by: XHABIR DERALLA

I am writing this editorial a day after CIVIL’s public event on youth and European values. It was led by our colleague Irena, with young people being her guests, who shared their thoughts and experiences of this Macedonian society of ours. I felt that youthful energy, creativity and optimism, but also the shadow of disappointment in their statements. It’s hard for me to think how part of my generation and somewhat younger than me achieved such “great” success: destroyed society, divided it, robbed it and occupied it through party and “deal-oriented” policies.

One of the participants (Biljana Arsovska), who has studied in Ljubljana and is now working for a foreign firm and writes columns for our internet media, presented a mature, realistic, but at the same time also optimistic view of things. We must not give up on changes!” – she said.

I heard these young people talking about how we have young and good cadre, people who not only understand what European values are, but also know how to foster and promote them. According to them, that is the only way we can go towards a secure future. The power of youth can be felt, but at the same time also the unvoiced condemnation for this destroyed society of ours. They see progress, they see movement and improvement of the conditions, but they are careful, they are not showing too much optimism and enthusiasm. I understand them.

The young people know! Society is polarized, and destructive and anti-Western structures are still present and powerful, for us to be able to breathe easily, and mostly the young people. Long is the road ahead of us, full of challenges. European values are not out of reach, they are interwoven in the thoughts and behaviour of the youth. The European future is already in their hands, but there are too many predatory prospects that want to take it away from them. Among them are people from my generation, but also many people of their age, completely poisoned by people of my age.

translation: N. Cvetkovska