LOOKING EASTWARDS: VOICES OF CHANGE
Brussels, 25-26 May
"Looking Eastwards" is not merely an invitation to see how Europe is experienced at its margins, it is a preview to different Eastern perspectives on Europe as a whole. "Voices of Change" speak about Europe as a subjective geography.
The two-day event showcases a selection of artistic interventions in public space in cities across Eastern Europe and South Caucasus and engages both artists and public in a dialogue about East and West, public space and identity. We examine how our narratives as practitioners relate to the Grand European Narrative called culture, and we attempt to conceptualize the notion „inspiring" Europe, checking it against our various rhetoric motives. Inviting the voices of several EU level players, the event further discusses the importance of culture in the external relations of the EU, with a focus on the Eastern Partnership.
A project of: AltArt Foundation and the Romanian Cultural Institute Brussels
Partners: Bozar, Balkan Express Network, Bunker Ljubljana, Cluj-Napoca 2021 European Capital of Culture Association
With the financial support of the Romanian Cultural Institute, Cluj-Napoca Municipality and the European Union, Culture Programme.
PROGRAMME
JOIN: VOICES OF CHANGE
Showcase | public talk
25-26 May, Bozar, Discussion Room
The showcase presents a selection of artistic interventions in public space in Romania, Slovenia, Georgia and Armenia, produced within the Caucasus-Balkan Express and Create to Connect projects.
Featured artists: Giorgi Khasaia (GE), Vahe Budumyan (AR), Tanja Radež (SI), Vilmos Koter (RO), Ciprian Butnaru (RO), Station House Opera (UK)
25 May, 15.00 - Public Talk: VOICES OF CHANGE. Eastern Perspectives on "Europe", "Public" and "Space"
- Vahe Budumyan, artist, Armenia
- Frédéric Meseeuw, Bozar / A Soul for Europe, Belgium
- Istvan Szakáts, curator, AltArt Foundation, Romania (moderator)
- Koter Vilmos, artist, Romania
- Dirk de Wit, Flanders Institute of Art, Belgium
- Rarița Zbranca, programmer, AltArt Foundation/Balkan Express Network, Romania
For years of developing Culture as the new Grand Narrative of Europe us artists and cultural contributors have catwalked our practices - mostly the ones that were successful at influencing the socio-political constructs called city or state. Public space (both physical and social) has always been constituted a productive territory of debate. How did we inspire the socio-political construct called European Union? Did our contributions manage to keep their political (as in critical and emancipatory) edge in inspiring policies?
26 May, 15.00 - Public Talk: Looking Eastwards. Culture in the External Relations of the EU
- Robert Adam, director, Romanian Cultural Institute Brussels, (moderator)
- Damian Drăghici, MEP, CULT Committee, Romania
- Giorgio Ficarelli, European Commission, DEVCO
- Nevenka Koprivsek, Bunker Ljubljana/ Balkan Express Network, Slovenia
- Charles-Etienne Lagasse, former EUNIC President and Inspecteur Général of WBI, Belgium
- István Szakáts, AltArt Foundation, Romania
- Kathleen Weyts, Bozar, Project Coordinator "Imagine Europe in Search of New Narratives" - "Europe Europe", Belgium
- Rarița Zbranca, Cluj-Napoca 2021 European Capital of Culture Association, Romania
EU institutions, national institutes for culture, cities, festivals, civil society: all have the capacities and means to foster intercultural dialogue with the EU Neighbourhood. But is there a coherent cultural relations agenda for the Eastern Partnership countries? What are the best practices and what are the expectations from the EU in the region? More culture in external relations, more Europe in the East: could this be part of the new European narrative?
Compulsory registration for the public talks are available here.
Deadline for registration: May 23.
