Arts Lab 7.0: Beyza Aksu | Month V

As I started reflecting on this month’s report, the first thing that came to my mind was the time I spent in the Open Heart Hub. It truly felt like a month where my mental strength was tested in many ways. Together with my friends, we decorated the hub for the  Emotions exhibition. Painting walls, arranging spaces, and even going furniture shopping. It might sound simple when put into words but it was more like the invisible part of an iceberg. There was so much effort, time, and emotional investment behind the scenes. I can confidently say that I feel proud of what we created. Maybe because of my perfectionist nature, I dedicated more time and energy than expected, but when the exhibition day finally came and the artworks of our artist friend found their place in the hub, it all felt worth it. 

As the decoration team, we felt like “proud parents watching their child’s end of year performance” full of joy, excitement, and a deep sense of accomplishment… Emotionally, this month was quite intense and layered. My roommates, Monica and Hedvika, returned to their countries. We said goodbye to Hedvika with a heartfelt campfire evening in Cucuteni, sharing hotdogs and memories. For Monica, we organized a beautiful farewell through an aesthetic dance workshop led by Marah. Both days were truly unforgettable. And actually this was also my first experience of sharing a room with someone. Beyond the memories we created together, I feel deeply grateful for the impact they left on me. Living together taught me so much about connection, patience, and presence. 

Spending Ramadan Bayram away from my family was another emotional challenge. The homesickness peaked during long phone calls, reminding me how much I missed being there. Shortly after we embraced a new cultural experience by celebrating Easter here in Romania. From egg painting workshops to our cozy Easter brunch at home and egg hunts, these shared moments became incredibly special. Each one holds a meaningful place in my “memory box.” 

And finally, as a small reward to ourselves, we went to the opera. Being part of such artistic experiences with my creative friends made everything feel even more inspiring and meaningful. Maybe it’s because we are approaching the end of this project, but I find myself attaching deeper meaning to everything. This month was not just about what we did, but about what we felt, created, and shared together.

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.