Skopje Creative Camp
The project Theatre Reconnecting with Youth (TRY) develops and tests innovative methods for transnational and sectoral collaboration, encouraging theatre creators from North Macedonia, Greece, and Serbia to connect with young audiences in the region. Over two years, artists from four countries and high school students will engage in multidisciplinary creative research through gamified approaches, expert-led workshops, and international collaborations, exploring the theme of the economy.
The project aims to address the lack of youth engagement (ages 13-20) in theatre, foster empathetic connections between artists and young audiences, and promote sustainability through eco-conscious practices. By integrating gamification, co-creation, and virtual tools, TRY seeks to develop new communication models, encourage open discussions on socio-economic issues, and implement environmentally responsible processes.
TRY is a partnership among five organizations (Eho Animato, Peripetija, ArtCanAct, Tri Groša, ViceVersa) and is co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.
From August 27–31, 2024, the TRY project (Theatre Reconnecting with Youth) kicked off with an intensive creative camp in Skopje, bringing together 45 high school students from North Macedonia, Greece, and Serbia. Through collaborative exploration, participants delved into one of today’s most challenging taboos: money.
What are money? How do they shape our perception of ourselves, others, society, and even the planet we live on?
The camp’s methodology combines creative exercises, relevant texts, and gamified strategies to encourage participants to critically examine the role of money in their lives. Utilizing both in-person workshops and virtual collaboration tools, the project fosters dialogue and innovation.
During their stay in Skopje, participants also explored key landmarks, including the Museum of Contemporary Art—a symbol of solidarity, reflecting one of the project’s core values. This initiative is designed to build meaningful connections among youth while inspiring conversations on pressing social themes.
OPEN CALL
They say it makes the world go round, that it doesn’t grow on trees and we shouldn’t play with it, but also that it can’t buy you happiness. So what is money? Have you ever thought about how money influences the way we perceive ourselves, each other, our societies, our planet?
We invite you to TRY to answer these questions through creative workshops and collaboration with peers and artists from several countries.
Creative tools and methods, as well as conversations with professionals from different fields, will be the entry points for this cross-disciplinary journey that will result in an artistic production in 2025. A group of 45 young people from Serbia, North Macedonia, and Greece will explore the concept of money and will TRY to develop their knowledge, express their creative skills, sharpen critical thinking, and engage in an international collaboration, during this 16-month-long project. A series of workshops, talks, and virtual collaborations will expand into professional artistic productions that will engage our creative, theoretical, and imaginative abilities.
The entire program is free for the participants and will take place in Belgrade, Skopje, and Athens, as well as online.
Through the TRY project, you will:
– Gain knowledge and a better understanding of the subject of money through research and the scientific approach of 10 experts from various fields (anthropology, sociology, economics, design, etc.)
– Explore new creative skills with 10 creative and interactive performing arts workshops in Belgrade/Athens/Skopje with a variety of artists
– Participate in the Kick-off camp with peers and artists from 3 countries in Skopje, North Macedonia on August 27-31, 2024 with all expenses fully covered (travel, accommodation, food). All participants from Serbia, Greece, and North Macedonia will be involved in this camp.
– Participate in the creation of an International Virtual Collaboration platform with peer groups from the 3 participant countries.
– Participate in the Feedback Camp with peer groups from the 3 participant countries, which will take place in Belgrade, Serbia in 2025 (dates TBA) with all expenses fully covered.
– Be part of a unique creative process that will lead to professional artistic productions in 2025 in Belgrade, Skopje, and Athens
So, if you are:
A high school student (15-18 years old)
Curious
Interested in the topic of money.
Fascinated by the arts (writing, performing, music, painting, DJing, video art, gaming etc.)
Ready to commit and participate in the project from August 2024 till March 2026 (twice a month, as well as during the camps and rehearsals).
Then it’s time for you to apply to be a part of the TRY quest.
Deadline: May 25th, 2024 at midnight.