The Gabrovo Collective: a project for urban transformation through art and participation
Funding Program
Enhance NEB
Partner
Gabrovo Municipality
Implementation period
01.06.2024 – 31.12.2024
Project Description:
The Collective for Gabrovo project aims to transform the relationship between the city and its river Yantra through innovations in urban planning, art and active civic participation. Supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) within the New European Bauhaus initiative, the project offers sustainable and creative solutions for public spaces in Gabrovo.
“The Collective for Gabrovo includes two main activities: 1.An urban design and planning workshop, which took place between 4 and 6 July 2024 at the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Centre. This practical event brought together architects, designers, urban planners and citizens to map areas of untapped potential around the Yantra River and developed architectural and artistic interventions to bring these areas to life. Participants had the opportunity to work together with young professionals who shared experiences and ideas for improving public spaces. The workshop was open to all, regardless of their professional background, and included schoolchildren, students, active citizens and people interested in the development of Gabrovo.
2.Festival “The Rivers of Gabrovo”, which took place between 23 and 25 August 2024 and transformed the banks of the Yantra into a platform for public art, music and discussion. Featuring Bulgarian artists curated by Poyema Collective, the festival focused on the importance of art in the urban environment as a tool for social and environmental change. The programme also included concerts by popular music groups, workshops for children and adults organised by the Gabrovo Youth Centre, outdoor cinema, shadow theatre and many other activities.
The “Collective for Gabrovo” project is supported by the EIT Enhance NEB programme and the Municipality of Gabrovo. The initiative is fully in line with the values of the New European Bauhaus, which promotes sustainability, aesthetics and inclusion. A key focus is the involvement of the local community and the involvement of young people in the planning and implementation process.
