Imatra-St.Petersburg: Cultural Flow (SE754)
Funded by South-East Finland - Russia ENPI 2007-2013

Objective of the project

The overall objective of the project was to: first - eliminate communication barriers between the citizens of the participating territories and improve understanding of each other culture and identity, second - to develop contacts and the network of cultural connections in South Karelia and St. Petersburg, third - to increase public knowledge about our common cultural heritage at the border area.

Main activities

Main project activities include a series of activities which aim at involving young people into cultural life of the border region such as annual summer music camps for children in Imatra with training and workshops, classical and modern dance camps for children and youth in both participant cities, professional workshops and training for young musicians during the music festival in St. Petersburg, training of a Finnish-Russian children folk band and its participation in international festivals. Another group of activities include professional work-shops of romance music in Imatra and St. Petersburg, cultural events such as music evenings in Imatra and St. Petersburg and seminars on preserving cultural identity in the changing world in both countries as well as publications on project results.

Achievements

The objectives were reached by organizing workshops for adult music experts from both countries and music and dance camps for children from schools of St.Petersburg and Imatra. Project organized during the implementation time small-scale musical evenings free for public at both cities involved to project. Both camps were successful and participants get to know children with same kind of interests and hobbies from neighboring country. Teachers learned from each other new methods of teaching and got other useful information. Workshops targeted to experts of folk and romance music. During working days of St.Petersburg workshop was recorded a CD.