The Book of Dreaming – integration of Ukrainian children with refugee experience through art

ongoing

‘The Book of Dreaming’ has its roots in the current social situation of participating countries that are coping with the integration process of Ukrainian children. A full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, which started on 24.02.2022 results in migrations of Ukrainians – mainly women with children – to the neighboring countries and the western part of Ukraine. The project aims to strengthen the integration through art activities. The project focuses on activities in 4 partner countries: Poland (Wrocław), Latvia (Riga/Ludza), Hungary (Budapest) and Ukraine (Lviv). It involves implementing an artistic program ‘The Book of Your City’, authored and curated by Andy Field & Beckie Darlington. Their methodology, tested before in other cities, will be conducted in children groups in all mentioned cities. The project will allow testing of the existing practice in new conditions – part of Europe which is facing the war situation and refugee moves. Workshops for Ukrainian children focusing on the city and public space, book-making and special launching events for the general audience are the activities planned for this part of the project. The second element of the project, as important as the first part, is aimed at the exchange of knowledge and experiences between specialists in the field of children's integration through art in the situation of the migration crisis. There is a strong necessity to evaluate, discuss and share practices used so far in this context. Activities regarding the theme of integration and accessibility will be organized by partner institutions and will result in two toolboxes – accumulating knowledge, good examples and inspiration in the field of culture. All effects will be shared widely in case of similar situations in other parts of Europe. An important aim of the project is the dissemination of the results to the children and their relatives, as well as to the authorities and local governments as strategies and solutions for times of crisis.