Last Monday, in the frame of our project we had a 2nd meeting with interested and interesting people. This time it was one girl and one boy. We asked them some questions and this is the answers we’ve got.
- X is a girl, Y is a boy.
We’re talking for example about what Macedonia means for them…
X says “The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about Macedonia is that it is my motherland that I’m living here and I like it. I have lived here whole my life and it’s a part of my life. I think about beautiful places, nice and welcoming people, about my family and friends, good weather, all the advantages which Macedonia offers. I’m an optimist and in this case it means thinking more about beautiful things, I don’t like politics here, but I don’t focus on it. Everywhere, in each country there are good and bad things. I really like my country and I don’t know if I could live for a longer period away from it. I’m bound to my family and everything here, I’m used to things here and I like them. I like the places, people with whom I hang out, clubs, organizations etc.
“I’m not that much optimistic” – answers Y – “Macedonia is a nice piece of land, but people sucks. People are not living their life, just surviving. Living is, when a person is doing things in live, which makes him/her happy, have time to spend with family, friends, not to be disturb with stupid things. People here are not really happy, economic is disaster, everyone is thinking about politics and not things which are important in life. I don’t like living here very much, because I don’t think I have fair opportunities to achieve things in my life, many things are working with ‘knowing important people’, with connections. People who have the qualities don’t necessarily go far in their life, because they don’t know the “right” people. I like the land and the nature, but not the situation in our country.
“Well, situation is like Y said – says X – we need to improve a lot of things, but I don’t agree that you could find more chances out of your country, there is similar situation in many countries. I had a chance to communicate with many different people, for example French people, we’ve got very close etc. and all of them wanted to stay here, they were pleasantly surprised by the mentality of people. People in Macedonia have this virtue of being very welcoming, outgoing and warm. They really want to spend time together, to be with other people. And I think that in Western countries it’s different, the people mostly think about work, not so much about other people. But now in Macedonia we’re slowly changing for the similar model.
We also question them if they would leave their country and why?
X thinks that “I could maybe leave it, but not for always. I would like to be able to return here whenever I want. But I would like to try to live in another country. My aim first of all is to finish my studies and then I’ll think about my further future. If I’ll manage to have a good career here then I’ll stay in Macedonia.
Y says “I’m not sure, but probably I will go somewhere, but just to make a comparison. But I’m not sure if I would then come back. The only thing which I want is a fair chance. But here it’s very hard to get it.
“If you migrate, – reacts X – you first need to adapt, it will take a long time. You cannot possibly have exactly the same chances as the rest of the society. Especially that people often don’t have the knowledge about Macedonia or they have a wrong knowledge. You would need to try more to confirm your qualities; you would need to improve, also to confirm the official diplomas etc. But if you’re really wanted, you’ll probably get your chances. Maybe it would be harder than in Macedonia, maybe not.
Y adds – “I agree with X almost in everything. I would never go somewhere as a migrant. I could only leave the country to study or to specialize. I would never work on a black market or on the low-profile jobs. I’m a bit pessimistic about Macedonia, but I would only go away, if I can precede my studies or if I can work in a job for which I’m qualified. I suppose that if they would really want to check my knowledge I will do every test.
And what about Patriotism? What does that mean?
Y: “To be a Macedonian and to love the country. You don’t have to be an ethnic Macedonian, its intercultural society; we all live here and love the country. It’s enough to love the country. I can be critical about the country, but It doesn’t mean I hate it.”
X reacts: “I agree. To love your country and to be proud of it.”
And why you’re proud of your country?
Y is proud “because the land is beautiful, people are capable to show a lot of love. It’s rare in modern countries, but it’s one of the most important things.”
And X is proud of “the beautiful spots around the country, the nature, the people, the history, the potential of developing in every sense, the richness of nature, agriculture is very developed, I love the traditional meals, music, parties. People just need to be given a chance.”
And what you would tell to the other people about Macedonia?
Y would tell that “it’s a nice country, but not so many nice people. I’m being critical and it doesn’t mean that I’m bad; I’m just this kind of person. I think that critic is a way of improvement. Now and in a future I’ll take every chance to improve my society.
X think that “I would locate them first 
And then say all the good things which I’ve mentioned before. And if the person would like to know more about Macedonia, I would introduce the full situation, including more negative points. If someone doesn’t know any information then I would say general information, mostly nice 
”.
To sum up: Y was more critical, X was more optimistic. So, they thought that together they spoke about the full image
Thank you for your input!
