AR.CO - Artistic Connectios (2005/2006)

5. ArCo

Ar.Co - Artistic Connections the was an international cultural co-operative project run by the local government of the region of Puglia - the Department for the Mediterranean, in collaboration with the region of Abruzzo, the Department for Culture (Italy), in the framework of the International Cooperative Programme of the European Union INTERREG IIIA Adriatic Cross border. Aim of the Ar.Co project was to build a European cultural network in the Adriatic region between the local governments, cultural institutions and companies/institutions engaged in the production and promotion of theatre. Part of this project, which was responsibility of Puglia region, went to the Theatre of Koreja from Lecce, the institution of theatre research recognized by the Italian Ministry of Culture of the region of Puglia.

The partnership includes partners from the eastern Adriatic countries and the Italian Adriatic regions.

Croatia - NGO "Different sea" from Rijeka;

Albania - Faculty of Dramatic Arts - Academy of Arts in Tirana, National Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Tirana, National Theatre for Children in Tirana;

Bosnia and Herzegovina - Mostar Youth Theatre;

Serbia - Center for culture Smederevo, PATOS and the Municipality of Smederevo

Montenegro - The Ministry of Culture and Media

Italy - Puglia Region as a leading partner, Abruzzo Region, the Municipality of Gallipoli, Nardo Municipality and the Municipality of Napoli.

The tasks of the project were to create and international cultural network between local governments, cultural institutions and companies working in the field of theatrical production and promotion on both sides of the Adriatic.

The objectives of the project were to create a common cultural and artistic space through the exchange of experiences, knowledge and innovation in theatrical and artistic work, strengthening the connection between the artwork and the labor market in the field of theatrical creativity, improving the quality of services in the field of artistic and cultural activities with special emphasis on new technologies.

Theatrologist, journalist and columnist for the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Nico Garrone (1940-2009), through its series of articles, "The new face of Serbia" has sought to show through this project, Serbia as a country where culture and the arts have great potential and impact on the public. This will occur later as feuilletons book of the same name in which a particular segment covers his experience of Smederevo.

The product of the project was also the theatre play Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Salvatore Tramacere, a play by Shakespeare, with participants from Croatia, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Actors from PATOS theatre had the lead role in the production of this play, not only in the acting part, but in organizing as well.