Music and Social Change

 Activity 4 – Music and Social Change

14–18 October 2024, Iași (Romania)

Coordinating Institution: Amicus Junior Kindergarten, Iași, Romania

Partner Institutions: Bağlarbaşı İlkokulu (Türkiye) and École Fondamentale Libre Saint Joseph (Belgium)

The mobility held in Iași, Romania, between 14–18 October 2024, focused on the theme Music and Social Change, combining professional learning, artistic exploration, and intercultural collaboration. The program aligned with the Erasmus+ project's goals of promoting inclusion, cultural awareness, and innovation in education through music.

During the first day, participants from Belgium and Türkiye were warmly welcomed at Amicus Junior Kindergarten with traditional Romanian hospitality – bread, salt, and handwoven towels. After a tour of the kindergarten and an icebreaker activity (Sound Circle), the group joined the opening ceremony and the first workshop on the social power of music. Guided by a music teacher, they explored how songs throughout history have inspired solidarity and change. The day concluded with the Thanksgiving Celebration together with children and parents, and a welcome dinner in the festive atmosphere of Iași City Days.

The second day focused on Music and Community. Participants designed and practiced collaborative musical games promoting inclusion and teamwork, using body percussion, rhythm, and movement exercises. In the afternoon, they attended the Music and Technology workshop, experimenting with simple digital tools to create and record melodies.

The third day was dedicated to cultural discovery in Bucovina. The teams visited the Suceava Fortress, the Bucovina Village Museum, the Egg Museum, the Doll Museum, and the Marginea Black Pottery Workshops. These visits offered an authentic understanding of how crafts, music, and faith have preserved Romanian cultural identity and provided inspiration for educational creativity.

On the fourth day, the participants explored the cultural landmarks of Iași – the Palace of Culture, the Three Hierarchs Monastery, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Botanical Garden, and Copou Park. In the evening, they attended a performance at the Romanian National Opera, where music and theater intertwined beautifully, highlighting the transformative power of art.

The fifth and final day combined creativity and reflection. Participants observed kindergarten classrooms, then took part in the Music and Entrepreneurship workshop, developing ideas for school concerts, charity events, and community music initiatives. A highlight was the Music and Technology activity featuring Robo Robert, an educational robot that responded to sound and rhythm, encouraging innovative links between music and science. The evening ended with a special musical surprise: the band "Noi și Vechi" performed Romanian and Balkan melodies using traditional and ancient instruments, offering a rich and emotional conclusion to the week.

This five-day mobility harmoniously blended professional development with cultural and artistic experiences. The workshops led by the music teacher, the exploration of Romanian traditions, and the inspiring atmosphere of Iași City Days turned this meeting into a memorable opportunity for growth and connection. The project once again proved that music is a universal language that builds empathy, fosters inclusion, and strengthens bridges between cultures.