Final report of the project for sponsors, partners and supporters

Quite an extensive report, I know, but just in case some of you are interested in knowing more about the project and its implementation and if not...just skip it!

1. Development of the project

After months of intensive coordination between the project initiator, the local coordinator, the artistic and pedagogic team and local institutions (for complete list see annex 1), the project unfolded successfully in Bucharest on August 3rd and thereafter. For six hours a day and for five weeks,110 young people, between 8 and 22 years of age, rehearsed Stravinsky´s "The Firebird” at the sports hall of I.L. Caragiale National College, which its director had offered as the location for the rehearsals.
The participating young people had been selected from a variety of institutions in Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu and Ploiesti: They came from children´s homes, placement centres, a school for the hearing impaired, a day care centre for youngsters with special needs, and also from regular high schools such as Liceul Caragiale or Liceul Ghibu in Sibiu. The municipality of Bucharest´s sector 2 provided lodging during the entire project for 30 participants coming from outside Bucharest in its "Neghinita" boarding school for the blind. However, feeding these participants was the responsibility of the organizers. Similarly, it was part of the project logistics to provide transportation for all participants to and from the rehearsals as well as snacks, drinks and a warm meal for all participants during and after the strenuous rehearsals.
On September 5th the youngsters performed the "Firebird" in the grand auditorium of the National Theatre in Bucharest and on Sept. 8th at the Sibiu Casa de Cultura a Sindicatelor in front of 1.000 and 700 spectators respectively.

2. Results of the project

2.1. The intensive rehearsals and the performances gave the participating youngsters a unique chance to explore their creative potential and to discover the value of self-discipline and collective effort. These young people who had no experience of classical music or dance proved able to put on stage a very sophisticated performance of high artistic quality in the country´s most prestigious theatre as a special event in the framework of Romania´s major bi-annual cultural event, the George Enescu Festival.

2.2. The audiences received the performances with standing and long, enthusiastic applause. Ion Caramitru, the National Theatre´s General Director, told the project´s initiator Monique Gruber that he had never seen so many spectators leaving his theatre in tears and in silence after a performance. Conductor Horia Andreescu said he could not believe that the youngsters performing the main roles in the ballet were not professional dancers.

2.3. Romanian and German media reported widely on the "Firebird" project and the two performances:
- news agencies: Agerpres, Mediafax, News In
- newspapers: Adevarul, Cotidianul, Jurnalul National, Romania Libera, Cariere,
Observatorul Cultural, Turnul Sfatului
- radio stations: Romania Actualitati, Romania Cultural, Deutsche Welle,
Deutschlandfunk, SWR
- TV stations: TVR1, TVR2, TVR Cultural, Money Channel
- websites: www.hotnews.ro, http://tanznetz.de, http://www.thechronicle.ro

All media reports and commentaries were most positive and unanimous in commending the project as a successful demonstration of how young people from underprivileged backgrounds can be trained and motivated to achieve an impressive collective performance and to attain a high professional standard (for an overview of media reports see annex 2).

2.4. The initiator and organizers of the "Firebird " project wish it to trigger a broadening interest in Romania for the concept of "community dance" and to encourage Romanian organizations to realize similar follow-on projects. It is hoped that the positive media reaction to the "Firebird" as well as the documentary film which is in preparation will contribute to making Romanian educators and public institutions aware of the value of this concept and motivate them to explore its potential to integrate marginalized young people into society.

3. Sponsors, partners, budget, volunteers

The realisation of the "Firebird" project would not have been possible without the generous support of many sponsors and partners (for a complete list see annex 3).
A number of major firms operating in Romania made significant cash contributions. Individuals equally made donations via the German charitable association "Jungen Rumänen eine Chance!".
In addition to this financial support, which totalled 98.000,- Euro, the project also benefited from significant contributions in kind or services, such as the provision of transport facilities, legal advice, food or catering. While it is difficult to put a price tag on these contributions in kind, their value can be estimated to add up to about an additional 65.000,- euro.
The financial contributions were used to pay the costs (emoluments, travel expenses and lodging) of the artistic and pedagogic team that trained and took care of the youngsters; for the preparation and organization of rehearsals and performances; for food and lodging of the participants, in particular during the trip to Sibiu. A break-down of the major expenditures is attached as annex 4.
Attention was drawn to the names and logos on all written (posters, flyers and programmes, press releases) and electronic PR material made available for journalists and the public. The project website www.pasareadefoc.ro and the initiator´s blog http://www.dance-with-us.blogspot.com - which enjoyed significant numbers of visitors - also listed sponsors and partners prominently.


Sponsors´ and partners´ logos were also displayed visibly on spiders at the venue of the two performances.
During press conferences, interviews and all contacts with the media the project initiator and organizers expressed their appreciation for the support of sponsors and partners. A TV interview broadcast by "Money Channel" on September 11 was used by the initiator to speak at some length about the sponsors´ and partners´ contribution and to express her gratitude for their demonstrating their sense of corporate social responsibility by supporting the project.
A significant number of volunteers - from Germany, Great Britain and Romania - was also involved in making the project a success (their names are listed in annex 1).They ensured a smooth unfolding of the project. In their respective roles and positions, e.g. as sound engineer, educators, costume tailors, organizers of drawing sessions or a percussion workshop, they contributed significantly to the dancers´energy and enthusiasm thanks to their benevolent dedication and commitment.

4. Overall assessment

According to the judgment of all observers the "Firebird" project left a significant impact on the young participants. Some of them expressed how valuable the experience had been for them on the initiator´s blog http://www.dance-with-us.blogspot.com. They acknowledged that taking part in this project was a unique experience in their lives and affected profoundly their self-perception and their attitude towards their peers and fellow human beings.
Dan, Ionel and Monica´s reactions reflect quite well the project´s impact on the young "artists".
Dan, age 22: "I am a youngster from Bucharest, living on the street; participating in this project gives me the feeling that the Firebird´s tale is becoming reality..."
Ionel, age 17: "This project means a lot to me because I do not have anybody; and here I have found a family, brothers and friends. It teaches me how to get prepared for life. I am very proud of what I am doing and happy to have a role. I would appreciate if I could get some support to carry on this project. Many thanks to all those who have put so much effort in this project."
Monica, age 17: „I never thought we could give the best out of us. Dance has taught us what it means to work hard to achieve what we really want. It has changed us a lot, especially our behaviour. We have gained self confidence. By dancing in front of such a large public, we have proved that we are capable, we have achieved that the public be proud of us instead of rejecting us because we are from a children´s home and therefore naughts. We are not any different that anybody else and we too have our qualities. With thanks and respect".
The public witnessed at first hand that youngsters who have grown up at the margins of society have the energy and are indeed capable - if and when duly motivated and trained - of performing a major piece of art at an amazing level of excellence.
Romanian organizations and institutions are now called upon to carry forward the "Firebird"´s message in follow-on projects.