Back to search

The City of the Cultures: Heritage, Art and Coexistence

2023-3-ES02-KA152-YOU-0001775672023Mobility of young peopleongoing
Countries: ES|AZ|EL|BG|PT · Grant: €21,752
European identity and valuesCreativity, arts and cultureCultural heritage

Objectives

The European project "The City of the Three Cultures: Heritage, Art, and Coexistence", promoted by the OFFLírico association, is inspired by the rich history of Toledo. This city is often referred to as the "City of the Three Cultures" due to its historic confluence of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim cultures. The main objective of the project is to immerse European youth in an experiential journey through Toledo, allowing them to discover the essence of coexistence and the valuable cultural legacy this city has bestowed upon Europe. Through "The City of the Three Cultures", young people will explore the heritage of Toledo, promoting coexistence and intercultural dialogue. The project aims to connect youth with themes of coexistence and cultural heritage, using artistic tools such as video art and performance to reflect on diversity and identity within the European context. Objectives: 1. Promotion of Active European Citizenship: Inspire youth to actively engage in their communities using Toledo's cultural heritage as a reference, reinforcing the idea of belonging to a diverse Europe. 2. Encouraging Social and Intercultural Skills: Provide young people with tools to overcome communicative barriers and value cultural diversity in a collaborative environment. 3. Promotion of Intercultural Dialogue: Encourage dialogue on diversity, identity, and coexistence through workshops and reflections. 4. Exploration of Heritage: Guide youth through the history and architecture of Toledo, highlighting the heritage of the three cultures and their coexistence. 5. Encouraging Coexistence and Empathy: Establish spaces for interaction, learning, and safe areas for sharing experiences. 6. Promotion of Art and Personal Expression: Provide a space for young people to express their views on topics through video art and stage interpretation. 7. Immersion in European Culture and History: Explore Toledo's historical interactions to reflect, serve as an example, or understand how these have influenced European identity, focusing on the idea of "unity in diversity". 8. Stimulating Democratic Participation: Inspire young people to engage in democratic processes, reaffirming their dedication to a united and participatory Europe. Project Approach/Methodology: "The City of the Three Cultures" uses artistic tools such as research, video art, and performance, which facilitate evocative and profound communication. These mediums create dialogues and emotions, fostering greater empathy and understanding between artists and viewers. Together, they offer a dynamic platform to probe issues of identity, diversity, and coexistence. To ensure a rich fusion of perspectives, participants are grouped into mixed and intercultural teams. Before delving into the creative process, a cultural exchange is encouraged, followed by team-building activities and in-depth research into Toledo's historical and artistic references. This research includes the appreciation of iconic works by El Greco, such as "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz" and "View and Plan of Toledo". Visits to the city's highlighted spaces are scheduled, and the study of the Spanish musical legacy, from the "Cantigas de Santa Maria" to the "Cancionero de Palacio". Furthermore, teams have academic references, such as studies related to the Cave of Hercules by Fernando Ruiz de la Puerta and historical texts about the city. Enriching the research, a tour of Toledo's legends is planned, considering stories such as "The Legend of the Cave of Hercules", "The School of Necromancy", "The Golden Bracelet", "The Kiss", "Hell's Alley", etc... Publications by authors such as Manuel José Pedraza García and Sebastià Giralt have been identified, providing valuable information on these legends. With permission from the Toledo consortium, creations will be recorded in emblematic places in the city, such as the Convent of Santa Clara, the Caves of Hercules, and the San Lucas Gardens. This multidisciplinary methodology ensures that the teams, when embarking on creating video art, have a holistic understanding and a solid foundation for conceptualizing, producing, and editing their works, infusing each creation with the spirit of Toledo, their concerns, experiences, and solutions about diversity, coexistence, and democracy in current Europe. As El Greco, the renowned painter who lived and worked in Toledo, said: "Art is the communication of the soul with the senses." In this project, we seek to communicate the historical and vibrant soul of Toledo to a new generation through art, ensuring its legacy of coexistence and culture continues to flourish in the heart of Europe.

Project partners (5)