Art for Social Change - Play Against Violence

The training component of the programme consists of developing already-existing abilities among professional artists and preparing them to work with young people confronted with violence. Puppet therapy, playback theatre, music and dance therapy, psychodrama of fairy tales and dramas, and theatrical games are part of these training activities. For example, first, one programme uses origami to teach artists to understand the particular problems facing children who have been victimised by violence. Games and improvisation are central to this type of training. Second, "You Are So Beautiful" focuses on girls ages 15 to 18 years old who have suffered sexual violence, juvenile prostitution, or other types of violence. A group diary, photo/video documentary, and theatre performance are the expected outcomes of games organised to help girls build positive attitudes toward social integration and the defense of their own rights. Third, a photodrama/studio photography project involves three houses for youth ages 13 to 18 in Plovdiv. Some of these youth have suffered violence or have seen their families murdered. These young people are trained in the general principles of portrait photography, digital photography, and computer processing of visual art. Psychotherapeutic methods are used in the training seminars.

Pilot projects are fostered through the enabling of financial aid for artists seeking to work with young people through the performing and visual arts, music, or photography. The European Cultural Foundation and Soros Centre for the Arts - Sofia will finance these projects.

Conflict, Youth, Children, Rights.