As part of the hebdomadal meeting of the women's group of psychosocial support and empowerment, of Caritas Hellas Center for Social Integration and Employability in Kipseli, on Wednesday 30th of January we visited an Art Gallery in the center of Athens. It was the first personal drawing exhibition of the artist Sophia Rozaki, entitled "Flip A Switch". The concept of the drawings, according to their creator, was the personal recognition and acceptance of one's self, and how someone can work out their past experiences though the art of drawing.
Caritas Hellas's social worker made an introduction to the exhibition, by gathering the women in a circle and talking about the art of drawing and its sources. They spoke about the therapeutic part and benefic the drawing has for someone, by expressing their feelings and thought by drawing something and by using colors.
The group of women, coming from countries such as Congo, Iraq, Albania, Syria, Iran really enjoyed the painting exhibition, as they were observing the paintings and were asking questions to the artist.
Furthermore, most of the women, could even identify parts of themselves and their lives on the paintings.
After the exhibition, we went to a local restaurant and enjoyed Greek traditional delicacies, as women were sitting all together exchanging personal experiences. Impressingly, the women, feeling already very familiar with each other managed to use the public transportation to get back home while talking four different languages ! !
The cultural visit is part of the Program "Social and Economic Integration of Refugees and Immigrants in Athens" concerning the support and integration of refugees and immigrants in Greek society. The Program is implemented by Caritas Hellas and is funded by Caritas Switzerland.