During the two festival nights, 12 new compositions were premiered.
KotorArt connected festivals, bringing together composers, performers, and cultural managers
Over the course of two festival evenings, July 16 and 17, the audience witnessed the premiere performance of 12 new compositions created within the framework of the European collaboration project #synergy. This significant three-year, multifaceted project aimed at strengthening the capacity of the classical music industry in the Western Balkans was initiated by the KotorArt International Festival and supported by the European Commission through the Creative Europe program. With this, the KotorArt Festival positioned itself as the initiator and leader of the project, becoming the first recipient of a European project from Montenegro in the field of culture.
On Sunday, July 16, in the Church of the Holy Spirit in Kotor, the audience had the opportunity to hear the works of six contemporary composers premiered: Air by Milivoje Pićurić, On the Edge of Silence by Ardian Halimi, Encounters by Nina Perović, Big Ship Full of Joy and Crap by Matija Krečić, Kuartet pianistik by Kreshnik Aliçkaj, and Unheard Story by Timotej Kosovinc. On the second festival night dedicated to the #synergy project, July 17, at the Creative Hub in Kotor, the audience was introduced to the works Conversations Within by Mira Milosavljević, Kulshedra by Predrag Radisavljević, Noise by Kris Sopiqoti, Korbe by Tomislav Oliver, Anosmia by Jetmir Zaganjori, and Ljubljana by Helena Skljarov.
On the first night of the #synergy project, the spokesperson of the European Union Delegation to Montenegro, Mrs. Nadežda Dramičanin, greeted all those present and emphasized that the EU is a long-standing partner of the KotorArt festival, and that they are proud of our increasingly stronger partnership. “In these somewhat unusual times, when many are once again questioning freedom of speech, expression, and creation, I want to thank the KotorArt festival, all the project partners, and all the artists from the region who show us that collaboration and unity break down barriers and prejudices. Thank you all for promoting the true values on which the European Union itself is based,” concluded Mrs. Nadežda Dramičanin.
The #synergy project has also brought together young artists from the former Yugoslavia, who constitute an essential component of its success. Participating in the premiere performances of compositions in Kotor and throughout the concert tour are: Alenka Bogataj, flute; Andi Duraku, piano; Andrijana Durmišević, violin; Arian Zherka, cello; Dušan Obrenović, violin; Egli Prifti, piano; Entela Qarkagjija, viola; Cristina Basili, cello; Leufat Buçuku, violin; Magdalena Burhan, viola; Marija Božić, viola; Marija Ticl, voice; Milena Petković, violin; Miljana Nikolić, piano; Martina Jembrišak, accordion; Tereza Horáková, violin; Teodora Uskoković, cello; Tim Jančar, piano; Timotej Kosovinc, guitar.
As emphasized, the #synergy project is exceptionally complex, and in addition to composers and young artists, it has also interconnected the most significant festivals in the region, including the Belgrade Festival Centre (BELEF and BEMUS), Dubrovnik Summer Festival, Ljubljana Festival, the Vox Baroque organization from Albania, and the F. Chopin Association from Kosovo*.
The concert tour, which commenced in Kotor with its premiere performance at the KotorArt Festival, will continue on July 19 and 20 in Dubrovnik (Croatia), where the artists will perform at the Dubrovnik Summer Festival; then, on July 21 in Trebinje (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and on July 23 and 24 in Tirana (Albania), as part of the international Vox Baroque Festival. The tour proceeds to Pristina (Kosovo) on July 26 and 27, within the framework of the Chopin Piano Festival, followed by performances on July 29 and 30 in Belgrade, where the artists will be welcomed and hosted by the Belgrade Festival Centre. The tour concludes on August 1 and 2 in Ljubljana at the Ljubljana Festival.
Foto: Duško Miljanić
