October 2008 European Rotaract Informational Centre
Newsletter Bringing people together!
Issue #1 (2008-2009)
http://www.rotaracteurope.org
EUCO 2008 – what a blast! With over 950 delegates from 40 different countries the recent European Rotaract Conference that took place in London from 30th April – 4th May was officially the largest gathering of international Rotaractors ever. Delegates came together to celebrate 40 years of Rotaract, a programme of Rotary International. During the conference delegates took in the famous sights of London, enjoyed the company of Baroness Hanham at their Opening Ceremony and took the time to share ideas and learn about other cultures. On Thursday afternoon some delegates participated in some
personal development games, including elements of team work, problem solving and fun. One of the funniest sights was watching the great plank race, whereby each team had to travel on planks on a race course and the quickest team won. You just have to look at the photos to see the entertainment value! The ERIC/Rotaract Europe Conference was held this year on the Friday of EUCO and saw over 350 delegates come together
to hear about Rotaract projects taking place throughout Europe and the World. It is also during the conference session that the winners of the BESP and TCA Competitions were announced – many congratulations to the lucky winners. In the afternoon there were a
number of workshops including topics such as recruiting from the Rotary Family, Past Rotaractors – help or hindrance?, DRR training and Rotary’s Action Group for Population and Development. One of the highlights of EUCO 2008 saw 350 delegates enjoying champagne and croissants in Jubilee Gardens on Saturday 3rd May before taking flight on the London Eye. The weather was perfect and the views around London were breathtaking.
Later that evening the delegates were joined by Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland President Allan Jagger and other guest at their 40th Anniversary Gala Ball at Novotel London West. The food was exquisite, the DJ great and the venue out of this world. Seeing 945 people in one room having so much fun will most definitely be one of the lasting memories of EUCO 2008. During the evening proceedings EUCO 2008 Chairman, Lisa Burnett, was awarded with a Paul Harris Fellow. Lisa commented “It is a real honour to receive a Paul Harris Fellow, made extra special by the fact it was presented during the European Rotaract Conference that I had spent 14 months working on.” She continued, “I was completely blown away by the award and the standing ovation from those present. Rotaract has been a very important part of my life for over 6 years now and I am so thankful to Rotary District 1110 for the nomination.” Sunday, the last day of EUCO 2008, arrived so quickly that it was hard to believe it was now time to say goodbye to all the new-found friends. To ensure delegates didn’t just slip-off home the EUCO organising committee organised picnic in the park. There was loads of
food and it was great to get the opportunity to talk more to delegates and work out when everyone was going to see each other again. Not only did EUCO 2008 facilitate international understanding and the sharing of knowledge it has also raised £10,000 for the Rotary charity ShelterBox. Finally, a big thank you everyone who travelled to London to be part of EUCO 2008, you are the people that made the event what it was, without you it would not have been a success. All of us on the EUCO 2008 organising committee look forward to seeing you at the next REM meeting and of course at EUCO 2009 in Istanbul.
EUCO 2008 Organising Committee
October 2008
Newsletter European Rotaract Informational Centre
Bringing people together!
http://www.rotaracteurope.org
Page 2
EUCO 2009 – Invitation from Turkey to enjoy infinity…
29 April – 3 May, ISTANBUL
What do you expect from EUCO 2009 Istanbul? Just a little bit, think about it. And please raise your expectations. Because Istanbul is Europe’s most populous city and Turkey’s cultural and financial center. It is located on the Bosporus Strait and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn, in the northwest of the country. It extends both on the European and on the Asian side of the Bosporus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents. In its long history, Istanbul served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330–395), the East Roman (Byzantine) Empire
(395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453– 1922). The city was chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010. The historic areas of Istanbul were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. These are from historical and cultural side. What else do we have? Here are some clues… As District 2420 Turkey Present WE promise that you will never
leave Istanbul without… -joining our ceremony to gather the cultures -welcome PARTY by the sea -tasting Turkish delight -learning belly dance in our traditional oriental Turkish clubs -touring on the Bosporus -“Are you REaDy for party?” fantastic concept party -tasting delicious Turkish foods, kebab (but the real one), Turkish pizza and later on for sure Turkish coffee -sightseeing in Istanbul and then detailed cultural and historical visits (Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Suleymaniye Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Pierre Loti)
-raising the Rotaract spirit in this exotic atmosphere -having fun with workshops & activities -enjoying the sunshine (four season sunshine in Turkey) -gala ball in convention center -touching infinity For more information or to book your place visit www.euco2009istanbul.org or contact us by e-mail info@euco2009istanbul.org We are REaDy for welcoming you to EUCO 2009 Istanbul. Are you REaDy for the EUCO 2009 Istanbul??? The EUCO 2009 Istanbul Organizing Committee
October 2008
Newsletter European Rotaract Informational Centre
Bringing people together!
http://www.rotaracteurope.org
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EUCO 2009 – Invitation from Turkey to enjoy infinity…
www.euco2009istanbul.org
October 2008
Newsletter European Rotaract Informational Centre
Bringing people together!
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Let’s meet in Gdansk! P.I.N. - Palermo Est Friends, E.R.I.C. Winter Meeting 2009 Dear Thanks to the great success of last year’s event, Do you know what will be your first Rotaract international event in 2009 ? We have a proposal you won’t reject... Get to know the thousand-year history of Gdansk the beautiful port on the Baltic. Meet Neptune, the god of the sea. Take a walk down The Long Market, enjoy its renaissance beauty and visit The Artus Court. Discover the secrets of amber. Get a taste of peaceful revolution, which started here in the 80’s. Discover Sopot, Polish capital of parting! A city like the sea absolutely unpredictable. Vibrant and roaring, all of a sudden it becomes incredibly calm, quiet and
full of harmony. Usually, it is only the calm before storm... Let us show you all that and many more... during one weekend! Rotaract Club of Trojmiasto has the honor to host you during the Rotaract Europe Meeting in January 2009. Details and registration: www.rem2009.rotaract.alte.pl Sylwia Łapinska President of RTC Trójmiasto.
next November, for the second consecutive year, we will renew our invitation for you to participate in P.I.N. - Palermo Est in November. If you have not yet heard about it, I will try to briefly introduce it and perhaps to also convey through these few lines, the same enthusiasm that prompted us to organize this wonderful initiative! We strongly believe in youth mobility and consider it not only an important opportunity for personal growth but also an unforgettable experience. Travelling to another country, staying in different surroundings and being introduced to different cultures is without a doubt a key step in everyone’s life...this is why our P.I.N. was born! It is an opportunity to promote dialogue, through symbols of friendship, solidarity, sharing and civic commitment, among young Rotaractors who are overcoming linguistic and cultural barriers in order to acquire awareness of our present and to learn together to develop our future. We are all equal albeit under different flags... we have fun with the same music and with the same hobbies, we share the same passions, the same fears, the same courage not to give up, and the same unconsciousness to plunge in headlong... all so different yet so equal... with the same needs, wishes, desires and dreams. Well, P.I.N. foresees a unique low cost week full of excursions, crazy parties and cultural life here in Sicily (the treasure island of Mediterranean) thanks to which the participants can know better our local culture, the food we eat and our lifestyle but at the same time we can also learn about the Countries of the participants who
choose to adhere to this program. It will be held here in Palermo from 6 to 12 November 2008 and it will end with a Grand Gala with which we will celebrate our 40th Anniversary Foundation. We think that it can be a great opportunity both to share all together the emotions given from this important event and above all to build better friendship between boys and girls who live in different parts of the world but share the same Rotaract ideals. So, what are you waiting for? Register now and share this exciting experience with us!!! You can find everything about P.I.N. in our official website: www. racpalermoest.altervista.org in the area dedicated to this event and you can also download the relative files. I look forward to meeting you all in Palermo. Warm Rotaract Regards, Salvatore Marchetta President of Rotaract Club of Palermo Est e-mail: acquarius20@inwind.it mobile: +39 334 9517172
October 2008
Newsletter European Rotaract Informational Centre
Bringing people together!
http://www.rotaracteurope.org
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Milan International Week-end 2009 Rotaract Club Milano Duomo is proud to invite you, on the 20th-22nd March 2009, to its sixth edition of the now (in)famous Milan International Week-end, or MIW6, where Rotaractors enjoy a blast of fun, culture, international relations, arts, fashion, shopping, food and of course streams of drinks! MIW is now a tradition among international week-ends. It all started in 2004 and continued with an ever growing success, efficiency and participants’ satisfaction in each of the following editions. The three latest editions were combined with other major international events that took place in our city, like the 2006 ERIC Meeting, the 2007 Euco and the 2008 International 40th Anniversary New Year’s Celebrations. Speaking about anniversaries, Rotaract Club Milano Duomo is celebrating its fifteenth year in 2008-2009 and guess when we are celebrating our birthday? With you, on occasion of MIW6 on 20th-22nd March 2009, of course! And you are invited! Now MIW returns to its original shape and wants you! A threeday programme in March, starting off on Friday evening with a welcoming reception, a full-day programme on Saturday, in-
cluding arts, fashion and a lot of fun, the traditional gala evening, matched with our Club’s fifteenth birthday, and a good-bye brunch on Sunday and au revoir to MIW7 and all the other international events held by our friends across Europe and the world. This year’s MIW will take place exactly in between the second ERIC Meeting in Gdansk and the Instanbul Euco, so it will represent a great opportunity for us all to meet up before the largest yearly event kicks off. One of the most innovative features of MIW6 will be the introduction of short workshops about Rotaract and where Rotaract gives its contribution of ideas and talents, in order to promote and share the qualities of Rotaract in Europe and to provide participants with more than “just” culture and fun. Indeed we want our friends from all over Europe to go back home having spent an enriching week-end, one that
encompasses Rotaract in all its features and that shows, as I like saying, that Rotaract is the most beautiful programme in the world. Milan is indeed an ideal location for this kind of events, as those aficionados who took part in some or all of our events well know. Located in northern Italy, close to the Swiss border and the magical Alps, not far from Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and France, within one or two hours’ flight from almost anywhere in Europe and two hours’ drive to the seaside, Milan welcomes everyone and is an international and fashionable city with a long, long history a major role in the global business community and some fantastic art masterpieces. A famous newspaper editor born in Florence but naturalised Milanese once said that you are not born Milanese: rather you become one. This is particularly true to Rotaract Club Milano Duomo, “home” to over fifty members, mostly from other cities, one of the largest Clubs in Italy and Europe, whose 2008-2009 President, Marco Mott, is an “immigrant” from German-speaking Süd Tirol! Not to mention the rest of our Board, composed of great Rotaractors from all over Italy, from Abruzzi to Sicily, from Genoa to Rome. Many of you, European friends, sort of became Milanese by coming to our events over the last five years and we are thrilled to welcome you again or to show newbies around and make ev-
eryone feel at home. Check out www.miw6.com, which will be online in mid-October: the final programme, information and packages will be there. The first was a success, the second was a blast, the third will always last, the fourth was a Euco, the fith a New Year and the sixth will go up a higher gear! Federico Vasoli for Rotaract Club Milano Duomo Italy Representative to the European Rotaract Information Center (ERIC) 2008-2009 - www.rotaracteurope.org Immediate-Past District 2040 Rotaract Representative (40th Anniversary, 2007-2008) - www. rotaract2040.org Rotaract Club Milano Duomo (Past President 2004-2005, Board member 2008-2009) www.rotaractmilanoduomo.com
October 2008
Newsletter European Rotaract Informational Centre
Bringing people together!
http://www.rotaracteurope.org
Page 6
HUNGARY – with my eyes – for your eyes only! If you hear the word: Hungary, probably you have some thoughts on your mind, but hopefully not one of the following: „If you’re Hung’ry why don’t you go to Turkey? , or Hungary, isn’t its capital Bukarest? or: Ah, the place where Drakula came from?” Those who’ve already been here, don’t ask this sort of questions of course, and when you meet them, they’re starting to talk about Buda and Pest, gulyás soup, Tokai and pálinka, and of course the most important word : „egészségedre” (cheers). But whatever they say, they are proud of themselves knowing some things about Hungary, and I must admit, I feel pride as well that people are interested in our small country at all. But of course, beyond the mentioned above, Hungary could mean much more. Our country with its huge, endless „puszta”-s, the Balaton that keeps most of our childhood memories, a night walk in the city center of Budapest can cheer us up anytime. We have so many great historical traditions in literature, inventions, winemaking, arts, architecture, that it is hard to list everything. So let me pick just one: the tradition of bathing. Thanks to the fortunate location of our country and Budapest, we’ve always had an abundance in healing springwater. The history of the spas goes back to the ancient Roman times. According to the records, there were already 14 baths in Pannonia ( the name of the former province in the territory of the recent Hungary), thanks to the 2nd Roman Legion stationed in Aquincum. That pe-
riod is also known as the 1st heyday of the Buda spas.
The ruins of Aquincum today, in Óbuda The aqueducts of the baths gained their water from the natural curative sources. After the fall of the Roman Empire the whole culture of the bathing started to decline, not just in the territory of Hungary, but all over the World. The medieval: After the settlement of the Magyars in Hungary, the first known record of a new bathing culture already came in 1178 from a township called Felhévíz. That was the place where the Order of Saint John helped with the healing of sick and disabled people. Therefore the Order had also founded a hospital and a spa at the bottom of the Gellérthegy. It was later named Saint Elisabeth Hospital in honour of the daugh-
ter of our King Endre II. This hospital was located in the place of the recent Gellért Hotel and Spa. During the reign of King Zsigmond (XV Century) the culture of the spas started to flourish, when Buda became the royal seat of Hungary. In the „Code of Buda” a separate chapter was dedicated to the spas, as the significant spots of social intercourses. The Spa Rác is one of the results of this era. In the time of our great king , King Matthias (Mátyás), these spas were called „royal spas”, thanks to the fact that they were regulary frequented by the king himself as well. This is also attested by the covered passage heading from the Castle of Buda to the Spa Rác. The period of the Turkish occupation: In the history of Budapest bathing, the next remarkable period is connected to the time of the 150 years of the Turkish occupation. This period embodied a brand new way of social bathing. On the right side of the Duna, there were eight baths established from the Turkish bath type „ilidja” or „kaplidja”. Because of religious purposes, the spas were built upon sources (according to the Islam only the runnig water is good for the cleaning of the human body, not the stagnant one), where people could clean their bodies before praying. That was also the reason why the spa buildings became the most appreciated buildings of all. The Rudas Spa ( so called : „the Bath with Green Columns”)
and the Royal Bath were built in this period as well.
The Király Fürdo (Royal Bath) today Due to these baths, our capital was rightly named the Mecca of the rheumatics. From the 18th Century till our days: With the end of the Turkish domination, the glory of the spas starting to fade, their estate went from bad to worse. The next rising of the spas started with the epoch of the Enlightenment. In 1772, a decree was issued by Maria Theresia, Queen of Hungary (and Empress of Austria) to have all mineral waters “analysed and recorded in a list at the expense of the Treasury”. Several studies were born about the curative power of the spring-waters of Buda for the first hydrological study of Hungary. The disciplines of medicine, balneology and the new technical achievements of
October 2008
Newsletter European Rotaract Informational Centre
Bringing people together!
http://www.rotaracteurope.org
Page 7
HUNGARY – with my eyes – for your eyes only! drilling gave a new push to the development. This time the traditions of the northern bathing culture in Hungary, such as the sauna, the steam cabines, the cold water pools became known. One of the results of the technical solutions was a well at the Margitsziget, thanks to the plans of Vilmos Zsigmondy, which was also the first artesian well of Budapest. Following this, the baths of the Városliget ( the Széchenyi Spa) were founded and several baths were rebuilt such as the Rudas or the Császár, and the building of the Lukács Spa was finished later on as well.
In the year of 1937 Budapest received the title of „The Spa City”. The Budapest Fürdováros Egyesület (Budapest Spa City Association) initiated the first International Balneological Congress in Budapest in 1937. The seat of the International Balneological Association was established at the Gellért Thermal Bath in Budapest. This was motivated by the Congress with the following: “...no city can put forward a stronger claim to this than Budapest. Endowed by nature with a wonderful generosity of excellent thermal waters
Outside of Budapest: Budapest, of course, isn’t the only place to discover the Hungarian bathing culture, it also worth to try some of the renewed spas of the coutryside, such as the unique natural curative water of the lake Hévíz, the part of the World Heritage, or Kehidakustyán at the western part of the Balaton. I hope I’ve managed to raise your interest towards Hungary, where there is a lot more things and places to discover. So don’t hesitate to take the opportunity and enjoy our beautiful country and the kind hospitality of the Hungarians! Last but not least, let me interpret you a couple of lines from my favorite poet, how we Hungarians think of Hungary: I couldn’t know what this land to others means, For me it’s my homeland here, this small coutry huged by flames, The world of my far-rolling childhood, I grew from it as week bough grows in the wood, And I hope my body will sink in this land too…. (Miklós Radnóti: Nem tudhatom/I couldn’t know)
The Széchenyi Spa In the year of 1891, the Hungarian Balneological Association was established. Its goal was the augmentation of the balneological and medical knowledge and the propagation of the domestical spas and waters.
and unrivalled natural beauty; additionally, its high medical professionalism, the excellent equipment of its healing institutions, the high level of scientific research, makes Budapest the optimum choice for international affairs of balneology to be handled from here...”
Yours in Rotaract, Eszter Németh E.R.I.C. Representative of Hungary 2008/09 Member of the Organizing Committee of REM Budapest 2008
Some interesting facts about Hungary: Motto: Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate (Latin: With the help of God for Homeland and Freedom) or Regnum Mariae Patronae Hungariae (Latin, Kingdom of Mary, the Patron of Hungary) Anthem: Himnusz (“Isten, áldd meg a magyart”) “Hymn” (“God, bless the Hungarians”) Capital (and largest city):Budapest 47°26′N, 19°15′E Official languages: Hungarian (Magyar) Ethnic groups: 95% Magyar, 2% Roma, 3% minority groups Demonym: Hungarian Government: Parliamentary republic President: László Sólyom Prime minister: Ferenc Gyurcsány Foundation: Foundation of Hungary 896 Recognized as Kingdom December 1000 Currently 3rd Republic October 23, 1989 EU accession: May 1, 2004 Area: Total: 93.090 km2 Population : 2008 February, estimate: 10,041,000 Density: 109/km² (94th) 282/sq mi Currency: Forint (HUF) Time zone: CET (UTC+1) Internet TLD: .hu Calling code: +36 (source: www.wikipedia.org)
October 2008
Newsletter European Rotaract Informational Centre
Bringing people together!
http://www.rotaracteurope.org
Page 8
Rotaract pre-Convention 2008, Los Angeles CA The annual Rotaract pre-Convention, held on occasion of the Rotary International Convention, took place on 12th-16th June in Los Angeles, California, and meant a landmark for past, present and future Rotaractors, at this was our pre-Convention on our fortieth anniversary. The pre-Convention organising team, led by Roderick Brown, Megan Cotugno and Mary Kathryn Delodder did its best to promote our fortieth anniversary brand image, so that a single identity transcending ethnicity, faith, gender or nationality would unite Rotaractors from all around the world.
Indeed, participants did come from all around the world, and it was great to see and meet old and new friends from Sakhalin Island to rural Illinois, from Taipei to Bari and figures were given about how Rotaract is doing member-wise around the world, with India, Brazil, the USA, Italy and Turkey among the largest
Countries in terms of Clubs or Rotaractors. Numerous and interesting were the workshops organised during the pre-Convention and many invariably focused on our relations with Rotary, at both local and international levels. As co-facilitator for the RotaryRotaract relations workshop I resulted that resources and difficulties related to our sponsors are the same everywhere, ranging from communicational issues to age difference, from knowledge about each other to involvement in each other’s activities. Our pre-Convention partly overlapped with the Rotary International Convention, which made it even easier for us Rotary-fanatics to participate
to our sponsors’ activities and meet with Rotary leaders and legends. We had the honour of shaking hands with President “Wilf” Wilkinson, who delivered a passionate speech to us and we shared numerous moments of fun and mutual knowledge and understanding, which made us appreciate our international spirit and local touch, true innermost features of our programme. In fact, at parties, like the fabulous “Under the Stars Rotaract Boat Party” Rotaract identity bridged gaps and at events like the guided tour to the awesome Sony Studios helped us love the City of Angels, a really fantastic venue for the greatest of all of Rotary events. Our fortieth anniversary luncheon, which showed off our logo even on M&Ms, was the final of many different activities that brought us together and made us have fun and realise what Rotaract is all about. We look forward to spreading our enthusiasm and the spirit of
service and international comprehension around the world, to our fellow Rotaractors and through our next events, waiting for the Birmingham pre-Convention in 2009.
Federico Vasoli Italy Representative to the European Rotaract Information Center (ERIC) 2008-2009 - www.rotaracteurope.org Immediate-Past District 2040 Rotaract Representative (40th Anniversary, 2007-2008) - www. rotaract2040.org Rotaract Club Milano Duomo (Past President 2004-2005, Board member 2008-2009) www.rotaractmilanoduomo.com
October 2008
Newsletter European Rotaract Informational Centre
Bringing people together!
http://www.rotaracteurope.org
Page 9
Cannes Croisette Weekend This year in July, for the second time already, the Rotaract Club Cannes Croisette invited Rotaractors from all over Europe to join their European Summer meeting. For a whole week the guests could enjoy the flair of the French Riviera. We stayed at a luxurious 4-star hotel, less than 10 walking minutes from the old town and the beach promenade. After arriving in the late afternoon of July 13, freshening up in the hotel room, we all gathered in the hotel bar for some “meet and greet” with the other visitors. 23 people from France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Lithuania and Luxembourg were looking forward to an exciting program for the rest of the week. After a glass or two in the hotel open bar, we headed down to the boardwalk for dinner in a nice Italian restaurant. Some of us couldn’t wait for the party on the last day in the ‘Palais’ club, so they went to check it out right away. The next morning was reserved for the individual club presentations and discussions about their different projects. We used the afternoon to discover the charming old town of Cannes (known as le Suquet) with the yacht harbor and the nice sand beaches. A part of the Cannes Castle, the Castre Tower looms over the old city and gives a fantastic view over the bay, all the way to St. Marguerite Island situated only a few kilometers into the Mediterranean sea. Back at the hotel, we got ready for the Gala dinner at the Cannes congress centre, with an awesome view over the yacht port. Thanks to ‘quatorze juillet’, the
French national holiday, and the pyrotechnic art festival taking place in Cannes at the same time, we were able to witness one of the most breathtaking firework shows of the year. In presence of
tain pointed out all the points of interest along the shore until we reached the little sleeppy city of St. Tropez which is famous for the prominent artists who spend their summers there. Of course we had to visit the Citadella, which is part of the St. Tropez fortress. It is located on a hill on top of the city overlooking the old town and the sea with its many yachts. After our picnic lunch, we were free to go roam the narrow alleys and enjoy some ice cream and crêpes.
the Rotarian guests at the Gala dinner, we moved on to the traditional flag exchange ceremony. After partying at the Palais club again, many people were glad to sleep in and just hang out at the private beach all day and relax on the third day. On the fourth morning we all gathered at the breakfast area of the hotel to walk together to the ferry that would take us to St. Tropez. Our very entertaining cap-
On Thursday we made a trip along the coast to Monaco by train. The first thing we saw when we stepped out of the train station was nothing less than a Ferrari! Everywhere we looked, it was yachts, nice cars, rich people and a beautiful city. We climbed up the hill to the palace of the royal family of Monaco to watch the changing of the guards and have a better view of the city. Later on, we split into different
groups since some wanted to explore the city and others wanted to visit the Monaco Oceanographic Museum. Afterwards we headed down to the city, along the cliffs for a magnificent view of the harbor. On the way, we had a little boat ride over the bay and continued our journey to the Monaco Casino to rest at a Café. It was time for souvenir shopping in the underground Gallery Lafayette. All of us were very tired as we took the next train back to Cannes. The next day was reserved for free time. Some headed to the beach, while others explored the old city and we went to Antibes and Nice by car and enjoyed a stroll in the park. We got back at 5:00pm just in time to get into our farewell party outfit and head down to the hotel’s open bar for an apéritif. In our stunning cocktail dresses and black suits we headed to the Casino for an exclusive dinner and a few rounds of roulette and black jack afterwards. I won 40 Euros in 5 minutes! The owner of the Casino ushered us upstairs to the posh Jimmy’z club for digestives. At midnight the time had come to move over the most awaited event of the week, the VIP Erotica Party at the Palais club, where we stayed until the early morning. On Saturday morning, we sadly realized that the time had passed way too fast again, and that the European Summer meeting had already come to an end, but we’re already looking forward to the 2009 edition. Georges Berscheid, Luxembourg Country Representative
October 2008
Newsletter European Rotaract Informational Centre
Bringing people together!
http://www.rotaracteurope.org
Page 10
W.I.L. 2008: A combined overview Friday, June 20, marked a special day in a hard week of work or studies. A large group of Italian Rotaractors from District 2040 left for Luxemburg to attend the 2008 edition of the WIL. Despite the late hour of our arrival, Georges, President of Rotaract Club Luxembourg , was there waiting for us, a great sign of Rotaract friendship and welcoming spirit. However, they had already missed the welcoming drink and dinner at the youth hostel of Luxembourg city, where over 40 guests from 10 countries would stay for the weekend. After welcoming the majority of expected people, we headed to old town to get a few drinks and get to know each other better. On Saturday, after a scrumptious breakfast, we visited “Les Rives de Clausen”, a quarter of the old town, where they are building new houses, clubs and shops in a way that is harmonious with the local ancient and modern surroundings and pleasant to see and live. There we toasted with excellent beer and gave an alcoholic welcome to our fellows who had arrived in the morning. The alcoholic legacy lasted until lunchtime, where our hosts organised a pleasant picnic with champagne in the Grund area, one of Luxembourg’s former bar and club district, where we had time to relax. After lunchtime, the Treasure Hunt took off. It was a great opportunity, despite the very hot weather, to discover the city on foot and learn about its history, legends, crown, palaces and it
was a good way to unite participants and enjoy each other’s company. We thus combined culture, sport and fun in a single activity and for this we particularly thank our hosts, always ready to give us explanations and interesting tips about these magical places. After a hard-won victory, we got ready for the gala evening, inaugurated by Georges’ speech and followed by a slideshow of WIL’s best photos. After dinner, we all hit the dance-floor, preceded by the local Rotaractors, who showed off their incredible acrobatic dancing skills! We enjoyed our time so much, that we stayed up until 4.00 am! Most of us slept in on Sunday and missed breakfast to recover from the previous night. We then jumped into the cars provided by our hosts, to reach Stadtbredimus for an abundant barbecue, the final act of an interesting, enriching and funny week-end. Our Luxembourg friends never left us without plenty of food and champagne which made goodbye time more agreeable. We left for Frankfurt Hahn airport, where we drank yet a final beer and sang our national anthem before boarding, which did not bring good luck to our football team, beaten by Spain at the European championships.
Despite this – and readers will surely know how seriously Italians take football! –, we never stopped smiling. Why? Because of Rotaract and Rotaract is the most beautiful programme in the world, as our fortieth anniversary District Rotaract Representative Federico Vasoli always says! A small crowd of Rotaractors was able to take Monday off work or studies and stay an extra day to celebrate Luxembourg’s national holiday with the local people. On Sunday evening, parts of the old town were locked down to prepare for the fireworks that are traditionally launched from a bridge over the Petrusse Valley. On Monday morning we got up just in time to watch the (rather ridiculous compared to other countries, but still funny)
military parade over one of the main avenues of Luxembourg city. In the afternoon the last Rotaractors had to head back to the train station or airport. Special thanks to all those who made this possible, our International Service Committee, lead by Pietro Stellino, which planned our trip in all details, all participants from District 2040 and from all around Europe, WIL organisers and all those who made this week-end so special. It will remain in our hearts for a long time, and for sure till the next international week-end! Silvio Mostacci, RAC Milano Duomo Georges Berscheid, Luxembourg Country Representative
October 2008
Newsletter European Rotaract Informational Centre
Bringing people together!
http://www.rotaracteurope.org
Page 11
Lake Baikal Weekend 2008 Slovenia Russia Rotaract Trip 2008 Russia has officially been a member of Rotaract Europe since 2008. However, Russian Rotaract has been very active even before that, the first clubs forming in the nineties.
In July we were privileged to host seven wonderful young people, our new Rotaract friends from five different countries: Austria, Greece, Hungary, Poland and Ukraine.
I was given a wonderful opportunity to participate in the annual forum of the Rotaract clubs of the Eastern part of the country (District 5010). The forum took place at the shores of the stunning lake Baikal in the end of June. Russia is vast. Try to imagine such distances: it took me several hours by plane to get from Moscow to Irkutsk, situated on the famous Trans-Siberian railway route. From there it took us some more hours by bus to reach our destination, a summer tourist resort on the lake Baikal. The Rotaract forum, nicknamed “The Pirates of the Lake Baikal”, was a cheerful event. Almost all clubs from the Eastern part of Russia were represented – from West to East: Krasnodar, Omsk, Barnaul, Tomsk, Kemerovo, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Chita and
They were toured over Slovenia with RAC Ljubljana and RAC Celje before. We were the last in a row to impress. They were settled in the idyllic country hotel Polzevo and that was the starting point for all of our Slovenia explorations. Together we visited Sticna monastery, “Trubar’s” Temek mill, Turjak castle, Lake Bled… Beside Cultural and Historical Heritage we experienced, there was quite some sport and party opportunities also. We went to a jazz concert, visited clubs, organized a picnic and fought for Paint Ball victory. On the last day, we took our new friends to the airport and the railway station. We waved them goodbye but many precious moments are staying in our hearts.
Vladivostok. In the following days, exchange of ideas, teambuilding and several workshops (all of them in Russian) took place, as well as excursions and great evening parties. Nature in Southern Siberia is amazing. Although the lake is so cold that great courage is needed to take a dip, a look at the calm waters, reflecting the tree-covered hills, is unforgettable. Russian Rotaractors are friendly and hospitable people. I would like to thank the organizers, the Rotaract club Irkutsk, for a well organized forum. Next year, the forum will take place in Vladivostok. Anton Gradišek Slovenia Country Representative
That was the first time we joined Rotaract trip project and definitely not the last time. It was a wonderful experience. So, Anna, Anton, Maja, Olga, Robert, Sasha and Sofia, thank you again! RAC Grosuplje members
October 2008
Newsletter European Rotaract Informational Centre
Bringing people together!
http://www.rotaracteurope.org
Page 12
May 31st. what an amazing day!
O2
On may 31st Rotaract Netherlands celebrated Rotaracts 40th anniversary. A unique celebration was there, not only since most Dutch Rotaract clubs joined this happening, but also since it resulted in one of the largest projects organized by Rotaract within the Netherlands during the last decades. When the committee was formed in January, there were a few things we knew that we wanted to achieve by organizing this happening: A memorable day had to be organized that people would remember for a long time. It had to become an event in which all Rotaract principles would occur including a national project in which all clubs participate. And we had to be fast, very fast since there were only four months left! The upcoming months, a lot of hard work and effort of many Dutch Rotaract members led to a typical Rotaract celebration. We had speakers who would get the audience quiet, a talented comedian who would make the audience laugh, workshops that varied from wine tasting and singing classes to career minded sessions, a catered Indonesian rijsttafel dinner and a party evening with well known artists and DJ’s. One of the highlights, however, was our project “Knuffels voor
Kids” (Cuddles for Kids). We wanted to collect as many cuddles as possible for orphan houses and organizations that focus on children in war areas, 3rd world countries or countries struck by natural disasters. In a competitive race, all Dutch Rotaract clubs participated in collecting as many cuddles as possible. This, in order to become the club with the largest amount of cuddles, but more important, to make as many children as possible happy with a teddy bear or another cuddle. There were a few clubs with over 2,000 cuddles, which was already amazing, but even more impressive was the total collection of more than 17,000 cuddles! A container with over 10,000 cuddles is on its way to South Africa right now and other cuddles have already found a new friend to play with. For a photo impression, check out http://www.rotaract.nl For more information about our project, check out http://www. knuffels4kids.org or http://www. clover.co.za It was an amazing event and an event that makes you proud of being part of 40 years of history. Can’t wait for our 45th anniversary!!
The Rotaract Clubs of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki West, Thessaloniki East, Panorama and Thessaloniki Anatolia in Greece with the support of the US Consulate in Thessaloniki unite their powers under a common goal: turning our Earth into the Green Planet! The project will be presented and launched officially by Marianna Lagakou (Past President 2007-8 of Rotaract Club of Panorama, Thessaloniki) in the ECO CARS exhibition at the American Farm School on September 21st 2008. It involves a series of informative interactive presentations and activities, as well as a big contest, which aim at alerting, sensitizing and inspiring high school students in Thessaloniki towards discovering and applying an environmentally friendly attitude. More specifically, the contest will have full coverage from the media and press, since it is the most interesting and creative part of the project. 120 students from the most outstanding schools of Thessaloniki have been asked to calculate their personal and class average Carbon Footprint (the emissions of CO2 they cause into the atmosphere) online at www.wwf.gr/footprint. Then, they will prepare a plan of ideas on how we can change our everyday habits in order to minimize
our Carbon Footprint on Earth. The decrease of the students’ Carbon Footprint will be presented in written form along with their ideas, which will be marked by the Rotaract coordinators of the project: Alexandros Koutsoukis, Stratos Milonas, Stylianos Kelaiditis, Marianna Lagakou, Panagiotis Karnoutsos, Antonis Spanos and Panagiotis Theodoroudis according to how creative, innovative but at the same time how applicable and feasible they are. The final stage includes an oral team presentation in January 2009, which will be judged by professors and scientists relevant to the field of Environmental Studies. All the children will finally be awarded certificates and Tshirts with the O2 logo, while the winning team will enjoy a whole day educational excursion to the popular Bear Preservation Center “Arktouros” and have the chance to present their full assignment on television. Rotaractors of Thessaloniki act and listen to the voice of the new generation; the generation that generates ideas, believes in them and can really make a GREEN difference in our world!
ERIC Newsletter Issue #1 (2008-2009) October 2008 MDIO European Rotaract Informational Centre marketing@rotaracteurope.org
Editor Anna-Maria Anatoliotaki Marketing & Communication Officer Rotaract Club Piraeus East (Castella) D. 2470 Greece
Graphic Designer Andreas Panousopoulos Rotaract Club Athens D. 2470 Greece
Assistant Editor Ildiko Ignacz Assistant Marketing & Communication Officer Rotaract Club Budapest City D. 1911 Hungary
Patriq Voorsmit Rotaract Lustrum Committee
Make your Footprint Green!
Marianna Lagakou RAC Panorama, Greece D.2481