What happens when Inclusion spreads around through art?

Since the first moment we met each other under the umbrella of the VAHA programme, it was obvious that even though we were asked to provide examples of inclusion, we would all think about this example; initiating our thoughts by a different point, it was certain that for all of us, inclusion and solidarity are prerequisites to proceed in systems where it’s preferred that people were separated in different groups.
 
THEAMA, a professional inclusion theatre ensemble from Athens, bringing disabled and non-disabled actors on stage. Lesvos Solidarity, an organisation in Lesvos approaching refugees as humans who want to restart their lives in peace. Labhub is a synergy of three organisations in Turkey, Mordem Sanat, Şaneşin Performans, and Nisk Huner, coming together to preserve Kurdish culture by bringing it into today. All teams fighting to handle an unfair past and create a brighter picture for tomorrow.

But what happens when they come together?

Through workshops, performances, and countless conversations over shared meals, we discovered that our different approaches to inclusion were like various instruments in the same orchestra. THEAMA's experience breaking down communication barriers through theatrical expression offered fresh perspectives on Labhub's cultural preservation work and gathered interest from local initiatives on Lesvos Island. In turn, Lesvos Solidarity's practical experience in community building enriched everyone's understanding of what true integration looks like in practice.

The path wasn't without its challenges. Language barriers initially seemed impossible to surpass, but we soon discovered that art, movement, and shared purpose transcend verbal communication. Cultural differences in approaching sensitive topics require patient dialogue and mutual respect. However, our shared need to focus on our commonalities soon created a space where we all felt comfortable creating protective human walls and expressing ourselves safely through art.

Our meeting in Lesvos revealed a profound truth: when organisations fighting for inclusion come together, they don't just share practices – they create new possibilities. THEAMA, Lesvos Solidarity, and Labhub's collaboration proved that our different paths all lead to the same destination: a world where diversity is celebrated, not tolerated. As we return to our respective communities, we carry with us not just new methodologies and shared experiences but a clear understanding that cross-border, cross-cultural, and cross-ability collaboration is not just possible – it's essential for proceeding. Our journey together has shown that when we dare to imagine inclusion beyond our immediate contexts and we allow our different approaches to inform and transform each other, we don't just dream of a more inclusive future – we begin to create it!

The members of the VAHA programme and more people who followed our work for the last few months all came to see us and be a part of our gathering in Mytelini! We had the opportunity to see that people from the zusa and Anadolu Kültür travelled from Istanbul to Lesvos to share this experience and assist us with our project coming to life. Danscentrumjette from Brussels getting there to be a part of it (very heartwarming!) was also proof that our work resonates far beyond our immediate circle. Their presence demonstrated that when we create spaces for genuine inclusion and cross-cultural dialogue, people are naturally drawn to join, contribute, and amplify the impact. What started as a collaboration between five organisations has grown into a living network of changemakers, each bringing their unique perspective and energy to our shared vision of inclusion.