Life is | Testimonials

The Youth Exchange “Life is”/Zivot je brought together young people from 6 European countries to learn with one another the magic of organizing a festival and contributing to the local and regional community of the village Brodek y Prerova where the program and festival took place.

The project was organized by our partners Asociace Dice and funded by the Erasmus+ program and the Czech National Agency Dům zahraniční spolupráce – DZS.

Read what the Greek team is sharing about their experience in the project:

My experience during the Life Is Erasmus + program was very interesting and beneficial in many ways. It was very interesting for me to see how a festival is made backstage. During this procedure, I got the chance to work in teams with people from many European countries with the common cause to create something meaningful and memorable both for ourselves and for the other people to enjoy. The festival days were amazing since we saw our work come to life. But for me, the most memorable experience was during promoting the festival. We got the opportunity to create our own street action day. We dedicated that day at talking to people and trying to spread the values and the messages of the festival in the streets of the nearby town of Olomouc. On that day we got to experience first hand the results that our actions have in the everyday life of the people through simple actions like free hugs and talking.  Overall it was an experience that I will never forget, and I believe that everyone should have the chance to participate in these kinds of projects. – Stella

At first, Zivot Je was just another notification for a Youth Exchange in my email address. After reading the Info letter, Zivot Je was an interesting, different Youth Exchange that was about how to make a Festival. So, I gave it a try, hoping I’ll get the knowledge that I didn’t have about being backstage.

I did get to experience how it is to be backstage, the effort, the preparations, the teamwork, the stress, the communication, the clean-up, etc. But, even before the Festival, I found out that there was more than work and preparations that made the Festival a success and the Youth Exchange so fun. It was the people, the laughs, the late-night conversations, the small talks while waiting to take a bath, the morning walks…. it was the atmosphere that we had created between us, the values that we had shared that made everything such a memorable and worth living experience, at least in my opinion.

After leaving Brodek u Prerova, all of the above was my “extra luggage” but there was one more little bag that contained a really special feeling. The feeling of creating something or to be more precise, the feeling of helping to create something, even by carrying a table or by washing cups. It didn’t matter how big or small the help was. It was a mixture of satisfaction, happiness, pride and a reminder that you, with people that you’ve never met before, actually did something this summer that created an impact, no matter how small or big it was. – Maria

   Life is… full of energy and joy! 

This is what I felt at this youth exchange at Brodek u Přerova, in the Czech Republic. I met interesting people that I still talk with and of course, we are planning to meet again! We laughed together, we hugged, we danced, we cooperated and we felt creative. But also I learned. I learned how to create a festival and how to work together with these people, people with different opinions and backgrounds than me. It taught me how to solve many issues that are coming up and overcome possible disagreements. But it also taught me how to create a bridge between us, full of beautiful moments and will to learn from each other and evolve ourselves.

I also spent a part of my time with people with disabilities and I saw something unexpected: how beautiful and pure souls they are. Much more open-minded than many people in the world. They were feeling joy and happiness with the smallest things, with a dance in front of the festival’s stage, a group game that we were participating all together or by drawing on a paper using their bare hands without caring that they will get dirty. They have so much love in their hearts that filled mine too and I’m glad that I met them!

I left this place feeling full, from the people I met, the activities I participated, the teamwork in order to contribute with the best way we could to this festival and the joy when it actually “came to life”. It was an unforgettable experience and I miss it already! And this… is life! – Athina

Life is/Zivot je festival has a special place in my heart, already since 2017, the first time I got to take part and contribute in it. This festival is made from the people to the people, with a lot of extra heart and soul by its main inspiration and creator, as well as from the people, the family, literally and metaphorically who are behind the scenes, doing the extra mile on a daily basis. Since that summer back then, I could not have imagined a better way to celebrate its uniqueness and authenticity, than blending the festival with non-formal learning and creating a space and opportunity for young people to join the festivities and be part of its creation and organization.

That is, what Life is Youth Exchange has been all about – creating a space where young people with different backgrounds, are able to learn through experiential learning not only about festival management and organization, but even more about themselves, the different cultures, people and stories, expand their perspectives, become compassionate and inspired to bring Life is back to their homes and communities. I am very happy to have been a part of this project and being able to support its facilitation and implementation together with a great team of individuals whom I cherish and have learned a lot from! – Cathy