“Dancing whirlpool” (KA478)
Funded by Karelia ENPI 2007-2013

Objective of the project

The project is aimed to develop crossborder cooperation in the field of culture, contemporary dancing art and developing contacts between cultural institutions and organizations in Finland and Russia.

Main activities

• Workshops and master-classes for Russian and Finnish students and teachers in contemporary, jazz, country and folk dance • Production of a performance and its premiere in Petrozavodsk, Segezha Kostomuksha, Outokumpu and Kuopio. • Publication of teaching materials

Achievements

In total 19 workshops in various styles of choreography were held. The number of participants was 286. A festival of contemporary choreography was held. 43 competitive works were announced at the festival and the events were attended by more than 700 spectators. The joint performance was shown 5 times. In Russia, the play was shown in large concert halls, there was a big advertising campaign and the houses at the shows were almost full. The evaluation of the audience was very high. In Finland the performance was shown in small halls and respectively the audience was smaller, but the reception was also very warm. The total amount of spectators was approximately 800. In Outokumpu there was a round table on the results of the premiere. Experts pointed out that the joint work on the performance is not only important in terms of development of new technology but also in terms of gaining experience of cooperation. A model of an annual dance festival was prepared. A large number of children and young people have been attracted to participation in cultural activities. Experience of modern choreography has been distributed in remote areas among teachers and administrators of dance studios.