Description
This project aims to enhance cultural dialogue, strengthen European identity and introduce cultural differences of Scandinavian partners to the Czech audience by organizing cultural, educational and artistic activities in the premises of newly renovated Benedictine Monastery in Broumov. The main goal is to give the Monastery back its function as a center of education and culture which was lost due to unfortunate events after the 2nd World War. The abandoned monastery was used as a concentration camp for community of nuns and later on as a State Security archive. After the extensive revitalization in 2014, this project aspires to encourage social and economic growth of the region, which struggles with economic problems, high unemployment and a low rate of education. Thanks to the project a high quality artistic programme focused on various target groups will take place at newly renovated monastery premises. The programme designed for general public consists of activities such as the musical festival (10 concerts of classical music) and exhibition programme of “Gallery House” with site specific projekt. The second part of the programme supports optional cultural activities for the local community. The activity of “Art Café” offers quality cultural programme of a club-like character for general public, which is currently missing in the area. The project plans to introduce Árstídir, the acoustic music group from Iceland and Engegard Quartet, the string quartet from Norway to the Czech public at the music festival and Art Café. Within the music festival the Engegard Quarted will participate on a lecture concerning Scandinavian music.
Summary of project results
The project "Monastery Broumov - Living European Centre of Culture and Education" was established with the main objective to revive the cultural heritage of the Benedictine monastery in Broumov and return it to its original function as an educational and cultural center far beyond border region. The project consisted of four follow-up cultural and educational activities with a high-quality programme focused on various target group. Art Café´s programme included life jazz, alternative music, classical music and talks with 19 concerts in total (including Icelandic group Árstíðir). Contemporary art was introduced in Gallery Dům through 3 exhibitions and supporting unique Side-specific project. Another part of the project was a summer music festival called "Za poklady Broumovska", which held 10 concerts in unique spaces of the Baroque Dienzenhofer´s churches located in Broumov region in summer 2015. One of the concerts was performed by Norwegian quartet "The Engegård Quartet" and represented the works of famous Scandinavian composers on the occassion of anniversary - 10 years existence of the festival. Thanks to this project and cooperation with foreign partners mutual partnership was strengthened and attendence of the monastery and other places of Broumov region were increased. The monastery finally regained a European aspect of the centre of education and culture as it had many centuries ago.
Summary of bilateral results
The project had 2 different partners from donor states. An accoustic vocal music group Árstíðir from Iceland (Reykjavik) and the string quartet "The Engegård Quartet" as one of the most successful bands in Norway. The concert of "Árstíðir" took place in Monastery Broumov with high number of visitors in April 2015. A discussion about the history of Iceland and Icelandic music for the general public followed afterwards. Thanks to the Icelandic partner, project Broumov Monastery - live European center of culture and education was promoted and attracted a broader audience. The concert of "The Engegård Quartet" took place in one of the Baroque Dienzenhofer´s churches located in Broumov region in July 2015 as part of the festival "Za poklady Broumovska". Members of the The Engegård Quartet group also prepared workshop for children about Scandinavian music. Concert with its specific atmosphere and church acoustics attracted nearly four hundred people and was the highlight of the festival. The further cooperation with partners Engegard Quartet and Árstidír is under consideration.