Last REVIVE online capacity building seminar

The final Capacity Building Seminar and therefore the last online event of the REVIVE project took place on March 17th. The event focused on the topics of inclusion and diversity in the context of the fourth and concluding REVIVE experiment in Iași. Iași is the second largest city in Romania, a traditional cultural center of the country with a complex history of interculturality and ethnicity. The seminar highlighted several aspects of the cultural and activist landscape of Iași to the young talents who will conduct their experiments in May and the general audience who joined the event.

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From 10th to 25th May, the experiment will revive and transform a part of the Palace of Culture: the former subterranean power plant. It holds elements of technical heritage as well as a multitude of possibilities for potential use, already explored during past workshops, meetings and group works.

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After the welcome and introduction to the agenda by Marina Batinic from CHC, Matea Hafner-Dolenc of the Association of Historic Towns of Slovenia and Coordinator of REVIVE gave some welcoming words and a short overview of the REVIVE project. She highlighted the need for inclusive and sustainable spaces, inspired by the New European Bauhaus, and the necessity of the engagement of stakeholders and the respective local communities. Artistic endeavors such as those already successfully implemented in the first two REVIVE projects in Slovenia and Finland and the upcoming ones in Italy and Romania, are inspiring examples. Following, Coralia Costas, Head of Cultural Mediation, Projects and Marketing at the aforementioned Palace of Culture, reiterated the specifics of Romania, Iași, its Palace of Culture and lastly the power plant. The history and diversity of the place, its people and the heritage of both must be considered and incorporated by the young talents. The experiments can therefore be useful for social scientists, participants and visitors alike.

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As first speaker Elena Farca, Head of International Affairs within the Iași Municipality, gave an overview of the already existing initiatives of minority integration, intercultural activities and community involvement in Iași. Connecting to the introduction by Coralia Costas, she highlighted the works of active associations, the ethnic community magazine and yearly gala and past and current projects of reviving and renovating historical heritage buildings for arts and sciences. The inclusivity of endeavors like these, for example the multifunctional center in Iași Roma district, open new possibilities for knowledge and culture but also give access to IT, collaboration and sports for vulnerable communities.

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Andrei Bodnar, Vice-President of the Order of Romanian Architects, Iași Branch, and co-founder of ECHO Building Workshop was our second speaker, with a focus on the project Urban Oases - Children Playing Areas for Sustainable Communities. He discussed underutilized places and monuments and ways to transform them into inclusive and artistic spaces. Bodnar also raised the question of what to do with art installations after their exhibition, for example repurposing, donating or restructuring them for other countries, contexts and environments. A key topic he highlighted was the improvement of children’s life in Iași. With his team he started a project of analyzing, mapping and monitoring playgrounds to evaluate their conditions and possible improvements. Based on one best-practice playground to highlight the possibilities, he presented ways to contemplate air and noise pollution, revegetation and the demand for drinking water to curb the use of plastic bottles but also provide a clean source through summer. Furthermore, the construction and extension of playgrounds with natural resources and materials, community engagement and a multi-generational approach are crucial elements to improve urban and ecological diversity.

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The Capacity Building Seminar was closed off by the third and final speaker and returning guest of the first seminar: Loredana Stasisin, NEB Technical Expert & Mentor, Architectural Heritage Specialist, Architect and Digital Curator. After giving a brief introduction about the New European Bauhaus, its values and principles, especially the combination of systemic thinking, co-creation and human-centered or rather relational design as well as the synergy of nature, belonging and place occupied by people, she opened up about her philosophy of dealing with projects. Stasisin postulated a very heart-warming and hopeful message encapsulated within the phrase: “the beauty is in the process”. With tips regarding project management, grant writing and her perspective as an expert and mentor, she presented an inter- or even anti-disciplinary approach of openness toward any perspective and line of thought. Her experimental method of growing by learning and inspiring by sharing, while being informed by the past, was very well received by the participants. Contextualized by practical examples and actual EU projects like “Eyes Hearts Hands: The Urban Revolution starts from us”, she exemplified the struggles, hopes and reflective instances of science and culture.

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Looking back, over two successfully completed experiments, several bootcamps and capacity building seminars, we are now very hopeful and excited about the implementation of all the inputs and ideas in the last two sites: Cellino Attanasio in Italy and Iași in Romania. Both experiments will take place in April and May of this year, linking perspectives laid out through the preparation phase and inspirations ignited through a multitude of communication and reflection. We wish each and every one, the young talents, facilitators but especially the visitors and communities on-site an enlightening experience.