EmotiON

We got the amazing chance to present our very first event, EмoциON, at the Aleko Konstantinov Community Center 1897 in Sofia, Bulgaria on March 2, 2024. The energy was high as 26 people came together to learn about the basics of Nonviolent Communication, which combines awareness, connection, and empathy into a comprehensive method for a more peaceful society. Toni and Tony had participated in the Building Bridges training session in Brno, Czech Republic, earlier this year with NVC Brno Association and ALTER Network, and were excited to pass on the significant knowledge they had gained. The space had a feeling of excitement and interest as participants came. We greeted everyone warmly, gave our introductions, and established the atmosphere for the afternoon. The significance of being present, actively listening, and establishing a secure environment for a judgement-free sharing were all emphasised. The guidelines were straightforward: keep phones on silent, no interruptions, and promise to begin and conclude together.

Ice-breakers and the foundations of NVC

After setting group agreements together, Eli led our icebreaker, which instantly energized the group and had everyone giggle. After, participants stopped to shake hands with the closest person and respond to the lighthearted question, “If you were an animal, what would you be and why?” Everyone felt more at ease after this activity because it not only broke the ice but also allowed us to connect on a more personal level. After that, Ani spoke about the three main pillars of Nonviolent Communication: self-expression, empathy, and connection with oneself. In order to learn self-expression and active listening, participants talked about their recent feelings with a partner. We were able to genuinely express our emotions and explore into our inner worlds during this  session. After that, Toni led a session on the four stages of Nonviolent Communication through theater games, offering helpful advice and real-world examples drawn from both personal and literary experiences. The participants’ debates and enthusiasm to apply Nonviolent Communication techniques in their daily lives were sparked by this presentation. The ideas became concrete and applicable when Nonviolent Communication principles were applied in a variety of contexts, from routine discussions to confrontations.

Creatosphere’s first workshop 

Afterwards, Eli conducted a reflection circle to close up the entire experience. We each had a Dixit card, signifying the lessons we had learned from the workshop. By exchanging ideas and emotions, we created a sense of connection and respect for one another. We also spent some time answering questions concerning Erasmus+ programs and providing an outlook on upcoming chances for development and education. When I think back on ЕмoциON, I realize that it was a trip into the foundations of peaceful communication rather than just a workshop. An amazing experience was produced by combining theoretical information, hands-on activities, and genuine sharing. After leaving Aleko Konstantinov Community Center 1897, we felt it differently in the air – this was one of the first events co-created by Creatosphere. Undoubtedly, the knowledge gained and the relationships formed during ЕмоциON will keep influencing and improving our lives, contributing to a world that is more compassionate and peaceful. As this was the first event in Creatosphere’s journey, we were happy to see several participants  continued to join our next workshops and other events, which helped to build a community of people who were committed to nonviolent communication and personal development.

The radio invited us to speak! 

This event was also the talk of a local Bulgarian radio as Toni & Tony shared about it. You can read our article about that here and also Radio Focus’ article here.