8th International Street Artists Festival - BONDS OF CULTURE
05 - 07 JULY, 2007 - SZCZECIN
Every eyar we ask a question by means of the festival. We asked about the heart of the city, about the centre, set by hundreds of crossing lines. We asked about the city spirits, evoked by song and a medieval conduct. We asked about a cultural borderlad, about history marked with biographies of several nations, about common space.
This year we wanted The Bonds of Culture to be an attempt to make a few steps towards experiencing things. To stop, and to meditate on the present and past times, on the memory record transmitted by means of art, included in music, movement, body and meanings. In something seemingly simple, but actually carrying a message of truth found many centuries ago - in a close space, in traditions we can only intuitiely feel that could be vary important also for us, even if they are unknowable. That is why we take distant extra-European directions: Israel (Beta Dance Troupe) and South Korea (Dulsori). Two groups referring in a deep and creative way to their own "cultural memory". Thanks to co-operation with the Wrocław-based Brave Festival (inviter of the Beta Dance Troupe to Poland) we will be able to take part in a film travel from Australia through Vietnam to Siberian taiga - with people documenting life of those "who remember yet". On the other hand we will be focused on our own local tradition, included in dance, songs, and stories. Evoking old Szczecin legends by wandering story-tellers (The Night of Story-tellers). Simple folk songs and chants of wandering beggars reminding of most important issues ("The Nomades of Culture"). Musical trips from our city towards "four directions of the East" (Dikanda) and to sounds of the world ("Essential. String. Group. Forge. Of. Destiny"). But also forgotten steps and rhythms of polka, chodzony, oberek or kujawiak - being (yet we are not aware of this) an echo of ritual circle dances and whirling dances (The Yurt Project). Again, the encounter of something close and something very distant.
And a contemporary voice, touching unviversal elements in the lot if a human entangled in reality. Meditating on the issue of costs of every war and every conflict, seen with the eyes of women (not with the eyes of politicians) in the "Times of Mothers" by Teatr Ósmego Dnia. And a question about the ultimate time, asked on the form of apocalyptic carnival, in "Phantomysteria" by Novogo Fronta Theatre.
Yet there will be some place for carefree street party. Street artists from Germany, Ireland, Spain, and Great Britain are coming to Szczecin as usually. Passers-by should be ready for many attractions.
The festival is also an invitation to taste "how it works". To take first steps. To seek. The offer is very various: besides the mentioned above conduct- and whir-dances in the Yurt, there will be workshops of ancient crafts: papercutting, making paper flowers, and wax candles. We propose also percussion, vocal, movement and pantomime outdoor workshops. For those who want to try playing Korean drums we recommend a trip to the Village Festival of Art taking place in Strzelewo at the same time.
We hope that everyone who wants to experience together with us, will find something for them. Maybe something seemingly distant. It is worth to open oneself for the experience.
