ART, A SOURCE OF LIFE AND RESILIENCE IN HARD TIMES

This article examines art as a vital practice, addressing it not only as an aesthetic phenomenon but as a strategy for spiritual and cultural resilience in the context of existential uncertainty, social fragmentation, and identity crises. The study adopts an interdisciplinary approach that integrates the philosophy of art, analytic aesthetics, transformative pedagogy, cultural psychology, and heritage studies. Artistic creativity, experiences during the creative process, as well as aesthetic experience foster forms of analytical reflection, cultural mediation, and ethical formation in individuals, which are essential for the development of healthy life values. The article argues that art helps individuals and communities process trauma, reconstruct meaning in life, and preserve cultural continuity, even under conditions of social, economic, and symbolic crises. The role of education through artistic experiences is emphasized as a tool for intergenerational transmission, ethical awareness, and dialogical engagement, supporting life resilience. Moreover, cultural heritage is perceived as a regenerative factor within sustainable development strategies. The article proposes reconceptualizing art as a strategic component of cultural policies and educational systems, central to social cohesion and cultural sustainability