Utrecht presents first ideas for Ecoc 2018

Have a look at "the pitch"-video ... Utrecht2018.nl

For the first ideas from Utrecht ... Utrecht 2018 Brochure

Pictures: Anna van Kooy

Localities unite behind Valletta in cultural capital bid

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110126/local/localities-unite-behind-valletta-in-cultural-capital-bid

St James’ cultural community - a birds eye view

Report visit by Saskia van de Ree, December 2010


Invited to pay a visit to St James Centre of Creativity (Valetta) I spent a week on Malta last month in the Mediterranean December sun. A year after I got to know my host Christopher Gatt, director of St James’ who visited Yo! Opera Festival in Utrecht in November 2009. Chris was inspired by the way Yo! Opera (the festival where I was managing director then) is exploring the connection between high art (opera) and communities. He asked: would I come over and comment - with a birds eye view - on opportunities outside in the Maltese communities. In my week on Malta St James convincingly showed how they are creatively and seriously searching to extend their scope into a wider, young community of Malta.

For my visit Sarah Spiteri (violinist and senior staff member for education both at St James and at the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra) proved to be an excellent guide. She set up a series of meetings with musicians of all sorts. Starting of with encounters (with lots of cakes and espresso) in the café down the fortress walls of St James Centre of Creativity we soon turned outside. Band Club Houses, School yards, chapels and a rehearsal space in a warehouse, that is where the creative action is. I spent what you could call a 180 degrees treasure hunt in which I learned, amongst others, about the dualism which is embedded in Maltese society. On Malta – so I was told by practically everyone I met – all things come in two. Matters of faith, politics and pleasure are threaded in – both playful and deadly serious – juxtaposing pairs all throughout everyday life.

I visited warehouses and chapels, Band Club houses and churches. I was welcomed at the Humanistic Society’s winter reception and had the full Festa experience (including burgers and fries on the pavement) at the Bormla (Cospicua) Festa of Maria Immakultata. The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and the all male choir of Capella Sanctae Caterina performed with convincing quality, true to their own character and scale.

While at home in the Netherlands the new government is abandoning culture as one of the pillars of civilization in which it is worth to invest, I found Malta has just increased the arts budget with 10% . The budget is still very small compared to home. But a lot of artists I met expressed a sense of momentum. Having become a member of the EU only seven years ago and with the global possibilities of Internet the country literally seems to have opened up.

My impression can be anything but complete. But I was surprised to find myself fascinated and hooked to this place and its people after only one week.

And what opportunity we have with 2018 lying ahead of us! I do see some good chances. Reporting back to the City of Utrecht I have recommended a.o. to invest in shared talent building and methodology for creative partnerships. While the Utrecht School of the Arts has a lot on offer for Maltese musicians looking for BA or MA degree, I see opportunities for international traineeships for Utrecht master students at the National Arts Festival and other places. I will be going back soon and advise any artist or cultural entrepreneur with a good plan and genuine interest in exchange to get in touch.

Saskia van de Ree, Utrecht, the Netherlands (independent art consultant)

New guide for visitors

http://www.inyourpocket.com/Netherlands/Utrecht

Mario Frendo and Sean Buhagiar biking their way through Utrecht

7-11 January 2011

Mario Frendo (artistic director of the international Malta Arts Festival, musician and lecturer in theatre studies at University of Malta) and Sean Buhagiar (arts Executive for the performing arts for the Arts Council) visited Utrecht. As always in a tight schedule it was a good introduction to cultural life and organisations. The focus was on cooperation and the cultural capital ambitions. Gertrud van Dam and Christa Stoop accompanied the guests on their journey through Utrecht…….. even on bikes!

Heart of the programme was Cultural Sunday, a one day festival paying attention to many disciplines. Because of the theme New Year's Dive ('re-start of cultural season') people actually dived in the canal… very cold! Watching dancers at Observatory Sonnenborgh and the Chopin etude marathon at the official University University Building was much warmer.

In many meetings several themes are being discussed. With Thera Jonker (HKU, university for applied arts, Faculty Theatre and other departments) we discussed internships and colleagual consultancy. With Maaike Bleeker (University of Utrecht, Theatre Studies) and Cobie de Vos (production house and theatre festival At the Wharfs) we discussed the festival Camillo 2.0, an international conference on performing arts, taking place in Utrecht 25-29 may.

Possibilities for having productions from Utrecht performed in Malta were discussed with Niek Idelenburg (Holland Opera). Focussing on a young audience they might perform 'Feeks' (revision of Shakespears Shrew with a jazz quartet) at the Summer Art Festival 2011. The same goes for Tjerk de Ridder (and his little dog). His road show tells the story of his journey along cultural capitals Essen, Pecs and Istanbul, hitchhiking with his ECoC-caravan and looking for a tow bar. This performance would help give content to the ECoC0-ambition in Malta.

The other way round - in the meeting with René van de Giessen and Britt Verstegen (Cultural Sundays) Maltese artists are mentioned to perform in Utrecht. We might even organise a special Cultural Sunday on Malta….!

Off course it's interesting for professionals to discuss organisation and daily hassles with colleagues. Policy making, dealing with budget cuts, discovering new audiences – these subjects were discussed with Renée Heijnen (dep. Cultural Affairs) and with Hildegard Draaiijer (dance groupe DOX) and Hans Blik (theatre groupe Het Lab). Both groups focussing on young talent they're about to merge into a new organisation. Meeting the Holland Baroque Society and Xavier Vandamme (director festival Early Music) was especially inspiring for involving early music to Malta.

The visit strengthened the relation between Malta and Utrecht. To be continued, for sure!

For more information please address to Gertrud van Dam and Christa Stoop.

Robbert Gabriëlse - the Dutch ambassador in Utrecht

13 January 2011

Every time when a delegation from Utrecht visits Malta they meet Robbert Gabriëlse, the ambassador for The Netherlands in Malta. He is truly interested in the activities by Utrecht in Malta and how things are developing. Being in Holland for the yearly ambassadors conference he took the time to come to Utrecht. A pleasant and interesting visit.

Not only cultural cooperation or the ECoC ambitions were being discussed. Robbert Gabriëlse wants to contribute to broader exchanges between Malta and The Netherlands. One of the ideas that came along was the gaming industry, booming in Malta. Utrecht developed the Dutch Game Garden – a laboratory for young artistic talent in the creative gaming industry. The connection is being made.
Frits Lintmeijer, alderman for international affairs, cultural affairs and mobility, exchanged information on mobility and the carbon neutral ambition. Both Utrecht and Malta work on a cleaner and healthier air, although guests from Malta often praise the freshness in Utrecht. For Utrecht Eco Gozo would be an interesting example. We took the opportunity to show the ambassador our townhall, done by Spanish architect Miralles.

Of course we discussed the process to become cultural capital in 2018. The meaning of the candidacy was subject in the meeting with Peter de Haan and Bram Buijze, working for Foundation Peace Treaty of Utrecht 2013. With 2013 as a stepping stone this organisation sets up the bid book for 2018. Autumn 2013 the decision for The Netherlands will be clear. Before that Malta and Utrecht can certainly cooperate to make the meaning of this ambition visible to the inhabitants. In 2016-2017 The Netherlands, Slovakia and Malta will form a trio being chair of the European Union. For that matter the two countries will certainly be more visible.

Malta launched bidding proces for ECoC 2018

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101217/opinion/on-the-road-leading-to-2018

David Felice and Josephine Vassallo in Utrecht

Half of November David Felice and Josephine Vassallo visited Utrecht. David is chairman of inter ministerial commission for European Capital of Culture Malta 2018, Josephine Vassallo is personal assistant to the Prime Minister. They were invited by Frits Lintmeijer, alderman for Culture and International Affairs, and a strong supporter of the ambition of Utrecht to candidate for cultural capital.

Two days with a full programme gave the Maltese guests a good introduction to Utrecht. They met the lobby and bidbook team with representatives from the Foundation Treaty of Utrecht (commissioned to do the lobby), the city and the Province of Utrecht. Peter de Haan, Bram Buyze, Renée Heijnen, Thomas Nova en Quinten Peelen informed them about the organisation and process.

Bettina van Santen (Dep. City Development, Monuments and Archaeology) and Mirelle Kolnaar (City Development, Strategy) gave a clear view on the city development and ambitions, and how these are involved in the strategy papers. David and Josephine were surprised that several departments and policy fields are involved in the ECoC-ambition. It shows that Utrecht wants to do the process in an integrated, holistic way.

Visiting the Science Park De Uithof and admiring modern architecture with Han Schraders (city planner), new ideas for cooperation came along. Malta too is working on the development of a science park with university and hospital, and scientists seem to know each other. To be continued.

The same things goes for the redevelopment of the Dutch Water Line and the fortresses in Utrecht being developed as a camping place, information centre, et cetera. Martine Sluijter and Peter Ros already visited their colleagues from Paola in the REPAIR project on military heritage.

After this full programme, with too many meetings and visits to mention all, we were all inspired to work on our cooperation. As the guests stated: 'Visiting Utrecht was a revealing experience both in terms of the Capital of Culture and also to appreciate the quality of Utrecht, that was visible and tangible in so many different ways.'

As said: to be continued.

2018

Sanne, Christa & Hans visited Malta during the Open Days in Brussels

Utrecht at Notte Bianca 2010: a big hit!

For the first time Utrecht contributed to the programme of Notte Bianca. The music ensemble Holland Baroque Society, based in Utrecht and gathering the youngest generation of baroque musicians, set up a special programme for this occasion. By integrating art forms the six musicians gave a true baroque experience within the setting of the Museum of Fine Arts' collection. They performed six times, including a 'Kids Only' concert. The children were really thrilled they could 'play' the exciting instruments themselves

The night before Mister Robert Gabriëlse, the Dutch ambassador in Malta, threw a reception on the occasion of the visit of the delegation from Utrecht. Gertrud van Dam, Renée Heijnen en Bram Buijze met several representatives from cultural life in Malta. As Mr Gabriëlse mentioned:' So many cultural activities done by a small group of people in Malta makes you feel thankful for all their efforts.' He himself received gifts from Utrecht including the latest book by the famous writer Arthur Japin signed by the author (who is living in Utrecht).

During this lovely evening the good relation between Utrecht and Heritage Malta, Malta Council for Culture and the Arts and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture were again being established. The delegation from Utrecht really felt at home, being among good friends.

The performances of the music ensemble at the Museum of Fine Arts could not have been possible without good cooperation and very positive attitude of all entities involved. It was one of a number of cultural collaboration initiatives promoted by the City of Utrecht, candidate to become Capital of Culture 2018 together with Malta. Looking back at the positive results it will certainly not been the last!

Utrecht at Malta Arts Festival, Jazz Festival and many more meetings

On the occasion of Malta Arts Festival and Malta Jazz Festival a small delegation from Utrecht visited Malta, 14-17 July. Gertrud van Dam and Christa Stoop, both working for Department Public, International and Subsidy Affairs, since last October form a team cooperating in the connection with Malta. It was Christa's first visit to Malta, but she already met delegations from Malta. Jeanneke den Boer, music and festival consultant, joined them, investigating possibilities for music connections.

As usual a meeting with Robbert Gabriëlse, the Dutch Ambassador, was on the programme. Making connections between the Netherlands and Malta visible he shows himself happy with the efforts Utrecht is taking. And with pleasure – it's always nice to meet friends abroad! Therefore a meeting was scheduled with Davinia Galea, Malta Arts Council. One of the appointments made is that Utrecht invites the artistic directors of the Maltese festival over, for example to attend a Cultural Sunday, to get acquainted with Utrecht cultural life. Hopefully these visits can be scheduled this Autumn, but concrete exchanges were already subject for discussion with Peter Busuttil (Notte Bianca) and Sandro Zerafa (Jazz Festival).

One important subject was the Utrecht contribution to Notte Bianca 2010 (25 September) in cooperation with the Museum of Fine Arts. A ensemble of young, successful musicians based in Utrecht, Holland Barock Society, will perform a specially developed programme at the museum. The project is being done together with Sandro Debono and Russell Muscat (Heritage Malta). This is only one of the projects in which Heritage Malta is involved.

Unfortunately the planned visit of David Felice, chairman of the committee for Cultural Capital of Culture 2018 had to be cancelled in May. But, during a nice and informal meeting together with Marika Grech, new plans are being made for this Autumn.

Already being in Café Inspirations at St James Cavalier a meeting with Chris Gatt and Toni Attard was logical and as ever pleasant and efficient at the same time. Many ideas for cooperation were launched or made concrete, like with YO Opera (cultural education). Toni accompanied the ladies to the Jazz Festival were they ran into Adrian Mamo, Caldon Mercieca and Mario Frendo. That was really nice!

Back in Utrecht Gertrud and Christa set up a calendar with all the plans and suggestions for cooperation in the following months. This includes the cooperation between Heritage Malta and two museums in Utrecht: the Ste Catharine's Convent and the Cities Central Museum. More info? Ask Gertrud (g.van.dam@utrecht.nl) or Christa (c.stoop@utrecht.nl)

Utrecht at Notte Bianca 2010

www.nottebiancamalta.com

The City of Utrecht, International Affairs, is working on a contribution to Notte Bianca 2010. This yearly all night cultural event will take place on Saturday 25 September in Valletta and attracts many people to the capital city. It will be the first time the City of Utrecht participates. One of the ideas that came up is an exhibition of streetpainting panels with images of Caravaggio paintings. Caravaggio and the Utrecht School of Caravaggist painters form one of the cultural similarities between Malta and Utrecht. Gertrud van Dam and Christa Stoop will certainly come up with a smashing presentation of Utrecht.

Cultural leaders working together

Tony and Quinten

Saskia and Gertrud at opening Roodnoot

With a 24 hour programme on March 20 and 21 the Roodnoot 'city farm' was officially launched. What used to be a real farm Roodnoot is now a culture house that gives artists of any discipline the possibility to work and exhibit in an inspiring environment.
During the weekend the programme offered music performances, theatre, films, sand sculptures, food and good atmosphere. Saskia van de Ree of Yo Opera is member of the board and was of course present. Also present were Harrie Bosch, vice mayor for housing, and Gertrud van Dam.

The surrounding of Roodnoot cannot be denied – it plays an important role in the activities. Situated between highways and railways in the western part of Utrecht the former farm is an oasis and fun for all ages. Near by is the newly built area Leidsche Rijn – by including the neighbours and letting them participate in the activities the artists at Roodnoot contribute to the cohesion of this new part of Utrecht.

In October Chris Gatt and Toni Attard visited Roodnoot and met Wout de Boer and Peter Kolpa. It's our objective to organise exchanges in an artist in residence programme for artists from Utrecht and Malta. Visiting the former farm on a drizzly day Chris and Toni almost lost themselves in an Ibsen drama. Roodnoot-very inspiring!

http://www.roodnoot.org/

Heritage Malta in Utrecht

February 17 till 19 a delegation from Heritage Malta visited Utrecht. Pierre Bonello (senior executive exhibitions and design) and Kenneth Gambin (head curator) were provided with a full, but interesting programme to get acquainted with Utrecht and some cultural organisations. Because the Malta Museum of Fine Arts (part of Heritage Malta) is already cooperation partner with Utrecht they could also refresh some contacts.

An important field of cooperation is found with the Catharijne Convent -National Museum for Religious Art- and Centraal Museum, the city museum of Utrecht. Pierre and Kenneth enjoyed the tours through the museum and visits to the depots. With Marc de Beyer, replacing Guus van den Hout, Renger de Bruin, Liesbeth Helmus and Errol van de Werdt they discussed the various possibilities. For example: a shared exhibition about the Knights of St John, who lived in the convent of the Catharijne Convent.

Because Heritage Malta is also responsible for several archaeological sites and pays a lot of attention to education and visitor centres it was logical to introduce them to the Initiative Domplein 2013 (making the Roma history visible, e.g. with a visitors centre underground) and the colleagues of dep. Archaeology and Monuments. Utrecht has several Roma sites in Leidsche Rijn where education is an important task. Discussing challenges faced at the Dom square Pierre and Kenneth could give advice Paul Baltus and Herre Wynia after the example of the underground Hypogeum. The enthusiasm was really inspiring and will surely lead to exchanges. Erik Graafstal, one of the city archaeologists, already shared educational programmes with the Maltese colleagues.

Off course there was time to meet Floris de Gelder, alderman for Culture. He was happy with the good contacts with Malta and embraced the ideas in which the various museums could cooperate. Off course these projects are an asset to the ambition to become Cultural Capital of Europe. The process was subject of the visit to Het Gebouw [The Building], were an exhibition on the ambition is placed. Inhabitants of Utrecht and people involved in culture participate in workshops to define the cultural 'soul' of the City. For Pierre and Kenneth this visit was also very inspiring. After three intensive days we said so long, but all participated in the programme of the visit are convinced that a follow up won't take long.

Chris Said in Utrecht

November 15 – 17

Utrecht hosts the 16th session of the conference of European ministers responsible for local and regional government. Chris Said, the Junior Minister for Local Councils is in Utrecht to participate in the conference. Through intervention of Marika Grech, communications coordinator at the Secretariat for Public Dialogue and Information, Gertrud van Dam succeeded to pass security and meet with Chris Said in the hotel lobby. They talked about the cooperation between Malta and Utrecht and the partnership in the lobby towards a successful programme for Cultural Capital and agreed to continue their conversation in Malta.

Chris Gatt and Toni Attard in Utrecht

November 3 – 10

Chris Gatt and Toni Attard visited Utrecht. Chris (director) and Toni work at St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity and are involved in the inter ministerial committee on cultural capital. They were dipped into the cultural life of Utrecht in a tightly scheduled programme. Gertrud van Dam, Hans Sakkers en Christa Stoop accompanied them to several sites, cultural entrepreneurs and colleagues working in the cultural field.

The main reason to come to Utrecht was the Yo! Opera Festival where they met Saskia van de Ree and Anthony Heidweiller. They ran into Aleid Wolfsen, mayor, and had dinner with Floris de Gelder, vice-mayor for culture (second picture). They met Peter de Haan, 'intendant' for European Cultural Capital and took part in a forum at the SICA course for cultural entrepreneurs who want to work internationally. Charles van Zanten (dep. Cultural Affairs) took them to Leidsche Rijn where they visited Roodnoot, an artist in residence project. With Rien Sprenger and Paul Feld they discussed community art and with Quinten Peelen they discussed the idea of Maltese ambassadors abroad. They even ride a bike!

Back in Malta Chris and Toni will work out all ideas and smart connections to a draft of a creative road map for our cooperation. As they wrote they have been 'truly inspired' and they find 'the strong motivation of the City of Utrecht to facilitate cooperation between Utrecht and Malta very encouraging!'

To be continued!

Malta presents European Capital of Culture 2018

New exchanges in the making

Report will follow soon

Notte Bianca 2009 activities

Programme Notte Bianca 2009

Military heritage exchange Utrecht and Malta

September 25 – 27, 2009

Utrecht/Organisation New Dutch Waterline (responsible for maintenance and redevelopment of fortresses) and the City of Paola are partners in the project Repair: a project in exchanging knowledge in the field of military heritage.

On behalf of Paola Kevin Borg (council Paola) and Malcolm Borg (Heritage Enterprise) attended the workshop that took place in Utrecht, September 24 – 26. Their project is the redevelopment of a former military prison, partly already changed into a sports centre.

One of the activities in the busy programme was a visit to and dinner at the Fortress 'Fort aan de Klop', near the river Vecht. Gertrud van Dam, responsible for cultural exchanges and a 'contact broker' between Utrecht and Malta enjoyed the evening with the very friendly Maltese guests. It turned out that they have some mutual acquaintances and share many interests. Malcolm and Kevin offered Gertrud to introduce her to some missing links in her network. Being in Malta Gertrud will surely contact them.

Anticantate at the Malta Arts Festival

ROSA ENSEMBLE
Valetta, Malta, 10-14/07/2009

After their first performance in Valletta, the capital of Malta, in 2008, the Rosa Ensemble was invited to return to the island for the annual Malta Arts Festival in July 2009. Since we were working on our new multimedia production Anticantate it was agreed we would perform this piece at the festival. To make the performance more accessible to the Maltese audience, Rosa and the festival arranged two Maltese actors to re-record the Dutch spoken parts on Anticantate’s surround-sound backing track. Actrice Lizzy Timmers performed her role in English especially for the occasion.

And so, well prepared and with 140 kilograms of equipment and instruments, the Rosa Ensemble team boarded the plane to Malta on July 10th 2009.

At our arrival we were very happy to see the location – the ruins of the old opera house in Valletta – well-prepared, which allowed our technicians to could get to work immediately. After some problems with the deliverance the right equipment, which were solved by the festival, we were ready right in time for the two performances.

The two shows went very well. The first one was obviously a first performance on an unknown location and suffered from some unfortunate background noise (fireworks, a local band). But the second performance, with the musicians more at easy and less background distraction, was very satisfactory and turned out to be a beautiful, open air spectacle.

Audiences reactions varied from highly emotional people who were very touched to people for whom the ensemble was just a little bit to experimental. Because of the open character of the location, it was also possible to look at the performance without buying a ticket, which many people did of whom some even returned the to watch it a second time. We realize the music of the Rosa Ensemble is quite experimental compared to what the Maltese audience is accustomed to. Mario Frendo, artistic director of the festival, was very pleased we joined their festival and contributed to it with something unique and seldom seen on the island. The ensemble will probably never reach a mass audience on Malta, but is certainly appreciated by lovers of new and exciting music and theatre.

Looking back, we consider our visit to Valletta a success. By integrating Maltese actors we managed to connect the performance with the island and their inhabitants, which showed us this is a procedure that can be repeated when we play Anticantate, or other pieces, in other countries. Furthermore, we gave an important artistic and experimental impulse to the festival and made new valuable contacts. Lastly, we gained experience in presenting such a complex and demanding production in a foreign country. Thanks to sufficient preparations, it went rather smoothly, which are valuable experiences for the future.