Establishment of MCI ""Toplocentrala"" as a modern space for art, culture and dialogue

Project facts

Project promoter:
Sofia Municipality(BG)
Project Number:
BG-CULTURE-0012
Status:
Completed
Final project cost:
€157,358
Donor Project Partners:
Tou Scene AS(NO)
Other Project Partners
Association for Independent Theatre - union of freelance professional theatre groups(BG)

Description

Project "Establishment of MCI "Toplocentrala" as a modern space for art, culture and dialogue" aspires to build on the efforts made so far for the transformation of the former thermal power plant and its establishment into an interdisciplinary platform for contemporary arts, providing new impetus to the cultural life of the capital. The necessary conditions for the functioning of the municipal cultural institute have already been ensured and the reconstruction of the building, in line with the Strategy for the Development of Culture in Sofia by 2023, focusing on the establishment of at least one independent cultural center to support the development of contemporary arts, artists and audiences, is expected in a foreseeable term. The purpose of the project is the construction of a recognizable identity of MCI "Toplocentrala" which would become a guarantee for its sustainable temporal existence, both regionally and internationally. The activities have been developed in a way that promotes successful interaction between the beneficiaries and creates opportunities for authentic partnership and constructive dialogue on relevant topics. The involvement of the Norwegian partner - TOU, Stavanger, is crucial in view of the organization''s longstanding experience in the field of cultural entrepreneurship and bringing the art sector closer to the everyday life of citizens, reinforcing its social, educational and aesthetic role. The project will bring direct benefits to the beneficiaries on the one hand by enhancing their capacity to work with audiences, on the other - by building opportunities to move beyond the narrow spatial framework of the familiar territory. At the same time, creating and disseminating new forms of art adapted to the needs of different public segments and developing on the background of the urban "periphery", would form the necessary preconditions for a more inclusive and vibrant cultural sector.

Summary of project results

The project aims to establish the "Toplocentrala" Municipal Cultural Institute as a modern space for art, culture and dialogue. It aspires to build on the efforts made so far for the transformation of the former thermal power plant in the city of Sofia and its establishment into an interdisciplinary platform for contemporary arts, providing new impetus to the cultural life of the capital.

The project activities have been developed in a way that promotes successful interaction between the partnering organisations and creates opportunities for authentic partnership and constructive dialogue on relevant topics. The project includes implementing a photograhic plein air,  an initiative in the form of a literary plein air called "Live Poetry", conducting n-WAYS initiative - a screenplay competition, a Cultural Festival "The heath of the past, the warmth of the present", as well as the initiative "Artists''Talks" that follows the familiar format of TED - a global series of conferences owned by a private non-profit foundation, created to promote "ideas worth spreading", but is focused on topics falling within the scope of art and cultural dialogue. The idea is to build a platform for sharing experiences, concepts and artistic perspectives and to increase the possibilities for their communicability ("audibility") among the audience.

The project has brought direct benefits by enhancing the project promoter''s capacity to work with audiences, on the other - by building opportunities to move beyond the narrow spatial framework of the familiar territory. At the same time, creating and disseminating new forms of art adapted to the needs of different audiences in the urban periphery areasachieving a more inclusive and vibrant cultural sector.

Summary of bilateral results

The involvement of the Norwegian partner - TOU, based in the town of Stavanger (Norway), is crucial in view of the organization''s longstanding experience in the field of cultural entrepreneurship and bringing the art sector closer to the everyday life of citizens, reinforcing its social, educational and aesthetic role.

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.