MUS - E Cyprus

IN-PERSON WORKSHOP “THEO-MUSIC - THEATRE OF THE OPPRESSED WITH MUSIC New instruments to work with oppressed communities”

WHEN: Saturday 30 May, 10:00 – 14:00

WHERE: RESET, Multifunctional Social Space Heroes Square, near the Cyprus University of Technology and the Rialto Theatre. Google map link https://maps.app.goo.gl/9R1ubxxKXRDxDc9e6

Participation is free, but registration is required.
Link to registration: https://shorturl.at/EnwC4

This workshop is organised by MUS-E Cyprus within the framework of the Erasmus+ project THEO-MUSIC, an international initiative exploring the combination of Theatre of the Oppressed, Deep Listening, and participatory music improvisation as tools for social inclusion, dialogue, and community engagement.

The workshop aims to introduce participants to innovative artistic and educational practices that foster trust, communication, participation, and intercultural understanding, particularly in work with diverse communities, migrants, and vulnerable groups.

The session will be facilitated by experienced practitioners involved in the THEO-MUSIC project, including trainers specialised in Theatre of the Oppressed methodologies inspired by the work of Augusto Boal, alongside Deep Listening and participatory music practices.

Workshop Programme

10:00 – 10:45 ▪ Introduction to Deep Listening - Experiential exercises and group activities

10:45 – 11:15 ▪ Introduction to the Theatre of the Oppressed

11:15 – 11:30 ▪ Coffee Break

11:30 – 13:30 ▪ Integrating Theatre of the Oppressed, Deep Listening and Participatory Music Improvisation in THEO-MUSIC - Experiential exercises and collaborative practices

13:30 – 13:40 ▪ Presentation of THEO-MUSIC free educational resources and Toolkit

13:40 – 14:00 ▪ Feedback session and discussion on possible follow-up activities

Distribution of Certificates of Attendance

The international conference of "PodCastle," a European initiative that has transformed medieval castles into innovation laboratories, concluded at the Firmafede Fortress in Sarzana. "PodCastle – Castles for Children's Multicultural and Digital Experiences" is an Erasmus+ KA2 partnership involving schools and associations from Italy and Cyprus (MUS-E Cyprus, project coordinator, I.C. Ilaria Alpi primary school, Senza Tempo APS, and the Maroni and Psematismenos primary school). The project used historical heritage as a tool for inclusion for children with migrant backgrounds, integrating the study of traditions with the development of digital skills. The main result were the creation of 14 multimedia podcasts https://podcastleproject.eu/--podcasts.html, a trilingual web platform and a
Teacher Guide https://podcastleproject.eu/--teacher-guide.html, designed to support teachers in multiethnic school contexts.

The day began with a welcome from Olga Tartarini, teacher and Erasmus Team coordinator at I.C. Ilaria Alpi, who introduced the proceedings by emphasizing the value of international networking. Teresa Dello Monaco, project coordinator for MUS-E Cyprus Ltd, subsequently provided a methodological overview, explaining how integrating multiple intelligences (Gardner) and a humanistic use of digital technologies was key to the initiative's success. Stella Eliadou, Head of School at Maroni School (Cyprus), emphasized the importance of a European perspective, highlighting how Erasmus+ cooperation enables the evolution of traditional teaching methods. The classroom experiment continued with Maria Antonietta Scolozzi, a teacher at the I.C. Ilaria Alpi, who illustrated how writing and recording podcasts fostered person-centered learning. Giorgio Borrini, Councilor for Culture for the Municipality of Sarzana, followed by a presentation on the project within the city's cultural strategy, describing the Fortress as a key hub for the region and its networks. The historical and anthropological dimension was explored by Simone Del Greco, an expert from the Senza Tempo APS Association, who analyzed the evolution of defensive structures in Lunigiana between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Also for Senza Tempo APS, Roberta Olmi introduced the concept of "Outdoor School," describing life in the castle as an immersive lesson that stimulates children's curiosity through direct experience. The Cypriot experience was brought to the attention of the audience by Andria Aristodemou, a teacher at the Maroni school, who retraced the creative phases of podcast production in Cyprus, highlighting the students' enthusiasm. In closing, Virginia Galli, Head of Educational Services at Coop Earth and an AIEM member, offered a reflection on local heritage education, demonstrating how the active participation of young citizens can offer new lenses for interpreting and experiencing their city.

https://www.cittadellaspezia.com/2026/04/16/il-patrimonio-culturale-come-ponte-tra-italia-e-cipro-presentati-a-sarzana-i-risultati-del-progetto-podcastle-649675/