Once upon today... in Europe - (Y)our 1989.

Once upon today… in Europe: (Y)our 1989.

2019 sees Europe celebrating the 30th anniversary of the end of communism and of new democratic beginnings in Central and Eastern Europe. For all countries in the region, 1989 is not some distant event in the past, but the dramatic societal, political and economic change continue to have an impact on the lives of people and their communities today.

In the spirit of our project title “Once upon today… in Europe”, we want to explore the way that 1989 is currently remembered, debated and reinterpreted in the countries across the region. As 30 years is also the transition between two generations, we want to develop new, innovative and creative ways to explore the meaning of the year 1989 with young people: What is (y)our story of 1989? How has the revolution changed the lives of your families or your community? How is 1989 currently remembered and discussed in the country you live in? What is our story of 1989 as Europeans?

"Once upon today… in Europe" focuses on issues of belonging and identity in Europe with a focus on historical narratives. What does this mean? When people talk about history, memory and identity, they constantly tell a story about themselves, the communities and states they live in. These stories – or narratives – help people make sense of reality and they are made up of diverse facts, myths, official commemoration and personal memories. Like any other story, they are constantly shaped and reshaped through communication and reflect the values, interpretations and political objectives of the communities and people who share it. Thus, any narrative could start like a tale in present: "Once upon today..."

The project has 3 stages:

International Training – 04.-11.04.2019 in Krzyżowa

The development of micro-projects by the participants in their communities – April 2019 till September 2019

International Youth Meeting (including presentation of micro-projects) – 29.09.-04.10.2019 in Krzyżowa

Participants of the training are invited to carry out small projects on the topic (Y)our 1989 with young people in their home cities over the summer. It is not obligatory in order to be a participant in the training, but applicants with tangible ideas for carrying out projects will be given special consideration. One participant from each country will have the chance to return to Krzyżowa with up to eight young people for the international youth meeting taking place from 29.09.-04.10.2019.

The project has 3 stages:

International Training – 04.-11.04.2019 in Krzyżowa

The development of micro-projects by the participants in their communities – April 2019 till September 2019

International Youth Meeting (including presentation of micro-projects) – 29.09.-04.10.2019 in Krzyżowa

Participants of the training are invited to carry out small projects on the topic (Y)our 1989 with young people in their home cities over the summer. It is not obligatory in order to be a participant in the training, but applicants with tangible ideas for carrying out projects will be given special consideration. One participant from each country will have the chance to return to Krzyżowa with up to eight young people for the international youth meeting taking place from 29.09.-04.10.2019.