My name is Lea Banović and I come from Croatia. It is a really beautiful country that has a bright future to come. I am 16 years old and until now I believe that I have learned quite a lot about life and how the things are. By learning about it, I got a wish to learn more and more. Now I am finally making some pictures of my future life - you know, the way the things should be.

Well, let me tell you something more about myself. I can say that I am a very positive person. I simply enjoy looking at life from a brighter side. My family (Mum, Dad and sister) are the most important people in my life and they have always been a big support for me.

I go to IV. Gymnasium in Zagreb and I can tell you that the choice that I have made about coming there was the best thing I did in my life. It is a great feeling to be surrounded by so many friends!

Everyone asks me what am I going to do later, in the future. I can say that now I am interested in physics and languages (Latin, English, German, maybe Croatian). Why? Well, physics because I find it very concrete, you know, without a lot of philosophy, the things are just the way they are. I find that great. And languages because I simply love communication between people.

I adore music - I play the piano. You know, sometimes the music can really "cure" me in a very special way. I am a very curious person and I like to know what is going on around me. The characteristics I respect the most at people are sincerity and openness. I thing that these two are the basis for a very strong friendship. I have many friends and they are very important to me.

I enjoyed working for this European competition and I think it is a great opportunity to see what other young people think and to get new friends. You may see my opinions in the essay "Cradle of Mankind". Read it here and tell me what do you think.

At the end I would like to say that I am a very, very happy person. I just want that things stay the way they are and I am looking forward to my future.

Until the next time...

Yours,

Lea