Cork City Council Staff Members and a Cork Foyer Resident Visit Sardinia

On the 15th of November 2010, delegations from around Europe, including Greece, Latvia, Spain, Romania, and of course Ireland all arrived in Sardinia to take part in a variety of workshops that aim to combat extreme poverty through theatre as an education methodology. Funded by the ‘Europe for Citizen’s programme’, measure 1.2 networks of twinned towns, the workshops were held over 3 days. On arrival, the delegations were given a warm welcome and a traditional Italian meal hosted by the Mayor of Olmedo, Luigi Ruiu and the councillor of Social Services and Youth, Stefano Piras.

Gábor Gyombolai and Viktor Bori from Kava Theatre Group, based in Budapest, delivered the intense programme. Participants were taught how to use the theatre in education methodology in order to create awareness among young people around their fundamental rights in a situation of poverty and social exclusion. Participants practiced a variety of different activities and games which involved concentration, skill, open mindedness and fun. These included creating a series of static images representing different events in which no verbal communication was used.

What the Irish delegates had to say?

"It was really hard work for the participants, but it was a great opportunity for further cultural and social growth, whilst developing constructive international co-operation and relations".
Barry Waddingham: Cork Foyer Manager

"It was a fantastic opportunity to interact with people from different cultures and countries. It was interesting to see how all the delegations could work together and participate in all the sessions when using verbal communication was a struggle".
Leanne Hennessy: Placement Student in the Cork Foyer

"I really enjoyed it due to the fact that it gave me the chance to interact with other cultures".
Peter Tracey: Cork Foyer Resident