Elmgreen's Global Citizenship Ceremony

The pupils were invited to look at documents from the LIFT Living Archive about Be Yourself, a Project Phakama production in 1999 developed through a series of cultural exchanges between young people in Britain and South Africa.  Part of the exchange involved Lewisham Youth Theatre leading 15 South African participants on a tour of London.

 

The Elmgreen pupils were interested in the idea of visiting the “soul of London” and they created a live map of London in the classroom, posing as different buildings and making the sounds of Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, the London Eye and China town.  They also came up with adjectives and phrases to personify the city:

"I am massive, I am busy, I am famous, I am exciting. I am never silent and I never sleep."

 

Thinking about the visit of 15 South Africans and the larger scale visit of 206 countries coming up next year for the Olympics, the pupils were asked what it meant to be both a Londoner and a citizen of the world.  Inspired by t-shirt designs for Be Yourself, the pupils came up with slogans for their own t-shirts about being a Londoner and a global citizen. They came up with several catchy phrases including: 'Join Hands', 'United World', 'Thousands of races, One Home' and 'Global Spirit.' 

 

The pupils then began inventing their own countries, elaborating and transforming old maps into various countries with different political systems and leaders, energy sources, exported goods, rights and responsibilities.  One country was pacifist, an other a dictatorship run only by Kings, one country had 10 presidents, an other was communist with an independent African state, one even exported Piranhas.  Flags were made and ambassadors chosen for each country.    These incredibly varied countries were soon to sign a treaty and be united under the new title of “New Nation.”

 

The last day of the project was very busy and the pupils worked hard with Sue Mayo, Dan Scott and Mia Harris to prepare a global citizenship ceremony for the visiting year 6 class from Fenstanton Primary School.  They compiled a list of questions for their future citizens, came up with a special handshake for each country, made medals and decorated the classroom with flags and bunting.  The year 6 children were invited to visit each of the countries and watch the Ambassadors’ video before walking under a row of colourful arches to become citizens of the New Nation.

 

Have a look at the questions below to see whether you could be a citizen of the New Nation:

 

1. On a really hot day you find a pot of gold in the desert while driving with your best friend. You can only carry the pot or your friend. What would you chose?

2. Do you agree with our laws? If not why?

3. Can you pat your head and rub your belly at the same time?

4. Can you tell us a joke?