There is a vision of education that refuses to stay confined within four walls. It is a vision that prefers to hit the streets, inhabit public squares, and transform the hum of traffic into a shared heartbeat. This is the core of Heimat Academy, the educational soul of Heimat Srl, which has chosen to view the city not just as a map of roads, but as an immense open-air laboratory for children and teenagers.

But what does it actually mean to practice “informal education” among buildings and parks?

The Body: The First (and Only) Necessary Instrument

The secret of Heimat Academy lies in a practice as ancient as it is immediate: body percussion. Here, there is no need for complex sheet music or expensive instruments: the body itself becomes the drum, the beat, and the rhythm.

It is a powerful pedagogical choice because it erases distances. In a body percussion circle, linguistic barriers simply don’t exist: where there is rhythm, there is communication. It is a universal language that allows anyone to participate instantly, transforming the individual into part of a collective harmony.

Urban Explorations and “Musical Walks”

Heimat’s approach isn’t limited to the musical gesture; it becomes a new way of inhabiting the local area. The workshops are designed as true urban immersions:

• Musical Walks: Training the ear to rediscover the hidden sounds and the sonic identity of one’s own city.

• Participatory Workshops: Spaces where play and listening merge to break down the walls of shyness.

• Group Activities: Learning that the relationship with others is the fundamental note of any civil coexistence.

A Summer Set to the Rhythm of Play: Appointment at Parco del Valentino

The year 2026 marks a special chapter in this story. Heimat Academy joins the lineup of La Bella Stagione — an initiative promoted by Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo — with the project: “The City is a Game (of Sounds).”

The setting will be the tree-lined avenues and greenery of Parco del Valentino. Here, summer camp groups won’t just be spectators, but protagonists of an experience that transforms a casual encounter into active citizenship. It is a way of telling young people that public space belongs to them, and that they have the power to fill it with meaning, creativity, and, of course, music.

Want to Start a Project with Heimat Academy?

We firmly believe that the best ideas are born from the meeting of people and the sharing of common visions. If you work in a school, a cultural institution, or a local organization and believe that together we can create something meaningful for your community, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Contact us: heimat.torino@gmail.com

Together, we can continue to strengthen the dialogue between culture, education, and the territory, promoting models of participation that truly make a difference.