🌍 Same Circle, Different Country: Reflections from Two Sides ofEurope

How A-CLASE Connected Türkiye and Slovenia Through Dialogue and Shared Humanity

In an increasingly divided world, A-CLASE reminded us of something simple, yet profound: when people sit in a circle and truly listen to one another, something transformative happens—no matter the language, location, or background.

🤝 A Cross-Cultural Journey

A-CLASE (Adult Classical Literature and Arts Synergy For Equality) is an Erasmus+ adult education project co-led by SAYEG Association (Türkiye) and RIC Novo mesto (Slovenia). Although we live in different cultural contexts, we came together around one shared mission:

To create inclusive, respectful, and democratic spaces for adult learners to grow— through art, literature, and deep conversation.

The methodology was simple, yet powerful: Dialogic Gatherings (DGs). These were not lectures or classes. There were no experts at the center. Just a group of people, sitting in a circle, discussing a carefully chosen story, poem, or image. Each voice equal. Each interpretation valid.

One Method, Two Realities

From the peaceful meeting rooms of Ljubljana to the cozy community halls of Istanbul, dialogic gatherings unfolded in much the same way—but were shaped by their surroundings.

In Türkiye, many participants were women from adult education programs, often joining after long pauses in learning. Some arrived cautiously, unsure of what to expect. But week after week, they began to open up. They discussed family, tradition, change—and in doing so, rediscovered their voice with the help of literature and arts...

In Slovenia, facilitators worked with a broader mix of adult learners and civil society groups. Their focus often included social inclusion and active citizenship. The gatherings created bridges across generational and ethnic divides, showing that democratic dialogue is not a skill—it’s a practice.

And yet, despite these differences, both sides witnessed the same impact: - Increased self-confidence among participants - Strengthened communication and empathy - A deeper appreciation for different perspectives.