Following on the heels of the European MOVE project for the promotion of patient rehabilitation programmes through motor activity and the development cooperation micro-project in favour of the St John of God Mental Health Centre in Lomé, Togo, another project promoted by the "Hospitality Europe" office in Brussels has been approved and financed by the European Union in just a few months.

This new initiative was promoted in response to a European Union call for proposals to support the culture and creative sectors, which have been so severely compromised by the Covid-19 emergency, and includes the use of modern digital spaces and innovative tools for the creation and dissemination of artistic and educational events.

Developing a "bridge" between the creative world and the social-welfare world is therefore the aim of the new REVIVAL project (acronym of the title "Relaunching theatre Education Via Innovative Virtual stages for Adult Learners"), which will involve partners from 8 European countries (the Order and the Sisters Hospitallers) and will benefit from a grant of 230,000 euro.

The focus of the project will be on creative, intercultural and inclusive dialogue between people with disabilities or mental health problems, particularly through interaction with the world of theatre and the arts. A major role will be played by the Jesus Abandonado Foundation (in which the famous MÁS theatre company operates), the Instituto San José Foundation (with its consolidated experience withn artistic and acting programmes) and - as an external partner - the professionals of the Aratos Theatre in Thessaloniki, through which the project activities will also reach the Greek peninsula, where Western theatre historically originated.

The project will last 24 months and will start this summer. Participating centres will include the Order's facilities in Kainbach (Austria), Straubing (Germany), Konary (Poland) and Dublin (Ireland), and the Sisters Hospitallers' centre in Lisbon, as well as the Juan Ciudad Foundation (Spain) and the Hospitality Europe office (Belgium).