About the project

Voices through Water is a performance and toolkit, born out of the Erasmus+ project “My Elections-My EU!”. In a process of two years, young people expressed their views and political demands through creative methods about what kind of Europe they want to live in.

logo project My election My eu

In the run-up to the elections of the European Parliament June 2024, participants critically examined core issues of climate crisis and migration and travelled to Lampedusa and Lake Zicksee. The project was led by Südwind in collaboration with nine artistic and non profit organizations from Austria, Czechia, Italy, Poland and Slovenia.

Being at these hotspots of important political and humanitarian topics, had a deep impact on the youth and the team, as they engaged directly with the realities behind these issues: In Lampedusa we met Vito Fiorino, a fisherman, who shared his story of the tragedy that occurred on the 3rd of October 2013 of the island’s shores. We also talked to volunteers from the Red Cross hot spot and Caterina Jazira Famularo working therapeutically with refugees and local people through art. At the nearly dried-up lake Zicksee, we met a regional nature protection officer who spoke about the climate crises and its impacts on the local ecosystem, as well as Jutta Matysek sharing her knowledge on local activism.

We formed a participatory space for connection and expression through dance, theatre, acrobatics, film and advocacy workshops. Through this creative process, young people explored different aspects of migration and the climate crisis, transforming them into site-specific performances (Karlsplatz Vienna May 2024, European Parliament and Place de la Monnaie Brussels October 2024).

In a roundtable discussion with their newly elected MEPs, young people expressed their demands and engaged in interesting discussions.  

“Voices through water“ was an inspiring experience that highlighted the possibilities in engaging with art and politics and fostered self-expression, exploration and change. 

About us

Participating organisations

CESIE ETS

Društvo Humanitas – Center Za Globalno Učenje In Sodelovanje

Ekumenická Akademie, Z. S.

Fundacja Kupuj Odpowiedzialnie

Fundacja Sztukmistrze

Fuori Verein Für Performative Kunst

Kud Kulturno Umetniško Društvo Transformator

Prosvěta S.R.O.

Südwind Verein für Entwicklungspolitik und Globale Gerechtigkeit

Teatro Atlante Cooperativa Sociale Arl