#ArtBloomsInMay is the guiding theme for events taking place in our city from May 9th to 29th. Lublin, along with 12 European partners and 4 participating cities in the CreArt3.0 project, will create a creative space for artistic activities during this time.
Lublin's participation in this international initiative is an excellent opportunity to discover and strengthen the creativity of our residents, as well as to establish cooperation and exchange experiences. Participating in this project with several European cities and four partner organisations is very valuable for us, especially in the context of our efforts towards becoming the European Capital of Culture 2029, where collaboration and networking with other European countries are crucial - says Krzysztof Żuk, the Mayor of Lublin.
The activities are part of the "CreArt 3.0 #stringing_together" project. This is the third edition of the CreArt project, which has established a network of cities and public/private cultural institutions. Its aim is to support creative activities through the exchange of experiences and best practices, fostering collaboration among artistic communities from different countries and cultural traditions, and developing joint methods of educating different audience groups while establishing a permanent and professional system for artists' and curators' exchange and cooperation. The initiative is supported by the European Union under the Creative Europe Programme. In the 2024-2026 edition of CreArt 3.0, project partners alongside Lublin include Venice, Skopje, Kaunas, České Budějovice, and Oulu from Finland.
Each of the partner cities celebrates the European Month of Creativity by promoting young artists, and during this time, art leaves large cultural centers, galleries, and museums to inhabit unconventional and accessible spaces for everyone. We invite you to unleash your creativity, imagination, and action - says Beata Stepaniuk-Kuśmierzak, Deputy Mayor of Lublin for Culture, Sports, and Participation.
In Lublin, the Month of Creativity's offerings are divided into five thematic blocks called Cre-ACTIONS.
Within Cre-ACTION - exhibition, presentations by students from the Faculty of Arts of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University will be held at the former Lublin Tobacco Works Factory, a new address on our city's cultural map. Another exhibition will feature young female artists associated with the Labyrinth Gallery, taking place at the patio of the Józef Czechowicz Museum on Złota Street.
In the Cre-ACTION - theatre, workshops focusing on developing skills such as spontaneity, teamwork, quick response, and creativity of participants will be conducted. There will also be theater workshops combined with elements of music and dance, focusing on the practice of being "here and now."
Cre-ACTION - poetry is aimed at young poets, featuring a poetry slam where the audience decides the winner. There will also be opportunities to listen to performative readings with music and a concert of sung poetry.
Additionally, Cre-ACTION - circus showcases the creative potential of new circus art. Activities are directed towards people with disabilities, preschool groups, youth, and other interested individuals. Circus workshops and meetings will be located in various districts of the city, including youth urban spaces. There will also be a city game where answers to questions like "why is there a person on a tightrope above Grodzka Street?" or "what caused amazement and fear among passersby on Królewska Street?" will be discovered during the "About Circus and Jugglers in Lublin" walk. The event will feature a spectacle called "Circus Improvisations," a show for families co-created by the audience.
The programme of the Month of Creativity also includes creative industries. In Cre-ACTION - creative industries, we offer guided tours following the footsteps of craftsmen and creative creators. The path and mapping of these places are led by students of the WSPA in Lublin. Representatives from the creative sector can also attend a workshop to enhance professional competencies called "(not)Hand-Designed" and a training session on copyright.
Participation in all events is free of charge, but some require registration. Current information about the CreArt 3.0 project, including calls for artistic residencies in other European cities in the project and registration forms for organised events, can be found on the lublin.eu/creart website. In the coming months, residents can expect further initiatives under the project.
