Project title
Description of initiative
The project is an interactive theatre-based prevention programme combined with workshops, aimed at strengthening young people’s psychosocial competences and reducing risk factors related to violence, exclusion and, consequently, substance use.
The performance is based on the true story of Rafał and his brother. It portrays a recurring social pattern experienced by many young people: conflict, lack of dialogue, peer violence, emotional neglect and loneliness. The relationships and interactions between the brothers serve as a starting point for participatory workshops. Instead of a closed narrative, the performance creates a space for intervention, reflection and change.
The initiative combines theatre, music, somatic exercises and participatory methods to create a safe environment in which young people can explore emotions, rehearse alternative behaviours and develop awareness of their needs and boundaries.
The mission of the project is to strengthen emotional resilience, empathy and social responsibility, while reducing the tendency to cope with tension through risky behaviours or psychoactive substances.
Education through participatory theatre
The performance is delivered in the form of Forum Theatre inspired by the method of Augusto Boal.
Participants are not passive viewers — they become “spect-actors” who can stop scenes of violence, enter the stage and propose alternative actions.
This process enables young people to:
• recognise mechanisms of violence and exclusion
• understand emotional reactions and their sources
• practise non-violent communication
• experience agency and influence over social situations
The performance is supported by original songs that function as emotional and educational reference points.
Workshop component
During the activities, participants work on:
• emotional regulation and body awareness
• conflict transformation and dialogue
• empathy and perspective-taking while expressing their own needs
• building supportive peer relationships
Somatic techniques and Forum Theatre exercises are used to strengthen self-regulation, recognised as a protective factor in addiction prevention.
Social and preventive dimension
The project addresses psychological sources of risky behaviours such as:
• experiences of violence or neglect
• limited access to supportive communication
• chronic stress and emotional overload
• lack of belonging and being seen
By strengthening protective factors — emotional awareness and social bonds — the programme supports long-term prevention of addictions and risky behaviours.
An integral part of the project is the Manifest of Peace and Understanding, announced during events and encouraging young people to continue reflection and creative work after the performance.
Students can individually or collectively create artistic and literary expressions on old bedsheets — symbolic carriers of experiences, emotions and stories. These works are presented during exhibitions accompanying future editi
Themes: Culture and...
Keywords
Target group
Cultural field
Timeframe
Sources of funding
Results, benefits, impact and lessons learnt
hejTUjestem is the second project of the Foundation implementing educational activities that use art as a tool for social and preventive work. Since 2025, the Foundation has delivered dozens of hejTUjestem events for young people in schools, theatres and cultural centres.
Total number of participants: several thousand people.
Teachers observe students’ openness and readiness to discuss difficult topics, which translates into improved communication in classrooms.
Participants emphasise that they perceive Forum Theatre tools as helpful not only in addressing the issue of hate speech, but also in solving problems at school, in peer relationships and in family situations.
The project demonstrates that cultural activities can be not only artistic experiences but also structured interventions supporting mental health and social resilience.