Imprints from connection through culture

The British Council has announced the projects receiving funding from the Connections Through Culture (CTC) programme, a programme that promotes creative collaboration between UK and Asia-Pacific artists. The programme supports 84 creative projects, including 10 collaborations between Vietnam and the UK, to foster stronger partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region.

Celebrating richness and diversity

84 supported creative projects come from countries such as Australia, New Zealand, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines and Vietnam; of which Vietnam has 10 projects including: "Experimental Contemporary Performance: Exchange/Connection between Vietnam and Scotland" (artist Mamoru Iriguchi, Take Me Somewhere and artist Tra Nguyen); "Kieu - Reimagining: Women, Heritage and Empowerment" (Timothy Allen, Da Nang Tui); "Photographic Empathy: Vietnam and New International Photographic Perspectives" (IC Visual Lab, Studio Tum Lum); "Vietnam - UK Live Music Incubator Program 2024/2025" (Association of Independent Festivals - AIF), "Vietnam Music Industry Network" (VMIN); "HOZO International Music Festival"; "Connecting Ecological Pain" by artist Youngsook Choi, Heart of Glass and Á space; "Music Empowerment" by Huong Doan and Music Ally...

The "Connecting Through Culture" program, with a total funding value of more than 741,000 pounds (about 24 billion VND), aims to support artists and cultural organizations in realizing their creative visions. Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Thai shared that to receive funding, the project must be convincing.

• 

  Seminar “Developing Cultural Industry: What are the pillars?”: Don’t miss the opportunity! READ NOW

More importantly, the grants will help build lasting cultural partnerships between the UK and countries in the Asia-Pacific region, promoting dialogue, innovation and mutual understanding.

"The cultural foundation is bonded from the creativity with the very unique perspective of each project, the effectiveness spreading to the community, promoting progress in awareness is what each project wants to aim for and make an impression. Congratulations to these 10 projects for having the conditions to sublimate creativity and promote more about the people and country of Vietnam" - Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Thai said.

Funded projects are diverse, spanning many fields including film, creative technology, literature, visual arts, theatre, dance, design, fashion, crafts and music.

Ms. Nguyen Phuong Thao, Director of Arts and Creative Industries - British Council in Vietnam, commented: "These projects have demonstrated outstanding potential for cross-cultural cooperation. These partnerships will celebrate the richness and diversity of artistic exchange while helping to address pressing issues of our time. We look forward to seeing the transformative impact of these projects as they are implemented and realised."

Immerse yourself in the global creative scene

The British Council is the UK's international organisation for cultural relations and education, founded in 1934, with offices in more than 100 countries and present in Vietnam since 1993.

From July 12, 2024, the British Council announced that the "Connecting Through Culture" grant program will start accepting applications. Specifically, Vietnamese artists can apply for grants of up to £10,000 (about VND320 million) for projects promoting international cooperation between the UK and Vietnam.

The programme is open to all art forms, with priority given to proposals that address climate change and diversity and inclusion. Projects supported by the programme must include at least one UK-based partner and one Vietnam-based partner.

Ms. Donna McGowan, Director of the British Council in Vietnam, affirmed: "We are proud to support new creative collaborations between the UK and Vietnam through the Cultural Connections Grants. These grants will help spark big ideas through collaboration."

• 

  Gameshow promoting Vietnamese culture attracts viewers READ NOW

Among the 10 projects, "Experimental contemporary performance by artists Tra Nguyen and Mamoru Iriguchi, Take me somewhere" attracted attention. Because Tra Nguyen has a slightly different point of view from the trend of making popular theater, choosing her own path of "making plays to discuss how to make plays".

Or "HOZO International Music Festival" jointly organized by Ho Chi Minh City Light Music Center and Beyond Communication Joint Stock Company, with the mission of creating an international cultural and artistic brand for the city.

“HOZO International Music Festival” has left a strong impression on the international public every time they come to Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: HO CHI MINH CITY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE AND SPORTS)

Continuing the aspiration for borderless music, in 2024, HOZO continued to become the center of international cultural exchange. Talented artists from all over the world gathered in the vibrant urban space of Ho Chi Minh City, bringing world-class art stages, thereby joining hands to create a unique harmony sending a strong message of connection, peace, of a "World with one beat - One world, one beat".

“HOZO International Music Festival” has left a strong impression on the international public every time they come to Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: HO CHI MINH CITY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE AND SPORTS)

With the vision of turning Ho Chi Minh City into the most vibrant cultural center in the region, HOZO and its outstanding achievements after 3 times of organization are the result of strong investment decisions in the cultural industry development strategy for the period 2020 - 2030 of Ho Chi Minh City.

According to Ms. Donna McGowan, the desire to introduce collaborative opportunities and always welcome artists from both countries to connect and showcase their talents on the international stage. The grants connect through culture not only create meaningful artistic exchanges but also help bring about deeper understanding, thereby enriching the global creative scene.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/dau-an-tu-ket-noi-thong-qua-van-hoa-196250304201719348.htm