2b » wisla.art.pl » the idea

Wisła (Vistula). A river that is alive, dynamic and friendly to people. One which is visited, which is an important part of the town’s life, connecting both river banks and hopefully improving the image of the right side district of Praga. Connecting the river with the city, by making use of the existing links: the bridges. Animating post-industrial empty spaces. Art in innovative places. Public dialogue.

We want to reintroduce the river to the city. Our aim is to bring tourists and the local community to the river bank and awaken their interest for cultural events held in abandoned public spaces. Animating those spaces will make them attractive also to institutions which are responsible for planning and social policies. To organize a series of cultural events on both banks of the river. To develop in Warsaw the understanding for and strengthening of the inter-relations between art and society. To explore new values, link international with local, and encourage long term results and changes in city policies and planning.

To bring people to the river banks and related areas. To build the audience’s interest in participating in cultural events in public spaces. To animate neglected areas, making them attractive for both development and public exchange. To increase will for investment in these parts of city. To draw international attention to Warsaw as a River City. 
 

This idea led us to found in 2006 the www.wisla.art.pl Platform – it has been created by a group of organizations implementing cultural projects of the Summer Cultural Season on Wisła River, i.e.:
Federacja Niezależnych Twórców Filmowych (The Federation of Independent Filmmakers) 
Stowarzyszenie Makata (Makata Association)
Fundacja Mosty na Rzece (Bridges over the River Foundation)
Rzymskokatolicka Parafia Świętej Trójcy (Catholic Parish of Saint Trinity) 
and Stowarzyszenie STEP (STEP Association).

We wish to advocate more effectively for our activities and ideas that stands behind them. Each organisation has a bit different program and realises diverse types of events, whereas our common aim is the same – to bring Wisła river back to Warsaw.

Wisła river is a true treasure for the city of Warsaw but it has been quite effectively hidden from the sight of both tourists and inhabitants. We want to prove that the river with its banks and bridges is a wonderful space for promoting art and culture. Each wisla.art.pl project is produced by artists operating in various media and it reveals to the audience an unexpected, often forgotten spot close to river.