Not for fame and not for money.

Most culture professionals get involved in the international cultural cooperation projects primarily out of curiosity, to meet interesting colleagues and be inspired by them. They hope that getting to unknown places and immersing themselves into foreign cultural constellations has a stimulating effect on them. Professional development and professional challenges seem to be the main drivers.  There is something liberating and adrenaline-inducing in going across the border with your own work or, even more, going in order to create a new piece of work in unfamiliar circumstances, with a new set of collaborators. In the case of Black/North SEAS, an opportunity for immersion in a little known region around the Black Sea was a major pull factor. For cultural operators living and working in the places of the Black Sea region participation in the project offered a precious opportunity to strengthen their own position and visibility at home and reduce considerable cultural isolation through contacts and cooperation with peers from other corners of Europe.

Working in a nexus of various artistic disciplines was an additional attraction.

And the opportunity to connect creativity with urban revitalization processes mobilizes artists who seek some lasting positive change in their broader context and desire to contribute to the common good.