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Do you know the national dishes I mentioned in the article's title? Where do they come from, which nationalities often have these dishes on their tables, and what ingredients are used? If you don't know, I'll help: mamalyga is eaten in Ukraine, focaccia is Italian bread with various toppings, perepechi are baked by Udmurts, and ratatouille is not just the name of a rat from a Pixar cartoon, but a French dish made from eggplants, tomatoes, and zucchini. In this article, I want to emphasize the intercultural aspect of cooking. Much has already been written about the cooking club; it is, as you know, the most popular activity in the youth room. Young people learn functional reading and arithmetic, develop fine motor skills, and also learn to work in a team, take responsibility, distribute roles, involve others, and delegate...

Did you know that every youth center in Tartu has its own focus area? For example, Lille youth center focuses on health, while Ilmatsalu focuses on nature. Anne youth center's focus is on developing youth entrepreneurship. For this purpose, for example, the Tartu Youth work camp takes place every summer, where young people can gain their first work experience. To develop entrepreneurship, Anne youth center also offers a workshop called 'Idea as a Seed of Success'. But what exactly is an entrepreneurial mindset and why is it important to develop it in young people?   Entrepreneurial mindset vs. entrepreneurship Although these two words sound very similar, they are not quite the same. The concept of entrepreneurship focuses more on creating and managing businesses, the so-called economic side. Entrepreneurial mindset, however, is a more abstract word, which...

In December, a new kitchen was completed in the Lilleke youth room. Young people and youth workers had been waiting for this for a long time. The new kitchen is open and spacious, and we now have more workspace. Thanks to the new kitchen, we have been able to work with a larger group of young people in the kitchen. While previously a maximum of five young people could cook together in the kitchen, now all young people can participate in kitchen activities. As a result, the making of various baked goods has become more frequent, which means that young people enjoy being in the kitchen and feel safe developing their culinary skills there. Making muffins and cookies is especially popular. Since the kitchen and activity room now share a common space, the room offers a lot of versatility. Thus, it is possible to…

In certain circles of society, there is a common belief that activities in youth centers have only a questionable impact on young people. 16-year-old Cassandra has been visiting the Lille youth center for 4 years, while 17-year-old Kauri discovered the youth center only 4 months ago. We ask the young people themselves what they think about the youth center's activities and what impact youth work has had on their lives. 'How did you end up at the youth center? What first invited or inspired you to come?' Cassandra: I came to the Lille youth center about 4-5 years ago when a boy invited me there. At first, the place seemed boring because I didn't know anyone. But the next time, I found friends, and now I know many people. Kauri: Friends took me...

Minecraft, a word almost every child and parent in the Western world has heard. I used to always think I didn't understand this phenomenon at all. The game is so blocky, and they don't do anything there! Yet, all my acquaintances who play video games told me that if I just tried it, the game was made for my taste. Now, working in a youth center and frequently encountering Minecraft, which is by nature a sandbox game, I've started to understand the phenomenon much better and even play it myself. Its open nature and creative possibilities make it more than just a game; it's a powerful educational tool and a canvas for unlimited creativity.  …

The last month of the year is a time for summing up. We too are summarizing our youth center's year of work. The most important thing to say, and what always inspires us greatly, is that our youth center is always full of life. We welcome both children who have been familiar with us for a long time and newcomers who hear about us through friends, social media, or workshops organized in our schools. We are pleased to see young people actively participating in our center's activities, developing projects, taking initiative, and sharing their ideas. We want to tell our young people: an idea is already half the battle; we will help you implement the rest together. We have excellent opportunities to realize your ideas: smaller ones…

A blanket of snow has covered the ground, winter has arrived, and the thermometer shows sub-zero temperatures. Here are a few suggestions for things to do with your family this Christmas.  Be sure to watch some great Christmas movies, such as Home Alone, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Eia's Christmas at Tondikaku, and Lepatriinude Christmas.  "The Christmas of the Ladybugs" can be watched completely free of charge on Jupiter (https://jupiter.err.ee/1203331/lepatriinude-joulud).   Homemade gingerbread cookies are the perfect accompaniment to the film! Tartu Christmas Town also offers a variety of activities and events worth discovering. 11.12 - Christmas workshop for young people (4:00-7:00 p.m.), where Christmas tree decorations will be made together with TNTK.   13.12 - Christmas concert by the Tähe Viis and Fadiees singing studios (6:00-7:00 p.m.), featuring Christmas songs from different countries. 14.12 - Tartu Winter Dance Day (1:00 p.m.

We have probably all encountered the stereotype at least once in our lives or heard in wider society that tattoos and piercings give an unprofessional impression and are not suitable for some job positions. Service industry positions often become a major point of contention, as company managers may fear that a service provider's or consultant's body modifications negatively affect their clients' opinion and trust in the company. Fortunately, over the last 10-15 years, we have actively started moving away from this stereotype and increasingly encounter people with different styles in various job positions. But what about youth work? What kind of example does a youth worker with tattoos and piercings set for young people? When I started working at the Tartu Youth Work Center in the summer of 2022, I had...

Have you ever felt that your thoughts are not truly heard? Or that someone nods along but doesn't really understand what you want to say? You are not alone. Often, young people's feelings and worries go unnoticed because it's thought that "it will pass" or "what worries could young people possibly have?" But your feelings are real, you are important, and your thoughts deserve to be heard. At the youth center, we are here to truly listen to you – not just during Mental Health Month or a campaign, but at any time. Come and tell your story – whether it's big or small, fun or challenging. You are not...