Arts Lab 7.0: Aya Hossameldin Saad Mohamed | Month II - Family – Hosting – Grief – Transparency

This month began with the Pumpkin Festival, an event filled with delicious traditional food, vibrant orange decorations, music, dancing, and joy. I am always amazed by the generosity of the Romanian people; they insisted that we taste every dish they had prepared for the festival. I was overcome with feelings of warmth and happiness. Later, my colleagues and I performed a traditional Egyptian dance and song, and we enjoyed many lively performances as well.

During the festival, I painted children’s faces and welcomed dozens of kids who wanted designs that reflected the spirit of the celebration. Although I have been a visual artist for many years, it was my first time doing face painting. I felt that I had gained a new skill through practice, and I am certain that in the future I will continue painting children’s faces at festivals and special occasions.

The following week marked the end of the folklore art workshops with the school students. Together with my colleague in the residency, we recycled various materials and created an artwork made of flowers inspired by folkloric motifs. Saying goodbye to the children was difficult; I had become truly attached to them and had grown to love them deeply. I felt grateful for the experience and for everything they taught me about empathy and understanding. This experience will certainly help me in the next artistic residency with the new school.

Hosting -  Later that week, we visited the quiet and enchanting town of Ruginoasa. We were welcomed by a woman who had created a private museum dedicated to her family’s Romanian folklore heritage. We saw clothing and tools dating back more than a hundred years. She kindly lent us traditional garments to wear for a photoshoot that will be included in the catalogue for our first artistic residency. I genuinely felt as if I belonged to that era - something in the spirit and essence of Romanian heritage deeply touched my soul.

Family - that is exactly how I felt when our mentor welcomed us into her home. There is a difference between hospitality and being treated as part of the family. This experience made me feel that we truly belonged; they showered us with love, generosity, and, of course, delicious homemade food.

A time to rest - The week that followed was both busy and calm at the same time. Our on-arrival training was filled with exchange activities alongside volunteers from other European Union programs. I learned about different initiatives and gained valuable information regarding my rights and responsibilities as a volunteer. What an enriching exchange it was - speaking with volunteers from around the world made me feel more open to new cultures.

Transparency -  The four-day break began, yet I felt the urge to dedicate these days to my artistic project. Romanian folklore, how could I capture the magic and love I felt during my second month here? I wanted to blend all the beauty and enchantment I had discovered in Romanian folkloric heritage. So, I created an artistic design that tells a fantasy story combining all the traditional folkloric characters. And what is folklore if not magical and surreal? I chose glass as my canvas so that light could pass through the artwork, reflecting the vibrant colours I used, just as this beautiful heritage passed through my soul with softness and transparency, like light through glass.

Grief - Today I woke up to the shocking news of the passing of a family member. Lost and heartbroken, I wondered how I could face such a moment alone. My sense of homesickness intensified; a knot formed in my chest as sorrow gripped my heart. I never imagined I would have to endure such pain here. How could I hold this grief by myself, without my family or friends?

This difficult experience made me emotionally stronger. I learned something new about myself: adaptation and acceptance, accepting pain and sorrow. I knew I would change during this journey, but I never expected the change to come in such a harsh and painful way. I tried to immerse myself in my artwork, hoping that art would soothe my heart and ease my pain.

I completed my artwork, and I genuinely felt joy seeing this beautiful piece come to life. Then came the day of the art exhibition. We welcomed many visitors, all of whom expressed admiration and excitement for our interactive pieces. I felt immensely proud of myself and my colleagues; we had all worked hard to create these meaningful works.

At the end of the month, my heart was once again touched by sadness during our visit to the Jewish cemetery, where victims of wartime extermination were laid to rest. I was not emotionally prepared for this kind of sorrow, yet at the same time, I felt compelled to express this suffering in my next artwork. Perhaps the grief still within me will make the next piece even more expressive.

History repeats itself, that is what I realised. Tragic injustices echo across time, reappearing in different forms and touching different people. Maybe, through our art, we can send a message that encourages the world to stop these heinous acts against humanity.

As this month comes to an end, I feel that every day I spend in Romania teaches me a new skill and reveals more about my personality and mindset. Every day becomes an unforgettable experience.

This monthly report was written by Aya Hossameldin Saad Mohamed, our Egyptian volunteer taking part in a seven-month Arts Lab 7.0 mobility, co-funded by the European Union under the European Solidarity Corps.