CUL-EIDOSCOPE – Cultural Kaleidoscope

Aims of the tool

This brochure was created:
- As a tool and a guide into the intercultural learning and the idea of "interculturality" as the equality and unity of all the cultures on the basis of the core humanistic moral values, principles and ideas;
- As a role-play multicultural digest with further semiotic analysis, which is useful in any ethnically diverse group to enhance the level of tolerance and break national stereotypes;
- As a report to disseminate the E+ Youth Exchange project results.

Description of the tool

This brochure created by the participants as the evaluation of the youth exchange, could be used not only for summing-up and dissemination right after the particular project, but also as a timeless guide into “interculturality". Being immersed in the exploration of their own and each other's cultures, youngsters created a document that reflects this journey and shows it in a very visible way. In the first part of the brochure, you can see a small creative research about their native cultures — traditional rituals, familiar fairytales and games from the childhood. These "mental products" are usually perceived unconsciously, but we asked participants to go deeper and try to understand the inherent meaning of ceremonies, symbolism of folklore and characteristics of games. After such analysis, the participants got the task to make a step to the next — intercultural — level. They shared insights and conclusions within culturally mixed groups and created the products of common thoughts — intercultural fairytales, which include elements (either plots, or heroes, areas, etc.) from all the cultures inside the group. This second part of our document is evidence that, despite all the differences, we are children of common humanistic values, because our cultures are based on the core of similar humanistic moral values, principles and ideas. In this way, the brochure becomes a powerful tool to demonstrate the equality and unity of different nations and cultures in our varied world.

One more interesting detail is that the participants were asked to share their intercultural fairytales by staging and acting them out in front of the audience. It made their work visible and spiced up the ways of presentations. What is more important, these performances helped youngsters not only to think over the created stories, but also to feel them. In that regard, our brochure can be used also as a role-play multicultural digest with further semiotic analysis, which is useful in any ethnically diverse group to enhance the level of tolerance and break national stereotypes.

We also reckon that you can find your own unique way to exploit the brochure and make the best out of it.