Our Erasmus mobility in Belgrade was anything but a classic learning experience. In cooperation with the host organization Kamerades from Belgrade, a collective of professional photographers, we explored how art—particularly street art—can become a powerful tool in adult education. The story of our mobility is a story of colors and the walls of cultural heritage, of the local community, and of creating a new way of learning.
The main goal of our visit was to gain insight into new and innovative approaches in adult education, with a focus on photography, multimedia art, printmaking, and cultural heritage. We were particularly interested in how these artistic tools can support the inclusion of vulnerable social groups, raise awareness about sustainability, and foster intercultural dialogue.
The work was experiential – we took part in simulated workshops, documented the process, engaged in reflections, and contributed to the development of new educational content. We learned how structured work with adults is carried out within local art programs, how photography workshops and exhibitions are organized for the community, and how visual storytelling can represent individuals and groups.
One of the most inspiring moments was connected to a concrete Street Art experience: the mural art of Belgrade. Together with our partners, we began developing a new learning program for blended group mobility of adults, based on street art as a medium of photography and printmaking. We explored artistic gems in neighborhoods like Savamala and Dorćol. Each mural tells its own story—about social movements, the city’s history and identity, and the dreams and visions of local artists. Some have been around for over forty years, some have even been restored multiple times.
Through these images, we designed a learning path that includes research, photo documentation, public space analysis, and creative tasks for participants to express their own view of the community. Educators will have the opportunity to explore murals as cultural artifacts, interpret them, and discuss them in the context of sustainability, community identity, and active citizenship.
The entire approach is based on collaborative, creative and critical-thinking methods. We worked in small groups, planned activities, and reflected on how to integrate art into educational practice. We learned from each other through sharing experiences, best practices, and diverse perspectives.
Along the way, we developed project management, communication, public speaking, and digital skills for preparing and implementing educational content. We also strengthened our knowledge of the Serbian language, which helped us connect with the local community.
Belgrade opened a world where walls are messengers of ideas, streets are classrooms, and people are both teachers and learners. This experience gave us inspiration, knowledge, and new collaborative ideas that we are excited to bring back to our own local environment.
Once again, we would like to thank the Kamerades collective – Marko Risović, Marko Rupena, Nemanja Jovanović, and Nemanja Pančić – for this extraordinary experience. From the Burja collective – thank you!
