Young Muse is two phased Erasmus+ youth exchange to explore the essence to empower participants to learn to create meaningful, lasting connections. While doing it, we will also empower participants to inclusion-equity, active citizenship, intercultural dialogue, care for the cultural heritage, and boost their creativity & culture.

We invited everyone curious to

  • Learn about your identity
  • Discover your core values
  • Express your emotions
  • Create your own strategy for sustaining and keeping meaningful connections with others

We used the methods of:

# STORYTELLING

#CREATIVE WRITING

# IMPROV THEATRE

# MOVEMENT

# DRAWING

# DISCUSSIONS

# EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

# REFLECTION MOMENTS

# SHARINGS

Day of Setting up the ground

26 young muses and 7 leader muses from UK, Greece, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Spain, Bulgaria gathered in the first part of Young Muse youth exchange in Kennington, United Kingdom.

“I sometimes feel that I am created by a multitude of pieces. And I am not sure which are mine and which I ripped off from elsewhere. There are pages with lines written over lines. And others, with spilled coffee or hair.

There are days when I want to collect them in an album, to create some sort of a sequence. And others, when I throw them to the sky and watch them scatter around. ”

Day: Open the Gate

We are young curious adventures and we arrived for an experience together.

We come from different countries: UK, Greece, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Spain, Bulgaria and others. Some of us are born in Europe and others, are not. Some of us are living in the countries where we are born, and others don’t. Some of us are even born in the sea…

Some of us are still in school, while others have a university diploma.

Some of us dream to travel all around the world, and others dream to settle.

Some of us love to dance, others – to paint, third – science…

We are different in many ways! Look at our clothes, eyes, shoes, hair, walks… But one thing brings us together!

The desire to explore ourselves and to grow! To grow beyond what we even see possible. To go deep and connect with ourselves, with each other and with what is around us.

Today we open the Gate and there are 10 days ahead of us! We will share our journey with you.

Day of Boundaries and Connection

What does it mean “connection” to you?

Today we discover how we connect.

What makes us feel safe? What is important for us to have so that we open up?

We reflect on the topics of boundaries, personal space, and consent.

All this in a sequence of movement, photography workshops and moments to get to know each other better.

Stay tuned!

Day of 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 | 𝐔𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞

Metaphors are the boats that bring you to the lake of your subconscious mind.

We use DIXIT cards, movement and automatic writing techniques to unleash our creative stream and dive into the unknown.

The story starts with a multitude of words with nothing in common. In the randomness, we find inspiration.

Day of Exploring the Basement

Today we are sharing our stories.

Have you heard about the Living Library?

We become the books and the readers, sharing with each other the moments that had transformed us.

We are also creating music with our bodies and beatboxing altogether.

It is fun and it is connecting!

Day of 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 | 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬

Today we learn to make movies!

Shooting, playing, scenes, music, editing! All!

Which is an editing programme that you use?

To be inspired, we start the day with one hour of yoga, facilitated by Ste! He really knows how to bring flow and movement in our bodies every morning.

Ste came as a group leader from the UK and developed a whole sequence of yoga sessions.

Day for The group

On Day 6 we facilitate experiences for each other. We find our own ways to connect and learn.

From yoga in the morning, through ball games and Improv. We even did speed dating and you know what… it was fun!

We asked each other questions, such as:
– Do you believe in soul mates?
– Do you believe in love at first sight?
– What was the biggest learning experience for you?

It was magical and we even invited people from other groups, the team and the chefs.

When the connection is there, it only grows and expands.

With connection comes inclusion.

And you, what is your best way to connect?

Sending love from our Young Muse Team!

Reaching out the locals

Today we travel together, explore the surroundings and meet locals.

We collect sources of inspiration that we will use in the next days.

Preparing

We are sharing about our adventures from the day before. Slowly stepping into the process of climbing the tower.

Today we are hosting workshops for each other. We do movement, theatre and ecstatic dance.

We also speak about the days ahead and how to organise our big evening.

Climbing Tower

Today we prepare ourselves for the BIG event at the end.

We learn to express what matters to us in different shapes.

During the day we were learning about Theatre of the Oppressed and created our own performances.

In the evening, we play with the voices in our heads, exploring Nonviolent communication with Toni and Sara!

It is intense!

The one thing that support us to be grounded is the yoga with Ste. And… the Jam Sessions that we have in the evening!

Community vibe!

Tower

Today we are preparing for the Forum.

The forum in Ancient times was the place in the city, where the citizens would gather and discuss all that is important to them.

We do it in creative ways, using video, performances, drawing and music.

Dress code: black and white!

Day of Next Steps and Future opportunities

And now what?

Saying goodbye is painful sometimes and we carry many tears. But behind pain, there is love.

The love that we have created here! The moments together, the stories, the laugh… We planted seeds in each other’s hearts.

With care and gentleness.

And now we only need to let them bloom! ❤

We are giving shape to what is finished and learning about the new opportunities that Erasmus+ and Abroadship offer.

And… meanwhile, practice remembering that there is always somebody to hold us! We just enjoy the flight!

See you for the next edition! It will be special!

Last day: See you next time

“In this project the people were really nice and open to learn us as much as possible. Even in our free time they were open to share their experiences.”

“The young muse did amazing job in helping me to learn theatre”

“It helped me to be better leader, work in teams”

“The Young Muse project has helped me to learn more about myself, to know what my limits and barriers are and to overcome them and to develop my social skills further as I find it difficult to have conversations and relate to others due to past problems”

“It pushed me out of my comfort zone and I learned how to communicate with people from other countries in order to complete various challenges”

“Every single activity helped me develop multiple competencies”

“Doing creative activities supported in being more free with ourselves”

Young Muse project

Erasmus + Youth exchange Young Muse

Story Young Muse: 1

Story Young Muse: 2

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