18 August 2010
by Andy Smith
Whilst in Poland this summer at the Intensive I learnt a little about the Process Work Festival of Creativity that takes place there every year.
I live in Edinburgh and so the idea of festivals is nothing new but the way in which the Institute for Process Psychology in Poland organises its annual festival seems to fit well with the spirit behind this definition which I have borrowed from Wikipedia. "A festival is an event, usually staged by a community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community".
This years Festival takes place in 14 towns and cities in Poland and comprises lectures, presentations, film screenings, group processes and free consultations for people who are new to therapy, group process or forums.
It is organised by the Institute for Process Psychology www.processwork.pl under the guidance of Michal and Joanna you can find out more by visiting their site. Its a wonderful achievement, involving the whole community and is something I would like to see us try in RSPOPUK.
There is a passionate spirit of celebration, richness and creativity which is at the heart of this idea. I hope that by evolving something in RSPOPUK we will also connect, learn about and highlight the gifts, talents and creativity that we also have in our community.
And so I have been imagining a series of events that might organise for later in 2011 to run simultaneously in different locations.
My hope is that students and diplomates might work together to offer lectures, presentations, mini workshops, exhibitions, film screenings and taster sessions for people who are new to individual therapy, facilitation, open forums and deep democracy.
Over the years at the community weekend, or at 'intensives', students and diplomates have sat together and shared the research they are doing, projects and other events and happenings and these meetings have always been wonderful and enriching experiences. It seem to me that we have a deep and untapped vein of creativity in our school already and it would be absolutely wonderful to see that out there and more visible. So I hope also we will be able to link the festival with journal articles, you tube presentations and videos and other media.
If you are interested in the ideas in this article, the RSPOPUK Diversity Group are leading on how to apply them in RSPOPUK, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for further details.