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
Milanówek (Mazowieckie Voivodeship) was established in areas that were once covered by the Jaktorów Forest. There is still plenty of greenery in the urban space, and Milanówek itself is often referred to as a garden city. Municipal documents indicate that sustainable development is one of the city’s priorities. However, from our observations, it was often overlooked. In 2019, together with other organizations, we wrote an open letter to the mayor and councilors, highlighting the environmental issues in the municipality and proposing specific solutions. We received no response. Some residents also displayed a dismissive attitude towards these issues, evident in actions such as littering and intensive tree felling on private properties.
Therefore, we wanted to conduct a campaign to protect the nature of Milanówek. We organized three informative-preparatory meetings with residents, including seniors, local activists, and the city council. We also conducted workshops and lectures with partners from Norway, Iceland, and Belarus. This allowed for an exchange of experiences among people from different European countries. The founder of Fortellerhuset (House of Stories) from Norway introduced the participants of our project to the method of storytelling as a tool for engagement and social dialogue. A storyteller from Felag Sagna?ula, an Icelandic club of local storytellers, shared storytelling skills with the participants. Thanks to her workshops, the Milanówek Map of the Invisible City was created, which can be used for independent city walks. Ina Shved, a professor from the research laboratory “Folklore and Local History” at Brest State University in Belarus, presented outdoor activities that helped Milanówek residents appreciate its nature. Employees of the Milanówek Cultural Center supported us in organizing workshops and lectures on promotion and technical support. We also prepared a publication titled “Trees More Valuable Than Gold: The Green Milanówek Card,” which was presented at a city council meeting and adopted in a directional resolution.
According to the evaluation surveys, the workshops raised the participants’ knowledge level on topics related to water retention, the role of trees in ecosystems, permaculture, and biodiversity. Additionally, there was increased participation of residents in subsequent legal cases related to illegal tree felling.
