THE POWER OF LIMITING BELIEFS
At the beginning of April 2025, young people from four different nationalities gathered in the town of Apriltsi, Bulgaria, to create through the lens of various art forms —
such as music, writing, theatre, visual arts, and movement.
Each day, they explored a different limiting belief, experimented with it through artistic challenges, worked in teams, learned from one another, and lived together.
The youth exchange lasted 10 days.
On the ninth day, participants organized a festival for the local community in Apriltsi — “Everyone Can Create”,
where guests and locals came together to share folk dances,
painting, and live music.
We engaged the local community throughout the entire festival.
The Municipality of Apriltsi supported us by providing a venue for the events, helping with the printing of materials, and spreading information among local residents to encourage their participation in our activities.
In total, around 100 people attended the events.
Several workshops were held, dedicated to creative expression, improvisation, painting, and dance, where participants and local residents learned from one another through creative and interactive encounters.
One of the highlights of the festival was the performance of the local children’s brass band, followed by a traditional dance exchange — participants shared their dances, and the locals enthusiastically joined in with theirs.
The story of this collaboration was covered by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), which helped the spirit of the community, created during the festival, reach a wider audience.
The Hristo Botev Program of the Bulgarian National Radio also featured the event, inviting Antonia Lyubenova — director of Creatosphere and one of the facilitators of Creathon — for an interview.
The project was funded through the Erasmus+ programme, with the support of the Human Resource Development Centre.
SO, HOW DID IT ALL HAPPEN?
THE TEAM BEHIND CREATHON
Program design, Facilitation, psychology, logistics, Communication
The whole is much more than the sum of its part. Meet the team that made Creathon happen:
Kris Filipiuk
Program design & Lead facilitation
Toni Lyubenova
Project coordination, Facilitation
Hannah Rose
Project psychologist
Anthon Toshev
Operations, offsite and onsite logistics
Eve Enfer
Communication & Media
THE STRUCTURE
The science behind the PROJECT
The idea of Creathon was to create a safer space with a lot of lightness and humour. At the heart of it was a commitment to experiment with new art forms imperfectly, and failing without shame or blame. A space to gently challenge what blocks each of us from creating, expressing, and being our authentic selves — not only in art, but in everyday life.
Creathon was intentionally designed as a 10-day transformational arc combining artistic expression with inner work.
Each day focused on a specific limiting belief, explored through: embodied exercises, creative constraints, group reflection and collaborative creation.
Day 1 – 3
Awareness of limiting patterns
We went through self-awareness experiences and reflections of what beliefs we have about ourselves, the world, or response of the others to our expression
Day 4 – 6
Expression through art
Each of us set daily little challenges to check if our beliefs are true or not, and do it in context of playful artistic creation
Day 7 – 10
Integration through community experience (festival)
Integration through community experience – stepping to a wider community inviting others to create, with our newly acquired self-awareness
THE OUTCOME
youth exchange outputs and disseminations
Overcoming limiting beliefs in art begins with recognizing the quiet thoughts that hold us back — the fear of not being good enough, the pressure to be perfect, the doubt that our voice truly matters. This guidebook is a practical and reflective resource for artists, creatives, youth workers, and anyone longing to express themselves more freely. Through exercises, real-life insights, and gentle challenges, it supports you in identifying creative blocks, rebuilding confidence, and reconnecting with your authentic artistic expression.
Because creativity does not grow in perfection: it grows in courage, experimentation, and community.
experiencing the youth exchange
The Project Video
Here you can watch the video from Creathon 2025 – Art, Connection, and Limiting Beliefs.
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of ten days filled with art, shared emotions, and bold steps beyond limiting beliefs.
See how young people from four countries discovered new ways to express themselves, collaborate, and believe more deeply in their own potential.
Recorded and edited by Eve Enfer
PLAYING TOGETHER
captured moments
Knowledge transfer
Local Events
After the mobility ended, the participants returned to their home countries inspired and full of ideas.
They organized events and workshops for their local communities to share the experience and inspiration that Creathon had brought them.
Hungary
In Hungary, participants gathered their friends and families to write fairy tales using collaborative creation methods. They combined sentences, drawings, and imagination to create unique booklets of stories and illustrations where
every voice had its place.
Latvia
In Latvia, the group held a workshop for about 20 children on the theme “BAD ART,” where participants engaged in an open conversation about what “bad art” means — and whether such a thing even exists. Through play and drawing, the teenagers were encouraged to express themselves freely, without fear of judgment or comparison.
Lithuania
In Lithuania, participants held a workshop on the theme “Bad Art,” which concluded with an improvised art session and a live discussion on the subjectivity of art — exploring how the concept of “imperfection” can be what’s most human and genuine.
Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, in Sofia, we organized a creative workshop exploring the idea that creativity belongs to everyone — not just to artists. The focus was on self-expression, listening to the inner voice, and connection through art. Some of the participants, based in Burgas, continued this wave by organizing the event “Connect Offline,” which has since become a monthly gathering, already attracting over 50 young people eager to communicate and create beyond the digital world.
WHAT PARTICIPANTS SAID
Testimonials
“With Creatosphere, it was truly a special experience. The team created a space where creativity, vulnerability, and personal growth could meet in such an honest way.
I felt seen, heard, and inspired throughout the whole journey.
Thank you for creating something so meaningful — I’m excited to see how Creatosphere continues to grow, and I hope to be part of future projects!”
Paula Līdaka, Latvia
“Creatosphere is the place I will always call my home — the place I’ll always want to return to. There, I grew as a person and created friendships that
will last a lifetime.”
Miglė Tiškevičiūtė, Lithuania
“Taking part in this Erasmus+ project was the best decision I could have made.
Throughout the entire time, I felt safe, accepted, and free.
I expanded my creative knowledge and became more aware and positive about myself.
The activities were incredibly creative and encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone. I connected with others, had deep conversations, and made friendships with people from different countries.”
Marius Kazakevičius, Lithuania
AND IT ALL STARTED WITH JUST ONE IDEA
Erasmus+ Infopack
In the Creathon project, we were looking for young people with an artistic spirit — not necessarily professional artists, but those with the desire to create, express themselves, and explore who they are through art. We wanted participants who bring motivation to learn and grow, who wish to overcome limiting beliefs, and who feel free to share their ideas and emotions. We sought open and curious young people, ready to exchange experiences, live and create together in a multicultural environment, inspire one another,
and express their uniqueness.
A wise author once said:
“Great things are done
by a series of small things
brought together.”
— Vincent van Gogh
WHAT DID WE LEARN?
Growth Through Creativity,
Connection, and Awareness
The experience of Creathon showed that when young people come together to create, they don’t just make art — they create meaning. Participants shared that they felt deeply supported, emotionally engaged, and inspired to express themselves in new ways.
They discovered inner strengths, built confidence, and learned to collaborate beyond their differences.
Creathon was also our first youth exchange as an organization. It opened many opportunities for connection, international partnerships, and growth, showing us how much young people can create when they gather in a space where they feel free to express themselves.
Connection
Courage
Expression
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
This is my inspiration for this theme and it is something I recently discovered as a mindset. I found new logic for my entire life through caring for another and how much hope that brings to an individual when they have to do things to make another creature’s life better and not their own. Which of course makes everyone in the equation happy.