Finding a Common Language 2024
Since 2022, Georgia and Armenia have become new homes for an increasing number of children and young people fleeing war and unrest with their families. Most have been deeply affected by their experiences and are in need of fresh inspiration and motivation to move forward.
With our dedicated partners, artist team, and support from the German Federal Foreign Office, we were on-site to encourage young people from Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Russia, and Nagorno-Karabakh to create a new language together—a language that transcends culture, origin, disability, gender, and other differences, and can be universally spoken and understood. In light of current global challenges, particularly ongoing conflicts, we see the necessity of continuing and evolving this approach.
This year, the focus was on the concept of language through movement, the body, gestures, and the inclusion of music and space—as a symbol of our environment.
In ten days filled with workshops, countless smiles and tears, diverse languages and cultures, 100 hours of music, sung songs, danced emotions, and hundreds of Khachapuri eaten, our wonderful project idea became a reality: the vision of a small society that is equitable and free from prejudice, speaking a new language—a language of art.
This intense process culminated in two impressive performances in Yerevan. What an incredible feeling to fill the hall at the NCA – Small Theater and celebrate this moment together! For those who couldn’t attend, a documentary about the project will be available from December. Even more exciting: this inspiring exchange has already led to the creation of two new projects for next year!
The entire project development has been documented in a short film to share insights and serve as a foundation for future initiatives. In the spirit of sustainability and with the support of our local partners, the results can be presented and discussed multiple times, allowing the project to be replicated. Additionally, the video outcomes of the project will be showcased in Germany.
High Art Bureau is taking over the entire project management from conception to evaluation and documentation.
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Our team
Larisa Afanaseva (Russia/Germany), director and manager of Upsala Circus. She founded Upsala Circus with the aim of giving children and young people from difficult social backgrounds a new perspective through the art of circus and to promote their personal development. In exile in Zeitz, Saxony-Anhalt, she founded a branch of Upsala Circus and works intensively with refugee children in the region.
Ilja Gindin (Bulgaria), a clarinetist known for his passion for klezmer music, which he has been promoting for over 20 years. He has performed in more than 25 countries, including the USA, Canada, China, Israel and Mongolia. He is a member of the group “Dobranotsch”. One of his most notable projects is the “Engel Ensemble”, which toured Germany in 2019, captivating audiences with Jewish music from the early 20th century.
Alica Paeske (Germany), choreographer, professional dancer, model and founder of the social start-up sPERANTO ResPeaceAbility gGmbH. She specialises in Hip Hop (Old School) and incorporates elements of Salsa, Lyrical Jazz, Popping and Krumping into her choreography. Alica works for prestigious clients in TV, online and print advertising as well as cinema, events and music videos. Her past clients include the Black Eyed Peas, ING and Unitymedia, and she has danced in shows such as The Dome and Wetten, dass…?
Hasmik Tangyan (Armenia), a performer, choreographer and dance therapist. Since 2017, her work has focused on exploring issues of history and national identity in the context of contemporary dance in Armenia. In 2018, she founded the Contemporary Choreography Lab (CoChoLab Armenia), where she runs the Contemporary Dance School.
Artak Khachatryan (Armenia), a duduk musician who is a master of this traditional Armenian wind instrument. His music combines classical sounds with modern elements to create a unique atmosphere. He often collaborates with other artists, helping to promote duduk music on the international stage.
Dimitri Lekveishvili (Georgia), a versatile saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger. He studied in the USA and was the musical coordinator and director of the Caucasus Festival 2023. He is also the musical director of children’s projects.
Denis Vedmetskiy (Russia in exile), multi-instrumentalist, artist, director and teacher. He is the founder and leader of the percussion orchestra ‘Drum Theatre’. For many years he has been developing educational and artistic projects, especially for people with special physical needs and socially disadvantaged groups. Denis completed his higher musical education in Moscow and studied circus direction at GITIS (Russian State Institute of Performing Arts). His artistic experiments are based on the fusion of music and contemporary circus. In 2022 he decided to leave Russia before defending his diploma.
About our partners:
Unison NGO for Support of People with Special Needs is a leading organization with the largest network in Armenia. It advocates for the rights of people with disabilities in Armenia. With the aim of achieving full inclusion of people with disabilities, Unison develops and implements regularly funded projects and other activities aimed at improving physical accessibility and access to information, promoting inclusion of people with disabilities in working life, supporting inclusive education, improving coordination and cooperation between disability organizations and implementing other initiatives aimed at improving the overall well-being and social, cultural and economic integration of people with disabilities.
Zirkus Upsala e.V. is a non-profit organization that, since 2000, has been using circus education methods to reintegrate children and young people from social risk groups into society in St. Petersburg. Due to the political situation in Russia, the members of the organization had to flee to Germany, where they now combine professional circus and theater arts directly with social and refugee work.
Antares Media Holding is a publishing house, printing house, advertising and marketing agency that uses modern technologies to ensure high quality products. The company was founded in 1992 and has published more than 2000 books to date.
InForm – Platform for Inclusive Minds supports the development of inclusive arts in Georgia.
Georgian Down Syndrome Association was founded by parents and an adult with Down syndrome. Their mission is to create a dignified and equal environment for people with Down syndrome. The association advocates for the full inclusion and participation of people with Down syndrome in public life, empowers their families, lobbies for services to meet their needs, supports independent living and spreads public awareness on the matter.
Arvestaran Creative Development Center creates a safe and supportive environment where disadvantaged groups and the community at large can build an inclusive and conscious society. The center supports individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities of all ages in expanding and enhancing their life, social and self-help skills. Arvestaran also works with young adults in particularly difficult situations. They offer counseling and creative therapy services such as art, music, dance and crafts, educational services such as preschool and vocational training, capacity building for professionals, and advocacy hubs.
Ukrainian Forum NGO Dopomoga.am is a humanitarian project that helps refugees from Ukraine and Artsakh. They want to make the world a better place for those who find themselves in difficult situations.
Kovcheg – Ковчег – Helping emigrants who left Russia because of the war supports Russian emigrants who disapprove of the military aggression against Ukraine and see no chance for themselves to live in Putin’s Russia.
Cover photo: Noy Stepanyan
The project is funded by the Federal Foreign Office:
