About Decameron...

Decameron was a youth exchange coordinated by the Italian organizations Frazione Mondo and Vagamondo. It was implemented with the support of other 6 European organizations (Asociación Dinámica, Point of Vyou, Be Visible Be You, Inspire, Embaixada da Juvemtude and Risti-Rasti) from the 31st of August till the 7th of September 2021 in Bergolo (Italy). The project involved 36 young people from Estonia, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Romania in activities aimed to develop writing skills, write a book with 100 novels, print it and implement a fundraising campaign to contribute to the Covid-19 fight. The project was developed mainly through non-formal education method containing arts!

In a brown wall, there are a lot of papers hanging with "Author Name" and other things that are not visible written on them. A girl seems to be writing something on one of the papers.

Our participants

What humans that experienced this say?

Eleni

Decameron youth exchange brought me again to the place I thought I would never visit again. All these feelings, which reality has absorbed, I found them waiting for me, hugging me as the soft September breeze was strolling along the hidden paths of Bergolo. Creative writing is my passion and the reason why I participated at the exchange. I understood the potential of the pure human nature, the urge to communicate and to get together. I got disconnected from the mundane and got connected with my inner self and the people around me. I was given the opportunity to find inspiration and be creative, to speak in different languages and discuss with people from different countries so I have seen my horizons broadening. My best take away is the feeling of freedom that we seldom find nowadays in our everyday lives.

Anna

I took part in the Decameron youth exchange shortly after I have finished my long, tiring journey of gaining a PhD on journalism and new media. I wanted to participate in this project to reconnect with the creative writing process which I used to enjoy a lot before starting to write for work and academia. Mission accomplished! During those days on Bergolo, I gain back the motivation of writing for myself, for healing and self-discovery. I feel lucky that I have been part of this amazing experience. My best take away was that I met people with the same interests as mine, in a safe space, that we all felt free to express our vulnerabilities and agonies and eventually, even for a few days, we have learned to ‘let it go and trust the process’.

Vasso

The thing about this trip in Bergolo is that I didn’t expect to experience an inner change as big as it turned out to be. I was in a bad situation, I was emotionally drought by everyday life. These eight days there brought peace in me in a way I can’t explain and wouldn’t imagine. Besides the program and the opportunities, the writing we did and everyday activities, the main savior was each and every one of these guys that I met. I remember not being able to stand due to my lack of sleep, but I didn’t mind. We stayed up until late night (or early morning) talking and sharing. Every time gluing another part of me in the right position. I remember this one night, this band was playing down the theatre and me and Angelo were smoking some cigarettes and drinking our night tea. I was staring at the sky, and after a long time felt free and strong. Putting down my thoughts in a paper and sharing them helped me reach this situation. Dancing and playing childish games also. Teaching our famous greek words, walking down a river, laying on the grass and listening to stories. Singing and hugging. Complaining in my reflection group. The mountains, the sky, and the grass.

Check the testimonials-book to see more...

The truth is, participants of this projects couldn't handle their emotions so they wrote them down... Check it here: https://online.pubhtml5.com/xtwk/elzk/

Learning through creating art, literacy and magic!

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