Echoes of Unity: the first meeting between the artists of the project
12 March 2025 was an important day for Echoes of Unity: the project that supports Ukrainian artists displaced by war, offering visibility, training and concrete opportunities to make their art known on the European scene.
In fact, after an intense and exciting selection process, nine Ukrainian artists, the real protagonists of this project, were chosen.
protagonists of this journey, who had the opportunity to meet for the first time, through a virtual meeting. There, the beneficiaries and representatives of the target organisations, Mimma Dreams APS, BLCS,
Biblioteca Lúcio Craveiro da Silva and Fundacja Varsztatovnia, had the opportunity to get to know each other more closely, share their experiences and discuss their artistic vision.
This first meeting was a valuable moment of exchange, in which each artist was able to talk about his or her journey, inspirations and expectations for the future.
Besides reinforcing the sense of community among the participants, the meeting was also an opportunity to deepen the project's programme: the milestones that will see them involved in the coming months were explained in detail. From targeted training and creative support to the possibility of exhibiting their works in prestigious contexts, the project is a unique opportunity for professional growth and visibility on the European art scene.
Breaking the ice
The meeting was facilitated by the President and facilitator of Mimma Dreams APS, Agnese Berton, and began with a welcome message and a rather creative and imaginative presentation of oneself: we asked each participant to introduce themselves through a meaningful object. A small gesture that revealed different stories, passions and perspectives.
Afterwards, we moved on to sharing the objectives of the project and the great opportunity offered by European programmes. In fact, without the Creative Europe programme, this route would not exist. The overall objective of the project was also reiterated: to create a space in which art can continue to exist, be valued and told. This route is not just a series of workshops and exhibitions, but a concrete opportunity for every displaced artist to build their future on the European scene.
Why Echoes of Unity?
For those approaching this wonderful route for the first time, we would like to remind you that Echoes of Unity is a project funded by the European Union through the CREA programme (project ref.
101173918). It will run for two years, from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2026, and will provide Ukrainian artists with concrete tools to emerge in the European art market, through training, exhibitions and digital sharing and promotion spaces.
The project is supported by four European organisations, each with specific expertise in the cultural and artistic sector. For more information on the project, click here.
The artistic vision
One of the most interesting moments of the meeting was the discussion of artistic visions. Each artist was given five minutes to talk about their approach to art, their sources of inspiration and the materials used. This gave an insight into the diversity of each participant's artistic world and laid the foundations for future collaborations and creative exchanges.
Key Activity
In the coming months, the participants will have access to a series of transnational training sessions on key topics for those who want to establish themselves in the art world:
Creating and managing one's artistic brand
Marketing and promotion strategies
Digitisation and online visibility
Organisation of exhibitions and cultural events
Networking with European art institutions
Managing emotions and stress in the artistic journey
But it doesn't end there! In addition to training, artists will have the opportunity to exhibit their works in physical exhibitions in Italy, Poland and Portugal, as well as in digital spaces. This will be made possible thanks to the support of iED - Institute of Entrepreneurship Development, which will make available to the consortium all of its
its experience and passion in the creation of high-impact digital platforms.
Website
For those who want to learn more about the project or follow updates on planned activities, the official echoes-of-unity.eu website is available.
This first meeting is just the beginning of a path that will give Ukrainian artists concrete tools to build their artistic future.
Creativity needs spaces and opportunities to emerge, and Echoes of Unity wants to be just that: a starting point for art without borders and without war.