Writing a letter to Europe

Students from four schools across Norfolk will taking part in writing project to get them thinking about what Europe means to them.

Students from four schools across Norfolk will taking part in writing project to get them thinking about what Europe means to them.

The pupils from Wymondham High, Notre Dame High School, Sprowston High, and Costessey Junior will be taking part in creative workshops from February 23 to 27, where they will be asked to write 'Letters to Europe'.

They will be working with poets George Szirtes, Helen Ivory and Lisa D'Onofrio to think creatively about Europe and to consider what Europe means to them, whether they feel a sense of belonging to Europe and their hopes for the future of Europe.

The children's personal thoughts on Europe will then be expressed in individual 'Letters to Europe'.

The project is run by Norwich-based New Writing Partnership (NWP).

Chris Gribble, chief executive of the partnership, said: 'There have been a lot of negative news stories about Europe recently so it will be interesting to see which views emerge, especially when the children consider how Europe operates as a place of refuge. 'We're open to whatever comes out, because these workshops are all about learning to communicate creatively but also with freedom of expression.'

The workshops are taking place as part of an international project that includes Barcelona, Brussels, Frankfurt and Stavanger, in Norway.

All countries taking part belong to the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN), which aims to promote empathy and freedom of expression through projects such as this one.

Once the Letters have been written, selected children will take part in digital film workshops in collaboration with BBC Voices, bringing their words to life by creating two-minute films.