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Description
The cultural infrastructure of Bucharest is limited to the city center, meaning that two thirds of the population who live in neighborhoods have limited cultural access. In the backdrop of cultural scarcity, a sense of identity is lacking, as does the quality of living, while the inhabitants of Bucharest aren’t even aware of their own history. The opportunity consists of rebalancing the cultural scene, by affirming neighborhood identity and by socially and culturally involving the locals. All of this is possible by developing local cultural operators and cultural products that are meaningful to their communities and their history. By tackling the history of habitation in ‘block-type’ buildings in 10 Bucharest neighborhoods, through a series of multidisciplinary cultural products and community events, the intervention is necessary, and corresponds to the priorities laid out in Bucharest’s Cultural Strategy 2016-2026. The target group consists of Bucharest’s inhabitants, including those living in the 10 neighborhoods with block-type buildings, as well as 10.000 inhabitants of the block-type buildings themselves (indirect beneficiaries), while the direct beneficiaries are: 6 film professionals; 1100 attendees at cultural events; 5000 history books readers; 200 documentary film online viewers. Their needs gravitate around the lack of a sense of cultural local identity, the lack of connection to the community and their own history, the lack of belonging and civic engagement. Our objective is to culturally activate the neighborhoods in Bucharest through multidisciplinary cultural products focused on the history of micro-communities associated with block-type buildings and through cultural and bilateral cooperation. The role of the bilateral partnership will focus on the post production of the documentaries created as part of the project by raising image quality through applied activities, and raising the skill level of the post production team.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address the challenges related to the history of habitation in block-type buildings across ten neighborhoods in Bucharest through a series of multidisciplinary cultural products and community events. The initiative responded to a set of pressing needs, including the lack of a distinct cultural identity at the local level, weak connections between residents and their communities, and a diminished sense of belonging and civic engagement. By culturally activating these neighborhoods, the project sought to strengthen the historical and social fabric of micro-communities linked to block-type buildings.
The project conducted historical research on ten Bucharest neighborhoods characterized by block-type buildings, exploring their development, social dynamics, and cultural significance. Based on this research, a series of films were produced, providing a visual narrative that highlighted their unique identities and the experiences of their residents. In addition, the project organized cultural events within the neighborhoods, fostering community engagement and encouraging residents to reconnect.
The project successfully engaged local communities by organizing 14 cultural events, including seven film screenings and seven community photo exhibitions, fostering a deeper connection to neighborhood history. It produced ten research-based books documenting the evolution of each neighborhood, along with four short films and a feature-length documentary capturing the collective narrative of the ten communities studied. As a lasting impact, the project led to a formal request for the inclusion of block-type neighborhoods in Bucharest’s cultural heritage register, highlighting their historical and social significance.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian partner played a key role in post-production training, conducting a seminar that enhanced technical skills and industry knowledge. Additionally, they organized an online training program for the project promoter, facilitating knowledge exchange.