Author: representations

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uncategorized workshops

woolwich 2019

Otherness Dialogues Workshop for the EU project: Open European Societies.

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Main partner and organiser

Throughout this workshop we will explore our memories and/or imagination of what we could call a safe space, and take different positions related to it. We will use description, storytelling and some performative elements to experience diverse points of views. Roles, languages and characters we choose will express these positions, which will interact during the proposed games. The methods are based on creative writing and personal storytelling methodologies, stemming from object-, character- and space-related narrative structures.

Photo by Olga Yocheva

Questions:

  • How can we meet in a short time, in an easily accessible way with people speaking different languages, having different cultural background?
  • How can we give voice and empower participants through storytelling to express their individual, personal feelings, while understanding their own cultural, historical, social, economic, linguistic background?
  • How can we create positive, reinforcing discourses together?
  • How can we raise empathy and foster social inclusion through metaphoric-artistic language?

Key notions:

Observing. Space, time, exercises are conceived to allow perception, observation, reflection and self-reflection.

Boundaries. Storytelling uses the sideways technique, never enters spheres of privacy or trauma. The personal stories are related to the participants’ lives in a way that they are in control of their boundaries. 

Metaphor. The workshops often employ the simple and effective use of metaphor as a vehicle between semantics and imagination, which helps the participants express themselves in an artistic framework to protect their privacy and foster their creativity.

Empowerment. Storytelling fosters expression and (re)formulation of own, hybrid, fluid, hyphenated identity, without retraumatizing or labelling.

Main aims:

  • To inspire storytelling through recollecting quotidian events.
  • To help the participants reflect on and retell their life events.
  • To enhance observation and co-creation.
  • To foster empathy.
Categories
projects

refugee integration lab 2018

“Creativity in Human Rights and Solidarity”

Thessaloniki: 1-9 July 2018.

Refugee Integration LAB (RL) arose from identification of the dangers of xenophobia, intolerance and discrimination arising in Europe, and brings together 9 countries and 10 partners committed to work on Human Rights, Refugee and Integration projects. RL is all about improving the existing non-formal education methods and finding new ways of communicating a message to refugees (and similar vulnerable groups of people) in an inclusive and approaching way with regards to: integration into society, racism, equality, human rights, solidarity, minority groups, cultural indifferences, differences based on religion, membership of particular ethnic groups, gender equality etc. With RL we want to “give additional tools and ideas to other organizations so they can strengthen their work with refugees and help them to get on their way of integration in the new surroundings”. 

Othernessproject was represented by Ayse Tolunay and Simon Fern.

1) AddArt – Thessaloniki, Greece (Organizer)

2) Seiklejate Vennaskond – Tartu, Estonia (2 participants)

3) Institute for Cultural Relations Policy – Budapest, Hungary (2 participants)

4) With the power of humanity Foundation – Pecs, Hungary (2 participants)

5) ÖJAB – Österreichische Jungarbeiterbewegung – Vienna, Austria (3 participants)

6) Stichting CAAT Projects – Utrecht, Holland (3 participants)

7) Comune di Cinisello Balsamo – Cinisello Balsamo, Italy (3 participants)

8) Othernessproject – Helsingør, Denmark (2 participants)

9) Jugend- & Kulturprojekt e.V. – Dresden, Germany (3 participants) 

10) loveLife Generation – London, UK (2 participants).


Main aims:

  • Empower organizations and project managers to convey various purpose messages to refugees and similar groups of people in an appealing way;
  • Indirectly aid and improve the refugee integration process;
  • Insert creativity as a focal point when using non-formal education methods and their work with specific target groups such as refugees- Provide a first-hand experience of the situation in the refugee camps to the participants;
  • Give participating organisations new funding tools and ideas for achieving their goals;

  • Enable and facilitate Networking between organisations working with refugees and human rights.
Categories
projects uncategorized

language united 2018

Language United / contact-making event (June 2018 – Thessaloniki – Greece). 

‘Solidarity and Intercultural Dialogue.’


Language United was running from 17th to 21st June 2018 arose from identification of dangers of xenophobia, intolerance and discrimination in Europe with participation of 10 partners from 10 countries. 

Language United / contact-making event (June 2018 – Thessaloniki – Greece):
Language United was running from 17th to 21st June 2018 arose from identification of dangers of xenophobia, intolerance and discrimination in Europe with participation of 10 partners from 10 countries.

Othernessproject was represented by Ayse Tolunay and Arash Setodeh.

Partner organisations:

1.Arbeit und Leben (Germany) (Lead organiser): Education for democracy/organising projects and seminars,

2. AddArt (Greece): since 2014 – collective of 30 members,

3. International Public Association“Education Without Borders” (Belarus): training courses since 2003 

4. Multi Kulti Collective (Bulgaria): collective cooking workshops,

5. Othernessproject (Denmark),

6. Pirkanmaan Sininauha ry (Finland) : loneliness projects,

7. Madiba Società Cooperativa Sociale (Italy),

8. ZAVOD NEFIKS (Slovenia): Language clubs and Erasmus projects,

9. Léo Lagrange Centre Est (France): Education and workshops against discrimination/working with kids and teenagers,

10. Reconciliation Consulting Group (UK).

Activities: 
–  Two different workshops discovering the use of language and how we can work around its idea as means of communication and national identity, 
– A storytelling workshop and language game. The aim was how communication can go beyond the borders of language,
– Brainstorming ideas about the grand project of language united: 2 international meetings (2 events +1 final meeting) + 1 kickoff meeting. There is also an expectation of a making a handbook to bring awareness.

Categories
art uncategorized

if

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoBuxeNNfuk 

What would you do if you could be reborn in any body at any place? What would you do if you could choose your gender? Your lifespan? From one minute to eternity? If you could choose your surroundings? Sea? Desert? Palm-trees? If you could pick the people around you? If you could build a community from scratch? What would you do with the given hardships in your society?

If you could move around four different stages of human existence – would you? If you could join us in a crossover between science, installation, performance lecture – would you? If you could save someone – would you? Whom? Yourself? Or somebody else?

IF is a cross-over genre: a participative performance using 4 interactive installations, which invite the audience into different levels of action and interaction, by choosing life-circumstances: gender, lifespan, friends, relations, society and future. A performer leads the whole game of existence, orientating the audience among the rules of the games, reacts and responds to their actions, and, at well-defined moments, acts out roles related to the 4 stages-installations-games. Participants can choose at each stage the level of their activity from watching to acting.

Duration: 90 mins.

Language: English.

TEAM:

Rita Sebestyen (RO/HU/DK): writer and director

Minni Katina Mertens (NO/DK): performer

Sara Vilardo (IT/BE/DK): performer

Ivan Wahren (SE): light and sound designer

Mira Nadina Mertens (NO/DK): dramaturge

Stine Ebbesen (DK): videos and documentation

Trine Heller (DK): graphic design 

music courtesy of Ya Tosiba

Premiere: Bådteatret (16-21 October 2017), and: Actor Training in a Globalized World (24 October 2017).

The performance is approved by the Danish Arts Fund (Statens Kunst Fond) for the communication and ticket sale scheme (billetkøbsordningen).

“As an audience member you are free to participate to the degree you wish; as such you can observe the action or take part in it by playing. It is a quirky analogy to the real world – I would, however, recommend that you, as far as possible, allow yourself to participate actively to make the most of the experience. (…) The performance is thought-provoking, exceptionally thought-provoking even. (…) I would readily recommend this little philosophical piece as it offers a great opportunity to reflect. I was entertained!” Original review in Danish by Sofie Herdorf Krøyer, scenekanten.com, 20 October, 2017.

 

Continue reading “if”

Categories
uncategorized workshops

gribskov 2018

SOUND!

How can we relate within a short time, how we communicate, if our background is different, and we do not even speak the same language?
Are we curious about each other at all? If yes, how we pose questions, and how we answer them?
How we tell our own stories, and what kind of stories we tell about ourselves?
How do we ask the others about their stories, and what kind of other stories will we be able to process, to understand? Whom can we empathise with and why?
How can we get more empathetic and communicative?

The endless series of questions were not answered, not even asked. This time, we inhabited the space, we moved around, we perceived it and ourselves and each other. Movements, gestures, sound became of high importance in establishing connection.
Sounds, the beat of the drums were able to express a wide range of emotions, feelings, and even could tell simple stories. Owning stories and narratives are the cornerstone of empowerment, self-empowerment and the ability to relate.

This workshop was offered within the framework of a Europe for Citizens programme: You Are Welcome, having 13 partners in 7 countries around Europe.

Participants: unaccompanied refugee minors and students from the Nordsjællands Efterskole.

Time: 7th and 10th March 2018.

Led by: Rita Sebestyen

Lead organizer from Gribskov: Lisbeth Eckhardt-Hansen

Assistant: Marin Hermanssdottir

Othernessproject, Gribskov Center – Red Cross, Nordsjællands Efterskole, You Are Welcome, Europe for Citizens.

Categories
uncategorized workshops

thessaloniki 2017

‘Otherness Dialogues’ workshop held by othernessproject during the second transnational meeting in Thessaloniki, of You Are Welcome project, 25-26 November 2017.

Main focus was: object – personal story, storytelling and common narratives, and instant installation.

Questions:

How can we meet in a short time, in an easily accessible way with people speaking different languages, having different cultural background?

How can we give voice and empower participants through art to express their individual, personal feelings, while understanding their own cultural, historical, social, economic, linguistic background?

How can we create positive, reinforcing discourses together?

How can we raise empathy and foster social inclusion through metaphoric-artistic language?

Key notions:

Observing. Participants perceive and observe the space, themselves, their stories, objects, and each other. Space, time, exercises are conceived to allow perception, observation, reflection and self-reflection.

Boundaries. Storytelling uses the sideways technique, never enters spheres of privacy or trauma: it asks for personal stories related to the participants’ names, childhood, favourite objects, this way the participants can regulate themselves how far they go in their storytelling, they set up their own boundaries, are in control of their intimacy and of how much and in what way they are sharing and taking part in forming the temporary community of the workshop.

Metaphor. The workshop employs the simple and effective use of metaphor as a vehicle between semantics and imagination, it helps the participants express themselves in an artistic framework, protects their privacy and foster their creativity.

Empowerment. these tools and notions foster expression and (re)formulation of own identity, without re-traumatizing, labelling and self-labelling, categorizing of the participants. It aims for empowerment and seeking ways of self-expression and always fluid self-identification.

Trainer: Rita Sebestyén

Assistant: Mira Nadina Mertens

Methods and tools: ⓒ othernessproject.

Partners from the Czech Republic (Institut pro regionaini rozvoj, o.p.s.), Denmark (Othernessproject), the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Center for Intercultural Dialogue -CID), Germany (Jugend- & Kulturprojekt e.V., Memorare Pacem and the Municipality of Dresden), Greece (Addart and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), Hungary (Gláser Jakab Emlékalapítvány) and the United Kingdom (Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council).

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photo: Olga Yocheva
Categories
projects uncategorized

urbanartventures 2017

UrbanArtVentures II took place in Volos, Greece, from the 12th-21 th of September 2017. The project is a collaboration between Jugend & Kulturprojekt e. V. (Germany), Urban Act (Greece) and thirty participants – street artists, youth workers and art educators from Denmark, France, Greece, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Serbia and Spain. The UrbanArtVentures II project aims to use street art as a method and learning tool in youth work in European and community projects and to engage young people with fewer opportunities to participate actively in the civil society and be decision makers. The main theme this year was the refugee crisis and the importance of promoting values such as solidarity, understanding, respect to “otherness” and peaceful co-existence.

ARTISTS

APSET/ARTEZ/BIFIDO/BOJAN LACMANOVIC/CEDRIC MAGNIEN/DREYK THE PIRATE/GIACOMO ZORBA (THE OTHER)/IVES.ONE/JAMER/JULIETA.XLF/KEZ/MATTIA CAMPO DALL’ORTO/MILICA DJORDJEVIC/NIKOLA MIHAJLOVIC/OX-ALIEN/PUPET/STAMATIS LASKOS (SIVE)/SOKAR UNO/TAXIS/VOLOTOW.819./WUPER/XOLAKA

Project coordinator Myrto Elena Pertsinidi.

Pictures by Olga Yocheva.

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Categories
projects uncategorized

spread the word 2017

Training course on PR and dissemination: an EU-project led by Jugend- & Kulturprojekt e.V. in Dresden, between 9-16 October.

Participating countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Stine Ebbesen represented othernessproject.

Project Coordinator: Myrto-Helena Pertsinidi.

Training leader: Dimitra Zervaki.

Topics:

  • Values of persevrance, consistency, accountability, playfulness and discretion,
  • Team Canvas Activity,
  • Open Badges and the BADU Strategic Partnership Project which aims to validate youth workers’ competences and skills,
  • Motivating a team, talking in front of an audience, spreading efficiently the information,
  • Defining key terms such as: “Communication Strategy”, “Project Dissemination”, “Project Visibility”, “Project Exploitation”, “Marketing” and “Brand”,
  • Design Thinking Process,
  • “Pitch like a Mastic Tree” method,
  • Project Story Blueprint.

Photos by Olga Yocheva.

Categories
projects uncategorized

you are welcome 2017/2018

YOU ARE WELCOME is a collaborative project of 13 partner organisations which endeavours to connect new arrivals, third country nationals residing and native citizens. The aim of WELCOME is to deconstruct the process of migrants’ stigmatization, help communities involved overcome stereotypes and develop counter narratives for more accurate perceptions of migrants and refugees stemming in participating countries, especially in the UK, Central Europe and countries along the Balkan-route.

https://youarewelcomeproject.wordpress.com

https://www.facebook.com/You.Are.Welcome.EU/

The project is supported by:

Strand 2: Democratic engagement and civic participation 2.2: Network of Towns

YOU ARE WELCOME: European Network for Integration of Refugees at Local Level and Combating Hate Speech

start date: 01/03/2017 – end date: 31/12/2018

PARTNERS:

1)  Jugend- & Kulturprojekt e.V., Dresden (DE) – Lead partner

2)  Municipality of Dresden (DE)

3)  Memorare Pacem e.V., Dresden (DE)

4)  Glaser Jakab Foundation, Budapest (HU)

5)  Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, Oldham (UK)

6)  Othernessproject, Helsingor (DK)

7)  Civil Centre for Sustainable Development – EGRI, Kriva Palanka (MK)

8)  Institute for Regional Development, o.p.s., Prague (CZ)

9)  AddArt NGO, Thessaloniki (GR)

10) Municipality of Thessaloniki (GR)

Survey:

In English: https://goo.gl/forms/thRxFH1TOJqzeHJo2

På dansk: https://goo.gl/forms/yx9rINC9GsanOpS63

1st TRANSNATIONAL MEETING: April 2017, Dresden

Talks and presentations by:

Christian Bart, representative of the Municipality of Dresden

Myrto-Helena Pertsinidi, coordinator of the project

Sarah Haubold

Marie Neumann, student of Sociology

Felix Müller 

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photos by Olga Yocheva

Categories
art uncategorized

hybridspace: anthony

Anthony is a nomadic character: he travels through the texts and scenes of nine young artists, taking up different roles, adventures, genres and styles. Anthony as a common character is leading us across conceptions, settings, cultural and linguistic environments, and is weaving the nine different artistic worlds into one common, loose narrative.

The authors of the nine small stories and scenes are acting students of the special course of Creative Writing and Dramaturgy from the Copenhagen International School of Performing Arts. They represent various nationalities, cultural backgrounds, having Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, Tanzanian, Danish, English, Hungarian, Serbian, Swiss, Slovenian roots. Each of them speak at least two languages, as they attend a professional acting school that uses English as a lingua franca and prepares actors for cross-cultural settings in the globalised, diverse artistic world. Through their writings and scenes they share their experiences of this cross-cultural setting, while using both English and sometimes their mother tongue to give voice to their artistic endeavours.

Those who follow the site launched for this project will take part in the experiment and joint experience that mingles creative writing for performing arts with new media.The class will share certain phases of their work: dialogues, ideas, pictures, videos on the site of this project. Also, they will be available real-time for certain given time-slots in order to connect, discuss, interact with their audience. This way, through the use of the Internet, this project creates a hybrid space that combines the real and the virtual space, and facilitates the immediacy of the experiment beyond geographical, cultural or language borders.

If you follow the page, you will be informed about the schedule of the real-time encounters with the creators, and also about the specific frames and channels they will use:

http://anthony.hoi-nielsen.com

During the TransArtation events the students will interact with the audience setting up a series of real-time experiences as follows:

  • In Scotland, between 31 March-8 April 2017 at the Byre Theatreof the University of St Andrews, the audience of the exhibition will be able to interact with them via Internet each day one hour, having the opportunity to share experiences and ideas related to the process.
  • In England, between 12 April l -6 May 2017, The Shoe Factory Social Club in Norwich, the audience will encounter the students through a site-specific conception where they will be asked to help perceiving the venue for those who cannot be present in real space.

The authors/actors:

Christopher Alexander

Fjölnir Gíslason

Henna Holländer

Daniel Høi-Nielsen

Una Kovac

Daniel Neil Ash

Giulia Rumasuglia

Sara Skei Fostvedt

Lia Tomat

Conception and lecturer: Rita Sebestyén.

 

The project is realized by:

othernessproject

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Actor training and supervision: Lars Henning, artistic director of CISPA.

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This project was launched in joint collaboration with:

TransArtation

 

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