"Viavai di culture"-Racism prevention theater workshops for kids.

"Viavai di culture" is part of the activation and implementation of projects and practices related to theater as an educational resource.

"Viavai di culture" fits into the context of the activation and implementation of projects and practices related to theater as an educational resource: the challenge, in this case, is to provide elementary school pupils with keys to reading and action on the issue of racism. The pilot project is based on a workshop approach that requires the initiative and active participation of the individual pupil and the collaboration of the group, implying all relational dynamics.

Developed in collaboration with the Ascona Municipal Schools and funded by Education21, "Viavai di culture" involves the creation of theater workshops on the themes of diversity and human rights to prevent racial and racist tendencies in young people.
By providing space for pupils to experiment with group dynamics, encouraging cooperation and consideration of others on the one hand, and the search for personal strength and voice on the other, balancing individual opinions and collective consensus, the project fosters the autonomous work of pupils who, through moments of collective and small-group work, explore themes, develop ideas and design small theatrical situations.

Theater then becomes a tool to help pupils think critically and constructively and be able to create their own perspective; by collectively addressing the different situations created within the theater workshop, as well as differences of opinion and conflicts, and resolving them together in a constructive way, a sense of collaboration and mutual understanding is fostered.

At the end of this shared journey, based on the theater workshops but strengthened through the insights offered daily by classroom teaching, pupils and teachers involved will know how to equip themselves with fundamental skills to come to deal with the issue of racism consciously and independently, not only within the educational institution but also in their future life journey.
The project is designed and led by Ascona Elementary School and the Dimitri Academy, and is supported by experts from Amnesty International and the Human Rights Foundation.

Through this pilot experience, the Academy intends to develop essential skills useful for the creation of a stable service of theatrical workshops aimed at the prevention of racism, addressed to elementary schools in Ticino.

Project management: dir. Giorgio Gilardi, Ascona Elementary Schools
Researchers: Demis Quadri, Veronica Provenzale, Dimitri Academy
Lecturers: Daniela Adamina, Cristina Bianchetti, Samanta Perpellini, Ascona Elementary Schools
Teaching artists: Shahaf Michaeli and Kate Weinrieb, Dimitri Academy
Workshop coordination: Hans-Henning Wulf, Dimitri Academy

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