Report on The Barents Cultural Co-operation - LabforCulture.org

2001-09-26
Cooperation and Projects
Hearings
The impression gained from the hearings is that cultural cooperation has intensified
and diversified over the last years. This is especially true for contacts with
northwestern Russia, which was previously excluded from cooperation with northern
Europe; this exchange in the Barents area is now extensive. Most of the participants
were very enthusiastic about the results they had achieved so far and talked mainly
about what they want to do next.
A precondition for cooperation is that each partner is curious about and interested in
the other. In general, cooperation is a challenge and for the moment it is one of the
main sources of new cultural impulses, artistic creativity and networks in the
regions. In spite of all the obstacles, every new discovery needs explorers and
inspired leaders, and this is indeed what the Barents cooperation has stimulated.
A number of general problems were discussed during the hearings:
Problems and obstacles
Finding partners and contacts, especially in Russia
Difficult to find equal partners
Difficult and expensive to get a visa
Very few get multi-visas
Expensive and hard to get information
Misunderstandings, lack of information
Expensive telecommunications
Difficulties in preparing concert and theatre tours
Lack of equipment
Music technology needs to be developed
Modern instruments and equipment for sound engineering
Differences in some aspects of quality, quantity and aesthetics
Isolated knowledge and competence
Inefficient institutional project structures
Little knowledge about cultural life in the Barents Region
Scarce financial resources for TV productions
Fragmented financial situation
Closed financial systems and local organisers
Differences in regulations, customs and currency
Hard to find skilled project managers
Hard to find money for the Russian participation
Norway and Russia outside EU
Complicated support system
Difficult to develop a public network into individual contacts
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