With interactive activities to introduce the participants, the International Design Workshop “UNd-9 United in Design”, organized by the “Goce Delcev” University, officially started yesterday in Stip.
This intensive five-day event (September 21–25) brought together students and professors from various creative and design disciplines from nine European countries, who, through art and design, explore how shared cultural stories can come to life in public spaces. The event is part of the European University Alliance ACE2EU.
The first day of the workshop was in the spirit of getting to know the local context, cultural heritage and history of Stip. The participants visited the Isar Hill and the Museum of the Municipality of Shtip, after which they presented their own identities, traditions and memories from the countries they come from by creating so-called Culture Snapshots (cultural portraits).
The workshop is led by Prof. Dr. Ekaterina Namicheva-Todorovska and Prof. Vangja Dimitrijeva.
During this week, university studios are transformed into dynamic creative laboratories. Working in international and multidisciplinary teams – spanning architecture, graphic and fashion design, fine arts and media – students explore low-tech and experimental methods, using mainly paper and cardboard to translate cultural narratives into spatial and visual concepts.
The main focus and final result of this intensive work is the conception and production of a spatial marker, i.e. an exhibition panel made of cardboard, which will be intended for the university garden or a public open space in Stip. This prototype will serve as a flexible model that can later be adapted and replicated in different cities, universities and cultural environments across Europe.
Through constant discussions, sketching, presentations and team depo, the Flavour School workshop fosters the process of exchange, learning through practice and building bridges for long-term intercultural collaboration among young creatives.
