WHEN WAVES BECOME STORIES

by Vero Nica – artist & cultural project manager

“Wave’s Imprint” is a story about courage and how art can lead to healing and inspiration.

Developed and brought to life by the Romanian Cultural Association VAR, this project stands as proof that where creativity is nurtured, meaningful change can flourish and make the world a better place.

Sometimes, the simplest ideas hold the power to transform the world. At the heart of this project lies a profound belief: art should be accessible to everyone, and every voice deserves to be heard. For young people with cochlear implants or hearing aids, “Wave’s Imprint” became a space to explore their creativity, refine their skills, and demonstrate that their presence in this world is unique and invaluable.

This year’s edition featured an extensive format, including:

• an international collective exhibition in the WaveforMe virtual gallery,
• two podcasts,
• a creative camp held in Romania, and
• an experimental film, “Wave’s Imprint”, created with international participation.

The project brought together 53 participants from 20 countries, including Romania, Moldova, Spain, Estonia, Croatia, Belgium, England, Turkey, Iran, the Philippines, Poland, Greece, Japan, Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, China, Serbia, Mexico, and the USA. Each of them left their mark – one that is visible, authentic, and deeply meaningful.

One of the central elements of “Wave’s Imprint” was the courage to use art not just as a form of expression but as a tool for change. During the creative camp held in Romania in July, participants were encouraged to collaborate in shaping the film’s structure, drawing inspiration from ideas and themes they generated themselves. The process was carefully guided by the project team, helping each participant overcome fears like “maybe it’s not good enough.”

For international participants, the connection was established through personalized emails, culminating in a symbolic gesture: a handwritten letter sent via post. Many revealed that it was the first time they had received such a personal message, a detail that, unexpectedly, added profound depth to their creative experience.

The project offered these young people the opportunity to (re)discover their self-confidence and uniquely explore their inner voices. At the same time, it provided everyone involved with a valuable lesson about overcoming barriers and bridging distances, creating together a space dedicated to connection and creative expression.

The final event, held on November 2, marked the pinnacle of the project, filled with emotion and excitement. It was an opportunity to reunite some of the young people who had played an essential role in shaping this collective story.

The event showcased a physical exhibition of works from the virtual gallery and the film screening. A particularly special moment was when participants selected a piece from the exhibition and physically removed it from the wall themselves – an action that became a performance in its own right. This symbolic gesture was deeply appreciated by both those present and the exhibiting artists. Artists who could not attend received photos from the event, immortalizing those moments. It was a powerful confirmation of their personal and artistic value.

These words capture the spirit of an initiative that turned individual experiences into meaningful collective stories:

• “It’s so moving to see our work come to life and resonate with the audience.”
• “I’m so happy to know someone appreciates my work. The whole process was wonderful. I’ve learned to appreciate life, enjoy the little things, and be present. No matter how dark the world seems, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.”

“Wave’s Imprint” is not just about those directly involved; it’s about all of us. It’s a lesson in seeing beyond limitations.

This project has shown that art not only reflects the world but profoundly influences it, driving significant and lasting change.

We invite you to discover the world of “Wave’s Imprint”, with all the experiences and creations brought to life in this and previous editions, on the platform www.waveforme.org.

This project would not have been possible without the support of the National Association of Romanian Hearing Impaired Persons, “Hear Life!”, Impuls Leasing Romania, 

and the partners:

Audiosofia (NGO), Koala Auditory-Verbal Rehabilitation (NGO), Perspectives for Hearing-Impaired Children (NGO), The Global Coalition of Parents of Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (GPODHH), Immigration Research Forum Washington D.C.,  the European Federation of Parents of Hearing Impaired Children (FEPEDA), Life Long Hearing.

Cultural Project Funded by the Romanian Ministry of Culture.