The project took place in Calarasi, a small town on the branch of Danube. The focus of the project was the utilization of art/ creation ( building giant puppets) as a smooth and easy way to foster the young people with IBD and ostomates to give up to the inhibitions and complexes and get involved in a social life and on the other hand, to foster the nondisabled youngsters to accept them , have tolerance and help their social inclusion as well.
The overall objectives of the project were to promote young people’s active citizenship in general, and their European citizenship in particular, to develop solidarity and promote tolerance among young people, in particular, in order to foster social cohesion in the European Union; and we have been mainly focused on the inclusion of people with disabilities and participation of the young people. Also strengthening the dialog between different cultures in Europe and promotion of social and cultural values and attitudes.
Another goal was also to enhance the interest and knowledge of the participants in arts and their importance in the European cultural integrity. The target group consisted mainly of youngsters between 18 – 25 years old, 4 participants from each country plus a leader, 20 participants and 5 leaders in total, from Italy, Serbia, Denmark, Republica Srpska /Bosnia&Herzegovina.
We organized workshops for building giant puppets and also games, energizers, non-formal activities. The main theme was building two giant puppets: one puppet normally standing and another one sitting in a wheelchair and through this symbiosis we tried to suggest the idea of tolerance, understanding between disabled and non-disabled people.
The participants visited Bucharest/ The Parliament House, met actors of “Masca” Theater , had the opportunity to taste a Romanian traditional lunch, to learn traditional dances, to discover Romanian landmarks.
We would like to thank to all those who joined us to make possible this project or help youngsters to travel in Romania or directly participated to our activities (E.O.A., F.A.I.S., 2 Isilco, C.O.P.A., Medical Express S.R.L., Zenyth Pharmaceuticals, “Masca”Theater, ‘Balada Dunarii” Folk Ensemble, the “Family Club” sport club, Artistic Company Mix Music).
