The Centre social et culturel la Garde in Marseille hosted a workshop from 26-29/09/24 as part of the project “Walls in the mind – discover the other“. The guests from Belgrade, Sofia and Berlin were given an unusually warm welcome. The programme was varied, the exchange lively and intensive.
To start, the guests learned from the staff and around 20 volunteers involved in the project that the work of the neighbourhood centre is supported by a bigger board of directors, in which the residents play a key role, and that the activities are also proposed or developed by them. The triad of ‘human dignity – solidarity – democracy’ and the claim to be ‘social and participative’ are not just empty words, as could be quickly felt – and tasted. The extensive buffet had been created by the volunteers. Everyone had brought something. ‘Successful integration’, said one of the guests, referring to the different cultural backgrounds of the residents as well as the interaction between the generations.
The participants then explored special places in the city of Marseille in mixed-language groups. They were given a folder with pictures of the buildings, explanations in English and French and information on films related to the city. As a result, quite a few of the Marseille participants visited neighbourhoods that they would otherwise rarely go to. Learning by discovering together was clearly fun for everyone, and the participants bonded in a relaxed way. One of the feedbacks was: ‘I imagined French people to be quite closed. You are so warm and open.’
Theatre also brings people together in a special way. This was evident when an actress and theatre pedagogue from the Serbian partner organisation, Plavo Theatre, took participants on a journey into the world of spontaneous, free body language. What sounds harmless as ‘Colombian hypnosis’ was at times quite wild and full of phantasy and playfulness. The task was simple: the participants came together in pairs, one person made movements and the other imitated them. This could be various grimaces, splits, belly dance-like body turns and so on. By focusing on the power of body language, Plavo Theatre aims to undermine ‘masks of normality’ and (self-)alienation – so that people can develop their own expression and meet each other.
This led to the work on the joint performance or happening, which will take place in Berlin in a year’s time. The partners approach to the project topic using various methods: Drawing and visual arts, film, literature and theatre. They develop their own contributions, and step by step they are connected. Probably through dance and forms of theatre.
When people from different countries come together, there are questions. The partners from Marseille had prepared a long list. They ranged from ‘Have you ever been to France?’ to ‘How does the education system work?’, ‘How does the healthcare system work?’, ‘What about social security?’ and ‘What would you like to change in your country?’. There was therefore no shortage of knowledge impulses and topics for discussion – both in the small groups and during the presentation of the results.
Feedback from two participants: ‘I am leaving Marseille with a heart full of good moments and wonderful memories.’ ‘I would like to thank you all for your commitment, determination and dedication to this European project, which has given us an unforgettable and very enriching time.’
