As part of the ERUA Day celebrations, the ERUA Creative Expression Contest invited students from across ERUA to creatively engage with the alliance’s core values. The initiative aimed to encourage artistic expression as a means of reflection on inclusiveness and diversity, multilingualism and cultural exchange, democratic values, creativity, and European cooperation.
Students from ERUA partner universities were invited to submit original works in four categories: poetry, photography, short video (reel), and drawing/illustration. The contest provided an open space for participants to translate academic values into personal, cultural, and artistic narratives, highlighting the role of creativity within European Higher Education.
The call received a diverse range of submissions, demonstrating strong student engagement and a wide variety of artistic approaches. The contributions reflected individual experiences from students and young researchers, as well as broader reflections on unity in diversity, dialogue across cultures, academic freedom, and social responsibility.
Winners
Following the evaluation process, which was based on relevance to ERUA values, originality and creativity, emotional and artistic impact, and the quality of language, imagery, or composition, the following students were selected as 1st place winners in their respective categories:
Photography
Erik Semashkin – Paris 8 University
Reel / Short Video
Maria Samprakou – University of the Aegean
Poetry
Dimitreli Lydia – University of the Aegean
We Speak in Light
Drawing / Illustration
Daniiella Kyrylovets – European University Viadrina
The winning works were first presented during ERUA Day. Together, they illustrate different interpretations of the ERUA spirit and highlight the diversity of voices and creative practices within the alliance.
Contribution to ERUA Objectives
The ERUA Creative Expression Contest contributes to the alliance’s broader objectives of strengthening a shared European identity, fostering intercultural dialogue, and promoting student engagement beyond traditional academic formats. By encouraging creative participation, the initiative supports inclusive forms of expression and reinforces the role of culture and creativity in higher education.
Furthermore, the contest aligns with ERUA’s commitment to democratic values, openness, and participation, offering students an active role in shaping and communicating the alliance’s vision. The dissemination of the winning works through ERUA communication channels supports visibility, outreach, and knowledge-sharing across partner institutions.
We would like to thank all students who participated in the contest for their contributions and engagement. Initiatives such as this underline the importance of student-led creativity in building a connected, innovative, and values-driven European university alliance.
