Last year’s inaugural Culture day left us wanting more. Now, course participants and staff at Åsa and Eskilstuna folk high schools have once again gathered in the spirit of culture – this time with a Do it yourself focus.
Region Sörmland’s folk high schools in Sköldinge and Eskilstuna have met around various events several times before.
The Culture day at Eskilstuna Folk High School is an activity day which, more clearly than other gatherings, is built on interaction and socialising through a range of cultural programme items.
“More than a method”
It is important to do things together. This is emphasised by Mattias Borgh, Deputy principal at Eskilstuna. As he did last year, he has been a driving force in planning Culture day 2025 together with communications officer Johanna Gilljam and teacher Tamara Valiente.
The theme for Culture day 2025 was DIY: Engage, organise and set things in motion. DIY is short for “Do It Yourself”.
– Doing things yourself is more than a method. It is a movement. When we take initiative, experiment and create with our own hands, something is born that reaches far beyond ourselves, Borgh said as he opened the day.
Highlighting DIY power
He pointed out that the DIY culture carries a very special power.
– It frees us from the idea that everything must be finished, perfect or professional to have value. Instead, it shows that change can begin with what we have right in front of us – a thought, a material, a place, a meeting. When more people dare to take part, create and share, a collective movement is built that can grow into something greater.
A packed programme
The aim of the day was to highlight the great importance of culture for both individuals and society – how it can be experienced, created and worked with. Participants were able to explore this through a wide range of workshops, lectures and viewings throughout the day.
Here you can watch a short film from the rhythmics workshop, led by Johan Löfcrantz Ramsay, percussion teacher on Åsa’s music course:
On the packed programme were, among many other things, a lecture and live music by musician Frida Herchenröther and hospital clown Emma Gustafsson, workshops in role-playing, flow writing, fantasy, cardboard printing, panel discussions, film screenings, as well as visits to various cultural organisations located in the school’s surroundings in Munktellstaden.
Here are a few more photos from the day:
Text and photos: Henrik Wising