Konstelacio, discovering identity and diversity…

Konstelacioresize__205x154_-1418232399

Konstelacio is a non-profit association created in early 2011 who raise kids’ awareness to cultural diversity. Two main objectives were set: to awaken their curiosity towards other cultures and to help them value their own cultural heritage.

Konstelacio discusses subjects as diverse and essential as the notion of culture, meeting others, stereotypes and prejudices but also tolerance. In order to do so, the association uses a fun and active approach, that is playing games, drawing, brainstorming, and narrating in order to

By discovering the existence of other cultures, kids can then understand that everyone doesn’t live and think the same way. They discover that asking questions is a fundamental part of understanding differences. Open-mindedness and curiosity towards others is a pre-requisite in order to exchange in a healthy and non-conflicting way.

In 2011-2012, I traveled around the world drafting and exchanging ideas of stories, narrating cultures and traditions of around 200 kids.

A partnership was then launched in 2013/2014 to teach cultural diversity all year long in a Tunisian primary school.

This partnership led to a French-Tunisian school exchange filled with emotions in March 2014.

Konstelacio now wishes to explore another aspect of intercultural dialogue: music.

Lyra: Awaken to the world’s music and instruments

Logo_kkbb-1418230694

Konstelacio is organizing in February 2015 a unique awakening experience to the world’s music and instruments, aimed towards children.

During a full week of exchange and discovery, the association will visit primary schools of Côtes d’Armor (Brittany, France), accompanied by native Breton, Tunisian, and Indian traditional musicians.

Our goals:

Konstelacio_puce-1417114372 Make children discover musical diversity and traditions of three regions of our world

Konstelacio_puce-1417114372 Show them that it is possible to create as a group, despite (and thanks to!) our differences, particularly through music.

To bring this week to a close, a concert will take place during the week end at the Beauport Abbey of Paimpol.

The animations

During the animations, kids will be discovering a musical tale about cultural gatherings. The musicians will introduce themselves and talk about their passion and their culture.

The children will then have some time with them to exchange freely and ask dozens of questions and to try the different instruments.

Finally, they will also have the opportunity to play the role of an orchestra conductor, deciding what musicians should improvise together!

The participants

255626_10151626879616407_1904722800_n__205x115_-1418231993

My name is Charlotte Courtois, I am the president and founder of the association Konstelacio. Since 2011, I have been enthusiastically working with primary schools all around the world to share with the children my passion for traditions and cultural diversity.

Immensely talented musicians will join me to share their passion with the kids.

Achref Chargui’s oud and Youssef Ben Dhifallah’s ney will mingle with Parveen Khan’s hypnotizing Indian voice, Ilyas Khan’s tablas, Jean-Marie Nivaigne’s multicultural percussions and Pierre Droual’s violin. A seventh Breton musician shall soon join this great group of multicultural troubadours.

Ach__136x205_-1418231661 Youssef__205x205_-1418231769 Parveen__137x205_-1418231788 Ilyas__152x205_-1418231805 10411425_279569092215655_8019290341073017721_n-205x125-1418229400 10453367_279569098882321_8602604309563268732_n-205x125-1418229380

Where and when will it take place?

From the 2nd to the 7th of February 2015

2-hour durations, one every morning and afternoon in several primary schools and a children’s hospital in Côtes d’Armor, Brittany

A concert on Saturday the 7th of February at the Beauport Abbey of Paimpol

A glimpse at some of Konstelacio’s completed projects:

Narrative exchange:

Livrets-1416842005 Livrets2-1416842085 Livrets3-1416842155

French-Tunisian school exchange:

Frtn-1416842225 Frtn2-1416842271 Frtn3-1416842377

Children’s reaction to Konstelacio’s activities

Verbatims_eng__610x650_-1418250480

What does Konstelacio mean?

Just as the stars, cultures are beautiful and often fascinating.

Just as the stars, cultures are all different.

Just as the stars, cultures have their own history.

Just as the stars, cultures are far from each other.

Just as the stars, cultures shine, and the closer you are to one, the more it dazzles you and prevents you from seeing the other ones.

Nonetheless, when you connect the stars, you can find a real meaning to them. Figures appear, they are called constellations.

Konstelacio means constellation in Esperanto

Lyra is the Latin and English name of a constellation.

Lyra de Konstelacio