06-30-2008, 02:34 PM
Well, now I am home again. It is right, that there was a lot of chaos in organizing and many things, that could be done better next time. But all in all my group enjoyed the event very much.
The financial aspect, well, we'll see how much of our costs will be refunded. The point is, that with the vanishing of Mr. Cologni everything changed. No one knows of the deals he made, or of the sponsors he said he had. The guys from Svishtov who were there, are not the ones to blame. They did everthing they could and were always at hand when needed. That they could not afford to prepare the free meals for everyone - promised by Cologni, not by them - is just true. The average Bulgarian earns about 250 Euro per month and prizes are about half up to the same as in central europe, so I would never expect that they just go to the next bank and pay our expenses and free food out of their own pockets. But they tried to!
However, the event's organization managed to make the most of it, and these persons are not to blame because of the criminal behaviour of a single person from another country. Of course it was naive to leave all the engagements and financial contracts to one person, a lesson that we all have learned now.
But really, stop blaming the wrong ones. It is not the present Svishtov organizers who have given us too little money, it is a great thing that they have given us at least a part of the money someone else had promised.
What they have done for us was great: We arrived in Romania, Bukarest airport on Wednesday evening. There where already two vehicles waiting, with drivers and translators, who welcomed us and brought us from Bukarest to Svishtov (8 hours, imagine, for 180 km). There they helped us unloading the truck of the Italian Legio, provided food, were available until three o'clock in the morning, brought breakfast on the next day, showed us all facilities, showers, bathrooms, banks where to change money, everything. When my container arrived by spedition, there was a forklift at hand as soon as needed.
During the event, which took place in several locations, they provided shuttle buses and always cool water (temperatures between 35° and 40° Celsius). When an Italian friend of mine broke his leg, it was three minutes till the ambulance was there. So, the altogether 4 persons (!) who did the work were at hand five days 24 hours and I am not the man to blame them. On the way back our shuttle bus to Bukarest was exactly in time and everything worked. When you see the state of the ex-socialist buildings and streets, you'd better call that organization a wonderful miracle. That they could not do more, is understandable, and that they couldn't afford to give us free food but we had to pay for the kephte and kebabchi like the visitors, one meal costing about 0,60 euros and a beer at 0,50 euros, well, my thanklessness has limits.
In my own group there were also persons who sat in their tents two days, whining because they were hungry and no one brought them the promised food. Man, what kindergarden! There are shops nearby, for central europeans the prizes are supercheap, so what. We are grown up men, posing warriors, and cannot survive without someone who feeds us? Because we feel affronted by a broken promise? But targetting our anger at the wrong persons.
I have come there to see a different country and to run a show. Both worked.
The Bulgarians seemed to enjoy the event a lot, they are a friendly and decent people with good manners. If there is another event next year, I will be there, if needed on my own expenses. But as the the Italian ambassador promised to give his protection for the next event, I think the contracts will be more reliable than these of Mr. Cologni. Many details can be mended until then, and there is a great chance to make Svishtov II much better than this first try.
Cheers,
Stefan
The financial aspect, well, we'll see how much of our costs will be refunded. The point is, that with the vanishing of Mr. Cologni everything changed. No one knows of the deals he made, or of the sponsors he said he had. The guys from Svishtov who were there, are not the ones to blame. They did everthing they could and were always at hand when needed. That they could not afford to prepare the free meals for everyone - promised by Cologni, not by them - is just true. The average Bulgarian earns about 250 Euro per month and prizes are about half up to the same as in central europe, so I would never expect that they just go to the next bank and pay our expenses and free food out of their own pockets. But they tried to!
However, the event's organization managed to make the most of it, and these persons are not to blame because of the criminal behaviour of a single person from another country. Of course it was naive to leave all the engagements and financial contracts to one person, a lesson that we all have learned now.
But really, stop blaming the wrong ones. It is not the present Svishtov organizers who have given us too little money, it is a great thing that they have given us at least a part of the money someone else had promised.
What they have done for us was great: We arrived in Romania, Bukarest airport on Wednesday evening. There where already two vehicles waiting, with drivers and translators, who welcomed us and brought us from Bukarest to Svishtov (8 hours, imagine, for 180 km). There they helped us unloading the truck of the Italian Legio, provided food, were available until three o'clock in the morning, brought breakfast on the next day, showed us all facilities, showers, bathrooms, banks where to change money, everything. When my container arrived by spedition, there was a forklift at hand as soon as needed.
During the event, which took place in several locations, they provided shuttle buses and always cool water (temperatures between 35° and 40° Celsius). When an Italian friend of mine broke his leg, it was three minutes till the ambulance was there. So, the altogether 4 persons (!) who did the work were at hand five days 24 hours and I am not the man to blame them. On the way back our shuttle bus to Bukarest was exactly in time and everything worked. When you see the state of the ex-socialist buildings and streets, you'd better call that organization a wonderful miracle. That they could not do more, is understandable, and that they couldn't afford to give us free food but we had to pay for the kephte and kebabchi like the visitors, one meal costing about 0,60 euros and a beer at 0,50 euros, well, my thanklessness has limits.
In my own group there were also persons who sat in their tents two days, whining because they were hungry and no one brought them the promised food. Man, what kindergarden! There are shops nearby, for central europeans the prizes are supercheap, so what. We are grown up men, posing warriors, and cannot survive without someone who feeds us? Because we feel affronted by a broken promise? But targetting our anger at the wrong persons.
I have come there to see a different country and to run a show. Both worked.
The Bulgarians seemed to enjoy the event a lot, they are a friendly and decent people with good manners. If there is another event next year, I will be there, if needed on my own expenses. But as the the Italian ambassador promised to give his protection for the next event, I think the contracts will be more reliable than these of Mr. Cologni. Many details can be mended until then, and there is a great chance to make Svishtov II much better than this first try.
Cheers,
Stefan
Ulfwin, the Hunno
(Stefan Deuble)
(Stefan Deuble)
