Embarking on a Multilingual and Flamenco Journey
Dancing Through Linguistic and Personal Boundaries
Someone possesses a natural talent for languages, but I can’t quite say the same about myself. I’m not exactly a language prodigy; I simply learn languages at a slower pace, you might even say I’m pretty average in that regard. However, what sets me apart is my curiosity and genuine passion for learning, even though I tend to take on more than I can handle 🤭 It’s a curse of being a Capricorn stellium, I suppose.
At present, I’m immersed in learning the Slovenian language in the society of Slovenians, here in Belgrade. Membership in this community is granted if you have a family member up to the second generation with Slovenian roots. I’ve been studying and participating in society events for almost 3 years now, all to obtain citizenship after a full 5 years of active membership, and eventually making the dream of living and working in Slovenia a reality.
On a different note, there’s a new flamenco club that recently opened its doors in Belgrade. In general, I’m a dance enthusiast. I’ve dabbled in oriental and Bollywood dance before, but my heart has always belonged to flamenco. I’ve been fascinated by flamenco since I was a child. I admire the fiery physical expressions of the dancers, their passionate movements, the intense emotions on their faces, and the captivating dialogue between the rhythm of their shoes and the melody of the guitar. These classes are taught by a Russian instructor, which adds an extra layer of charm for me, as I studied Russian in elementary school and college. Though, my Russian proficiency is quite limited; enough to understand, but not for a full conversation.
What’s interesting is that my early exposure to Russian has left a mark, and while learning Slovenian, I often unintentionally mix in Russian. I might start a sentence in Russian and finish it in Slovenian. On one hand, it’s understandable because, to some extent, these are all Slavic languages with similarities. On the other hand, it amuses me, as this quirk that both pokes and amuses me will likely become even more pronounced. It’s like I’m willingly subjecting myself to a bit of mental gymnastics. What’s even funnier is that I’m looking forward to it. I naturally enjoy a good challenge, and this one feels oddly delightful. In flamenco, language plays a secondary role because the main language of flamenco is emotion and its physical expression through dance.
Now, let’s add a little spice to this situation. I’m not naturally expressive.
Yes, it’s true.
I’m inherently shy and introverted, and I even have a fear of being observed or watched. Although I can be expressive visually and verbally, I long for my body and movements to reflect my inner emotions. I want my inner self to be visible from the outside, especially to strangers. This presents a challenge, even greater than learning a new language. This challenge is somewhat bittersweet and a bit harder.
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve previously tried oriental and Bollywood dance, but neither quite stuck. I thought the oriental dance was too sensual for my taste, even though I admire the dancers when they perform it. As for Bollywood, I can’t really pinpoint any faults with it. Perhaps I didn’t quite fit into the group because the people around me naturally exude relaxation, expressiveness, and warmth, which contrast starkly with my introverted and (seemingly) cold nature. Consequently, I no longer felt at ease in that environment and my life in general was very turbulent back then. Time has passed, I’ve evolved, and now it’s time for flamenco.
I’m not pursuing a career as a professional flamenco dancer, nor do I aspire to perform with a worldwide group. My sole aim is to unlock the expressive potential that I know resides deep within me. I want to quell my fear of being watched. Who knows, perhaps I’ll grace the stage one day, even though the odds are stacked against me from my current vantage point. It’s important to challenge our fears and weaknesses, to work on them, and to strive toward becoming a well-rounded individual. Fear is a common human experience, but not all fears serve our best interests.
Some fears limit us, and that’s why I choose to confront only those that do. After all, I’m an artist, and my ability to express myself is of paramount importance.
And so…
Russian, Slovenian, Flamenco — here I come!
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