„Victoria” Intercultural Atelier

„Victoria” Intercultural Atelier
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Project Promoter: Slatina Municipality
Project Partner: EVRIS Foundation ses, Iceland
Project duration: 21 months, but no later than 31.08.2016
Total project amount: RON 7,577,927.17, i.e. EUR 1,715,433.42
Grant amount: RON 7,254,170.32, i.e. EUR 1,642,143.82

In September 2010 the Local Council of Slatina Municipality adopted a decision through which the building "Cinema Victoria" was passed in the City Hall's patrimony. The building is located in the historical center of Slatina, and is classified as a type B historical monument, but dysfunctional since 1990, currently being in an advanced stage of degradation. The rehabilitation of the municipality's historical center and the diversification of the activities in the area is a strategic priority for Slatina City Hall, one of the project proposals established by the "Strategy for Sustainable Development of Slatina Municipality, Action Plan 2009 - 2015" being the rehabilitation of patrimony buildings.

By the implementation of the project, not only the rehabilitation of a historical monument is proposed and its valorization from architectural point of view, but also giving it back to the general public and including it into an international cultural circuit. Therefore, through the proposed technical solution a multifunctional space is created, where any type of artistic, cultural or social manifestation can be organized, with a maximum capacity of 200 people and with last generation equipment.

The events that will be organized in this area will be oriented toward a direction of promoting intercultural, interactive events, for the entire community, regardless of their culture, ethnicity or special characteristics of its members. Even more, promoting diversity of cultural expression and recognition of common human needs beyond the specifics of a culture is proposed, therefore a title appropriate to the proposed mission has been chosen: Victoria Intercultural Atelier.

Therefore, through the project, the rehabilitation of a historical monument and his capitalization by giving it back to the general public is proposed in order to develop cultural and social activities, at the same time with the community development in Slatina by increasing the tourist attractiveness of Slatina, especially cultural tourism.

To ensure the functional and organizational sustainability, the project includes the elaboration of a strategic programming document, namely a strategic development plan for a minimum period of 5 years from the commissioning, during which the following strategic targets will be developed:

  • supporting the intercultural dialogue through any form of artistic manifestation, by promoting the interaction between different cultural organizations through their involvement in artistic activities organized in or under the coordination of the Victoria Intercultural Atelier;
  • facilitating the development of insider and inter societies communication by the consecrating  the atelier as a space for interaction and socialization for the community members, regardless their origin and cultural heritage;
  • ensuring the access to cultural manifestations for every citizen, according to its financial possibilities;
  • the manifestation as a cultural, intercultural and educational factor;
  • facilitating the cultural and social integration of the Roma ethnics.

To achieve such ambitious targets, it was necessary to:

  • identify a technical solution through which the former cinema hall can be transformed into a multifunctional space;
  • familiarize with the concept of interculturality and the ways to promote through cultural, artistic, social  manifestations;
  • facilitate the contact with other cultural institutions from abroad and develop the skills to manage international cooperation relations;
  • organize an opening ceremony by which the realized investment is emphasized and that anticipates the diversity of the atelier's future cultural agenda.

These are the defining elements of the added value brought by the partner in the project - EVRIS FOUDATION ses. Even if the partner organization is newly established, its founding members have a wide experience in international project management, cultural management and international cooperation, in international public relations and art history. Through the involvement of this partner in the project long-term collaboration with cultural and intercultural organizations and institutions from the donor states will be ensured in order to fulfil the mission that the atelier proposes.

SUSTAINABILITY

Slatina Fashion Night, June 22nd 2017

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World Book and Copyright Day, April 20th 2017

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International Romani Day, April 21st 2017

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Shakespeare in love, April 28th 2017

Celebrating 453 years since the birth of William Shakespeare

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“Green Guerilla” Caravan at Victoria Intercultural Atelier

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Icelandic National Day at Victoria Intercultural Atelier, 17 June 2017

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Project news/photo gallery

IMPACT

1. A restored historical monument made accessible to the public by creating a cultural space

The building former known as Victoria Cinema House has recovered its former glory. After many years of being just a building under piles of rubble or shelter for only homeless people when they found refuge during the log cold winter nights, it was time to turn it around. So now is restored and transformed into a chic Intercultural Workshop.

BEFORE

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Its main attractions are the main hall of the building, courtyard and exhibition hall in the basement.

AFTER

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Details of the building

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Courtyard

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Multifunctional hall

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Exhibition hall in the basement

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Ground floor

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First floor

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2. The strategic development plan for Victoria Intercultural Workshop

During the implementation process we conducted an analysis at city level and the surrounding area. As a result we have identified the proper cultural and educational activities for the community and the proper activities to involve the Roma community. Every action identified was part of the Strategic Development Plan for Victoria Intercultural Workshop.

3. Photo exhibition “Slatina – our home”

143 photographs gathered from community were exhibited. The exhibition was set by weaving a spider web between wooden clips placed between arches that are found in the exhibition hall at the basement. One of the main pieces of the exhibition was an old well preserved family album. During the 5 days exhibition there were 256 visitors guided by two hosts. The curator of the exhibition was Mr. Curt Sandu Viorel, citizen of Slatina and member of the Roma community.

The opening conference gathered representatives of the local authorities, representatives of the Icelandic partner EVRIS ses Foundation, Mrs. Anna Margret Gudjonsdottir – general director, Mr. Holmfridur Olafsdottir – Expert, Mrs. Thorgeir Olafsson – Expert, along with Slatina locals. The event was covered by mass-media. One of the main figures was Mr. Hashim Memish, a well-known local photographer.

During the last day of the event, a raffle was organized. The prize was a photo camera.

Photo gallery

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4. Fiddler music show “One life, one song”

Four bands of Roma artists performed traditional songs during the show “One life, one song”. The artists are followers of the great rhapsodist from Oltenia, Lica Militaru. During the show the master of ceremonies, the actor Silviu Man, made an introduction on the project, its objectives, the financing and donor countries and the performing guests.

The master of ceremonies presented each band activity and encouraged the audience to interact with the artists. The highlight of the evening was the performance of the artist Cristian Dumitru, violin fiddler music artist graduate of the National Music University in Bucharest and winner of many music competitions and festivals nation-wide and international ones.

Photo gallery

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5. Workshop on international cooperation and interculturality

The main room was arranged accordingly by lowering the mobile walls. The workshop gathered experts from the project partner, the local authorities, local cultural NGOs and citizens.

The project manager, Cristiana Șerban had an introduction on the further planned activity at Victoria and the results of the local policy on cultural international cooperation. Mr. Thorgeir Olafsson, expert from Evris Foundation, made an introductory presentation on the cultural international cooperation, the principles and possibilities on international financing. From the international cooperation perspective as part of the main activity of a local cultural centre there was the presentation of Mrs. Holmfridur Olafsdottir. Mr. Valeru Ciurea, representative of the local NGO Center Inter Art Association spoke to the guests on the cultural international cooperation form Slatina perspective for Eugen Ionescu Cultural Centre. During the Q&A session, several representatives had useful interventions: Center Inter Art Association, Olt Artis Cultural Association, Iordache Art Cultural Association, Eugen Ionescu Cultural Society.

During the second part of the workshop, the project manager Cristiana Șerban, spoke about the ideas identified by the strategic development plan in order to set a local policy for intercultural activity. A short introduction was made on behalf of the Roma community by Mr. Curt Sandu Viorel. Mrs. Anna Margret Gudjonsdottir, General Director of Evris Foundation presented similar projects and solutions to problems related to intercultural cooperation from the experience of Mrs. Kristín R.Vilhjálmsdóttir, Expert at Evris Foundation. Mrs. Holmfridur Olafsdottir spoke about her intercultural activity as main part of the day-to-day life of a local cultural centre. During the free discussion round on interculturality there were a few interventions from the guests such as Diana Ene, student following a master’s degree programme in Denmark or Mr. Paul Ștefan, journalist.

The whole event was moderated by Mr. Silviu Man, actor and director.

Photo gallery

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6. Theatre performance “Marriage proposal” by A. P. Cehov

The play stared Florentina Năstase, George Constantinescu, Valentin Terente form the Art Theatre in Bucharest and was directed by Victor Olăhuţ.

‹‹One thing is certain: one needs a certain amount of courage to make a marriage proposal. Well, our suitor does not have it. He would like to get married, he fancies the girl, at the end of the day he might even get along with his father-in-law, but he does not fancy himself too tied up. And when there is a problem, it is known that more are bound to follow. There is no better time to dig up all the quarrels, the gossip or the old feuds between two families than that prior to a marriage proposal. But, as love conquers all, or better said as people fight so that they might have a reason to make up, this is the case with our love birds, too – they take a break from all the drama eventually.

We did not set out to make Cehov’s text “more contemporary” for a very simple reason: it is very difficult not to. Staging any text in a contemporary setting involves its inherent updating. But in the end, it is up to us how much we want to limit our “contemporaneousness”. I for one would want my “contemporaneousness” to reach until the Big Bang››, confessed Victor Olăhuț, director.

Photo gallery

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7. Themed Ball “Romania between the great wars”, silent movie projection and dancing evening

The event started with the projection of the silent film “Gogulică railwayman”, burlesque comedy, a Teo-Film production from 1930.

Afterwards, the guests were invited in the exhibition hall in the basement and in the garden for a buffet. The guests were introduced in the ball atmosphere with props and lots of socializing. Mr. Silviu Man maintained the atmosphere through direct interaction with the guests.

The deputy mayor of Slatina, Mr. Gigi Vîlceleanu, and the General Director of Evris Foundation, Mrs. Anna Margret Gudjonsdottir, gave a short speech and started the ball. There was music (DJ and chamber mini orchestra) from the time between the two wars. The chamber mini orchestra focused on performing the most famous and well-known songs: Zaraza, Aprinde o ţigară, Cărăruie du-mă iar, Iubesc femeia, Pe boltă când apare luna, Ce faci astă seară tu? , Dă-mi guriţa s-o sărut , Vrei să ne întâlnim sâmbătă seara? , Femeia, eterna poveste, Truli, truli , Tien, tien, tien, tien et na

Photo gallery

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