By Maria Gregoriou
Who said that grown-ups can’t have fun and that their time at school desks is behind them? Certainly not the ARTos Foundation in Nicosia which is gearing up to get adults who never tire of learning involved in the Grown-Up Kids University on Saturday, March 14.
The foundation is known for its Kids University series, during which children can participate in a number of workshops led by professionals in the fields of arts and science. Since 2005 children have enjoyed getting creative while using their logic to learn (that is not all, they also gain self-confidence and develop the way they think).
It seems that the parents of these children, or grown-ups who have heard of the workshops, want to join in some of the fun as the foundation is organising a day of workshops to satisfy popular demand.
After two years of researching, ARTos is finally ready to let the adults in on the fun.
The Grown-Up Kids University will present six workshops from the fields of theatre to communication building.
Playwright, director and workshop facilitator Eleni Cosma will be the instructor behind the Transcendental Theatre workshop. Cosma will use a selection of energetic theatre games designed to help break down the walls that surround us, to feel free. The workshop promises to help you relax and let your imagination flow.
Leaving behind dreamy worlds, enter a greener world with member of Utopia Collective Konstantinos Georgiou, who will introduce the herbs in our everyday life.
We live on an island with wild life and a variety of herbs in the natural environment. The strong sun and the diversity of soil are perfect for an excellent quality of herbs with very high content of natural elements, to grow.
The workshop will show participants how to use this natural wealth, and how to develop personal contact with herbs, how to include them in everyday life by planting them in our garden. The role of herbs in the ecosystem will also be part of the discussion.
Visual and performance artist, curator, educator, researcher and writer Christina Georgiou, will teach how to experience the now.
Grown-ups sometimes find it hard to communicate and need a little help building communication channels that may lead to where we want to be. With this is mind the event will also include a workshop where participants will be asked to invent original ways of communicating with their neighbours. In this way the workshop aims to promote dialogue for co-creation and the formation of strong communities.
Next to last is the course entitled Invisible Electromagnetic Fields in our Homes, with electrical engineer Achilleas Kentonis.
Kentonis, who has most impressively worked for two years in electromagnetic research for NASA, will help identify the invisible electromagnetic fields in homes and their effect on human health, especially children.
Last up is laser physicist Viken Tavitian, who will introduce his highly educational and entertaining science and technology show, entitled Vikexploratorium. Not clear on what this is?
It is a hands-on approach to complicated science phenomena unveiling them in a fun way through simple experiments. The workshop will shed light on the science that is all around us.
Register by March 12 to reserve your place.
First Grown-up Kids University
A series of workshops. March 14. ARTos Cultural and Research Foundation, 64 Ay. Omoloyites Avenue, Nicosia. 4pm-7.30pm. €30 (50 for couples). Tel: 22-445455
