At the end pf August, more precisely, on the 27 of August 2020, Koprivnica hosted the Opening festival. Since that day, Koprivnica has officially been devoted to music, because the initial conference of the SHARE MUSIC project was held on the premises of the City Administration as part of the Opening Festival.

This initial conference was held in a somewhat different manner – partners from the city of Heviz participated in the conference online. Namely, due to newly developed circumstances connected to COVID-19, the Hungarian partners were unable to arrive to Koprivnica and participate in the Opening festival activities in person. Alongside the Mayor Mišel Jakšić, the online initial conference included the Deputy Mayor of Heviz Jozsef Janos Kepli, the Head of European Affairs Section of the City of Koprivnica Maja Balaško Kiš, the members of the project team and the principal of Art School “Fortunat Pintarić” Ariana Šandl as well as the children / participants of activities. The Head of European Affairs Section of the City of Koprivnica Maja Balaško Kiš shortly introduced the project and activities which will be organized during the duration of the project. The conference was held in compliance with all epidemiological recommendations. 

During the day, all activities of the Opening festival were conducted. After the initial conference, a music workshop on traditional music and traditional instruments was held in Art School „Fortunat Pintarić“. The workshop started at 11 with the presentation of traditional instruments: aerophone, chordophone, membranophone and idiophone, all of which are characteristic for the area along the river Drava, from Međimurje, through Podravina and Slavonija, to Baranja. Ethnographic Alpine and Pannonian zones were presented. Participants / children from Croatia who took part in the workshop followed the presentations of traditional instruments, which were the forerunners of modern wind and string instruments, with great interest. The workshop was done with a video transmission for the partners in Hungary and was translated to English. 

The Opening Festival finished with a professional music and dance performances in the Synagogue – Dr. Krešimir Švarc Cultural Centre. The Hungarian partners had an opportunity to follow the performances via the City of Koprivnica YouTube Channel, which enabled the public to follow all events as well.    

In these unusual times, when we are separated, togetherness, even through the Internet connection, shows our strong resolve to maintain good relations between Croatia and Hungary and a strong commitment and desire to teach our young participants. We hope that we managed to convey a piece of Podravina musical culture and expression to all Hungarian partners, visitors to the Youtube channel, but also to the citizens who came to support our aspiring musicians in the Synagogue.

We aim to promote music among young people with all organized activities, to encourage creative work and thinking and provide opportunities for active participation in music because… Music is a universal language we all understand and feel. 

The photo gallery and video clips show parts of the atmosphere during the workshop and the final show.

“This event has been realized with the financial assistance of the European Union. The content of the document is the sole responsibility of City of Koprivnica and Municipality of Hévíz and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union and/or the Managing Authority.”