INSTITUTE BURJA EXPLORING EUROPE UNDER ERASMUS+

By implementing learning mobility of staff within the framework of the accredited Erasmus program in 2022-2027, we are improving approaches to the informal education of members of ethnic minorities in Slovenia.

Last spring, we came into contact with Dejan Aleksić, a popular modern Serbian writer, youth poet and playwright from Kraljevo. 

When the topic of Slovenia and Slovenian literature emerged, he was very sovereign in the interview. He is a guest at almost all regional international literary festivals and is in active working contact with his contemporaries. 

For our visit within the framework of staff mobility through the Erasmus+ program, we were more interested in the publishing activity it carries out in the context of the Serbian cultural and literary scene. We decided to visit him at Povelja, the literary newspaper of the Stefan Prvovenčani National Library, where he works as editor-in-chief. 

The central purpose of our 3-day mobility of educational staff was to introduce better work approaches in non-formal adult education aimed at publishing and thus the literacy of our target group – including members of the Serbian national community living in Slovenia. We also carry out many joint educational activities and cultural projects with her. In the field of publishing work, we as an organization still need more concrete knowledge and experience, so we went to them for new practical knowledge and work methodologies. 

We learned a lot of new things through the presented methodology of working in informal adult education. As an example of good practice, we highlight two local actions carried out by representatives of the Povelja to popularize the book. The first was carried out with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, and the minister had to approve this campaign to popularize the book. The representatives of the Povelja connected with the National Theater Kraljevo, in which they chose an actor who dressed in a police uniform and, together with a real policeman, gave tasks from general literature to the target audience in the city and the wider environment. At the same time, books were handed out to astonished passers-by who were stopped by the police as a reward for correct answers. As another example of good practice, we can highlight the methodology of active participation, where the representatives of the Povelja made a ‘health popularization’ of books among adults. At several stands in the city centre, they were dressed as doctors and, following the demonstrated concern for the health of the participants, prescribed different books as a prescription for various interested parties. 

The representatives of the Povelja highlighted their rich and extensive international cooperation with various representatives in Europe and elsewhere in the world. They also presented us with their collaboration with Slovenian organizations and their prosperous cooperation with the Serbian national community living abroad, including in Slovenia. We talked about both the content and the technical segment of publishing – about all the steps that need to be taken into account for an exemplary publication or book that is finished in terms of content. Here we touched on the correct approaches for determining suitable content, planning the size of various publications, choosing a font, paper, design methods, selecting image material and printing itself. 

At specific working meetings, we introduced ourselves to each other and highlighted current issues, projects and operational tasks. We were primarily looking for interest in knowledge related to more concrete work with publishing, as we, as an organization, are still learning well in this area. We presented current European programs through which we implement the most current projects. Most of all, we talked about all the possibilities offered by the Erasmus+ program. We also discussed the possibilities of future joint projects for which there is mutual interest. 

We were also at the opening of a joint exhibition opened by Serbs living in North Macedonia in the city library. Only this coincided with our visit. We also had a working meeting with them. We agreed on a potential visit to them, as we could get to know first-hand the reciprocity work carried out by representatives of the Serbian minority for the development of education in the field of culture. 

With Dejan Aleksić, we also recorded material for the videocast. 

On the last day of the visit, we also met representatives of non-governmental organizations who organized a local campaign to clean the banks of the river Ibar, which runs through the city. We took part in this campaign and recorded many interviews with the participants. This was mainly for younger adults, who are more aware of local pressing environmental and climate issues and do not care what kind of environment and city they live in. Their enthusiasm gave us hope for better progress in the community. At the same time, we invited them to join us as associate partners in some of the projects we implement through cultural and environmental issues. 

They say they are happy to join us. We are already looking forward to further cooperation!