On July 5–6, 2025, the third international training session of Echoes of Unity unfolded in the historic city of Braga, Portugal. Hosted by Biblioteca Lúcio Craveiro da Silva (BLCS) and supported by ZET gallery, the event marked a pivotal moment in the project—transitioning from capacity-building to the collective production of artworks for the upcoming exhibition.
Bringing together artists from across Europe, the Braga session offered a powerful combination of introspective creation, professional insight, and collaborative storytelling.
Day 1: Empowering the Artist
The first day focused on strengthening individual artistic identity while deepening understanding of the European art landscape. A warm welcome and orientation set the tone, followed by the session “Empowering the Artist”—a hands-on workshop responding to feedback from the previous training in Greece. Artists explored personal branding strategies beyond social media, real-life case studies, and artistic research tools tailored to their practice.
A dynamic team-building block led to the co-creation of a symbolic “Artistic Cooperation Contract,” acknowledging individual strengths and shared values within the cohort.
In the afternoon, participants visited the exhibition “SUMMER DAYS” by Ana Vidigal at ZET gallery, where themes of memory and personal symbolism sparked meaningful discussion.
The afternoon was spent on an inspiring walk through Ana Vidigal’s “SUMMER DAYS” exhibition, culminating in conversations about narrative layers in art. The session “Collaborating with an Art Gallery” provided practical information to artists about working with galleries – from curatorial aspects to building visibility.
The day culminated in an Artist Talk with Evgeniya Antonova, a Ukrainian artist in residence, who spoke about her creative experience under conditions of forced migration. The evening ended with a joint dinner at BLCS, project documentation recordings, and an informal exchange.
Day 2: From the Inner Window to the Collective Voice
Saturday was marked by creation. In the morning session “From My Window,” participants explored the metaphor of the window as a space between the personal world and external reality. This reflective tone continued during a co-creation session focused on migration, memory and resilience. Participants collaborated on artworks that combined personal experiences into collective narratives – laying the groundwork for the final exhibition.
In the afternoon, a session on “The Righteous” invited artists to respond to concepts of justice and moral clarity in times of war and upheaval. This emotionally charged creative work highlighted the role of art in shaping ethical discourse.
The session concluded with a joint reflection and curatorial planning of the exhibition, followed by a guided tour of the future exhibition space at BLCS – a chance for artists to imagine their work in context.
From Capacity to Creation
The Braga training session marked a turning point for Echoes of Unity. It moved participants from learning to doing—from self-reflection to co-creation. The experience strengthened both artistic expression and communal connection, offering tools not only to create but to shape cultural meaning.
As artists worked with themes of justice, identity, and resilience, their stories took visual form—poised to resonate with audiences across Europe. Echoes of Unity continues to be more than a training—it is a living network of solidarity, artistic empowerment, and cultural inclusion.
Next step? Individual and group work by the artists on the pieces that will be featured in the upcoming exhibitions—across Italy, Portugal and Poland.
Stay tuned for updates!
