The Mostarian Current - Issue 04

Mostarian Current Issue n.4

mostariancurrent.com

05.05.2025

Student Journalism Has Reclaimed Its Voice

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IN THIS ISSUE How to Anxiety

Overcome

Imagine yourself in class. The discussion gets interesting, and you really want to speak up—but something holds you back.

What if I say the wrong thing? What if I sound dumb? What if I embarrass myself?

Or another scenario: your roommate is... continued on page 1

A Soul in Between “I just feel like I can connect to the soil because I can connect to my roots..”.

How much do our roots determine us?

I feel something in my blood that ties me together like a thin thread - my thoughts, my words, my feelings. Something that makes me... continued on page 4

Sunny Mostar, cloudy Mostar When I came to Mostar, I did not expect a lot of things – but I knew there would be sunny and cloudy days.

Sunny days. We have a lot of those back home: indeed, they are the rule. Even if I did not learn, first-hand, how to appreciate them from the tropical weather of Los Teques, enough... continued on page 2

The Comeback of Monarchy in Nepal

Nepal is a nation known for its breathtaking landscapes, sky-piercing mountains, and now an ever-changing governing system. Ever since the Maoist civil war in Nepal, where Nepal changed from a monarchy to a federal democracy, the government has not been set... continued on page 10

MOVIE RECOMME NDATIONS...

The Power For Change

on page 8

on page 5

Dear Readers, The Mostarian Current editors are proud to present the fourth printed edition of UWC Mostar’s student-led newspaper, which is now in your hands! This term's issue features a vibrant mix of articles written by members of the Newspaper CAS and other contributors from our school community. We’re excited to include creative pieces from the Poetry CAS and delicious recipes from the Dessert-Making CAS. In addition, this edition explores key school events from this term and offers a selection of thoughtful personal reflections. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it!

-Jenina and Mirza

SUBMISSIONS: Bald For A Cause

In early January, Nida and Ana Campo were handed the leadership for Bald for a Cause 2025. Through many Vinyl meetings, Gen-Z CAS discussed how to make this event live up to the hype, divided into several teams, we each had our tasks. Ana and Nida worked tirelessly... continued on page 1

1418 av.

Des Pins on page 2

Comics on page 3

The Soulquarians and their impact on music

The collective soon expanded to include Erykah Badu, Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Q-Tip, Bilal, trumpeter Roy Hargrove, and bassist Pino Palladino, among others. The name “Soulquarians” came from... continued on page 3

First Aid and Fire Safety CAS reminds: on page 10

Where Fades

the

Chalk

Sometimes, it’s only by looking back that we understand how far we’ve come.

I’ve been looking back. Constantly, And unfortunately, not only in IB History.

Especially in an environment like UWC, where one not only hears stories from... continued on page 9

Recipes by Eva and Iman A on page 6

Poetry CAS presents... on page 7

Issue n.4

Bald For A Cause

mostariancurrent.com

GenZ - written by Sarah H.

05.05.2025

How to Overcome Anxiety Imagine yourself in class. The discussion gets interesting, and you really

In early January, Nida and Ana Campo were handed the leadership for Bald for a Cause 2025. Through many Vinyl meetings, Gen-Z CAS discussed how to make this event live up to the hype, divided into several teams, we each had our tasks. Ana and Nida worked tirelessly between talking with Iva, Novi Pogled, CAS members, gathering donations and finding a bank account to put them in, and making decorations. From January to March, I don’t think they were calm.

want to speak up—but something holds you back.

Before Bald for a Cause, Bald for What Cause was held where Novi Pogled came to the Velic attic to explain what the monetary donations were for.

The four women who came were all breast cancer survivors who dedicated their lives to helping other women catch breast cancer early, find treatment, and give support and advice. Our donations go towards mammograms, care baskets, treatment, and a plethora of services.

relationship or making things awkward.

What if I say the wrong thing? What if I sound dumb? What if I embarrass myself?

Or another scenario: your roommate is overstepping your boundaries.

Maybe they’re not cleaning when they should, playing loud music while you’re trying to study, or borrowing your things without permission. You want to say something, but you stay silent; you’re afraid of ruining your Sound familiar?

The first thing you need to do is stop being so hard on yourself. After all, you’ve made it to UWC! That alone takes courage. The secret to confidence is realising that everyone is in the same boat. Ever heard of “fake it till you make it?” People are all faking it.

Everyone has moments of hesitation and nervousness. But if you want to overcome social anxiety, here’s the truth: people don’t care as much as you think they do.

And I don’t mean that in a rude way. It’s the result of a psychological bias we all experience: the spotlight effect. To you, you're the main character in your story. To someone else, you're just an NPC. Once you realise that, the pressure starts to fade.

Let me give you the worst-case scenario. You trip and fall in the canteen at lunch. Everyone stops talking and turns to look at you. For a few seconds, you’re the center of attention. Sounds like a nightmare, right?

But five seconds later, most people are back to eating. A minute later and they’ve moved on. By next week, you’ll be the only one to remember.

Everyone is busy trying to navigate their own lives, friendships, insecurities, and social interactions. So why waste your energy worrying about how others see you?

There’s nothing wrong with being introverted or shy. But if your shyness

On Saturday, March 22nd, while some people ran 21k or slept until 10, Gen-Z CAS members set up the Velic garden for Bald For a Cause. Alive with pink and white, chocolate chip cookie stands, stickers of famous baldies, everyone limped in around 2. Gathering at the front, we all waited for Ana Campo to signal the event starting, and after an emotional speech, students started to sit down.

Then, the event got crazy with people sitting down one after another, hair flying off everywhere into foils to be donated, and people even began shaving their own heads. Friends embraced, held hands, and cried while supporting each other through this emotionally overwhelming task of cutting off something so special and unique to give away.

There is a mutual agreement that this is the one place where you can go bald and not feel exposed, which is why so many take the opportunity. A palooza of emotions and hair, this unquestionably unique event is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that helps us know ourselves better and support local causes for cancer.

Page 1

is keeping you from thriving and living your best life, it might be time to step outside your comfort zone.

Overcoming social anxiety doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process. Start one step at a time, whether by raising your hand in TOK for the first time or simply asking the person next to you how their day is going.

Confidence is like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it gets.

And finally, be kind to yourself. After all, you’re still growing. You’ve left home, adapted to a new environment, and are figuring out how to exist in this big, messy world. That takes real courage.

So speak up. Take up space. Trip, and get back up on your feet. You’re braver than you realise.

And the world’s not watching as closely as you think.

By Aya

Issue n.4

mostariancurrent.com

05.05.2025

Sunny Mostar, cloudy Mostar When I came to Mostar, I did not expect a lot of things – but I knew there would be sunny and cloudy days.

Sunny days. We have a lot of those back home: indeed, they are the rule. Even if I did not learn, first-hand, how to appreciate them from the tropical weather of Los Teques, enough nights figuring out who Ivo Andrić was had already warned me to enjoy the shining sunlight of the first day of March. And, as I looked out of the window of my room, I saw myself in a sunny Mostar. Running around, meeting new people, and improving my English pronunciation.

To imagine a sunny day as a valuable good was, to say the least, hard. What difference does it make if I wake up at 6:00 or at 7:00 a.m.? Right when I was Mostar-bound, I had thought waking up at 6:30 a.m. sounded like the perfect plan. A quick shower in my Pellegrino room, a stroll around the city to prepare for the half marathon and a nutritious breakfast would be my daily routine. There was no reason for it not to be.

Mostar sounded perfect. In its sunlit glory, the Old Bridge was supposed to be the backdrop for the two years in which I would begin to change the world. From outside, the windows of Gimnazija looked gorgeous enough to make every class seem like a movie. Mostar, itself, seemed like a movie.

And, as we all know, good movies need to have their rainy moments. I was lucky enough to be warned beforehand of Mostar’s rainy propensity, so soon after getting accepted I started collecting different sorts of rain coats. The blue foldable zip-up was supposed to stay in my backpack, while the grey one was meant for school and the Champion one with the weird texture would be only for sports.

In my personal pre-arrival Mostar, the rainy days were like cut-scenes meant to happen exclusively whenever it was time to get my hands dirty with the hard work of changing the world. A sunny day would be perfect to go enthusiastically participate in some Service CAS, while the rain should allow for cozy reflection-writing sessions. It was so perfect.

Until I came here. Sunny Mostar and cloudy Mostar were not perfect gears of a worldchanging engine, but rather a daily game of Russian roulette determining the mood of every canteen conversation. I had no clue the weather could be so terribly influential in our daily lives. And, as such, I went by with an entire first year of blaming mood shifts on the capricious hand of the Balkan Weather gods.

The first time is always the trial run. The second one, not so much. Especially when, in UWC, each year is a whole 50% of the experience. When the rains started to come in October, I was now prepared for the mood swings that would come with the reduced sunlight. It had been a long time since I stopped waking up at 6:30 a.m., but I was prepared to face further difficulties in my now-standard 7:30 a.m. rush to school: despite my early Pellegrinian wishes, a year in Šantić got me used to always being almost late.

However, it was different this time. In October 2023, I thought cloudy days would be a matter of outfit changes: October 2024, on the other hand, did not catch me off-guard. All my raincoats had gotten stolen by mistake before, so I was not prepared to face the rain. Yet, this winter was different.

As the last sunny days went away, so did every dream I had of a sunny world-changing Mostar. From the misguided organization of the Opening Ceremony so its venue was changed six (!) times the same day to Polonia falling apart for an entire year without any response, this year’s four seasons were different.

It was, after all, not a matter of the weather. When I came to Mostar, I knew there would be sunny and cloudy days. I did not know, however, how far we would stray from idealism.

I thought practicing daily for the half-marathon would be the rule: I did not know our school would tolerate cheating on the day of the final race. I thought my raincoats would protect me from the rain: I did not know I would have to protect them from laundry-room thieves. I thought it would all be different.

When I came to Mostar, I knew it would be great. I just did not think there would be so many cloudy days regardless of whether the sun was shining or not.

By Elías

1418 av. Des Pins There’s a doorway in my life that isn’t really mine. Once it’s found, people step through it without knocking. Some wipe their feet, some don’t. I just stand in the hallway, wondering who they came to see. Was it me they came for? Was it my name? My family? They rarely ever knock. Asking about the furniture, the noise upstairs, our guests are like police or something. They speak as if I’m part of the decor, a conversation starter. They often don’t mean any harm, curiosity got the best of them, but their questions linger, like stains on the carpet that won't scrub away. Every surprise visit leaves its trace, a reminder that I’m not a person in their eyes, but part of a mysterious story to spy and pry on.

My home wasn’t a home, it was more of an old fort or a castle lost in time. Passerbyers come through its front gates like archaeologists, scouring for answers. They’d stand on the sidewalk, eyes glued to its walls, snapping pictures as if my life were some relic on display.

My fort wasn’t a refuge, it was a spectacle. They peered through the cracks, piecing an image of something they had never seen before. They were never looking for the person behind the door; they chased an illusion framed by their own curiosity, like treasure hunters pillaging for gold.

They don’t always stay outside. Sometimes their dying curiosity and obsession trail me home like a shadow. I’ve been followed, not just once, not just in passing, but all the way to my front door, as if crossing that threshold might finally confirm the myth they’ve built.

They wait, patient and uninvited, just to say they saw us, just to get close enough to ask a question that’s never really for me, but for the version of me they think they know. It’s not always a look through the letterbox, sometimes it’s a voice calling out to me as I leave my front yard. The door may close, but the idea of us lingers outside, pacing the sidewalk, waiting for another chance.

By Pierre

Page 2

Issue n.4

mostariancurrent.com

Comics - by Utkrista “IAs”

05.05.2025

The Soulquarians and their impact on music The collective soon expanded to include Erykah Badu, Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Q-Tip, Bilal, trumpeter Roy Hargrove, and bassist Pino Palladino, among others. The name “Soulquarians” came from several founding members sharing the Aquarius zodiac sign and the obvious influence soul has had on their music. The Soulquarians were a groundbreaking collective of musicians, producers, and artists who came together in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The core founding members were the Roots’ Questlove, neo-soul pioneer D’Angelo, “greatest producer of all time” J Dilla, and keyboardist James Poyser.

In the late ’90s, mainstream hip-hop and R&B were dominated by glossy production, commercial radio hits, and a focus on materialism.

The Soulquarians served as a counter-cultural push against, seeking a return to organic musicianship, raw emotion, and experimental sounds.

Garfield inspired

Their roots trace back to the Native Tongues Posse, with members like Q-Tip, Common, Mos Def, and Talib Kweli already known for pushing boundaries in hip-hop. The 1995 Source Awards served as a catalyst for Questlove and D’Angelo to connect, as Quest was actively trying to get out of the boiling tensions between the West and East Coast present at the event, when he randomly got handed a tape with some D'Angelo demos on it. This led to them collaborating on music later on, which would, with time, draw more and more people to their sessions.

Before the Soulquarians, most of the future members were already shaping music in their own right. Questlove and The Roots were redefining hip-hop with a live backdrop on albums like Do You Want More?!!!??! D’Angelo and Erykah were already acclaimed stars of the fledgling neo-soul subgenre. J Dilla was making waves in Detroit with Slum Village, while also producing for A Tribe Called Quest, whose leader Q-Tip would also join The Soulquarians, and Common, Mos Def, and Talib Kweli had already been respected conscious hip-hop artists.

Electric Lady Studios in New York became the Soulquarians’ home base. Built by Jimi Hendrix, the studio was steeped in musical history and spiritual energy. The collective saw it as a sacred space- Questlove called it “blessed by the spirits”-and it became almost a church for marathon jam sessions, spontaneous collaborations, and creative freedom. The studio’s analog warmth and storied walls made it the perfect canvas for their experimental, soulful sound.

The vibe at Electric Lady was legendary. Multiple sessions ran simultaneously: D’Angelo might be in Studio A, Common in Studio B, and Erykah Badu or Mos Def in Studio C. Artists floated in and out of each other’s sessions, ideas bouncing around like electricity.

The atmosphere was loose, communal, and deeply inspired- incense burning, vintage gear humming, and musicians chasing the perfect take until sunrise. Imperfection was celebrated; “mistakes” often became the magic that defined their sound. You can almost hear the all-nighters, weed crumbs, and grit in the individual music.

The Soulquarians’ run from 1999 to 2000 produced some of the most influential albums of the era. First came Things Fall Apart by The Roots, which is regarded as one of the all-time great hip hop albums, offering sharp social commentary and a blend of jazz, soul, and live band performance. Next up is the legendary Voodoo by D’Angelo, which is easily one of the greatest albums of all time, absolutely dripping with groove, raw emotion, and spirituality.

Then came Erykah Badu’s landmark project Mama’s Gun, which is a deeply personal album that explores heartbreak, love, and womanhood. Common’s Like Water for Chocolate completes the quartet, being a quintessential backpack rap album with soulful production and poetic lyricism. The entire feeling around this string of projects felt different, as you could feel the fingerprints of all the group members on the individual projects. The music was very experimental but still rooted in the tradition of icons and inspirations like Prince, Gil Scott, Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye, George Clinton, etc. The Soulquarians managed to push neo-soul and hip hop forward and inspire artists for decades to come. They even managed moderate mainstream success, from You Got Me winning a Grammy to Untitled (How Does It Feel)’s iconic music video, but they never betrayed their artistry.

Despite their creative highs, the Soulquarians’ time together was short-lived. Egos, label pressures, and the sheer chaos of so many strong personalities eventually led to their quiet dissolution by the early 2000s. The death of J Dilla in 2006 was a devastating blow to all the members, and it affected their standalone careers, let alone any collaborative project.. Still, each member’s legacy is massive, as the sheer amount of classics, not even counting the main 4 albums I've mentioned, is dumbfounding and truly speaks for the collective's influence.

The Soulquarians’ music feels timeless because it was made with real instruments, real emotion, and a spirit of fearless experimentation. Unlike much of today’s algorithm-driven, digital music, their work was messy, human, and alive. You can hear their influence in modern acts like Kendrick Lamar, Robert Glasper, Esperanza Spalding, and Anderson.Paak. But nothing quite captures that Electric Lady, the sense that you’re hearing a group of friends, geniuses, and rebels rewriting the rules in real time. The Soulquarians weren’t just a moment in music; they were a movement, and their spirit still echoes today.

By Mirza

Page 3

Issue n.4

mostariancurrent.com

05.05.2025

A Soul in Between

“I just feel like I can connect to the soil because I can connect to my roots..”.

How much do our roots determine us?

I feel something in my blood that ties me together like a thin thread - my thoughts, my words, my feelings. Something that makes me - me. But what does it mean in the current world to be a Belarusian? I don’t have an answer, but I do know something I am not able to describe with words.

I was born in Belarus, I was raised in Belarus, surrounded by my people, by Belarusians - it seems to be so easy. But the only language I heard my whole childhood wasn't Belarusian.

I still ask myself this question - am I allowed to call myself Belarusian?

“I’m Austrian and French, but I’ve always asked myself - am I allowed to say that I'm French?

I do have French nationality. In Austria, I do say that I’m Austrian, and my mother is French, but I’m not one hundred percent Austrian. I feel like I’ve missed so much from a French upbringing, but I'm also not entirely Austrian. The life I lived at home in Austria was quite French, while my Austrian friends were doing certain things I was doing differently, they did not live what I was living and I did not live what they were living.”

France and Austria are similar, just as they are very different. It’s shaped by the values of their specific cultures, traditions: “...holidays, routines.

France lost its tradition, like it tried to wipe them out, to have control they had to either press the people or take away their culture. It’s what I observed - for example, national clothing, the thing that is very important for Austrians“. “ The upbringing in these countries is also very different: “In France, parents are more important. In Austria - it is children.” So, how does it feel to be raised by a French mother and an Austrian father? How does it feel to try to fit in with the Austrian community where you live but not lose your other part - the French part?

How does it feel to have roots that grow deeply into the soil of two different countries?

Sometimes, I feel like only after leaving the geographical borders of my country, I found the real Belarus for the first time. I found it in another person, on the pages of Belarusian literature, in my language being freely spoken and written by me. And for the first time, I felt like I truly belonged. It wasn't about the place on a map, it’s the Belarus that lives inside me, just as it lives inside many of my people.

“I think it’s mostly the people I belong with and certain places. I would not mind if they sold the house in Austria, if I can still go to the lake near it, or the sea in Brittany, where my grandparents used to take me.

When we hike with the family, and I just sit and smell the plants and I hear the wind - I know I belong there.”

I feel like belonging is way more than just a concept, it’s something very personal, maybe even intimate and very different.

“Because South Africa, it's such a colorful country with so many different people. You can still feel like you belong even if you're not part of the dominant ethnic group”. = Do you feel completely South African?

“Yes, I do. Because I don't belong anywhere except where I was born.

I don't belong to Lithuania because I’m Jewish, nor Israel, because I’m anti-apartheid, antioppression, and against the genocide of Palestinian identities. But in South Africa, I feel like I can connect to everything because I have nothing, as my identity is the minority”.

Being born in South Africa with parents having a complete South-African identity, but having a ethnic nationality with roots going deeply inside another country kilometers away. A country with another language you don’t know, another culture that is not close to you, the country you haven’t even been to.

“I was raised just as a South African Jew. But sometimes I think maybe if I go to Lithuania, I will find some part of me I can't find in South Africa. I wish to immerse myself in that culture and see if it resonates with me, see if I feel home.”

Is the language we speak just a way to convey information, or is it something way more? A voice, art, resistance, music, spirit, home?

“In Hungarian, it's much more personal, much more in detail, it's such a literal language. It's like flowers”.

What does it mean to be a soul in between? Not knowing who exactly you are or where exactly you belong? But is it actually your nationality that says who you are, or a place on a map that we call home? It’s easier, of course it’s easier to explain yourself by the country you come from or the language you speak, but to accept the complicity of human soul, the complicity of your own soul that is way more than determinations created by people to make everything and everyone easier.

I know one thing - my country definitely made me who I am. Because it taught me the value of freedom, the beauty of bravery, and the warmth of grandpa’s hands, which I'll keep with me forever.

Who are you?

“I’m Anaïs Marie Antonia Leschanz. I am compassionate, honest, and open. They are very important to me because I'm still not perfect at those things. I am a musician, and I love learning. It's just easy to categorize people based on where they are from, but I am me because of my values and how my environment shaped me.”

“Well, I'm Jaz. I was born in Cape Town. I love arts and dance, particularly ballet. My soul is bright, I search for harmony, and I care about my body physically and inside. I love to explore environmentally and within myself. I never really thought of what my purpose is, but just being me and living the life I love - that is my purpose, and that is what I search for.”

“I was born in Hungary, raised in Hungary. We always spoke Hungarian with my mum, but then I moved to Germany and started learning the language. At one point, my German was better than my Hungarian. When we moved back to Hungary, our family changed. Suddenly, everyone at home was speaking Hungarian - it took my German part away from me.”

“Who am I? It is one of the hardest questions to answer, as our perception of ourselves always changes. I guess I’m Elza, and that’s it. My current self always differs from my previous self, and I can’t identify as the person I used to be since that’s not the current me. When someone tells me that I have changed, or that I’m not like I used to be, I say that it’s true, because I had to leave behind what had passed. So that’s why I'm just Elza.”

“I started dancing, which influenced my personality. I met my best friend there - a typical Hungarian person. This friendship connected me more to Hungarian culture. She taught me so much about the countryside, things that nobody else could have taught me the way she did.”

“I feel like these two parts of me have a symbiotic relationship, I don't think there’s a big conflict between them.

It feels like I'm combining them rather than being in between.”

By Ari

Page 4

Issue n.4

mostariancurrent.com

HiddenGems: Energetic Jazz Fusion Mix

05.05.2025

THE POWER

FOR CHANGE How much power do we have?

While I grew up I knew that kings have power ( just kings no queens ) When I learned that politicians Have power.

I also learned that I had no power… I couldn't even vote.

And when I was able to vote I learned that it isn't much power that the system gives to me Power moves Power changes There is so many layers So many kinds Of power.

So I wonder How much power hurts?

How much power should someone have?

How much power makes you sick?

How much power do we need for change?

I want power that changes; Changes for the better.

But if people who have power, Don't want change; And if the system doesn't Give power to People who want change….

HOW will there be change?

HOW will there be power for change?

Maybe we don't have power?

Maybe we live in an illusion of empowerment.

But then I remember all the moments in which I felt power.

I felt it in People who see that things are wrong I felt it in People who believe in change I felt it in The power of masses The power of ideas The power of protest The power of believing in change.

``For when those Hells aren´t hitting hard enough`` Page 5

Maybe we don't have much power.

But we only have no power, If we believe that we have no power!

If we give up, We have no power!

By Nina S.

Issue n.4

Recipes

mostariancurrent.com

05.05.2025

By Dessert making CAS

Apple Crumble By Eva Ingredients: 5 large apples* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons cornflour or corn starch 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 50 grams (1/4 cup) caster sugar or granulated sugar

Crumble 100 grams (1 cup) rolled oats 70 grams (1/2 cup) plain flour or all-purpose flour 55 grams (1/2 cup) pecans, roughly chopped 90 grams (1/2 cup) brown sugar 115 grams (1/2 cup or 1 stick) butter, melted

Instructions Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) standard / 160 C (320 F) fan-forced. Set aside a 9 inch pie plate. Chop apples into 1/2 inch squares and place in a large bowl. Add cinnamon, cornflour, lemon juice and sugar to apples.

Stir together until apples are fully coated. Transfer to your pie plate and spread out into one even layer. To make the crumble, place oats, flour, pecans and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Pour over melted butter and stir together until a wet crumble forms. Scatter crumble all over the top of the apples until they are completely covered. Place in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until oats are golden and apples are tender. Leave apple crumble to cool slightly for 5 minutes before serving with whipped cream or ice cream.

Gooey Lemon Butter Cake

By Iman A.

Ingredients:

Instructions

Lemon Cake 1/2 cup (110g) unsalted butter, melted 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar 1 large egg, room temp 1 tsp vanilla extract zest of 2 lemons (2 tbsp) 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice 1 1/4 cup (165g) all purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt

Lemon Cake Preheat the oven to 350 F and grease and line a 9″ round springform pan. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the butter and sugar. Then add the egg, vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice and mix to combine. Add the dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Spread the thick batter in an even layer in the bottom of the springform pan. Set aside.

Lemon Cream 3 cups (330g) powdered sugar, plus more for dusting on top 1 large egg, room temp zest of 1 lemon (1 tbsp) 6 oz cream cheese, room temperature

Lemon Cream In a mixing bowl using a hand or stand mixer with the whisk attachment, mix the cream cheese until smooth. Mix in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until thin and creamy Then mix in the egg and lemon zest -> Pour the cream on top of the lemon batter, pouring right in the middle and allowing it to naturally spread close to the edges. It may need some help fully spreading, so use a spoon to nudge it out close to the sides. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top has formed a golden skin and it’s evenly puffed. Allow the cake to cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator and chill uncovered for about 2 hours. This is important as it allows the cream to set. Run a knife around the edge of the pan and release the cake. Top with a dusting of powdered sugar then slice and enjoy!

Beyond Borders: A Follow-Up from TEDxUWC Mostar 2025 Some described TEDxUWC Mostar 2025 as a long-haul flight with amazing in-flight entertainment. With 16 brave and thoughtful speakers, we crossed borders — borders that exist in gender identity, in political polarization, in social stigma and struggle, and in personal growth. Beyond Borders, as the core of the event, brought these stories and ideas that encompassed both courage and vulnerability, and let them be heard on stage.

More than half of the audience told us they found the event inspiring, and most agreed that the ideal speech length is between 10 to 12 minute, which is something we’ll continue next year. However, as with any long flight, not too much legroom was reserved on the plane, and this year’s feedback also came with clear calls for improvement. Some found that sitting in darkness for several hours diminished the energy, while others pointed out logistical issues related to slides and arrangment of the event.

We also heard complaints about unpolished speeches, overlapping ideas, and even repeated content from last year.

That’s on us. In 2026, the TEDx CAS will plan auditions to ensure a limited number of speakers, both to reduce the overall length of the event and to guarantee variety in themes.

We’ll also support speakers with more guidance on delivery and content. As the organizing team, we will also improve the flow of the event, where no more videos will refuse to play at the most drastic moment.

TEDx is more than just giving people a mic or filling up a stage. It’s about enpowering and enlightening something that lingers even after the spotlights go down. Because in a world already overflowing with noise, we’re learning to make space for voices that “unsettle” but stay with us, and that’s where real changes begin.

We’ll be back next year, sharper, shorter, bolder, and with better WiFi. Stay tuned!

By Remy, As the member of TedX CAS

Page 6

Issue n.4

mostariancurrent.com

Poetry CAS presents...

05.05.2025 Poems by Lou and Eser

Train of breath

An epic tale from emperor's cup, Don't you worry! Tea cheers us up!

One day, we'll remember, come what may.

1 right at the top of my chest, the kind you're not supposed to take when your body craves more air rhythmic in sync to your tongue Careful so I don't blow Your hand away from me My breath with yours (like a blurred watercolour painting)

A fallen leaf rests in the brew, They asked, "How is it?" The emperor knew, "YUP!" he said, "it's love in disguise, From a bush? A leaf? Oh, what a surprise!"

2 haltingly, like I wanted to stop forever My body wouldn't let me Abrupt and fast, (like an attempt of an escape under the blanket of a bed that is not mine)

An epic tale from emperor's cup, Don't you worry! Tea cheers us up!

One day, we'll remember, come what may.

3 deep and excited as I got off the bus in anticipation perhaps too deep my chest crushed by the heat but my breath so important (like the step into a new life)

Shen Yung, the most blessed devotee, A true lover, a disciple of tea!

I wonder, how far will this legend flow?

Perhaps to Darjeeling? Maybe yes, maybe no.

But one thing is certain—the emperor will go.

4 heavy, (as if my lungs could laugh and cry) As I read the letters and the city grew smaller The pressure on my ears increased and I left one breath behind

An epic tale from emperor's cup, Don't you worry! Tea cheers us up!

One day, we'll remember, come what may.

5 No one, not a breeze Only darkness Stumbling and falling when I saw her like this Like a lion's heart (that no longer beats)

1606 is the year of the real revolution Factory for more tea! The best solution…

With the harmony brought by afternoon tea Britain is born, the greatest lord of the sea!

6 Loud, high, free.

And there are so many of those No worries, just the Berlin air as I walk hand in hand with the night (Somehow less now)

An epic tale from emperor's cup, Don't you worry! Tea cheers us up!

One day, we'll remember, come what may.

Milks, honeys, and sugars, prepare for the fight!

In England, the Balkans, and the Middle East's light! You’ll blend with the teas, then fade from sight, Oh, the quirky tea trends of today’s delight!

An epic tale from emperor's cup, Don't you worry! Tea cheers us up!

One day, we'll remember, come what may.

-Lilfy (It was tea time that day)

By Eser

7 sharp. a draft that opens wounds the air a weapon to supply me with words Which will never express it as intended All the more harm.

But long before that: 8 suddenly and audibly, (Painful perhaps) Above all, healthy?

Who knows but mother a beginning. and so it goes on, whether I like it or not.

One after the other, usually unnoticed, one of them creeps away And immediately afterwards, the next Each of them like a snippet of my existence

By Lou

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Issue n. 4

mostariancurrent.com

05.05.2025

THRILLER MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS...

Seven (1995)

Watcher (2022)

Memento (2000)

Directed by David Fincher, this dark and disturbing film follows two detectives, David Mills (Brad Pitt) and William Somerset (Morgan Freeman), who are called to investigate a series of gruesome murders.

What begins as an investigation quickly turns into a terrifying hunt, as they uncover the disturbing pattern behind the killings. Each victim is murdered in a way that represents one of the seven deadly sins.

Directed by Chloe Okuno, Watcher follows an American woman named Julia (Maika Monroe), who moves to Bucharest with her fiancé. As she struggles with the language barrier in the unfamiliar city, she soon becomes convinced that she’s being watched by a figure in the apartment across the street. As her fear grows, Julia’s sense of reality begins to blur, and she questions whether she’s truly being stalked, or if it’s all in her head.

Memento, directed by Christopher Nolan, is a psychological thriller that follows Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), a man suffering from short-term memory loss after a traumatic incident in which his wife was murdered. The film follows Leonard's mission for vengeance as he struggles to remember any details, relying on notes and tattoos to track down his wife’s killer, all while struggling with his inability to form new memories.

Primal Fear (1996)

Ballerina (2023)

And Then There Were None (1945)

This film follows Martin Vail (Richard Gere), a high-profile defense attorney, who takes on the case of Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton), a young altar boy who is accused of murdering an archbishop. Aaron’s defense is based on his claim that he has a dissociative identity disorder, which caused him to commit the crime without having any awareness of it. As Vail digs deeper into the case, he uncovers secrets about Aaron’s past and begins to question the true nature of his mental state.

Ballerina is a South Korean action-thriller about Jang Ok-ju, a former elite bodyguard, who seeks revenge after the suicide of her best friend, Choi Min-hee. Min-hee had been exploited by a sex trafficker, who filmed and blackmailed her. Devastated and driven by a promise she made, Ok-ju hunts down those responsible. Through intense confrontations and calculated violence, she dismantles the trafficking ring, ultimately bringing justice to her friend and peace to herself.

Ten strangers are invited to spend the weekend on an island by a mysterious person named U.N Owen. The guests soon realize that none of them are there by chance. As they settle in, they discover that they are being accused of crimes they’ve committed in the past. One by one, they start to die under suspicious circumstances. The survivors must figure out who among them is the murderer before it's too late.

By ‘Jenina

Page 8

Issue n.4

mostariancurrent.com

05.05.2025

Where the Chalk Fades Sometimes, it’s only by looking back that we understand how far we’ve come.

I’ve been looking back. Constantly. And fortunately, not only in IB History. Especially in an environment like UWC, where one not only hears stories from others but also begins to reflect on their own. In the moments of listening, I’ve taken some time to retreat into the past few years.

Being born and raised in Shanghai, I always thought that my life would continue as it was —that the so-called modernity and convenience would remain the norm. You might think that life in a fast-paced, dazzling metropolis always brings excitement. Yes, of course, but after living in the same place for fifteen years, when that excitement becomes the routine, it can start to feel empty; you begin to wonder whether the things around you are genuine, or simply under a disguise.

However, when retracing my life, I began to realize that I, too, carried a story. One that began in a quieter, much humbler part of China, where winding roads and wooden houses nestled in the misty folds of the southern mountains, a place called Xiangxi.

It was during the summer of 2021 that, by chance, I traveled to Xiangxi along with a summer camp. Xiangxi is my grandmother’s birthplace, but before that trip, I had no idea I had such a remote hometown. As a rural and less developed region, education there was relatively lacking. Yet people lived in a very leisurely, carefree way, which was completely contrasting with mine in Shanghai.

As I immersed myself in the simplicity of the local environment, little did I know that my perception was about to be profoundly shaken.

Sitting in a car, looking out the window, I spotted a little girl—no older than seven or eight—running naked down the street. I was only twelve or thirteen at that time, so seeing that girl made me blush with embarrassment. What struck me was not only her vulnerability but also how indifferent the pedestrians nearby were, as if it were a very common occurrence that happens every day.

As I came back to my senses and processed what I had just seen, my mind was overwhelmed with questions: Why was no one telling her how dangerous this was?

Why were they all so unemotional?

In Shanghai, such a scene would’ve drawn a crowd. But in Xiangxi, it passed like the wind. And upon asking these questions, I began to realize that equality isn’t just an abstract concept but a tangible reality, one I had never seen before because I had lived entirely within my privileged comfort zone. That day, I began to question everything I had taken for granted.

Over the next two years, I began volunteering as an online English tutor for children in rural China, in the hope that I could be more grounded and understand the real problems they faced. Coincidentally, the first boy I taught was from Xiangxi.

He was easily the happiest child I’ve ever seen. Every time we had a lesson, he’d show up with a huge smile on his face—so happy, in fact, that he sometimes forgot he had homework or even a class with me.

That pure smile often made me forget that he was the same age as me.

But just as we were continuing normally with our lesson, just as I felt equality was drifting away from me farther and farther again, things changed.

In 2023, two years after my first visit, I returned to Xiangxi. But this time, I was going to find the boy I taught.

Upon entering his house, I felt a sudden strangeness. It was different from the house filled with happiness that I saw on the little camera in our online lesson. It was cold, and it was dark. In the corner, I saw the boy, the once-happiest child I have ever seen, sitting on a small bench, hunched, and staring at the screen of a television.

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When he spotted me, we both stared at each other awkwardly for a second before he realized I was the guy who bothered him with English vocabulary every Sunday.

Suddenly, he smiled the familiar happy smile that I had grown accustomed to, but his body and the tattered clothes projected unhappiness.

This didn’t stop us from striking up a conversation, though, and slowly I came to understand that the child had no friends in school. He could only play with his uncle’s five-year-old kid. His parents divorced. He was restless, perhaps with ADHD and other health issues, and couldn’t study because he was always distracted. His mother told me that she would not let the boy go to school or take any more lessons from me…

Sitting beside him, I noticed for the first time that he was so thin. His eyes were full of bewilderment, unknowing what he could do or what he was about to face. We talked for hours, and at that point, I realized something I hadn’t fully understood before. That big smile I saw in our lesson didn’t come from anything I had planned to give—the lessons, a better grade—thinking that I was giving him a future. What lit him up wasn’t the vocabulary or the grammar — it was the simple fact that someone had come to see him and was willing to listen to his story.

Since that second trip, I’ve continued teaching and co-founded a small student-led initiative, hoping to build deeper connections with these children. But more than anything, I began to reflect on what “charity” really means.

To me, good charity must be three things.

First, it must be authentic, or be on the ground. If I hadn’t gone to Xiangxi in person, I would never have known what rural life is truly like, nor would I have understood the way a smile can carry both joy and sorrow.

Second, it must be equal. I may have helped the children I taught, but they gave something back to me just as meaningful, by showing me the reality of rural education and allowing me to feel a deep emotional connection. Charity is not about saviors but mutual respect.

Lastly, it must be practical. Millions of books are donated to rural schools each year.

However, many remained unopened—some because no one reads them, others because the children simply can’t understand them. Often, no one asks what these children truly need, and sometimes, donation becomes just another way of discarding unused “stuff.”

True charity, I believe, isn’t about money, or donations, or grand gestures. It’s about presence. Time. Attention. It’s about how deeply you care. It’s about calling someone by their name and remembering their dreams. It’s about walking alongside them—not in front of them, not above them—but with them, even if only for a while.

From Shanghai to Xiangxi, from a girl in the street to a boy in a dark room, these are the stories that shaped me.

And maybe, just maybe, they can shape something bigger too.

By Remy

Issue n.4

mostariancurrent.com

05.05.2025

First Aid and Fire Safety CAS reminds: Medical emergencies involving a stopped heart or lungs can strike at any time or place; but when they do, every second counts. Whether it be from drowning, a heart attack, or any form of sudden collapse, CPR can bridge the gap in time between when an emergency happens and the arrival of real medical experts to supply much needed help. It also provides a way for individuals like you to actually make a difference in saving lives. Although roughly 90% of cardiac arrest cases end up being fatal, depending on how early the aid is administered, CPR can double or even triple the survival rate. Even if you don’t feel comfortable doing mouth to mouth resuscitation, chest compressions alone can still help keep the person’s blood flowing to provide oxygen to the brain and prevent more permanent damage.

So by remembering these four simple steps, you can help protect those around you and one day possibly save a life.

The Comeback of Monarchy in Nepal Nepal is a nation known for its breathtaking landscapes, sky-piercing mountains, and now an everchanging governing system. Ever since the Maoist civil war in Nepal, where Nepal changed from a monarchy to a federal democracy, the government has not been set in stone. Nepal has changed governments 13 times in 17 years. This has caused the people to be frustrated and tired of the system. This situation created a ripe condition for the deposed king to make a sudden comeback in the limelight. The population who were done with the current government looked back to the kingdom days of Nepal, which the older population still fondly looks back on, and decided to support that.

An estimated 10,000 people had shown up at deposed king Gyanendra’s arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport on March 9, 2025. King Gyanendra was crowned king in 2002 after his brother, King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah, and a significant majority of the royal family were murdered in the royal palace.

In 2005, when he seized absolute power, he disbanded the parliament, jailed his opponents, and ruled by declaring a state of emergency to quell the Maoist rebellion. This caused massive protests and eventually led to his hand power back to the multi-party government, which later signed a peace deal with the Maoist rebels.

According to the protesters, the main reason behind the sudden rise of the pro-monarchy party is due to the incompetence of the current government. This sudden rise in popularity of the monarchy also has the different political parties, mainly the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center), and the Nepal Congress worried. After a month of the situation, nothing of note has happened, but the sudden rise of popularity of the pro-monarchy party has kept the other parties of Nepal on high alert while the public continues on with life, treating it as the usual political events that happen and are forgotten by Nepali citizens.

By Utkrista Page 10

Issue n.4

mostariancurrent.com

05.05.2025

Advice for firsties, Farewells for second years I'll always look up to all of you that took even a single moment to make a bunch of lost firsties feel even 1% more at home. Thank you for everything <3 Go to outside school activities - hikings, cultural evenings, game nights... / befriend people even in your second year, say hi, be nice and show kindness and love. Cherish the moments you have, don't think too much about the grades. Text the second years if you ever need anything, we'll always be there to help!

Dear second years, You guys did it! For the past two chapters of your academic/UWC life you've spent it here. You made it! You did it! Through all the lows and highs, I truly wish all of you the best on the next chapter of your life because it was once said, "Respice Prospice means to look back, to look forward - to take what is worthy from the past and build the future."

STUDY!!!! I thought I would be fine enjoying myself now I have a few days left until exams start and realise I still have a lot to do!

Every day try to build up your attitude based on your ethical norms and don’t let anyone easily violate it.

Don't ever forget to experience! You are here to enjoy, to make friends and learn about them. No IB score can outshine that.

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