Aha Moments is currently contributing and taking part in the Bell of Bela Rechka project (2007/8)) organised and managed by the Nova Kultura foundation.

- activate memory through creative means and use the memory in order to connect past and present;

- involve local people, journalists, new media designers, musicians in ‘mapping the soundscape of the place’ (existing sounds in the past, bells of the goats, musical instruments, singing, lamentations, natural sounds, other sounds, prayers etc);

- re-discover the different meanings of the Bell in historical and contemporary context of the place (Roma time, Thracian, pre-Christian, Christian, Ottoman…, socialist, today)

- use the Bell as a cultural mediator and discover the meaning of it in all involved communities, in the spiritual understanding of the participants (Poland, Germany, Crete, UK, etc)

- to promote culture as a way to make a difference in a remote area in Bulgaria and encourage people to look for creative solutions of local problems (for example – the stolen Bell).

Participants in the project will get involved in

• Oral history interviews

• Forum-theater with local community

• History research

• Workshops with musicians, artists and the local community

• Producing a CD and a book

• Producing an installation and a concert

• Installing a new Bell.

Benefits

The most benefits are for the local people in the village and the region. Bringing quality art and artists to the area and involving the local people in creative research and creative work will make an important point – that living in the periphery does not mean being isolated from the creative spirit, that Europe is not somewhere else but here and everywhere where we want to look for ‘her’.

Culture and art can become models for alternative solutions to local problems in the region.

The New Culture Foundation aims to develop a local cultural center that will serve as a creative laboratory for the region and give what it needs most – equal rights for participation in cultural life. The project will boost the idea and help establish the center.

All participants will benefit – through gaining knowledge on developments in Bulgaria, on the way intercultural dialogue can help (or not) overcome prejudices.

The local cultural center in Bela Rechka becomes a creative laboratory for the region and becomes part of the international Borderland network.

Cultural activities bring social development of the place and region.