Youth events against the current
Basic information
Project Title
Youth events against the current
Full project title
Gabrovo - Youth events against the current
Category
Prioritising the places and people that need it the most
Project Description
Youth events against the current is an event that takes place in an unusual place for the city - the bed of the river Yantra. For three days, young people have the opportunity to touch good music, various artistic projects, discussions. The aim of the event is to create a strong youth community in the city, to develop the potential of a non-standard and unused place in the city center and turn it into a youth zone initiated, developed and managed by young people for the needs of young people
Geographical Scope
Regional
Project Region
Gabrovo, Bulgaria
Urban or rural issues
Mainly urban
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
EU Programme or fund
Yes
Which funds
Other
Other Funds
The festival had two editions. The first was financed by the budget of Municipality of Gabrovo , and the second by Iceland Liechtenstein Norway grants project No. BGLD-2.001-0009 "Opportunity for young people to express themselves - creation of a youth center in Gabrovo", financed by the FM of the EEA 2014-2021.
Description of the project
Summary
Youth Events Against the Current is an event that aims to build a strong youth community in Gabrovo, united by creating an event specifically for youth and by youth, as an established place that is unconventional and not part of the social life of the city - in riverbed of the river Yantra.
The event has been taking place for two years now. It is mainly aimed at young people aged 15 to 29. Three days we offer the audience concerts, a bazaar with products handmade by young people, creative workshops as giant glowing metal figures, glass engraving, wool felting, a film suitable for a youth audience, theater - a performance of emerging artists, exhibitions, debates, presentations of interesting ideas looking for like-minded people, sport activities. Gabrovo is a UNESCO City of Crafts and Folklore, and the creative workshops are a great way to translate traditions into modern language and give them contemporary forms. It is a great example of continuity.
Last but not least - extremely important is the venue - the bed of the river Yantra. The river is an important factor because it runs through the entire city and is key to its creation and development. In modern times, however, we are more often busy taming the waters of the river, fearing it and its power, instead of making it a part of our daily lives. The project aims to rethink the place of the river in the urban environment, to see it as an opportunity, not as a danger, to go down to it and restore our connection with the water that powered crafts and factories in the past. In a very youthful way, however, we move against the current - a symbol of the restless youth spirit, of rebellion, of new ideas, of resilience.
The event gathered a huge audience and had a strong response in social networks and the media. After the second year, it was already talked about including the place in the list of places for permanent maintenance of the municipality and keeping it as a year-round youth zone.
The event has been taking place for two years now. It is mainly aimed at young people aged 15 to 29. Three days we offer the audience concerts, a bazaar with products handmade by young people, creative workshops as giant glowing metal figures, glass engraving, wool felting, a film suitable for a youth audience, theater - a performance of emerging artists, exhibitions, debates, presentations of interesting ideas looking for like-minded people, sport activities. Gabrovo is a UNESCO City of Crafts and Folklore, and the creative workshops are a great way to translate traditions into modern language and give them contemporary forms. It is a great example of continuity.
Last but not least - extremely important is the venue - the bed of the river Yantra. The river is an important factor because it runs through the entire city and is key to its creation and development. In modern times, however, we are more often busy taming the waters of the river, fearing it and its power, instead of making it a part of our daily lives. The project aims to rethink the place of the river in the urban environment, to see it as an opportunity, not as a danger, to go down to it and restore our connection with the water that powered crafts and factories in the past. In a very youthful way, however, we move against the current - a symbol of the restless youth spirit, of rebellion, of new ideas, of resilience.
The event gathered a huge audience and had a strong response in social networks and the media. After the second year, it was already talked about including the place in the list of places for permanent maintenance of the municipality and keeping it as a year-round youth zone.
Key objectives for sustainability
The main goals of the concept in terms of sustainability are related to building connectivity at different levels and the opportunity for expression, volunteering and creativity inherent in Generation Z. Connectivity is particularly important for young people because of the particularities of their age and providing them with the opportunity to show their personal qualities, express themselves and be useful to themselves, the community and the environment is highly valued by them. Developing an emotional relationship with the city and its life, peers and fellow citizens, nature and its resources lays the fundamental foundations for the sustainability of the idea and its fulfillment.
Тhe first event found that the idea was well received and approved by young people. Through formal and informal ways of testing opinions and impressions, it was clear that the initiative was liked by young people, and they wanted it to happen again. This is a good indicator for the future of the event. In addition to the innovative nature for implementation and the variety of activities the program offers, the event is unique in that it becomes an intersection of interests, generations and needs that it successfully meets. Thus, on the one hand, it creates a sense of security and a comfortable space for young people to express every aspect of their personalities individually, and on the other hand, it offers an environment for easy and accessible communication, opportunities to gain social capital and build relationships that engender a sense of belonging and togetherness, and in doing so, it creates a general positive attitude towards the city's assets and what it can provide to young people in terms of natural and urban terrain, resources and ideas. These factors enhance the connection of both the youth with the city and with each other and work towards goals that ensure sustainability.
Тhe first event found that the idea was well received and approved by young people. Through formal and informal ways of testing opinions and impressions, it was clear that the initiative was liked by young people, and they wanted it to happen again. This is a good indicator for the future of the event. In addition to the innovative nature for implementation and the variety of activities the program offers, the event is unique in that it becomes an intersection of interests, generations and needs that it successfully meets. Thus, on the one hand, it creates a sense of security and a comfortable space for young people to express every aspect of their personalities individually, and on the other hand, it offers an environment for easy and accessible communication, opportunities to gain social capital and build relationships that engender a sense of belonging and togetherness, and in doing so, it creates a general positive attitude towards the city's assets and what it can provide to young people in terms of natural and urban terrain, resources and ideas. These factors enhance the connection of both the youth with the city and with each other and work towards goals that ensure sustainability.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
A key element of our concept is the river bed of the Yantra River. The river runs through the town and is thanks to it the development of crafts and industrial boom in Gabrovo. Over time, and with technological advances, the river has become less needed and distant from the active life of the city. It was also perceived as a danger. It is important for us to see it as significant for the city again and to use it - as a beautiful element, a tourist attraction, an unusual place for art, as a carrier of green energy, as it was in the past. This would helping to activate other spaces in the city and can contribute to diversifying and enriching city life.
We are extremely proud of our event design. The young people were involved in creating the concept. It literally takes months of the community meeting, exchanging ideas, arguing, creating. The musicians in the festival were also chosen through a consultation among young people. They actively participate both as volunteers and as presenters of their work. All of this is for the benefit of our other big goal - creating a strong youth community and empowering young people.
In our event design, we use the water as well as the banks of the river and the airspace above it. We rely heavily on the lights and reflections in the water - we get a mirror world, a magical place where these different worlds touch.
Another important theme in our concept is young people's access to art. The theater, the galleries, the museums, the concert halls are not among the places that attract young people and are traditionally perceived as boring and disturbing. Even when the product they offer is interesting to young people, they are afraid of large buildings with rules and etiquette. So it's important for the culture to get out to the people. To be proactive and present art to them in a place that they feel as safe, their own, interesting, accessible, enjoyable, provocative. In this way they are introduced to the world of art.
We are extremely proud of our event design. The young people were involved in creating the concept. It literally takes months of the community meeting, exchanging ideas, arguing, creating. The musicians in the festival were also chosen through a consultation among young people. They actively participate both as volunteers and as presenters of their work. All of this is for the benefit of our other big goal - creating a strong youth community and empowering young people.
In our event design, we use the water as well as the banks of the river and the airspace above it. We rely heavily on the lights and reflections in the water - we get a mirror world, a magical place where these different worlds touch.
Another important theme in our concept is young people's access to art. The theater, the galleries, the museums, the concert halls are not among the places that attract young people and are traditionally perceived as boring and disturbing. Even when the product they offer is interesting to young people, they are afraid of large buildings with rules and etiquette. So it's important for the culture to get out to the people. To be proactive and present art to them in a place that they feel as safe, their own, interesting, accessible, enjoyable, provocative. In this way they are introduced to the world of art.
Key objectives for inclusion
Through the common experience of the event, the participation in its organization, the participation in the workshops and the product that remains in the urban environment (graffiti, street decoration, giant lamps that will be used in the interior of the newly built youth center in the city), young people have the opportunity to be part of the creative community of the city, to contribute, to present their artistic point of view. By transforming the place, they satisfy their needs for expression, entertainment, acceptance, and being part of a group. The transformation of the place also becomes a transformation of the socium.On the one hand the youth feel useful and included, on the other hand society perceives them as useful, creative, pulling the community forward. This boosts their credibility and breaks the pattern of perceiving the generation as frivolous, apathetic, pampered and living in the virtual world. Unlike other festivals,Youth Еvents Against the Current is a completely free festival,the location is in the city center - a convenient place through which all public transport passes.Gabrovo is a very long city and often the location of the event and travel time is a factor in attendance, especially for lower income groups or people with mobility difficulties.Some of the creative workshops are based on the peer to peer method, which encourages communication and teamwork.
Active participants in the preparation are the girls and boys who are being treated at the addiction center, which is located in a neighboring village.This helps both the festival and is part of their therapy, recovery and reintegration into society.The terrain is dense and hard and allows access with aids and wheelchairs. Volunteers are on hand to help if needed.Work is to be done on making the water easier to access for wheelchairs, a type of floating piers to make the experience even more fulfilling.The event is successfully engaging with different groups that we perceive as vulnerable
Active participants in the preparation are the girls and boys who are being treated at the addiction center, which is located in a neighboring village.This helps both the festival and is part of their therapy, recovery and reintegration into society.The terrain is dense and hard and allows access with aids and wheelchairs. Volunteers are on hand to help if needed.Work is to be done on making the water easier to access for wheelchairs, a type of floating piers to make the experience even more fulfilling.The event is successfully engaging with different groups that we perceive as vulnerable
Results in relation to category
A new, enjoyable, bright and intelligent event, which defends and follows its values, has quickly settled into the cultural calendar of the city.
The young people of the city now have their own event, the "design" of which they can influence according to their understanding and interests. Youth empowerment and opportunities to experiment - artistically, in their organizational skills, teamwork, working in a multicultural environment, etc.
A new place in the city with huge potential. Activating a new space that has all the qualities to both remain "wild" and become a powerful attraction for young people and their ideas.
Encouraging ecological thinking and ideas - how to use the riverbed, but also our intervention not to destroy the ecosystem there - what is allowed, what is not, provoking dialogue, awareness, self-control and self-correction. Awareness of place as your own, as a place for whose future you are responsible.
Involvement of multiple partners in terms of number, competences and profile, united by a common goal. Young people are forced to work with many partners, which inevitably leads to new knowledge and skills.
Local solutions to global problems - providing jobs for young people, improving their inclusion and empowerment, making their concerns and interests heard.
Establishing the city, on a national scale, as an interesting place where valuable events happen. Wide coverage in local and national media, adding value to the town and the youth center.
The event won the award Event of the Year in the field of culture in Gabrovo for 2022. It is determined by nomination and voting by the people of the city. The prize is given by Buditelite community center in Gabrovo - one of the most active community centers in the city, which unites many of the leaders of public opinion in the city - journalists, actors, artists, citizens.
The young people of the city now have their own event, the "design" of which they can influence according to their understanding and interests. Youth empowerment and opportunities to experiment - artistically, in their organizational skills, teamwork, working in a multicultural environment, etc.
A new place in the city with huge potential. Activating a new space that has all the qualities to both remain "wild" and become a powerful attraction for young people and their ideas.
Encouraging ecological thinking and ideas - how to use the riverbed, but also our intervention not to destroy the ecosystem there - what is allowed, what is not, provoking dialogue, awareness, self-control and self-correction. Awareness of place as your own, as a place for whose future you are responsible.
Involvement of multiple partners in terms of number, competences and profile, united by a common goal. Young people are forced to work with many partners, which inevitably leads to new knowledge and skills.
Local solutions to global problems - providing jobs for young people, improving their inclusion and empowerment, making their concerns and interests heard.
Establishing the city, on a national scale, as an interesting place where valuable events happen. Wide coverage in local and national media, adding value to the town and the youth center.
The event won the award Event of the Year in the field of culture in Gabrovo for 2022. It is determined by nomination and voting by the people of the city. The prize is given by Buditelite community center in Gabrovo - one of the most active community centers in the city, which unites many of the leaders of public opinion in the city - journalists, actors, artists, citizens.
How Citizens benefit
Both editions of the event relied heavily on working with volunteers and the model proved successful. They had a voice in the selection of participants in the program (this happened in regular meetings organized by Youth Centre-Gabrovo, discussions and consultations), they were involved in the production of the exterior decoration (this happened through pre-organised workshops). A big clean-up of the site before the event, removal of trucks with invasive vegetation was also organized, in which many young people actively participated. They participated in promoting the event - distributing leaflets, pasting posters, sharing on social networks, assembling the wooden pavilions for the workshops and exhibitors, stretching tents, hanging the decorations and lights over the river, guiding visitors, manning the different creative zones and securing their work, taking care of the separate waste collection during the festival. All this commitment undoubtedly made the event their event and brought great variety to the program.Active participants in the preparation of the field were the girls and boys who are being treated in the addiction center, which is located in a neighboring village. This both helps the festival and is part of their therapy, recovery and reintegration into society. Thanks to volunteer actions in which they are regularly involved the community's attitude towards the commune is very positive and they are not seen as a danger or a burden, but as a valuable resource that contributes a lot to the prosperity of the town and the community, as people to be supported in difficult times, not people to be stigmatized. The event was an opportunity for young people's start-up businesses in our town to be promoted (a caravan for cakes, craftsmen who sew toys, marionettes, textile products, an artist making his own jewelry design, etc. In this way young people feel supported and valued in their city. All this gave the event a sense of success, initiative and modernity.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Innovative character
Innovative about the event is its location. This part of the river is usually considered dangerous, it is overgrown with vegetation and parents do not allow their children to play there. At the same time it is the only place in the city center that has direct access to the water. Usually the river runs in its bed low down, between retaining walls, and people cannot access it, cannot touch the water or step into it. Getting them down in the river, having an event in the water, putting chairs and platforms in the water, filling it with life and art is an unusual and innovative idea for our city. The place is not visible from the streets around unless you look there on purpose. However, if you look, during the festival a completely different cozy, cheerful, modern, artistic new world is revealed to you, where there is a completely different life than in the apartment buildings, boulevards and playgrounds around. The element of surprise is very interesting and brings additional value to the place and the concept of the event.
As mentioned, Gabrovo is a UNESCO City of Crafts and Folklore. It is important for us to preserve the typical crafts of our region (here is the only outdoor museum in Bulgaria related to crafts), but also to interpret them into the "youth" language, so that the knowledge can be preserved, maintained, remain as a value, but also be harnessed in modern and new dimensions. For example, the felting of wool was once used to create blankets, clothes, and today scarves, brooches, toys made with this technology are very fashionable. That is why we have included such a workshop in the programme. Glass becomes an accessible material for young people in the glass engraving workshop. The traditional braiding of women's hair is transformed into a modern festival hairstyle with the addition of coloured ribbons.
As mentioned, Gabrovo is a UNESCO City of Crafts and Folklore. It is important for us to preserve the typical crafts of our region (here is the only outdoor museum in Bulgaria related to crafts), but also to interpret them into the "youth" language, so that the knowledge can be preserved, maintained, remain as a value, but also be harnessed in modern and new dimensions. For example, the felting of wool was once used to create blankets, clothes, and today scarves, brooches, toys made with this technology are very fashionable. That is why we have included such a workshop in the programme. Glass becomes an accessible material for young people in the glass engraving workshop. The traditional braiding of women's hair is transformed into a modern festival hairstyle with the addition of coloured ribbons.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
The Municipality of Gabrovo funded the first event Youth Events Against the Current and mentored the festival in terms of its own and European priorities. Special attention was paid to the environmental side of the festival /Gabrovo Municipality is a winner of the European Green Leaf Award and is also one of the 100 cities that must achieve climate neutrality by 2030/. We are very keen to ensure that every activity is as environmentally friendly as possible, leaving as small a footprint as possible, especially when we intervene in a wild space like the riverbed.The Youth Center Gabrovo played a key role in the organization of the event. It took over the financing of the second edition of the festival. This is a young structure in our city, with priority given to young people from 15 to 29 years. Although Gabrovo Municipality has always made great efforts in working with young people, the targeted work of the Youth Center with a team of 10 people cannot stay unnoticed and its results are already visible. Its role as a leader of young people in different causes, as a mediator between the world of young people and the world of adults and institutions, as an activator of different processes in the youth community is indisputable. For almost 2 years of its existence, the Youth Center has managed to activate young people and has created a youth parliament, a youth podcast, several clubs, trainings, organized many events with regional and national resonance. Therefore, events like Youth Events Against the Current rely heavily on this expertise, energy and communication with youth.
The Collective Foundation, which was brought in as a collaborator, was extremely helpful in designing the event and reimagining the space from forgotten, unused, intimidating, to a modern and unconventional stage for artists and art lovers.Landscape architects by profession, the team's knowledge and professional insight into the architecture, terrain and needs of the event were extremely helpful
The Collective Foundation, which was brought in as a collaborator, was extremely helpful in designing the event and reimagining the space from forgotten, unused, intimidating, to a modern and unconventional stage for artists and art lovers.Landscape architects by profession, the team's knowledge and professional insight into the architecture, terrain and needs of the event were extremely helpful
Methodology used
In the beginning the need for an event aimed at young people was identified - to unite them, challenge them, broaden their worldview, make them feel important, heard, respond to their needs to spend time together, unite them in a cause, offer them different and unconventional activities, involve different groups of young people - with different social status, education, place of residence, interests, health status.
The need for the Yantra River in Gabrovo to be included in the social life of the city was also identified. To turn it from a beautiful landscape into an active cultural zone and to regain its importance for the local community, cultural life and industry.
The first event was also a test - to see if the community accepted the unconventional location, if it met the needs of the youth, if they could be mutually useful.
Its success gave us the confidence to develop the idea and be much more brave in the content, to look for partners, to be more confident in targeting the event because the audience responded.
Research was done on what music young people prefer, what crafts they prefer, what are the topics that interest them, volunteers were involved throughout the preparation of the event, also during the event. This eased our team, but also made them feel the event as their own and be more engaged with its success.
We chose the films, the theater, the workshops and the exhibitions on topics that interest young people, we picked the participants in the bazaar as support for their start-up business or names not yet established and of young people from our city.
We kept the participants and their activities, actions and products to embrace the ideas of the new Bauhaus, to strive for a more sustainable, inclusive and beautiful world and followed the principles for youth - gender equality, space and participation for all, information and constructive dialogue, inclusive societies, education, environmentalism.
The need for the Yantra River in Gabrovo to be included in the social life of the city was also identified. To turn it from a beautiful landscape into an active cultural zone and to regain its importance for the local community, cultural life and industry.
The first event was also a test - to see if the community accepted the unconventional location, if it met the needs of the youth, if they could be mutually useful.
Its success gave us the confidence to develop the idea and be much more brave in the content, to look for partners, to be more confident in targeting the event because the audience responded.
Research was done on what music young people prefer, what crafts they prefer, what are the topics that interest them, volunteers were involved throughout the preparation of the event, also during the event. This eased our team, but also made them feel the event as their own and be more engaged with its success.
We chose the films, the theater, the workshops and the exhibitions on topics that interest young people, we picked the participants in the bazaar as support for their start-up business or names not yet established and of young people from our city.
We kept the participants and their activities, actions and products to embrace the ideas of the new Bauhaus, to strive for a more sustainable, inclusive and beautiful world and followed the principles for youth - gender equality, space and participation for all, information and constructive dialogue, inclusive societies, education, environmentalism.
How stakeholders are engaged
In addition to the volunteers, with all the energy of their youth, many institutions and NGOs took part in the event. Because of the non-standard location, many details and consultations had to be coordinated and thought through - such as one with the energy supplier in northern Bulgaria - Energo Pro, with the Regional Health Inspectorate - who make sure that the food offered meets safety requirements, with the police and fire department who shared their requirements for the safety of the place, with the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, whose information about the water level in the river and the weather conditions was important for the safety of the visitors.
The Youth Center - Gabrovo took over the organization of the program, the recruitment of volunteers, the creative workshops, the PR and advertising of the event, the communication with the media, the decoration of the place, the coordination of the different participants in the program and the artists, the coordination of all those involved in the organization, transport and logistics. They worked together with The Collective Foundation, who were brought in as mentors and partners in the organisation, as they work on bringing to life non-standard spaces, and their expertise and guidance was extremely useful to us.
Municipal Enterprise "Blagoustroiavane" provided the initial large cleaning of the riverbed from vegetation and debris and garbage, and then installed the stage. Cleaning the riverbed was also an activity that supported flood prevention activities. In the case of rising river levels, it prevents blockages under the many bridges in the city.
The Youth Center - Gabrovo took over the organization of the program, the recruitment of volunteers, the creative workshops, the PR and advertising of the event, the communication with the media, the decoration of the place, the coordination of the different participants in the program and the artists, the coordination of all those involved in the organization, transport and logistics. They worked together with The Collective Foundation, who were brought in as mentors and partners in the organisation, as they work on bringing to life non-standard spaces, and their expertise and guidance was extremely useful to us.
Municipal Enterprise "Blagoustroiavane" provided the initial large cleaning of the riverbed from vegetation and debris and garbage, and then installed the stage. Cleaning the riverbed was also an activity that supported flood prevention activities. In the case of rising river levels, it prevents blockages under the many bridges in the city.
Global challenges
The environment and climate change are among the global challenges of our time. An event in the riverbed and in locations that have not been active before draws people's attention not only to the fun side of things, but also raises questions about the environment and our place in it - is the location appropriate, are there animal species whose habitat could be destroyed, are we disturbing their peace, are we leaving waste behind and what happens to it, could cleaning up the riverbed for the event help flood prevention, etc. This also leads to a deeper understanding of the processes of our city, a better knowledge and appreciation of its riches, and hence a better symbiosis between urban man and nature.
Among the challenges facing Europe, Bulgaria and Gabrovo is depopulation and the concentration of young people in large cities. Of course, an event like Youth Events Against the Current cannot solve this problem, but it is a way for young people to feel their city is important - a place where interesting things happen that are significant not only for the local community, but also on a national scale. They are involved in creating something of value that has its own environmental, social and cultural imprint in the city. Hopefully one day when they decide where to settle, it would add a little more weight to the benefit of Gabrovo.
Activating young people and involving them in decision-making - one of the main objectives in Europe in recent years. An event like this, targeted at young people, designed with their help, active participation, decisions and opinion on the agenda, which gives the opportunity to care for nature, to be part of cultural life, to express your views on different topics and to refract them through your world view, is a great way to empower young people and develop their qualities, develop leadership skills and prove to them that you do not have to live in a city of many millions to be seen and heard.
Among the challenges facing Europe, Bulgaria and Gabrovo is depopulation and the concentration of young people in large cities. Of course, an event like Youth Events Against the Current cannot solve this problem, but it is a way for young people to feel their city is important - a place where interesting things happen that are significant not only for the local community, but also on a national scale. They are involved in creating something of value that has its own environmental, social and cultural imprint in the city. Hopefully one day when they decide where to settle, it would add a little more weight to the benefit of Gabrovo.
Activating young people and involving them in decision-making - one of the main objectives in Europe in recent years. An event like this, targeted at young people, designed with their help, active participation, decisions and opinion on the agenda, which gives the opportunity to care for nature, to be part of cultural life, to express your views on different topics and to refract them through your world view, is a great way to empower young people and develop their qualities, develop leadership skills and prove to them that you do not have to live in a city of many millions to be seen and heard.
Learning transferred to other parties
Each of the elements of the event could be replicated in another city, country or locality, and its success is actually due to the amalgam between a unique and unconventional place and unconventional initiatives, close to the youth and perceived by them as unusual, interesting, inherent to different subcultures, non-massive. This provoked interest and added value for young people.
The concerts were not just concerts of currently well-known bands that you can hear on TV, but concerts of lesser-known musicians, people whose unconventionality, rebellious spirit and lyrics young people identify with.
The art workshops were not the standard quick and easy activities, but slower and more "dangerous" ones - working with glass, needles, power tools, metal.
Painting graffiti on the river retaining wall is something that requires a special permit or is entirely in the hooligan activity zone, which also makes it attractive to young people.
The theatrical production - "I won" - a mono-performance by a young, rising actress, dealt with themes such as the differences in the social status of young people, falling in love, overprotection by parents or their disinterest. In the second year, we relied on the recently fashionable genre of stand-up comedy and comedian.
It's important to note that it was the venue, the open floor plan, the lack of backstage and special access that made everyone performing on stage equal to those in front of the stage and created a very warm relationship. Each of the musicians, the actors, the mentors, the influencers, the people who presented their idea, stayed after their performance and talked to the audience, answered questions, signed autographs and became an audience themselves. The meeting with celebrities and the discussion with them was also close to the lives of the young people.
The retaining walls were a place for exhibition during the day and a place for 3D mapping in the evening.
The concerts were not just concerts of currently well-known bands that you can hear on TV, but concerts of lesser-known musicians, people whose unconventionality, rebellious spirit and lyrics young people identify with.
The art workshops were not the standard quick and easy activities, but slower and more "dangerous" ones - working with glass, needles, power tools, metal.
Painting graffiti on the river retaining wall is something that requires a special permit or is entirely in the hooligan activity zone, which also makes it attractive to young people.
The theatrical production - "I won" - a mono-performance by a young, rising actress, dealt with themes such as the differences in the social status of young people, falling in love, overprotection by parents or their disinterest. In the second year, we relied on the recently fashionable genre of stand-up comedy and comedian.
It's important to note that it was the venue, the open floor plan, the lack of backstage and special access that made everyone performing on stage equal to those in front of the stage and created a very warm relationship. Each of the musicians, the actors, the mentors, the influencers, the people who presented their idea, stayed after their performance and talked to the audience, answered questions, signed autographs and became an audience themselves. The meeting with celebrities and the discussion with them was also close to the lives of the young people.
The retaining walls were a place for exhibition during the day and a place for 3D mapping in the evening.
Keywords
youth
community
rethinking the place
art
close to nature
