The hills of change

The project aims to celebrate the natural beauty and cultural heritage of both cities through music and visual arts, promoting international artistic collaboration and cultural exchange. Both cities are surrounded by hills that serve as sources of inspiration for their residents and artists. However, the poetic romanticism shaped by the “hills” of Iași contrasts with the untamed naturalism of the Oslo fjords.
Norwegian composers will draw inspiration from the landscapes of Iași and three paintings from the renowned Romanian painter Felix Aftene`s collection on this theme. Meanwhile, Romanian composers will be inspired by Oslo`s landscapes and four commissioned paintings created by a Norwegian artist. Each composer will create a movement inspired by these paintings, synthesizing the nuances of the artworks into their musical language.
The composition, The Hills of Change, will be presented free to the public in two performances: one in Oslo, Norway, and the other in Iași, Romania.
The project also aims to promote both international artistic collaboration and audience development. The artistic process will be enriched through exchanges of experiences between composers and painters, exploring the connection between visual art and music.
Additionally, the project seeks to enhance the professional skills of three employees from the promoter organization through exchanges and job-shadowing sessions facilitated by the Norwegian partner. This will help improve the competencies of the professionals involved and promote sustainability in cultural management.
The bilateral co-production, carried out by the Creative Industries Association in partnership with DAC Music Performance (Norway), The Hills of Change, aims to attract over 700 spectators to the performances in Iași and Oslo. It will also provide international visibility to the 43 artists involved from Romania and Norway, including composers, painters, instrumentalists, and conductors.
The collaboration with the Norwegian partner DAC Music Performance and the involvement of trainers specializing in sustainability will contribute to strengthening bilateral relations, transferring knowledge, and sharing best practices. Thus, the project not only promotes culture but also establishes sustainable models for artistic collaboration.