Félag Sagnaþula, Garðabær (Gardabaer), Iceland
Student research lab "Folklore and local history" (Philology Department, Brest State A. S. Pushkin University), Brześć, Belarus
Milanowek Culture Centre, Milanówek, Poland
The town of Milanówek (Mazowieckie Voivodeship) was built on what used to be the Jaktorowska Forest. The town is still rich in green spaces and Milanówek earned itself the Garden City nickname. Municipal documents show that a balanced development of the city has been one of the priorities of the municipality. However, through our observations we have concluded that the subject is often ignored. In 2019, together with four other organizations, we have written an open letter to the Mayor and the City Council in which we have stressed the ecological problems of the municipality and suggesting possible solutions. But we have not received an answer. The general population seems to be ignoring these issues as well, a fact supported by common littering and extensive clearing of the green spaces on private properties.
That is why we would like to engineer a long-term public campaign for the protection of Milanówek’s nature. We would like to organize three preparatory meetings with the citizens, seniors, local activists, and the City Council. We will have a series of workshops with our Norwegian, Islandic, and Belarusian partners. It will allow for exchange of experience between individuals from different parts of Europe. The founder of Fortellerhuset (The House of Tales) from Norway will introduce the participants of our project to the storytelling method, an activation and civic dialogue tool. A storyteller from Islandic storyteller club, or Felag Sagnaþula, will share her storytelling skills. Inna Shved, a Belarusian professor from the Student’s Research Laboratory “Folklore and the Local History” (Philology Department, A.S. Pushkin Brest State University) will present a series of lectures and show potential ways to work in the field, which will help the citizens of Milanówek to appreciate its natural environment. The staff of the Milanówek’s Arts Center will help with organization of workshops and lectures, serving as experts in local history and nature.
