Dear readers,

The year 2020 is almost over. And what a year it has been. It seems like it lasted for 20 years. Our lives have been dramatically changed in matter of months. Should we state the obvious? Should we mention its name? We are sure you are all tired about listening or hearing about the dreaded disease that has limited us in ways that a year ago would be unimaginable. Miss Rona has certainly had an impact that will be talked about for a long time. New terms like social distancing, lockdown, passes, masks, disinfectants have become part of the “new normal”, while Zoom and other video conference sites have integrated themselves as key parts of human communication. While we can sit here and discuss all the negative aspects and say that 2020 “sucked”, it is needed to be said that it wasn’t all bad for some. The lockdown and staying at home perhaps benefited someone to fulfill their long-delayed passions, work on themselves physically, psychologically and mentally. The world saw changes in politics, fight for equality and all-around thinking of securing a better future. We are the type of beings that always look for the best, for the positive. For example, we have to wear masks in closed spaces. Although that is troublesome for some, others have decided to turn it into a good thing and show off their designer masks. It was the same attitude that motivated the editorial room and the president of “USA Slang” to come up with a subject for the next number of the magazine “Words-Worth”. It was towards the end of March, Croatia has been in lockdown for several weeks and the stress and nostalgia for better days was so present you could cut it with a knife. We looked towards our inspiration for the magazine, Romantic writer William Wordsworth and found the perfect quote in one of his works: And we shall find a pleasure in the dimness of the stars”. It personified that positive, the better future we strive for. The decision was made. After receiving the works, another idea was born. Since this year was a mix of good and bad, we decided to also mix the works and present it as an interim issue of our magazine. We took the works inspired by the Wordsworth’s quote and the works that didn’t make it in the first issue, but in these contexts became perfect and have turned into gems that we overslept on the first time around. Next, a logical name for this “mini issue” came along: Pandemic Covidition. Combining the positive outlook, the possible prospects for a better future and the cumbersome, dark present give off an electrifying contrast that can be the perfect description of this year. We have chosen 19 works (you have one guess as to why *wink wink*) by our talented young writers comprising of new and old names, teachers and their students, enthusiasts of the art of writing that were able to translate their emotions so intricately onto a piece of paper or in a Word document. What a way to end a year and celebrate the holidays that are upon us. A perfect Christmas gift if you ask us.

To conclude, we would like to thank everyone that is involved in the workings of this magazine, the writers whose creative and imaginative minds always give us incredible works that we are pleased to feature in our magazine anytime we can. Finally, a message to those who are still waiting. It is never too late to let your voices be heard. Even if all goes down, literature always rises above and perseveres. So, go out there and write your heart out!

The editing team of “Words-Worth”: Mislav Ružić, Hanny Karlić and Malik Urban