Berlin: Festive Closing Event of the Lotus Project at IBZ
On Saturday, May 24, 2025, the Lotus project reached a significant milestone with a festive and participatory event held at the International Begegnungszentrum der Wissenschaft (IBZ Berlin). This center, dedicated to international researchers on temporary stay, provided a welcoming and stimulating setting to celebrate the conclusion of this unique project combining yoga, poetry, and creative expression.
Located in the Wilmersdorf district, IBZ Berlin is known for its facilities that promote intercultural integration. It offers accommodation, workspaces, a performance hall, and various meeting spaces, actively fostering scientific and cultural diversity.
Evening Program
The evening began at 6:30 p.m. with a screening of the film Lotus Flowers, a profound testimony to the collective journey that gave voice to participants through their poems, stories, and shared moments. The film invited the audience to immerse themselves in the sensitive and engaged experience of the project.
At 7:00 p.m., an open discussion brought together participants, organizers, and viewers. This dialogue provided a space to contrast the intimate experiences of refugees with the perspective of the local neighborhood, highlighting how exile realities often remain unknown to the wider European public.
The evening concluded at 8:00 p.m. with a concert by the duo Jérusafrin, creating a warm and poetic musical atmosphere to close the event.
A Highlight for Visibility and Inclusion
This final event enabled:
- Public visibility of participants’ voices, highlighting their artistic and narrative creations.
- Sharing experiences beyond the workshop’s immediate circle.
- Building connections between refugees, neighborhood residents, and IBZ inhabitants.
- Offering an artistic and emotional translation of their experiences through film and music.
Through this convivial and emotionally rich evening, the Lotus project reaffirmed its commitment to social inclusion through the arts, fostering intercultural understanding and lasting dialogue between communities.
This event in Berlin marks an important step in the dissemination and impact of the Lotus project, illustrating the power of combining arts and body practices to support and value migration journeys.
