Project KA9031

                              

There are many different small cities around the world.  A lot of them are great and interesting places in some way but still some of the towns are more desirable than others. But what makes a small place attractive? What can become a supporting element to develop a local community? In case of the programme’s region, the music art could definitely be that tool.  

The music traditions and resources are strong in the Republic of Karelia and North Karelia. We are proud of our music heritage and take action to preserve it. One can get professional music education and training without leaving the region. The professional work of local music groups, including symphony orchestras, is acknowledged beyond the bordering region. A number of music art festivals and music related businesses operate here.  

Then why all those strengths do not play a significant role in the territory development today? The key challenge is hidden in the current collaboration practices.  They require improvements to bring added value.

“Big Music for Small Cities” is about that.  Its mission is to demonstrate that effective cooperation models in the sphere of music art presentation and promotion can change a small city from a simple living area into a сenter of attraction.

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Project news

KA 9031 - BIG MUSIC FOR SMALL CITIES

Project team. Who are we?

“Big Music for Small Cities” united 4 partner organizations that have long experience of cooperation:

Lead partner - Directorate of the festival and cultural events of the Republic of Karelia;

Finnish partner - Joensuu city, Cultural Services;

Russian partners - Ministry of culture of the Republic of Karelia and Karelian State Philharmonic.

Who could be interested in the project?

First and foremost, cultural operators working in music art field both from state/municipal cultural sector and creative businesses (festival organizations, design, music, light and sound productions) and musicians working and living in the Republic of Karelia and North Karelia.

Local business community, including tourism and recreational sector, hotel and catering service enterprises, town planning enterprises and local authorities are the key project beneficiaries. 

What is the aim of the project?

The objective of the project is to improve collaboration practices in the field of music art presentation and promotion through cross-border capacity building activities and cross-sectorial initiatives.

What is the project team striving for?

For two years starting from February 1, 2020 the project team will work towards:

- enhancing networks of cultural operators working in the field of music art presentation and promotion through best practices exchange, training and joint marketing strategy;

- improving professional expertise and practical tools of related cultural sector creative companies through program development assistance;

- obtaining practical experience of implementing initiatives based on cross-border and cross-sectorial cooperation.

What actions does the project team take?

To develop networks of cultural organizations working in the field of music art presentation and promotion:

  • discussion panel “Big Music for Small Cities” with participation of leading experts;  

  • joint working sessions on both sides of the border with the focus on joint marketing, mutually beneficial partnerships with local businesses, cooperation between festivals and festival agents;

  • joint marketing strategy for cross-border music festival network as a follow-up activity,  that will sharpen the picture of festival activity in the bordering regions and develop recommendations for improving current cooperation models.

To develop professional expertise and practical tools of related cultural sector creative companies:

  • study trip for Russian light artists to Joensuu;

  • joint music program featuring new pieces of music commissioned by Russian and Finnish composers;

  • redeveloped program for Joensuu winter music festival;

  • developed concept of the Light festival in Kondopoga (a small industrial city in the Republic of Karelia).

To gain practical experience of implementing initiatives based on cross-border and cross-sectorial cooperation:

  • joint session for Karelian symphony orchestra and Joensuu orchestra in the Republic of Karelia with workshops and rehearsals of joint music program;

  • rebranded Joensuu winter festival presenting new function of the festival and featuring both symphony orchestras in a new light;

  • recording of joint music program featuring musicians from Petrozavodsk and Joensuu;

  • Light festival in Kondopoga is organized as an open-air event during winter time.

What project results will be available to the general public?

  • Rebranded Joensuu winter music festival in February, 2021 that gives the festival life in Finland a new perspective, raise its attractiveness and contribution to the city;

  • New Light festival in Kondopoga in December, 2021, that unites advanced technologies in the field of light shows and 3D design combined with the premiere of a new music program for the symphony orchestra;

  • Recording services for symphony orchestras in Petrozavodsk;

  • A CD featuring Russian and Finnish musicians with new music pieces specially commissioned by the composers for the bordering region.

Project manager

Ekaterina Shishkova, eeshishkova@gmail.com

Directorate of the festival and cultural events of the Republic of Karelia

Finnish project coordinator

Anna Maria Kupiainen, annamaria.kupiainen@joensuu.fi

Joensuu City