Within the framework of the Youth in Action program, PATOS organized cultural exchange for young people, which empowered the participants from the region (Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia) for deconstruction of ethnic prejudices and stereotypes through drama techniques, with a view of fostering tolerance and the development of friendly relations. Exchange took place in Smederevo from 28/07 until 09/08 in 2014.

The program consisted of two combined trainings: intercultural learning through drama and improvement of drama skills of the participants. The workshops are led by certified trainers for intercultural learning through drama and longtime actors of PATOS, who gained necessary experience through several intercultural projects developed in Europe and the region (IDEAL, ISLANDS). Creative drama that is used in ARTY, is based on the personal experiences of the participants, increasing their motivation and developing theatrical material through collective creation, encourages initiative, sense of responsibility, solidarity and teamwork among young people. Using drama and theater as a means of intercultural learning, participants are emancipated to reject stereotypes and to engage in the establishment of a pluralistic and inclusive society.

THE WAY IT SHOULD BE...

Observing we change reality. How to balance individuality and collectivity? How to recognize patterns of matrix, image, rules that shape us, determine us? Patterns that can turn a person into a creature of impulse activity that restricts another person. Sometimes, even with the possibility of killing! How to spot the differences, acknowledge them, adopt them and complete ourselves? How to resist patterns of uniformity? Not only behavior, but also action? How to spot simpicity? How to spot importancy? Essential for life, not for survival. If we select our reality, why we chose always the ones we already survived? Why there is only one way it had to be? What about, the way it should be? 

Z. Peranić

Project ARTY saw its successful finale with a performance "The way it should be" in Smederevo on Friday 08.08. at 18:30. In front of audience of 700, 45 young people from Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia presented on main city square what they have done and learned in drama workshops during the past 12 days. Through the drama, the participants were faced with the collective stereotypes and prejudices, but detected their individual ones, which are exposed and put at the service of reconciliation and tolerance proces. Performance confronted the audience with meaninglessness of conflicts constructed with "irreconcilable" differences, which performers presented in this extremely emotional performance.

The workshops are led by PATOS actresses Anđelka Vulić and Ana Pašti, certified trainers for methodology of intercultural learning through drama. In addition, the workshop were led by mr. sc. Zvonimir Peranić, director and playwright from Rijeka, who presented to the participants drama method and aesthetics of theater Rubicon. Parallel to the workshops Peranić conducted research that will show in the future to what extent ARTY methodology can influence the attitudes of young people when it comes to inter-ethnic stereotypes and prejudices.

Using drama and theater as a means of intercultural learning through art and creativity ARTY participants were emancipated for the establishment of a pluralistic and inclusive society. During the process, they created ARTY community, and the emission of positive energy of the participants remained palpable after their departure from Smederevo. 

This youth exchange created a framework for meeting of young people from four countries, five different ethnic backgrounds, the three religious traditions and complex cultural backgrounds. Partners and participants of ARTY exchange were the following theater associations from the region: KUD Transformator from Ljubljana (Slovenia), Rubicon Theatre from Rijeka (Croatia), DIS Theatre from Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina), AP Neretva from Konjic (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and PATOS from Smederevo (Serbia). Ten young people from each country participated in ARTY and every organization gave its Youth leaders. The total number of participants was 46. 

ARTY exchange was organized with the support of the European Union through the Youth in Action Programme. In addition, exchange was supported by the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Serbia. Cultural Centre in Smederevo provided its technical and logistical capacity to ARTY realization. Competence and logistics, were also provided from associations Bazaart (organization of artists and experts in intercultural learning through drama) and Let's ... (an association of professionals in the field of applied psychology and contact point for Serbia Youth in Action Programme).

The project was funded by the European Union
through the Youth in Action program.

The project was co-funded from the budget of the Republic of Serbia
– Ministry of Culture and Information.