Storytelling about inspirational dialogues in cultural spaces – Experience of Reflective Citizens in Novi Sad
The ‘Reflective Citizens in Novi Sad’ was launched as an activity of the Psycho-Social Section of the Group Analysis Society Belgrade. Starting in 2014, 16 Reflective Citizens workshops have been organised using different cultural spaces with the desire to inspire associations that encourage cultural dialogue and civic awareness for the time we live in. Reflective Citizens in Novi Sad had a role in the initiative for new bridges among us (citizens), and our thoughts were very linked with curiosity regarding the children’s voice and wishes, so we decided to ask children for their thoughts and children became the active attendees of our workshops.
Reflective Citizens Novi Sad is an example of developing bridges among different divided worlds/groups and confluences of Identity, Culture, Continuity and Change. Since 2014, Novi Sad has been a shelter for ‘Reflective Citizens’ and from the beginning we used (cultural) spaces with the desire that they awaken many associations that encourage cultural dialogue and civic awareness for the time we live in.
The Reflective Citizens project in Novi Sad migrates through cultural spaces twice a year and they have become not only a small and strong citizen’s tradition, but also some cultural shelter space where sharing is safe with a lot of trust, and acceptance of diversity and a good deal of respect.
The integral part of Reflective Citizens Novi Sad is Social Dreaming sessions. Dreams, including children’s dreams, brought us a wide diversity of content. The Social Dreaming matrix has given us unbelievable stories about fears, war, death, hope, trust and sense of life in these nine years. Dreams have shown capacity to feel a premonition of social reality. Unexpectedly motivated, we painted a common picture during the 10th workshop, inspired by heritage, hope, a lot of colors and “greening” needs.
Hope often fights with sadness and difficult feelings, but in the end it wins. Many citizens return to the workshop, perhaps indeed because they get hope that hope exists. Only patience and time transform mulberry’s leaves into silk. Likewise, patience, dedication and perseverance build a beautiful matrix of dialogue, respect and multiculturalism. Reflective Citizens in Novi Sad is a unique opportunity to gather citizens, strengthen dialogue, and overcome uncertainty in these unknown global circumstances.
Reflective Citizens in Novi Sad as a form of coming together and place for cultural dialogue is connected with the idea and activities of the Novi Sad European Capital of Culture 2022: strengthening cultural identity, nurturing hospitality and promoting cultural heritage, contributing to understanding migration processes, contributing to conflict resolution, nurturing and improving public spaces and nurturing diversity, as well as the willingness to hear the voice of children and recognize their wishes.
Reflective Citizens in Novi Sad has the aim to initiate new bridges among us (citizens). A few applied reflective workshops organized, beside all, as a Reflective weekend: Reflection by Drawing/painting, Reflection on Health, Reflective Walk, Reflective Dance. The workshops brought together different genders, generations (from 4 to plus 80), opinions, nationalities, professions and built a bridge in the divided everyday life.
Reflection on Reflection of youngest citizens in Novi Sad – Experience of Confluences Identity, Culture, Continuity and Change is given in publication https://grupnaanaliza.org.rs/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DGA-Gradjani-u-promisljanju-website.pdf and presented our fruitful Reflective weekend
During years 2019, 2020 and 2021 matrices have shown metamorphosis from impossibility to finish things, via losing identity and losing nearest people and family members, towards children in the role of rescuers and their need to establish control over their lives. The majority of dreams were about extreme fears for life and some of them have spoken about trying to escape somewhere very, very far away like cosmonauts in the Universe where it should be nice and peaceful. Later matrices have shown hope and beauty especially through children’s dreams.
The experiential process, but also the reflection of the artwork and messages made by children, gave us hope in the future. Reflective Citizens Novi Sad is one example of an experiential place where divided Worlds can Meet in Confluences of Identity, Culture, Continuity and Change.
Marija Jevtic, MD PhD
Public health expert, full professor, University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Serbia; Group AnalystGASi, GAS Belgrade