Description
The main goal of the project is to support artists from different European countries, including various ethnic minorities, and present their work to the general public with overall objective to enhance cultural dialogue and strengthen European identity. To meet this goal, the project promoter will organize a showcase festival (a format combining concerts of current music stars with lectures, panel discussions and workshops led by leading music professionals). This format has been popular abroad for a long time and it has helped both export and import within the music industry, but in the Czech Republic only one similar event has been held. The showcase festival will introduce creation of Europe's top musicians who stand outside the mainstream to the general public. One of the main tools is an electronic portal which will contain detailed information about the performers and its members. This portal allows the public to contact the artists and ask them questions. Thanks to the main programme of the festival – the general public will become familiar with the creation of Europe's top musicians, including the work of various ethnic minorities. The festival will increase competencies of the artists through participation in the accompanying programme of the festival which will include lectures, panel discussions with experts and workshops led by artists themselves. The accompanying programme is primarily focused at artists booking, management, production etc. Thanks to the project the artists will have chance to exchange contacts and develop further cooperation. Important part in the project plays Jon-Eirik Boska Musikk from Norway who will consult implementation of the festival, especially its dramaturgy and PR.
Summary of project results
The project was aimed at presentation today's top European musicians working outside the mainstream to the public through organising a showcase festival. The Showcase Festival "ITCH MY HA HA HA" took place between September 2015 and March 2016 in Brno. During the main programme 68 perfomances were realized (the bands represented the diverse contemporary European productions with an emphasis on the creation of ethnic groups - the Czech Republic was represented by Roma music). The accompanying programme consisted of 20 events which included lectures, panel discussions and workshops led by leading European experts, primarily targeted at artists, aspiring artists and also students and professionals from the general public and children. The festival was one of the biggest music events in the city Brno, competing for the title of UNESCO Creative City of Music. The visual aids and presentation of the festival had a very positive response and were mentioned in several major foreign media devoted to graphic design. The project helped to make artistic works of minorities focusing on live arts accessible to public, focusing on the acknowledgment of the specific nature of their cultural activities as carriers of the identity, value and meanings. The festival also achieved international recognition and success since it was nominated and won in the competition The Vinyla Awards – Achievement of the Year 2016.
Summary of bilateral results
The project had one partner from donor countries Jon-Eirik Boska Musikk. Music group Bosco and their frontman Jon-Eirik Boska represents contemporary Norwegian work in the field of electronic music, which belongs among the European top and performing throughout Europe. The partner was actively involved in the preparation and implementation of the project from the very beginning especially in dramaturgy and PR of the festival. The specific role of the partner in the project lied in providing consultation to the project team (programme considering traditional and modern works), providing contacts to the project team for the Norwegian musicians, fulfilling the conditions of the event, participation of the music band Bosco in the main festival programme and introducing contemporary Norwegian work in the field of electronic music. The frontman also led one of the workshop in accompanying programme about sound design. Cooperation with the partner will continue after the project is completed.