APRIL MEETING OF THE NETWORK PARTNERS GROUP IN MORAVSKÁ TŘEBOVÁ

This year's first meeting of the Czech Cultural Network Nová síť took place in Moravská Třebová from 17 to 19 April. The meeting of the Network Partners group was hosted by the Kulturní služby města Moravská Třebová (Cultural Services of the City of Moravská Třebová). The programme was comprehensive: we got acquainted with the cultural events and development of Moravská Třebová, shared news from the regions; welcomed two new organisations as Network Partners; addressed the current challenges of NPO; explored support opportunities available through Nová síť; and discussed topics presented by the Network members. We concluded the meeting with a tour of the former compound Miltra where a new cultural centre is planned to open.

INTRODUCTION

First, the deputy mayor of Moravská Třebová, Václav Dokoupil, introduced the city’s cultural events and its development. He was followed by the director of KSMT, Mary Blažková, who presented the organisation’s operation and the cultural events they organise – Masopust, Dožínkový festival, Majáles, Samhein, Rozmarné léto, and others. The association Trnka Městečko Trnávky also presented their cultural events, including the annual Trnfest festival at Cimburk Castle, and seasonal events, such as pumpkin picking or events related to the celebration of St. Lucia.

NEWCOMERS TO THE NETWORK PARTNERS GROUP

The Network Partners meeting was also attended by two organisations – Sladovna Písek and Bohemia Farmstudio – that expressed their interest in transferring from the Cooperation Starts group to the Network Partners. Both organisations presented their activities, their progress over the years, what the Network membership gives them and, conversely, what they can offer to the members of the Network Partners group. After the presentations, voting by secret ballot took place and both organisations were accepted. We welcome new partners and look forward to our collaboration.


NEWS FROM THE REGIONS

The next section of the programme was devoted to news related to the member organisations, especially their upcoming events. Valdštejnské imaginárium invited us to an inaugural edition of the Jičín- city-wide festival of children's books – Šotek (21 May) and also Malá inventura festival (3-5 November). Sladovna Písek will feature a new exhibition, Daisy 100: Čekárna na neděli, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the illustrator Daisy Mrázková. The exhibition opening will take place on 5 May exactly at 17:05. The Hradec organisation kontrapunkt invites us to the theatre festival Regiony (23-30 June). Moving station looks forward to welcoming audiences back and invites them to the Nastevřeno festival (May). Theatrum Kuks is preparing literally a Divine programme for the 22nd edition of the Theatrum Kuks festival (August), and also the 2nd edition of the Malá loutková inventura (16-18 June). The first year of the Malá loutková inventura will take place in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm under the baton of the organisation Fujaré (6-8 October). Fujaré will also organise the Fujárek festival for children and their adults (16-18 June).

We would also like to congratulate the organisations CO.LABS and SE.S.TA for receiving support from the NPO for a reconstruction and foundation of cultural and creative centres.

THE MEETING’S AIM

The aim of the annual meeting of the partners of the Czech Cultural Network Nová síť is to share, support, and connect cultural organisations with each other, as well as to get inspired by new opportunities for organisational development or finding solutions to existing problems. That is why the programme included the MasterMind development method with reinforced feedback, which allows the organisations formulate their needs for a specific problem and set goals to achieve them.

Inspiration, but also information about opportunities and possibilities are essential for meetings and cultural organisations. Nová síť presented the grant opportunities offered by National Recovery Plan, emphasised the calls for Small Cultural Centres, Creative Vouchers, and the call to support Creative Learning. It also presented the schedule of seminars, workshops, and other support Nová síť has prepared for the Network members this year to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

FUTURE CULTURAL CENTRE IN MORAVSKÁ TŘEBOVÁ

At the end of the meeting, Mary Blažková offered us a tour of the premises of the former Miltra dairy and presented the vision and plans for the transformation of this industrial area near the city centre into a cultural hub and city’s oasis. The plans for the reconstructed building include a library, a cultural hall, museum’s depository and a coffee shop.

PARTICIPANTS

Kateřina Bohadlová – Theatrum Kuks / Barbora Hodonická – kontrapunkt / Martin Musílek – Městské divadlo Varnsdorf / Pavel Matela, Pavel Matoušek – Bohemia Farmstudio / Hedvika Drenčeni, Marie Frnochová – Kredance / Eva Kraftová – Moving Station / Tereza Smolíková, Pavlína Svobodová, Jiří Vydra – Valdštejnské imaginárium / Marie Kinsky, Eva Dryjová – SE.S.TA / Marie Blažková – Kulturní služby města Moravská Třebová / Klára Flekalová, Kateřina Nikodýmová – DIOD Jihlava / Zdeněk Závodný – Centrum pro otevřenou kulturu Pardubice / Juraj Augustín, Klaudie Klemberová – CO.LABS / Adam Langer – Sladovna Písek / Honza Petružela, Pavel Trčka – Fujaré

ON BEHALF OF NOVÁ SÍŤ

Adriana Světlíková, Eliška Burdová, Tereza Lacmanová, Petr Pola, Victoria Gabašová

Members meeting of the Network Partners group of the Czech Cultural Network Nová síť is realised by Nová síť with financial participation from the EU through the National Recovery Plan, and the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic.