Pardubice benefits from good transport connections and can build its attractiveness
on its surrounding landscape, which includes ruins of ancient dams and paths between
individual human settlements.The city is gradually realising the potential of its urban
waterfronts —for touristic purposes and local pride enhancement— and some
revitalisation projects include art and culture.
Since the 1950s Pardubice has featured a rich and vibrant tradition of bottom-up
initiatives, including in the field of culture. Several civic associations have been
contributing to rich citizens-led initiatives through artistic activities.The city’s cultural
offer includes performing arts, visual arts, cultural heritage, music —with the
Animalfest
rock festival—, literature but also architecture, urban design, new media,
arts and science interaction —the
UTesla projects
for instance— and experimental/
independent scene.
City’s policy framework:
In the past 10 years, Pardubice’s strategic vision was
that of “a harmoniously developing cultural, social and industrial centre in the region
where citizens find employment, cultural and social activities and a friendly and clean
environment”. One of its development areas was to become an attractive and active
city in the social, cultural, sports, leisure and touristic spheres.The city is also carrying
out the “Passportisation of Pardubice’s culture” project which includes a mapping and
analysis of the city’s cultural sector towards a strategy of cultural development. Pardubice
foresees to support the combination of cultural-scientific initiatives and education.
Description of the initiative:
Built in 1910 according to the design by the
renowned Czech architect Josef Goca, the Automatic Mills are located close to the
historic centre of Pardubice. They have become iconic buildings in the city and
constitute one of the most important architectural monuments of industrial heritage
in the country. Following their closure in 2012 and the owner’s decision to sell the
premises, three civic organisations (Theatre 29,Terra Madoda and Offcity) initiated
negotiations on a potential lease while developing the concept and programme of a
multi-genre festival to take place in the premises.
The objectives of the initiative were threefold:
•
Starting a city-wide, interdisciplinary debate about the reconversion of the
monument and its possible future functions as well as its potential for the
development of the city.
•
Implementing a site-specific project in unconventional spaces whilst revitalising
its premises through artistic, cultural and social activities with a view to
transforming them into a cultural and social centre of the city
•
Opening and making accessible the monument for the general public to visit it.
The programme of the festival was structured around three dramaturgic lines: site-
specific art events, cultural and community activities, and educational activities on the
conversion of the monument.The first part of the festival was opened at the end of
May 2013 and lasted 14 days. The second part took place from 1
st
September till
12
th
October 2013.The first floor of the premises was turned into an exhibition hall,
the second floor into a venue for concerts and performances as well as art
installations, and the third floor was devoted to a theatre and lectures. Outside the
historical building, the former workshop became a café and bar, and other nearby
technical buildings were adapted to host exhibitions.
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