Friends in a Cold Climate: Schiedam-2a

Connie Eggink began working for the Stichting Schiedamse Gemeenschap (Foundation Schiedam Community) and the VVV Tourist Information Office, as they were combined. She was around the age of 19 and had to be knowledgeable about various cultural groups, including music, theater, literature, primarily focused on amateur arts. The Schiedam community was tasked with managing youth exchange programs, supported by the municipality. The community published a periodical that documented these activities. The first time Connie had to organize a youth exchange program, there was a group coming from the three foreign countries that needed to be provided with a cultural program. Over time, Connie attended several meetings in Esslingen, where Otto Weinmann was a driving force. He was likely the director there and was very passionate about European ideals and the European thought. His enthusiasm inspired all involved. Participants in the program were required to stay with a host family for two weeks, followed by another two weeks hosting the participant from the other country. During the day, there was a cultural program, while evenings often featured disco nights, facilitating a different form of bonding. Being together for four weeks, including meals with participants' parents, led sometimes to discussions about WWII. Connie’s parents had anti-German sentiments due to their experiences during The war. However, through the exchange program, they recognized its importance in preventing a recurrence of such events and became supportive. Despite these serious discussions, participants also formed romantic relationships during the program. In Velenje during the Tito era, Connie experienced a different culture with language barriers and dictatorial restrictions. Despite feeling a sense of freedom as foreigners, the locals perceived many restrictions as normal. The leader of the first group, a journalist, was involved in a mysterious car accident the following year, reflecting a potentially precarious environment. Connie initially admired WWII resistance as a young girl, but began questioning her own bravery when she became responsible for children. While not inclined towards large demonstrations, she advocates defending democracy to prevent history from repeating itself. Connie finds the current disregard for democratic principles unsettling and fear the consequences of such complacency. (Project Friends in a Cold Climate 2023)康妮·埃金克（Connie Eggink）最初供职于合并后的斯希丹社区基金会（Stichting Schiedamse Gemeenschap）与VVV游客信息中心，当时她年仅19岁，需精通各类文化相关事务，涵盖音乐、戏剧、文学等领域，核心聚焦于业余艺术范畴。该社区受市政当局支持，负责运营青年交流项目，并发行了一份记录相关活动的定期刊物。 康妮首次组织青年交流项目时，有来自三个国家的代表团到访，需为其安排文化活动。此后，康妮多次前往埃斯林根（Esslingen）参会，当地的奥托·魏曼（Otto Weinmann）是会议的核心推动者，他大概率担任该地区负责人，对欧洲理念与欧洲思想抱有极高热忱，其热情感染了所有参会人员。 项目参与者需先入住接待家庭生活两周，随后再以接待方身份，接待来自其他国家的参与者两周。日间安排文化体验活动，晚间则多举办迪斯科舞会，以此构建参与者间别样的情感联结。为期四周的共同生活中，包括与参与者父母一同用餐的场景，有时会引发关于第二次世界大战（WWII）的讨论。康妮的父母因战时经历怀有反德情绪，但通过该交流项目，他们意识到此类活动对避免战争重演的重要性，转而表示支持。尽管存在此类严肃的讨论，参与者们仍在项目期间发展出了恋爱关系。 在铁托时代的韦莱涅（Velenje），康妮身处一种截然不同的文化环境，面临语言障碍与独裁管控限制。尽管作为外籍人士她感受到了些许自由，但当地民众却将诸多管控视为常态。首支代表团的领队是一名记者，次年便遭遇了一场离奇的车祸，这也折射出当时环境潜藏的动荡不稳。 康妮年少时曾崇敬二战抵抗运动，但在肩负照顾儿童的责任后，她开始质疑自身的勇气。尽管她并不热衷于大规模游行示威，但她倡导捍卫民主，以避免历史重演。康妮认为当下对民主原则的漠视令人不安，并担忧这种自满情绪可能带来的后果。（《严寒中的挚友》项目（Project Friends in a Cold Climate），2023）