Arts Lab 7.0: Eva Below | Month IV

Dear Journal, the finals are tomorrow ! *

During the period from 15 December to 15 January, my activities combined intercultural education, organisational work, a holiday break, and the beginning of the Rroma residency. On 15 December, I worked at Ion Creangă School with a middle school class as part of the Intercultural Festival Activities, guiding the students in creating a stand representing France with a focus on the Alsatian Christmas market. On 18 December, the students presented their stand during the Intercultural Festival alongside other classes representing different countries. In the following days, I carried out organisational and maintenance tasks, including cleaning and tidying the ACT House, and on 22 December I coordinated house organisation together with my colleagues. My vacation took place from 23 December to 9 January. From 10 January onwards, I was involved in the Rroma residency at Ion Creangă School, where I worked with middle school students on designing and preparing the exhibition room.

Throughout this period, I felt engaged and motivated when working with students, particularly during the intercultural activities, as their curiosity and creativity were very stimulating. The festival presentation generated a sense of satisfaction and pride in the collective work accomplished. The organisational tasks before the holidays felt practical and grounding, while the vacation period allowed me to expand my horizons. At the start of the Rroma residency, I felt focused and inspired by the hands-on, collaborative nature of the work.

This period helped me better understand the importance of clear structure combined with creative freedom when working in educational and intercultural contexts. I learned that students are more confident and involved when they actively participate in the creative process and when their work is prepared for a public presentation. I also gained further experience in collaborative spatial thinking, particularly in adapting exhibition design to a school environment and to the capacities of young participants.

In the coming months, I plan to continue developing participatory and intercultural projects, building on the methods used during the festival and the Rroma residency. I intend to apply what I have learned by strengthening collaborative approaches, improving preparation for public outcomes, and further developing my skills in exhibition design within educational settings.

*This is the sentence we repeat over and over these days. I taught the others the Jungle Speed game. They are now addicted. It’s always one more game. The finals are always tomorrow.

This monthly report was written by Eva Below, our French volunteer taking part in a seven-month Arts Lab 7.0 mobility, co-funded by the European Union under the European Solidarity Corps.