This year's volunteer programme invited participants to take on a unique creative challenge: transforming an abandoned water slide, built during the socialist era in Hungary, into a large-scale artistic installation. Rather than allowing old materials to become waste, we chose to give them a second life. Using reclaimed hessian, used tulle, discarded textiles and other salvaged fabrics, fifteen volunteers from across Europe spent three weeks creating a mythical dragon that now watches over the landscape.

The project was much more than constructing an artwork. Throughout the week, volunteers designed the dragon's structure, experimented with different techniques, created its scales and refined every detail together. Weekly reflection sessions provided space to share experiences, celebrate achievements and think collectively about the next steps. Every participant became part of the creative process, contributing ideas that shaped both the dragon itself and the community that built it.

As the dragon gradually emerged, so did its story.

Together, the volunteers created a shared mythology around the creature, transforming it from an installation into a symbol of the place and the people who built it.

There was a time when a snake had lost his faith,

he used to wander and steal peoples souls and dreams.

This was the only way he knew how to live.

One day he finally found himself in kek-to lake.

Winter came and the lake froze so he remained trapped inside.

At the beginning he tried to fight but when all his energies got lost, he was forced to stay still and being with himself.

He started to observe more and enjoy the little things like watching the birds and hearing them singing.

The spring came and it brought people and more life.

With the wisdom he collected, he started to finally understand the real joy of life and his transformation begon.

The more interactions he witnessed, the stronger his desire to become part of Kek- to community grew.

This is where the myth ends. People now believe that he hansformed into a dragon named Manas. The protector, the Keeper and the bridge between time and people across centuries and places.

ILike the artwork itself, the myth was entirely collective. Everyone contributed ideas, symbols and details, making the dragon a reflection of the group's shared imagination.

Growing through challenges

Like every international project, the first days required time for everyone to settle into a new environment. Volunteers arrived from different countries and backgrounds, each bringing different experiences, expectations and ways of working. Designing and building such a large installation also presented a creative challenge that many participants had never encountered before.

Recognising this, we adapted the programme by allowing more preparation time, providing additional planning tools, and offering more guidance throughout the design process. We also placed extra emphasis on team-building and informal exchanges to help participants feel comfortable contributing their ideas.

The adjustments quickly paid off. As confidence grew, communication became easier and collaboration developed naturally. The atmosphere became increasingly open and supportive, allowing both the artistic process and the group itself to flourish. This year's volunteers stood out for their curiosity, willingness to reflect, and readiness to overcome challenges together, while also inspiring us as organisers to rethink and improve our own working methods.

The impact beyond the project

The effects of the volunteer camp reached far beyond the completion of the dragon.

For us as organisers, spending nearly a month working closely together strengthened our communication, flexibility and trust. Managing an evolving creative project required constant cooperation, shared decision-making and adaptability, providing valuable lessons that will shape our future programmes.

For the volunteers, the camp became a space for personal growth, intercultural learning and self-discovery. Living and working together encouraged participants to step outside their comfort zones, become more independent and develop practical skills through hands-on experiences. The shared responsibility of building, gardening, cooking and solving everyday challenges created a strong sense of belonging within the group.

The learning extended well beyond the planned activities. Volunteers organised their own informal workshops, teaching each other skills such as sourdough bread making, crafting devilsticks from upcycled materials, preparing traditional Italian gnocchi, painting, music and various creative practices. These spontaneous exchanges enriched the programme and highlighted the value of learning from one another.

The local community also became an important part of this shared experience. Conversations around the garden, meals, campfires and workshops created opportunities to exchange knowledge about sustainable living, creativity, local traditions and environmental awareness. As friendships developed, the distinction between hosts and visitors gradually disappeared, leaving behind a genuine sense of community built on curiosity, cooperation and mutual respect.

The dragon Manas now stands as a lasting reminder of those three weeks—not only as a piece of upcycled public art, but as a symbol of transformation, collective imagination, sustainable thinking and the community that brought it to life.