Hit the Worry with Joy

The retirement home in the Zagreb neighborhood of Vrbik organized a dance in its garden yesterday. Light notes and a bunch of pink balloons were enough for the elderly to have a good time regardless of the high temperature and the crisis in the country. Their impression might have been spoiled by the gray and dilapidated buildings surrounding the home, small pensions, and an ambulance vehicle nearby (just in case) – signs indicating their age and where they live, but judging by the number of cheerful dancers – nothing could spoil their experience. I think that is wonderful. Touching and actually encouraging. This country lacks good news and positive thoughts.

Some experts estimate that optimism will emerge after receiving the date of entry into the European Union, but given that we have heard so many promises and forecasts that have not materialized, and domestic entrepreneurs do not invest too much hope in their competitiveness in the European market, I think that will not be enough for general euphoria. More optimistic economists hope for a better situation as early as autumn, after tourists empty their pockets on the Adriatic. However, since it is possible to meet our loyal fans and supposedly always good guests – Germans who share a coffee – it is unlikely that this will significantly boost us. Likewise, if Šuker manages to borrow abroad, we will actually need to cry over that news, not laugh, given the state of the country’s debt.

We are not even at the World Cup to live off national pride for the next two or three weeks.
Therefore, since it is almost impossible (unless you move to, for example, Jabuka) to avoid depressing information about the decrease in the number of employees, deficits in the accounts of companies and citizens, salary reductions, scandals, corruption, recession, depression, collapse, hunger, illness, and news from the crime chronicle, we should consider small actions like these dances. Every village has a Volunteer Fire Department. With a lot of will and a little money, people should start gathering again for, why not – fire department parties. We will wait a long time for good news, so why not help ourselves. Singing against the recession. At least for one afternoon.