First steps with Maghweb and first visit to Sicily
The reflections you are about to read from Ane have a beginning.
A beginning in the form of a relationship with Maghweb that we completely forgot to share in the form of a blog post at the appropriate time.
But, it's never too late if the happiness is good, that's what the Spanish proverb says, at least, and since we're going to talk about folklore, cultures, and sharing, it doesn't hurt to bring it back.
As an introduction, preamble or previous words, I leave you here part of what we experienced from April 7 to 12 of this year (2025) on the island of Sicily.
During that week, we had the privilege of participating in a European meeting focused on rurality and youth:
"Generating youth entrepreneurship processes in rural areas."
While the subject matter itself was already fascinating, working on this challenge in a setting like Palazzo Adriano (with visits to Castronovo di Sicilia and Prizzi ) was a real blast - I'm still savoring the cannolis at Palazzo Adriano.
Sometimes you discover such beautiful places by pure chance.
During this experience, which we were able to join thanks to our friends at Maghweb , and especially to Stella and Fabrizio for making us feel at home, we had the opportunity to get to know three incredible projects better:
- Maghweb himself and everything they are doing for the youth and rural areas of Sicily.
- Young Progress , a project that is paving the way for many young Czechs to connect with different corners of Europe.
- Núcleo de Inclusão , a project with a very strong social background in northern Portugal.
In addition, as is often the case in these experiences, there were other elements that, for us, are essential.
- Maintain deep and calm conversations about what concerns us and what we are passionate about.
- Connect with vibrant people and initiatives.
- Discover local projects that convey the essence of the places where they are located.
- Connecting with the town's residents—well, and speaking a kind of awkward Italian-Spanish, which we managed to communicate with halfway, haha—and learning about deeply rooted customs and their Holy Week.
With this as the 'first part', we knew that repeating it in Sicily and with Maghweb was going to be a success, so now I'll leave you with Ane's reflections.
Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Sicily: Reflections on Folklore, Community, and Sustainability
Two weeks ago, from Pueblos Remotos , we had the opportunity to participate in an Erasmus+ youth exchange in Sicily (Italy) , in collaboration with @Maghweb , @youth.progress and @cinergies .
For an intense week, 21 young people from Italy, Greece, the Czech Republic, and Spain gathered to reflect on the meaning and future of folklore , sharing experiences, traditions, and visions on how to keep culture alive in our communities.
Folklore: a living practice that connects past, present and future
We discovered that folklore goes far beyond dances, songs, or traditional cuisine. It's a living practice , created by communities and for communities , that connects us to our roots , helps us recognize ourselves in the present , and inspires us to imagine a more sustainable and inclusive future .
Getting to know Sicilian traditions
During our stay, we learned about the Sicilian Marionette Theatre (Opera dei Pupi) , the Ballarò Buskers Festival , and local legends such as the Colapesce , delving into the richness and diversity of Sicilian culture.
We also discovered @terra.franca social regeneration project that recovers land confiscated from the mafia and transforms it into a space for permaculture, environmental education, and community work .
Each of these experiences showed us how culture, memory, and sustainability can intertwine to create real transformation in the community.
Nature, history and human connection
Another of the notable visits was to the archaeological site of Terravecchia (Caltavuturo) , where we explored ruins, valleys and landscapes accompanied by @vallone_wildness , a local initiative that promotes inclusive access to nature . We were also told that this association organizes workshops on survival, traditional techniques and the production of local products , connecting people with nature and ancestral knowledge. Although we did not directly participate in the workshops, it was very inspiring to learn how these practices can promote environmental education and cultural conservation .
Cultural Night: celebrating diversity
The Cultural Night was one of the most emotional moments of the exchange. Each group shared their identity through music, dance, traditional costumes, and food: Greek dances, traditional Czech attire, and Canarian flavors like gofio pellets , suspiros and Munchitos , along with ham, cheese, and sangria.
It was a clear example of how traditions can unite different cultures under a common spirit of collaboration and respect.
The participation of Pueblos Remotos
Our team represented almost all of the Canary Islands (Tenerife, La Palma , Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura) along with two participants from Navarre and the Basque Country.
From Remote Villages , our goal was:
- Connecting young people from rural and island territories.
- Fostering a sense of belonging and sustainability.
- Show how folklore and social entrepreneurship can regenerate communities and strengthen local identity.
We believe that folklore, understood as a living practice, can inspire social and cultural innovation , strengthening the ties between people and their environment.
Final reflections
This exchange reminded us that folklore is not something of the past , but a bridge to the future, created from and for the community . It allows us to preserve what we share , create collective identity , and design new forms of community life based on collaboration, sustainability, and diversity.
Thanks
@Maghweb team for creating spaces like this and giving us the opportunity to participate in the project alongside the associations @youth.progress and @cinergies .
Thanks also to the group we led from Pueblos Remotos for your involvement and the good atmosphere we created throughout the week.
And, of course, thanks to everyone else who participated, for the inspiring conversations and the friendships we've created.
See you next time!
