Four Wanderers -- the description of the project

Four Wanderers. In Search of the Lost Book

A series of educational activities which merge art, visual arts,literature, film, photography, and journalism and which immerse young people in the narratives of the multicultural heritage of the town. These workshops are for youth and culminate in the design of a board game that will tell the story of the town from the perspectives of various characters (attitudes and nationalities).

At the heart of the project there is a "journey" through the old town of Sejny which is undertaken by the representatives of different communities (Lithuanians, Poles, Old Believers, Jews), in search of the Lost Book about the town’s origins.

What is most important for Sejny? What connects its residents from different national, religious, and cultural traditions? The Book is the "Holy Grail" — it used to define everything that was best for the town and its people. It used to serve as a code of values and responsibilities towards the past and the future. It contains descriptions of mysterious places and objects that helped the town survive turbulent times.

Along the way, the Wanderers will meet various guides — sages, the town's founders, Lithuanian writers, rabbis. A vital part of the project will be the stories shared by residents, who will reveal secrets and lesser-known places.

During the journey, we will film and photograph the places we visit and the people we meet; we will design and draw the encountered artifacts, documents, keepsakes, and mysterious objects. Another key element will be an animated film depicting the "journey", serving as an artistic documentation of the project.

Crucially, the project will foster collaboration between young participants and the oldest residents, who carry the memory of the old world. The project will conclude with a celebratory event showcasing the board game, the animation, interviews, and a documentary film.