Berlin is often being pictured as a cultural melting pot. The strong art scene thrives on international inspiration, yet many artists of non-German origin try to bring in their culture not just to showcase it, but to use it as a tool for newly developed ideas.
During the third annual edition of Babylon Europa, initiated by EUNIC Berlin, selected artists worked together to create new unique performances combining various music, dance, performance and spoken word with an underlying European theme. 12 EUNIC Berlin members presented artists whose cooperation culminated in a live show which was additionally streamed online.
A growing network of artists
The goal of the project was to build on the local art scene and existing structures as well as creating a platform to present the collaborative potential of European culture. Due to restrictions by the Covid-19 pamdemic, not all planned networking events and workshops at Berlin music schools could take place. Nevertheless, the network of partners has grown considerably since the project's first edition. The network of artists has also been expanding year by year and they are being incorporated in future plans.
Challenges under Covid-19
Despite the challenging circumstances of the global Covid-19 pandemic, the event was held and all artists were able to travel to Berlin. The restrictions also offered only limited opportunities of collaboration between the artists and local partners. In the next edition, the project is looking forward to opening the event to the public to attract a larger audience.
New Collaboration
Through the State of Berlin (Department of Culture and Europe) the project was introduced to the Berlin Initiative for the Conference on the Future of Europe. They were invited to conduct their own information stand during Babylon Europa and were encouraged to engage with the guests. Since then, the cluster board has participated in their meetings and are potentially planning an upcoming project for 2022 together.
The Land Baden-Württemberg (capital Stuttgart) and the EUNIC Munich cluster have both expressed interest in bringing the project to their respective cities and Babylon Europa is looking forward to these potential collaborations in 2023.
Feedback
The project received very positive feedback. Artists noted the great success of the show and they enjoyed the opportunities to meet with another. Guests of the show also expressed their congratulations for the implementation of the project and complimented the diversity of the selected artists:
Thank you very much for the opportunity to experience an impressive panorama of European culture (...). It certainly drew us away from our ordinary lives and at the same time brought our attention once again to the diversity that we in Europe often like to take for granted.
Find out more about the project on the project's website
