Erasmus+ BIP "Cultural Threads 2024": Weaving Heritage, Design, and Community in Lesbos

The Erasmus+ BIP "Cultural Threads 2024" was an exciting experience that combined academic learning, cultural heritage preservation, and social interaction among students from different countries. This project brought together 10 students from each of the participating institutions: the University of West Attica (Athens, Greece) as the organizer, and ESADA alongside Yaşar University (Izmir, Turkey).

Prior to the in-person activities, online sessions were held from July 16 to 23, 2024, focusing on cultural heritage preservation and sustainability in interior design.

The in-person activities took place at the Votsala Hotel, located on the island of Lesbos (Greece), from September 4 to 11, 2024. During this time, students developed design proposals centered on the adaptive reuse of Sarlidja Palace. The interest in this historical building lies in its potential to reactivate the thermal springs of Thermi, a resource that could transform the local economy and boost tourism on the island. Students explored how the various cultural layers of Lesbos, from the worship of Artemis of Thermi in ancient times to the Ottoman interest in thermalism, intertwine in the same geographical space.

In addition to academic activities, the program included various leisure activities that allowed students from different schools and countries to connect, fostering a collaborative and friendly atmosphere that will last beyond this experience.

ESADA students, coming from different Product and Interior Design courses, had the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences, enriching their education and expanding their professional networks.

This BIP also featured the participation of José González, Director of ESADA, and María José Durán, Interior Design professor. This project is a continuation of the previous year's Erasmus+ BIP in Turkey, which has led to the creation of a stable team, with the first result being the joint participation in the IHECOM 2024 International Congress. The success of the project has ensured its continuation, with ESADA as the organizer of the 2025 edition in Granada.