JRS: “Amina, as a trainer for this workshop, how has your previous experience with the GenRosso members in Bihać and Sarajevo influenced the way you approached teaching the participants?”

Amina: “The time I spent with GenRosso was incredibly enriching. Their passion for music and the arts really resonated with me, and it was something I aimed to pass on to the workshop participants. Seeing the way music can transcend language and cultural barriers inspired me to foster the same environment here. The energy in Bihać and Sarajevo was electric, and I wanted to bring that same vibrancy and enthusiasm to our sessions.”

JRS: “And what does it mean to you to see such a high turnout of locals and refugees for this workshop?”

Amina: “It’s deeply gratifying. It shows that there’s a genuine desire for connection and understanding across different cultures within our community. Music and dance are universal languages that can unite us. I feel privileged to be a part of something that not only teaches.

JRS: “Amina, beyond the workshop itself, can you share how your experiences with GenRosso have influenced your private life’?”

Amina: “Absolutely. The experience has been transformative not just for me, but for my whole family. You know, initially, there was a certain apprehension in my household about the refugee situation, which is understandable given all the changes in our community. But through my involvement with GenRosso and now as a trainer, I’ve been able to bring some of that world into our home. My parents have seen firsthand the positive impact these workshops have on everyone involved. They’ve heard the stories, seen the joy, and understood the struggles of the participants. This personal touch has changed their viewpoint — the participants aren’t just ‘migrants’ to us anymore; they are ‘people on the move,’ with hopes, dreams, and the desire for a sense of belonging. It’s been heartwarming to see my parents welcome this understanding into their hearts and our home.” 

*

JRS: “Ajdin, having been part of the initial GenRosso workshops, how did you find the experience of transferring what you learned to others?”

Ajdin: “It was a journey full of excitement and a bit of responsibility, too. Being trained by GenRosso was a nice experience for me – they embody a spirit of creativity and togetherness. Sharing what I learned with others felt like I was spreading that spirit. I taught the songs and dance moves, but what I was really passing on was a message of hope and community.”

JRS: “There seems to be a lot of gratitude expressed for the participation of both locals and refugees. Could you tell us more about that?”

Ajdin: “Yes, absolutely. Seeing people come together to learn and share in this workshop has been one of my proudest moments. We have people from all walks of life in one room, finding common ground through music. It’s a powerful testament to what we can accomplish when we come together. The gratitude is mutual – we’re thankful for every single person who showed up, ready to learn and connect.”

To learn more about the project, explore our website: https://www.new-humanity.org/project/heartmony/

L'articolo Interview: Bosnian youth share their intercultural experience with HeARTmony project proviene da New Humanity.

After its last leg in Bosnia, the HeARTmony project continues in Beirut, Lebanon. Its goal is always the same: to train talented young people in the methodologies of social inclusion for migrants and refugees through art, to strengthen intercultural skills and to reflect on the causes and effects of migrations in the Mediterranean area.

During the first week of November, four members of the band Gen Rosso (Adelson, Ygor, Michele and Juan Francisco), along with the young people of Caritas Egypt (Egitto), Caritas Lebanon and some members of Humanité Nouvelle (Lebanon), had the chance to work, create and dream together.

After landing in Beirut, the band members were warmly welcomed by the volunteers of Caritas Lebanon Youth and by the local members of the Focolare Movement. “It was particularly striking for us to see how ready young Lebanese people were to serve others, despite the complicated situation their country is in… – says Adelson Oliveira – They are like heroes who, even in difficult times, still manage to lend a generous hand to those in need”.

This time around, their visit did not involve organising a concert, but learning to use music and art to bring people together – especially those living on the margins of society, like migrant people – in order to make them feel welcomed and fully part of the community. “Art is a powerful tool – reflects Adelson – music takes us where words, often, cannot. A person can feel loved and respond to love in many ways”.

During the ‘Training Trainers’ course, the band held singing, music and percussions workshops. Their method consisted of making use of everyone’s talents during the preparation of the show. “We shared our experience with them, and together we created something special. – explains Adelson – We are planning to replicate this course format as widely as we can, adapting this artistic experience to the various local contexts”.

The band and the project participants also spent one evening with the Focolare community of Beirut, together with other friends, during which they played music and got to know each other. It was an opportunity to share personal stories and to find out more about the reality experienced by young Lebanese people today. “I spoke to a girl who told me: ‘I want to leave, but I feel that Lebanon will only change if I have the courage to stay. If I put what I have learned into practice’”, Adelson recalls. He ponders: “I think that only love can transform things, and this applies to politics and the economy too. In the current context, it’s hard to tell young people to stay, but that girl’s words struck me deeply. This can be the starting point: we can start by putting love in everything we do in order to make a difference in our own reality. Maybe the results won’t be immediately visible… but I’m sure that soon Lebanon will rise again, like a phoenix!”.

Meanwhile, HeARTmony continues. The ball is now in the court of the young course participants who, in order to prove that they have gained the skills required by the project, will have to prepare an art project for inclusion themselves in the coming months, with the support of Gen Rosso and the various partners.

Leandro Silva

To learn more about the project, visit the project website: https://www.new-humanity.org/project/heartmony/

First published in United World Project.

L'articolo Cultivating unity in Lebanon through music – HeARTmony Project proviene da New Humanity.

« The approach is that of “not of bread alone”. – Explains Valerio Gentile, part of the international band, Gen Rosso. – The goal of this project is that of valuing talents, promoting wellbeing and social inclusion of these people defined as “people on the move” ».

The project to which Valerio refers to is called “HeARTmony”, a word composed of heart, art and harmony. Which then – thinking about it – are also the main ingredients of the project! Financed by the European Commission through the ban “Capacity building in the field of youth”, it is born to strengthen the intercultural skills of the young participants, to help them develop social inclusion methodologies for the migrants and refugees of all ages through art and explore the causes and effects of the migrations in the Mediterranean basin.

The main partner of the project, apart from the international band Gen Rosso, are the international association New Humanity and the cultural association, Dancelab Armonia. And then, other five European realities and of the Middle East: The Fundación Igino Giordani (Spain), Humanité Nouvelle (Lebanon), Caritas Lebanon (Lebanon), Caritas Egypt (Egypt), Caritas Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) in collaboration with the J.R.S of Bihać.

Thanks to this project, held from the 25^th of July to the 1^st of August, fourteen young interns, coming from Spain, Egypt, Syria, Bosnia and Italy, were able to leave for the first formation scheduled in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Criteria to access: past experience in the field of performing arts.

The first destination was the Youth Centre Giovanni Paolo II of Sarajevo. Here, a team of the Gen Rosso worked in collaboration with the “Social Corner” an initiative desired by Pope Francis, wherein local volunteers animate the days of the guests in the various refugee’s camps. «We held the first part of the course with some theory, – narrated Gentile – exploring especially the relational aspect: how we relate, how do we create a work group, how to strengthen the self – esteem of the migrants, how we bring out their talents, how we can help them become passive spectators to protagonist actors». The second part of the course, more practical, was held in the Ušivak camp on the outskirts of Sarajevo, that accommodates families, unaccompanied minors and youth, coming from Algeria, Afghanistan, Iran, Burundi, as well as Cuba. «Just like this. Because – Valerio clarifies – the migration route for Cubans is: Havana-Moscow, Moscow-Belgrade. To then reach Sarajevo by foot and from there continue to Bihać, where they try to cross the border to Europe».

With them, the Gen Rosso has conducted some dance, choral singing, percussion and communication workshops. Experience that culminated in the performances on the third day. The first at the camp, where some migrants were able to perform in front of their neighbours, taking turns on stage with Gen Rosso. The second, in the gym of the Youth Centre Giovanni Paolo II of Sarajevo, with the inclusion, during the concert, of 24 refugees of the dance, singing and percussion workshops. «In the end, one of them told us: “You’ll have given me the hope go ahead in my journey!” » Valerio remembers with some emotion.

Then, the Gen Rosso and the interns moved to Bihać, on the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. «In collaboration with the Jesuit Refugee Service we worked in preparation for the show held on Sunday, with some of the refugees of the informal camps… bivouacs, abandoned houses. They were a few of them, to be honest, because of the pleasant days most of them would try to cross the mountain and the border – explains Valerio – and also from, this we learn a lot».

In the end, on Sunday, 31^st of July, the Gen Rosso and refugees performed in the concert “Una”, organized in collaboration with the municipality of Bihać, and born from the will to sustain and encourage the city and local population that continues to persevere in the welcoming of refugees. “Una” like the river that flows, alongside the border between Croatia and Bosnia, and symbolically unites both the countries.

Tamara Pastorelli

For further details and other updates: https://www.new-humanity.org/en/project/heartmony/ 

First published at United World Project

L'articolo Art creates a common ground for migrants and refugees in Bosnia – HeARTmony Project proviene da New Humanity.

Embrace Humanity 

The webinar featured a lineup of insightful speakers, each contributing a unique perspective to the narrative. Emina Hosic, representing Jesuits Refugee Services (JRS), commenced the dialogue by showcasing the impactful work of JRS in accompanying, serving, and advocating for forcibly displaced people. The organization’s efforts spanned reconciliation, education, livelihoods, advocacy, and crucial mental health and psychological support. 

Following this, Vedran Mihic from JRS, alongside Emina Dežmić from Caritas, delved into the situation of migration flows in Bosnia. The audience gained a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by individuals seeking asylum from countries such as Turkey, Syria, Russia, and Afghanistan. The speakers highlighted the often-overlooked reality in Bosnia, where migrants face strict criteria, capacity constraints, and pushback practices. 

Amina Surkovic then spotlighted the criminalization of migrants, unveiling her research on the construction of fear and the portrayal of migrants as the “criminal other.” Migrants are often unjustly portrayed as criminals, constructing a narrative that dehumanizes their figures and fuels prejudiced attitudes. Her compelling analysis exposed the tactics employed in constructing narratives, including false claims, biased reporting, manipulation of facts, disinformation, and sensationalism. By unpacking the intricacies of media influence, she underscored the urgent need to counteract these narratives, demonstrating that fear of the other can easily transform into blame-shifting and political instrumentalization. 

Spark Change 

As the webinar unfolded, Roberta Niksic, a participant in the HeARTmony project, shared the heartening results. The musical group GenRosso conducted workshops and a concert in Bosnia, fostering connections and friendships between locals and migrants. Through song and dance, workshops became spaces for dialogue, breaking down prejudices, and creating a sense of community.  

The concluding segment of the webinar featured a dynamic Q&A session, allowing participants to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the speakers and delve deeper into the complexities of migration in the Balkans. 

In a world often divided by borders, this webinar serves as a beacon of unity, encouraging individuals to join hands in addressing the challenges of migration and working towards a more inclusive and harmonious society. Mark your calendars for the next webinar, January 24th, and be part of the conversation about migration flows in Italy – because understanding the human stories behind migration is the first step towards positive change.

Missed something? Here’s a quick index of our webinar, so you can watch anytime! 

14:14 – What is the HeARTmony project? 

23:56 – Jesuits Refugee Services (JRS) in action  

45:46 – The situation of migration flows in Bosnia 

1:15:38 – Research on the criminalization of migrants  

1:34:05 – Art and dialogue: the experience of HeARTmony project by its participants  

L'articolo Understanding migration: stories from the Balkans route  proviene da New Humanity.