EVS in Maribor

Hello everybody, this is the first time I write on this blog. So I may introduce myself first. I’m Katrin from Germany and I’m EVS volunteer in Pekarna. I’m often asked, why I’ve decided on going here… why Maribor… why Slovenia? There is a simple answer: Why not? Slovenia is so diverse in terms of culture and landscape. Maribor is transforming from an industrial city into a city of culture and will be the European Capital of Culture in 2012. Almost every day you have the chance to visit concerts, performances, film-screenings and exhibitions. In short: Maribor is small, but a city with lots of charm.

Two months ago I arrived in Maribor and spent three weeks in the new hostel of Pekarna before moving to a shared accommodation which is situated in the north of the city. But thanks to Maribjke  I can reach the city centre and Pekarna in just a couple of minutes, where I, among other things, work on the programme Guest Room Maribor: Artists from all over the world and from every imaginable artistic field have the opportunity to stay in Maribor for one month, to use the workspaces of the city and to present their works to the public. We are hosting the artists, bring them in contact with other artists, show them around the city and support them in preparing their presentations.

Pekarna is also a member of TEH – Trans Europe Halles, a network of independent cultural centres. Thanks to that I could go to Bordeaux last week, where the second annual meeting of the network took place. It was really great meeting all these creative people from all over Europe. Merci beaucoup TEH and TNT!!

More news next time,
Katrin