27. Gdansk, Poland
Wizz Air has been the most efficient and speedy check in, and my flight from Liverpool to Gdansk had the most welcoming, attentive and friendly of all the crews I have flown with during this tour. They made the journey and arrival to Poland most enjoyable.
Gdansk is one of the 6 Cities on the Edge cities (along with Bremen, Istanbul, Napoli, Marseille and Liverpool). It is also bidding to be Cultural Capital of Europe in 2016.
My visit to the city was to meet with arts organisations and artists interested in developing links with Hope Street for its 2009 or 2010 programme, to look for opportunities for Liverpool’s artists to work with organisations in Gdansk and to explore ways in which we can jointly develop projects that complement the Cities on the Edge programme.
As in Liverpool, there is some uncertainty amongst artists and organisations as to what the programme actually is. Local organisations told me that there have been a number of meetings in the various edgy cities and all are eagerly awaiting the development of projects.
I met with some organisations linked to the programme, funded by Gdansk city council, and with independent organisations, and with an independent film maker.
There are nine Gdansk City Cultural Centres dotted around the city. They’ve existed for 40 years and each has its own artistic policy. The one I visited had recently held a conference focussing on how arts can be used as a tool for inclusion. The Centre for Contemporary Arts centre promotes exhibitions, experimental music projects and short films. It also provides workshops ranging from master classes to workshops for children. One of its priorities is to eliminate the gap between the old city and the area it is based in created by a main road that tears the two parts of the city apart. The area is described as being in need of revitalisation and regeneration. The arts centre plays a vital role in engaging the community in the arts.
The independent organisations are the ones I consider to be the most likely collaborators with Hope Street and associated artists. The Baltic Cultural Centre (www.nck.org.pl/eng/nck.php), not unlike Hope Street, describes itself as a selfless organisation that puts artists and their opportunities first. It identifies projects for artists to engage with and organisers festivals, exhibitions and exchanges. It is based in the only building to survive the flattening of the city during WW2.
Kultura Miejska (www.kulturamiejska.pl/) is a newly established organisation based in the old Heineken brewery based in a fast developing area, 10 minutes drive outside the centre and experiencing multiple levels of deprivation. The organisation has developed its mission and is now developing its programme for 2009. In December it stages a sound installation that will be broadcast using the original sound speaker installed in the factory. The installation has been created by a local sound designer and integrates the sounds of London with the voices of Polish people, qualified doctors, solicitors and so forth who, desperate to find employment have left their country to find a better life and are now living in London working cafes and bars.
And finally, the Artists’ Colony, the most exciting and inspirational location for an arts organisation. Based in the former Shipyards of Gdansk, some of which are still operational, but many of the grand industrial buildings are now derelict. The Artists’ Colony was set up by two artists who were offered the five storey building by one of the owners of the shipyards; he saw it as an opportunity to revitalise the area through the work of local artists. The colony is run on a voluntary basis and provides artists’ studios, research and development opportunities, residencies for artists, performances and exhibitions.
We’re hoping to work with a designer from Gdansk in 2008 on the Hope Street Market, a street theatre extravaganza that we’ve been commissioned to produce as part of the Official Liverpool 2008 Programme.
Being on the Baltic Sea Coast provided the added advantage of the most delicious fish restaurants. I splashed out (excuse the pun) and had Oysters, Mazurian Sander and a fish soup. Yum.
My time in Gdansk was interesting and inspiring and in the main relaxing. It was spoiled only by the ongoing appalling service from my mobile phone provider - 3. My advice to anyone considering taking out a contract provided by the Mobile Phone Company based in Blackpool and 3 based in Glasgow, is DON’T. I was told my contract would cost me around £45 per month to phone and text anywhere in the world from anywhere in the world. I was lied to. It has been costing me around £130 per month. You have been warned!
Gdansk is one of the 6 Cities on the Edge cities (along with Bremen, Istanbul, Napoli, Marseille and Liverpool). It is also bidding to be Cultural Capital of Europe in 2016.
My visit to the city was to meet with arts organisations and artists interested in developing links with Hope Street for its 2009 or 2010 programme, to look for opportunities for Liverpool’s artists to work with organisations in Gdansk and to explore ways in which we can jointly develop projects that complement the Cities on the Edge programme.
As in Liverpool, there is some uncertainty amongst artists and organisations as to what the programme actually is. Local organisations told me that there have been a number of meetings in the various edgy cities and all are eagerly awaiting the development of projects.
I met with some organisations linked to the programme, funded by Gdansk city council, and with independent organisations, and with an independent film maker.
There are nine Gdansk City Cultural Centres dotted around the city. They’ve existed for 40 years and each has its own artistic policy. The one I visited had recently held a conference focussing on how arts can be used as a tool for inclusion. The Centre for Contemporary Arts centre promotes exhibitions, experimental music projects and short films. It also provides workshops ranging from master classes to workshops for children. One of its priorities is to eliminate the gap between the old city and the area it is based in created by a main road that tears the two parts of the city apart. The area is described as being in need of revitalisation and regeneration. The arts centre plays a vital role in engaging the community in the arts.
The independent organisations are the ones I consider to be the most likely collaborators with Hope Street and associated artists. The Baltic Cultural Centre (www.nck.org.pl/eng/nck.php), not unlike Hope Street, describes itself as a selfless organisation that puts artists and their opportunities first. It identifies projects for artists to engage with and organisers festivals, exhibitions and exchanges. It is based in the only building to survive the flattening of the city during WW2.
Kultura Miejska (www.kulturamiejska.pl/) is a newly established organisation based in the old Heineken brewery based in a fast developing area, 10 minutes drive outside the centre and experiencing multiple levels of deprivation. The organisation has developed its mission and is now developing its programme for 2009. In December it stages a sound installation that will be broadcast using the original sound speaker installed in the factory. The installation has been created by a local sound designer and integrates the sounds of London with the voices of Polish people, qualified doctors, solicitors and so forth who, desperate to find employment have left their country to find a better life and are now living in London working cafes and bars.
And finally, the Artists’ Colony, the most exciting and inspirational location for an arts organisation. Based in the former Shipyards of Gdansk, some of which are still operational, but many of the grand industrial buildings are now derelict. The Artists’ Colony was set up by two artists who were offered the five storey building by one of the owners of the shipyards; he saw it as an opportunity to revitalise the area through the work of local artists. The colony is run on a voluntary basis and provides artists’ studios, research and development opportunities, residencies for artists, performances and exhibitions.
We’re hoping to work with a designer from Gdansk in 2008 on the Hope Street Market, a street theatre extravaganza that we’ve been commissioned to produce as part of the Official Liverpool 2008 Programme.
Being on the Baltic Sea Coast provided the added advantage of the most delicious fish restaurants. I splashed out (excuse the pun) and had Oysters, Mazurian Sander and a fish soup. Yum.
My time in Gdansk was interesting and inspiring and in the main relaxing. It was spoiled only by the ongoing appalling service from my mobile phone provider - 3. My advice to anyone considering taking out a contract provided by the Mobile Phone Company based in Blackpool and 3 based in Glasgow, is DON’T. I was told my contract would cost me around £45 per month to phone and text anywhere in the world from anywhere in the world. I was lied to. It has been costing me around £130 per month. You have been warned!
