Jacob:
Before arriving in Zvīguļi I did not know what to expect. I was prepared to not be able to connect well with anyone, to stay in my own bubble and just go through the motions as this is a common experience for me in new social situations. Anxious and afraid, I found it hard to even approach the other people from my country since I knew nothing about them. Due to the stress and the exhaustion, as I had been volunteering the whole week prior to coming, I also lost my earbuds and my card before even leaving the airport. I felt it was a bad omen and nothing good awaited.
However, I kept going. I met one of the members of my national team and 3 other participants at the bus stop next to the airport. We started talking, and while I felt too drained to interact much, it brought me comfort to hear them. I realised I’m in good company with nice, welcoming and open-minded people that I will easily communicate with after I recharge a little. Then our group grew as we met with a few others at the Rigas SAO station to take the bus to Zvīguļi, and while I was worried about the technical issues regarding my lost items, I felt much safer since I knew I don’t have to worry so much about the logistics of getting to the venue as others had it figured out already. This was not exactly the case, as we ended up missing our bus station and getting off one further than we should’ve. Usually, this would stress people out, but the moment I realised we’re all going to have a challenging and fun adventure at the very beginning, I became quite excited and it helped me forget about all the misfortunes and worries I had. The 20 minutes of walking on the highway with our luggages dragging us behind really were quite magical and I think it already did wonders at helping us feel more connected and acquainted with each other.
The moment of finally reaching the venue was when I realised it is really all going to be okay. The colored hallways and the decorations made by the Active Rainbow team made the place feel very fun, almost like a childhood summer camp if they were actually queer-friendly and with good conditions. At first, we wanted to room together with our national team, but we decided to give the place up for the participants from Serbia, and I ended up rooming with the Bulgarian team. When I entered the room, we instantly clicked and I couldn’t be happier I ended up here. We had a great first evening, painted our nails together and shared stories while listening to music we commonly liked.
From then on the days felt like a blur, each with their new experiences and different interactive ways of learning that kept things fun and only strengthened our bonds. I felt at home and after a day or two I really felt like part of a huge queer family, all sharing a household, and nobody felt unapproachable. While I usually tend to stick to one or two people in a larger social setting, here I can really say that there was genuinely no one that I didn’t feel a connection with. Everyone was special in their own way. Some were people I’d come to because I knew I could share something personal, others I knew could help me during a harder time, while I could have fun with a different group and learn from another. Overall, it was an absolutely amazing 24/7 peer to peer learning experience while also having the non-formal education sessions every day. It really impressed me how diverse the sessions were, as well as how different they were from everything I’d participated in before.
The event we ended up organising in Riga was also of great importance to me. Before that, I found it so overwhelming and unbelievable that I could create something of the sort with peers that have similar resources and preparation. However, I proved to myself that this is doable and it doesn’t even require as much tedious work as I had anticipated. I now feel a lot more confident and motivated to organise activities and events of my own, and have already prepared materials for the local action phase of the project.
Now that I’m back home I look back to my time in Zvīguļi as one of the most meaningful experiences of my life and I feel almost foolish for my bad expectations, since it ended up being so wonderful that it completely changed me as a person and breathed a new hope in me as an activist. I want to massively thank the Active Rainbow team for all the work they put into making this possible and I look forward to more collaborations.
Vera:
” For me, this experience went beyond theoretical or practical skills, it left me with a profound sense of community. Over the week, I discovered that a tolerant and non-judgmental space isn’t just an idea to dream about , it’s something we can truly live and create together.
Looking back, it feels transformative to witness how we shifted from being participants to becoming a transnational network of support — ready to queer up education in our home communities. “
Cristian:
This summer, I had the extraordinary opportunity to participate in an Erasmus+ project in Zvīguli, Latvia—an exchange organized by Active Rainbow, focused on sex education and queer education. It was one of the most profound and transformative experiences of my life.
My contribution and a united community, new friends:
Within the project, I contributed my personal perspectives, was open to vulnerability, and supported my colleagues in their own processes. I learned that “contributing” is not just about speaking up, but also about knowing when to listen, when to support, and when to create space for others.
In addition to all this, I made new friends who will support me in everything I do. I realized how important it is to maintain a close-knit community where every voice is heard and every member feels that they truly belong.
This exchange gave me more than knowledge: it gave me clarity, inner strength, and an international community that I now feel part of. I left Zvīguli not only with beautiful memories, but with a more authentic version of myself.
Love and miss everyone so much !!!
Educational techniques implemented:
The project was an extraordinary educational strategy that combined theory with practice in a very effective and engaging way. One memorable example was the “representative corner,” an activity in which each participant created an exhibition of personal objects, explaining how they represented them. This was a profound way to connect and express our identity in a safe space.
In addition, sex education was also addressed through interactive practices, such as exploring pleasure with sex toys. These practical exercises were extremely useful in understanding how to use healthy techniques and methods in everyday life in a natural and respectful way.
This exchange gave me more than knowledge: it gave me clarity, inner strength, and an international community that I now feel part of. I left Zvīguli not only with beautiful memories, but with a more authentic version of myself.
Moments of relaxation and enjoyment:
It was unique, it was fun, it was amazing !
In addition to the educational aspect, the project was also a lot of fun! We enjoyed special moments at QueerVision, where we sang and connected through music. We participated in various sports and recreational events, such as yoga and volleyball, which brought us together and filled us with positive energy. The evenings spent at the sauna and jacuzzi were undoubtedly among our favorite moments of relaxation and socializing.
I deeply appreciate the Active Rainbow team for the exemplary way in which they implemented the project and for their open, empathetic, and professional attitude. Thanks to them, the experience was not only educational, but also transformative and joyful.
I will always rememberZviguli, Riga, Latvia, as a place full of opportunities and wonderful people. I was deeply impressed by the big-hearted people I met here—dedicated people who are passionate and courageous in their efforts to inform and transform the society we live in.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Active Rainbow team for the impeccable organization of this project. Your professionalism, empathy, and dedication made this experience not only educational, but truly transformative. I greatly appreciate you for creating a safe, open, and inspirational space where each participant could feel supported and encouraged to grow.
Thank you for everything you do for the community and for being an example of involvement and solidarity. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to be part of this journey with you.
