First Local Meeting in Messina / Sicily-Italia
The inaugural local Transnational Meeting unfolded in Messina, Sicily, on May 28 and 29, 2022, bringing together a spirited assembly of partner organizations from Turkey, the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, and Germany. Undeterred by the unfamiliar heat, the participants energetically compiled the progress made thus far.
The primary focus was once again on defining the target groups for each organization. A survey on the continuing education needs of adults is underway for these target groups. The overarching goal is to formulate a curriculum for workshops, subsequently accessible to the target group through an online learning platform. An essential aspect of this task is to equip educators of the target group with useful tools through these courses.
The curriculum is being crafted by our experienced partners at Istanbul University. Each partner country selects three courses from this curriculum, producing learning videos in both the national language and English. The online learning platform is being developed by our Dutch partner.
This venture into the realm of online courses is a relatively new experience for us, and there’s much anticipation for what lies ahead.
Beyond the work sessions, every transnational meeting includes a cultural component. Sicily, with its rich and eventful history, provided an excellent opportunity to delve into Europe’s past. The island’s natural beauty, marked by both positive and challenging elements such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, heat, and the sea, vividly reflects the resilience of its people. The Sicilian way of life, characterized by warmth, historical consciousness, acceptance of uncertainty, and simple living, stands in contrast to contemporary norms, particularly among continental Europeans.
In the evenings, Sicily’s tradition of late-night dining allowed us to explore the coasts of Messina and the salt lakes, guided by our hospitable host. The excursion led us to a spot where, with outstretched hands, one could almost feel connected to the Italian mainland—a symbolic touchpoint highlighting the proximity and shared history of these lands.
The second day transported us back in time, beginning with a journey through narrow switchbacks leading to the mountain village of Castelmola. The village purportedly earned its name due to the mountain top upon which it stands resembling a tooth, although the Sicilians may have their own interpretation of the name.
Founded in the 8th century BC by the Sikelern, Castelmola faced a series of upheavals throughout history. In 392 BC, it, along with Taormina, was destroyed by Dionysius I but rebuilt in 350 BC. Subsequently, in 902, the village suffered destruction once again, this time at the hands of the Arabs. Throughout the Middle Ages, Castelmola changed hands among various noble families (source: Wikipedia).
Undeterred by the midday heat, we strolled through the narrow streets, exploring the village and visiting numerous artists’ workshops. Of course, such an exploration would not be complete without fortifying ourselves with some local pizza—a delightful pause in our journey through history.
Subsequently, we descended towards the coast, arriving at the enchanting Taormina. The city’s roots trace back to the Sikeler community, pre-existing before Greek colonization, settling on the terraces of Monte Tauro. By the 4th century BC, the city had adopted a Greek identity. The present city, a Medieval foundation, emerged after the Arabs razed the ancient city (source: Wikipedia).
The narrow streets and expansive squares of Taormina are veritable treasure troves of inspiration for creative design. Throughout the afternoon, we ambled through the historic old town, occasionally pausing to savor a caffè freddo or a granita (a Sicilian specialty involving water ice and a brioche dip), engaging in many fascinating conversations with our project partners.
As evening descended, Etna, the formidable volcano, bestowed upon us a “special gift,” as aptly described by our host Aldo. We witnessed a luminous lava flow cascading down the mountain, precisely on the side facing Taormina. Thankfully, the city remained untouched, yet the natural spectacle served as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers that residents in the vicinity of a volcano continually face.
