My participation in pride across borders in Thessaloniki in the Greek usb team was an exciting experience. We welcomed teenagers and young people from Ireland and learned about life there, about their culture, but also about the rights of the LGBTQ+ community that fights for self-evident equality as citizens of the world. There was a friendly atmosphere, joy and enthusiasm.
Iris
I am very glad that I had the opportunity to participate in this program. I met wonderful and interesting people, with whom I keep in touch and will probably visit in the future. I learned a lot about Ireland—a country that I probably would not have visited under other circumstances—and I realized that we have more similarities than I imagined. I wish it had lasted longer!
Atta
Despite the adverse conditions of Thessaloniki in July, we managed, both groups, the Irish and the Greek, to make this experience special, a pleasant experience that will stay with us. The environment at Pride Across Borders was incredibly friendly, and the activities very interesting and creative. Through the various means used to create a fairy tale (writing, drawing, podcast), the participants became familiar with these practices, we came closer, and we had the space to discuss issues related to the LGBTQI+ community, and above all to share the various experiences, through guided activities and not only. The knowledge, memories and friendships that this program offered us, make it unique.
Glyka
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to participate in the youth exchange "Pride across borders", a program between Greek and Irish participants. Through the program I had the opportunity to meet new people, create new friendships and gain new knowledge. This exchange brought me much closer to people from a country I did not know, giving me a company to get in touch with their culture, their ways of life and in general the Irish culture and tradition. At the same time, the program followed a series of activities, which in addition to being fun were also highly educational. I managed to learn and understand many topics related to identities and by extension the LGBTQIA community. The program motivated me to participate in more projects as well as to possibly create something of my own based on the knowledge I acquired.
Ioannis
The "Pride Across Borders" program was an opportunity for me to see and get to know myself and my experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community in a completely new way. Through the program, I met many people with whom I connected deeply and shared experiences and experiences. These exchanges helped me come closer not only to my sexual orientation, but also to other aspects of my identity that I had not touched on until then.
The activities and discussions that took place gave me the opportunity to learn more about Ireland and the experiences of Queer people in the country, and through this I realized how much we have in common both in terms of struggles and personal journeys.
This program did not end with my return home. It left me with tools, relationships and ideas that follow me and inspire me to create space for myself and others. At the same time, I felt for the first time that I could exist authentically, without having to “shrink” aspects of myself to fit in.
Eleni