A magazine edited by older journalists’ group in Zagreb

Smiljana Spika-Prskalo, Zagreb

For the last 10 years I have been attending courses at the University of the Third Age (UTA) in Zagreb, Croatia. “Our school”, as we like to call it, is a part of the Public Open University Zagreb (POUZ). This programme is the result of cooperation between the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb, especially Dr. Maja Span and the head of the UTA, Jasna Curin. At first there were only 150 students, while today there are almost 1,500. Our facilities are in the building which is a monument of modern architecture in Zagreb. Being located in one place enhances the spirit of unity and enables us to meet and socialize quite frequently. In addition, there are facilities in Brodarica near Sibenik at the Adriatic coast, where we also meet and have courses in early summer or autumn. We go to excursions, enjoy swimming and going for walks, or simply just watch the sky (there is a group of astronomers who traditionally go there).

Our UTA has existed for 17 years; next year we are “becoming of age” and we are looking forward to being one year older. It gives us both strength and legitimacy. People who did not pay attention to us and those who did not acknowledge our efforts and objectives are starting to view us in the right light and appreciate our precious life’s experience.

Our Journalist Group is one of the programmes within the UTA. We started out as 13 members, but throughout the years we have gained and lost many members, unfortunately, some of them have passed away. We have been taught by professional journalists. At first we studied the history of journalism, the journalistic forms and everything else in connection with theory and practice of journalism. For the majority of us it was not the first encounter with journalism. Some of us are retired journalists themselves, but we are not exclusive in this regard – anybody can contribute and help us in creating a quality magazine.

The magazine is called ‘The Third Youth’ and is published in 1,400 copies twice a year (at the beginning of each semester). According to the polls, apart from the UTA students, three more people per each copy are reading it, mostly our friends and family members. We have also found out that it is read in the neighbouring countries as well. Our journalists usually cover topics in connection with the activities in the UTA – lectures, exhibitions, panel discussions, concerts, excursions, international student exchanges, etc. We also cover the most important events in Zagreb, so we can be called the “chroniclers of the city”. This requires serious work, to be on the spot, make interviews, take photos, write, edit and eventually to wait for the final word of the editor. Above all, we have to be well informed.

We meet every week on Mondays. Then we suggest topics, talk about the wishes and comments made by our readers, and we read out our articles accompanied by the comments of the whole group. Some traits of resentment can be found as well, sometimes we don’t see eye to eye on certain matters, sometimes the papers fly around, the doors are being slammed (just as in any real editorial office). However, very soon the passions are calmed down and the friendly environment is being restored because we’re not only journalists, we are first and foremost – friends.

On the cover of the magazine there is always a photo of a painting made by one of the students who attend art classes, and which was voted as the best one by the majority of the students at the UTA. Our wish is to publish our magazine online, with all the texts translated into English. We also wish that our magazine lives on until its “old age” because, in our case, we are not afraid of getting old. Personally, I contribute in this magazine from its very fist issue; it’s been 8 years now!

I would be both very happy and proud if we could get some more readerships abroad and also to have some contributions from our counterparts in other countries. In this sense, consider yourselves invited, as volunteer (amateur) journalists in our magazine and our guests either in Zagreb or at the Adriatic coast.

The Author

My name is Smiljana Spika-Prskalo. I am 60 years old and I live in Zagreb, Croatia. I worked as a commercialist in a big company which had around 5,000 employees. Upon retiring, I enrolled in the University of the Third Age at the Public Open University Zagreb. I have attended various courses, such as Greek Mythology, Astronomy and multi-cultural programmes about foreign countries. I have put special emphasis on learning English. I started as an absolute beginner, and my wish is to progress to the advanced level. I like to write and I am a member of the Journalist Group at the UTA. We publish articles dealing with the topics associated with everyday-life of my peers. My hobbies are travelling, movies, reading, astrology and classical music. I especially love waters – oceans, seas, lakes, streams and rivers, especially the powerful, blue and mighty Danube.

E-mail: smiljana.spika@yahoo.com