From 17 – 22 February 2025, the UNMASC! project hosted a short-term residency in Novi Sad, where Uroš Isak Mladenović (Kulturanova) collaborated with guest practitioner Danilo Jovanović (Vienna). Together, they co-facilitated a dynamic workshop series, blending their unique artistic approaches and creating a powerful learning space for young participants.
The workshops, held daily at Kulturanova, emphasized creative self-expression, movement, and personal storytelling. Participants explored their inner voices through interactive games, body-based exercises, and letter-writing activities, fostering both individual reflection and a strong sense of community. The process culminated in a collective performance that integrated all participants’ ideas, skills, and creativity.
Feedback highlighted the safe, supportive environment built by Uroš and Danilo, where everyone felt respected, empowered, and free to experiment. Participants praised the balance between structure and freedom, and many expressed the wish for the workshops to continue.
Reflecting on his experience, Danilo noted that the residency deepened his methodological and artistic practice, especially in working with non-professional theater participants and in exploring collective storytelling through movement and daily gestures. His Open Soul method inspired exercises that strengthened group connection and body awareness, enriching the final creative outcomes.
Lessons learned included the importance of creating safe spaces for vulnerability, valuing participants’ diverse skills, and shifting from a purely educational process to one centered on togetherness and co-creation.
Kulturanova considers the residency a major success, contributing not only to the growth of participants but also to the organization’s artistic development. It reinforced international collaboration and laid the groundwork for future creative exchanges within the UNMASC! project and beyond.
