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Youth life in post-industrial cities - art workshops

2022-3-PL01-KA152-YOU-0000948052022Mobility of young peopleongoing
Countries: PL|DE|FR · Grant: €26,685
Cultural heritageCreativity, arts and cultureInclusion of marginalised young people

Objectives

The main aim of the project was the meeting and dialogue of young people from three European regions: Hauts-de-France (France), Upper Silesia (Poland) and NRW/Ruhr (Germany), which share a similar history, namely, the history of industrialization. Especially in relation to the industry, which reached its climax in the 20th century. In all three regions, along with social changes, a culture developed, influenced by youth. These young people came mainly from working families who, after the collapse of heavy industry and mining, lost their jobs and were looking for a new job. Young people were often left to their own devices. Seeking relief from the gray everyday life, young people danced, rhymed lyrics and painted walls in run-down factories. The 1990s saw the intensive development of hip hop culture in all three post-industrial regions. Hip hop culture was the main medium around which young people gathered during the exchange. Youth conducted a dialogue using artistic means of expression such as dance, rap and graffiti. In this way, they talked about the stories, problems and hopes related to the changes that took place in their regions. And how these changes affected them personally and their immediate surroundings. The project was a pilot project and will be continued in the following years in Germany and France. As part of the exchange, the youth worked on a performance, which at the end of the exchange was presented to a wide audience in Bielsko-Biała.

Project partners (3)