On 10 October 2026, two co-creation sessions took place as part of the first cycle of the case study “Dance”, implemented by Daugavpils University (DU) within the framework of the Horizon Europe project “Promoting Understanding and Lifelong learning Successful Education through the ARTs and culture” (PULSE-ART; GA 101178988).

The first pilot session, “Darkness,” invited young people from Daugavpils to explore the consequences of totalitarian regimes and the tragic events of Latvia’s history during the periods of occupation, with particular emphasis on the devastating impact of deportations on the lives of the Latvian people. The second pilot session, “Rebirth,” focused on resistance, the Third Awakening, the Baltic Way, the raising of the Latvian national flag above the building of Daugavpils Pedagogical Institute (now Daugavpils University) on February 11, 1989, and the restoration of Latvia’s independence.

The creative process was facilitated by DU researchers in collaboration with invited artists: Jeļena Orbidāne, lead of “Eféra Dance Studio”, Marita Irbe, head of the DU student dance ensemble “Laima”, and Alise Mole, lead of “Uniqsy Dance Studio”. Musical accompaniment was provided by Gļebs Beļajevs, a pianist and assistant professor at the DU Department of Arts.

The sessions also benefited from the contributions of PULSE-ART project partners Maija Grizāne, PhD, representing the civil society organisation “Divruna”, and Žans Badins, Dr. philol., representing the civil society organisation “Kultūras artefakts”. They introduced participants to oral-history testimonies and other sources of historical memory, deepening their understanding of Latvia’s cultural and historical heritage. The young people explored personal accounts of deportations, learned about the region’s past through the exhibition “Latgale and Sēlija in the 1960s and 1970s,” and tested their knowledge in the quiz game “Hit the Target!”. These resources and activities provided a foundation for the collaborative creation of the dance narrative.

Arts-based education offers opportunities not only to learn about history but also to engage with it emotionally, interpret it, and express its meaning through movement. By combining historical inquiry with dance, dance theatre, music, and collaborative artistic practice, the young participants co-created an artistic narrative exploring the history of their city and country. This process encouraged reflection on collective memory, strengthened their sense of belonging, and helped them engage with the experiences of different generations.

Such an approach can contribute to the preservation of historical memory, the development of critical thinking and empathy, and the promotion of intergenerational dialogue. It also empowers young people to become active interpreters and co-creators of cultural heritage through artistic expression.

Yanis Ratbi, a PULSE-ART researcher from the Institute for Research and Innovation (IRI – Institut de recherche et d’innovation, France), attended the sessions as an observer. His participation provided an opportunity for international knowledge exchange and offered insights into the practical application of arts-based educational approaches. It also highlighted the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in exploring history and cultural heritage and fostering creative self-expression among young people.

Technical and organisational support for the event was provided by SIA “13. stāvs”.

The outcome of this collaborative creative process will be presented at a concert on 31 October 2026 at 6.00 p.m. in the Daugavpils University Concert Hall, Vienības Street 13, Daugavpils.

Additional information on the project:
PULSE-ART project manager in Latvia
DU IHSS leading researcher Ilze Kačāne
e-mail: ilze.kacane@du.lv

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme under the Grant Agreement no 101178988.