This study focuses on the exceptional cultural and mental activities of boys interned in the Terezín ghetto during World War II, specifically through their secret magazine Vedem. Created within the L417 home, the magazine served as a space for literary, artistic, and philosophical self-reflection. Through poems, fairy tales, essays, and drawings, the young authors expressed their longing for freedom, the loss of home, reflections on the meaning of human existence, as well as depictions of everyday life in the ghetto - often infused with irony and humor. The study demonstrates that these creative activities had fundamental therapeutic, existential, and community-cultural value: they helped the boys preserve their human dignity, reinforced their identities, and allowed them to escape into the world of imagination. At the same time, Vedem functioned as a form of spiritual resistance to Nazi oppression and dehumanization. The magazine thus becomes more than just a historical document - it stands as proof that even under the extreme conditions of genocide, children are capable of creative expression, critical thought, and resistance through language and culture. Moreover, the study highlights the universal significance of children´s creativity in extreme historical situations, where cultural production becomes a means of survival, solidarity, and humanity.

As the demand for holistic and accessible mental health interventions continues to rise, the integration of music into mindfulness and emotional development practices has gained increasing attention. This literature review explores the role of music as a tool for enhancing mindfulness and emotional awareness by synthesizing findings from psychology, neuroscience, music therapy, and education. The review outlines the conceptual foundations of mindfulness and emotional awareness, examines how music engages cognitive and emotional processes, and highlights its practical applications in therapeutic and educational settings. Evidence indicates that specific musical elements—such as tempo, rhythm, and emotional tone—can support attentional focus and facilitate emotional insight. Additionally, the review identifies gaps in the literature, including underexplored populations, limited genre diversity, and the need for longitudinal and interdisciplinary studies. The findings underscore music’s potential as a scalable, culturally adaptable, and emotionally resonant resource for psychological well-being.

This article explores the transformative power of poetry as a form of healing, blending ancient wisdom with modern scientific insights. Rooted in historical traditions, poetry has long been recognized as a therapeutic tool, capable of mending the heart and soul. Through a deep dive into both the science of poetry and its emotional alchemy, the article highlights how poetry rewires the brain, stimulates emotional processing, and fosters healing. By examining poetic techniques such as metaphor, rhythm, and imagery, we reveal how poetry creates emotional resonance and activates neural pathways that promote psychological well-being. Additionally, the article explores contemporary developments in poetic medicine, such as AI-driven poetry therapy, EEG studies on poetic trance states, and the rise of global movements like poetry pharmacies and community healing workshops. As a result, this article advocates for the continued integration of poetry into therapeutic practices, showing its potential to transform lives and enhance mental health in both individual and collective settings.

 The growing incidence of cognitive impairment and memory conditions has led to growing curiosity in non-pharmacological brain health interventions. The arts, which include the visual arts, music, dance, creative writing, and drama, provide a multidimensional, cognitive enhancement modality that is rich in meaning and experience. This paper explicates the neurobiology behind the expression and enhancement of memory, summarises the existing empirical data in normal and clinical groups, discusses therapeutic and communal practice implications, establishes the contemporary research issues, and lays out prospects. Findings highlight the possibility of implementing artistic interventions within the health and education infrastructure to support lifelong brain health and cognitive resilience.

The following paper discusses how art therapy contributes to emotional intelligence and self-perception. Emotional intelligence (EQ), which comprises self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills, is essential to psychological health and efficient interpersonal functioning. Similarly, self-perception, such as self-concept, self-esteem, and self-worth, determines how individuals think about themselves and behave in the world. The non-verbal, creative Art therapy processes provide people with a special opportunity to externalize emotions, achieve insights and acquire more adequate coping mechanisms. The paper uses theoretical frameworks, empirical research, and case studies to show how art therapy can be used to create emotional awareness, provide emotional regulation, develop empathy, and aid in identity reconstruction. Its effectiveness in the treatment of anxiety, trauma and low self-esteem is evidenced by real-life applications, which, however, also note its weaknesses with being subjective and difficulties in measurements. In general, the paper highlights the therapeutic value of art therapy as a transformational agent of emotional development, empowerment, and psychological recovery.