Arts Lab 5.0: Ahmed Hakmi, Morocco - Month 1

It's been a whole month since I started my amazing adventure as a volunteer in Romania, and it's been a time filled with unforgettable experiences and personal growth. When I think back, I remember the moment I eagerly signed up for the project, feeling really excited. On September 14th, I arrived in Târgu Frumos and was warmly welcomed by Mihaela and some friends who were already here. All my worries disappeared, I felt safe and like I belonged when I stepped into the Super Tineri (ASIRYS) Center and met my colleagues Muhammed, Sena, Hassan, Carla, Raph, and Raphaelle. Together, we started an incredible journey.

Over the past few weeks, I've had the pleasure of getting to know all the other volunteers and learning about their countries and traditions. Through this shared experience, we quickly became close friends and began to understand the Arts Lab 5.0 project, especially the idea of alternative museums like Folklore, Cucuteni, Jewish Memorial Open Museum, and Rroma Museum. This exploration has not only taught me about different cultures but has also inspired me for my illustrations and graphic design projects.

We've also visited nearby cities like Pașcani, Iași, the village of Todireşti, and recently, Piatra Neamț. Each place has shown us the breathtaking beauty of Romanian nature and the genuine kindness of its people. The warmth and friendliness I've experienced here have really touched me.

One of the most unforgettable moments during my time in Romania was the surprise birthday party my friends organized for me on September 28th. It was such a heartwarming experience and reminded me of the amazing bonds we've formed during this project. Among those bonds, my closest friend has been Muhammed Awed, who has always been there for me and become like a brother.

During this month, I had the chance to lead three workshops. The first one happened in Todireşti, and it was amazing. It was my first workshop in Romania, and I had a great time. The kids really enjoyed playing with colors using the squeegee art technique. It was incredible to see how excited and creative they were.

The second workshop took place at Petru Rareș HighSchool în Târgu Frumos. It was a big project because we were creating a large mural. Although I haven't finished it yet, it was a wonderful opportunity to connect with the students and the community. The mural is still a work in progress, and I'm really excited to see the final result.

In between that workshop, we went to Piatra Neamț for another workshop. This time, I collaborated with Muhammed Awed, and I played the guitar for the young participants. It was a unique and enjoyable experience to do music. The workshop had a lively and interactive atmosphere, and the young people seemed to really appreciate the mix of music and artistic expression.

As I start the next month of this journey, I'm excited to continue organizing workshops and events like I did this month, using my skills to inspire creativity and self-expression. I'm incredibly grateful to Mihaela and the entire team at Super Tineri (ASIRYS) Center for their constant support and dedication.

I'll see you next month 😉😎

Ahmed Hakmi is from Morocco and he's doing six months volunteering in our organisation, within Arts Lab 5.0, a project co-funded by the European Union through the European Solidarity Corps.