The project responds to multiple intersecting challenges. In Bova and similar rural communities, many elders feel increasingly excluded or forgotten, particularly due to displacement, urban migration of younger generations, and limited social engagement. As elders pass away, oral traditions and ancestral knowledge risk being lost, creating a cultural void. Simultaneously, youth often grow up disconnected from their heritage and lack meaningful intergenerational mentorship. The project addresses this social fragmentation, the loss of indigenous wisdom, and the age-based stereotyping that reduces the visibility and value of older adults in community life.
The project recognizes elders as cultural leaders and co-creators, giving them space to lead community storytelling and music sessions. Youth participants will not only listen but also respond creatively—through poems, drawings, or performances inspired by what they’ve heard. These exchanges will culminate in a community showcase where elders are honored, and youth present their work as a tribute to the stories shared. By placing elders at the heart of a public, celebratory event, the project promotes dignity, connection, and active participation of older people in cultural life. It also helps bridge the gap between “tradition” and “modernity,” as youth interpret heritage using their own voices and talents.
