Maribor je ne glede na svojo majhnost kulturno zelo pestro mesto. Kako življenje v Mariboru doživljajo ljudje, ki so se k nam preselili iz bližnjih ali daljnih krajev, kaj jim je tukaj najbolj všeč, na kakšne ovire so naleteli pri selitvi v Maribor in zakaj je bilo vredno vztrajati, pa si boste lahko prebrali v obliki Medkulturnega bloga. Tokrat predstavljamo Roberta Trigono, ki ima korenine v Puerto Ricu in Italiji.

[SLOVENSKO]

Roberto med tednom latinskoameriških ritmov uči mariborske plesne pare, med vikendi pa v večjih evropskih prestolnicah vodi plesne korake na družabnih dogodkih. Pred letom dni ga je v Maribor pripeljala ljubezen, svoje prihodnosti pa ne načrtuje, ampak se prepušča, da ga po različnih poteh vodi življenje.

Kako dolgo ste že v Mariboru?

Mineva eno leto od mojega prihoda v Maribor, vendar že približno štiri leta živim na območju Slovenije in Hrvaške. Preden sem se preselil v Maribor, sem namreč živel v Ljubljani in Zagrebu.

Zakaj ste se odločili za selitev v Slovenijo?

Sem DJ in učitelj salse, bachate in latinskoameriških plesov. Živel in delal sem v Milanu, nato sem spoznal Slovenko in se zaljubil vanjo. Skupaj sva živela v Kopru in se nato preselila v Maribor. Najino razmerje se je sicer končalo, vendar sem v Mariboru ostal, saj je ugoden za delo, ki ga opravljam. Vodim namreč plesne tečaje, vsak vikend pa potujem po Evropi na različne družabne dogodke. Maribor je dobra izhodiščna točka, saj je nekje v središču poti do vseh destinacij, ki jih obiskujem. Ne želim se vrniti v Milano, saj se trudim pustiti preteklost za seboj. Odločitvam je vedno treba slediti in nadaljevati z življenjem.

Kakšen se vam zdi Maribor?

Maribor je prijetno in mirno mesto. Po selitvi sem sicer opazil, da mestu primanjkuje klubov, kjer bi lahko podrobneje predstavljal svoje delo. Sicer je veliko lokalov, vendar so bolj namenjeni druženju ob pijači in manj plesu. Kljub temu opažam, da po letu dni ljudje bolje razumejo moj način življenja in glasbo. V Milanu sem sicer vodil lastno plesno šolo, v Mariboru pa imam najete prostore studia Jam. Za sodelovanje sem povprašal pri treh radiih, saj sem tudi sam delal na milanskem radiu, vendar raje vrtijo balkansko in tradicionalno glasbo. Nekateri italijanski radii namreč ob nekaterih priložnostih vrtijo latinskoameriško glasbo 24 ur, tako da ljudje spoznajo tovrstno kulturo in pričnejo s povpraševanjem po plesnih šolah. V Mariboru enkrat ali dvakrat sicer organiziram zabavo v studiu Jam, vendar v klubih ne vrtijo reggaetona ali latinskoameriških ritmov, saj je tovrstna glasba tvegana zaradi nepoznavanja med ljudmi. Vem, da veliko mojih tečajnikov sicer govori s svojimi prijatelji in priporočajo moje plesne ure, vendar opažam, da je slovenščina velika ovira pri predstavljanju mojega dela. Zame bi bilo lažje, da bi vsi udeleženci znali špansko, saj so besedila glasbe, ob kateri plešemo, večinoma v španskem jeziku, udeleženci bi potemtakem razumeli, kaj glasba sporoča in to prenesli v plesne gibe. Trenutno na tečajih vlada rahla zmeda, saj učim v angleškem jeziku, med vikendi na dogodkih pa govorim špansko.

Koliko ljudi obiskuje plesni tečaj?

Za normalen potek učenja na tečaju ne sme biti več kot deset parov, saj sicer postane nezanimivo za udeležence, zame pa poučevanje postane površno in usmerjeno le k dobičku. Zaradi prevelike množice lahko na tečaju nastane nemir, saj delam brez pomočnikov. Ljudje so načeloma plesni učitelji poleg redne zaposlitve, zame pa je to služba, ki sem ji popolnoma predan z dušo in telesom.

Kako bi opisali Slovence?

Slovenci so nekoliko bolj zapeti kot ljudje, s katerimi sem preživljal večino časa v preteklosti. Moja mama prihaja iz Portorika, oče pa je Italijan, zato me vodi latinskoameriška mentaliteta, kar se odraža predvsem v moji odprtosti do ljudi. Mariborčani in Mariborčanke so nekoliko odmaknjeni, vendar prijazni. Zdi se mi, da vse preveč stremijo za materialnimi dobrinami, kultura, iz katere izhajam, pa se obrača k duhovnemu svetu. Zame je vse to popolnoma novo, vendar počasi spoznavam slovensko kulturo in jezik. Naj samo navedem primer, v Portoriku, Španiji in Italiji »kava« dejansko pomeni kavo, v Sloveniji pa ženske vabilo na kavo razumejo kot začetek novega odnosa. Ko sem se pogovarjal z nekaj Mariborčani so vprašanje, kako so, vedno preusmerili in začeli opisovati svojo službo, ženo, avtomobile, hiše in podobno, vendar me je zanimalo, kako se počutijo, želel sem jih spoznati. Zanima me duša osebe, saj je ta edinstvena.

Na kakšen način plešejo Slovenci?

Slovenci in Slovenke so kar dobri plesalci, vendar opažam, da moški v manj primerih vodijo ples, ampak so to vlogo prevzele ženske. Moški so negotovi glede dotikanja ženske, zato jim poskušam razložiti, da ples pomeni samo ples in ničesar drugega. Partner na plesišču je to tako dolgo, dokler traja glasba. Ko se ta konča, je tudi »razmerje« končano, nekateri moški pa želijo, da bi trajalo. Plešem in učim že več kot 29 let, zato sem se naučil, da je ples dober tudi pri grajenju odnosa do partnerja. Če se med plesom ne pretvarjaš, spoznaš, da oseba, s katero plešeš, postane del tebe in so vse vajine poteze skupne. Moj plesni učitelj mi je razložil tudi, da je učitelj umetnik v razumevanju odnosov in ustvarjanju sreče za drugega.

Kako vam gre učenje slovenščine?

Slovenščina je zelo težka. Pričel sem z učenjem preprostih besed, kot so imena hrane in pijač, na primer »ledena kava«. Bolje razumem slovenščino, kot govorim, vendar se učim šele dva meseca, zato še ne morem govoriti o rezultatih.

Kako vam ustreza slovenska hrana?

Zelo rad imam slaščice, zato sem se precej namučil z izgovorjavo besede »slaščičarna«, ko sem prišel v Slovenijo. Slovenska hrana mi je všeč, saj je zelo kvalitetna in okusna, čeprav se močno razlikuje od italijanske. Sicer vsa hrana ne ustreza povsem mojemu okusu, saj bi želel jesti več rib, kar je v Mariboru težje. Še vedno se mi zdi precej nenavadno jesti juho pred obrokom, vendar spoštujem tradicijo in se nanjo privajam. Tudi slovenska vina se mi zdijo dobra, vendar imam raje italijanska gazirana vina.

Kako si predstavljate svoje življenje čez pet let?

Moja zaposlitev ni povsem običajna, zato ne morem predvideti, kako bo čez nekaj let. V Milanu sem imel svojo plesno šolo, delal sem na radiu, sedaj pa sem tukaj. Če bi me pred petimi leti vprašali, kaj bom počel, najbrž ne bi niti slutil, kaj podobnega temu, saj se prepuščam toku življenja. Maribor mi je všeč, vendar bom sledil, če me bo pot peljala v drugo državo, ali pa se bodo ljudje naveličali mojega dela in ga bom moral iskati drugje. Rad opravljam svoje delo in zame je pomembno, da delam tisto, kar me resnično veseli. V Sloveniji je namreč zelo težko poiskati delo, če ne znaš govoriti slovensko. Tujci, ki želijo ostati v Sloveniji ne dobijo skoraj nobene možnosti za zaposlitev, saj je slovenska mentaliteta precej ozka, tako do drugih narodov kot tudi jezikov. Opazil sem, da je v mestnem jedru skoraj 20 odstotkov lokalov zaprtih, zato sem želel odpreti bar v Mariboru, vendar je za neslovenske državljane to praktično nemogoče, saj je težko pridobiti potrebne dokumente in zbrati zadostno količino denarja. Če bi dobil vsaj možnost, bi Slovencem dal nove možnosti za zaposlitev in tako prispeval k razvoju mesta. Več možnosti sem imel celo v Zagrebu in Gradcu. Pred desetimi leti, ko sem odpiral svojo plesno šolo v Milanu, je bila otvoritev v treh mesecih, v pol leta sem imel 300 učencev in deset zaposlenih. Ne prosim za popust, ampak samo za enake pravice kot ostali Mariborčani.

Ali v Sloveniji kaj pogrešate?

Svojo družino sem zapustil pri šestnajstih letih, zato sem se v tem času že precej izoblikoval. Biti plesni učitelj in DJ je precej nenavadno, saj na družabnih dogodkih spoznavam veliko ljudi, sem nekakšna zvezda, v prostem času pa sem osamljen, pogrešam svojega sina, ki trenutno živi v Švici, pogrešam pretekle zveze, pogrešam svojo družino. Kljub temu se ne maram ozirati predaleč v preteklost, saj me je prav ta izoblikovala v osebo, kot sem sedaj. Včasih se je sicer dobro spomniti preteklosti, vendar se trudim pomikati izven cone ugodja in raziskovati svoje meje zmogljivosti. Ko želim iti v kino ali na pijačo v bar, nimam družbe, saj učenci niso enako kot prijatelji. Tudi ženske se me izogibajo, saj sem zanje precej nevarna kombinacija plesalca, učitelja, moškega latinskoameriških korenin, ki ne hodi v običajno službo, prinaša domov denarja in se obnaša kot drugi moški. Rad sem z ljudmi zaradi njih samih in ne zato ker bi v njih videl priložnost zase. V Sloveniji pa opažam, da se veliko ljudi ravna prav po tem merilu, saj se z ljudmi družijo glede na situacijo. Moja partnerka je imela prijatelje, s katerimi se je družila v službi, spet druge prijatelje za kino, ki pa so bili ločeni od njenih prijateljev za druženje ob pijači. Zame prijatelj pomeni prijatelj za vse, v Sloveniji pa so različni prijatelji za različne aktivnosti. Potemtakem sem raje sam, saj se ne maram prepirati, če mi oseba ne ustreza. Morda zvenim kot egoist, vendar moje nesreča ni ugodna za srečo nekoga drugega. Skupaj se morava namreč truditi, da bova srečna.

[ENGLISH]

Every week Roberto is teaching dance couples from Maribor how to do the Latin American dance moves and during the weekends he is hosting events in major Europe capital cities. A year ago love brought him to Maribor and yet he does not have any plans for the future, which he lets life guide him on its own ways.

How long have you been in Maribor?

Now is one year since I live in Maribor, it has been four years already since I lived in Croatia and Slovenia. Before I came to Maribor I lived in Ljubljana and Zagreb.

Why did you choose to come to Slovenia?

I am DJ and teacher of salsa, bachata and Latin American dances. I lived and worked in Milano, met a woman from Slovenia and fell in love with her. We started living together in Koper and then moved to Maribor. Our relationship is now over, but I stayed here, because Maribor is good for my work. I run dance classes in Maribor, every weekend I travel around the Europe to host different events and Maribor is the center point. I do not like returning to Milano, because I think it is not good returning to the life you had before. If you made one decision, then it is good to pursue it. I always try to go forward and continue with my life.

Do you like Maribor?

Maribor is good for my job, because it is calm. place When I moved to Maribor, I faced lack of clubs where I could promote my work. There are many bars, which are more for drinks and not for dance. But after one year people are starting to understand my style and my music. Back in Milano I had my dance school, but now I pay rent and I teach in Jam studio. I also asked the radios, if they might be interested in collaboration, because I was working on the radio back in Milano and it is a good way to promote Latin music, but radios are more interested in Balkan and traditional music. In Milano some radios played Latin music for 24 hours straight sometimes and people got to like it and then looked for dance schools. In Maribor once or twice in a month I organize a party in JAM, but most of the clubs have they own DJs and they do not like Reggaeton or Latin house music, because this is a risk for Friday or Saturday night. I know people who come to my classes like my work and then talk with their friends about it and this is also promotion for my school, but otherwise language is a big obstacle for me to promote my work. It would be much easier for me, if all people knew Spanish, because music is mostly Spanish and if you understand the language of the music, you use the correct feeling while you dance. Right now it is a little confusing, because I speak English when teaching and during the weekend when I am hosting events, I speak Spanish.

How many people come to your dance class?

To use correct methodology I normally take eight to ten couples to class, otherwise it is not interesting anymore and is just for my profit. After ten couples I close the class, because I want to teach properly. Too many people mean chaos as I do not have assistants. Normally people teach dance as a second job, but in my case, this is my first job, and I devote my body and soul completely to it.

How would you describe Slovenian people?

They are a little more reserved than people I am familiar with. My mother is Puertorican and father is Italian, which means I have Latino mentality and therefore am more open to the people. People I get to know in Maribor seem to be more distant, but they are kind. It seems to me like they are paying too much attention to material things, while our culture is focused on fantasy. This is something completely different, but I am trying to understand such way of thinking. I started learning Slovenian language to get to know Slovenian people and culture. For example in Puerto Rico, Spain or Italy »coffee« means literally coffee, but Slovenian women understand the coffee as the beggining of new relationship, if the man invites them to have coffee with him. When I met some men and asked them how they are, they all started talking about their cars, houses, jobs, women. But I wanted to hear who they are, because I am interested in soul of someone, because it is unique.

How do the Slovenian couples dance?

Slovenians are potentially good dancers, but I noticed that man is the leader in Latino couples, while in Slovenian, woman takes this role. Men are a little scared where is the limit to touch the woman. I try to explain to them that dance means dance. Your partner on the dancefloor is your girlfriend or boyfriend for four minutes and when the music is over, the relationship is over too. Men think their relationship will continue even after the party. I dance and teach for 29 years. Dance is good to gain respect for the partner. If you are not fake when you dance, you also acknowledge, that partner is a part of you and you act united. It is not just dance, because your mentality changes. Dance is good, because all decisions are couple decisions. My teacher explained me that teacher is the artist in understanding all kinds of relations between the two and is also the creator of happiness for others.

Is it difficult to learn Slovenian language?

It is really difficult for me. I started learning simple words, like food, such as »ledena kava«. I understand more Slovenian, than I talk, but I am only learning for 2 months.

What do you think about food in Slovenia?

I like sweets and first time I went to order dessert here in Slovenia it was almost impossible for me to spell a word »slaščičarna«. Otherwise the food is totally different than Italian, but tasty, I am satisfied with the quality and the prices. All food here is not what I actually prefer, because I like fish and here in Maribor there are not many restaurants serving fish. It is strange for me to eat soup before the meal, but I respect Slovenian tradition and am slowly getting used to it. Slovenian wines taste good, but I am more fan of Italian wines, because they contain gas.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

My job is not »normal« and I cannot program it in advance for years. I have been working in Milano on the radio, ran my dance school and now I am here. If you asked me five years ago, I had no idea of this. Life decides, where my next stop will be. I like Maribor, but if life will put me in other country, I will follow or if people will stop liking my work, I will search for it at some other place. I like to do what I do, my work is my passion and it is really significant to me, to find a job that suits me. In Slovenia it is difficult to find a job if you do not speak Slovenian. For foreigners who would like to stay in Slovenia, the situation is very difficult, because they get no opportunities for work. Mentality is very closed, because Slovenians accept only their mentality and language. It is strange going through city center and 20 percent of the local business are closed. I wanted to open bar in Maribor, but if you are not Slovenian citizen it is much more difficult and expensive to gather documents and money to start a new business. But if they gave me a chance to start a job, I would then give other Slovenian people to get a job at my business. Anyway it was impossible for me, because it was too expensive, even more as if I wanted to open it in Graz or Zagreb. For example ten years ago when I had my dance school in Milano, I opened it in three months. In six months I had 300 students and ten persons working with me. Here I would like to do the same. There are many options, because many places in the city are available to rent. I am not asking for the discount, but for the same price as other citizens of Maribor.

Do you miss anything from home?

I left my family when I was 16 years old, so my character is pretty strong. This thing with teaching and DJing is a little strange, because on events I am a star and I meet many people, but other days I am free and I miss having a relationship, I miss my son living in Switzerland and I miss my family. But I do not like looking back on my past, because it created the person I am today. Sometimes it is good not to forget the past, but better to move out of your comfortable zone and search how far can you go. It is strange, because I am alone and if I want to go to the cinema or a bar, I do not have the company. Students are not friends. Also women avoid me, because I am teacher, DJ, Latino, I am not secure choice, because I do not go to the job and bring money home and act like other men. I like to be with people just because of them, not because they seem to have opportunity for me. But here in Slovenia people have relationships with people depending on situation. For example, my previous partner had several different friends in job, friends for cinema, friends for dance. To me a friend is a friend for everything. If I like a person, this is my friend for everything. But here in Slovenia it works like this, you are not good for me to go to the cinema, but you will be good to talk with at work. For me it does not work this way, if someone is no good, then he is no good. I am rather alone than fight with other person. Maybe I sound like an egoist, but my unhappiness is not good for your happiness. We both have to work together to be happy.

foto: arhiv Roberta Trigone