Common Carnaval
This project is interesting because of its goal to unite and bring communities together. Children, teenagers, and adults work together with artists for social purposes. Together they make costumes and a wagon which is different from your typical artwork.
Niederland Common Carnaval is an initiative in Maastricht in collaboration with cultural organizations such as Fashionclash and Bureau Europa. Carnival is one of Maastricht’s traditions. The ritual of carnival exists out of many events: gatherings of people, in larger and smaller groups, even in the run-up to ‘Vasteloavend’, making costumes together, building the wagons, making music together, eating and drinking. The motto of the Maastricht Vasteloavend is connecting through fun and charity. ‘Common Carnaval’ is a project by, for and with residents of the city of Maastricht, refugees, and newcomers. Refugees have left behind more than their home, they have also left behind the objects, moments and places that shaped their daily lives. But not only that, joined rituals are also often left behind; the parties with their family, friends, the city and their own country.
Common Carnaval has been used as a gesture to welcome newcomers to the city of Maastricht. They want to meet them and let them participate in the Maastricht community. They did this by sharing the activities and customs surrounding carnival with them, by inviting them to make the costumes together, build objects, a wagon and to let them walk in the parade with them.
The council of 11 will consist of several young people from Maastricht, a few young artists, and a number of young refugees. Fashionclash took the lead in making the costumes and sewed costumes together with the citizens from Maastricht, young and old, and the refugees. A process in which the residents do their part to make the welcomes as warm and pleasant as possible.
The UN goals associated with this project:
- Reduced inequality, 10
- Sustainable cities and communities, 11
- Peace and Justice, 16
- Partnerships for goals, 17
This project was the national winner of the Charlemagne Prize in 2016. A prize issued by the European Parliament, which is awarded to young people between 16 and 30 years old who have organized a project promoting European awareness.
