, Pierre, Antoine, Amélie. We are four young french people between 19 and 23 years old gathered together around this itinerant juggling festival around Balkans. Wve all have the characteristic to be doing or to have done a European Voluntarism Service in the Balkans. During our E.V.S. we have organised some juggling workshops. During this square time dedicated to the juggling, we have noticed one thing: juggling is not famous in the Balkans, however it makes a strong impression and it is not necessary to be professional to interest the people… So comes the idea to travell around, backpacks full of rice and balloons. Starting from July the 26th, for one Music Festival in Kumanovo, Republic of Macedonia, untill the end of august, we will be on the road. Passing by many cities in Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania, settling down for a couple of days, we will organise juggling workshops with the local communities to introduce them to our art: how to build their own equipment with very simple materials, such as balls with rice and balloons, and then we will teach them how to start to juggle with the bases. Eventually, a performance from us will be held.

Our project will have as an impact to make this art known to people who hardly have access to it. It will be a question of livening up, giving pleasure, without compensation, to people affected by the events from the last fifteen years in the region. Why not imagine that vocations could be revealed! Or just that some people coming from different communities could meet around this art. we also would like to perfect our knowledge about the region in order to present, after coming back to France, our experience in Balkans. This would be made thanks to some pictures exhibitions and possibly a documentary movie.

I would like eventually to clarify just one thing. I know that many french people would expect this blog to be in french. I have to say that many people who don’t speak french will probably get upset if we do so. All the blog will be in english! 

*Take a ride with us!

We wish you joy and happiness,

The juggling team!