Living Pictures

"<< Background >>The ""Living Pictures"" project was initiated to address the pressing needs of marginalized youth, somehow also amid the challenges posed by the war in Ukraine or heard time of minorities in Turkey. Key reasons for applying included:Social Inclusion: Many youth from diverse backgrounds, including Ukrainian refugees and Kurdish minorities, faced stigma and exclusion. The project aimed to promote a culture of openness and inclusivity, raising awareness about these issues in the community.Cultural Expression: Youth expressed their cultures without fear of judgment. The project provided tools (photography and video) to empower 40 marginalized youth, enabling them to express their identity, thoughts, and feelings.Empowerment: Recognizing art as a powerful medium, the project helped youth articulate their experiences and challenges while raising community awareness of minority issues through artistic expression.Community Connection: By engaging local youth and promoting collaboration with diverse cultural groups, the project fostered a sense of belonging and integration within the community.By addressing these needs, the project created inclusive spaces that allowed marginalized voices to be heard and celebrated.<< Objectives >>The project aimed to achieve the following objectives:1. Raise awareness on inclusion in two communities to foster openness and acceptance among diverse cultural backgrounds.2. Provide photography and video tools to 40 marginalized youth (20 per partner) so they can express the barriers they face in their communities.3. Empower these youth to express themselves and promote their culture within their communities through art and media.4. Educate the youth on how art can portray minorities and serve as a means of communication and expression<< Implementation >>1. A Kick-off/partner meeting held in Poland. (Online meetings from XI’ 2023, partners visit 9-12.04.2024 in Walbrzych, 7 participants)2. Photography workshops and video workshops (8 in Poland, 8 in Turkey) conducted over the project duration to equip youth with skills in visual storytelling.3. Non-formal workshops about inclusion (8 in Poland, 9 in Turkey), along with organized walks to discover local culture and intercultural places.4. Visits to local museums, galleries, cinemas, other art centers for Youth – Discovery Walks (5 Poland, 5 Turkey)5. Preparation for a significant exhibition, including two main youth meetings (one in Poland and one in Turkey) featuring the results of their workshops and art projects6. International meeting in Turkey Izmir 08-11.08.2024; the group was hosted in Nevvar Salih Ýţgoren Uygulama Oteli. In Total 43 people took part7. International meeting in Poland Wałbrzych 8-13.08.2024; The group was hosted in Hotel Maria in Wałbrzych, in total 41 people took part8. Online meetings of Youth collaborating on preparing the exhibitions in their countries9. Photography exhibition in Turkey Izmir 10. Photography exhibition in Poland Wałbrzych.<< Results >>ResultsThe concrete outputs and results anticipated from the project are:1. Two art exhibitions in Poland and Turkey, showcasing the photography and art work of the participating youth and local artists, focusing on themes of inclusion and unity in diversity.2. Creation of three films about the project, covering topics such as cultures seen through the eyes of youth, inclusion in art, and the overall narrative of the project.3. A project photo book that compiled the artworks and testimonials from participants, alongside a description of the project elements during the activities.4. A curricula of methods used during workshops of the project.5. An expected increase in community engagement and awareness regarding inclusion, along with feedback collected from exhibition visitors and community members.These outcomes aim to create a lasting impact and provide a foundation for further initiatives in promoting inclusion through art."