From May 23–24, 2025, the second international training session of the EU-funded project Echoes of Unity took place in the vibrant city of Larissa, Greece, hosted at the JOIST Innovation Park. The event brought together participants from four countries, including displaced Ukrainian artists finding refuge and creative momentum across Europe.
Building on the groundwork laid during the first training in Poland, the session in Greece deepened the focus on professional development, digital competencies, and sustainable artistic careers.
Day 1: Turning Vision into Strategy
The first day centered on creative entrepreneurship and the European art market. After a welcoming coffee and a tour of the JOIST exhibition From the Wheel to Artificial Intelligence, the session kicked off with a presentation by Weronika Falkowska from Varsztatovnia (Poland), who reintroduced the goals of Echoes of Unity—highlighting the need to empower artists not only creatively but also entrepreneurially.
Workshops delivered by iED trainers and JOIST experts covered:
- business model development for the cultural sector,
- digital marketing and personal branding,
- legal and financial frameworks for creative enterprises in the EU,
- navigating EU funding opportunities.
The content was practical, hands-on, and tailored to the artists’ real-life needs, equipping them with essential tools to develop sustainable art practices.
Day 2: Creating with Meaning
The second day shifted toward emotional reflection and collaborative creation. Guided by Massimo Mucchiut (Mimma Dreams), participants engaged in a co-creative artistic session rooted in themes of identity, displacement, and collective resilience. These sessions served as a foundation for pieces that will appear in the project’s final exhibition.
A curated visit to the Diachronic Museum of Larissa explored the intersection of innovation and cultural continuity. This excursion provided historical context to contemporary challenges and inspired reflections on the adaptability of displaced communities.
Shared meals and informal exchanges, including a lunch at local Akamatra, helped foster deeper personal and professional connections across country teams.
Community Through Culture
More than just a training event, Echoes of Unity is an evolving community. The experience in Larissa reinforced bonds formed in Poland and created space for new collaborations to emerge.
Looking Ahead
This session successfully continued the mission of the project: to provide displaced Ukrainian artists with knowledge, tools, and a European network that supports their professional integration and creative growth. With each session, the initiative moves closer to a shared final exhibition that authentically captures the voices, visions, and lived experiences of artists shaped by displacement.
Echoes of Unity is about empowerment through art, but also about cultivating solidarity and cultural inclusion across borders!
And now – we’re already looking forward to seeing you soon at the third training session in Portugal!
