Video Recap of Crossroads of Cultures

Topic

Inclusion and diversity

Activity Dates

12.06. – 20.06.2025

Countries

🇱🇹 🇸🇰 🇷🇴 🇭🇺 🇨🇿 🇵🇹 🇷🇸

Location

Bodrogkeresztúr, Hungary

Youth Voices United in Bodrogkeresztúr

In the heart of Hungary’s Tokaj wine region, the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange Crossroads of Cultures brought together young people from the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Hungary, and Portugal for an extended journey of connection, creativity, and cultural exploration. Bodrogkeresztúr, with its peaceful riverbanks and stork-filled skies, set the perfect scene for a program focused on inclusion, empathy, and breaking down stereotypes. From the very first evening, the atmosphere buzzed with curiosity and warmth as participants began building bridges across borders—connections that only deepened over the days that followed.

Breaking Barriers Through Shared Experiences

The exchange was built around non-formal learning, where participants explored topics like prejudice, accessibility, and cultural misunderstanding through interactive workshops and peer-led activities. One standout activity was a speed-dating-style exercise, where participants formed two circles and rotated every minute to discuss different topics with new partners. The format encouraged quick, focused conversations that revealed a lot in a short time—ranging from personal interests to cultural backgrounds. Alongside games, storytelling, and group challenges, the program created space for open dialogue and reflection in a relaxed, engaging environment.

Culture Comes Alive

During one of the cultural workshops, each national group shared something unique about their country. It wasn’t just about flags or food—it was about identity, pride, and curiosity. And it was anything but boring.

The Serbian group kicked things off with a burst of energy, entering the room in a traditional dance, holding hands in a semi-circle. The Hungarian team followed with a playful theatre piece that humorously highlighted village stereotypes—offering both laughs and a moment of reflection. The Czech group delivered a passionate presentation on a distinctive moment in their medieval history. Portugal brought a modern twist, presenting a TikTok video that blended humor with cultural tradition.

The session featured songs, slides, dances, superstitions, fun facts, and customs. What made it memorable wasn’t just the variety of content, but the atmosphere. There was no sense of competition—only discovery, mutual respect, and a shared sense of fun.

Creativity as a Common Language

Art and digital tools played a key role in expressing the themes of the exchange. Participants used drawing, video-making, and collaborative presentations to explore inclusion and diversity in fresh, imaginative ways. Technology became a bridge, helping participants share stories and ideas across languages and cultures. Whether sketching symbols of unity or editing short films about identity, creativity helped turn complex topics into shared understanding.

Memories That Move Us Forward

As the exchange came to a close, participants reflected on the friendships, insights, and unforgettable moments they had shared. Many spoke of feeling truly accepted and inspired to bring the spirit of inclusion back to their communities. With action plans in hand — from awareness campaigns to inclusive events — they left Bodrogkeresztúr not just with memories, but with motivation. Crossroads of Cultures wasn’t just a simple activity; it was a spark for change, reminding us that when we listen, learn, and laugh together, we build a more inclusive future.

Results

Some of the cool things we did during this activity:

Erasmus Opportunities

Participants explored EU opportunities by creating team videos, role-playing as EU recruiters to showcase different programs while developing teamwork, creativity, and communication skills.

Discover EU

Adult Teaching

European Solidarity Corps

High Vs Low Context Cultures

Participants worked in diverse teams to explore how people communicate differently across cultures, using posters and role-plays to understand and compare high- and low-context styles.

Promoting Cultural Diversity

In teams, participants came up with fun and creative event ideas to promote cultural inclusion, then pitched them like real organizers using speeches and promo materials.

Acting On Problems

Through creative group performances, participants explored social issues like homelessness, using theatre to raise awareness and spark honest conversations about real-world challenges.

PodCast-Out

In teams, participants explored real-life social issues by creating short podcast-style segments, giving voice to different perspectives on topics like racism, cultural identity, and social justice.

A workplace debate about racial identity and the challenges of balancing authenticity versus assimilation.

A social media controversy involving cultural appropriation, digital ethics, and racial stereotyping.

Photo Gallery

A few more moments from this activity :)

Dissemination Events

Our participants actively shared the knowledge, skills, and experiences gained during the activities through various dissemination and exploitation efforts within their communities.

Kosice, Slovakia, June 2025

Ivo Maruscak and Julia Kohut presented to 22 classmates at Gymnasium Poštová 9, introducing E29, explaining how to get involved in its activities, and highlighting the opportunities for gaining experience, developing skills, and connecting with others.

Michalovce, Slovakia, June 2025

Miroslava Tormova presented Crossroads of Culture to 16 classmates at Gymnázium Pavla Horova, explaining how youth exchanges work, showing the aftermovie, and sharing highlights from her experience.

Plzeň, Czechia, July 2025

Matyáš Svoboda, Jan Klier, Štěpán Komanec, and Zděněk Doubek presented to 20 classmates at VOŠ a SPŠE Plzeň, sharing their experience, discussing cultural differences, traditions, and stereotypes, while encouraging open-mindedness and participation.

Rusocin, Poland, July 2025

Sara Jazmin Horcsik presented in Rusocin to a mixed group of Hungarians and Slovaks, with 16 people attending the event.

Pilsen, Czechia, July 2025

Marie Souckova presented to 18 classmates at the Vocational High School and High School of Electrical Engineering, introducing the Crossroads of Culture activity, its purpose, the Culture Nights, and how to join similar EU-funded opportunities in the future.

Novi Sad, Serbia, July 2025

Ana Kerleta and Ivana Lolic presented to 11 classmates at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, sharing information about youth exchanges and the opportunities available to young people through Erasmus+ initiatives co-funded by the European Union.

Velke Kapusany, Slovakia, July 2025

Dissemination by Erik Adam at Gymnázium-Gimnázium Veľké Kapušany to 24 classmates.

Bratislava, Slovakia, July 2025

Dissemination by Tereza Vanova in Bratislava, where she spoke with around 15 people and distributed flyers.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Dům zahraniční spolupráce (DZS). Neither the European Union nor DZS can be held responsible for them.