Problem addressed
The festival deals with the problem of social exclusion of vulnerable groups who cannot participate equally with others and be active participants in society. It tries to solve the problem of limited access to cultural and creative content, especially in smaller communities, by offering free content. It deals with challenges in education related to better connection of institutions with the local community, which tends to reduce social fragmentation. It also addresses problems related to environment educating participants on the importance of caring for the environment and promoting sustainable living practices. In the context of globalization it deals with problems of international understanding and cooperation including participants and topics from different parts of the world.
Innovative solution
The idea of the Festival is developed by children through a participatory model in the creation of the Festival. It provides access to a wide range of people by encouraging creativity and cultural development within the community. It includes educational workshops and activities on topics designed by children and young people, which are aimed at all generations, offering them the opportunity to learn through play and creative expression. By focusing on togetherness, bonds within the community are strengthened, and by integrating international participants and diverse topics, intercultural dialogue is encouraged. Through creative workshops and interactive sessions, the Festival encourages innovative thinking and provides a platform for developing creative solutions to social problems.
It is conducted according to the participatory and experiential model of all involved participants who have the task of creating an event that conveys important messages. Each participant pushes personal boundaries on given topics - equal challenge for both children and professionals. The theme is created from different perspectives, in interaction with other cultures, where diversity and difference are integrated with the help of art, creative techniques and tools. This creates a stimulating and inclusive environment, strengthens community awareness and engagement, and uses the power of art, education and collaboration to solve important social issues. It promotes diverse cultures, abilities and origins, global themes, environmental sustainability and global issues.
Key results and benefits
The Festival has become a brand of the city and developer of family tourism, recognizable on an international level (annual visitors between three and five thousand). It brought different themes and 500 artists, pedagogical leaders, 300 creative people from various professions, thousands of volunteers and 40.000 children and young people. It is the winner of the volunteer award for an example of good practice involving volunteers (2016) and recognition for innovative development of the Montessori Global Education Awards (2023). The biggest challenges and difficulties are ensuring stable funding and logistical support, which is still being solved through various sources of funding as well as through good organization, cooperation with local authorities and involvement of volunteers.
Potential for mainstreaming
The Festival plans to expand its programs following the needs and wishes of its users. It has already established cooperation with schools in the County for the year 2024 in order to systematically work with interested schools throughout the current school year on innovative approaches that will be realized during the Festival. An agreement on cooperation was signed with several faculties in Osijek whose students have already joined as volunteers in supporting the implementation of the Festival. The goal is to motivate and fully empower youth as creators of the Festival and performers of individual activities, which is already visible through the involvement of former workshop participants who, after volunteering at the Festival, are now independent performers of some of the workshops.
