Description
The project aims to enhance cultural dialogue, strengthen European identity and support artist mobility and the cooperation in the field of contemporary dance and non-verbal theatre between the cultural centres Dansarena nord from Hammerfest, Norway and Olomouc-based Na Cucky Theatre from the Czech Republic. Their intensive cooperation should lead to presentation of top Norwegian artists in the Czech Republic and realization of Czech artist-in-residence programme in Norway. Both partners are important regional scenes and therefore the aspect of active involvement of “cultural peripheries” to the current events on the international level is very important. The project consists of active cooperation of the Czech and Norwegian Dramaturge which will result in presentation of 5 first-rate productions in the Czech Republic complemented with 5 workshops and debates for public. The workshops will be organized by the Norwegian artists and will vary from creative writing to work with sound and obviously dance or movement. Based on an “open call”, one Czech ensemble will be chosen to participate in a month long residency in Hammerfest where they will make use of best conditions for a focused artistic work with the option of active consultation with local artists. The partners will develop artistic cooperation between both countries, exchange know how and get the Czech audience more familiar on the regional scene in Olomouc with the current trends in the European performing arts.
Summary of project results
The project "Nordspiration" was aimed at development of artistic and production cooperation between Czech and Norwegian subjects performing arts, support of artistic mobility, a better awareness of the Norwegian dance scene in the Czech Republic and exchange of experiences and know-how. In the beginning, a Czech ensemble has been chosen for residency in Hammerfest, where they worked together on a new performance. The performance was presented in a partner organization and later on at Flora Theatre Festival in May 2016 in the Czech Republic. Within the active cooperation of Czech and Norwegian dramaturgists 6 Norwegian performances were chosen and presented in Olomouc during season 2015/2016. A substantial part of these presentations were workshops with Norwegian artists in the Czech Republic and also discussions with artists which followed up after the show. Thanks to selected Norwegian artists high-quality of artworks and workshops was ensured. Implementation of the project Nordspiration had a significant benefit on several levels. Primarily at the level of development of artistic and productive cooperation between Czech and Norwegian organizations and ensembles working with the performing arts. The other major contribution was the support of the artistic mobility (6 ensembles from Norway were brought to the Czech Republic and one Czech ensemble went to Norway). An equally important benefit of the project was the introduction of current trends in the Norwegian dance scene to the Czech audience and the exchange of experience and know-how to the public.
Summary of bilateral results
The project partner from donor state was the Norwegian organization Dansearena nord based in northern Norway in Hammerfest. The partner participated in the project dramaturgy and organized the residency for Czech artists that took place in February and March 2016 at the premises of the Norwegian Hammerfest. At the end of the residence there was a work-in-progress presentation of what the artist have been working on during their stay. Susanne Neass Nielsen as a project partner leader also visited Flora Theatre Festival in Olomouc in May 2016, where the partners had the opportunity not only to evaluate the project together and but also to think and plan other activities. The cooperation between partners will continue after the project is completed. Norwegian ensemble will be visiting the Czech Republic in November 2016. On top of that, even stronger cooperation (for example partnership with Dansearena nord in the upcoming project for the Creative Europe) will follow.