From 23 February to 3 March, Anastasiia Blahopoluchna, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Technology and Organisation of Tourism, Hotel and Restaurant Business, took part in the international youth exchange project ‘ArtScape: Painting a Sustainable Future’.

The project aims to encourage young people to use visual art to raise cultural awareness of environmental issues. Creating a conscious and aware society in which all citizens feel part of one community.

The project took place in the Valley of Innovators in Antalepta, Lithuania. This place is restoring and developing a unique cultural heritage, including a 17th-century monastery and its surroundings.

During the project, Anastasia Blahopoluchna met representatives of different cultures and exchanged experiences with other participants representing the following countries: Lithuania, Croatia, Hungary, Italy and Romania. She worked with environmental experts and professional artists. She attended a lecture on the 2050 forecast and learnt how to paint a mural.

An important part of the project was the opportunity to present Ukraine and talk about its history, culture and traditions. The Ukrainian team organised an event where representatives of different countries had the opportunity to hear the Ukrainian anthem, taste traditional dishes and products from Ukraine, draw a traditional Easter egg, and learn a national dance. In addition, each day of the project began with a minute of silence for the fallen heroes of Ukraine.

Participation in such projects is an important part of young teachers' self-development, improving their language practice and working in an intercultural environment.