The Active Rainbow stories continue with reflections from participants of our latest project, sharing moments, emotions, and learning from their journey together. Scroll down to reconnect with the heart of the programme and discover what this experience meant for them.
To Move is a 10-day youth experiential learning programme that brought together young queer people from Greece, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Spain, and Italy in a safer and braver space to explore dance, movement, and embodiment as tools for self-expression, healing, and community-building. Rooted in Active Rainbow’s approaches to embodied learning and inspired by personal journeys of dance and connection, the project aimed to nurture empowerment through movement rather than technique.
The programme welcomed participants with diverse backgrounds and experiences in dance, focusing not on performance or skill-building, but on self-exploration, presence, and authentic connection with ourselves and others. Each day was filled with movement-based activities, reflection, and shared experiences — always guided by care, consent, and respect for personal boundaries.
Living together as a community was an essential part of the journey. Participants supported one another through daily tasks, collective care, and smaller group processes, creating a space where self-organization, compassion, and mutual responsibility could flourish alongside structured learning moments.
At its core, To Move sought to foster a supportive queer community grounded in acceptance and authenticity, strengthen self-awareness and confidence, and inspire collective action — including local initiatives in Riga and in each partner country. Through interactive and experiential learning, participants learned by doing, by sharing, and by moving together.
Enjoy the reflections and insights from this powerful journey of embodiment, connection, and collective growth!
I feel like I could say so much about the “To Move” project and how much it meant to me. Thanks to this experience I got closer to my body and realised that movement can be joyful and freeing when I am surrounded by the right people.
Theoretically, I knew it to be true before, but it meant a lot to be able to experience it in such an immersive way. The space and people creating it made it feel more possible to believe that I can let my body move the way it wants to and to feel safe and not scared of being judged by others when I do.
One other important thing (that moves me deeply when I think about it) is that I really felt seen during the experience. There were moments when I got lost in my head or felt overwhelmed but people around me kept on showing me that I am not alone and they supported me when I needed it the most. Witnessing other people embracing their authentic selves and unapologetically taking up space with their colourful energies inspired me to strive towards doing the same more bravely.
I am very grateful for having been able to be a part of this project. I can already see how this experience has begun to ripple into many unexpected and surprisingly beautiful areas of my life, and I know it will keep unfolding.
Taking part in this Erasmus project was a truly transformative experience for me. It was my first project, and I’m really glad I decided to step into the role of team leader despite the initial uncertainty.
Throughout the project, I learned a lot about freedom of expression through movement and about what it feels like to be part of a community where I never had to fear being judged.
I deeply appreciated the mindful, grounded presence of the people around me, and the space we created together helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. This project taught me a lot — about myself, about others, and about the power of showing up fully.
My name is Nazar. I’m a 24 years old dance student. I was so happy when I found this project. It was like fresh air coming into my life full of formal dance education.
It was my first time in Latvia and it was crazy in all the good meanings of this word.
I become more confident, more relaxed, and happier. Thanks to this project I came over my fear of facilitating dance workshops. I’m really touched and grateful for this magical experience full of love, respect and safety. It was an amazing time of being 1000% myself. I feel like my life has changed forever after this experience.
My name is Aaron (he/him), I’m from Poland. Going to the project „To Move” was an important experience for me, since I have issues with connecting with my body and movement in general. But having an opportunity to explore myself among people who are not judging and create safe atmosphere let me try freely and open more and more with each day.
I met some kind and passionate people and I can confidently say that this is only the beginning for me. I’m thankful that I could be a part of this and take so much with me home.