"Peace means empathy"

Antonella, a young Romanian woman, gives us a first account of her experience of Mediterranean encounters during the peace ceremony organized in Chania, in front of the Mosque. 

Untranslated text.

“For me, peace is not just the absence of war or conflict. Peace is the quiet of the morning, when sunlight enters through the window and I know I have a new day ahead. It's the comfort of knowing my family is safe. It's the freedom to think, to love, and to live without fear.

Peace means empathy. To listen, to understand, and to accept that we are different, but we all need the same things: respect and kindness. It means choosing not to respond with anger. Choosing words that heal, not those that hurt.

Peace starts with me. With the way I speak, the way I look at the world, and the way I choose to be. And if I can grow peace within myself, maybe I can spark a little of it in those around me.

In Romania, peace means being able to walk freely in the streets, to speak my mind, and to dream about my future without fear. I feel grateful to live in a country where, despite our challenges, we can still talk openly, help one another, and build communities based on respect and unity. Peace in Romania gives me hope—it shows me that even in a complicated world, it's possible to choose understanding over division.

I believe the MED25 – Bel Espoir brings a ray of hope to a region where, sadly, peace is no longer something we can count on. With the war in Ukraine and tensions around the Black Sea, I think it's more important than ever to meet, talk, and truly get to know one another. This project offers exactly that kind of space—where young people from different countries can build trust and real friendships. And from there, something beautiful can begin—because peace begins with people who choose to listen, to respect, and to believe that we can live together, even if we come from different worlds. »

Antonella.