Project Number: 2019-1-DE02-KA204-006113

Article from the German partner/coordinator, Volkshochschule Olching e.V.; Hélène Sajons

September 21

Solidarity is even more in demand...

...in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic that does not want to end!

Flexible, inventive, adaptable, patient, empathetic, ... all of us who accompany a strategic partnership must be particularly strong. All those involved in our partnership, "Culture and Arts: Bridges to Solidarity" (CABS), looked forward to constructive meetings and exchanges with our European colleagues. We have been meeting exclusively online for a year and a half now! We see each other, we discuss the progress of the project, we make decisions, report on activities and results ... but we cannot eat, laugh, sing, or explore the culture of the partners together. It is a shame, because one of the most important enrichments that European cooperation on Erasmus + projects brings with it, cannot be experienced: the joy of being together! The workshops planned well in advance cannot be held due to travel restrictions in the last 18 months. And yet – together and with solidarity - we have managed to create a lot for our strategic partnership and already have documents, resources, activities, images and much more on the project website https://cabs-erasmus.eu.

• As part of the “Cultural Heritage” theme, we present the culinary and musical traditions of our countries (Finland, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Germany) as well as the non-touristic side of our cities.
   
• Under “Evolution of Arts in Europe” painters from three epochs and eight countries are presented. With activities for learners.
   
• “European Identity and Personalities” is about some celebrities who have played an important role in the development of a common Europe.
   
• “Individual Reminiscences” allow us to experience - in different languages - the experiences and life stories of learners from the partner countries. The experiences of individuals during the pandemic are also shared there.
   
• With “Warm up Activities” and “Various Resources” we provide teachers and learners with a wide range of materials. Numerous activities - online and for face-to-face teaching - are integrated into the various topics. Most of them are designed for language teaching, but they can also be used - amongst others - for arts, history, and political education.

And soon we, colleagues in this strategic partnership, will meet again... online again! But maybe soon "life" too! CABS continues to open doors to solidarity!