What are 25 strangers doing booking tickets to Greece?
Cheap travelling as the project “From the Bin to the Gallery” is funded by European Union under Youth in Action
Program, the destination country in the summer and the love for art, constructing and environmental sensitivity
were the most obvious reasons as to participate in this project.
Though is it enough to fill a hole week and be the maximum you get?
Not even close!
This project was a playful, creative and interesting way to learn, digest, practice and hopefully apply all or parts of it
when participants went back home
“From the Bin to the Gallery” project is a multilateral youth exchange between Greece, Spain, Latvia, Romania & Italy with 4 youths ages 18-25 and one youth leader participating for each country, focusing in Artistic Up cycling as a mean for Youth to enable themselves and their communities to fulfill their need for emotional release through creative expression. The project will take place in the beautiful rural area of north Macedonia (Lefkonas village, Serres).
In the midst of the actual worldwide crisis, where art supplies tend to be rather expensive, artistic up cycling provides aviable alternative to reduce the costs of artistic workshops. During this project youths will discover the range of materials or objects with the possibility of up cycling. Learn through hands on experimentation the different possibilities of the objects to be up cycled, discover how recyclable-up cyclable materials are handled in the 5 participating countries leading the discussion to create consciousness on the importance of recycling-up cycling for the environment, foment and encourage a “take what you need” conscience. Using role playing games to gain insight on guiding teens through the creative process, thru a workshop for the youngsters of the venue, under the supervision of the project facilitators , the participants will guide the teens in an artistic up cycling experience, applying the skills and knowledge learned throughout the program. Gain reassurance and confidence on their capabilities, given by the completion of a learning—>applying—>sharing knowhow cycle. The results of the experiences of both youth and teens will be mounted on a exhibition hosted locally.
Fostering a acknowledgement and appreciation for each other’s cultural identities similarities and differences, creating consciousness on and providing an environment free of any form of exclusion, are points that are taken in action and emphasized by means of non formal education embedded thru out the activities of the program.
Participating Countries: Greece, Italy, Romania, Latvia, Spain
Venue: Siris Hotel
A few words about the team:
Greece
- Athanasios Lagopoulos: I am Athanasios (difficult one- call me Saki(s)), i grew up in a mountain village with intense nightlife. The last 2 years i live in Thessaloniki and i study Computer Science at Aristotle University. I like hiking, mountain biking, reading sci-fi and fantasy books, anime and i am kind of a night owl and show-off. I talk too too muchhhh so i spent many hours in front of my computer so as not to bother the others.
- Konstantina Giannakidou: I am konstantina i was born in thessaloniki i lived in Florina for 3 years and i return to my home town this year i study Balkan Studies in Univerisity of Macedonia i love traveling i can not stop talking or moving i love love love love camping and summer ofcourse my dream is to visit England…… and maybe stay for a few years i am a very enthusiastic person wich i believe sometimes isnt so good for the people arround me…… and my goal for this year is to manage to live all by my self
- Pelagia: Hello!my name is pelagia.i was born in Russia grew up in Xanthi(a small town in Greece) nowdays i study in Thessaloniki in physics department . I really love photoshooting , drawing and dancing.
- Sofia Yfantidou: I’m Sofia and I’ve lived my 20 years in a town near Thessaloniki, called Oreokastro!
I study Computer Science. However, I’m really looking forward to getting my degree, so I can specialise in the field
I’m interested in, probably 3D Animation! I want to believe that I’m a creative person, although I’m kind of logical, too, or so they tell me at least. I like latin and ballroom dancing, scrapbooking, DIY crafts in general, writing, reading fiction (almost all kinds), listening to music (I love Nina Simone and Frank Sinatra), taking spontaneous photos of people, going to the theatre and watching movies (Das leben der Anderen and La vita è Bella are two of my favorites).
I hate doing nothing, so I try doing something all the time! Travelling and exploring is a way of life for me and in August my new adventure begins! I’m staying in Groningen for 6 months and I’m very, verY, veRY, vERY, VERY excited about it!
Romania
- Paula Stacescu:I’m Paula Stacescu, I’m from Romania, i was born in a small town called Barlad, i am 23 years old and i have curly hair. I am left handed, I have a cherry flower tattoo and i like mashed potatoes. I like the smell of dust after rain. I am
a graphic design student. My dream is to be happy, to travel and to own a beauty salon/ magazine and a beach
house - Ştefania Papadopol: I am Stefania Papadopol. I’m Romanian, but as my name suggests I have some kind of Greek origins. Currently, I’m working at a company which has the headquarters in Greece as it is a Greek company. Apparently, it seems everything leads me to Greece. I love Greece, but I also love my country with its surroundings, so I am waiting for all my international projects companions to visit me and Romania. I am a traveler and I get goose bumps whenever I have an opportunity to travel or I hear people sharing their unique travel experiences. As further you go, as better! I love mountains and hiking. This is the only sport I like practicing to the fullest. As a matter of fact, I’m writing these words sitting on my backpack, on my way back home from a trip to the mountains. I love nature in general and this makes me an ecological person as well. The world CLUMSY defines me also, sometimes lazy and naive. Most of the times, I’m positive, optimistic, sincere and I like to think about all people are good (until proved contrary, case when I get a bit disappointed, but I try to ignore and come back to my optimism )
- Calin Maria: I am Maria, I`m 19 and I`m from Ilfov, Romania but I study political science at the university in Bucharest. I like travelling, my dream is to visit a different country every year, reading and spending time with my friends. I also like dogs, I have 3 dogs at my home.
- Paul Petcu: I am Paul, I was born & raised in the capital of Romania, the Latin between the Slavs . The name of the city as you all know very well now is not Budapest . Also we, all Romanians, would like to think about us and tell to every non-Romanian that it is a difference between Romanians and Romani About me, not much. I am very passionate about all kind of sports, basketball, tennis, which I made a bit myself as a kid, maybe football also. Environmental care is a big concern for me, I recycle about 3/4 of my garbage at home and try to convince more to do so. My top 5 is completed with music, especially punk(Green Day rulz), movies (i could say Memento is my all time fav, but I like Sofia*s choice with Leben den Anderen – pun intended, Soph :*) and definitely meeting new amazing people, just I experienced with you all. In the end, with this opportunity I would like to tell you all that my purpose for the remaining of this year is to do a reunion with you guys somewhere halfway. Donno, maybe before christmas? Ladies, vă pup! Gentlemen, vă pup, coaie!
Italy
- Barbara La Babić: My name is Barbara Babić and I want to “be the change that you wish to see in the world” like Gandhi said. As a student of art and architecture I learned and I am still learning how to observe things in different ways. My main goals and tasks are: to go deeper, to try to understand how things are working, to be critical about everything and to be ready to take a critic. I am not just trying to find the simple solution but rather the best solution to the specific problem. I am constantly trying to sympathize and to understand what people need and how can I give that to them. I learned to go out of my comfort zone and to take risks, to explore, and to live-not survive a life!
- Chiara Hocevar: Ciao beautiful people!! My name is Chiara, I’m 26 and I’m from Genova – Italia. I’m a happy positive person. I really really love travelling, meeting lots of people, absorbing as much as possible and experiencing new things …provided that they do not involve heights I studied politics; I would like to work in some cool international NGO or in the diplomatic sector, but I’m still trying to find my path here. I love moving and becoming citizen of new places.. it makes me fell alive and fulfilled. For now I’ve lived in Italy, Cyprus, Greece and the UK.. but hopefully I will have a new destination soon … advices anyone?! My second favourite thing after travelling and meeting people is probably food…! good tasty food is usually enough for me to forget the problems and smile. I have two big and tender cats which I love – and love me?! – always waiting for me in Genoa with open paws
- Francesco Munafó: I am Francesco Munafó, I am 24 years old and now I m finish my study in law and I will get my degree in October. I like travelling, food and obviously sport :I practice football. I think I m a sociable person, open minded and simple.
Spain
- Kitos García:My name is Marcos, but all the people who knows me, call me KITOS… And if they know me personally, they call me, LOVELY KITOS, he he he. I’m 29, I’m Laboratory Technician, but now I’m unemployed, so I try to go to all exchanges that I can and travel a lot (while searching a new job). I’m from Santander, in the north of Spain, but I’ve been living in León for 9 years. I like animals, nature and people (specially “strange” people. I think you can learn a lot of from people very different of you). That’s my life, that’s what I am… Kisses from Spain!!!
- Diana Vesti: I am Diana Mihaela, I am a traveler, but my heart is in Romania AND Spain, I love to interact with different type of people from other cultures, i love people with sense of humour , i love mountains and listening my friends playing guitar music around fire camp under the starry sky. I like everything about personal development and self-knowledge , and I’m on the way to make a better world! I like to give as much energy I can to everything that surrounds me; I like to experience new things, I am a verry social person, open minded, creative and I speak a lot when I trust people around me!
Latvia
- Leila Rasima: My name is Leila. I’m 27. I’m from Latvia, a green country which has temperatures of – 35 in winters and + 35 in summers (for example, now!). I’m youth affairs specialists and I enjoy working with young people. I do a lot of things, I dance and I sing. I love traveling and meeting new people. I especially prefer “crazy” people, people who are not scared to have fun. I’m learning to be crazy myself, because I’ve found out that it makes me happy. I have a very cool son, he is 7 years old and his name is Andžejs. He is the best thing I’ve created in my life. I’m a “superwoman”, because I’m superb and because I’m a woman.
- Paula Svece: Hello people, Sometimes it is hard to introduce yourself because you know yourself so well that you do not know where to start with. So, my name is Paula and I’m 20 years old. I live in capital city of Latvia and i am working as flight attendant. There are many things I like to do, to see, and to experience –> I like to read, I like to think, I like to dream, I like to
talk, I like to listen. I like to see the sunrise in the morning and I like to see the moonlight at night, I like to smell the wind coming from the sea. I like to look at the clouds in the sky, I like flowers in spring, rain in summer, leaves in autumn, and snow in winter. I like to sleep early, I like to get up late, I like to be alone, and also I like to be surrounded by people. I like delicious food and comfortable shoes, I like good books and romantic movies, I like people, hihi.
P.S. And never forget that no matter where we all are in the world the moon is never bigger than your thumb
Miss you all! - Yakovs Kauskals: My name is Yakovs Kaushkals (not Jacob). I’m 21 years old. I’m from Latvia, Rezekne. I was studiyng building Technologies ir Riga for 4 years. I have a big experience of difficult kind’s of work. I was a builder, courrier, car parts expert and car colors expert. Now i am just boy without work. We have unformal organisation for a youngsters in our city, called OZO. We do a lot of interesting things every week. I’am interested in different kind of Technologies and engineering. Now i have my own car Project. The main idea of Project is to represent original view of car with some style effects. Also I am big hockey fan and good hockey goalkeeper. I was best goalkeeper in city last season. I was playing in Russia and Belarus championships and now we have a trainings for this 2015 season.
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