Description
‘Between national identity and a community of cultures: from Chopin and Tellefsen to the 21st century’ is part of a long-term programme designed to show the processes that drive changes in national distinctness towards a new identity based on a community of cultures. It focuses on identity formation in different countries and their common traits, strengthening inter-cultural understanding, in line with the EEA’s mission. It responds to the needs of contemporary societies relating to the contradiction between national distinctness and the European community, fostering unity and celebrating the countries’ unique features. Aimed at those interested in Norwegian and French music, it involves cooperation with such bodies as the Norwegian Society of Composers and Arne Nordheim Institut. It aims to show the original situation in music, with Norwegian and Polish strands to the fore (Chopin/Tellefsen). The relations between the composers reflect relations between the countries, strengthening understanding and bilateral relations. CD releases, conferences and other events are planned, in association with the Trondheim Orchestra, Ringve Museum and others.
Summary of project results
The project refered to key questions about national distinctness and community in Europe. It enabled Poles and Norwegians to become familiar with each other’s musical culture. It helped strength international relations through the exchange of experiences, the promotion of cultural diversity and collaboration based on mutual familiarity with cultural heritage, safeguarding that heritage and making it widely available. It also helped the Polish community in Norway maintain contact with the land of their ancestors and enhance their knowledge of Norway. The project included a Norwegian Polish programme as part of the festival ‘Chopin and his Europe’ as well as concerts in Trondheim, Parisand Radziejowice, exhibitions in Warsaw and Trondheim, academic conferences in Paris, Oslo, Radziejowice and Warsaw, educational workshops in Fredrikstad and Radziejowice, a Polish translation of Ingrid Dalaker’s book Thomas Tellefsen in Norwegian and French musical culture, and also a GPS app for mobile devices ‘In the European footsteps of Polish and Norwegian composers’ . The project initiated a long term PolishNorwegian collaboration in the arts, museology, cultural heritage and scholarship (joint ventures, parallel exhibitions, repeated concerts, translation of materials). These activities accentuate the safeguarding of culturalartistic and ethnic heritage and themutual promotion of national music, including music forgotten or marginalised. The project lessens economic and social discrepancies in access to culture – there will be a rise in the number of artistic events, including open concerts, free publications, and free entry to exhibitions and workshops. A number of ventures (e.g. concerts in the festival Chopin and his Europe) was transmitted free of charge via radioin Europe (EBU) and the Internet around the world. Access to knowledge was increased by translations and editions aimed at the general public. The events increased local tourism.
Summary of bilateral results
The project was important for the longterm strategy of the Applicant, which is planning to continue its collaboration with all its partners: the Trondheim orchestra (future editions of the festival ‘ Chopin and his Europe’ , cofinanced by the EU Culture Fund), the Ringve Museum (an exchange of objects and materials, financed by our own partners), the Centre for Traditional Music (ethnomusicological projects financed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education) and the Polish Association in Fredrikstad (the promotion of Polish music and the education of the Polish community, financed by the Applicant with the assistance of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs). There was also be a series of CDs, financed by the Applicant. The project was part of a strategy for the development of culture in a knowledge based society, the prevention of exclusion from cultural participation and identifying the essence of contemporary cultural identity and the challenges it faces.