From July 27 to August 3, 2025, the Krzyżowa Foundation for European Understanding co-organized a unique project, “The Art of Relationships”, which brought together young people from Poland, Ukraine, and Germany. Together with the Club of Catholic Intelligentsia, Cognitania, the Ukrainian partner Alliance of Development, and the German Ukrainisch-Deutscher Verein "Dach" e.V., we created a space where participants could learn, create, and get to know one another.
“The Art of Relationships” was not only an exchange of experiences but, above all, an effort to nurture a generation of young people ready to shape more open, peaceful, and culturally diverse societies. The joint activities were based on understanding, empathy, and creativity, drawing also on values such as reconciliation, solidarity, forgiveness, and responsibility for the community.
Krzyżowa – History, Dialogue, and Art
The first days of the program were spent in Krzyżowa, a place with an extraordinary history that has long inspired building bridges between nations. Participants explored it in a detective-creative-communicative way, and during walks using the walk & talk method, they learned about the history of the von Moltke family and the activities of the anti-Nazi “Krąg z Krzyżowej” (Krzyżowa Circle) movement. There was also a special, tasty touch—participants had the opportunity to taste juicy cherries from Freya von Moltke’s garden.
Here, they learned the principles of non-violent communication, practiced listening, considered others’ perspectives, and explored solutions that unite rather than divide. The creative component was also important: the youth took part in art workshops, discovering the form of performance. In small groups, they created original performances in which they combined art with messages of respect and community.
In the evenings, they gathered around the campfire, sang along to guitar music, and held long conversations under the stars. The highlight of the evening program was a tricultural dance evening, where participants presented the traditions of their countries, shared interesting facts, and danced together.
Sokołowsko – Mountains, Integration, and Shared Moments
The second part of the exchange took place in the picturesque Sokołowsko, located in the heart of the mountains. It was three days full of integration, conversations, and bonding, during which the young participants spent their final shared days and evenings together.
Although it rained the previous night, making the mountain trails challenging, the participants showed great support and solidarity. The mountains became a unifying space for them, as they admired the scenic landscapes together and tackled difficult hiking paths.
Evenings were spent in shared activities, conversations, and games. On the final night of the exchange, each participant wrote mysterious letters filled with wishes, gratitude, or apologies—beautifully summarizing their time together and opening the door to continued friendship.
The Outcome? A New Community
"The project not only brought us together—it created an entire community," said one of the participants.
The week in Krzyżowa and Sokołowsko allowed young people to develop their communication skills, learn to collaborate in an international team, and gain greater confidence in interpersonal interactions.
The “Art of Relationships” project was led by experienced trainers—Sarah Schumayer, Hanna Żylicz, and Małgorzata Cichocka-Stelmaska—who created a space for open exchange and creative development.
Special thanks go to the organization Renovabis, whose financial support made it possible to carry out this international project, bringing young people together in a spirit of dialogue and respect.
