THE REPUBLIC OF URBANA

I am Urbani... and you too! A celebration of cultural authenticity and identity with the students of the SchlaU-Schule.

Young Urbani female dancing: Copyright: Department of Urbani Arts and Culture

THE IDEA

Students attending SchlaU-Schule are living in an international community of refugees. Every day they encounter a wide range of communication and social challenges when interacting with their peers and new home country. In some cases, strong cultural, racial and religious differences are present.

The Republic of Urbana seeks to provide a platform for students to reflect on the meaning of culture by using inventive play and make-believe to explore diverse aspects of culture, its role in their lives and ultimately their ability to influence it. The Republic of Urbana supports young refugees in their cultural assimilation and in developing and preserving their own unique cultural biographies by putting the construct of cultural identity itself into question.

THE PROGRAM

During the project, SchlaU teachers participate in a one day professional development workshop focused on implementing creative approaches in their classes. Together with teaching artists they develop lesson plans that creatively explore the history of Urbana.

SchlaU students then work with an international team of artists representing diverse artistic disciplines in a series of three and five day workshops including dance, filmmaking, art and music. The focus of the workshops is to 're'-invent artefacts, rituals, art forms, stories and traditions of the lost Urbana culture.

The program culminates with a public presentation called 'The Republic of Urbana Cultural Heritage Celebration’ where participating students introduce an audience to their collectively created culture - Urbana.