Our primary goal was to raise awareness among students about the significance of cultural heritage in shaping both personal and collective identity. We aimed to inspire curiosity toward the forgotten parts of European history, especially those reflecting Hungarian-Turkish cultural ties. By doing so, we wanted to encourage young people to think critically about how heritage shapes their present and future. We also sought to cultivate respect for diversity by helping students discover how elements of one country’s culture have been integrated into another’s over time. This exploration was meant to deepen empathy, tolerance, and mutual understanding among students of different backgrounds. In addition, we wanted students to realize that cultural heritage is not static—it evolves through interaction, memory, and reinterpretation. The project also aimed to promote lifelong learning attitudes, especially in relation to history, identity, and culture. We hoped to encourage students to become tradition keepers in their communities, capable of appreciating, protecting, and transmitting cultural values to future generations. Finally, we wanted to strengthen the educational role of cultural heritage as a tool to foster civic values.
In recent years, we have noticed a growing disconnect between students and their cultural roots. While school curricula include national history, they rarely offer experiential learning or intercultural dialogue, especially around shared European heritage. As a result, many students see cultural heritage as abstract or irrelevant. We wanted to make heritage education more engaging and inclusive by showing how cultures—particularly Hungarian and Turkish—have influenced each other over time. Since 2024 marked the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Hungary, the topic seemed to be relevant. This helped students reflect on identity, diversity, and empathy in a European context. The project also responded to the need for interdisciplinary, student-centred learning. Many young people—especially those with fewer opportunities—benefit from creative, collaborative, and digital tools that bring history to life. By exploring tangible and intangible heritage across borders, students could connect past and present while developing critical thinking and intercultural skills. By the exploration of tangible and intangible heritage across borders, we sought to promote active citizenship.