“Electrode” (electronic music) and “Crack” (Comics) international Festivals are organized every year by Forte Prenestino Social Center, in Rome. Forte Prenestino is one of the most important alternative cultural and social projects in Italy. It was squatted 23 years ago, and now is the promoter of many cultural underground events, managed by a community where alternative life styles are promoted and welcomed. Electrode will propose for three nights performances of many international djs and artists. Crack will host editors and artists coming mainly from European and Mediterranean countries: 4 days of exhibitions, workshops and cultural exchange will involve hundreds of youngsters and experts.
WORK:
the volunteers will support the local group in managing the festivals: preparation, restaurant, pub, cleaning and other activities will be shared with the local volunteers. The work could be physically hard, but the environment is funny and easy going!
ACCOMMODATION:
in a dorm with beds, the volunteers will have to prepare the breakfast and will have lunches and dinners with the local volunteers. Very Basic conditions.
Ludika 1243 is a medieval festival that has been running already for nine editions. It takes place in the beautiful city center of the medieval Viterbo and it is organized by 'La Tana degli Orchi', an association partner to Cantiere Giovani.
This year for the first time the volunteers of a work camp will participate to the festival. The city center will come back at the 13th century with street performers, concerts of traditional music, jugglers, fire-eaters and many other. The volunteers will help to set the stage for the activities and transform the city center every day. You will work together with local volunteers and staff to prepare the sceneries: build scenography, promote the events, organize the spaces and during the evening, if you feel like, you can take part to the plays and performances with the artists. There will be the possibility to attend seminars on Italian oldest form of popular theater ('Commedia dell'Arte') or on the art of the ancient jesters. You can also participate actively, helping the actors to make the atmosphere more real taking part in historical parades and pitched battles which reproduces a playful version of Federico II's attack to the city of Viterbo.
On the work camp there will be also some moments during which the volunteer will promote short term volunteering amongst If you have any medieval disguise please feel free to bring it along with, of course, your smile, enthusiasm and energy (during last year's edition there have been more than 35000 visitors!). For more information on the website of the festival: www.ludika.it
ACCOMODATION AND FOOD:
Food and simple accomodation will be provided to volunteers. Collective cooking and cleaning.
LOCATION & LEISURE ACTIVITY:
Viterbo is strategically situated in the northern part of Lazio region, at less than two hours train from the capital Rome. The city is also close to other beautiful sites of central Italy being close to Tuscany and Umbria.
Viterbo is also known as 'the City of the Pope' as during the XIII century it was the Pope residence for 24 years. It is also famous for Santa Rosa procession in September, during which a statue dedicated to the saint is carried along the street of the old town centre.
During the first week volunteers will be involved in maintaining and cleaning of the medieval footpaths of the natural area Parco della Gola del Tinazzo. In the second week volunteers will take part to the Festambiente laghi happening.
Accomodation & food:
Volunteers will be hosted in a centre for young people. This building was in the past the primary school of the village.
Language:
English will be the official language of the work camp.
Terminal:
Orio al Serio Airport.
Location & leisure:
Castro, Province of Bergamo, Lombardia region, North of Italy
Mondiali Antirazzisti is a multicultural festival where around 5.000 people gather together for 5 days, playing football (204 teams, the 70% are mixed teams), volleyball, basketball, cricket. The goal of these sport activities is getting to know each other and have fun together, not to win. There are many activities taking place during the festival, such as concerts, workshops and debates open to all. The festival promotes anti-racism and anti-discrimination and has a low environmental impact. Please make sure you share these values before applying to take part to this project! Website - www.mondialiantirazzisti.org
WORK:
International volunteers will work about 6 hours per day and will be part of a bigger team of volunteers helping set up and run the festival. International volunteers will help building and disassembling the facilities of the festival. Typical activities during the festival include cleaning the area and helping with the differentiate waste collection, however the past years volunteers have been involved in a number of different activities, according to the festival needs. Please note that flexibility and adaptability are required, and there might be some heavy work involved from time to time. The festival volunteers are lovely people they enjoy helping and don't mind working under the sun. Hopefully international volunteers will be wonderful members of this team! International volunteers will have 2 free days, to be arranged with the festival organisers (It is not possible to go on a trip during the 5 days of the festival). International volunteers will have the possibilities to participate at the different sport and cultural activities (also creating a mixed team for the various tournaments).
ACCOMMODATION:
Volunteers will sleep in shared tents at the Festival area. Toilet and washing facilities will be available, camp beds will be provided but you must bring a sleeping bag. Please make sure you are comfortable with basic camping conditions! Food will be available at the restaurants/bars of the festival area. Different options will be available, but you will be expected to be flexible and not fussy about the food.
LOCATION:
Bosco Albergati is a village located near Castelfranco Emilia, in the north of Italy (Emilia Romagna region).
TERMINAL:
The nearest airport is Marconi International Airport – Bologna. You may consider other airports in the area, such as Rimini and Parma. To reach Castelfranco Emilia you will need to catch a train. More information will be provided in the infosheet.
Volunteers will be involved in the organization of the exhibition. They will prepare the little town for the arrival of artists and tourists through some manual work. They also have to contribute at the organization of the show and care about the logistic organisation of the event.
Accomodation & food:
Volunteers will be hosted in a house.
Language:
English will be the official language of the work camp.
Terminal:
Levaldigi Airport / Cuneo Railway Station.
Location & leisure:
The town of Celle di Macra is located at 1270m above sea level and is one of the smaller towns of the Maira Valley.
Volunteers will take part in environmental activities such as cleaning up and maintaining paths and tracks which lead to the Piave River. They will also help out at the organization of the local festival.
Accomodation & food:
Volunteers will be hosted in a school.
Language:
English will be the official language of the work camp. A basic level is required.
Terminal:
Venezia Marco Polo Airport / Treviso Railway Station
Special remarks:
All participants have to be able to ride a bike.
Location & leisure:
Ponte di Piave, Treviso district, Veneto region, North of Italy.
The summer project support the whole organization of the festival, which will take place from the 14th-16th July: preparation of the public spaces, cooking, cleaning and of course living and enjoying the festival in the marvellous frame of Forte Altavilla in Ancona city.
Study part will be the themes of each day of the festival, meeting in advance or after, the protagonists of the debates.
Accomodation & food:
Accommodation in a school. Food to be prepared by volunteers
Location & leisure:
The festival itself will provide a lot of leisure time. Otherwise, possible trips in the area are to be organized
The Freedom of People’s Festival is an association which gathers different NGOs of Ancona city that organizes yearly the festival which has the same name. It constitutes the only intercultural and alternative event during Ancona summer season and gathers many visitors. In 2011 it will be the 23rd edition and it will offer ethnic food cooked by migrant communities in the city, meetings and debates with book authors, social movements or journalists and other cultural events, such as exhibitions, concerts and theatre plays. The summer project support the whole organization of the festival, which will take place from the 14th -16th July: preparation of the public spaces, cooking, cleaning and of course living and enjoying the festival in the marvelous frame of Forte Altavilla in Ancona city. Study part will be the themes of each day of the festival, meeting in advance or after, the protagonists of the debates.
ACCOMODATION:
Accommodation in a school. Food to be prepared by volunteers.
LOCATION:
The festival itself will provide a lot of leisure time. Otherwise, possible trips in the area are to be organized.
« I would recommend participating in a workcamp, especially with VAP, who ensured that I found a project to suit me and provided essential training for me in preparation for my trip. Being part of a workcamp really is a life-changing experience, oh, and it looks great on your CV! »