Two members of the Lithuanian group offers the following reflection on converstions during the workshop held in Sofia

Some time has already passed, but the impressions are still pulsing with life. Even today I was sharing with a friend that I have been much affected by this encounter with other and different cultures. It was a meeting of people from Northern Ireland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Lithuania – all of them Europeans, yet different in their frequently strenuous experiences. Perhaps it is for that reason that the participants were open and desiring to work for a change, to share insights, to meet the other who is different from them. Such a meeting was valuable not only in cultural terms, but also in religious and, generally, human terms.

One sentence which has stuck in my mind during the seminar was, ‘riches will not make them happy; they are happy simply because of who they are‘. This was said referring to the social and cultural integration of those groups which in one way or another find themselves beyond the margins of society, and specifically regarding one Roma community in Bulgaria. So often our help is expressed in a desire to make people similar to us. But, as we have heard from those who work with refugees in Prague, people are not necessarily made happy by acquiring living space, work, and so on.

Discussions of the seminar were focused on mutual fellowship and cooperation. We attempted to understand the importance of dialogue, because we may think that we know certain things, and yet behave completely differently. Yet even when we realise the need to renounce cultural imperialism in turning to marginalised groups, unanswered questions remain. Can we hope for at least minimal awareness of both sides in how they contribute to the development of the society in which they live? Must some groups always be entitled to certain concessions, and must others be pressed with greater requirements? If we strive for dialogue, must it start with a mutual agreement to contribute to the wellbeing of the society? And how much contribution should be expected?

Another challenge which is being faced in the Bulgarian context, but is probably applicable to us all as well, is the question of balance between identity and integration. It was suggested that we should be working to strengthen our identity so that then we would be able to add something to the global picture. We spoke of the need to recognise a possibility of several identities which may not necessarily be conflicting. We should not desire to make everybody the same. How to achieve this is an answer worthy of a Nobel prize, according to a Muslim sociologist and philosopher from the Turkish-speaking Bulgarian community who was one of the speakers.

So the questions we discussed are enormous. Yet the most important work will start in concrete places where we live as we attempt to work for a harmonious coexistence of different cultures.

A Bulgarian postdoctoral researcher in ethnology who came as guest to the Lithuanian workshop offers the following reflection

I was invited by one of my colleagues of the Pentecostal faculty of the Evangelical Institute in Sofia, Bulgaria, to participate in a workshop of the project "Social Inclusion on the Cultural and Religious Interfaces of Europe", funded under Grundtvig programme and held in May 2011 in Lithuania. I presented a paper (available here) on the Evangelical Roma in Bulgaria, a topic to which is dedicated my PhD thesis. The participation in this meeting for me was both a challenge and good professional experience as I had not participated in a meeting of this format before.

During the workshop I was pleasantly surprised by several things:

• I was convinced again that the boundaries between people from different countries who have different ethnic origins, religions and traditions are not necessarily barriers to friendship and understanding. Each of us was learning something new from the other cultures.
• The meeting very successfully reflected that between individuals from different countries, cultures and religions there can exist a fruitful dialogue, while differences enrich them.
•  The format of the workshop allowed me to enjoy the Lithuanian history and culture as well. 
• I witnessed a successful model of useful cooperation.

It seems to me that the mission of all religions is to lead people in the right way. Dialogue between different religions and cultures has a long history, but history shows that this is not always successful, so this kind of dynamic workshop is particularly useful.

To visit the website of the Balkan Ethnology Department of the Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Studies within the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences click here.

A member of the Czech group shares her thoughts on her experience of the project

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH GRUNDTVIG

I always considered myself as a true European, more or less aware of the cultural similarities and differences around Europe. How could I not be one – I studied abroad for a while, I worked abroad for a while, I visited places... But actually, only by attending the Grundtvig project SICRIE, I got to understand that there is more than just different cuisine, language, or education and health care system. During the two meetings I attended (in Bulgaria and Lithuania), I met people from three different countries and listened to their stories. I have never realised how many different topics there are, causing people from different groups feel uneasy. I have never realized how many different points of view there are which can be taken to look at different problems. I have never even though of how many sensitive issues there are not only among the Europeans, but within single countries as well. It was amazing to listen to these people explaining what they do to help their communities to overcome all kind of barriers and obstacles and live peacefully next to the „other ones“. I was so impressed by their strength not only to call the problem by its own real name, but also face it and do their best to solve it. It gives so much hope to see real people like this.

Also, what I found really enriching was the travelling around places of interest in both countries. It makes so much difference to visit towns and historical or natural sites as a guest of locals. This way, you get the chance to see the place not as a touristic site, but as a spot somehow important to people living in its surroundings, connected to personal history and filled with meanings and emotions. The little stories of individuals or families are just as fascinating as the big history of nations or countries.

All in all, I am very grateful for this great opportunity to meet all the people, visit their countries, and find out that there is always something new to learn, both about and from your fellows.