Solidarity project “xeNOphobia 2.0” is based on creative methods to know more about and fight against xenophobia problems in our society.
What is xenophobia?
Xenophobia has long been a well-known phenomenon in society. From the Greek, the word “xenophobia” is translated as “fear of the unknown”, but today it is intolerance to strangers. They are intolerance of people from other cultures, ethnic, national, religious or social groups, even of the opposite sex, and of people with special needs. It is the original mechanism of human protection – to feel panic fear and intolerance when confronted with a foreign, unfamiliar object or person. Such fears can take many forms, such as violence, aggression or distancing.
In 2020, within the framework of the European Union’s European Solidarity Corps program, the cultural society “Alternative Reality” implemented the project “XeNOphobia2.0”, which aims to unite indifferent people who want to tackle xenophobia, promote tolerance and European values.
In nine months, using modern art opportunities and conceptual art opportunities on the Internet. 9 joint creative workshops and events were organized both in person and remotely. They were organized by the active volunteers of our association, as well as young people from groups at risk of social exclusion, young artists and creative people. Everyone could express themselves as an artist and express their opinion about xenophobia through the methods of contemporary art.
The club “xeNOphobia 2.0” is not only a place where current issues can be discussed, but also a creative center aimed at the participation of interested people in the creation of visual and other conceptual art on the subject of xenophobia. Dissemination on social networks and on the portal WWW.TOLERART.COM, which was created by young people in 2019 within the framework of the Erasmus + program project.
The level of xenophobia varies from one European country to another, but any societal initiative that draws attention to the problem and offers a solution is valuable for Europe.
By discussing, trying to find a solution and exchanging experiences, we can use our diversity as a united force and show how the idea of European values and tolerance can become a connecting link for so many different people.
The “xeNOphobia 2.0” project was funded with the support of the European Commission’s European Solidarity Corps, which is administered by the Agency for International Youth Programs in Latvia. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
