A festival inside the European Fortresses, first and foremost the Scaligera magistral wall. Four events, in four countries, for four weeks with the aim of enhancing the historical and architectural heritage of the walls and forts through art. Verona is the leader of this project to obtain European funding of 1 million and 200 thousand euros. The work was presented by several hands, together with the cities of Sebenico (Croatia), Grudziadz (Poland) and Rasnov (Romania). An original idea with which the group participated in the call for proposals within the Creative Europe Programme.

 

The project benefits from the partnership of two international organizations, based in Berlin: the Forte Cultura network, present in 23 European countries, and Eccofort, a structure specialized in consultancy and services for the valorization of fortified heritage.

 

For the first time, a transnational program will be developed in the fortresses. A way to escape from territorial logics and attract wide-ranging tourism. Through 4 'Artists in residence' projects, i.e. networks of artists and curators whose participants will be selected through a European call for proposals. Each of the 4 host institutions will produce an original show that will aim to promote the particular cultural identity of the cities in a contemporary and forward-looking perspective. An opportunity to relaunch the fortified places at an international level that could become a reality for the summer of 2023.

 

This morning, in a live streaming, the Councilor for Tourism and UNESCO Relations Francesca Toffali announced the participation in the call and illustrated the project already submitted. Filippo Cailotto, consultant for the drafting of the “European Fortress Festival, and the director of Community Policies and EU Relations Giuseppe Baratta were present. “Our fortifications, which are the historical and artistic heritage of the city, will be the beating heart of an international festival – said Toffali -. A project that aims to enhance the walls and forts of each reality that participates in the call, networking different territories, through a new method of action. A structured program thought out in advance that allows us to compete for this important funding”. “A partnership is born with the fortified cities of Europe – added Cailotto, a network that will allow the project to grow, also in view of a second phase. Artists and events will be at the service of the city's historical heritage that can thus be known outside the city and national borders”.

Source: L'Adige – 08/09/2021