Nikio

I decided to hit the road and go on a tour around high-schools in western Slovenia to promote UMMI summer camps and in doing so speak about issues with creativity and giftedness. My main points are:

- giftedness is a property of mind which has to be carefully nurtured, otherwise skills will diminish to average at best,
- creativity is not a property of mind, it is a way of thinking. It is seeing each thing afresh and approaching problems with playfulness, courage and bravery,
- creative and gifted people are often misunderstood, hence they feel alone,
- but they are not!



I am recording every lecture and I shall publish the best version ASAP. After each lecture I try to encourage debate about this issues to get some feedback. It is a great experience and there is still 5 places to go!

Usually when I travel I try to dig a bit deeper and go under the skin of the places I visit. Last weekend I was trekking and sailing on Kornati islands and for two evenings I stayed in its biggest town, Sali. As I walked the town I spotted a small library.


And what a library that is! On a very small space (about 30-40m2, if you know what I mean) you have a fine book collection, a few computers, a nice telescope, a piano (that anyone can play), chess, plasma TV, two couches, some sofas, a copy machine, lot's of photos, paintings, prints... And everything is sooooo nicely arranged. It invites you to stop, think and have some itellectual fun, while it is not serious and repulsive (as most libraries) at all!


Soon it became clear why. The man behind it, Mr. Ante Mihić, must be the most amazing guy you will ever meet. His idea of a library is far wider than of most of us. It is not just a place to rent and read books, it is a cultural and intelectual center where people of all ages gather, discuss ideas, have fun, watch football, tell stories, make jokes, laugh and inspire each-other!



"Most libraries are open during the week when people are at work or in school. What's the point of that? Our library works sunday evenings when people have time and energy for leisure! People, not the schedule, are our top priority!", he said. How often do we forget that!? "Everyone is welcome to join our library here at Sali. We have members from all over the world!" Indeed, it took me less than a moment to feel at home there. That small place covered almost all of my academic and social interests at once.


Don't you wish you had such a library in your town?

Finally some time to edit photos. This is a small selection for you Click below for more

Read more...

This photo was made by accident but I decided to keep it. Can anybody tell what it is?


Besides that; I'm off for the next 10 days. I'm going to the Slovenian coast to participate in UMMI summer camp. Last year I was there as the official blogger, this year I am promoted to coach my own group of students. I think it will be a lot of fun!
So this is it for the daily photos. It was a great ride, but now there are new challenges for me (and less time). As for the blogging; we are back to normal (fewer but longer posts). Take care

And yes! I can has new avatar! Thanks Violeta!

PS: Why monkeys desaturate photos when I upload them to the my.opera server? It really pushes down the quality of the image?

Today I was quite unexpectedly visiting Škofja Loka. The whole main square is decorated with colorful ribbons.


And this is the gothic ceiling of the city's curch.
More photos in the daily photos album.