Implementation

Day 1 – Friday 25 of October 2024

The first day of the project!

After Nikolas, the project manager, told us the rules of the accommodation, he introduced the three facilitators of the project,

Elena, a short yet energetic North Macedonian woman

Erma, a Cypriot girl, life-coach, from Limassol, a city which participants will have a cultural visit to.

Bobbie, an Armenian-Cypriot all the way from Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus,

The day began with a dance-based activity, serving as an icebreaker. In a circle, with catchy music, one participant led with the moves, and others followed. A separate participant, unaware of the leader of the moves in the center, is asked to guess.

Right after, to know others better, we played a short activity, where we gave our name and a trait about us (e.g. "being born a certain month" or "having a pet") and went to the center of the circle. Those who shared the same trait moved forward also, thus we found out the ways in which we are similar.

Followed by a speed dating, where in pairs, participants discussed questions, and then switched to other people to talk to, the morning ended with the backpack activity.

During the activity, we looked at the expectations, fears, and contributions we "packed" into our bags coming to the project.

After playing name hangman, we headed straight to lunch.

In the afternoon, we were in the square of Pissouri, the village we are being hosted in for a treasure hunt. In mixed groups, we were given a task list, and explored Pissouri, solving riddles and answering them by taking answers, one of them even revolved around looking for the office of ACPELIA, the hosting organization.

https://soul-on-canvas.webnode.page/tasks-in-pissouri/

With a long and tiring day, we got our much-needed rest after dinner.

Day 2 – Saturday 26 of October 2024

Call for Participants

Using a "train" technique, the leader leads the group with loud music, guiding everyone to the right destination, the tennis court.

• Energizer: Participants are divided into three groups, two placed on opposite sides of a circle. Their task is to touch each person's shoulder, say their name, and try to catch the other names of the participant in order to remember them

TEAMBUILDING GAMES

• Name Game: Each person steps forward when the alphabet reaches their initial, adding an adjective to their name.

• Rock-Paper-Scissors Train

• Tingo Tingo Tango:We were divided In two groups forming circles, participants hold hands and dance. On "Tingo," they dance; on "Tango," they release hands and search for their partners from the opposite group.

• Dragon Tail: Two groups form "dragons" with a head and tail. Each team works to protect its dragon's tail.

• Reflex: Facing each other in two groups, participants compete to grab the cone first, testing their reflexes.

-After the break we continued with the training in the activity room . Here are the follow ups of todays activities:

Youth Pass Island :The facilitators divided us in several teams to create Youth Pass with appropriate competences.We were given few tasks in which we were supposed to find the envelopes around the place and giving answers to the questions with proofs(making a funny videos of it).

Coffee break

Portraits of members

-Here we had a workshop of Drawing face parts of different participant, and after finishing them ,we picked up our secret friends, which is a good obligation that makes us think and care about someone else.

Emotional Zone challenge – Mental Health

We headed to the tennis court and split into five groups, each rotating through stations representing different emotions:

• Anxiety

• Frustration

• Happiness

• Calmness

• Stress

Activities like playing with bubbles, doing yoga, egg-and-spoon games, puzzles, picking beans with chopsticks. taught us to have effective cooperation and plenty of fun.

Intro to Art-Therapy

In the final session we were given a peace of paper in which we were supposed to write or draw , how we se us through the lenses of our inner self and how we are observed by the others.

Intercultural night

Poland and Romania presented their countries in creative and amusing way, and also we had an opportunity to taste their traditional food and practice their traditional dances

Day 3 – Sunday 27 of October 2024

• The day began with the "Jump In, Jump Out" energizer, where participants responded to various commands from the facilitator. With each round, the pace increased, and the sequence of commands was modified.

• SELF-CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH

Next, a World Café session took place, during which participants worked in small groups, discussing topics at tables and changing seats after each round. The discussions focused on the following topics:

1. Understanding Stress: What is stress? Its types and definitions.

2. What are the Causes of Stress? Causes of stress in daily life.

3. Identifying Personal Stressors: Recognizing individual stressors.

4. The Impact of Stress on Mental Health: The effect of stress on mental health and overall well-being.

5. Coping Mechanisms: Traditional and alternative techniques for coping with stress and regulating emotions.

• Coffee Break

• Art at the Beach

After the break, participants went to the beach, where each received a stone to create a representation of their comfort place—a space that evokes feelings of peace, safety, and relaxation. This could be a specific place, like a forest, mountains, or a beach, or an imagined space filled with symbols of calm and joy.

• Expressing Emotions

Next, a collage workshop took place, aimed at expressing participants' current emotions through images and symbols. They selected elements—magazine clippings, photos, colors—that best reflected their inner state. The collages served as a tool for self-reflection, helping participants understand and name their feelings in a visual and creative way.

• Mindfulness

To close the day, a mindfulness session was held to calm the mind and focus on the present moment. The facilitator guided participants through a series of breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques designed to help them concentrate on their breath, senses, and bodily sensations.

Day 4 – Sunday 28 of October 2024

The day began with a message from the Hungarian team, our designated "timekeepers," who started us off with an engaging story and urged everyone to join the day's planned adventures promptly. North Macedonia, responsible for the energizers, kicked things off with a lively game of musical chairs, where participants circled around until only one person was left standing. This intense yet playful game set the tone for a day full of activity.

Following the energizer, we transitioned to a more relaxing segment led by our project facilitator, Erma. She guided us through yoga exercises, including breathing practices, stretching, and meditation, helping everyone feel grounded and prepared for what was to come. After a short break, Erma introduced us to art therapy, explaining its meaning, benefits, and role in promoting emotional well-being.

Taking over, Martin, the team leader from North Macedonia, provided a fascinating presentation on various art styles such as Cubism, Illustration, Abstract, Pop Art, Impressionism, Collage, and Doodle Art. Participants then regrouped into international teams, each assigned an art style and a theme to explore. They shared ideas, sketched, and began painting on canvases, working together to bring each style to life. At the end of the project, these collective artworks will be showcased, each with an accompanying story and poem to highlight their meaning.

After another break, each country had the opportunity to present projects they'd prepared at home prior to joining. These presentations covered art-related activities, festivals, exhibitions, and creative spaces in each country, offering insights into opportunities for artistic expression and cultural participation back home. Some teams highlighted national festivals, art exhibitions, street art, and even cafes where people can create pottery.

In the evening, we gathered for a cultural night organized by North Macedonia and Lithuania. North Macedonia started with an introduction to their country, fun facts, and traditional dishes. They engaged everyone with a Kahoot quiz based on the presentation and shared memes that brought laughter to the room. Lithuania followed with a video showcasing the contrast between common stereotypes and the vibrant, modern reality of their country. They also performed two traditional songs and challenged participants to a Lithuanian tongue-twister, inviting representatives from each country to give it a try.

The cultural night concluded with a tasting of Macedonian and Lithuanian snacks and traditional dishes, sparking conversations about food and heritage. We then moved outdoors, where both countries introduced us to their traditional dances. Everyone joined in, singing, dancing, and ending the day on a high note filled with joy and connection.

Day 5 – Tuesday 29 0f October 2024

The day began with some trust games, as well as understanding nature, while being blind. In pairs, with one participant blindfolded, we had the opportunity to guide the blind participant, while touching nature, and having a better feel for them.

After the coffee break, we had the opportunity to make self-portraits, but this time, with half the portrait being made up of natural items, like sticks, flowers and leaves, while the other, drawn by us.

This was also our trip day, we departed from Pissouri at 1:00 pm, heading first to the Kourion Ancient Theatre. Located on British-administered land, Kourion is an impressive archaeological site with stunning views over the coastline. The theatre dates back to the 2nd century BC and is known for its historical significance and beautifully preserved structure, which once hosted plays and gatherings for the ancientCypriots.

After exploring Kourion, we continued to Limassol, where we had some tasks to complete as part of our Erasmus program. These activities allowed us to interact with the local area and immerse ourselves in the culture. Once the tasks were finished, we enjoyed some free time to explore on our own, shop for souvenirs, and take in the vibrant atmosphere of Limassol. We left at 6:30 pm, feeling captivated by Limassol's unique charm and beauty, which left a lasting impression on all of us.

Day 6 – Wednesday 30 of October 2024

The day began at 9:30 AM with team-building activities focused on creativity and sharing. Each national team created a short video in their language, explaining why others should come to Cyprus for this Erasmus+ project. Another group worked on designing a booklet about the project's workshops, while a different team prepared a poster for an upcoming art exhibition showcasing participants' work. Six team members wrote personal testimonials about each person's experiences, while others gathered video testimonials. Additionally, three participants wrote articles: Bogi shared her personal project journey, another Bogi gave an overview of the project, and Brigita explored the project's theme of art's connection to mental health.

In the afternoon, we experimented with clay in a therapeutic, hands-on activity. The first task was simple yet meaningful: we played freely with the clay to reconnect with a childlike sense of creativity. The second task was more challenging—we sculpted with blindfolds, creating objects that represented our future selves. Some found the experience freeing, while others struggled to shape their visions without sight, making for unique and personal outcomes.

The day wrapped up with a cultural night hosted by the Hungarian and Cypriot teams. The Hungarians presented a video, led a Kahoot quiz, performed a folklore song, and taught a traditional dance called "Ördög útja." The Cypriots added to the fun with a tongue-twister challenge and an engaging slideshow. Both teams shared snacks from their countries, creating a warm, celebratory atmosphere that deepened our appreciation for each other's cultures.

https://soul-on-canvas.webnode.page/promotion-videos/

Day 7 – Thursday 31 of October 2024

The last day of the project!

The morning began by us watching the videos made the previous day! It was a fulfilling time, to see all the content we worked so hard on to create.

After this, Bobbie spoke about Erasmus+ opportunities, and all the other things we can do in this field. We found out about DiscoveryEU, training courses, ESC and Erasmus semester and Erasmus Mundus.

After an activity, where we could write messages to each other, we left for Pissouri Square to host our art exhibition. We brought with us our pebbles, visual boards, printed collages, canvases and more! It was a fulfilling exhibition in the square of Pissouri, where people visited us from the village and saw what we were up to this whole time at the hotel!

After filling in our evaluations, we received our youthpasses, and revealed the secret friends to each other.

The day ended with a traditional Cyprus show, provided by the accommodation!