Sueda ÖZYILDIRIM

Hello everyone,

I am Sueda. There are journeys where you travel to a point on a map, and come back with your soul covering the whole world. The Inclusive Democracy Lab I joined in Madan, a peaceful town in Bulgaria, was exactly that. In as short a time as a week I watched a group of strangers become a big, warm family.

The Hospitality of Our Hosts and the Spirit of Madan

The first thing I will remember about the project is the extraordinary sincerity of the association that welcomed us. They did not simply run an event; they gave us a comfort that rivalled home and warm guidance through every moment. Combined with Madan’s calm and its nature, that care had me thinking from the first day: I am so glad I am here.

Madan was not just a project venue for me but a special place where peace, sincerity and a sense of belonging came together. Every day I spent there built a stronger bond with where I was.

Culture Nights: One Heart, a Thousand Colours

One of the most colourful and unforgettable moments of the week was certainly the culture nights. We were together with Bulgarians, Hungarians, our own group and friends from many other cultures. That night we shared not only our food and our music but our joy, our stories and our energy.

Every local cloth laid over the tables opened a door onto another world. From Hungarian melodies to Bulgarian rhythms, from the warmth of our own lands to the sounds of other countries, everything met in a single room. Even speaking different languages, feeling that our hearts beat to the same rhythm was very special.

Plovdiv: A Day inside History

One of the most striking stops was our trip to Plovdiv. Walking the cobbled streets of one of Europe’s oldest cities, every corner seemed to whisper a different story. The grandeur of the ancient theatre, the artistic spirit of the city and its historic fabric moved us all.

The trip was not only about seeing a new city. It was a wonderful experience that strengthened the bonds within the group and showed how enjoyable it is to discover a place together.

The Bonds We Made, and a Bittersweet Goodbye

The experience taught me this: people do not need years to connect. Inclusive Democracy Lab was not only a training programme for me but the finest example of strong friendship, of laughing and thinking together, of becoming a “we”.

When it was time to leave I felt great gratitude and a deep pang. Because I was not only leaving a town behind: I was leaving people who had done me so much good, warm memories and feelings that had taken root in my heart.

The Most Precious Thing in My Suitcase

What I carried away from Madan was not a certificate or a few souvenirs. What I really carried was a precious inheritance of the world, worked deep into my soul. The project taught me not only new knowledge but how universal friendship, sharing, belonging and human warmth are.

I would also like to thank KOZ-DER for making this meaningful experience possible. Every memory, every bond and every feeling I gained on this journey is precious to me. The warmth Madan left in me will keep living in a corner of my heart.