Conversing with the nations of the incarcerated: national and ethnic groups in the creative writing workshop – methodology and pedagogical approaches in the space of otherness

The aim of the present study is to provide an investigation of the effectiveness of a creative writing programme implemented within correctional institutions, with an emphasis on promoting social cohesion and fostering acceptance of diversity among national and ethnic groups. The approach adopted in the creative writing workshops was grounded in qualitative methodology, focusing on the analysis of literary texts that advance the understanding of intercultural identity. Furthermore, through dialogue, the workshops enabled the emergence of challenges and concerns shaped by the participants’ diverse cultural backgrounds. The creative writing exercises contributed to the participants’ personal expression, facilitating the articulation of thoughts and emotions at both individual and collective levels.