Since I arrived in Macedonia, I have felt a small shift inside me. It might be the way people open me their doors without hesitation, or how a shared drink can turn strangers into something closer. The welcome I’ve received here has been more than politeness, it feels like a real invitation to belong, to be part of a rhythm I didn’t grow up with but somehow recognise.

This issue of our magazine gathers voices and explores stories and connections that cross borders, both literal and emotional. From a volunteer’s journey in the sun-soaked shores of Aruba, to the quiet yet profound lessons of yoga or the subtle ways music can heal our minds and hearts.

Living here has taught me that culture is not only what you see in traditions or architecture. It is in the pauses between words, in the way people care for each other without making a show of it, in the music that pulls you into its beat whether you understand the lyrics or not.

It is in these moments, building quietly into everyday life, that I’ve found a sense of place far from home. So I wanted to say: Thank you Macedonia!

Cassandre Journoud