AEGEE Culture Working Group (CWG)

CWG proudly presents: CWG board 2011-2012

2011-02-15T11:22:00.008Z

Dearest members of CWG,

Last January, CWG elected a new board and we proudly present to you the results.

Speaker: Isabel Perez, member of AEGEE-Alicante

Secretary: Carlijn van de Meulenhof, member of AEGEE-Amsterdam

Treasurer: Beata Matuszka, member of AEGEE-Budapest

At the moment we are busy with the new website but we wanted to share with you this news. More about who we are and our plans for the rest of year will be announced soon. So, keep a close eye on the blog, mailinglist, facebookpage and forum for more announcements!

Looking forward to a year to 'culture up your life'!

CWG board 2011-2012

CULTURE PAST, CULTURE FUTURE

2010-06-10T14:22:00.003+01:00

The British Council presents: European Youth Competition - Culture Past Culture Future

"In partnership with the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation, we are launching a European Youth Competition on the legacy of Greek thinking and culture as one of the foundations of contemporary thought within the framework of the international conference taking place in Athens on 24–27 November 2010 entitled The Athens Dialogues: An International Conference on Culture & Civilization.

The competition invites the younger generation of European students, scientists, researchers, journalists, writers, artists, theorists and aspirant academics between the ages of 21 and 30 to contribute to the dialogue about the legacy of Greek culture and thinking in confronting the challenges of the 21st century. At the same time, it aims to provide young people from all over Europe with a web-based platform for expression and interaction with each other as well as with acclaimed thinkers and academics from all over the world.

The Culture Past Culture, Culture Future Competition is a joint EUNIC Greece project organised by the British Council, the Goethe-Institut, the Danish Institute, the Instituto Cervantes, the House of Cyprus, the Swedish Institute and the Hellenic Foundation of Culture.

The competition invites you to submit a paper or an essay of up to 3,000 words on one of the six following themes to be discussed at The Athens Dialogues International Conference:

			Identity and Difference
			Stories and Histories
			Word and Art
			Democracy and Governance
			Science and Ethics
			Quality of Life

The format of the paper/essay is open, which means that candidates may opt for a formal academic paper or an essay, according to their field of research and interest (e.g. Α young researcher may opt for an academic paper with footnotes while a young journalist or writer may prefer to submit an essay).

Deadline for submission of entries now extended to 15 June 2010.

Winners will have their papers published on the Athens Dialogues web portal and will be invited to attend the Conference (expenses paid)."

INFORMATION
For further information and terms and conditions, please access http://www.britishcouncil.org/greece-about-us-eunic-greece-european-youth-competition.htm

Culturally yours,

CWG

SUs recommendation ;)

2010-04-29T22:14:00.004+01:00

We know it's very last minute, but we know how you all like to wait till the last minute with your applications for SU!

So here's our recommendation for a fun and cultural SU experience, that you'll of course never forget!!! (opinions formed based on the description from aegee.org/su)

AEGEE-Leiden "Lost in Translation"

(http://www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2010/show.php?page=show&su_id=674129&order=organizer1&page=listing)

AEGEE-Kyiv, AEGEE-Sevastopol "How creative UA"

(http://www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2010/show.php?page=show&su_id=381230&order=organizer1&page=listing)

AEGEE-Skopje "The Heart of the Balkans"

(http://www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2010/show.php?page=show&su_id=322853&order=organizer1&page=listing)

AEGEE-Pristhina "DOKUwindow!"

(http://www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2010/show.php?page=show&su_id=805348&order=organizer1&page=listing)

AEGEE-Samara "Fever on the River"

(http://www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2010/show.php?page=show&su_id=954886&order=organizer1&page=listing)

AEGEE-Peraias, AEGEE-Rodos "PEIRates of the Aegean : the RODOS conquest"

(http://www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2010/show.php?page=show&su_id=979675&order=organizer1&page=listing)

AEGEE-Leon, AEGEE-Santander "From the siesta to the fiesta. Breaking stereotypes III"

(http://www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2010/show.php?page=show&su_id=137647&order=organizer1&page=listing)

AEGEE-Augsburg, AEGEE-Passau, AEGEE-Munchen "Bavarian Bachelor of Beer"

(http://www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2010/show.php?page=show&su_id=572502&order=organizer1&page=listing)

AEGEE-Kragujevac, Sarajevo "Build AEGEE Bridges"

(http://www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2010/show.php?page=show&su_id=016273&order=organizer1&page=listing)

AEGEE-Bucuresti, AEGEE-Sibiu "There’s Something Fishy About Romania"

(http://www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2010/show.php?page=show&su_id=664922&order=organizer1&page=listing)

AEGEE-Istanbul "Snapshots in Capital of Culture"

(http://www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2010/show.php?page=show&su_id=369114&order=organizer1&page=listing)

AEGEE-Pecs, AEGEE-Szeged "Festivals and wines in the heart of Europe"

(http://www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2010/show.php?page=show&su_id=663168&order=organizer1&page=listing)

AEGEE-Beograd, AEGEE-Budapest "Beating Blue"

(http://www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2010/show.php?page=show&su_id=056249&order=organizer1&page=listing)

Deadline is tomorrow 23:59 CET, don't risk waiting for the actual last minute! :)

Culturally yours

Alternative Culture Explained

2010-04-11T03:44:00.005+01:00

Alternative Culture Event

Timeframe: 1 August – 31 November

Duration: ca. 1 week

Number of participants: up to local organizers, ca. 15-30

Description:

What is alternative culture for you? Do you have your image of this phenomenon? What is alternative about culture today? Have you ever dreamt of making crazy paintings using bikes instead of brushes or traveling in a hippy van around Europe? Do you want to exchange your views with others and also try out what it feels like to belong to alternative culture?

Discover this type of culture in your city and all around Europe with other AEGEE members by organizing an event in your local!

Mission:

To introduce various forms of cultural expression and activity to young people in order to open minds, show alternatives, increase understanding and foster intercultural dialogue.

Aims:

1. To raise awareness of alternative culture in its most various forms and to challenge mainstream culture.

2. To foster public debate and discussion of alternative culture.

3. To enable learning by doing and foster direct involvement of youth into alternative culture.

4. To involve young artists and people involved in any sort of creative activity in the dialogue on alternative culture.

5. To foster alternative culture expression within AEGEE..

6. To research of interaction of alternative culture with modern society and to study impact of globalization and the digital revolution on culture and arts.

Activities:

- Debates, discussions and meeting with representatives of alternative culture – artists, writers, activists, actors etc.

- Creative workshops (e.g., painting with bicycles)

- Learning by doing – hitch-hiking, learning how to make stencils and graffiti, learn alternative ways of cooking, gardening, making zines, filming experimental movies etc.

- Case study trips (alternative guided tours, squats, experimental arts exhibitions)

TOPICS:

- alternative arts

- housing and squats

- urban planning

- transportation (bicycles)

- traveling (hitch-hiking)

- cooking and food (permaculture, dumpster diving)

- DIY

- media (samizdat, Indymedia, citizen journalism)

- music

- symbols

- social movements and subcultures (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_subcultures)

CWG offers:

- Information support – we give advice and supply you with ideas;

- PR – promotion within AEGEE and possibly at Cultural Institutions on condition you can provide contacts, we can write them a letter of the event support;

- Trainers – in case of availability of CWG members in the area where the event takes place;

- Advice and help with grant application in case you would like to apply. We cannot give you money, but we can help you to get it.

Your local should be able to:

- Provide logistic support of the event – logging, catering, cultural and night program, as well visa/travel support for the participants if needed;

- Make a detailed program of the event based on local ideas and visions and taken into account CWG advice;

- Also search for the participants of the event within AEGEE and invite if possible local speakers / trainers.

CONTACTS:

Apply and ask questions at maria.morozova [at] aegee.org. Application deadline is 15 May.

In the application state the name of your local, topic of your interest, proposed dates and a short (2-3 sentences) motivation.

Alternative Culture Explained

2010-04-11T03:44:00.001+01:00

Alternative Culture Event

Timeframe: 1 August – 31 November

Duration: ca. 1 week

Number of participants: up to local organizers, ca. 15-30

Description:

Discover this type of culture in your city and all around Europe with other AEGEE members by organizing an event in your local!

Mission:

To introduce various forms of cultural expression and activity to young people in order to open minds, show alternatives, increase understanding and foster intercultural dialogue.

Aims:

1. To raise awareness of alternative culture in its most various forms and to challenge mainstream culture.

2. To foster public debate and discussion of alternative culture.

3. To enable learning by doing and foster direct involvement of youth into alternative culture.

4. To involve young artists and people involved in any sort of creative activity in the dialogue on alternative culture.

5. To foster alternative culture expression within AEGEE..

6. To research of interaction of alternative culture with modern society and to study impact of globalization and the digital revolution on culture and arts.

Activities:

- Debates, discussions and meeting with representatives of alternative culture – artists, writers, activists, actors etc.

- Creative workshops (e.g., painting with bicycles)

- Learning by doing – hitch-hiking, learning how to make stencils and graffiti, learn alternative ways of cooking, gardening, making zines, filming experimental movies etc.

- Case study trips (alternative guided tours, squats, experimental arts exhibitions)

TOPICS:

- alternative arts

- housing and squats

- urban planning

- transportation (bicycles)

- traveling (hitch-hiking)

- cooking and food (permaculture, dumpster diving)

- DIY

- media (samizdat, Indymedia, citizen journalism)

- music

- symbols

- social movements and subcultures (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_subcultures)

CWG offers:

- Information support – we give advice and supply you with ideas;

- PR – promotion within AEGEE and possibly at Cultural Institutions on condition you can provide contacts, we can write them a letter of the event support;

- Trainers – in case of availability of CWG members in the area where the event takes place;

- Advice and help with grant application in case you would like to apply. We cannot give you money, but we can help you to get it.

Your local should be able to:

- Provide logistic support of the event – logging, catering, cultural and night program, as well visa/travel support for the participants if needed;

- Make a detailed program of the event based on local ideas and visions and taken into account CWG advice;

- Also search for the participants J of the event within AEGEE and invite if possible local speakers / trainers.

CONTACTS:

Apply at maria.morozova@aegee.org. Application deadline is 15 May.

In the application state the name of your local, topic of your interest, proposed dates and a short (2-3 sentences) motivation.

In case you have further questions, write them at maria.morozova@aegee.org

Alternative Culture Event

2010-04-08T01:51:00.000+01:00

Happy Easter

2010-04-05T10:13:00.000+01:00

EBM-Krakow

2010-04-01T00:02:00.001+01:00

Both February and March were inspired by EBM-Krakow. Before the EBM CWG Board was preparing for this great event, and after we were gathering our motivation and inspiration for further activities.

The Speaker, Maria Morozova, the Treasurer, Anna Tiutiunnyk, the Secretary, Maria Wyszomirska, and the Advisor, Michael Makowiecki. During the EBM we had a meeting of the Board during which we discussed future plans and strategy. Overall, the EBM was a great opportunity to meet the Network and to present CWG and its future activities. So, during the AEGEE Café we had an opportunity to present CWG to AEGEE members, and during the Agenda proposal discussion we managed to include Culture Action Day in the Agenda 2010. Moreover, we made everything possible to make culture visible in AEGEE, namely, whole gym area was full of cultural quotes that we put on the walls. Last, but not least, we printed brand new CWG T-Shirts that we were distributing during the EBM, and that WILL BE POSSIBLE TO BUY AT THE AGORA-LEIDEN.

Now we are inspired for the future activities, and we would like you to get involved into them as well! At the moment we are searching for the locals that would be eager to organize 3 following events: ‘Culture on Borders’, ‘Alternative Culture’ and ‘Literature Live’. For details, please visit this blog later.

CWG T-Shirts Available ;)

2010-03-24T14:47:00.004Z

Dear Culture Enthusiasts!

The moment you've been waiting for is here! Our brand new, exclusive t-shirts are out of the printers and ready to be worn!

They're here and they're going fast!

Look for CWG at AGORA Leiden to get your very own cultural t-shirt before they run out! (we'll be the ones wearing the really cool t-shirts.)

See you in Leiden! :)

Role of Cultural Relations

2010-03-04T16:29:00.003Z

On 2nd of March the weather was beautiful in Brussels, but what was more interesting to watch was the "Conflict Prevention and Resolution: the Role of Cultural Relations" international conference organized by SDA in cooperation with NATO and British Concil . The event took place at the Bibliotheque Solvay and hosted a large number of speakers and international participants.

The event kicked off with the speech of Giles Merritt,Co-Founder & Director of the Security & Defence Agenda, expressing his worries that simple cultural dialog would not be the unique solution in resolving conflicts. Also, a very good question was risen, and that is, what do we understand by culture and how exactly will this apply in the management of current and future conflicts.

Some case studies were presented that seems to give hope on one hand, and on the other to demonstrate that culture plays a key role in every society and can lift or destroy a nation. A very good example of this is the project lead by George Gachara named Picha Mtaani
where street exhibitions and audio-visual presentations were used to raise awareness and to challenge the Kenyan society to reconciliation.

Mr. Giles Merritt concluded, I might say, on a rather concerning note, stating again that we still have a long way until this ideas will be included in actual policies and that EU and NATO create a strong potential force that is not being used at it's most.

This made me think that AEGEE has a huge potential as a promoter of dialog and understanding and done a good job in the past, in my opinion. I know that in times of peace this might sound like just another good-sounding phrase to use when you apply for a YiA grant, but let's not forget that Europe was divided for so much time and only trough projects like this we will be able to not allow the history to repeat.
I believe that this should be a topic to reflect upon, when organizing future CWG events for example and will make for a good set of workshops in your next event.

Source: OneEuropeBlog

The newly elected board of Culture Working Group is in cultural action!

2010-02-01T18:53:00.005Z

During the January board meeting in Brussels, plans were made, initiatives taken up and from now on nothing will remain the same!Upcoming projects dedicated to theater, alternative cultures, music or culture on borders are just a small piece of what is being prepared.

If you're antenna is looking for inspiration or cooperation, then cwg.aegee@gmail.com is the right adress to contact. There are still more antenna needed to get involved in CWG projects!

Are you a CWG member,
willing to become one
or simply interested in the whole thing?

Approach CWG board during the EBM in Krakow.
We've prepared a surprise for each of you!

Short story competition WINNER

2010-01-21T19:28:00.005Z

Dear readers,

We're happy to annouce to you the winner of our recent short story competition!

This very talented person is... Ljupcho Koshchicovski ( Љупчо Кошчицовски) aka Ljupcne from AEGEE-Skopje with his poem "Winter Snow".

And here it is.... :)

First snow timidly falling into town

Covering in white every scum around

Clappy-happy we were

Playing on the morning sun

Making barrel rolls on the hill

Tumbling from the top

Till we plummet on the soft snow

Without making a sound

Happy we were when the night fell down

Laying peacefully staring at the sky

Reaching with our hands, touching the stars

while being firmly on the ground

Twinkle, twinkle

The stars made twice

Twinkle once,

The shine of your baby blue eyes

Soft as flour your pale skin

Precious as pearls your love to keep

No, wisdom can penetrate within

No, love I’d have would ever be so deep

No, love again would be mine to keep

Congratulations!!

The very special prize will be sent to the winner through someone from their local antennae at the EBM . :)

Looking forward to more creative endeavors from our members,

Your very enthusiastic board. :)

Culture Working Group in Dungeon Creativity

2010-01-21T11:05:00.001Z

On Saturday morning when the sun was rising at the Rue Nestor de Tiere, some extraordinary guests were gathering in the CD house in Brussels. Creative, motivated and open minded AEGEE members were looking forward to brainstorm, plan and discuss everything related to Culture Working Group.

After being welcomed by the CD members, the directions have been made clear for them: down to the basement, the dungeon of the CD house. They entered in a small, dark and cold room. Between old AEGEE publications like a big tower of "AEGEE 20 Key to Europes" and the Address Books from 1992 the meeting was supposed to take place. But the brave hearts of CWG board members made them not to give up. Soon an Angel with dark, long hair coming from the North of Europe was sent down to them in order to facilitate the meeting.

Projects, meetings and events! After the first ideas were presented, nothing seemed cold and dark anymore to them in the basement of the (in)famous CD house. Maria from very urban Warszawa took the computer in her hands and didn't let it go until everything was written down and kept in protocol as a true secretary should do. Olimpia was warming the room with her optimism and smile and promised to bring the same into her responsibility as IT responsible.Michael as a former board member and advisor was maybe lazy to give a proper knowledge transfer, but never lacked the will of giving his comments to all issues discussed. What would they do if Anna wouldn't make changes to the budget even while cooking dinner and if Michelewouldn't bring some relaxed Italian spirit to the meeting?
Even the speaker Maria and PR responsible Tural were joining the meeting in a very futuristic way through Skype.

No wonder that in such a creative atmosphere events about alternative culture and culture in border regions were approved to be organised by the CWG. Didn't you even want to dive into the world of subcultures? Learn how to make graffiti and street art and go to a real punk concert in a squatted building? Also find out the ways how culture behaves in regions where two or more cultures border on each other. Explore better the meaning of identity and the definition of culture. Not to forget that CWG this year will mark some Summer Universities with the "Recommended by CWG" button showing you that these SU will be serious about culture! If this won’t be enough, then events about LiteratureLive and improvisation theatre will be waiting for you!

After two days of living in the dungeons the CWG board members were released by Angel (that came out to be not so Angel-like as supposed tobe) and they took the chance to explore the bright and dark sides of Brussels, discovered a communist style Euro-monumentnear the European Parliament and ate meat with an incredibly spicy and hot sauce, which resulted in burned tongues making it inevitable to have the next meeting online typing and not talking.

Stay tuned for upcoming CWG activities as we have the passion for culture!

Written by Michael Makowiecki

What's Going on with the Board?

2010-01-15T13:20:00.002Z

The Board of CWG has its face-to-face meeting on 15 - 17 January 2010 at the CD House in Brussels. The results of the meeting should be a better core team that will become the engine of CWG for 2010, a number of events, projects and other activities in 2010, a new PR strategy and many more nice and great suprises for CWG members!

Wait for the update next week!!!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

2009-12-23T19:02:00.004Z

The best wishes for the holidays!!!
Culturally yours,
Tural, Olimpia, Anna, Maria W., Maria M., Michele and Michael (left to right, upper row first)!

Short Story Contest - "A Winter Tale"

2009-12-21T14:49:00.005Z

Dear Culture Enthusiasts!

The CWG has a special treat for you during the holidays! We are challenging all of you guys to put your literary talent to work!

Write a short story with the title "A Winter Tale", telling us about your winter adventures, or anything related. :) Put your creativity to work! ( you may embellish as you please)

Don't be shy, you don't have to be Shakespeare to write a good story! (And who knows what undiscovered talent may lay within you?) So give it a try and share your experiences with us! :)

The stories will be published on the CWG Blog !
And the winner of the contest... Will win a special prize...! :)

The deadline is 13th of January. Please send your stories to aegeecwg@yahoo.com :)

So, don't forget to enjoy your snowy days (or less snowy for some..) and write down some ideas for your soon to come story! :)

Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis (ASCA)

2009-12-16T15:57:00.002Z

Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis (ASCA) is an interesting place for culture lovers:
http://www.hum.uva.nl/asca/news.cfm

Culture Working Group: About

2009-12-16T13:59:00.003Z

CWG. Passion for Culture

Culture is an essential part of communication, and especially of the intercultural communication. AEGEE understands this, therefore, intercultural communication is one of its pillars. The question is: who sustains this pillar? The answer is: all the AEGEE members. But at the top of the supporting pyramid stands CWG. This working group knows the real taste of culture and it acts according to its official motto “Passion fro Culture!”

Cultural Idealists
Around 130 members of CWG believe that people encounter culture not only through literature, theater performances and music, but also through everyday activities and interaction with other people. The behaviour, the beliefs, the stereotypes shape our everyday life even without our conscious consent. Therefore, back in 1996 a group of AEGEE members realized that our life is soaked by culture, especially if this is a life of AEGEE members that usually live and act in the intercultural environment. Already in 1997 the CWG was created. Since then this working group has been contributing to AEGEE by cultural education and raising awareness of cultural differences among the whole Network.

Culturally yours!
Jose Ortega Y Gasset said: “The choice of a point of view is the initial act of a culture”. AEGEE members constantly their choice and get their point of view on various things that happen inside and outside AEGEE, and this is the way they contribute to culture. CWG is there to make those decisions and choices more aware by providing AEGEE members with better practical understanding of cultural differences and varieties of culture. CWG has amazing passion for culture that can be very positively addictive!

Do you want to discover more about CWG? Visit http://www.aegee.org/wg/cwg

Master Scholarships in European Literary Cultures, Erasmus Mundus

2009-12-15T10:09:00.002Z

We are pleased to inform you that for the academic years 2010-2012 the Erasmus Mundus Master Course in European Literary Cultures – CLE offers many EU funded scholarships for Third country nationals with excellent academic records:

students: up to € 24.000 / year
scholars: up to € 14.800 for a maximum of 3 months researching period.

The online Application deadline for students is DECEMBER 20, 2009.

The paper Application Form together with all paper documents required must reach the CLE by JANUARY 10, 2010.

The Application deadline for scholars is APRIL 20, 2010.

A detailed description of the Master’s Course is available on the web site: www.cle.unibo.it

The ERASMUS MUNDUS PROGRAMME is a co-operation and mobility programme in the field of higher education. It aims to enhance quality in European higher education and to promote intercultural understanding through co-operation with European and NON-European countries.

The CLE Consortium includes four primary European universities in the field of European literary studies: Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, ITALY (project coordinator); Université de Haute-Alsace (Mulhouse), FRANCE; Université de Strasbourg, FRANCE; Aristoteleion Panepistimion Thessaloniki, GREECE.

During the full-time programme (24 months), european and non-european students will have a fantastic opportunity to join an exciting educational environment by spending terms in two or three different consortium universities. The language of instruction varies according to the institutions chosen by the students.
At the end of the Master Course, the consortium universities provide a double or multiple degree.

European and international students applying for the Master Course CLE must have a good level first-cycle degree in a discipline of relevance to CLE, a recognised level of proficiency in English and in the language of instruction of the consortium institution chosen for the first Master year course.

We’ll be very grateful if you could disseminate the information about the Master Course to interested students and scholars or/and interested Institutions.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further details or flyers ERASMUS MUNDUS CLE to be sent.

ERASMUS MUNDUS CLE Secretariat: Dott.ssa Lucia Manservisi
Università di Bologna
Dipartimento di Lingue e Letterature Straniere Moderne
Via Cartoleria, 5
40124 Bologna - Italia
t +39 051 2097230
f +39 051 264722

lmanser[ at ]lingue.unibo.it

http://www.cle.unibo.it

15 PhD Scholarships at the Faculty of Humanities of Copenhagen University

2009-12-15T09:56:00.003Z

1) Power, Knowledge and Politics in Europe and the European Cultural Area, i.e. in Europe’s Border Regions and Former European Colonies

The research topic delineated by the title is part of the Saxo Institute’s strategic research initiative concerning political history from circa 2000 BC to the present. Project proposals should focus on one or more of the following topics:

Political history
Political cultures
Power elites and other elite cultures

Preference will be given to project proposals within the subject areas of archaeology, ethnology, Greek and Latin, and history. Projects may cut across two or more of these areas. For further information, please contact PhD Coor-dinator, Associate Professor Søren Ivarsson (ivars@hum.ku.dk ) tel. + 45 3532 8293. Website of the Saxo Institute: http://saxoinstitute.ku.dk/

2) Cultural Memory and the Construction of Individual Identities in the Modern World outside Western Europe and North America

The research topic “Cultural Memory and the Construction of Individual Identities in the Modern World outside Western Europe and North America” is part of the Department of Cross Cultural and Regional Studies strategic research initiative on Cultural Heritage Understanding. Project proposals should focus on at least one or more of the following topics:

Linguistic identities
Religion
Education and the national canon

Preference will be given to proposals that fall within or across the subject areas of religion, comparative cultural studies, minority studies, Middle Eastern studies, Asian studies, Eastern European studies, Arctic studies and Indian language and culture. For further information, please contact PhD Coordinator, Professor Jørgen Bæk Simonsen (jbs@hum.ku.dk ) tel. +45 3532 8909. Website of the Department of Cross Cultural and Regional Studies: http://ccrs.ku.dk/

3) Cultural Memory: Aesthetics and Functions

The research topic “Cultural Memory: Aesthetics and Functions” forms part of the strategic research initiatives of “Transmission, Historiography, Cultural Memory” and “Culture and Politics” at the Department of Arts and Cultural Studies. Project proposals must address at least one and preferably more of the following subjects:

Artistic and cultural objects and processes involved in the production of cultural memory
Media, forms and genres contributing to the production of images and ideas of the past
Problems in cultural politics, media theory and history of identity in-volving concepts of cultural memory

Preference will be given to proposals that fall within or between Comparative Literature, Modern Culture, Art History, Musicology, Theatre and Performance, Visual Culture, and Dance. For additional information please contact Head of Research School, Associate Professor Frederik Tygstrup (frederik@hum.ku.dk) tel. +45 2875 8207. Website of the Department of Arts and Cultural Studies: http://artsandculturalstudies.ku.dk/

Source: http://www.humanities.ku.dk/research/PhD/Announcements/2010/

Culture of the Cross-Border Region Winter Camp

2009-12-15T09:49:00.004Z

International Winter Camp Borderland (Zabinki Camp Winter Edition)

Foundation "Center of Europe" would like to invite you to the International Winter Camp in Suwa³ki Region at the border with Lithuania. This is a winter edition of the International Student Camp Zabinki which we have been organizing since 2002. Each year it gathers over 100 participants from all over the Europe and is based on non- formal education and intercultural learning. This winter we would like to challenge the theme of borderlands what a melting pot of different nationalities and cultures means in practice.

International Winter Camp Borderland is a completely fresh and new international event that will use all the experience and proved integration methods of Zabinki camp to challenge new themes and surroundings. It will take place in the region of Suwalszczyzna, which is the Polish-Lithuanian border region located in the north-eastern Poland. The resort is located in the village of Kukle, in the middle of virgin forests, at the shore of a lake. This brings the unique experience one of the largest unspoiled nature complexes in Europe has to offer.

The camp is designed for young people (aged 21-30) from all over Europe. Our participants are university students, graduates, youth workers, NGO members and young professionals. The program includes different kinds of activities and fosters non-formal education, integration and intercultural learning.

The camp's main goal is to experience the one-of-a-kind culture of the cross-border region, feel the local spirit and see how different cultures can clash and pervade at the same time. The event is also about integration and creating an international community of young people - giving them an opportunity to make friends, learn new skills and gain better understanding of cultural diversity.

The number of places available is limited to 40 so don't hesitate and register now!

The registration deadlines are: December 23 2009 and January 15 2010, on which the participation fee depends.

The on-line registration for the camp is available at www.zabinki.pl

For more details see our website: http://www.zabinki.pl

X-Mas Time!!!

2009-12-14T23:30:00.008Z

Christmas time is coming, and the world is getting crazy decorating everything with lights and Christmas toys. The biggest European fans of Christmas, Germans, start preparing for this holiday already in August.

Maybe, this is the reason why German Christmas markets are so famous around Europe.

If you happen to be in Germany, here are the dates for Christmas markets all around the country: http://www.weihnachtsmarkt-deutschland.de/termine.html

You can see it yourself in picture gallery of Deutsche Welle: http://www.dw-world.de/flashcms/christmas_markets/en/en_christmas_markets_popup.htm

New Board of CWG

2009-12-12T19:52:00.010Z

The elections results have been announced! Welcome the new Board of CWG for 2010:

Speaker: Maria Morozova, AEGEE-Kyiv/Piliscsaba/Budapest (still have to decide :)

Secretary: Maria Wyszomirska, AEGEE-Warszawa

Treasurer: Anna Tjutiunnyk, AEGEE-Kyiv

Project Responsible: Michele Anoardi, AEGEE-Trieste

PR Responsible: Tural Amin, AEGEE-Baki

IT Responsible: Olimpia Parje, AEGEE-Bucuresti

Board Advisor: Michael Mokowiecki, AEGEE-Hamburg

Congratulations to the new Board!!!

Last Chance to Vote!!!

2009-12-10T15:23:00.005Z

Dear CWG members!!!
You have one more day left to vote!

Candidates
Speaker - Maria Morozova
Secretary - Alicja Ejsmont and Maria Wyszomirska
Treasurer - Anna Tjutiunnyk
Board Member (Projects) - Michele Anoardi
Board Member (PR) - Tural Amin
Board Member (IT) - Olimpia Parje

Deadline
Votes have to be casted before the deadline to be valid. The STRICT DEADLINE is Friday, 11th of December 2009 23:59 BXL time!

Procedure
As a member of CWG, pelase, send an e-mail to jcwgelections@gmail.com having as subject CWG election. Please, indicate your full name!

It's peaceful procedure in front of the screen of your monitor, the e-mail will not bite you :) And by voting you will prove that you are a real CWG member who cares of the future of CWG!
Good luck!

:) Question time

2009-12-01T02:50:00.002Z

The elections are going on! Now its' answer time, there were 4 people asking questions, some of the candidates were too much eager to answer the questions even before the announcement about answer period. Now it's an official answering week, the next week is dedicated to voting and afterward -hurray - the new Board is there!!!

E-L-E-C-T-I-O-N-S!!!

2009-11-19T19:22:00.003Z

The election of the new board of Culture Working Group have started!!!

This is your chance to join and work on the front-line of this working group!

1. Positions

Six persons can be elected for the following positions:

1. Speaker

2. Secretary

3. Treasurer

4. Board Member

5. Board Member

6. Board Member

The functions to be divided amongst the Board Members are:

Events Responsible / Public Relations Responsible / IT Responsible

2. How to run for a position?

All working group members are entitled to candidate. If you are interested please send an email to the official mailing list of the working group having as subject line – Candidature for Culture Working Group Board. In this email, the member has to state:

a) personal details [name, surname, antenna, studies – anything which can identify you to the other members]

b) motivation for joining the CWG Board

c) position for which one is contesting – this can be either as a Speaker/Secretary/Treasurer or as a Board Member

It is advisable that the candidates for the position of Board Member do express their preference as to what they would effectively want to do within the CWG – Events Responsible / Public Relations Responsible / IT Responsible

3. Closure of the Open Call

The Open Call is opened today 16th November 2009 and will be closed 22nd of November 2009.

4. Question Time

Additionally, I would like to remind you to reserve all your questions for the candidates for next week which would be dedicated to Question Time.

DO NOT MISS YOUR CHANCE! APPLY NOW!

Elections

2009-11-11T11:47:00.003Z

Ready....

Steady.........

GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Culture Working Group elections start on 16 November! Do not miss your chance to candidate and vote for the new Board! This is your future! This is the future of CWG!

CWG Elections

2009-10-29T13:16:00.001Z

Attention!

Culture Working Group elections are coming in November! The exact dates and positions will be announced shortly.

Culture Action Day Award Ceremony

2009-10-29T13:11:00.003Z

October 23, 2009: the award ceremony for the winning local that conducted CAD took place during the Agora-Kyiv. The winner - AEGEE-Piliscsaba - has got a big chocolate-box from the CAD coordinator Maria as a gratitude for their great event "Fun Factory 4 Film Fans".

The smaller box of chocolate was presented to AEGEE-Baki for making an arts exhibition in their local within the CAD.

Both antennae were very happy, and hopefully the present members got inspired to host the Culture Action Day next year in their locals.

AEGEE-Piliscsaba and AEGEE-Baki - Successful Culture Day

2009-10-15T14:52:00.000+01:00

We are proud to receive reports from AEGEE-Piliscsaba and AEGEE-Baki about the CAD they hosted. You can find more here: http://cultureactionday.narod.ru/locals.html

Culture Action Day

2009-10-07T17:43:00.000+01:00

This weekend was amazing! The CAD took place in 3 antennae and it is going to take in one more next weekend!!!
Here are the details:
http://cultureactionday.narod.ru/locals.html

Thanks everyone for contributing!!! See you at the CAD/CWG workshop at the Agora-Kyiv on Sunday!!!

Culture Action Day

2009-09-08T13:00:00.004+01:00

Ready!

Steady!

Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Culture Action Day team and CWG proudly present:

CULTURE ACTION DAY!!!

Culture Action Day - CAD - What?

Culture Action Day is the brand-new project of CWG, its aim is to promote cultural diversity across Europe, to promote intercultural dialogue, to break stereotypes attracting attention

to our traditions, our cultural heritage, thus enhancing creativity involving more AEGEE members in active cultural citizenship.

The topics of the first year of CAD are precisely

1. Beginning of autumn, harvest time, time for change after hot summer... Lots of cultures have a bunch of traditions connected to harvest and end of summer. These traditions can

be promoted at a CAD event!

2. Beginning of a new school year as a great opportunity to make a one day event in a local to attract new AEGEE members. It is a great idea to attract the members through showing

them the diversity of cultures in AEGEE and possibilities to get to know these cultures better.

***

CAD – When?

3-4 October!

***

CAD – How?

Locals can freely organize workshops, festivals, photos or art exhibitions, guided city tours or even one-day exchange among locals from different countries that are situated closer to

each other. You are free to implement your own ideas!!!

If you need more details on how to organize the CAD, what is needed and how you can easily become a part of the CAD project. visit the FAQ page!

***

CAD – Benefits!

Send us your photos of your CAD: we will publish them on the CAD website!

Surprise-surprise – the local that organizes the best CAD will get a special prize from CWG and the CAD team!

***

CAD - More!

cultureactionday.narod.ru

MakeCultureHappen!!!

2009-08-17T20:19:00.000+01:00

TOC TOC …

Back home from your SUs?

You miss your holidays?

It’s true September is at our doors but it won’t be bad…

Indeed it will be COOL !!!

Get prepared for the cooltural fall challenge!!!

… TO BE CONTINUED …

Culturally yours,

CULTURE ACTION DAY Coordination Team

Workshop AGORA Aachen '08 - "Culture in Action"

2008-09-19T12:13:00.002+01:00

Association with the word "Culture"-statistics

2008-09-17T13:08:00.001+01:00

Association with the word "Culture"

2008-09-17T13:01:00.001+01:00

Art event

2008-08-31T10:51:00.007+01:00

This summer AEGEE-Kyiv organized a cultural event to discover creativity of AEGEE people and discover the true meaning of art. This is the story about the event told CWG by one ofthe main organizers Alexandra Guseva from AEGEE-Kyiv.

“Art event” took place on July 5-11 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The aim of the event was to open the door to the creativity sours. AEGEE-Kyiv wanted to show that different art materials and different techniques are not scary and that everyone could have fun with them!

Great people from different countries came to this event of AEGEE-Kyiv. Participants were open to all new thought and views. They tried to learn and feel art. They had different jobs and came from different countries. However the spirit and wish of understanding art united them at one strong power. Everyone tried to feel everything we tried to give. The event was a great example of a mutual help from both sides, as the participants let us understand a lot. They were great and we are very thankful to them for visiting the event and keeping the spirit of art and creativity during the event!!!

During the whole event we had warm and pleasant weather. We had a chance to work and relax in nature! We learnt colours by doing an exercise “Specter” in open space. We were sitting in the nature and therefore we were surrounded by pure colors of nature. Although we could concentrate a little bit less on the exercise, as we were at the open space and not in a room, but we got more impressions and better feeling of colours. We also made a workshop “Creative” on the bank of the main river of Kyiv the Dnipro. At this workshop we spilt paint on big sheets of paper. This exercise demonstrated that a person must open him/herself, as art is inside us. Everyone made great pictures, the participants painted what they had inside their minds and souls and what they wanted to show to the world.

We traveled a little bit outside the city too. We went to Pirogovo, a national architectural museum under open sky on the outskirts of Kyiv. There we had a chance to take part in a traditional folk holiday Ivana Kupala. While having fun and enjoying Ukrainian traditions of celebrating mid-summer, the participants could feel nature better and get to know Ukrainian traditions by getting involved in jumping over fire and making wreath of herbs and flowers!

The event was very fruitful not just for the participants, but also for us, the organizations. And we would like to thank for all to our participants, those people who came and worked with us, let us teach them and explain what we know about colors and art! Thanks a lot!!!!! The event was great and we hope that the participants would not stop on their achievements in art!!!!!

CWG Members' Meeting Literature Live Event promotion video!

2008-08-30T12:38:00.003+01:00

CWG members meeting in September

2008-07-06T06:24:00.003+01:00

Dear CWG members and lovers! :))

Just a small question to you - what are you doing before Agora Aachen 2008? What are you doing in the last days of September?

a) Staying at home;
b) Getting ready for Agora;
c) Coming to Berlin and taking part in CWG members meeting, combined with wonderful LiteratureLIVE event!

I think, you all kn0w - the answer is only one! :)) From 27th September till 1st October CWG in the cooperation with AEGEE-Berlin is organising a gathering for its members in one the best European capitals - Berlin! :) It`ll be a possibility for you not only to meet CWG board in more informal environment, but also meet other CWG members and take part in our LiteratureLIVE event, which is exactly during International Literature Festival of Berlin!

More information will follow soon about fee, program and the possibilities to apply, but reserve your time already now, because this opportunity is only once a life! :)

Between an ideal world and a hell

2008-06-29T08:46:00.002+01:00

In an ideal world ...

the policemen would be English
the car mechanics would be German
the cooks would be French
the innkeepers would be Swiss,
and the lovers would be Italian

In a living hell ...

the policemen would be German
the car mechanics would be French
the cooks would be English
the innkeepers would be Italian
and the lovers would be Swiss

BEST European culture night COMPETITION !!!

2008-05-31T17:26:00.006+01:00

WE’RE AEGEEN……WE’RE EUROPEAN

Hey AEGEE peooooooooople!!!

Does this picture remind you of anything??

..Well it’s not your last party and it’s not our party…

It is the one you will attend this Summer University as you always do…

the wildest, craziest, biggest party happening during summer!

THE EUROPEAN NIGHT!

The night of your life…

Where you meet your love, where you dance strange dances, where you eat a looooot of things ( like some wonderful cookies whose taste I can still remember) and have a good drink.

But… CWG believes this event it’s also about

exchanging cultures

and that’s why this year we want it to be more special.

This year you will be given a possibility to take a part in the competition about

The Best European Culture Night.

You can win a prize (very enjoyable) and the occasion of promoting you’re antenna!

We want creativity and originality as only AEGEEans can make it.

Show us traditional music, clothes, presentations of the countries and anything that shows different cultures in your SU! Open your mind and let the culture come in your European Night!

CWG will wait for your European Culture Night pictures, reports, videos and all other proofs till October to decide which SU has organized the best European Culture Night and to announce winners! Send them to cwg.aegee@gmail.com with a small description of your European Night!

If you have any questions, you want to consult us or asking for suggestions, write us and let us know – we are here to help you in all ways!

___________

Waiting forward for some great European nights…

Board of Culture Working Group

What can happen on a deserted island :)

2008-05-27T08:41:00.002+01:00

There is a beautiful deserted island in the middle of nowhere where
the following people are stranded:

- 2 Italian men and 1 Italian woman.
- 2 French men and 1 French woman.
- 2 German men and 1 German woman.
- 2 Greek men and 1 Greek woman.
- 2 English men and 1 English woman.
- 2 Bulgarian men and 1 Bulgarian woman.
- 2 Swedish men and 1 Swedish woman.
- 2 Irish men and 1 Irish woman.

One month later on this beautiful deserted island in the middle of
nowhere:

- The 1 Italian man killed the other for the Italian woman.
- The 2 French men and the French woman are living happily together in
a "menage a trois".
- The 2 German men have a strict weekly schedule of when they
alternate with the German woman.
- The 2 Greek men are sleeping with each other and the Greek woman is
cleaning and cooking for them.
- The 2 English men are waiting for someone to introduce them to the
English woman.
- The Bulgarian men took one look at the endless ocean, one look at
the woman, and started swimming.
- The two Swedish men are contemplating the virtues of suicide while
the woman keeps on bitching about her body being her own and the
true nature of feminism. But at least it's not snowing and the taxes
are low.
- The Irish began by dividing their island Northside-Southside and
setting up a distillery. They don't remember if sex is in the
picture, cause it gets sort of foggy after the first few litres of
coconut-whiskey, but at least they know the English aren't getting
any...

How to measure cultural differences in metric units :)

2008-05-25T10:15:00.002+01:00

A science test was conducted on adults in different countries.
The citizens were asked a simple questions: "How much is 10 x 100 grams?"
These are the results:

1) 90% of the USA citizens responded that apart from cheese and wine,
they were not interested in French "inventions".

2) 52% of the UK citizens responded that they did not want to change their
treasured British Imperial system.

3) 30% of the South African in Cape Town responded that science was
always a difficult subject for them; they customarily were buying only
1 x 100 g or 2 x 100 g of a Hungarian salami.

4) 90% of the French citizens answered that a such test was outdated
and should had been administered during a Bonaparte time.

5) 97% Germans responded promptly: "1 kilogram".

6) 80% of Indians responded that the problem was simple as the three
zeros at the end of a number could be replaced by prefix "kilo", therefore,1000 g equaled 1 kilogram.

7) However, 67% of Polish and Russians answered: "1 litre"!

Conclusions:

Re 1) With One exception, they are too complacent...

Re 2) Hmm, tradition...tradition...

Re 3) The country will need technicians in a short future...

Re 4) They know how to live...

Re 5) They are the best, obviously...

Re 6) "See how they run". Forward, of course...

Re 7) They should drink less vodka !

NB: In Polish restaurants, vodka is ordered in grams.

Time

2008-05-25T01:16:00.001+01:00

Example: Different meanings of one gesture

2008-05-24T15:41:00.003+01:00

Cross cultural joke: How International Corporations Work

2008-05-24T15:15:00.004+01:00

Explained with the Help of Cows

Traditional Capitalism: You have two cows.You sell one and buy a bull.Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows.You sell them and retire on the income.
An American Corporation: You have two cows.You sell three of them to your publicly listed company, using letters of credit opened by your brother-in-law at the band, then execute a debt/equity swap with an associated general offer so that you get all four cows back, with a tax exemption for five cows.The milk rights of the six cows are transferred via an intermediary to a Cayman Island company secretly owned by the majority shareholder who sells the rights to all seven cows back to your listed company. The annual report says the company owns eight cows, with an option on one more.Sell one cow to buy a new president of the United States, leaving you with nine cows. No balance sheet provided with the release.The public buys your bull.
A French Corporation: You have two cows.You go on strike because you want three cows.
A Japanese Corporation:You have two cows. You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk.You then create clever cow cartoon images called 'Cowkimon' and market them World-Wide.
A German Corporation:You have two cows.You reengineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.
An Italian Corporation:You have two cows, but you don't know where they are.So you break for lunch.
A Swiss Corporation:You have 5000 cows, none of which belong to you.You charge others for storing them.
An Indian Corporation:You have two cows.You worship them.

The Culture of Telephones

2008-05-23T12:44:00.000+01:00

German scientists dug 50 meters underground and discovered small pieces of copper. After studying these pieces for a long time, Germany announced that the ancient Germans 25,000 years ago had a nation-wide telephone network. Naturally, the British government was not that easily impressed. They ordered their own scientists to dig even deeper. 100 meters down, they found small pieces of glass, and they soon announced that the ancient Brits 35,000 years ago already had a nation-wide fibre net. Italian scientists were outraged. They dug 50, 100 and 200 meters underground, but found absolutely nothing... They concluded that the ancient Italians, 55,000 years ago had cellular telephones.

Why we need CWG blog?

2008-05-18T17:14:00.009+01:00

dear all!:)

CWG created this blog for informal communication on cultural bases between all those culture lovers in AEGEE! This blog is your place for discussion, developing new ideas and a space for non formal cultural education! Here you can express your thoughts and opinions, share your cultural experiences, discuss for example about cultural differences and how they affect on the communication and anything else that is connected with culture according to you!

It is your cultural corner so use it!:)

I will use it now:) to send one huuuugeee virtual hug to all CWG board members for their work, commitment and motivating spirit in the past 6 months! It has been a great pleasure and enjoyment working with them and planning the CWG activities! I can truly and honestly say that they have become not only my dearest colleagues but also my dearest AEGEE friends! I love you guys!!!

Marina

CWG at AGORA Ljubljana

2008-05-17T20:48:00.029+01:00

Hey dear culture lovers!
Did you know that Culture Working Group board was present at the Spring AGORA 2008 in Ljubljana?:)) (Jorge was the only one missing and we missed him so much!!) And did you know that for some of us this was the first AGORA experience?:))) But we admit it was one wonderful journey that mattered! Lots of contacts were made for future cooperation and partnership but the most important thing is that also new friendships were born! We also had a workshop "European Culture Night", see photos & video below:)).

CWG Board Meeting - Trieste

2008-05-17T20:24:00.012+01:00

And finally the CWG board members met in live! After so many virtual conversations and meetings, CWG board used the rich cultural heritage of the city of Trieste as a muse for developing new ideas!:) The CWG board meeting took place from 4th till 5th of May 2008 where they discussed and made some decisions!:) It is a secret now..but you will find out soon!:) We worked sooooo hard!!