NATIONAL11 [ (Spotlight Weelky)]

‘Be Open To New Things, But Stay Yourself’

— ELOISA HAGEN-MELO

ELOISA HAGEN-MELO, is the wife of Anton Hagen, Resident Coordinator of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. Professionally a language professor, Eloisa Hagen obtained a masters degree in social psychology and an additional degree in sociology. She answered a list of questions presented by SPOTLIGHT.

Where would you like to live?

"Ubi bene, ibi patria", that means the place where I feel well, is my home country.

What is your ideal of perfect happiness?

To live in harmony with myself, my environment, and to enjoy my family and friends.

Who is your favorite historical character?

Champolion, who was the French archeologist, who deciphered the hieroglyphics and opened the doorway to the magical and eternal kingdom of the pharaohs.

Who are your favorite painters?

De Kooning, J. Ensor, E. Munch, and of course V. van Gogh. Of the Nepalese artists, Sarita Dangol, because of her lively colors.

What is the quality you prefer most in people?

Without hesitation, the sense of humor! Life would be boring and sad without creativity.

Which is your favorite occupation?

Teaching; this gives me the opportunity to be creative.

What is the principal characteristic of your personality?

Being critical and optimistic.

Which is your principal defect?

My Achilles heel is to be impatient.

What is your most feared misfortune?

To lose my family.

What would you like to be?

I am happy with my life, but I'm always open to learn new things.

Which is your favorite color?

The color of the sun, the light; yellow.

Who are your real-life heroes?

The women living in rural areas in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. They work hard for little money, have to raise children, take care of the family without reward.

What do you hate most in this world?

I hate abuse of power.

What do you think to be the biggest misery?

I think the corruption is one of the biggest misery.

For what mistakes do you have the most tolerance?

For mistakes that are committed in the name of solidarity.

Who are your favorite musicians?

Albionini, Vivaldi, Mozart, and, of course, J.S. Bach.

What do you appreciate most in your friends?

Loyalty.

Who are your favorite poets?

In my childhood, my mother took me by the hand into R. Tagore's world. In my early adulthood, Neruda's poems captivated me. Wordsworth filled my senses, and Machado taught me how to find the way. Now in my middle age, Fitzgerald Scott opened up new worlds. With Faulkner, I learned to know myself. But it was Garcia Marquez's who taught me that literature and life is one.

What are the historical acts you hate most?

Wars.

How would you like to die?

Surrounded by my loved ones.

What is your personal maxim?

To be open for new things, but to stay yourself.