Within the framework of its global initiative “Culture: A Bridge to Development”, which aims at building on the power of culture as a dynamic force of co-operation and innovation for inclusive economic development, social cohesion, and peace, IFAW with the support of UNESCO, in cooperation with the Municipality of Berat and other partners from the region, of a new regional encounter on 29-30.
This regional encounter on the iconic Gorica bridge of Berat follows the ones organized in Edirne (Turkey) in 2012, and in Lovech (Bulgaria) in 2013. It is the third of several events within the “Balkan Bridges Speak” project to be hosted across South East Europe to highlight bridges as powerful symbols of unity and mutual understanding.
The “Balkan Bridges Speak” project features round tables on some of the Organization’s priority areas of work in the field of Culture, artistic performances, public readings, and provides an opportunity for artists, national and local authorities, experts, private partners and universities of the sub-region to share experiences. It aims at enhancing creativity, dialogue and cultural exchanges, to inspire innovative and creative approaches to the safeguarding of heritage and culture sensitive development policies. The initiative is conceived to provide spaces for sub-regional and regional cultural cooperation, and seeks to promote exchanges amongst culture professionals, city planners, municipalities, artists and the civil society on cultural policies, strategies and practices that foster intercultural dialogue and stimulate the cultural sector as a viable economic and social sector.
This event in Berat featured notably a round table on ‘Building a network between cities’. Participants from the region will share views on issues such as: How to make culture and cultural industries a key factor for quality urban development? Are creative cities gateways to international markets? How to build local capacities in business skills and sustain cultural dynamics? Can cities think of themselves in terms of “creative evolution”? The discussions contributed to the building of a stable partnership between the countries included in the project.
The round table was divided into two parts, the first relating to ‘Culture as politics: new forms of regional cultural cooperation’ and the second to ‘The Bilateral cooperation between the cities of the Balkan area – the basis for building a network of cities participating in the project “Balkan Bridges Speak”.
Balkan artists were invited to represent the Gorica Bridge during two days in open air. The round table will be accompanied by artistic events: a photograph exhibition entitled “What the Water Whispers”; an open air exhibition “Balkan artists draw the Gorica Bridge”; two concerts “The Gorica Bridge Speaks” with the participation of musicians and folklore dance groups from Albania and Bulgaria and a sound and light show, 3-D animation of the Gorica Bridge.
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