Inspirations

In this section, we would like to share with you some inspirations regarding the projects with folklore and culture as main themes and/or methods of working with groups. The projects presented here were implemented, developed or co-created by the consortium members. Have a look and get inspired!

Where it all started – „Be original, follow your origin”

The idea of the project was to gather young people from different countries and prove that folklore is for everyone, that you do not need to be a professional dancer or singer to fall in love with the folklore of your country and neighbourhood. The concept was based on 4 main pillars: singing, dancing, storytelling and crafts. Participants organically split into 4 teams and every day worked on the development of their own material. Moreover, we also had shared workshops such as: cultural similarities and differences, ethnography and ethnology, active listening and communication, promotion of folklore and a study visit at the ethnographical museum in Warsaw as well as meeting with the guest speaker and, of course, intercultural nights strongly focused on cultural dimension. After the final performance, participants had a chance to take part in the celebration of Corpus Cristi in Łowicz and witness how the culture and folklore are being preserved there. That was the first folklore-related project we implemented, and regardless few stumbles and obstacles, some of the groups remember it as one of the best experiences! And us? We decided to build on this experience and develop the concept in future projects incorporating our learnings.

The final performance took place at the main square of Łowicz, and it consisted of a choreography composed of all the dances participants learnt during the exchange and songs they got to know.

Summarising video containing the final performance: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1973841919531576

“Patchwork dances”

Two years after the “Be original follow your origin” project, enriched with new learnings and loads of experience, we managed to implement the “Patchwork dances” youth exchange. It gathered 38 youngsters from Poland, North Macedonia and Romania, all of them being members of folk groups, so as you can see, we have changed our focus and the main concept of the project. Except for dancing and singing workshops, the youth took part in sharing legends workshop glass painting workshop, discussed on the topics such as multiculturalism, usage of folklore in modern days, promoting folklore and had a chance to listen to our guest speaker Nidal – musician who breaks stereotypes using his music. Taking into consideration our learnings from the first project, we organised the final performance of the dances learnt at Centrum Wsparcia Dziecka i Rodziny in Zakopane. The choreography consisted of the dances from 3 countries performed together by all the participants. Implementation of this project was a very fulfilling and satisfying experience. We produced many valuable results which, as we see, are being used! (Tutorial video for “hora” from Romania has 18k views at the moment!). Participants delivered dissemination workshops for their friends and small communities. Many youngsters who didn’t have a chance to participate this time requested the second edition of the project. We decided on the “Patchwork dances” vol. 2.

From this project, there are a lot of materials. Starting from the photo session, which you can see on our Facebook fanpage in several posts: https://www.facebook.com/inkubatorinnowacji/posts/2371828636399567

Final performance at Centrum Wsparcia Dziecka i Rodziny in Zakopane:

Basic steps of dances from North Macedonia, Romania and Poland:

Selection of songs from the partner countries:

Legends from partner countries:

“Patchwork dances vol. 2”

The second edition of “Patchwork dances” took place in Żary, Poland: 1-9.08.2021 and gathered 40 youngsters from Poland, Romania, Greece, Spain and Bulgaria who are in love with folklore and curious about the folklore of other countries. For this edition, we decided to expand our partner network and met in the consortium of 5 organisations. Another innovation was an element of contemporary dance and mash-up choreography prepared by the choreographer of the hosting group Zespół Folklorystyczny “Roztocze”, which was presented during the final performance. Here we also invited our groups to a professional photo session in original costumes and in costumes mash-ups, which was very creative and simply fun! Except for dancing and singing, we discussed how the folk groups can engage more in the local communities, how folklore can be promoted among youth and how Erasmus + can be useful for this purpose. The biggest highlight of this project was definitely the final performance hosted by Tomaszowski Dom Kultury in Tomaszów Lubelski, which gathered over 150 people, and if not for the pandemic-related regulations, this number would be higher (we estimate 200 spectators). What we are most happy about in regards to this project was the cooperation with the local community and local institutions such as the House of Culture from Tomaszów Lubelski, folklore group Roztocze, “Czajnia” Association and Chutor Gorajec, who hosted us for the promotional video and was involved in promoting the event.

Dissemination activities, posts, and photos can be found easier by using #: #folklore #patchworkdances2 #erasmusplus

Video material promoting the concert: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=792920058064940

Final performance:

Dances tutorials:

Songs:

How else can it be? “4 seasons of understanding”

In 2020, we had an idea to implement a culture-based project based on 4 seasons of the year, and due to the pandemic, we waited quite a bit for the implementation of this one! Finally, in the summer of 2022 (it seems that we are destined to do folklore projects every 2 years!), four groups of youngsters managed to meet in Poland and present the tradition from their countries according to the seasons of the year. Each day was dedicated to a different season, and each group was responsible for carrying 1 workshop a day. In such a way, we travelled through time and space, and it was a thrilling journey. Sometimes nostalgic, sometimes joyful and always very colourful and creative. All that we saw was just a starter for reflection about our identities, similarities and differences, but above all – tolerance towards this what is different and curiosity towards what is unknown.

Implementing a similar concept again, we would consider reversing the seasons in a way to start from winter and head towards more cheerful seasons, as it appeared that winter was quite a nostalgic ending of the project. Here there have also been many materials produced by our participants. Have a look at the section below.

Traditional songs recorded during the project:

Participants about the project:

Traditions brochure: https://issuu.com/fundacj…/docs/4_seasons_of_understanding

“You(th) FOLK the city!”

“You(th) FOLK the city!” was the first youth exchange organised by the Doinita Dance Studio Association, and it took place between 17-26 August 2021 in Bucharest, the capital city of Romania. It hosted 45 young members from 5 countries: Romania, Poland, Spain, Portugal and The Republic of North Macedonia.

The purpose of our project was to bring traditions to the attention of youth and to better understand the cultures and beliefs of other countries through our cooperation based on folk dance. Each of the 5 countries taught the others a traditional dance, and each participant learned 4 new traditional dances. The output of our project consisted of two traditional dance shows, one within the Village Museum of Bucharest and the other in the Elisabeta Theatre. We also recorded videos of folk dances and songs and had a traditional costume photo session.

Final show:

Dance tutorial:

Traditional song:

Photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3078583792374472&type=3

“FolkArt”

“FolkArt’s” aim was the inclusion of young people through traditional dance, using artistic practice as a springboard towards inclusion and community cohesion. The project provided young participants with skills in the field of traditional dancing and artistic expression while promoting folk dance in the urban area. The project also promoted better cultural understanding between young Europeans. The consortium was formed by 5 partners from 5 countries: Romania, Slovakia, Estonia, Lithuania and Italy.

The project increased the knowledge of participants on the European cultural diversity and knowledge of folk culture in our countries while developing better self-esteem of youth with fewer opportunities, as well as other participants. Folk dance was used as a tool for inclusion.

Dissemination workshop:

Traditional song:

Photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.541034468056592&type=3

„Muses”

It was a project for people with special needs and people with fewer opportunities. Nevertheless, during the project, various cultural events were carried out by the group in cooperation with all the participants. Initially, the group presented dances of the Pontiac tradition at Faneromeni High School. Also, the group participated in the Apple Festival held in Kyperounda.

The young men and women of the group, in collaboration with the other participants, represented the “Birth of Venus”, which according to ancient Greek mythology, took place on the island of Cyprus.

The team is very proud of this project, as it was the first program approved for our team and held in another country. 75 young men and women, with their companions from three countries, Greece, Cyprus and Russia, cooperated perfectly and carried out actions related to art and culture in general, such as glass painting, jewellery making, wood carving, carbon and pencil painting.

Material from this program is available on the group’s website: https://group4youth.wordpress.com/

Tiszta forrásból – Folk camp in Magyarlapád, Transylvania

In the spring of 2019, the House of Traditions announced a competition entitled “From a pure source”, in which amateur folk dance groups from Hungary, 120 participants in total, could participate in a folk dance camp in Romania or Slovakia. From the „VELED az ifjúságért” Kulturális és Hagyományőrző Egyesület total of 21 young people, accompanied by two chaperones, will go to the camp, where the organisers are expecting them with a colourful and interesting programme. In addition to the folk dance sessions, the children will be able to learn folk songs, do handicrafts, go on excursions, and, of course, take part in the evening dance evenings, all of which they are looking forward to.

„A Népművészeti foglalkozás támogatása” (Support for Folk Art activities) - CSSP-NEPTANC-MO-2020-0343

About: The project, true to its name, supported the Folk Arts groups. The grant provided the opportunity to buy clothes, hire instructors, a special shuttle bus, etc… and we decided together with the children how to use the money. We also had the opportunity to participate in a folk dance camp in Gyimes, Transylvania.

„A Népművészeti foglalkozás támogatása” (Support for Folk Art activities) - CSSP-E-NEPTANC-MO-2019-0315

With the grant, we were able to finance the purchase of costumes, boots, character shoes, camping expenses and instructor fees. The project also included dance workshops. It was also possible for the young people to learn dances from new regions.

Folklor-related projects are very graceful ones to carry. There are a lot of materials to share, and there will never be the same 2 projects. We wish to continue such topics in the future, and meanwhile, we are leaving you, dear reader, with a bunch of inspiration for your projects related to culture and folklore. Enjoy!