Group Mobilities of Adults under the Erasmus+ Programme: Fostering Creativity and Intercultural Dialogue 

In early June, Kraljevo became, for a few days, a space for writing, conversation, and searching for a common language, among different people, cultures, and worlds. As part of the creative writing workshop Erasmus+ organized by Zavod Burja in collaboration with Serbian partner Imam ideju, participants from Slovenia spent three days in a creative and intercultural environment, where every voice was heard, every story mattered, and every moment was valuable.

The guiding idea of the program was creative writing as a form of expression, reflection, and connection. In the city center, between the museum, the theatre, and the peaceful oasis of the Žiča monastery, participants explored the stories of the local community and of each other. Slowly, attentively, through writing exercises, observation, and shared readings. But these were not just writing workshops. They were also invitations to dialogue, inner listening, and respectful encounters with difference.

For many participants, this experience was the first opportunity to express their thoughts in a way that truly made them feel heard. Many of us initially felt like we had nothing to say. But we returned with the feeling that we had truly been heard.

In the courtyard of the Adžića House, where the editorial team of the literary magazine Povelja is based, a unique creative environment emerged. Our mentor, writer Dejan Aleksić, gently and humorously guided the writing and reading processes – never pushing anyone, but just enough to help many participants feel encouraged and express themselves in ways they hadn’t imagined before. Writing wasn’t about perfection, but about honesty. Not about the product, but about the process. And in that process, we grew.

The program blended individual and group work. From initial exercises where we wrote about ourselves, our inner spaces, memories, and desires, the work evolved toward collaboration. Co-writing exercises with local participants were one of the strongest moments of the mobility. In pairs or small groups, collaborative texts emerged – short stories, dialogues, poems – that were not just the result of cooperation, but of trust. When two people, who had not even known each other days before, created a story together, bonds were formed that transcended cultural, linguistic, and generational differences.

The content was also interwoven with cultural exploration. Visits to the museum and park dedicated to the anti-fascist resistance, the theatre, and the serene Žiča monastery contributed to returning writing into place – and place into writing. The city was not just a backdrop, but an active part of the learning process. Participants observed it, smelled it, listened to it, felt it – and then wrote about it. As if about a person, a host, a world that welcomed them for a few days. One participant remarked that she never imagined she would experience such an immediate scent of linden trees in the middle of a creative writing workshop.

The atmosphere between the Slovenian group and the Serbian hosts was more than pleasant – it was homely, safe, and connecting. Informal evening talks, spontaneous conversations after workshops, exchanging photos, poems, and thoughts – all this was weaving a sense of community. In this atmosphere, even participants who usually struggle to engage in formal education showed remarkable progress in their participation in cultural activities.

The mentors and organizers were attentive to the needs of the group. Each person was included in a way that suited them. Sometimes it was just a present gaze, other times a written letter, or a spontaneous poem. All were expressions of authenticity, presence, and collaboration. Moments of reflection also played an important role – when participants shared what they had experienced, how they felt, and what they wished to take home. Many agreed that the sense of community was the most surprising and touching element – how quickly and sincerely people can connect when given a safe and creative space.

With this program, Zavod Burja once again demonstrated how powerful a tool art can be in adult education – especially for those with fewer opportunities. Creative writing was not just a way to improve language skills, but above all, a means of empowerment, building self-confidence, and opening spaces for dialogue. The retreat successfully brought together key aspects of modern adult education: interculturality, artistic expression, personal growth, and community-based learning.

We once again thank the locals, co-organizers, mentors, and above all, all the participants, for everything beautiful that has been. And especially for everything beautiful that will grow from it.

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Text: Damir Hauptman

Photo: Nikola Predović