“Identity and globalization – challenges for youth initiatives” – phase 2

After taking part to a training on tackling stereotypes and promoting intercultural learning and tolerance, the participants of the project “Identity and globalization – challenges for youth initiatives” set off to visit ethnic villages of the Mari El Republic close to the city of Morki, where different ethnicities live together peacefully.

Meeting the inhabitants of these villages and discussing with them about their culture of tolerance in a multicultural, multiconfessional context was for the youngsters a real experience of return to the sources. They got warmly welcomed and hosted by the villagers who demonstrated their traditions. Furthermore, the participants got a chance to meet with representatives of youth organisations who strive to preserve their culture in a contemporary setting.

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The participants meet the representative of the Tatar youth organisation “IDEL”

Our participants also met a group of German young people who were taking part in an exchange programme. The two groups friendly merged during the 3 days of the visit. They met with the representants of Mari and Tatar cultural associations, visited old mills, received an initiation to national dancing and got a chance to discuss with the local inhabitants. This gave to the local participants a good occasion to already interact with foreigners and help them get acquainted with the local culture. This already constituted a valuable experience for them.

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The participants in front of their dormitory

The next phase of the project will be dedicated to prepare the activities in schools and universities to promote tolerance and intercultural learning among the local and foreign students.

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Traditional welcoming party of the Mari people: music, bread and cheese

The project “Identity and globalization – challenges for youth initiatives” is supported by the European Youth Foundation together with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Mari El Republic and the Mari State University.

More information about the first phase of the project here.

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