From 18 to 20 May 2026, Thessaloniki became a living canvas of stories, emotions, memories and creative transformation, as young people, youth workers, artists and trainers came together for the REWIND Project Transnational Learning Activity, titled “Artistic Elaboration of LARP Outputs. Hosted in Greece by PYLON ONE, the activity brought together participants from Greece, Italy, Portugal and Luxembourg for a powerful three-day international experience dedicated to turning LARP-based learning into visual artistic outputs. The TLA was organised within Work Package 3 of the REWIND Project, co-funded by the European Union under Erasmus+.
But this was not just another training activity.
It was a space where stories were revisited, emotions were unpacked and lived experiences were transformed into creative messages about gender stereotypes, equality and social change.
Rewinding the Experience, Redesigning the Message
The REWIND Project – Re-Write In New Design Women Histories – invites young people to look again at the narratives that shape society. During the TLA in Thessaloniki, participants were encouraged to “rewind” the emotions, reflections and insights they had experienced through previous LARP activities and give them a new form through art.
LARP, or Live Action Role-Playing, had already offered participants the opportunity to step into different perspectives, confront stereotypes and explore social dynamics in an embodied way. In Thessaloniki, the next step was to ask:
How can an experience become an image?
How can a feeling become a poster?
How can a story become a graphic novel element that speaks to others?
Through collaborative work, artistic guidance and storytelling support, participants explored how visual communication can become a bridge between personal reflection and public awareness.
A Creative Laboratory for Equality
Throughout the activity, young people worked alongside artists, trainers and facilitators to develop creative outputs such as posters, illustrations and graphic novel-inspired elements. These artistic materials were not treated merely as final products, but as tools for dialogue. Each line, colour, character and symbol became part of a wider conversation about gender equality. Participants reflected on the stereotypes they had encountered during the LARP process, discussed how these stereotypes appear in everyday life and experimented with ways to challenge them through accessible, youth-friendly and visually engaging formats. The process encouraged participants to move beyond passive learning. They became storytellers, designers and advocates — using creativity as a language for inclusion, empathy and change.
International Groups, Shared Voices
The TLA gathered young people aged 18–30, youth workers and facilitators from four European countries. Working in international groups, participants exchanged ideas, shared cultural perspectives and collaborated across languages, backgrounds and experiences. This transnational dimension enriched the creative process. A stereotype recognised in one country opened a discussion in another. A personal reflection became a collective theme. A visual idea grew through teamwork. By combining diverse viewpoints, the activity highlighted one of the strongest values of Erasmus+ cooperation: meaningful learning happens when people create together.
Thessaloniki as a Stage for Creativity
The setting also played an important role. Thessaloniki, a city known for its layered history, multicultural identity and vibrant youth culture, offered an inspiring backdrop for the activity. Its streets, colours, stories and atmosphere echoed the spirit of REWIND: a project about looking at the past, understanding the present and imagining more equal futures.
In this context, the TLA became both a training and a creative journey — one where participants were invited to observe, feel, question and produce.
A Step Forward for REWIND
The “Artistic Elaboration of LARP Outputs” TLA marked an important milestone in the REWIND Project journey. It connected experiential learning, youth participation, storytelling and visual creativity in a dynamic process that turned personal insights into shared messages. By the end of the activity, participants left Thessaloniki not only with creative materials, but with a deeper understanding of how art can become a tool for awareness, empowerment and social transformation.
