Creating freedom: Belarusian refugee women
Talaka Association for Social Promotion
Italy
Belarusian women forced to leave their country due to politically motivated persecution face psychological trauma, financial instability, isolation, and the loss of voice and cultural identity. Creativity and mutual support help overcome these challenges. We create a safe space through workshops on traditional crafts that promote self expression, mutual support, and the exchange of ideas. They are led by the participants themselves, strengthening their role in the community and fostering belonging. The initiative is open to other diasporas, fostering intercultural dialogue and support networks
Many Belarusian women were forced to leave their country due to political repression and arrived in Italy without social connections or support. The Belarusian democratic community center in Florence developed an ethnocultural project to assist women in the adaptation process. It helps them cope with feelings of isolation related to relocation, cultural differences, and the loss of their familiar environment. Over the course of a year, six workshops on traditional crafts will take place, including embroidery, ceramics, straw weaving, painting and candle making. The participants themselves will lead the sessions, acting as bearers of knowledge and cultural traditions. This will help them regain self-confidence, share personal experiences, engage more actively in community life, and strengthen mutual support, responsibility, and initiative. The project is open to members of Belarusian, Ukrainian, Georgian, and Italian communities, promoting intercultural exchange and dialogue. Public presentations of the workshop outcomes increase the visibility of the project, challenge stereotypes about refugees, and highlight their role as active participants in cultural and civic life.