Sgt. 1st Class Carl Bjornstal of 13th PSYOPS Battalion gives Mirko magazine, notebooks, posters and coloring books to teens gathered at Pinkland youth center in Banovici, Bosnia and Herzegovina, for a party on Valentine's day. (Ivana Avramovic / S&S)
BANOVICI, Bosnia and Herzegovina — All hands were in the air, clapping to the music during Friday’s Valentine’s party at the Pinkland youth center.
The night of partying was sponsored by Mirko — a magazine started seven years ago by Stabilization Forces to promote peace and tolerance among its target teen audience.
The party was an obvious hit with the 200 teens gathered in the youth center’s gym. With Mirko posters on the walls and disco lights going over the young dancers, a DJ played popular international tunes and Bosnian singers performed some local songs.
Staff Sgt. Brian Hess, of 13th Psychological Operations Battalion, stationed in Sarajevo, likened the promotion of Mirko magazine to a band’s promotion of a CD.
“This party, we’re going on tour to support the magazine,” Hess said.
To make sure teens showed up, the event was promoted on the SFOR-run radio Mir — which means peace in the local language — as well as on several other local radio stations.
It was an excellent chance to find out what is on the teens’ minds and get to know them, Hess said.
As a group of teens danced to Eminem, Las Ketchup, Madonna and local music, another gathered around Sgt. 1st Class Carl Bjornstal of 13th PSYOPS Battalion, who was giving out the latest Mirko magazine.
Judging by the many outstretched arms, the magazine is very popular with the youths. The magazine — published 10 times a year — is the most widely read youth magazine in the country, distributing about 160,000 copies.
The latest issue features posters with Jennifer Lopez and Brazil’s soccer player Ronaldo, Shakira on the cover and stories about Bosnian youth and international stars.
The magazine has already started receiving letters of praise for the two previous Mirko parties in Banja Luka and Bugojno, Hess said.
His team tries to pick smaller towns across the country to hold the parties since, with fewer organized events in their communities, they seem to appreciate it more. He hopes to have 10 Mirko parties in the next school year.
“It’s just another SFOR image,” Bjornstal said. “They see us not as just soldiers, but in this environment we can dance and smile.”
“This is a great, great event for [the kids],” said Tanya Mimi, the youth center’s deputy director.
