Responding to the terrifying events of ultimate children violence which occurred in Belgrade in the beginning of May 2023, the BAZAART's annual conference strongly promoted cultural education and creativity as the only sustainable and lasting solution for opposing the violence-based social and cultural matrixes in Serbia, as well as any other society. Under the slogan "Culture against Violence" the Conference featured a series of participatory programs for artists and educators, wishing to empower them to confront the causes of violent behavior among children and youth. The programs encompassed presentations of model programs and practices with and for vulnerable children and youth, as well as music and other workshops for empowering the young to oppose violent responses to exclusion and inequality.
To see the Conference AGENDA: AGENDA-Conference-2023-ENG
ALL SING TOGETHER - Music as a tool for social change Inclusive music workshop
Workshop leader: Maja Ćurčić, Art Aparat, Belgrade
How can music become a tool for the development of psycho-social skills, cognitive abilities and strengthening social cohesion? Participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with the practice of art organization Art Aparat, which through music encourages social inclusion of vulnerable social groups, as well as learn simple exercises that they can use in order to connect with each other.
WOMEN'S CHARACTERS AND OPPOSING VIOLENCE IN YOUTH LITERATURE – Narration analysis and criticism workshop
Marija Božić, Rebelling Female Readers, Belgrade
The workshop discusses the very popular and award-winning work of African-American writer Angie Thomas, which deals with the problem of systemic violence and racial hatred in the United States. Although the topic is local, the author deals with it much more broadly – through the perspective of a girl who grows up and does not reconcile with the world and society in which she should live. Through a critical review of the novel and the 2018 film of the same name, the workshop deals with the question of how to communicate with young people who grow up in an atmosphere of global violence and what are the models of struggle and resistance that can be offered to them.
Week of Inclusive Culture, presentation of the program
Aleksandra Kurdulić, Elementary School for Children with Disabilities "Sveti Sava", Šabac
In order to sensitize the public to marginalized groups of children and youth who deserve equal representation in the social and cultural life of the social community, the program, in cooperation with guests from the region and local cultural institutions, included various creative expressions of young people with learning difficulties and disabilities, within 20 events: workshops, lectures, performances, literary and poetic evenings.
Inclusive cinema club "My close-up", program presentation and film screening
Marija Rodić, Satibara, Beograd
The program is intended for young people from different social groups, with a focus on decentralization. The presentation included a discussion about the need for such initiatives, experiences, aspirations and practices, with short inserts from the content created in working with children and youth, as well as the screening of selected films and videos created within the framework of film workshops and camps for young people, from different cities and villages of Serbia.
Liceulice, presentation of the project and magazine
Bojan Marjanović and Vanja Jakovljević, Liceulice, Belgrade
Liceulice is a unique magazine in Serbia, appreciated for its quality and social engagement. These are the only street newspapers in the country, and the vendors are members of marginalized groups who otherwise find it difficult to get to work. Fifty percent of every copy sold is their earnings.
