On Friday, September 26, 2025, the first workshop of the CONNECT project entitled Mosaic of Emotions took place at the Janko Škraban Home in Beltinci.

The event brought together 43 participants from Hungary and Slovenia and lasted from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The event was hosted by Nataša Hartman Adjei, the workshop was led by Majda Baligač, and Peter Koša provided interpretation between Slovenian and Hungarian.

The day began with an opening greeting, followed by a presentation of the project and its partners. Afterwards, participants created linden leaves from clay — first cutting them out with molds, then painting them. Once dry, some added magnets, others attached strings and metal rings, resulting in beautiful fridge magnets, pendants, and keychains — all in the shape of a linden leaf. During the creative process, participants discussed the symbolic meaning of the linden tree. The workshop leader shared interesting facts about it, interpreted into Hungarian by the translator. Slovenian participants then shared their memories connected to the linden — how people used to gather under it, its usefulness (for tea, shade), and where its symbol can be found. Their words were translated for the Hungarian guests, who in turn shared what the linden tree means to them. The exchange ended beautifully with the Slovenian participants singing the song “Lipa zelenela je” (“The Linden Was Green”).

The next part of the workshop focused on creating a Mosaic of Emotions. It began with a mindfulness exercise, helping participants connect with themselves and recognize the emotions they were experiencing. With interpretation into Hungarian, they named different emotions and shared how they were currently feeling. Each participant then received a piece of cardboard and decorated it with various materials – colored paper, feathers, pebbles, corn, cotton, bark, dried leaves, buttons, bottle caps, and more – to express their emotional state. Finally, all the small mosaics were joined together on a large cardboard sheet to form one big Mosaic of Emotions, which will be displayed on the wall of the Zavod Stella in Beltinci. The workshop atmosphere was enriched with songs in both languages and sweet treats from Slovenia (doughnuts) and Hungary (“machine-made” cookies). Some Slovenian participants even spoke Hungarian, which made the interactions livelier and easier.

To conclude the event, participants planted a linden tree as a symbol of friendship and shared a delicious lunch before parting.

Photos by CONNECT