Is ageing a problem for our society? How can older people develop their potential, play an active role in society and claim their visibility today? Actively supporting the idea that everyone has something to offer, Kinitiras continues to be a dynamic player in adult education, consistently including in its program actions aimed at all age groups. Expanding its artistic research and strengthening its participation in similar international actions, this year Kinitiras returns with another Erasmus+ program, this time in the field of Adult Education.

ΚΑ2 Erasmus+ Maturing Korai

Through the KA2 Erasmus+ Maturing Korai project, women 50+ learn, meet new methods, trainers and women from other countries and enhance their potential and skills, but also their dynamic presence in a society that sees ageing as the time to stop. Maturing Korai gives participants the opportunity to express and share the wealth of memories, experiences, knowledge and skills they carry. This not only allows our society to become richer and more colorful, but also creates an antidote to negative stereotypes and ageism.

In the Maturing Korai project, women aged 50+, from different socio-economic backgrounds, can reinvent themselves through exploring and developing their performing skills. In a diverse space of acceptance and creativity, participants regain their strength and leadership skills after the pandemic and are encouraged to overcome social stereotypes and prejudices.

The 3 organisations taking part in this project, Kinitiras, Fresh Target and Calypso, have a very common approach to art creation, social awakening and skills enhancement through dance and theatre. Maturing Korai is the beginning of a long-term collaboration between the three partner organisations.

The meeting in Italy

From 22 to 29 March 2024 the groups from the 3 partner organisations met in Northern Italy, at the Artemista Cultural Centre, to get to know each other and exchange knowledge and good practices. They participated in joint workshops, with trainers from all three organisations and presented the work they are already doing in their countries with their coordinators.

The manifesto

The final phase of the Maturing Korai project consists of the creation of a manifesto on the ageing female body and its place in society. The writing will be done jointly by all the participants and will be completed at the end of May when the Erasmus+ project will end. The manifesto will be published on European Union websites (Erasmus+ Project Results Platform and EPALE), as well as here on the Kinitiras website.

A few words about Kinitiras’ partner organisations

Fresh Target Theatre Ensemble is a non-profit theatre organisation based in Cyprus, which is involved in staging theatre performances in Cyprus and abroad, as well as running workshops and seminars for both professionals and amateurs. It has also launched the “Sputnik Actors Lab” programme for underprivileged young people who wish to get involved in theatre and weekly meetings with groups of women of different ages, exploring social and political issues through the techniques of theatre.

The main objective of the Italian organisation Calypso is to support active citizenship and the empowerment of people and groups, using theatre techniques and processes and in collaboration with schools, NGOs and libraries. Recently Calypso has started working with marginalised groups, organising workshops with non-formal tools to connect people and support them in sharing their thoughts and needs.

Kinitiras

Kinitiras is an internationally recognized artistic network that connects professionals and amateurs through the performing arts. It started in 1995-96 as a dance company called Kinitiras Dance Theatre. Among its special characteristics, it is worth mentioning its participation in European programs and festivals in Greece and abroad and the involvement of young people in social dialogue through the performing arts (Erasmus Youth Exchange/Training Programs). Kinitiras is also distinguished for its approach to education and its proposals in the educational process through the performing arts, for the participatory character that defines its actions and crosses local and professional boundaries and for the creation of the Kinitiras Omega group, which has as its vision the access of mature adults to dance and theatre through a creative community.