The first pilot workshop within the ITOSA project in Sofia took place on 15 January 2025 at Giraffe Café BG. The event gathered 27 senior participants from a local community of 60+ people, who meet regularly. The session was led by InterArt facilitators and focused on the ‘Memory Box & Storytelling’ method.
The meeting began with a presentation of the ITOSA project and an introduction to the Memory Box technique. Gift boxes, markers, and coloured pencils were distributed, and participants were invited to create and decorate their own Memory Boxes. They were asked to bring 3–5 personal items related to good memories, which they shared during the workshop. The atmosphere quickly became lively: seniors presented handmade crafts, heirlooms, photos, poems, and even songs. Some decorated their boxes while listening to others’ stories.
The discussion was warm and emotional, creating a sense of mutual support and joy. As one participant shared: ‘Thank you all for being together! Words are weak to describe the mutuality and power of the experience!’ Another commented: ‘You left us breathless and smiling, charged until our next meeting!’ Evaluation forms confirmed the strong impact of the session, with participants requesting such meetings to be held more often.
The seniors expressed that the Memory Box & Storytelling workshop gave them new tools to reflect on their lives and to share meaningful experiences with others. Many participants decided to keep using their Memory Boxes at home, gradually adding new items and stories as reminders of positive moments. Some planned to show their boxes to grandchildren and family members as a way to pass on personal history. Others suggested repeating the activity in smaller community meetings to strengthen bonds and encourage dialogue among peers. The method will thus continue to live beyond the workshop as a tool for memory sharing and intergenerational connection.