Every Monday isn't just a date on the calendar. It's a point of attraction that we create with our own hands. July 6, 2026, marked our 17th meeting, which became a kind of "endurance test" for the project.

Meeting Results: Commitment to Meetings Is More Important Than the Weather!
This time, the usual rhythm was altered: due to the summer holidays, we moved the meeting from the Day Center at 49 Maleva Street to the Ahtme Library. The morning greeted us with pouring rain, but the library doors opened for our five participants. The fact that people aged 65+ chose the path of creativity over the comfort of home in such weather speaks volumes: our work is important and necessary for them.

We are sincerely grateful to the Ahtme Library staff for such warm and professional hospitality. It was especially joyful to see two new participants join our circle that day.

A creator's mindset, not a supplicant's.
People often ask: how can we support a project without large foundations and patrons? We admit: seeking external financial support hasn't yielded results yet, and even modern AI tools haven't found willing sponsors. But we've chosen a different path.

Our strategy is self-reliance and the development of grassroots civic initiatives. We've decided to use our Open Collective page not as a fundraising platform, but as a comprehensive archive of our development, an open account of our activities, and a record of every milestone we've reached. This is our bank of achievements.

Looking to the Future: The Horizon Expands
The project continues to evolve. In September, the "Creativity Lab" will open a new location in Järve. Yes, we currently don't have the capacity to duplicate the facilities for both locations, and all necessary materials will be transported between the locations in our backpacks and bags.

However, we don't see this as an obstacle, but rather as proof that the project is more important than logistics. We don't look for easy ways; we seek ways to remain useful and relevant to people.

The Creativity Lab is a living institution. We continue to work, creating a space for communication and creativity, because people need it. And as long as our participants have a spark in their hearts, we will move forward.

Sergey Zlotnikov,
Founder and Lead Volunteer of the Creativity Lab project