Description
The Municipality of Elena is a place with a rich historical and cultural past, which succeeds to maintain the traditions and customs alive by holding a series of regional events and initiatives related to history and Renaissance culture. But during the last few years the municipality has faced two main problems: poorly developed cultural infrastructure and insufficient financial resources for cultural events. Therefore, the implementation of the project “Festival of modern art - “Bright Balkan world”, Elena 2015” will aim to stimulate the development of cultural diversity in the Municipality of Elena and ensure adequate cultural infrastructure as a prerequisite for sustainable socio-cultural, creative and economic development. Within the project 11 performances of contemporary art and culture will be held in front of a diverse public. Representatives of the Roma population will also be included in the performances. The project partner – “the International organization for democracy and human rights”, Norway, will participate in the organization and conduction of the festival by providing expertise in innovative and creative methods and good practices for holding festivals of contemporary art. The partnership will aim to contribute to the popularization of the Bulgarian cultural heritage throughout Europe and will stimulate cultural exchange between the partners.
Summary of project results
The municipality of Elena is a place with rich historical and cultural past, which succeeds to maintain the traditions and customs alive by holding a series of regional events and initiatives aimed at history and Renaissance culture. The main problems and constraints identified the project area are luck of wide publicity of the specific regional traditions and culture and narrow local cultural entertainment and opportunities for self-presentation of people, especially in smaller communities. Therefor the, the target groups is set with the widest range in order to reach the largest possible number of representatives of civil society from all social, ethnic and age groups and enable to draw benefits from the implementation of the project. The overall objective of this project was to stimulate the development of cultural diversity in the Municipality of Elena by implementing a festival of contemporary arts in the context of cultural identity and cultural heritage of the region and ensuring adequate cultural infrastructure – a prerequisite for sustainable socio-cultural, creative and economic development of the Municipality of Elena. The Festival of Modern Art "Colorful Balkan World" Elena was held at the planned time in the spring of 2016 and set out both the main and the specific objectives to the wide audience - citizens and guests of Elena and the village of Maysko, reached all the planned events of modern art combined with the traditional crafts and the distinctive culture of the ethnic minorities. With the realization of the "Live Exhibition" in the village of Maiksko, two main goals were achieved - as a demonstration of authentic Roma ethnics manifestations of cultural tradition that are unknown to the non-ethnic people, as well as the possibility of meeting Roma children with the modern through a workshop on hip- hop and their inclusion in a competition held in Elena. Two art installations were developed during the festival as well. Most important effect on the target groups was reflected in the information providing everyone the opportunity to observe modern arts to participate in workshops, but also to show their talent. Many Roma children were attracted to participate in the artistic program, students from Roma community participated in the festival. Most of the population of Elena city was involved in the festival.
Summary of bilateral results
The 2015 Balkan World Festival of Modern Art, which was attended by representatives of the partner NGO International Organization for Democracy and Human Rights from Oslo, Norway. Demosten Olariu, chairman of the organization, took part in the official opening of the Elena Festival, and then in the Roma village of Maysko where the Live Exhibition was held. Representatives of the partner organization have emerged as moderators in the making of the art installation and in the pottery workshop. During his visit to the village of Mayo Demosthenes, Olariu communicated with the local Roma, acquainted with craftsmen and showed interest in the peculiarities of their authentic skills. Olariu discusses with Mayor Mayor the problems of Roma integration, unemployment, dropping out of school and measures to overcome the problems. Share the most positive practices in Norway in terms of education and integration.