Turku 2011 - Suvi Innila - Productivity of Culture

Turku 2011 - Suvi Innila

Abstract

I will make an overall presentation of Turku's plans as the European Capital of Culture - the key points will be the main objectives of Turku 2011:

Improving the creative economics and increasing the well-being.
And of course the long-term impacts being the ultimate goal in everything we do.

More information about Turku 2011 plans: www.turku2011.fi

Turku was selected as Finland's candidate for the European Capital 2011 in summer 2006 after a national competition between seven cities. The official nomination of the EU Council of Ministers is expected in November 2007.

Turku 2011 is more than merely one year. It's a process which aims at increasing well-being as well as improving the creative economy. Turku 2011 strategy and plans are presented in the bidding document for the European Capital of Culture title, 'Turku on Fire'. They are based on the work of thousands of people from different age, language and professional groups.
Besides wide participation, one of the main elements of the Turku 2011 is wide understanding of culture. Turku 2011 is also based on encounters - creativeness, new ideas and innovations are born through new combinations and dialogue.

Turku 2011

(Note: When Suvi Innila made the presentation at the ECCM Symposium, the status in October 2007 was just prior to official approval.)

The two capitals of culture for 2011 will be nominated from Finland and Estonia (Tallin).

Seven Finnish cities applied for the nomination.

Minister of Culture, Tanja Saarela, chose Turku as Finland’s candidate in June, 2006.

Finland made the official proposal to EU in Dec / 2006.

Presentation to the EU panel on the 4th June, 2007.

EU’s official nomination expected on 16th Nov, 2007.

Turku

Aims of the program Turku 2011:

Well-being

Creative industries and cultural export

Internationality

These aims shall be realized by a strategy taking the city beyond 2011 till 2016 as first planning horizon.

The realization requires two specific types of cooperation:

1. National Cooperation:

Presents the Finnish culture as well as innovation and welfare society to the rest of Europe and the world.

Forum of the Finnish Cultural Cities, created by the 7 applicant cities -> supporting Turku 2011, national cultural policy making and the local development processes

All the Finnish ministries are involved in the co-operation -> Turku 2011 working group appointed by the government

2. International Cooperation - Baltic Sea - European Cultural Sea

Turku and Tallinn form a strong couple for 2011:co-operation in cultural projects, tourism and marketing.
Turku has wide networks in the Baltic area e.g. through the universities.
Long relations to e.g. St. Petersburg and Stockholm

To realize this there are required following operational entities

Development of Prerequisites

Infrastructural Projects

To that have to be added long-term development projects. This includes the identification and promotion of so-called distinct entities such as

Cultural quarters

It means going through Turku to discover hidden but wonderful places, niches of daily life expressing in a simple but equally complex way cultural life of the city.

It will have to bring about as well use new spaces e.g. Congress and Music House

and allow for new and bold architectural designs to give to the city further inspiration like the new main library.

Long-term Development Projects

will include the development of a centre of creative industries in order to further among many other things as well cultural export.

For that is needed the improvement of support service needed for event production e.g. film festival.

All this can only be realized in cooperation with the private sector, business and independent institutions. This calls for the creation of a so-called 'laboratory of business life and culture'.

Of equal importance is the promotion of such research and service entity which relates to the key concept of 'cultural well-being'.

ECOC Programme for 2011 entails following things:

Open call for ideas and project proposals in autumn
2005 è over 500 proposals for the bid

The bidding document presents 35 projects as examples

Project guidelines and criteria -> autumn 2007

New open call for project proposals -> autumn 2007

First contracts between Turku 2011 Foundation and the organisations with main responsibility -> early 2008

Four thematic ideas shall give shape to the programme throughout 2011: