An Ode to Diversity
“Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old only by deserting their ideals. Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul”,
Youth Poem, by Samuel Ullman
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A PLURAL IDENDITY
Amid a growing rejection of multiculturalism in Western societies, populist movements promote one single identity defined by its indivisibility. Rejection and fear of difference is dramatically taking ground. A young woman chose to react in her own way to what she perceives as an undearable situation. That’s how The Odessey was born.
Her idea, her aim: promoting Cultural Diversity. Her project defends a plural identity where difference is an asset and enhances oneself knowledge of the world. In this way, Charlotte, 23 years old, decided to go travelling around the world, in order to share enriching experiences to brighten people’s views of Cultural Diversity.
The Odessey first originates from its homonym: the Odyssey. It is therefore a journey ethimologically speaking. It is a journey through Cultural Diversity. The Odessey has itself a dual, if not, a multiple identity. It is half French, half English, as Charlotte would define herself. That is why she will try and communicate in English as much as in French during her journey.
AN ODE
But The Odessey is also an Ode, an Ode to the world’s cultures, therefore the –e instead of the –y in the middle. During 3 months, from 7 March to 1 June 2017, Charlotte will go through 7 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Russia (Transsiberian), Poland, Germany, Belgium and Spain. She will spend 3 weeks in Japan, 2 weeks in South Korea, 3 weeks in Russia (including 2 weeks on the Transsiberian), a week in Poland, 2 weeks in Germany, 1 week in Belgium and about the same amount of time in Spain.
The Odessey will study the positive role of Cultural Diversity in Europe, and the representation of the Other in Arts and History. Every stop in every country will be about artistic events, historical facts and picturing daily life. In fine, they will become a key support for later, i.e Charlotte’s reflexion on Difference in her master’s degree (see below Aims and purposes of the Odessey).
Each country has a rich cultural heritage. The Odessey will be more than happy to share it with you and bring you with her on the journey, inviting you to travel and reflect as well.
THE JOURNEY
JAPAN
TOKYO – KYOTO – HIROSHIMA
Peace Park Memorial, Hiroshima, Japan
In Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima, the Odessey reviewed Japanese Arts and important periods of Japan history. Was also pictured a poetic and frenetic Japan, where tradition and modernity live together hand in hand.
SOUTH KOREA
BUSAN – HEIRY – SEOUL
DMZ (demilitarized zone), Seoul, South Korea
In Busan, Seoul and Heiry, the Odessey will reflect on Korean Arts, War and Memory
(International Film Festival of Busan, the literary city of Paju, the DMZ
RUSSIA
IRKUTSK – TOMSK – KAZAN – MOSCOW – SAINT PETERSBURG
Traditional Wooden Houses of Tomsk, Russia
Along the Transsiberian, from Vladivostok to St. Petersburg, the Odessey will take a close look at the Russian society and spirit in union with Nature, Culture, Literature and History.
POLAND & GERMANY
AUSCHWITZ – WROCLAW – BERLIN – LEIPZIG
East Side Gallery, Berlin, Germany
In Mai, time will be dedicated to reflect on the history of the European Union. Rememberance duty, solidarity and friendship within peoples will be the main topics studied in Western and Eastern Europe. Charlotte will stop at the former concentration camp in Auschwitz – Birkenau and the previous European Capital of Culture 2016, Wroclaw. Berlin will be her next spot, a longer one though. It has been a long time since Charlotte had a tremendous interest for the history of this city. Berlin is filled with historical remnants, dating back to the Cold War. That is the reason why reflexion will have the topics of frontiers and memory as a main focus, visiting the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Topography of Terror, the East Side Gallery and the Berlin Wall Memorial. Charlotte will finally make a stop at Leipzig for its lively artistic life.
BELGIUM & SPAIN
BRUSSELS – BRUGES – BARCELONA
“Caprice des Dieux” Building or European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium
The Odessey will end up crossing the “three B” peninsula, from Brussels to Bruges and Barcelona. Reflexion on EU Governance, Arts and Solidarity.
ULULE BUDGET OF
THE ODESSEY
=> 3000 € <=
1st step : ULULE funding goal
accommodation & transportation
Accommodation : 700€
Transportation : 2300€
total: 3000€
2d step : ULULE funding goal + food & activites
Food : 1100€
Activities (Arts & History) : 800€
total : 5000€
3d step : whole budget funding
Technological support: 1200€ (G7X Canon camera: 600€, mini-laptop: 300€, internet domain for 3 months: 300€)
Equipment : 200€ (travel guides, emergency)
sub-total : 1400€
TOTAL: 6400€
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Aims and Purposes of
The Odessey
At the end of her trip, Charlotte will write a plea for Cultural Diversity and Tolerance. Enhanced with her observations collected along the trip, the travel report will provide you with both theoretical and empirical reflexions on the topic of Difference. There will be two main dimensions to it: an historical one and an artistic one. It will contain photo portraits, stories and writings about Multiculturalism, Ethics and Human Rights. Let’s not also forget that The Odessey is both a global and European scale project. The aim is therefore to include Cultural Diversity as a positive element of European Identity.
Afterwards, Charlotte plans to use her findings for academic purposes. In her future studies, she would like to discuss and reflect on Multiculturalism, Nationalism and Difference. The Representation of the Other in terms of Gender and Ethnicity in Cultural European policies would be the basis for her dissertation.
Portrait.
The one who lies behind The Odessey is passionate about foreign languages, History and Culture. She sees herself as half French, half British, after English took an important part in her life in the shape of summerchools and exchanges. Intercultural exchanges have always been a “must” for her, as she could not actually stand still in her home country. She has always been eager to discovering new cultures (e.g: the study of German, Russian and English and deep interest and commitment for the European Union). In 2017, she wanted to push it a little bit further and turn this passion into something bigger: The Odessey.
In Live.
Her Odessey is yours too, so please enjoy your trip through The Odessey on :
Diversity has no limits, no frontiers, except the ones that humans create themselves. The Odessey is hoping to step over them. It has stemmed from and will live through this idea until the end. So please do not hesitate to share and react to photos and stories of The Odessey. It has already started, giving you a taste of a flamboyant Japan (see on www.the-odessey.com).
“It is our responsibility to help preserve cultures, know-hows, ethical and democratic principles bequeathed by past generations”, Corinne Lepage, preamble of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Kindest regards,
The Odessey, Charlotte