LitBridge is a multilevel cultural and educational program using literature to bridge the “cultural chasm” that emerges when people from diverse cultural background interact. Its main goal is to promote diversity and multiculturalism as an enrich- ing experience. It is mainly designed for children and young people, future citizens, empowering them to understand their responsibility in bringing about change.

Since December 2016 the project has closely worked with two groups: 45 primary school children and 17 refugee children from Syria. Students have come to realise the difficulties and frustration refugees are faced with. Refugee children become acquainted with Greek and European cultural values. Literature games intrigue their imagination and make them become little writers. They produce texts and illustrations depicting experiences with feelings about important values. Communication is fostered. Each of the refugee children creates its own book through a bookbinding workshop. An anthology of their texts and a storytelling video is thus produced.

3 workshops, 30 pupils aged 9-12, 1 storyteller, 1 artist and 1 book titled “The Journey” are the outcomes of my small-scale project. Through enquiry learning (children created their own questions based on pictures and tried to find answers) and storytelling, pupils became aware of the shocking journeys to Europe undertaken by refugees. They imagined themselves to be refugees who fled Syria or elsewhere and were able to realize the obstacles, the difficult decisions and the emotional frustration refugees face. They captured their feelings in haiku poems and drew pictures illustrating the images in their minds. This book gave children the voice to communicate their message of altruism and empathy. It will also serve as a little bridge between them and the students I will work with upon my return to Greece and it is a way to engage others who might want to respond the same way.