About BASICS

The BASICS project was developed to research the adaptation of Bibliodrama for use as an interfaith and intercultural educational tool, to encourage dialogue and understanding throughout Europe and beyond.

An initiative of the Bielsko Artistic Association Grodzki Theatre, BASICS aims to expand upon some of the concepts expressed in The Council of Europe's publication, The White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue, May 2008.  Specifically, it is a practical interpretation of a conviction which the project partners all share, "Only dialogue allows people to live in unity in diversity".

The Bibliodrama title is shared by a number of methodologies with individual histories and geographical ties which have shown themselves to be effective techniques for expanding believers' understanding of their sacred texts.  The BASICS project pulls together established practitioners from the two main schools of Bibliodrama, Peter Varga from Budapest, Hungary, and Yael Unterman from Jerusalem, Israel, together with partners from Iceland, Poland, and Turkey, creating a consortium with the expertise and the audiences required to develop innovative new curricula aimed at enabling beneficiaries both to explore their own faiths, and to better understand other beliefs and believers, their similarities and differences, and the place of different cultures within a united Europe.

The Grundtvig Lifelong Learning Programme is aimed at furthering the education of adults from all walks of life, and often focuses on 'alternative' institutions and methods of delivery.  By bringing together universities, artistic institutions, social organisations, and adult educators, the BASICS project intends to make the most of the vast possibilities the Grundtvig programme provides.

What we will produce:

• Innovative teaching curricula for the implementation of bibliodrama as an educational tool serving interfaith and intercultural dialogue.  The curricula will be published in 5 languages.
• An accompanying DVD, showing the processes and their outcomes as a complement to the curricula.
• National pilot workshops, publication launches.
• An international Grundtvig course to begin the widespread propagation of the methodology.

_{This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held
responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.}