Encounters between people often begin very simply – with an invitation to do something together. A shared meal, a walk, or an activity opens up a space where we spontaneously share what we have and who we are. In such moments, the strict boundary between “mine” and “yours” disappears, and in its place a relationship emerges. It is precisely on this simple yet profound reality that community is built.

We are well aware of the value of such encounters. That is why we once again joined the Q’ART Ilica initiative this year – a project that transforms Zagreb’s Ilica into a space of openness and creativity. The goal is to reach passersby, pause them in their daily rush, and offer them a chance to become part of something shared. It is in this spontaneity that a sense of closeness often arises among people who did not previously know one another.

On Sunday, April 26, dance was central to the event. Our volunteers organized an open Latin dance workshop that attracted many passersby. Many had gone out for a walk without any particular plan, only to find themselves in a circle of people learning their first salsa steps together. Laughter, hesitant movements, and mutual encouragement quickly created an atmosphere in which strangers began to feel like a community.

That same day, from early morning, another group of volunteers was preparing something equally simple and powerful. At a stand, refugees from Syria, with the help of volunteers, baked and shared Arabic bread with passersby. This small gesture of hospitality, given freely, became a bridge between people. Through taste, smiles, and brief conversations, a space for encounter was created that goes beyond words.

Such moments often pass unnoticed, yet they carry a special strength. They reveal that community does not require grand plans or complex programs, but openness of heart and a willingness to meet. Through small gestures, something deeply needed in our society emerges – a sense that we belong to one another. All our efforts are ultimately aimed at contributing to the building of such an atmosphere, one that permeates the entire community and excludes no one.

By participating in the Q’ART Ilica initiative, this is exactly what we want to bring closer to everyday city life. To bring to the streets an experience of encounter that connects, restores trust, and reminds us that community is built where people share time and joy. We want the culture of encounter to reach every aspect of civic life and to take root in all urban spaces and surfaces.