When inviting a group of teenagers and young adults from different cultures to an ordinary home (CASAdelDRAGON), one would be wise to show humility and forbearance. These pictures describe the chaos that we had to clean up after the group of youth left. And above all Francesca should be mentioned, who had helped a lot days before arrival to get the house in a condition that could cope with the rush. And again she was helping a lot to clean it after!

The images describing reality, and they should also find space in a review. But they are not an accusation. The children of this time are a reflection of this society. And every criticism of these children is actually criticism of ourselves.

Spaces like the CASAdelDRAGON, which offer a social space to experience yourself and others, in cooperation, in success and in failure, are all the more needed.

The children from Moldova and Romania made such a trip for the first time. It was a journey into a foreign culture, with foreign customs and believes, but also with different values and strategies.

They have witnessed with their eyes and ears what life is like in a Spanish mountain village today. And they were able to discover and experience themselves through joint action.
Responsibility is a word of submission. It comes into life as an attempt by one person to burden the other with something that he/she themselves want to get rid of. Trust is expectation. Confidence is self-confidence. So let’s not talk about responsibility, but rather about cause and effect, about significance, and let’s talk about the confidence in a new generation that can only grow through failure.

Anyone who only sees reality in the rearview mirror will hit the wall. Follow caution, intention, supervision and forbearance (german quote VORsicht, ABsicht, AUFsicht, NACHsicht = CAUTION, INTENTION, SUPERVISION, FOREIGNNESS).

We made this stay possible by accepting gifts from friends and supporters of CASAdelDRAGON and by intentionally donating our own resources. Cleaning up afterwards is part of it.

Stupid people learn from their mistakes. Smart people learn from other people’s mistakes.

anonymous

When we later look back on this time – the free movement within Europe in spring 2024 – the negative sides of history will fade out and the beautiful shared moments will shine ever more intensely. What remains with us are our good experiences, not the things that once surrounded us.

When these lines were written, it was impossible to foresee what this journey would bring, when they are read, it is just the beginning…

At the end of this journey we would like to say thank you to countless supporters. Without this private, social commitment, such a project – which is not publicly funded or subsidized – would not have been possible.

Some supporters could be seen in the pictures, others stood and still stand in the background. Francesca (CAT), Miet (BEL) and Maria (COL) are represented here (left to right, surrounding Maria from Moldovia, the President of the youth organisation there).

The list will probably remain incomplete, but we would like to mention a few: Jens (GER), Antje (GER), Corinna (GER), Judy (US), Jon (US), Aura (NIC), Ludmila (MOL), Aria (ESP), Paul (UK), Lisa (CAN), Wilma (GER), Leslie (POR), Gwen (NL), Ben (NL), Agneska (POL), Didac (ESP), Monica(ESP).

This list is certainly much longer… but something catches your eye. This list is as international as this village of Cervera del Maestre and its residents.

La revedere.

Eunice points towards the sea. A few years earlier, her mother had sat in exactly the same place and also pointed her finger towards the sea. With tears in her eyes, she said at the time: I hope that all of my children will be able to enjoy this view here one day. Your wish seems to come true. Eunice (the artist), one of five children, is the first of her daughters to attend CASAdelDRAGON. We have known each other for 8 years from the Serban summer schools in Coiconesti (Romania).

It was my wish too. And I’m happy.

Romania lies on the Black Sea. But for the children in the group, the sea is far away. This is how you enjoy a day at the beach.

A picnic under palm trees on Vinaros beach.

Work on the kite continues in the evening.

Further details are being finalized.

Closing the joints creates a more uniform image for the eye. The white dragon takes its form.

In the evening I asked everyone who had ever received a personal letter. The answer was: none!
So I handed over two mail art letters and gave them the chance to open them and explore the contents. The participants were touched by the art from Spain (Francisco Galvez) and Germany (Michael Ley). And they asked me about the background of mail art in these times.

The big grouting begins on day 9.

At the end of the day the tail could be completed. Challenges within the group took up more space and further work was postponed.

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A trip into the hinterland, to Morella, and surprisingly for some, a trip into one’s own history (the shared history of Romania and ancient Rome) and many hours of sun take their toll.

Improvised breakfast under the holm oaks in Morella.

A moment of silence in view of the vastness of the Maestrazgos.

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After attaching the numerous tile pieces, the entire mosaic must be prepared for grouting. This removes excess adhesive and removes contamination from the tile pieces.

At the same time, areas where the tiles are too far apart are being reworked.

Details are also added such as the claws.

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The Moldavian evening begins with welcoming the guests. The mayor takes bread and salt as a sign of friendly welcome.

Romanian residents in Cervera del Maestre translate and become aware of how the local population shows interest in and enjoys their culture.

Music and dance are expressions of Moldavian joy of life.

Denisa shows an extraordinary voice in the solo performance.

At the end of the evening the buffet opens and all sorts of delicacies are offered.

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The group sits together for breakfast. Young people from Moldova, Romania and Spain meet.

This time together in everyday life is important and particularly promotes engagement with others, but also with one’s own culture.

Work on the mosaic continued.

About 30 percent has been completed.

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On Day 4, the White Dragon Project was discussed. The living and dining room serves as a meeting place.

The workshop participants mark the areas for their personal work, the white dragon tattoos. This creates a shared work of art and some space for your own personal creativity.

At the same time, the venue was visited, the instruments were set up and the first rehearsals took place.

Preparations were made in the kitchen for the big event the following day. Delicacies from Moldova, as a gift for visitors to the cultural evening.

Many hours of work on day 4 and 5 preparing the buffet. Lots of conversations about culture, customs and customs and the exchange of recipes, that’s what the House of the Dragon is all about. People become closer through action.

The tension rises.

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After a short briefing in the house of the dragon the group moved to a public space in the town to start the art project. First the idea of a dragon was developed on paper.

After the group had agreed on an external shape, the young people began to transfer the drawing onto the large wall. Mathematics was required: how do you transfer a DinA4 drawing to a wall that is 8 meters wide and 2 meters high?

The final form was then developed in a continuous sequence of discussion, intervention and correction. This process was very important for the group to find a common work of art. In the end, 10 young people managed to cover the external shape with mosaics in 4 hours.

This defines the type and scope of the work of art. It was clear to each young person what work had to be done to create such a work of art.

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