INTERSPACE Programme and Activities in Mariánské Lázně
Following the first trip to Baden bei Wien, the INTERSPACE students attended another international trip running alongside the Spring General Assembly in Mariánské Lázně in May 2025.
Facilitated by the Czech-based practice Socionaut, using their expertise in place-based co-design, the prototype of the Youth Forum developed into a pilot. A series of workshops ran in Chopin House, one of the cultural hearts of Mariánské Lázně, while activities took place across the town to discover its attractions and engage with spa heritage.
Workshops during the trip to Mariánské Lázně. Photos by Michal Ilek.
Workshops
Working again in ten cross-town groups, participants reflected on their spa towns, exploring what mattered most to them, what they’d like to see changed, and strengths, attractions and challenges of the towns. After brainstorming ideas, the young spa town residents used prioritisation strategies to collectively rank their ideas and choose one topic to explore in depth using concept maps.
The next day, selected youth representatives reviewed all ten concept maps and identified recurring themes, challenges and suggestions. Based on these, they drafted a series of calls to action – concrete proposals that would make The Great Spa Towns of Europe more youth-friendly. These were voted on and six final calls to action were chosen to present at the General Assembly.
During the workshops, a small group of ‘Reporters’ documented the process from their perspective. They shared photos and videos as content for social media, and took part in a press briefing with local media.
To reflect the full diversity of ideas explored, a pop-up exhibition ran in Chopin House to showcase each group’s work in a series of posters.
Mariánské Lázně Day One
1
- Welcome introductions by our Secretary General, Chiara Ronchini, and the Mayor of Mariánské Lázně, Martin Hurajčík
- Structured co-design sessions in Chopin House, developing the Youth Forum and ideas to present at the General Assembly
- Disk Golf sessions
- Group dinner
Mariánské Lázně Day Two
2
- Rotating INTERSPACE workshops
- Field trip around Mariánské Lázně
- Orchestral concert at Ensana Nové Lázně’s Casino Social House with thank you speeches
- Formal gala dinner at the Ensana Nové Lázně Hotel’s grand Mirror Hall
Mariánské Lázně Day Three
3
- Photoshoot on the steps of the Karolinina-Kolonnade und Rudolfsquellen
- Youth Forum Presentation preparations
- Social media and press workshop
- Planting Trees for Peace ceremony
- General Assembly with Youth Forum presentations
- Press conference
- Reflection workshops
- Visit to the Singing Fountain – an emblem of Mariánské Lázně
- Dinner and goodbye disco
Planting Trees for Peace Ceremony
Planting Trees for Peace Ceremony marked the 80th Anniversary of the end of World War II and the founding of UNESCO. UNESCO was created to decide what kind of society we wanted to build together after the destruction of two World Wars.
The Tree of Peace is a symbol of peace and cooperation between nations, towns and generations. The young people helped with digging and planting the tree. They had painted stones to place decoratively around the tree. Kate Davenport, British Deputy Head of Mission, joined the INTERSPACE students and delegates of the General Assembly for this occasion.
Activities
Alongside the INTERSPACE workshops, the young citizens were taken on site visits, excursions and sports activities, continuing the spirit of exchange and friendship that had defined the project from the start.
INTERSPACE students celebrating successes and forming friendships at the Gala dinner. Photo by Michal Ilek.
INTERSPACE students at the Gala dinner. Photo by Michal Ilek.
INTERSPACE student playing disc golf during the international trip to Mariánské Lázně. Photo by Michal Ilek.
Visiting the Singing Fountain during the international trip to Mariánské Lázně. Photo by Michal Ilek.
INTERSPACE at the Gala dinner. Photo by Michal Ilek.
INTERSPACE student playing disc golf during the international trip to Mariánské Lázně. Photo by Michal Ilek.
INTERSPACE student playing disc golf during the international trip to Mariánské Lázně. Photo by Michal Ilek.
Visiting the Singing Fountain during the international trip to Mariánské Lázně. Photo by Michal Ilek.