Nurture Earth and spirit
Resilience through Nature and Art
23.9. – 1.10.2025, Smolnik, Slovenia
11.4. - 19.4.2026, Smolnik, Slovenia
PIA: Play, improvisation and art was two-part training course for youth workers where the body, art, and play met in learning.
The expereince is best described in words of Greta, who took part in it:
Such a special time to return to Smolnik for another round of Play, Improvisation and Art. We gathered together with around 30 participants in both Sept and now in April for 9 days in the beautiful arms of the mountains of Slovenia. I love how the first training was full of fog and msytery, difficult to see afar, we were quite stuck inside. I could witness nature in its dreamy state, others getting sick, how to still hold the space when people are falling out? There were still moments of playfulness, improvisation, embodiment - what I came here for. I loved the content that was given to us, a peak into trauma-informed spaces, contact improv and clay making which we had to destroy after - which is a beautiful reminder of what truly matters is the process, not the result.
The second time coming back with almost the same people was special to reconnect with them and deepen the bonds. This time it was for us to hold space which was beautiful to experience others sharing their gifts with us.
It rekindled the spark in me as well to hold space for others, being present, attuning with the group.
It was truly a space to connect with my body more, feel, sense, listen, move intuitively in connection with my environment and others.
The shadow theater brought so much light in the dark, how amazing it is to play with our shadows.
Thank you for Smolnik, the mountains to hold us here again. For letting me see your beauty in more clarity, seeing more afar this time.
Thank you especially for Prija, Kristina, Jasper and Guseppe.
Thank you for Erasmus+ for funding these kinds of trainings, it's truly a gift!
Video from the project
Testimonials
And what did we experience and learn?
»Grounding, authentic and beautiful. It feels like we strip away everything except the essential of what it means to live and to have a good life. To feel the earth and connect to the rest of the senses, which we can give less attention to, was really beautiful. The biggest insight I would say has been how important it’s to be present and loving, with ourselves and others. «
~Matthew Jacob
»This youth exchange was quite special for me because it is quite rare to built such deep and meaningful connections within just two weeks. Already from the beginning of the exchange, we co-created a wonderful soft and authentic space that continued to grow. After this time we shared, I feel deeply connected with these wonderful souls, I learned a lot about how I can nourish and prioritize my belonging to the earth and I cannot wait to organize more exchanges in the future. «
~Chalulu
»It's inspiring to see how Erasmus plus can create something so beautiful in 12 days. I liked to see how we changed from unknown people to a community. I sometimes enjoyed watching people eating, while having funny conversations. I loved watching the shooting stars together and dancing at night or singing near the fire. I felt in the right place, I felt safe, loved and happy. « ~Carlos
