From 31 January to 2 February 2026, the LISTEN project organised the international study visit “LISTEN: Memory, Ritual and Community” in Topolovgrad, bringing together international LISTEN partners and local community members. The visit focused on community engagement through memory, rituals, storytelling and participatory cultural practices, creating a shared space for dialogue, inclusion, and intercultural exchange.
The study visit combined participatory and non-formal methods that encouraged active participation, dialogue, inclusion, and community connection. The programme included storytelling and memory-sharing sessions, where participants explored personal and collective histories and reflected on how memory and local narratives shape community identity.
Participants also took part in the traditional St. Trifon Zarezan celebration, engaging directly with local rituals and cultural practices, and strengthening the link between community traditions and collective memory. A youth short film screening provided space for young people to present creative expressions related to identity, memory, and community life.
An intercultural community gathering and exchange further highlighted the intergenerational and intercultural dimension of the visit, bringing together young people, senior community members, local residents, and international participants in shared dialogue and cultural exchange.
The study visit was implemented in close collaboration with local actors and institutions, including the municipality, cultural centre, museum, and senior community groups, ensuring strong local participation and reinforcing community engagement throughout the programme.
Learn more about the study visit in Bulgaria here!