Projects
EHP AND NORWEGIAN FUNDS - PROJECT CULTURE BREAK BORDERS
April 2022 – March 2024
The main goal of the project is to strengthen the business of Roma music artists in the Czech Republic in the music and cultural industry by 31 March 2024.
The secondary objectives are:
- to raise awareness in society about Romani musical culture, Romani musical artists and important cultural events with Romani participation,
- to alleviate the social exclusion of the Roma through their increased involvement in the music and cultural industry,
- in cooperation with the Norwegian partner to test in practice the reach of cultural activities as a connecting element between the Roma and the majority society in the Czech Republic,
- to obtain feedback on the work of Roma music artists in the form of cooperation with music critics in the Czech Republic.
The innovation of the project consists in:
- the use of VR 3D technology 180°×180° in the audiovisual music work,
- the theme itself of the audiovisual music work promotes topics related to the Roma minority in the Czech Republic,
- the connection of live performances and audiovisual music works.
The main activities:
- new music audisovisual work – Culture Break Borders,
- Ostrava 2023 Festival,
- education,
- critique of Audiovisual Works.
The primary target groups of the project will be:
- 15 musical subjects from the ranks of Roma musicians,
- 15 beginning Roma music artists and 5 advanced Roma music artists,
- 100 participants in the Culture Break Borders seminar,
- 7,500 spectators of the Ostrava 2023 festival,
- 4 critics in the field – contemporary art, music.
Secondary groups will be:
- the general public in the Czech Republic and abroad,
- professional cultural community,
- Roma music and non-music artists,
- experts in the field of Roma inclusion.
The project has 2 partners from the Czech Republic and 1 partner from Norway.
The project was supported by grant support from the EEA and Norway Funds 2014 and 2021.
Final press conference
04/2024
Project: Kultura prolomuje hranice | Culture break borders
Producer: I Am The Sound s.r.o.
Number: KU-CA2-042
On: 30/04/2024
Participants:
- Ing. REICHEL Maxmilián, CEO of I Am The Sound s.r.o.
- Bc. BUBIK Markéta – project manager and head of the press conference
- KLEMPÁR Milan – Roma music artist (absent for health reasons)
- representatives of the media and the public
The press conference was held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. in Přerov.
The representatives of the project implementer were Ing. Maxmilián Reichel and Bc. Markéta Bubik.
The project was implemented and managed by Ing. Reichel and the manager and head of Bc. Bubik again briefly described and explained the idea and benefits of this project. 9 important outputs of the project were mentioned, which were:
- 09/2022 introductory press conference in Přerov at the then headquarters of the company
- 03-05/2023 production and publication of video medallions of 15 selected Roma musical artists on our website, social networks incl. Youtube channel
- 04/2023 renaming of the company implementing the project with the original name Ozvučovací agentura Serendipity s.r.o. with headquarters in Přerov under the new name I Am The Sound s.r.o. with headquarters in Prague
- 05/2023 educational seminar in Ostrava and Přerov including the participation of Norwegian partner Frode Barth and lecturer Kristian Øverland Dahl
- 07/2023 the Romfest Skalky Nový Jičín festival, which was attended by 13 Roma musical artists, for whom promotional video medallions were filmed, the Norwegian partner Frode Barth with a band called Frode Barth Experience – A Bridge between Norway and Czech Republic also participated
- 10/2023 interview on Czech Radio Prague, published on the website of the Czech Republic
- 12/2023 article on the Roma portal Romea.cz
- 03-04/2024 2-week educational seminar Incubator + Accelerator, after which all graduates received a certificate of completion
- 04/2024 Discussion and Criticism, in which the Norwegian partner was also involved
- 04/2024 final press conference
A video recording of the conference is presented below, and further on social networks
https://www.facebook.com/iamthesoundsro
https://www.instagram.com/iamthesoundsro/
https://www.twitter.com/AgenturaO
https://www.youtube.com/@Kulturaprolomujehranice-2023/
Information about the final press conference was also published on the Roma news server Romea.cz.
In Přerov on 10/05/2024
The record was prepared by: Bc. BUBIK Markéta
The entry was approved by: Ing. REICHEL Maximilian
You can download the invitation HERE and the minutes from the conference HERE.
Discussion of project partners
04/2024
According to the content of the project, before its end, there was also an expert discussion between four representatives of the Czech partner and a representative of the Norwegian partner Frode Barth. The discussion was focused on the evaluation of the audiovisual works of Roma artists created within the project, set in the context of the entire music industry, and on the general evaluation of the progress of the project implementation.
Criticism of audiovisual works - 15 video clips
04/2024
As part of the project, 15 video clips of musical artists and groups from among amateur and semi-professional Roma artists of all ages were produced in the spring of 2023. The video medallions were submitted to expert criticism. Criticism of audiovisual works was published on the Roma news server Romea.cz https://romea.cz/cz/kultura/kultura-prolamuje-hranice-kritika-15-videoklipu-interpretu-a-skupin-z-rad-amaterskych-a-poloprofesionalnich-romskych-umelcu. This review was made by 6 music critics:
- Bc. Markéta Bubik, music manager, music artist
- Ing. Maxmilián Reichel, CEO of I Am The Sound s.r.o.
- Ing. Viktor Fišera, event and marketing specialist, Center for Marketing, Communication and Popularization, University of Ostrava
- Bc. Kateřina Eichlerová, teacher of the major field – Popular singing, Church Conservatory of the German Order; Master’s student in Music Education, University of Ostrava
- Norwegian partner – Frode Barth, chairman of Culture Break Borders, in collaboration with Gunnar Knutsen, video producer
Educational seminar
Incubator + Accelerator
03-04/2024
The last seminar of this project was a two-week educational seminar Incubator for 15 beginning Roma music artists and Accelerator for 5 Roma semi-professional music artists. The aim of the seminars was to introduce and train Roma musical artists in the field of sound, lighting, video technology, LED projection, PR and promotion, financial and grant tools, artistic activity, cultural management. The seminars were attended by half as many artists as was stipulated by the project.
Program of the 1st part of the seminar – Incubator – 15 Roma musical artists
- Introductory information and presentation of the project, content of the seminar, getting to know the lecturers
- Educational part on Sound, Lighting, Video technology
- Educational part on PR and promotion, Financial and grant instruments
- Educational section on Artistic Impact, Cultural Management
- Networking day, presentation of certificates for completing the seminar
- Educational part with Norwegian partner Frode Barth (online) https://frodebarth.com/
Program of the 2nd part of the seminar – Accelerator – 5 Roma musical artists
- Introductory information and presentation of the project, content of the seminar, getting to know the lecturers
- Educational part on Sound, Lighting, Video technology
- Educational part on PR and promotion, Financial and grant instruments
- Educational part on the topic of Artistic impact, Cultural management
- Networking day, presentation of certificates for completing the seminar
- Educational part with Norwegian partner Frode Barth (online) https://frodebarth.com/
Culture breaks boundaries: Roma musical artists show their talent and fight against prejudice
12/2023
Original article: https://romea.cz/cz/kultura/kultura-prolomuje-hranice-romsti-hudebni-umelci-ukazuji-svuj-talent-a-bojuji-proti-predsudkum
Roma music is rich, varied and full of emotions. Nevertheless, it is often met with prejudice, ignorance and underappreciation. This, among other things, is what the Culture Breaks Borders project is trying to change, which supports Roma musical artists in the Czech Republic and at the same time wants to raise awareness of Roma musical culture and important cultural events with Roma participation and alleviate the social exclusion of Roma by increasing their involvement in the music and cultural industry. The goal is also that the cooperation between Norway and the Czech Republic will bring better opportunities for Roma artists to become visible and establish themselves in these countries.
“As part of the project, among other things, we filmed 15 video medallions with Roma musical artists who participated in the project. Among them were, for example, Renek Kotlár, Kmotr Band, Gipsy Duo, Kamila Richterová, Klaudie Danišová, etc. All videos are published on YouTube and on social networks and our website iamthesound.eu,” said Markéta Bubik from I AM THE SOUND s.r.o.
According to Bubik, in the first phase, about thirty artists were chosen. Of these, twenty were selected and fifteen were then turned into medallions. About half are amateur artists just starting out, and the rest are semi-professional artists.
“The filming took place in a studio in collaboration with Moravia Records from Drahanovice near Olomouc. Next came the visual side, i.e. shooting video clips. The goal was to train these inexperienced artists in such a way that they would be able to establish themselves better on the stage,” added Markéta Bubik.
“The Culture project remains to implement two five-day Incubator + Accelerator training seminars next year in January, focusing on skills in the field of cultural business and artistic and technical skills for 15 budding Roma musical artists and a five-day accelerator for 5 Roma semi-professional and professional musical artists, ” said Markéta Bubik for the news server Romea.cz, stating that the Norwegian partner of the project and representative of the partner company Culture Break Borders, composer, guitarist and producer Frode Barth, will participate online as a lecturer.
“After that, in February, there will be a Critique, when 6 music critics from the Czech Republic and Norway will collaborate as part of this activity, who will evaluate audiovisual works created as part of the project, and a Discussion, also in collaboration with 6 music critics from the Czech Republic and Norway, in the form of a panel discussion Bubik added.
The entire project, which was supported by EEA and Norwegian funds, will end in March 2024.
The Culture Breaks Borders project wants to strengthen the business of Roma musical artists in the Czech Republic
10/2023
Original article: https://radiozurnal.rozhlas.cz/projekt-kultura-prolomuje-hranice-chce-posilit-podnikani-romskych-hudebnich-9104000
The Culture Breaks Borders project wants to strengthen the business of Roma musical artists in the Czech Republic. Culture Breaks Borders is a project which, according to its manager Markéta Bubik, aims to increase awareness of Roma musical culture, Roma musical artists and important cultural events. More in the interview prepared by Dušan Vágai.
Romfest Skalky
07/2023
RomFest Skalky 2023 in Nové Jičín will open its doors shortly, on July 22, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. He is internationally known for a number of solo albums and joint projects with leading musicians of various genres. Learn more HERE.
ROMFEST SKALKY NOVÝ JIČÍN 21.7.-23.7.2023
List of performers within the project KU-CA2-042
Production of video clips of Roma music groups and artists
06/2023
2 summary video clips of 15 selected music groups and artists:
40-minute montage
100-minute montage
Video clips of 15 selected Roma music groups and artists:
1. MILAN GÁBOR / PŘEROV / MALE MAN
2. DÁŠENKA A LIONEL LALÍKOVI / OLOMOUC / NOCAMI NESPÍM
3. IVANA HORVÁTHOVÁ / TŘINEC / PHEN DEVLA
4. RENEK KOTLÁR / ČESKÝ TĚŠÍN / harmonika
5. KMOTR BAND / FRÝDEK MÍSTEK / PAL AMENDE BEŠEL
6. ADAM ITZZ / PŘEROV / MOJE ZDROJE
7. KLAUDIE DANIŠOVÁ / PŘEROV / ŠUNES MAN
8. GIPSY DUO / KARVINÁ / AMARO DROM RODAS
9. GIPSY KINGS REVIVAL / PENČICE / LA FANTAZIA
10. OLYMP / PŘEROV / ŠUKAR TU SAL
11. JOSEF IŠTÁNEK / NAPAJEDLA / SAM BACHTALE
12. ROMAN MIRGA / PŘEROV / ŠUNEN MAN JAJ ROMALE
13. KAMILA RICHTEROVÁ / PŘEROV / SAR ČI KHANGERI
14. KOTLÁROVCI / TŘINEC / HELLOBABY
15. MILAN KLEMPÁR / PŘEROV / ŠAJLALALA
5 unselected musical groups and performers:
- IMPERIO / PŘEROV
- PAVEL MIRGA / PŘEROV
- DAVID KANDRÁČ / VALAŠSKÉ MEZIŘÍČÍ
- IVANA KANDRÁČOVÁ / VSETÍN
- MUROVCI BAND / ZLÍN
Seminar - Use of cultural activities in the integration of Roma
05/2023
Seminar program on Friday, May 12, 2023, 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in Ostrava
- Introductory information and presentation of the project
- Information about project outputs
- Visit to the City Campus of the University of Ostrava and discussion with a representative of the marketing department of the University of Ostrava
- Excursion at the logistics center of the applicant member
- Discussion with Josef Stojka, chairman of the Union of Olašské Roma z.s. and a member of the government council for national minorities on the topic of culture in the field of inclusion in Norway with transfer to the Czech Republic
- Networking with members of the Union of Olašské Roma z.s. and representative of Ostrava University
Seminar program on Saturday, May 13, 2023, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in Přerov
- Presentation of the musical audiovisual work Culture Break Borders
- Discussion with the participants of the seminar on the topic of culture in the field of inclusion in Norway with transfer to the Czech Republic in the report of the lecturer of the Norwegian partner Frode Barth from the company Culture Break Bordes
- Musical sample of the repertoire of three members of the Association of Roma Music Artists in the Czech Republic 10. Discussion
RECORD FROM THE PRESS CONFERENCE
Project: Culture break borders
Applicant: Ozvučovací agentura Serendipity s.r.o.
Number: KU-CA2-042
Date: 06.09.2022
Participants:
- Ing. BARAN Aleš – director
- Ing. REICHEL Maxmilián, managing director of Ozvučovací agentura Serendipity s.r.o.
- BERNÁTOVÁ Marcela – junior project manager
- Bc. BUBIK Markéta – project manager and head of the press conference
- representatives of the media and the public
The press conference took place on Tuesday 6th September at 13:30 in Prerov.
Representatives of the project implementer were Ing. Aleš Baran, Ing. Maxmilián Reichel, Marcela Bernátová and Bc. Markéta Bubik. Several representatives of the media and the public was attended this conference.
The project was presented first in Czech and then in English by the project manager Marcela Bernátová, see the description in the attachement of this record.
Afterwards, managing director Ing. Maxmilián Reichel explained the idea of this project.
The next speaker was the project manager Ing. Aleš Baran, who described the circumstances how he and his team found a partner and what the upcoming activities of this project will be.
Representatives of the media and the public had no questions on the topic.
A video recording of the conference is presented on the website www.iamthesound.eu and social media.
In Prerov, September 15th 2022
The registration was made by: Bc. BUBIK Markéta
The registration was approved by: Ing. BARAN Aleš