Bulgarian Memory Foundation is holding a 7-day blended mobility for young people – Cultural Festival “#EntreCultFest”

In the period 06-12.11.2022, Bulgarian Memory Foundation is holding a 7-day blended mobility for young people – Cultural Festival “#EntreCultFest”, within the project “Entrepreneurship and connectivity of young people in the Balkans through creativity and culture”, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, KA2.

Bulgarian Memory Foundation, in partnership with the “Association for Macedonian-Bulgarian Friendship”, Bitola, Republic of North Macedonia, and the Association “GLAS” Bosilegrad, Republic of Serbia, implement a 7-day cultural festival “#EntreCultFest” within the project No2020-1-BG01-KA227-YOU-095019, “Entrepreneurship and connectivity of young people in the Balkans through Creativity and Culture”, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, KA2.

During the 7 days, a number of creative performances related to the cultural traditions of the three countries – visual arts, song and dance, customs and folklore – are planned, as well as the analysis of various sources of information in the field of creativity and culture. Divided into several teams, the mobility participants will present and participate in various simulation exercises. As a result, young people will develop and improve skills such as creativity, entrepreneurship, active citizenship, communication, initiative and leadership. Many examples of the cultural richness of the Old Continent and of the fundamental role of Europe’s cultural heritage in shaping modern societies – united in diversity – will be applied in the event programme.

Participants will have the opportunity to work in small groups, each discussing the challenges facing the cultural and creative sectors related to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and digital transformation.

As a result of the training event for young people, important components of the innovative methodology – intellectual output of the project – will be generated: how to make its content as easy as possible for young people to grasp; what methods of non-formal education have the best effect; how to optimally address disadvantaged groups to believe in their own strengths and abilities and fully unleash their creative potential.

The programme started with ice-breaking sessions and group rule-making. The event continued with Zahary Ivanov, potter. He presented to the participants the characteristics of the Businci pottery school, which has roots steeped far back in time. “One of my greatest pleasures is helping someone be happy while creating something with their hands,” Mr. Ivanov said. Zahary’s inspiration comes from his own creations and, more specifically, their flaws. Over time, he began to notice the weaknesses and strived to make the new shapes and colours cleaner, more perfect and more sincere, which for him are the examples of the Businci pottery school.

A pottery workshop was set up for the young people, during which, with the help of the facilitator, the participants made their own pottery, painting it with depth, desire and philosophy woven in.

In the coming days of the festival, there will be many more encounters of the participants with a number of inspiring and creative personalities.

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