The Myths of Us

Erasmus + Youth Exchange

Kaunas (Lithuania)

Check the short movies the participants created. Link below

From myths carved in wood to stories brought to life on stage, “Myths of Us” gathered young people from across Europe for a journey into storytelling, identity, and connection.

In a world where we scroll endlessly but rarely stop to listen, storytelling remains one of the most powerful ways to understand ourselves and each other. Myths are not just ancient tales; they are reflections of human fears, dreams, values, and transformation. But what happens when young people from different cultures come together to rediscover myths, create new ones, and step into the stories themselves?
This question stood at the heart of “Myths of Us,” an Erasmus+ youth exchange that brought together participants from diverse countries to explore mythology, empathy, creativity, and personal growth through non-formal education.

During the project, participants entered a shared creative space where stories were not only told, but lived. Through interactive workshops, theatre improvisation, storytelling exercises, and artistic creation, they explored myths from different cultures: Greek, Lithuanian, Spanish, Estonian, and Italian. They didn’t just learn about heroes, they became them. They faced challenges, solved puzzles, created narratives, and discovered how stories mirror real-life struggles, choices, and transformation.
But this journey was not only about mythology. It was about people.

Through empathy exercises, deep listening, and shared vulnerability, participants explored what it means to see the world through someone else’s eyes. They reflected on values such as courage, belonging, patience, and identity, and learned how storytelling can help us process emotions, challenge stereotypes, and build meaningful connections.
Creativity became a central tool. Participants experimented with storytelling techniques used in cinema and literature, created digital stories as film crews, and even carved their own personal amulets using runic symbols, transforming abstract ideas into physical reminders of their journey.

Several moments shaped the project, from "beating" El Tiò, to a debate on how mythology shaped solidarity and family relations in Italy and Lithuania to the interactive stations of Estonian mythology. The mythological circle closed when participants stepped into a Greek theatre and collectively recreated the birth of mythological worlds through improvisation and live storytelling.

Throughout the exchange, participants discovered that storytelling is not just about entertainment. It is about understanding. It is about empathy. It is about finding meaning in our own experiences and sharing it with others.
“Myths of Us” was designed as a safe space for exploration, creativity, and personal growth. Participants not only developed creative and communication skills but also built confidence, intercultural understanding, and lifelong connections.
And this was not the end. It was just the beginning.

Each participant returns home carrying new tools, stories, and perspectives, ready to share what they learned within their local communities. Through follow-up activities, creative projects, and storytelling initiatives, the impact of the project continues to grow beyond the exchange itself.

“Myths of Us” is a reminder that stories shape who we are.
And sometimes, by sharing them, we discover that we are not so different after all.