ARCTIC FESTIVAL 2019

The days of Arctic and Czech culture and science – a follow-up to the project AT HOME IN SVALBARD 2018 on the occasion of Czechoslovakia’s Centenary, 25th anniversary of the Czech Republic and 10th anniversary of the regular scientific research stays of the Czech scientists in Svalbard.

The main aim of the cultural and scientific ARCTIC FESTIVAL 2019 is to make a follow-up to the 2018 event in Svalbard, to deepen the acquired contacts and to start cooperation between new partners. The Czech public will get acquainted with the achievements of Nordic and Czech scientists in Arctic research, with culture and history of the Arctic nations, and with common Czech-Arctic cultural and scientific activities in the Czech Republic and in the Arctic. In addition to being introduced to the core points of the AT HOME IN SVALBARD 2018 project, the Czech professional audience, the general public and all interested people in the Czech Republic will have the possibility to enjoy the unique Arctic culture from Svalbard, Greenland, Lapland, Norway and Denmark.

Mainly the following institutions cooperate in the project:

Czechia: University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Charles University in Prague, Archa Theatre, Municipal Library of Prague, Institute of Geophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Nordic Film Club, Lucerna, Evald Cinema, Ponrepo Cinema, Horká vana Club in České Budějovice, Květen Cinema in Teplice, Argo Publishers, Scandinavian House, Czech Centres, Regional Museum in Teplice, Music Club Hvjezda in Teplice, Scientific Library in ČB, Music Club Velbloud in ČB, Europa House Gallery in Pilsen, Ministry of Finance (Norway Grants Administrator), Embassy of Norway in Prague, Embassy of Canada in Prague, Embassy of Denmark in Prague, Embassy of Finland in Prague, Honorary Consulate of Iceland in Prague and Austrian Cultural Forum in Prague

Abroad: UNIS, UN Environment, Norwegian Polar Institute, Sami Council/Norway, Fridtjof Nansen Institute

Venue and date: Prague+Teplice+České Budějovice+Pilsen, 7 Nov 2019–31 Jan 2020:

Prague: The Rectorate and the Faculty of Arts of Charles University (7–8 Nov), Archa Theatre (9 Nov), Evald (7 Nov), Ponrepo (8 + 10 Nov) Lucerna (14–19 Nov), Czech Centres Gallery (7–16 Nov)

Teplice (10 Nov – 31 Jan 2020): Regional Museum, Hvjezda Music Club, Květen Cinema

České Budějovice (1 Dec–31 Jan 2020): University of South Bohemia, Velbloud Music Club, Horká vana Club

Pilsen (7–31 Jan 2020): Europa House Gallery

 

The project consists of the following lectures, exhibitions and cultural performances:

Charles University (Patriotic Hall), Thu 7/11 at 16.00: ceremonial opening of the Festival

Lectures (Prague):

a) Municipal Library of Prague, Thu 7/11 at 17.00–17.45: lecture by Z. Lyčka on Candian Inuits, screening of the Canadian documentary If the Weather Permits

b) Charles University (Green Conference Room), Fri 8/11, 10.00–16.00:

Lectures in CZ/EN (simultaneously interpreted) à 30 min., 9.30–13.00: - Arctic Environment: global asset, global victim or global danger? (Jan Dusík, Principal Adviser, Strategic Engagement for the Arctic and Antarctic, United Nations Environment Programme /UN Environment/)

- Czechoslovak/Czech science in the Arctic and the role of the University of South Bohemia (Tomáš Machula, Rector / Hana Šantrůčková, Dean of the Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia)

- Czech Arctic Scientific Infrastructure “Josef Svoboda Station” in Svalbard; Scientific and Cultural Embassy in the Arctic (Josef Elster, Director, Centre for Polar Ecology, University of South Bohemia /CPE/)

- Science in a changing environment (Harald Ellingsen, Managing Director, UNIS, Longyearbyen) - Svalbard: Nature in rapid transformation with a changing climate (Kim Holmén, International Director, Norwegian Polar Institute, Longyearbyen) - The Arctic in Norway: Between Politics and Identity (Pål Wilter Skedsmo, F. Nansen Institute)

- Vikings in the North Atlantic and the Norse in Greenland: demise of a Christian community (Naja Mikkelsen, GEUS, Copenhagen)

Lectures in Czech à 30 min., 13.30–16.00:

- Czech Antarctic Scientific Infrastructure (Daniel Nývlt, Masaryk University, Brno)

- The involvement of the Czech Arctic Scientific Infrastructure in the international INTERACT project (Alexandra Bernardová, CPE)

- International law in the Arctic (Vladimír Balaš, Charles University, Prague)

- Arctic Geopolitics and its importance in International Relations (Barbora Padrtová, Masaryk University, Brno) - Denmark’s relations to Greenland and the Faroe Islands: Postcolonial authority or partner on the way to independence? (Adam Kočí, University of Ostrava)

c) Gallery of the Czech Centres, Prague

Fri 8/11, 16.30-19.30

Lectures in Czech à 30 min:

- Film Polar Ecology (commentary: Oleg Ditrich, Václav Pavel and Marie Šabacká, all from CPE) - Artscape Norway (Dan Merta, Fragner Gallery, Prague) - Mission of the Moravian Brethren in Greenland (D. Freitinger, evangelic pastor, Domažlice)

- Coexistence of Aleuts and Alutiiqs with Inuits (Stanislav Chládek, USA)

- Julius Payer, a Great Guy from Šanov (Jitka Bažantová and Martin Ryba, Regional Museum in Teplice and the Society of Friends of Julius Payer)

- Crossing Greenland on skis (Zdeněk Lyčka, MFA)

d) Institute of Geophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (Prague 4) Mon 11/11, 17.00 Lecture in Czech: - Julius Payer – Starvation Cove (Jitka Bažantová, Regional Museum in Teplice and the Society of Friends of Julius Payer) - public view of Julius Payer’s original painting “Starvation Cove“

Exhibitions:

a) Gallery of the Czech Centres, Prague (7–16/11):

- “Czechia in the Arctic / The Arctic in Czechia“ (panel exhibition of the University of South Bohemia, UNIS, NPI a NF)

- Film by the Svalbard photographer Bjørn Anders Nymoen on melting of Arctic ice-caps and glaciers - Photo exhibition “Canada’s Arctic – Vibrant and Thriving” (15 photos) - Photo exhibition “3913 Tasiilaq“ (30 photos) - Video-photo presentation “South Bering Sea Animals “ by Stanislav Chládek - Landart objects by “Three Women”: Dana Elsterová, Anna Leschingerová and Anežka PodzemskáOfficial opening and presentation of all six exhibitions and films: Thu 7/11 at 18.00 b) Archa Theatre (9/11):

- Greenlandic myths and legends / Illustrations by Martin Velíšek - Saami fairy-tales and legends / Illustrations by Luboš Drtina c) Regional Museum in Teplice: Exhibitions by M. Velíšek + Aron + L. Drtina (10 November – 5 January 2020)

d) University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice: “Czechia in the Arctic / The Arctic in Czechia” (20 November – 20 December)e) Europa House Gallery, Pilsen: Saami fairy-tales and legends / Illustrations by L. Drtina (7–31 January 2020)

Film, literary and music performances:

a) Charles University (Faculty of Arts, Scandinavian Studies)

Thu 7/11 at 10.00-15.30 – documentary films with the Arctic themes

b) Evald + Lucerna + Ponrepo (7–19/11): Festival of films with the Arctic themes in the frame of the Nordic Film Autumn 2019, organized by the Nordic Film Club 7/11, Evald, 20.30, opening film: The Grizzlies 8/11, Ponrepo, 20.30: film Eskimo

c) Archa Theatre (9/11):

- (Great Stage):

13.00–14.15: musical-puppet show Five Beats to a Hat (Buchty a loutky + UJD) in Norwegian, with a special guest, the Norwegian singer Stefan Theofilakis

- (Foyer, Bar): 13.30–14.30: Commented view of the exhibition Saami fairy-tales and legends

/Illustrations by Luboš Drtina and of the exhibition Greenlandic myths and legends /Illustrations by Martin Velíšek (Zdeněk Lyčka, Martin Velíšek, painter, and Luboš Drtina, painter/graphic designer)

- (Great Stage):

14.30–15.45: musical-puppet show Five Beats to a Hat (Buchty a loutky + UJD) in Czech + launching of the new CD Five Beats to a Hat

- (Bar): 16.00–16.45: simultaneously interpreted debate with the Norwegian writer Monica Kristensen on the Czech translations of her books from Svalbard: Kullunge and Hollendergraven

17.00–17.45 presentation of the new edition of a book issued to the 150th anniversary of the birth of Julius Payer and a re-edition of the Czech translation of his book The North Pole Expedition in the presence of representatives of DAUPHIN Publ. House and the Regional Museum in Teplice 17.45–18.15: presentation of the Czech translation of the novel HOMO sapienne by the contemporary Inuit writer Niviaq Korneliussen with the participation of the ARGO Publishing House - (Foyer): 18.30–19.00: music performance by the Inuit shaman HIVSHU - (Great Stage): 19.00–20.15: concert by the music group VASSVIK from Sápmi 20.30–21.45: concert by B. A. Nymoen Group KAPP MITRA from Svalbard22.00–23.15: concert by UJD with the programme from the CD Floes, which was launched in Svalbard in 2018 Sun 10/11:

a) Teplice, Regional Museum 17.00: presentation of a new edition of a book issued to the 150th anniversary of the birth of Julius Payer and a re-edition of the Czech translation of his book The North Pole Expedition in Payer’s birth city + opening of the exhibition Greenlandic Myths and Legends by Martin Velíšek and 2 other Arctic exhibitions;

b) Ponrepo: 18.00: Nanook 20.30: The Red Tent

Mon 11/11:

Institute of Geophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (Prague 4):

17.00: Public view of Julius Payer’s original painting “Starvation Cove“ + lecture ”Julius Payer – Starvation Cove”

Ponrepo: 20.30: The Flight of the Eagle

Other activities(November-January):

a) Teplice: Screening of Arctic films at Květen Cinema, concert byUJD (Floes) at Hvjezda (18 Jan 2020)

b) České Budějovice: Screening of Arctic films at Horká vanaClub, concert by UJD (Floes) at Velbloud Music Club (13/12)

c) Ostrava /Minikino/, Hodonín / Kulturní dům/, Jablonec nad Nisou /Kino Junior/, Jeseník /Ennea caffé & shop/, Řež /Polepšovna ducha/, Třebušín /Hospůdka u Bednářů/, Chynín /Kočkino/, Vysoká u Mělníka /Evangelická fara/, Veselí nad Moravou /Kino Morava/, Polička /Theatre Club/ – screening of Arctic films (until 22/12)

Preparing a documentary on the Arctic by the Czech Television (financed by CZ TV)

The following artists, ensembles and experts collaborate in the project:

• The music group Už jsme doma /UJD/ (Already at Home), which has been performing in more than 40 countries on almost every continent, is consideredto be absolutely unique and yet essentially Czech, and is therefore rewarded with the admiration and interest in the whole world; in 2018, the group issued a new CD called Floes, which was launched in Svalbard;Poet, composer, musician and pedagogue Miroslav Wanek, who had been teaching for 8 years at Tomáš Baťa University and for 4 years at FAMU (music dramaturgy in animated film); he was nominated for the Czech Lion for Music and is one of the co-creators of the puppet series Rats; for more than 30 years he has been UJD frontman;The theatre group Buchty a loutky (Cakes and Puppets), a renowned ensemble of actors and puppeteers who follow the world-famous Czech puppet tradition and present absolutely modern and original performances for both children and adults; a special guest, Stefan Lindal Theofilakis, sings with the group in Norwegian;Painter Martin Velíšek, an artist with an unmistakable style, the disciple of Professor Libenský, awarded by three Czech Lions for art film, illustrator of many books (the most famous are the
• illustrations of Grandmother, Greenlandic myths and legends and the cycle of drawings called Skiers); his work is represented in many galleries, not only in the Czech Republic but also in Japan and the USA;Painter Luboš Drtina with his illustrations to the Czech translation of the Saami fairy-tales and legends published by the Argo Publishers in 2008;Artists Dana Elsterová, Anežka Podzemská and Anna Leschingerová, graduates from the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague, nowadays acting at UMPRUM, Department of Textile Production;Translator from the Nordic languages and expert on the Arctic Zdeněk Lyčka, graduate from the Technical University in Ostrava and Charles University in Prague, former Director of the Czech Centre in Stockholm and Czech Ambassador to Denmark, today acting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic;Tomáš Machula, Rector, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice;Hana Šantrůčková, Dean of the Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia;
• Scientist Josef Elster, graduate of the Agricultural College in České Budějovice, Head and founder of the Centre for Polar Ecology (CPE) at the Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, founder of the Czech Arctic Scientific Infrastructure “Josef Svoboda Station“ in Svalbard, a representative of the Czech Republic at the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and at the University of the Arctic (UArctic);
• Jan Dusík, Principal Adviser, Strategic Engagement for the Arctic and Antarctic, United Nations Environment Programme /UN Environment/)
• Charles University in Prague, Archa Theatre, Nordic Film Club, Lucerna, Evald Cinema, Ponrepo Cinema, Municipal Library of Prague, Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Horká Vana Club in České Budějovice, Květen Cinema in Teplice, Argo Publishers, Dauphin Publishers, Scandinavian House, Czech Centres, Music Club Hvjezda in Teplice, Music Club Velbloud in ČB, Europa House Gallery in Pilsen, Embassy of Norway in Prague, Embassy of Canada in Prague, Embassy of Denmark in Prague, Embassy of Finland in Prague, Honorary Consulate of Iceland in Prague, Austrian Cultural Forum in Prague;
• Scientists and pedagogues: Harald Ellingsen (UNIS), Kim Holmén (Norwegian Polar Institute), Pål Wilter Skedsmo (Fridtjof Nansen Institute), Naja Mikkelsen (GEUS Copenhagen), Stanislav Chládek (USA), Vladimír Balaš (Charles University, Prague), Adam Kočí (Ostrava University), Oleg Ditrich, Václav Pavel, Marie Šabacká, Alexandra Bernardová (all from CPE, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice), Barbora Padrtová, Daniel Nývlt (both from Masaryk University, Brno), Daniel Freitinger (evangelic pastor);
• Norwegian writer Monica Kristensen;
• Svalbard artist Bjørn Anders Nymoen and his music group KAPP MITRA;
• Saami musician Torgeir Vassvik and his music group VASSVIK;
• Inuit artist and writer HIVSHU;
• Martin Ryba, Jitka Bažantová, Jakub Mráček (Society of Friends of Julius Payer);
• Eva Klášterková (Regional Museum in Teplice)
• Grants Department, University of South Bohemia, Renata Krinesová, Lenka Březinová;
• Web, University of South Bohemia, Eva Myšková, Marek Brož
• scientific conference coordinator Jitka Lášková

Financing:

The Festival is being realized thanks to the financial support of the Fund for Bilateral Relations within the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021 (20.000 EUR).