Traditional dances as a tool for social integration and development of soft skills Erasmus Project

Project Title

Traditional dances as a tool for social integration and development of soft skills

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 adult education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Access for disadvantaged; Inclusion – equity; Integration of refugees

Project Summary

The significance of dance was known since ancient times, when dancing was a social event and a way for the people to externalize their emotions of joy and sorrow. In ancient Greece there were over 200 dances with set patterns for various purposes, such as war dances, funny dances, funeral and wedding dances etc. All of them were forms of social expression and a way of participation in the public life, as an important part of Democracy. Even the great ancient philosopher Plato, compared the word horós (dance) with the word hara (joy) to show the importance of dancing in the mental health and the feelings of the people. Today, apart from the social expression, traditional dances serve many purposes, since they are a unique form of physical exercise that combines benefits in the physical condition, the mental health, the socialization and the improvement of self-esteem. Nevertheless the greatest thing about dancing is that everyone can participate, without any discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion and so on.

Being an indispensable part of the cultural heritage of every country, the traditional dance bears historical and folk elements and passes them down from generation to generation. Traditional dancing is a key part that combines, not only moves under a specific rhythm, but also unique ethnic and cultural characteristics. Exploring cultural and historical elements through traditional traditional dancing safeguards the cultural diversity of the European countries. Therefore, the traditional dances are an exceptional way of expression, social inclusion, intercultural dialogue and means of preserving culture (UNESCO World Report, Investing in Cultural Diversity and Intercultural Dialogue).

The aim of this project is to introduce European traditional dances as a tool for social inclusion of disadvantaged groups in the society and to promote them as an alternative form of physical exercise. The anticipated outcomes are to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to learn traditional dances and benefit in multiple ways by developing at the same time soft skills.

To sum up the objectives of the project are:
1. The reinforcement of the interest of the citizens to learn traditional dances.
2. The inclusion of people from different backgrounds (seniors, migrants, long-term unemployed etc) in dancing activities, by supporting the education in and through traditional dances in an open and safe environment where everyone can freely participate and develop their social, civic and soft skills.
3. The preservation of the cultural identity which plays a highly significant role in the society’s cultural development.
4. The use of traditional dances as a tool of intercultural and intergenerational dialogue.

During this project the partner organizations will exchange cultural characteristics and they will create a manual for the integration of people with fewer opportunities in the community through traditional dancing. Moreover, an innovative platform (www.traditionaldances.eu) with the 50 traditional dances from the Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Spain and Turkey will be developed. The dances will be classified in different categories based on their characteristics.

Project Website

https://eutraditionaldances.com/

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 51540 Eur

Project Coordinator

HELLAS FOR US ASTIKI MI KERDOSKOPIKI MI KYBERNITIKI ETERIA & Country: EL

Project Partners

• SDRUZHENIE WALK TOGETHER
• Navissos
• ASOCIACION CULTURAL Y DEPORTIVA LAHOYA
• KARASU GENCLIK, SANAT VE SPOR KULUBU DERNEGI