Respecting the principles of anti-racism and equality, a synergy scheme was initiated by the Municipality of Patras consisting of twenty nine local stakeholders who co-organised several mixed cultural events (dance-theatre-music-poetry-games) delivered positive messages on humanity and inclusiveness.
Schools of elementary and secondary education as well as civil society representatives exploited theatre and dance and made remarkable performances at the premises of “Park of Educational Activities” and at the main square at Patras city centre. Projects such as “Dance units, holds in and consoles”, “Monologues from Aegean sea”, “We welcome spring and diversity along with disabled people” touched the hearts of all and attracted the audience.
The playgrounds of schools remained open at non-working hours for games such as “Many colors, One game!” and the messages of solidarity, friendship, human rights spread out in the spring air …
Migrant associations presented information about the culture and heritage of their origins through the active involvement of youth paving the way ahead.
Language as a means of expression through narration, music and theatre revealed traditions linked with Russia, Latin America, Romania and Albania.
Regional sailing clubs were activated, organizing symbolic sea contest that took place at the coastal line in Patras port!
Taking into account 21st March being the International Day of Poetry, a combination was achieved i.e. a workshop was dedicated to creative writing (poems) by pupils, emphasizing on exhibits of “Patras Archeological Museum” revealing the meanings of positive inspiration, friendship and hope. A pupil of the school of the St.Stefan prison of Patras sent also a poem of his own. Being a prisoner himself was not allowed to be at the venue but the prison school was represented through the administrators and the poem was recorded (the prisoner pronouncing it). Poems touched the hearts of all and the musical event that followed embraced the whole effort.
The impact of the action will undergo an evaluation process by the partners involved.
The action was implemented thanks to a partnership among:
Municipality of Patras, UNHCR, Patras Municipal Enterprise for Planning & Development (ADEP SA), Patras Municipal Cultural Organization, Park of Educational Activities of the city of Patras, Centre of Creative Occupation of Elderly people of city of Patras, Drama school of Municipal & Regional Theatre of Patras (DYPETHE), University of Patras, Directorate of Antiquities of Achaia, Directorate of Secondary Education of Achaia Prefecture / Dpt. of Cultural Projects, Directorate of Secondary Education of Achaia Prefecture / Dpt. of Health projects, Directorate of Elementary Education of Achaia Prefecture / Dpt. of Cultural Projects, Directorate of Elementary Education of Achaia Prefecture / Dpt. of Health Projects, Greek Network of Theatre within Education, Association of Albanian Community of Patras EMIGRANTI, Association of Russian Community of Patras, Institute of Intercultural Relations, Association of Romanian Community of Patras, UNIONLATINA Association of Patras, Local Patras Department of Greek Guiding Association, Cultural Association of Ayia and Terpsithea districts of Patras, IDIFOS Photograohy Club of Patras, MERIMNA Healing education centre for disabled children, MAHYTES Association of parents for education, vocational training and restitution of people with medical retardation, KOMETHO Municipal centre for creative occupation of disabled people, Music scheme “DreamRoads”, IASON sailing group, Sailing Group of Patras (IOP).
Besides ICC, the effort was also linked with UNITED, “ALDA: European Association of Local Democracy” and ARRIVAL CITIES / URBACT III European project.
For more information
- http://www.thebest.gr/news/index/viewStory/433000
- http://www.thebest.gr/news/index/viewStory/434053
- https://www.coe.int/en/web/interculturalcities/-/european-anti-racism-week-2017-actions-in-patras-no-child-is-foreign-
- https://www.coe.int/en/web/interculturalcities/april-2017
- https://www.coe.int/en/web/interculturalcities/newsroomp_p_id=101_INSTANCE_SdoHqjJtqgoX&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-4&p_p_col_count=1&_101_INSTANCE_SdoHqjJtqgoX_delta=10&_101_INSTANCE_SdoHqjJtqgoX_keywords=&_101_INSTANCE_SdoHqjJtqgoX_advancedSearch=false&_101_INSTANCE_SdoHqjJtqgoX_andOperator=true&p_r_p_564233524_resetCur=false&_101_INSTANCE_SdoHqjJtqgoX_cur=4
- http://www.alda-europe.eu/newSite/news_dett.php?id=1880
- http://urbact.eu/patras-celebrates-european-anti-racist-week