Sometimes you simply need to be in the right place with the right people to feel connection, creativity, and joy. That is exactly what happened when 30 young people from five different countries gathered in Hollókő at our Creative Space to celebrate the holiday season together.
For ten unforgettable days, participants explored how music, dance, theatre, and storytelling can bring more creativity, joy, and community spirit into everyday life. Young people from Georgia, Lithuania, Greece, Hungary, and Estonia shared an experience that quickly turned into many magical moments filled with learning, laughter, and inspiration.
The program carried an important message: art is not only entertainment but also a powerful tool to build community, express ourselves, and bring joy to others—especially during the holiday season. Working in teams, participants prepared performances with different creative messages and presented them to the local community, including a local school and an elderly home, spreading warmth and happiness across generations.
This was the fourth edition of the project, and once again it showed that art is not only about having fun. It is also about expressing yourself, stepping outside your comfort zone, connecting with others, and discovering new sides of yourself.
Participants from the project shared their reflections with us. Here are some of their experiences:
Anna, Hungary
Being part of the Erasmus+ youth exchange was a very intense and transformative experience for me, both personally and professionally. Working in an international team helped me develop important skills such as communication, teamwork, and adapting to new situations. The workshops were inspiring and gave me practical knowledge that I can use in my future career, while also strengthening my confidence to step outside my comfort zone.
Virginia, Greece
Participating in the youth exchange in Hungary was a transformative experience, especially as my very first project. Focused on dance, theatre, music, and movement, it brought together people from diverse backgrounds in a creative environment.
Natia, Georgia
For me, this youth exchange was a very special experience. It was my first time acting and performing on stage, and I gained new skills, improved my confidence, teamwork, and communication, and learned to work with people from different cultures. Being a group leader for the participants from Georgia was especially meaningful.
Projects like Glee It Up are not created only by participants. Behind every activity, there is also a dedicated team supporting the process and helping turn ideas into reality. For those who want to contribute and learn, Egyesek also offers the opportunity to join the team and experience the project from a completely different perspective.
One of our team members shared her experience:
"Being part of the team felt like being part of something bigger than myself. We were working toward the same goal while enjoying the process together. It was inspiring to see how people come together and create something meaningful. You truly feel that your contribution matters. For me, it was an unforgettable experience, especially during the holiday season when everything felt even more magical."
In the end, “Glee It Up – The Holidays Special” once again proved that when young people come together through creativity and openness, something truly meaningful can happen. Beyond performances and workshops, the project created a space for participants to grow, connect, and share moments that will stay with them long after the exchange ended.
Stay tuned — the story of “Glee It Up” continues, and a very special 5th edition is already on the horizon, coming at the end of the summer.
Here are some videos from our creative space during the youth exchange, made by our team:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTxvGrEDLHu/?igsh=MWxrZmZlZ3c5eGxydw
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUDMa6-DOeU/?igsh=MXc4ZXJuNHY1cXcxaQ
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUVrRvbjKEm/?igsh=NTlwamhkbHl4MWI4
