The city of Pernik near Sofia became the host of an international cultural and educational project with the aim to inform children and teenagers about the opportunities provided by cyberspace, as well as about its positive and negative sides. In the framework of the initiative, which started on May 9, free Wi-Fi zone in front of the Palace of Culture in the city, started functioning. The idea of ​​the project came from the ArtArea Association and is part of the so-called #LiFi workshops organised in local schools since April. Joana Yordanova from the association told us more:

“#LiFi events and workshops are part of a larger project – ‘Discovery EVS in Pernik’ under the framework of the European Voluntary Service (EVS). Volunteers from Poland, Austria, Spain and France take part in the #LiFi workshops. Their tasks are aimed at artistic activities, conducting various workshops for children and teenagers and realization of own projects. #LiFi is part of a personal project of one of the volunteers from Poland. The project’s final stage includes even a theatrical performance of the same name - #LiFi. The premiere will take place at the Youth Center in Pernik, at the beginning of June.”

LiFi is actually the name of the most recent wireless technology for data transmission using LED light, allowing speeds of 1 GB per second, which is about 100 times faster than the average speed of Wi-Fi technology today. In the #LiFi project, the name is a combination of the words "life" and "Wi-Fi, signalling the great opportunities provided by the net for creativity and self-expression. Taking into account the fact that the Internet is all around us and we are constantly online, this project has a few focuses: education, artistry and social action. The program of the workshops is diverse and focuses on both practical exercises and creativity:

“Workshops will be held every Monday at 3:30 pm in the Palace of Culture in Pernik. Each workshop starts with an artistic presentation by our volunteers. They perform a short play and after that the participants get involved in the workshops, which aim to explain the benefits and harms of surfing the Internet and how it can be used for positive purposes in an unconventional and informal way. It is something good for teenagers as they will be able to write a good CV and use it when applying for a future job. Younger participants will learn about using wisely their photos on the Internet and about consulting their parents over specific issues, etc.”

The #LiFi Project helps young people and teenagers better understand life in cyberspace. Through artistic events and workshops they would reach the conclusion that cyberspace was not something separate from real life, and indeed was the next step in evolution and so it was a personal responsibility for everyone to use it the right way.

Yoana Yordanova told us about her expectations:

“It is important for us to open the minds of young people because it is not enough just to sit in front of the computer and play games, listen to music and watch movies. If children and teenagers are interested we are also to discuss the important topics about Internet safety.”

English: Alexander Markov