Helamalmö – ‘The Great Encounter’

The project “The Great Encounter” was aimed at primary school children in areas facing social and economic challenges. The children wrote short autobiographical texts on the theme “This I Will Never Forget” and then illustrated each other’s stories. With the help of authors, artists, and a designer, they created a picture book, which was showcased in a public exhibition. The goal was for the children to have the opportunity to understand and share each other’s life experiences, fostering empathy and a sense of community.

The project was initiated by Marit Törnqvist in Amsterdam and was recently conducted as a pilot project in Nydala, Malmö. The participating children wrote about impactful memories, such as illness, divorce, and displacement, which sparked curiosity and recognition among others. The project consisted of about ten sessions where students were supported by authors and artists to express their memories through text and imagery. The picture book, featuring the children’s texts and illustrations, was then shared with local libraries, and a traveling exhibition was planned to reach more schools and communities across Sweden.

In addition to encouraging creativity and connection, the project aimed to reduce segregation and polarization. By offering children and adults from other parts of society a glimpse into what it’s like to grow up in a disadvantaged environment, the initiators now hope that the project can expand and be implemented in more schools and cities in the future.

Application Year 2023 – Theme: Women and girl refugees