“Art against Hate” is the title of the street campaign launched in Kumanovo, North Macedonia from 24 to 25 April. It was organised by an informal group of peace activists brought together with the support of the Centre for Nonviolent Action. Their aim was to replace messages of intolerance and violence in public spaces and fill them with images promoting solidarity, diversity and togetherness.
Pupils from two secondary schools, Goce Delčev and Sami Frasheri, took part in the action, working together with the FORMA Association of Artists on a mural dedicated to reconciliation, coexistence and peacebuilding.
“We are launching this campaign because we believe there is still a need to work with young people on nonviolence/non-hatred between Macedonians and Albanians. What is needed is more work and influence from activists and the non-governmental sector (informal education), as well as increased contacts and interactivity within this population. Everything starts from young people, they are the drivers of social change. Healthy generations and a healthy future of our country come from healthy young people working towards coexistence and mutual tolerance,” said Teodora Sokolovska from the informal group of peace activists.
On the day before the street campaign, pupils from the Goce Delčev and the Sami Frasheri secondary schools had an opportunity to meet each other at a one-day workshop where they tackled topics such as: teamwork and communication, hate speech, nonviolence and nonviolent action. They also had an opportunity to learn more about engaged street art as a powerful tool for bringing about social change.
“These activities are something our society needs, especially secondary school pupils who lack opportunities to meet, get to know each other and communicate. Yesterday’s workshop and this whole activity show that communication, cooperation and recognising each other’s needs remove prejudice and barriers between young people who want peace, respect, nonviolence and progress,” added Fatmire Ajdari from the informal group of peace activists.
The painted mural is a joint and powerful message that there is no place for hate speech in our societies and environments and that together we can be part of social change.
This artistic initiative was supported by the FORMA Kumanovo artists’ association.
In the upcoming period, similar campaigns are planned in Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Niš (Serbia).