Description
The main aim of this project is promotion of the region and city of Suwalki based on the quality of the cultural event - Suwalki Blues Festival. The partner city - Notodden from Norway has hosted Notodden Blues Festival with big success for several years. The project aims to attract the world's leading blues stars, resulting in a well-organised festival of high artistic quality. The event will focus on the art and culture of the north-east countries of Europe and Scandinavia, especially in the area of blues music. The international and bilateral cooperation related to the blues festivals in Suwalki (Poland) and Notodden (Norway) will contribute to capacity development of artists, for example by music workshops for talented young musicians. The workshops will result in performances on the festival scene. In this sense the project will contribute to helping aspiring musicians to develop their international career. The performances will be promoted through audiovisual recordings. In the frameworks of the project there will be over 40 events (concerts, workshops and exhibitions) implemented.
Summary of project results
The main aim of this project was promotion of the region and city of Suwalki through organization of the Suwalki Blues Festival - high artistic quality music event that attract world's leading blues stars. The need for implementing of the project was justified by the fact that Suwałki region is still one of the poorest in Poland in terms of e.g. lack of infrastructure and high rate of unemployment. The solution proposed by the beneficiary was to increase tourism, which may be done through i.a. organisation of a large scale music project that give ability to attract tourists and promote region. In the longer term creating of an interesting cultural offer gives opportunity to improve economic and social situation of the inhabitants. The festival was held in 2013 and focused on the art and culture of the north-east countries of Europe and Scandinavia, especially with regards to blues music. The implementation of the project enabled of the achievement of expected objectives, that is presentation of the diversity and differentiality in the way of performing music (various musicians, exchange of exhibitions on blues festivals in Poland and Norway), education and promotion of young talents (workshops), support for the aspiring musicians to develop their international career, open cultural even for wider public (the event was free of charge and it included people with disabilities - eg. special transportation means). The project resulted in the 3-days blues festival, during which 40 concerts were held, 2 photo exhibitions, music workshops for youth and audiovisual presentation. 160 specialists and artists were involved in the project, and concerts were attended by 1500 people. All project indicators concerning number of events, artists involved and audience have been exceeded. The two Norwegian partners fulfilled their role as project coordinators through organization of the exhibition "5 years of Suwałki Blues Festival" in Nottoden, support of the presentation of the exhibition of Norwegian artist in Poland "The history of Blues Nottoden - Missisipi" in Suwałki, organisation of the participation of the Norwegian band "The Bluestown Kings" during the festival, promotiing of the festival in Norway and providing of an advice. The cooperatioon between the partners was successful. It is highly probable that the partnership will continue with another collaborative music festival.
Summary of bilateral results
The cooperation between the partners was valuable and in accordance with the application form and partnership agreement. The Norwegian partner fulfilled the role of project coordinator. The tasks of the Notodden Blues Festival included: 1) permanent advice 2) promotion of the project 3) joint contracting bands 4) the organization of the exhibition "5 years of Suwalki Blues Festival" in Notodden, 5) renting a jubilee exhibition "Notodden Blues Festival" to Suwalki 6) exchange of bands: the participation of the Norwegian band "The Bluestown Kings" in Suwalki Blues Festival and participation of band from Suwalki in Notodden Suwalki Blues Festival. The cooperation between partners was successful. It is highly probable that the partnership will continue with another collaborative music festival.