A new fence tearing a community apart

Harsh living conditions in the canyon of river Kupa, on the Croatian-Slovenian border, have always been bringing the two people of neighboring nations together. In the past people of two nations built hanging bridges over Kupa, under them love was made and so mixed families were formed on both sides of the river. Today no one can cross these bridges, as they are cut off by a razor wire, and a different unexpected reality is evolving around the water. Recently some far-away bureaucrats decided to start construction of a razor-wire fence all along the Slovenian side of the river, as a protective measure against arrival of illegal migrants trying to enter European Union. The new "wall protecting Europe" might seem to be a good solution on paper for some far-away decision makers, but those living around the border are feeling the true nature of separation lines drawn on bureaucratic paper.—Tiha Gudac