THEATRE UNITES EUROPE Erasmus Project

Project Title

THEATRE UNITES EUROPE

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for Schools Only

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: EU Citizenship, EU awareness and Democracy; Key Competences (incl. mathematics and literacy) – basic skills; Creativity and culture

Project Summary

The project was started with the background of one of the biggest crisis in the history of the European Union. In 2016, five schools from Austria, Turkey, Italy, Romania and Greece found torgether to prepare a project on theatre. It should be a way of working together and bringing together young people from different countries to think about the future of Europe, the explosiveness of actuall debates and new boarders. The start of a common debate on important questions like how to deal with refugees, the future of the educational system in Europe and social problems such as unemployment was also a crucial intention of the project.
Theatre was chosen as a mtehod which basically would improve the student´s self-confidence and their basic skill. Our decision was based on international studies on the effects of a lack of basic skills and self confidence for the development of young people in their education as well as in their lifes in general. Our students should also develop an approach for important priorities of the Erasmus+ programme.
The main objectives of the project were
1. to improve our students´ basic skills and self-confidence
2. to improve pupils’ social skills and sense of initiative and entrepreneurship
3. to support students’ school and life successes and improved levels of skills for employability and new business creation (including social entrepreneurship);
4. to practice and perform sketches and two plays on the stage
5. to develop enthusiasm for theatre among students
6. to encourage the learning of modern foreign languages and ICT skills
7. to develop knowledge of the diversity of European cultures and languages and its value among students and teachers
8. to learn about European countries
9. to improve pupil`s international interaction, participation in multiple events, self-expression and social skills
10. to help students gain valuable communication and problem solving experiences
11. to promote intercultural dialogue between different counties
12. to support student`s school and life success

The Bundesgymnasum Bludenz in Austria was the coordinating partner. It was the first KA2 project but there was a wide experience with KA1 projects and other EU funded programmes. The school has a wide network of regional and national partners in the field of education, regional development and culture. Theatre is an important part in the school´s educational system, as there is a subject called “Cultural studies”. A main objective was to offer students an opportunity to gain experience on an international level and to develop the school´s profile in the materia of Erasmus+. Among from several partners that were interested in participating in the project “Theatre unites Europe”, the Bundesgymnasium Bludenz chose four partners to start a cooperation, as their profiles were most convinient to reach the project´s goals:
ARDESEN KANUNI ANADOLU LISESI (TR): It is a partner who is experienced in the topic of theatre as there is a very active theatre club that is part of the school´s cultural life. Qualified teachers organize national and international plays every year. The school is also experienced in the topic of Erasmus+ and was therefore chosen as the second coordinator.
ISTITUTO DI ISTRUZIONE SUPERIORE BRAGAGLIA (IT): The school is located in Frosinone and is very well known for its art and music curricula. Therefore a project on theatre was a very well received activity for teachers and students.
Seminarul Teologic Ortodox “Sf.Ioan Gura de Aur” (RO): Cultural and other activities play an important role at these school.
GYMNASIO ANOIXIS: Foreign languages (English, French and German) are an important part of the school´s curriculum. Through KA1 projects several teachers were involved in the Erasmus+ programme.
The main activities included two transnational meetings in Austria and Turkey for the preparation and the evaluation and documentation of the project. Four Learning/Teaching/Training acitvities were organized in Italy (March 2017), Romania (May 2017), Greece (October 2017) and Austria (February/March 2017). During these activities, the participating students worked together and created theatre plays that were performed. A wide field of communication made it possible to work together between these activities.
78 students could participate in the LTT activities. Furthermore every one of the five schools was able to activity a large number of students to participate activily in the common activites. This is the reason why all of the twelve defined objectives could be reached. This fact is also clearly displayed in the project´s final evaluation. A website, social media activities, a mini dictionary, a calendar and a film documentate the acitivities. For all five schools that participated in the project it was a very important step in developing a profil in a cultural and an international sense. The experiences of “Theatre unites Europe” will last for a long time and are a main fundament.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 117934 Eur

Project Coordinator

Bundesgymnasium Bludenz & Country: AT

Project Partners

• Seminarul Teologic Ortodox “Sf.Ioan Gura de Aur”
• GYMNASIO ANOIXIS
• ISTITUTO DI ISTRUZIONE SUPERIORE BRAGAGLIA
• ARDESEN KANUNI ANADOLU LISESI