Last Friday, on the 6th of October, Inter Alia hosted a creative Zines and Poster Workshop with Garance Foglizzo. Garance Foglizzo, a European Law graduate from France, is currently cycling all over Europe in her Dignitour to spread the voice about the European Citizens’ Initiative “Dignity in Europe”, which Inter Alia supports, and to collect data on migrants reception in EU countries. The goal of the initiative is to reach 1 million signatures from European citizens in order to ask the European Commission to ensure better reception standards for asylum seekers and to establish a new relocation system based on solidarity and dignity.
During the workshop Garance showed the attendees how to create zines, small, self-published magazines often made by activists (and not only!) to communicate their ideas in an easy-to-understand format.
This time everyone reflected on the idea of migrant reception in Europe. Through the zines we tried to answer questions such as what problems migrants face and what European governments and we, as citizens, can do to minimize them. After spending some time with colored pencils, old newspapers and scissors, each participant created a very personal, radical zine about what “Dignity in Europe” means to them. In fact, the works were so passionate and unique that Athens Zine Bibliotheque asked to exhibit them during their Open Day event.
At Inter Alia, we believe in having an open conversation about topics that are often tip-toed around. During the workshop the participants didn’t just learn a new skill and create a do-it-yourself zine, but thought critically about the way Europe treats people on the move.
Want to know more about Dignity in Europe? Have a look at the website and sign the Initiative! If you wish to do more to support the campaign, send an email to Martina at tresca@interaliaproject.com.
