A cultural transformation story in Wrocław

Hello and welcome to local voices for sustainability the eclair. Europe podcast, I'm your host Laura Schubert, each episode, we explore the sustainability Transformations. Taking place in Our member cities across Europe, Today we're headed to one of the major cultural hubs of Europe where there is no shortage of music festivals theatrical shows and artistic exhibitions it is home to a thriving population of artists and students who have made social justice, a notable pillar of City Life.

This Riverside Metropolis has been an equal member City since 2017 and was named the European capital of culture in 2016. I'm talking about the Polish City of Roseville of In this episode, we'll explore a lesser discuss piece of the urban sustainability puzzle culture. What role do artists have in the sustainability conversation? How can cultural policies contribute to decarbonization all this and more coming up.

Here with me today is Cartagena, Roy, curator editor and author based in rows for of Poland. Katarzyna is the program manager at the design gallery in rostov where she focuses on the dissemination of issues relating to socially responsible design, resiliency, and the use of design tools. As a response to the climate crisis.

She's also the curator of jenya and educational space and gallery inspired by the tradition of lower silesian Spa palaces. So some of you might be thinking culture, socially responsible design, what are these topics doing on a podcast focused on sustainable cities. This is why we're so pleased to have our special guest here with us today. As I expect, many of us will be learning something new about the role of culture in our cities.

Welcome to the show. Dr. Jana. Hello, hello. From Radcliffe to begin. I thought that we could set the stage a little bit and give our listeners, an idea of what it means to work in the field of Culture. Today I'm hoping you can tell us a little bit about your work. What kind of tasks are you doing on a daily basis? Who are you, collaborating with, what kind of goals do you have? Yeah, I work as a curator at the bad weather. Also, as I said, it's a municipal cultural institution. And for many years, I was responsible for the program of one of its Paces.

The design Galleria, as you mention, and my intros have remained pretty much the same over the years. Interested to design as a tool for real change, the mediating role of institution and creating the program for audiences, so that it provides unique experiences. I remember when I started to work, and I learned a very nice words from Jerusalem, which a great actress from Brunswick.

Who once said that art is the only thing that gives us a chance. Not to be consumers for a while and I found it a really important. Because in a capitalist world, everything goes down to that. And this is why probably that project, my project involve people create new relationship and develop over X.

So it is not only, you know, like showing some pieces, making some exhibitions, but this is more like creating new relationship and developing it over time and this has been the case with the project called close afraid. Raishin that is dedicated to the former naturalized, sewage treatment of Karim in Broad swath.

I found it in 2020 during the from Dominica time when galleries were obviously close. So I had to find another space because it was so natural for me to continue my work. And maybe I will tell you a little bit more about what kind of organism that is? Brought so-called sewage treatment Farm. Sure.

Yeah, it's a huge. In is within the city limits. This is very important and this is amazing ecosystem that was built on nitrous a sewage system. That operates almost 100 years and it started, but it was inactive, right? It's an active from 2015, but it was operating for more than 100 years and it started in 18th century. So it was designed by Germans and operated them by polish after the second World War.

This is, you know, the very important part of infrastructure that is based on nature based solution. Mmm. So, we started with very small actions, they're such as more or less formal open-air, a workshop and those activists has involved, the creative scientific and activist communities. So we are creating a social network of relationship between professionals and we are exchanging and But it's knowledge. I mean, it sounds like Network building but also really much like Community Building as well around a topic as it develops. But an interesting pandemic inspired initiative. I think thank you, perhaps not inspired by the pandemic but I brought on because of opportunity presenting itself. So I understand that it was five

was the European capital of culture in 2016. Did this experience change or inspire a shift in what culture or cultural policy looks? Can your city today? I have to say that I was not personally involved in the implementation of the European capital of culture program to say that the time I was looking for more critically at the whole process. Okay.

Interesting. But in retrospect, I believe that those initiatives that the build their Mobility policy of the cultural sector were very valuable. And this is real game-changer in our local scene, many initiatives have taken advantages of The visibility, the browser has gained during this European capital and this is something that was really positive for our local scene.

The city's cultural policy is developed through cultural institution. Some of them were built during the European Capital but also direct programs such as artistic scholarships Awards, access to studio and grants for project. So, allow creative circles to influence, cultural policies, such as the broad swath of culture.

Feel which advises the mayor of the city. But let's be honest, this is a drop in the ocean of needs, which was very visible. During the pandemic in Poland and the governmental level, we need to Legal solutions that would define the condition of artistic work. Definitely artist needs to have access to social insurance, and the pension system, plus, most polish Charities, do not have regular job. So right now, now we have this, you know, local cultural policy but on this governmental level it's very important that the legal act will be born.

It's interesting that you mentioned that actually because the quit next question that I had for you is a little bit more about these artistic communities. And mean, I recognized, I think, as we discussed in regards specifically, to the pandemic, and more recent history that we're living in a very intense time in which there are a lot of conflicts happening all over the world and sometimes, His topics like culture, these aspects of City Life, maybe they're a bit forgotten sometimes or marginalized when compared to all of these other things. So can you tell us what artists in this city are doing to strengthen their resilience?

And most importantly, I think for the audience of our listeners of this podcast, what is the city doing to support those artists? Okay, in Poland in the cultural sector. We are not prepared for crisis, which was clearly shown by the pandemic programs. Organized by local governments are very important but they will not replace the social security. For example, institution also changing and opening up to the sustainable programs throughout.

So F is for example, planning, several month-long, presidencies the aim of which is to regenerate, favorable conditions. This is what we heard from the community that people need this space for a generator as well every day I see. The artist who organize themselves to help each other. There are people with very expensive networks, it's currently in Poland, there is also a discussion about mother Artis.

So we showed an exhibition on the topic and this is also an example of some interesting intersection between artists and they are Brazilians. She said mother like mother artists. Okay. Interesting mother artists here. And we like, cultural institutional I'll have to like read design our programs to include that special needs. Okay, so there's still some, there's some space there for improvement.

You could say, then definitely. But as I said, I think that we can learn from artists how to involve other people and so I would say that the resilience right now is based on their own work. Certain networks? Yeah. Their own Community. Hmm. I mean could you tell us what role you believe that Sure plays in sustainable development.

I would say that crucial. Yeah, of course, of course, it depends on what you mean by culture, cultural institutions. I just said, one of the ways in which culture manifests itself. Sure. Yeah. In cultural climate change and the associated threats manifested themselves very quickly, much faster than in other areas. Like for example in economics and this is also for Force a change in the way.

Cultural institutions operate. I remembered Norma Klein in her latest book on fire talks about the fire. That's consuming our planet. But also about the fire in the hearts of people, around the world by adapting and mitigating climate change. We have a chance for social shift to equal access to Goods Equitable sharing the and I want to press it. Artists talk about it very often. This is why they should Martin involved in designing social change.

The scenario methods for example, has played a significant role in climate research, politics, and communication, since the mid-twentieth century within the scientific Community. There is a tendency to treat climate change communication as a challenging but simple problem of getting the message across like for example, it's years months, we have to To achieve so much.

Scenarios created, have a different way and greater social potential. So, this is why I would say that the role of culture is crucial because we needed that kind of transformation story, we need more social involvement, and culture is ready for that student. Would you say that those people? Those artists those who are working in, what could be called, the cultural industry are looking at a topic, like, In addition to a more sustainable world through a different kind of framing than, perhaps those who were looking at it from, you know, the military perspective or from the economic perspective or, you know, the various other perspectives that someone who is usually responsible for policy,

making or planning could perhaps be putting forward, it's a different kind of framing then. Definitely, you know, I think we already know a lot about climate change and what we are supposed to do, but it's really hard to engage, people to work to fight for that to do this every day by day. And I think the culture we need some transformation stories, we need to know something that would engage people for action and I think artists can do this beautifully.

Nice. Yeah, absolutely. Solutely. So I understand that Rusev is one of one hundred and twelve cities selected to participate in the EU mission for climate neutral and smart cities by 2030. As you know, this is Monumental initiative to be a part of and wires. Some serious commitment on the part of the city to Foster Urban sustainability. Can you tell us about some of the projects or initiatives particularly in the cultural field that the city is already doing or planning?

So to contribute to that. Ben neutrality ambition. Recently, I took part in a meeting of Representatives of cultural institution and large organizations are such a difference of zoo. The organizers of this project is Department of sustainable development at the city hall, and during the meeting with it allowed common communication, and educational directions. So it's not is that despite many differences, which are the issue of drinking water?

Each of those institution addresses Is this issue on its own way? But if we put it together, we will achieve economies of scale. And I like it very much, especially, since we communicate with different circles, this shows that the future is in connecting and working together, so that collaboration, then it feels like, it's still then at a fairly early phase or does it already feel like it's kind of advanced to a good point. We have seven years left so that yeah. Time is ticking.

Huh. Time is ticking. So you have to be more in the rash, but feel in my good collaboration. I hope we will achieve it. Okay? So that brings me to my last question for you then. So, throughout our conversation, you've been building this bridge for us building, that link between culture and sustainability.

And I think it's a link that many people haven't often or ever considered what in your opinion. Ian can cities do to strengthen the relationship between culture and sustainability. I think that we are still in that price that we think that Investments and infrastructure is more important, but we cultural institutions are ready, you know, to be partners in that.

So of course, there are some programs that are some fundings but we have to ask for more. So, this is why I think the cultural institutions are More into that direction that the city, but obviously, I hope it will change within your role. Do you ever have the opportunity to directly collaborate with those people who are working specifically on sustainability initiatives? Yeah, we are in the good touch right now. We are focused more on the educational system. So the city is seeing as a Partners in this communication roll.

So we are in touch, and discussing the case. National program in that case. So first things first, first comes education and then we can build upon that. Yeah. Okay so that actually brings us to the end of our official questions and to the lightning round of our conversation. So this is a segment of the podcast that is called hot takes.

And what I'm going to do is I'm going to pose a question or a statement to you and I'm looking for a quick instinctual response to this question or statement, okay? So we've got ten of these prepared for you, okay, then okay. Yeah, I don't have a renter, thank you. Okay. So first, what is something you love about working in the field of culture relations? I would say relations building those relationships. Yes.

Where do you find inspiration walking? Hmm, mostly I think I had. This is the great methodology for thinking and you know, they'll get inspired. I love the Way, you know, the world is coming to me during the walk. It's a good Pace. Good Pace to consider life. Yeah. True. Or false culture is an essential part of sustainable development. Absolutely true.

What city have you visited recently? That is doing some exciting cultural policy work. I would say barely in oh I think yeah. I think that Berlin is still, you know, the capital of this new new way of thinking, how come True can be a tool for social change on average culture, receives sufficient, recognition, and funding and public policy, true, or false false. Unfortunately, we still we know we still need two more money and more funding, he to to, you know, to share with other people.

Actually not, you know, just to operate by ourselves by know, by by culture, Our institution, but we need some money. You know, for artists creators. This is a huge challenge. How to deliver a sustainable culture that is really sustainable, that is run by happy and resilient people and for that, we need money. Yeah, good things cost money.

Usually. So one thing I learned within the scope of my work during the pandemic is all its sewage treatment Farm in without Suave. Yeah. If this is the game changer of my life actually. Oh really. Wow, that's a statement. Yeah. So the project that sort of kicked off for you during the pandemic was the transformation of this space into something for public use or no I just found this space because it's really large because it's 1,200 hectares. People do not know about them so for me it was very important to us.

Find it and then to bring some artists designers scientist together and to collaborate in some projects that we managed to do together. Alright, next question for you, then when it comes to preserving culture, what role do you see the community playing well crucial? I would say a swear because cutter for me is, you know, it's a form of communication between communities taking.

So it's a higher level of communication, very specific ones. And so, you know, in culture communities are the most important and the way they communicate between each other, this is crucial. What is one culture related thing? That Rose valve is planning as part of its role as a mission City. I would say you know this is my dream that the broad trough will build this amazing Inca Nature Reserve over this former sewage treatment farm, that would be it. Okay.

So so that's actually That is part of its process to becoming a climate neutral, smart city. As I said, several top is very into Investments at the moment and this part of learning as far as I know, of course, since I know that the Investments are crucial at the moment and planning them are crucial, but we already know that it will be the first Nature Reserve.

But oftentimes mayor of the city. Talk about that in the November I believe, how has your work changed when compared to 5 Years ago. So that would be 2018. In 2018, I came back after three years, I become a mom. So I remember that very clearly. And I started to work with Gina, I'm still working on this because I think that the future of the culture that we stop thinking about the culture as the events more like a processes. Okay.

So maybe not so many big things have changed but perhaps the way of thinking has shifted a little bit. Yeah. Okay, yeah. Yeah, exactly. My Question for you then is this what would you like to learn from other cities by being involved in the Mission City initiative? I would say that I would love to see how they involve culture agents and institutions, that would be something that I would like to learn. And when you say culture agents is that like, artists or who is that for you?

Like, you know, creative circles institutions artist designers creative circles, I would say Oh, okay, but I really wish to see how other cities are collaborating with those kind of circles in this, you know, huge investment plans. Alright, well that's it. We've actually made it to the end. You've done it.

So that was a lot of questions for you. I was a bit nervous. I have to say, no, not at all. You did. Great. Thank you very much. This brings us to the end of our conversation, get Regina. I would like to. Thank you so much for bringing A New Perspective to the show. Today, it's not often enough in which the topic of culture is drawn into the classic Urban sustainability debate.

Thank you for joining us. Thank you. If you are enjoying the show this far, be sure to follow us. So you'll be the first to know about upcoming episodes. There are plenty more local voices for sustainability on the horizon and we're glad to have you with us. Thanks for listening. And until next time,

A cultural transformation story in Wrocław

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