Support Young Artists Impacted by COVID-19

Breaking Walls 2022 Yerevan Summit

by Barcelona artist María Cárdenas

Once again Breaking Walls has been a home for growth, mindfulness, mutual learning, friendship, and leadership. As an artist from Barcelona who has been part of the program for four years, I have realized that every Summit is a unique experience where the vulnerability of each individual - of every artist - builds up a collective, a connection, and the strength and the hope for a bright future.

It was easy to connect to every artist right from the very beginning. At first, we were warmly received by the Armenian artists who were excited to show us the culture and language of Armenia through the music, dances, and also by talking about the complicated history of their country. This made us feel closer to them as artists and friends but also closer to their culture. Once we started with the creative writings and the ensemble-building activities, we got to know each artist and their background more in-depth from a much more vulnerable place. We built a safe space where everyone was respected and heard and, through this, we were able to get to know each other in a way that wouldn't be possible outside Breaking Walls.

When our Directors of Theater Performance, Aina Cuesta and Angela Constantinidou, put together the final script with our writings and we started working on the play “The Sound of my Soul”, we were already a family and we found a lot of support in each other during the rehearsals. The final show was a very emotional moment for all of us; the artists, directors, ambassadors, and the audience. We were surprised to hear how the connections within the group were felt by the audience in our monologues and some of them doubted if we had really only known each other for two weeks!

However, we also connected with each other and had fun during our other activities of cultural exploration like the visits to the different museums or the walks around the different cities and the Sevan Lake, which were very enriching. We had a wonderful tour organized by Arpi Maghakyan and Sona Bianjyan, the Director of Cultural Exploration and an artist from the Armenian delegation, around the city of Yerevan. We got to sing Karaoke all together, dance to Armenian traditional songs, and learn the Armenian folk dance. We prepared traditional Armenian food like the lavash bread or the Armenian Tolma - which was delicious. Nevertheless, one of the most special activities at the Summit was the night we had dinner at the Armenian artists’ homes. They were very kind and welcoming and prepared traditional and delicious food for us. This made us feel part of the Armenian culture and we learned many things about the differences and similarities that bring us all together.

On the other hand, the visit to the Orran Children’s Center was very inspiring, too. We spent the day with children from vulnerable families in Yerevan writing and performing our different collective poems and stories and it was a great opportunity to learn how not even language is a barrier to connect. We found that many children didn’t speak much English, however, we realized that we could understand each other through our voices, our art, and through respect for one another. It was great fun and an experience we all will keep very close to our hearts. The feeling of collective understanding also came from the Rainbow Connect Conversation hosted by Dannie Kagan, our Director of Leadership. Every delegation got the opportunity to share a part of their country and their culture with the rest; through music, through stories, and even through food! It was inspiring and fascinating, and we learned a bit more from Morocco, Chile, Poland, Armenia, Spain, South Africa, the United States, and Germany. 

During the Summit, we also took different workshops to develop our leadership skills. Throughout the two weeks, we worked with Condola Rashad, a multi-talented artist, and actress who was, too, our Mindfulness Mentor. In her online sessions, we got a chance to watch how we felt and to be in the present which opened us to new spaces not just for creativity but also for self-knowledge and learning about our inner voice. Jessie Fullenkamp, our Health & Wellness Ambassador, also helped us reflect upon ourselves and our identities to embrace them and others and become the outspoken artists and leaders that the world needs. Moreover, Adina Taubman, who was our Director of Creative Activism, taught us how everything can be transformed into something creative and the power that lies in words. With her, we transformed the exact transcripts of interviews that we had done with different inspiring activists into short plays that showed this person's life and work. It was really interesting to see how every play interpreted the interview’s transcript differently with a lot of creativity even using the same words that the interviewee used.

So, to sum up, the three words that I would use to describe this Summit would definitely be connect, create, and change. We did not only connect to others and their cultures and their backgrounds,... we connected with ourselves to find our inner voices; we did not only create a poem, a drawing, a song, or a play,... we created bonds, strength, and awareness; so we change, we changed within ourselves to become the leaders of tomorrow and we changed our surroundings by being proof of how the world’s youth can come together in understanding to be the voice against injustice and discrimination.

Links:

• "The Sound of My Soul" performance video

Hello, dear valued GlobalGiving believers in and supporters of the Breaking Walls tenth-anniversary, first post-COVOD Yerevan Summit in July 2022.

Breaking Walls is excited to share that since our January 2022 Report we have selected our 2022 In-Country Director of Cultural Exploration!

May I introduce you to Arpine Maghakyan? 

Arpy was born and raised in Yerevan. She studied at the State Institute of Theatre & Cinema where she earned a Masters's Degree in cinematographic art, specializing in directing, screenplay writing, and acting. Currently, Arpi is the Head of the Actors’ Department, organizing and managing actors’ all the logistics and operations for Opera and Ballet Performances at the Opera and Ballet National Theater in Yerevan. Even more exciting for Breaking Walls 2022 Yerevan, Arpi is a creator of Flashmob video content! 

Additionally, Arpy has recruited the eight young men and women in Yerevan who will collaborate as artists during the Summit.

Who is a Breaking Walls artist?

A Breaking Walls artist is the first step on our path to leadership. Artists, ages 13 to 16, go through a rigorous four-step application process. Once invited to join Breaking Walls these young people write and perform their original work for a live audience during Breaking Walls International Summits.

We have secured a safe and beautiful space for our stay as a creative community. This space will also host our daily Workshops.

It is the renowned artist retreat Machanents Hause. It is located in Echmiadzin City which is 20 minutes away from Yerevan. https://www.britannica.com/place/Ejmiatsin

What are our next steps? 

Each delegation is excitedly booking their airfares to and from Yerevan. Arpy is busy booking our cultural activities throughout Yerevan. These include Walking Tours with Tea; Master Traditional Armenian Cooking Classes with a Local Family; Terra-Cotta Studio Pottery Classes; Cafesjian Center for the Arts, Encounter with the Artist Education Program; and, Guided Tours of the History Museum of Armenia. Each of these experiences promises to build a common bond between our 2022 artists and ambassadors!

Please, spread the word among your family, friends, and network about our cause @http://goto.gg/53952

Many, many thanks!

Fran Tarr, Executive Director & Founder

EDITED:

Hello dear valued GlobalGiving believers in and supporters of Breaking Walls tenth-anniversary, first post-COVOD Yerevan Summit in July 2022.

Breaking Walls is excited to share that since our September 2021 campaign we have guided Community-Based Initiatives with young people at EOLIA in Barcelona, the Institut Banus in Cerdanyola del Valles, and a Virtual Artist Cooperative with the young people at the Paula Furst Schule in Berlin. The outcome was three absolutely inspiring performances, and invitations for six new artists to join their 29 global brothers and sisters in Yerevan!

May I introduce you to Emma from EOLIA, and the impact of your support? Emma, 17, is one of the six new artists, and a dedicated, inquisitive student, actor, and emerging global citizen. 

“When I found the Breaking Walls Initiative at EOLIA online I was shocked because I hadn't seen any course similar to this one. I did my research and watched some of the videos on their website where each artist described their experience as unique and something they'll treasure in their hearts forever. 

“I was really excited to form part of it because I love meeting new people and cultures. I hadn’t expected this Initiative would help me so much. Just two days before starting, I found out that we had to write our own script. I got really nervous because in no way I would be able to do that. But I decided that I had to try because I love writing, and going out of my comfort zone would be really positive.

“At the end I practiced my English but I also got to write such deeply personal things in an artistic way and share them with all of my fellow artists. It wasn’t all about my texts but the beautiful things the other girls shared. I got to meet amazing Breaking Walls facilitators Aina, Núria, and Josh. They were really kind and helpful. I loved hearing their stories, careers, hobbies, and how they discovered Breaking Walls. Also, us, the artists formed a great connection in only two days! It was so nice listening to each other and seeing how we could relate to some things or connect with others.

“What's mind-blowing is that we got to perform it with a script we created. And finally Fran. I look up to her a lot. Having the courage to travel this much and starting Breaking Walls from scratch demonstrates what a brave person she is. I can only wish one day I'll be able to help people the way she does.

“For this reason, I am proud to form part of the Breaking Walls family in Yerevan for the 2022 Summit. I can only imagine the feeling of meeting new people from around the world and sharing stories. I want to hear every detail. In my opinion, going on this type of trip makes you grow as a person, being more empathetic and making you want to fight against all the injustices of this world. I’m really privileged to have a house, to have an education, and be living in this city. I feel really lucky to have found this organization and have the chance to form part of it.So, by going on the trip and meeting all these different people, it's what makes it all special. All the videos of past artists I've watched describe the experience as something so unique and inexplicable. Even though they are in a different country, they are in such a safe place and make friendships that they think they will treasure forever.”

You can be assured that Emma’s excitement fuels and focuses our energies on ensuring each and every artist reaches Yerevan on July 1, 2022! 

What is our next step? The applications to recruit eighth artists living in Yerevan are being sent via the US. Embassy in Yerevan’s English Learning Program!

Please, spread the word among your family, friends, and network of our cause @http://goto.gg/53952

Many, many thanks!

Fran TarrExecutive Director & Founder

Hello dear valued GlobalGiving believers in and supporters of Breaking Walls tenth-anniversary, first post-COVOD Yerevan Summit in July, 2022.

Breaking Walls is excited to share that since our September 2021 campaign we have guided Community-Based Initiatives with young people at EOLIA in Barcelona, the Institut Banus in Cerdanyola del Valles, and a Virtual Artist Cooperative with the young people at the Paula Furst Schule in Berlin. The outcome was three absolutely inspiring performances, and invitations for six new artists to join their 29 global brothers and sisters in Yerevan!

May I introduce you to Emma from EOLIA, and the impact of your support? Emma, 17, is one of the six new artists, and a dedicated, inquisitive student, actor, and emerging global citizen. 

“When I found the Breaking Walls Initiative at EOLIA online I was shocked, because I hadn't seen any course similar to this one. I did my research and watched some of the videos on their website where each artist described their experience as unique and something they'll treasure in their hearts forever. 

“I was really excited to form part of it because I love meeting new people and cultures. I hadn’t expected this Initiative would help me so much. Just two days before starting, I found out that we had to write our own script. I got really nervous because in no way I would be able to do that. But I decided that I had to try because I love writing, and going out of my comfort zone would be really positive.

"At the end, I practiced my English but I also got to write such deeply personal things in an artistic way and share them with all of my fellow artists. It wasn’t all about my texts but the beautiful things the other girls shared. I got to meet amazing Breaking Walls facilitators Aina, Núria, and Josh. They were really kind and helpful. I loved hearing their stories, careers, hobbies and how they discovered Breaking Walls. Also, us, the artists formed a great connection in only two days! It was so nice listening to each other and seeing how we could relate to some things or connect with others. 

“What's mind-blowing is that we got to perform it with a script we created. And finally Fran. I look up to her a lot. Having the courage to travel this much and starting Breaking Walls from scratch demonstrates what a brave person she is. I can only wish one day I'll be able to help people the way she does.

"For this reason, I am proud to form part of the Breaking Walls family in Yerevan for the 2022 Summit. I can only imagine the feeling of meeting new people from around the world and sharing stories. I want to hear every detail. In my opinion, going on this type of trip makes you grow as a person, being more empathetic and makes you want to fight against all the injustices of this world. I’m really privileged to have a house, to have an education, and be living in this city. I feel really lucky to have found this organization and have the chance to form part of it.

"So, by going on the trip and meeting all these different people, it's what makes it all special. All the videos of past artists I've watched describe the experience as something so unique and inexplicable. Even though they are in a different country, they are in such a safe place and make friendships that they think they will treasure forever.”

You can be assured that Emma’s excitement fuels and focuses our energies on ensuring each and every artist reaches Yerevan on July 1, 2022! 

What is our next step? The applications to recruit eighth artists living in Yerevan are being sent via the US. Embassy in Yerevan’s English Learning Program!

Please, spread the word among your family, friends, and network of our cause @ http://goto.gg/53952

Many, many thanks!

Fran Tarr

Executive Director & Founder