Arts Lab 7.0: Beyza Aksu | Month III - Salted Coffee and Lasting Memories

This month felt like a real memory box. It all started with the Rroma residency, which was genuinely engaging and inspiring from the very beginning. During this residency, we also visited a Rroma village, where we were welcomed with an incredible celebration. Traditional clothing, lively dances, heartfelt songs, and an energizing darbuka performance created a powerful and unforgettable atmosphere.

Being received with such warmth and openness made the experience even more meaningful.

At school, we organized different activities with the children, each one opening a new door to creativity and connection. For both me and the children, the most joyful moment was celebrating Hıdırellez together, it quickly became everyone’s favorite. After that, we began preparing our personal artworks for the exhibition. I truly feel that what we created turned into something very professional, something we could all be proud of. 

Soon after, we started a new residency focusing on Cucuteni culture and emotions. Together with Hedvika, I spent five meaningful days with the children at Școala Profesională Specială TRINITAS. It was a deeply special and unique experience. The week was full of dance, music, painting, and shared moments; intense, emotional, and alive in every sense. We closed those days with a celebration of Friendship Day, ending the residency with a small party that brought everyone together. Not long after, we joined the masked festival hosted by Eva and Oliwia. It turned into a joyful night filled with dancing, music, and laughter By the end, we were completely covered in paint, carrying the traces of a night we won’t forget.

The most unforgettable day of the month for me was Turkish Night. I spent more than three days preparing the food, because in our culture, making guests feel truly special is essential. We shared tarhana soup, kuru fasulye with rice and cacık, börek, lentil köfte, and baklava. The evening continued with Turkish coffee, lokum, and pişmaniye. While preparing the coffee, I secretly added salt to one cup; a small tradition from Turkish culture. As we drank, we tried to guess who had the salty coffee. It was a moment full of laughter and excitement for all of us… although I can’t say the same for Manu, who was the unlucky one that got it. To finish the night, we recreated a traditional Turkish wedding; which was, without a doubt, the most fun and memorable part of all.

This month wasn’t just full; it was layered with stories, emotions, and connections that I will carry with me for a long time. Now, as I pack my bag to head to Bucharest, I’m making sure to leave space; not just for my things, but for the new memories waiting to be created...

This monthly report was written by Beyza Aksu, our Turkish volunteer taking part in a six-month Arts Lab 7.0 mobility, co-funded by the European Union under the European Solidarity Corps.