The Kamerton’s Plethora of Voices

Multiplicity and informational saturation were the most significant features of the Ukrainian-Swiss Days of Culture under the general name of Kamerton [tuning fork] which were concluded recently in Kyiv. This became a debut of sorts for the Swiss Pro Helvetia Cultural Foundation as an organizer of such a large-scale event; at least, it was the first time that they were held in Ukrainian capital with such a solid form and with wide publicity. All this became possible thanks to the Swiss Parliament’s recent decision on the targeted financing of cultural programs in Eastern Europe.

Rather hefty, as it occurs, funds have made it possible for Pro Helvetia to open its antenne (local department) in Ukraine and to encourage a number of art projects. Kamerton demonstrated the results of this cooperation, such as the Blues Poles action at the City N Gallery; the opening of Serhiy Mykhalchuk’s photo exhibition that was held jointly with a concert by Kyiv’s Blues Brothers. Among the significant events was also the Media Arts Festival dedicated to the fashionable subjects of video arts, DJ art, and computer design. Close in spirit to this festival was also the joint Swiss-Ukrainian multimedia project by Serhiy Bratkov and Olaf Breuning. A concert of the Chernivtsi Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Bened Irmasson and Iosef Sozansky was expecting the academic genre fans. The most attended during the Kamerton was, of course, the Kyiv Cinematographers’ House, a four day retrospective of contemporary Swiss films.

The Pro Helvetia Foundation’s Kyiv antenne plans to be especially active in 2001, and perhaps up to 2004. During this term many other one-time actions could be carried out and longer term projects begun. The affluent confederation can afford it.