What is The Flying Turtle Project?
The Flying Turtle Project – Who We Are
The Flying Turtle Project is a Social Cooperative Enterprise founded by Vasiliki Moka and Aimiliana Tsoukala, two Dramatherapists with a shared vision: to create a mobile space for expression, therapy, and community.
Our cooperative aims to promote mental and physical well-being through Dramatherapeutic techniques that combine art, movement, and psychotherapy.
We seek to foster personal growth, creative expression, and social inclusion, placing special emphasis on accessibility in mental health for all individuals, regardless of socioeconomic background.
How the Idea Was Born
The idea for The Flying Turtle Project, to be precise, was born… in the National Garden of Athens!
Through our conversations, we realized we shared the belief that safety doesn’t necessarily mean staying in one place or situation -sometimes, it may mean carrying your safety with you, both metaphorically and literally, just like a turtle.
And as we were talking about our shared need for movement and safety at the same time, and looking for a name for the community we envisioned, a small turtle slowly -but steadily- approached us!
That’s how the name Flying Turtle came to be -a beautiful contradiction that expresses our desire to remain grounded while staying open to change; to dream of flying without losing our grounding; to move without feeling lost, like all turtle-people do.
We see the turtle as a symbol of stability, wisdom, and resilience, reminding us that it is possible to stay safe while moving, traveling, and transitioning from one condition to another.
Community at the Core
Community is the heart of our work.
It’s the reason we move, create, and share.
We want to bring Dramatherapy and embodied expression closer to people of different ages and backgrounds through mobile workshops, experiential seminars, and artistic actions.
Through these, we aim to nurture empathy, collectivity, and the joy of participation.
For us, community means:
- a space to belong
- a space to experiment and share
- a space to exist without having to prove anything
We imagine community not as a fixed location, but as a quality that travels with us to squares, halls, villages, and cities.
Wherever there are people willing to share, there our community exists.
We believe that therapy is not only about resolving one’s personal issues.
It is equally about knowing you are not alone.
We envision an everyday life where art, therapy, and community coexist.
A space where body, emotion, and imagination come together to create experiences of connection.
- experiential workshops and Dramatherapy actions
- body expression, yoga, and music expression workshops
- creative projects and performances with audience participation
- educational and research programs exploring the connection between body, psyche, and art
- communities of practice and support for mental health professionals and artists
The Flying Turtle Project is a community that travels. A group that believes art and therapy belong to everyone.
It’s an invitation to meet, to express ourselves, and to remember that when our stories meet, even turtles can fly.
For us, community doesn’t exist in a single place, it’s something that moves with us.
It travels through squares, studios, villages, and cities.
Wherever there is a willingness to connect, our community can be found.
Our next stop can be scheduled upon your invitation.
Our goal is not to always choose the destination ourselves. We care about choosing it together and walking the path side by side.
How can I be part of The Flying Turtle Project
The Flying Turtle Project is an open, moving space, a community that grows through participation. There are many ways to become part of it:
As a Participant
You can join one of our workshops, which combine Dramatherapy, body expression, play, and artistic creation.
No previous experience is needed, only the willingness to move, express, and share.
As a Collaborator or Organization
If you represent a cultural, educational, or social organization, or if you have your own space and would like to host a workshop or activity, we can design programs tailored to your community’s needs. Our goal is to bring the therapeutic and creative dimension of art to places that value vitality, care, and collectivity.
As an Artist or Mental Health Professional
The project also serves as a space for exchange and research. If you’re interested in co-creating, leading a workshop, or joining a collaborative project, we are always open to partnerships that explore the meeting point of art, body, and therapy.
As a Supporter
You can support our work by participating in our activities, spreading our vision, or contributing through volunteering or resources. Every form of support -big or small- helps us continue offering accessible mental health and artistic expression programs.
Each time a new person joins the circle, our community grows a little more.
Share your need, thought, idea by emailing us:
theflyingturtleproject@gmail.com