As part of the European project Healing Nature – Animation for Health and Well-being in Children Hospital Environments, murals have been installed in hospital spaces in Croatia, Portugal, and Bulgaria, creating a unique international artistic ensemble aimed at enhancing children’s well-being in hospital settings. Each of the three artworks has been installed in all three partner countries, while the Croatian mural has additionally been realized at two locations in Croatia.

The Healing Nature project, authored by Dr. art. Melinda Šefčić and Dr. phil. Lea Vidaković, is based on a holistic approach to health, recognizing art and culture as important factors in mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. At the European level, the project encourages interdisciplinary collaboration between artists, animators, researchers, and healthcare institutions, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity, social engagement, and the application of contemporary technologies in cultural and healthcare contexts.

„The Forest of Small Wonders“ – the Croatian mural

The mural “The Forest of Small Wonders”, by Melinda Šefčić, was created in collaboration with children from the House of St. Francis – Caritas of the Archdiocese of Zagreb in Vugrovec, SOS Children’s Village Lekenik, Krijesnice Kindergarten, and Ivan Gundulić Primary School. Through art workshops, children produced drawings of animals, plants, and fantastical creatures, which were integrated into the mural’s rich, multilayered forest composition.

In Croatia, this mural has been installed at two locations: at the Clinic for Tumors – Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology with Day Hospital “Mladen Ćepulić,” and additionally at the Children’s Hospital in Klaićeva Street. The same mural has also been installed in hospital spaces in Portugal and Bulgaria, ensuring a strong visual and conceptual connection between the partner countries.

“Spring Breeze” – mural by the Portuguese partners

The mural “Spring Breeze”, by Natalie Wolf and the team from Lusófona University, is inspired by a spring meadow and watercolor depictions of plants and landscapes. Its gentle color palette and layered structure create a calming visual atmosphere in hospital waiting areas. This mural has been installed in hospitals in Portugal, Croatia, and Bulgaria, emphasizing the project’s shared European character.

“The Lilies and the White Pond” – mural by the Bulgarian partners

The mural “The Lilies and the White Pond”, by Lidia Cvetkova and Evgenia Stoitseva, is inspired by fairy tales and the symbolism of peace, hope, and timelessness. Pastel tones and a subtle interplay of light and white contribute to a tranquil atmosphere within hospital spaces. Like the other two works, this mural has been realized in all three partner countries – Bulgaria, Croatia, and Portugal.

Art, technology, and well-being

In the next phase of the project, all murals will gain a digital dimension through augmented reality (AR), allowing selected elements of the murals to come to life through animation. This offers children an interactive, calming, and engaging experience that helps reduce stress and fear during their hospital stay.

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The project is led by the Croatian Association of Fine Artists (HDLU) and is implemented in partnership with Universidade Lusófona / COFAC (Portugal) and New Bulgarian University (Bulgaria), with co-funding from the European Union. The project builds on previously successful pilot projects by the authors carried out at University Hospital Centre Zagreb and confirms a long-term commitment to connecting art, health, and social responsibility. The project includes three murals in hospitals in Croatia, Bulgaria, and Portugal; three augmented reality experiences in hospitals in the same countries; six workshops with children; one study on the impact of this type of content on patients and hospital staff; one digital publication presenting the results; and three press conferences at which the project outcomes will be presented.

Project website: https://healingnature.hdlu.hr/en/

Photos: Juraj Vuglač

 

Within the project:

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

[Project Number: 101173267]

Project is co-financed by the Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs.

Co-funded by the Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs of the Republic of Croatia. The views expressed in this release are the sole responsibility of the Croatian Association of Fine Artists and do not necessarily reflect the stance of the Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs of the Republic of Croatia.