Language Puzzle of Europe: Exploring Cultural Heritage Through Language

In July 2025, Cesta rozvoje hosted an international training course for youth workers titled “Language Puzzle of Europe”, held in the town of Blansko, Czech Republic. This project brought together 33 youth workers, educators, and youth leaders from across Europe to explore the rich interconnection between language and intangible cultural heritage.

Why Language?

Language is more than a tool for communication – it is a living expression of culture, identity, and history. Throughout the training, participants reflected on how language can both preserve and transmit cultural values, foster inclusion, and strengthen intercultural understanding in diverse youth settings.

The course focused on equipping participants with non-formal educational tools and methods to make language and heritage engaging topics for young people. From traditional storytelling to modern digital techniques, participants were encouraged to experiment, co-create, and rethink how youth work can embrace Europe’s linguistic diversity.

Learning by Doing: Stop Motion with LEGO

A major innovation in the training was the use of LEGO stop motion animation as an educational tool. Participants collaborated in intercultural teams to produce short animated films that tell stories rooted in their own languages, traditions, and cultural references. This playful method not only encouraged creativity but also made cultural expression accessible and fun.

A Toolkit for Youth Workers
As a concrete result of the training, the project team is developing a practical toolkit. This toolkit will compile the methods and tools explored during the course—such as language games, storytelling exercises, and stop motion workflows—making them accessible to youth workers across Europe.

This project was co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Programme.