Description
A large part of the population of Bytom and the Upper Silesia face a difficult economic and social situation and no possibilities of regular contacts with the theatre arts, especially from different cultures and countries. The aim of the project is thus a multi-aspect presentation of Norwegian contemporary theater art, helping to equalize chances to have access to interesting cultural phenomena. The project includes presentations of activities of selected Norwegian theater groups as part of two editions of the TEATROMANIA International Festival in 2014 and 2015 and the HartOFFanie Teatrem Project as well as workshops prepared by Norwegian partners with the participation of local community, meetings and films. The project will benefit local community, workshops attendees and theatrical audience from the region. Partners are obliged to present the theatre performance, to present their work and films that document its earlier work; to participate in meetings with the audience; to conduct workshops. The partnership will help to increase the awareness of multicultural history of Poland and Bytom and the knowledge on culture and history of Norway.
Summary of project results
The project consisted of 3 presentations of Norwegian theatre groups. The project partners presented their performances during the two consecutive editions of TEATROMANIA International Festival and within the frame of HartOFFanie Teatrem project. Also the presentations of the companies work and the meetings with the artists were organised. Each of the companies run workshops for the local community members. The workshop results were presented during TEATROMANIA Festival and HartOFFanie Teatrem project. As a result of the workshop run by Stella Polaris company an outdoor performance entitled “Layers of Bytom” was created – it was presented during the TEATROMANIA Festival 2015. The participants of this workshop went to Norway to take part in the Summer School organised by Stella Polaris in Sandefjord. They met children and teenagers from Norway and other countries, took part in the theatre workshop and the performance created as the final show of the Summer School at the Sol Fest Festival. During this event there were also the significant parts of the performance “Layers of Bytom” presented. The project created a unique opportunity to learn about Norwegian theatre and culture. Various groups benefited from its organisation. The project had a very special value for the young participants – they had a chance to meet great artists but also young people of various nationalities, gain theatre knowledge and develop the social skills, openness, ability to tackle difficulties, overcome their own limitations and weaknesses. The project with its international perspective had a very special meaning in the city dealing with economic problems, where young people are deprived of access to diverse cultural events, opportunities to develop and reach their full potential. Some of the project results may be sustained – the impulse was given to search for the new opportunities to learn and progress.
Summary of bilateral results
The main role of the Partners was to present their work to our community. There were performances presented at the TEATROMANIA International Festival and HartOFFanie Teatrem project, and the presentations of the companies’ work organised, during which they talked about their art, previous shows, various activities and shared some insight into the artistic work in Norway and other countries. They also shared their experiences during meetings with audience organised after the shows.One of the most important parts of the project were workshops, held by the each company members. Each of them ended with a performance of workshop results presenting skills gained by the participants – mostly the youngsters and students from Bytom. It allowed young people to develop their skills, learn from the great artists representing different approach to the theatre ad methods of work. The project allowed a group of Polish youngsters to travel to Norway to take part in the Summer School organised by Stella Polaris and in a presentation of the results of its work. Thanks to the workshops there were important contacts and bonds established. The participants keep in touch with our institution, the theatres that were involved in the project, with each other and some people they met in Norway. Because of the visit to Sandefjord a lot of people from Norway found out about The Art/Knowing/Action project, there were news in the local newspapers and other forms of project promotion that spread the information about our visit and the project. The Polish youngsters presented as well a show based on stories from Bytom – the significant parts of the performance that was created in Bytom as a result of the workshop held by Stella Polaris. It was a great opportunity to present the Silesian traditions and heritage in Norway. The project created an opportunity to gain the experience and knowledge about cooperation with partners from Norway and learn about the differences between Polish and Norwegian legal regulations and different approach to organising artistic events and activities.