Description
Jazz in the park is an innovative music festival. The aim of the project is to bring good music closer to people and to create a context where tens of thousands of people can interact with good and high quality music, developing their ability to appreciate art and culture. In this regards the project aims to implement one of the most non-formal music events in the country by organizing 52 concerts in the central parks of Cluj-Napoca and other similar venues. Jazz in the park is a music event dedicated to the community. 90% of the concerts are open to the general public, the access is free and unlimited. The 52 concerts during the 2015 edition of the festival aim to attract an audience of over 20.000 people in Cluj-Napoca. It contributes towards the mobility of jazz music bands within Romania and internationallyby organizing at least 7 international concerts. The project fosters a better understanding of cultural diversity and promotes the cultural identity of ethnic minorities in the region by organizing 15 concerts by cultural and ethnic minorities.
Summary of project results
Recognized as a community event, Jazz in the Park is not, in public perception, or even in PP’s plans, a music festival, but a form of engaging the local community through music, urban art and culture. Jazz in the Park brings back on the cultural and tourist map of the city forgotten or badly used public spaces, empowers the community to choose and fund cultural and social causes, and promotes young artists, regardless of the artistic form of expression they choose (music, visual arts, performance, installations, and so on). Jazz in the Park started from the idea of restoring and highlighting different public spaces and placing them back on the cultural map of the city. In 2013 we did exactly that with the Central Park of Cluj-Napoca, and continued that in 2015 with Someș River Side and in 2017 with the Pata Rât area (an underprivileged community set up beside the city landfill). The 3rd edition of Jazz in the Park was an important milestone for the festival, a moment of development and of establishment on the local cultural agenda. Also, more than anything, this edition was the moment when Jazz in the Park and the community became one. From the city center to Grigorescu and Gheorgheni districts, from cultural establishments to the Someș riverside, the jazz spirit animated the city in 2015. The Jazz in the Park International Contest started as a celebration of the youth cooperation (Cluj Napoca was European Youth Capital in 2015) is now one of the most representative jazz contests in the country. Over 97 hours of live music were played during the festival by 57 bands (53 planned) and 285 musician representing 6 countries and numerous local minorities (20 out of 57 bands) in front of 49.000 people (20.000 planned). The 2015 edition was a celebration of youth, diversity, music and arts. But most important it was a celebration of the community. During this festival edition we realized how important this project is for the local community. The participants’ feedback demonstrated two important things. The first one is that people love the spirit of the festival. The second aspect is as important as the first one – over 90% of the participants showed interest to contribute to our Fund, by paying “honorary tickets”, and so entrusted us with choosing cultural and social causes that would be supported from their donations.
Summary of bilateral results