NIMPE Initiative Project launch in Volos, Greece
During the first day, partners discussed about different ways to federate live music organizations in Europe, in order to better affect European policies and better being able to tackle the changes the market is encountering (digitalization, prominence of northern artists...).
Assomusica was represented by Vincenzo Spera, Project Manager , Paolo Varriale and Francesca Billi, Experts / Root Music LTD by Mr Jeremy Davies as the Project Manager / Drustvo Studentski kulturni center (SKUC) by Mr Miran Solinc, as the Project Manager / M.E.S.O. Music Events (MESO) was rpresented by Mr Georges Perot, Project Manager and Katerina Gnafaki while Den Selvejende Institution Swinging Europe (Swinging Europe) was rpresented by Mr Steen Norman Storm Mikkelsen, Project Manager and Mette Pilgaard Nielsen
Technopole Quimper-Cornuaille (Technopole) was represented by Rachel Portal- Sellin, Project Manager (via skype) and for 2 days, partners had the chance to meet discuss and develop the milestones to successfully implement NIMPE network.
Georges Perot, Greek representative of MESO and Kickoff project leader, welcomes the participants and gives an overview of the activities to be undertaken in the 2 days of work, as well as the connections and synergies with the Volume Showcase Festival that was going to be held in the same venue during the forthcoming days: the first official occasion of networking and cooperation amongst NIME and an innovative Greek live music Festival, as well as the hosting Municipality.
Vincenzo Spera, Assomusica Project Leader, welcomes the partnerships as well and describes the importance of NIMPE, that can be considered a pilot project for the assessment of a strategy to be implemented at a wider EU level in the forthcoming years thanks as well to the synergies with ELMA, the European Live Music Association http://www.elmnet.org
During the second session of the debate, partners analyzed how NIMPE project could directly improve the quality of young professionals’ exposure to international activities and markets.
A specific focus was given on the final purposes of the networking activity, underlining the need to catch each and single networking opportunity the partnership has, at national and international level, in order to create synergies and maximize the sustainable impact of collaboration.
Volume showcase festival
In addition to the kickoff meetings, NIMPE parnters also inaugurated a first international partnership with Volos Municipality and the organizers of the Volume Showcase festival, a two-day conference that included a thematic program with panel discussions, presentations of best practices and workshops with coaching and mentoring sessions.
For the first time in Greece, and in a first attempt to start a real debate and encourage maximum knowledge exchange, Volume Showcase Festival 1st edition focused on the present and the future of live music sector in Eastern, Central and Southern Europe, the challenges for young Greek talents or professionals who seek to perform abroad and the actions that need to be taken in order to increase greater understanding and cooperation between European music networks.
Evening concerts with unexpected outputs!
Amongst the European guest were presents NIMPE partners, Mr. Vincenzo Spera, Chairman of Assomusica the association of Italian music producer and legendary producer of Due Mila Grandi Eventi, representatives of European Jazz Orchestra (Swinging Europe- Denmark) and Root Music (UK), but also partners from other European networks such as Mr. Marton Naray (Nouvelle Prague & Czech Music Office –Czech), Mr. Michal Wojcik (Krakow Music Foundation & Tak BRzmi Miasto Showcase Festival - Poland) and Mr. Zsolt Jeges from Take Berlin Promotion (Lollapalooza partners, Ozora, Rock for People, Sziget etc.).
On behalf of Greek Music professionals were presents Ms Daphne Stefanidis (DS events), Ms. Lida Romani (Eleftheria Arvanitaki), Michael Tsepelis (Rock Madness), Georges Perot (MESO Music Events – Hellenic Music Day Network) and artists/musicians Leonidas Balafas Leonidias Balafas, Panagiotis Melidis (Larry Gus), Fotis Siotas & Kostas Pantelis (Sancho 003), Petros Malamas (Petros Malamas), The Noise Figures and several others.
Volume Showcase Festival aims to connect local managers, producers, creators, performers and musicians with renowned producers, artists, managers and promoters from Greece and abroad through discussions, coaching mentoring sessions and speed networking. Besides NIMPE project and partners has been officially presented to the local institutions, stakeholders and artists during the Volume Music Showcase Conference, held in the historical edifice of the Tsalapatas Cultural Centre of Volos.
Given the interest risen around NIMPE project, and the availability demonstrated both by Volos Municipality and the Volume Showcase organizers, a follow up of the project will be made and both the institution and the Festival will keep on cooperating with NIMPE, in the networking and dissemination activity.
Cultural Heritage
Visit to the Rooftile and Brickworks Museum N. & S. Tsalapatas, hosted in the same cultural centre the kick off and Volume Conference was held. The Museum presents daily life in the factory, as well as all the production stages of different types of bricks and tiles. Its objective is to showcase the historical identity of the town of Volos and to contribute to the preservation and promotion of its industrial heritage.
And of course, some delicate (!) tasting of local gastronomy, drinks and philoxenia!
