ExTra! Exchange Traditions

Aim of the project

The aim of ExTra! was to stimulate the exchange between different music traditions present in today's multicultural Europe. The main focus was the integration of musical traditions of immigrants and cultural minorities in Europe with those already existing in the European countries.

Objectives

  • Cultural dialogue between different musical traditions present in Europe today should be increased and enhanced. Cooperation between these traditions representing various cultures and minorities will be encouraged. Special attention was given to "cross fertilization" within different musical genres. Innovative compositions and unusual applications of old traditions with a special focus on the use of multimedia will be stimulated.
  • European cultural identity increased by actively involving the general public in the project. One region in Europe, considered highly active in the field of traditional music, could serve as a model for other regions where local and regional traditions are less well known. One aim was to transmit traditional music and to acknowledge the musical diversity in Europe.
  • Immigrants bring their own musical traditions to Europe; these should be identified, disseminated and protected in the same way as those autochthonous to Europe's national, regional and provincial communities.
  • The project "Extra! - Exchange traditions" intended to identify the music traditions that form a part of the day-to-day life of Eurpean citizens and of the minority cultures present. A research study included influences from traditions of other parts of the world. This research is a collection of essays underlining the unifying musical factor between peoples in Europe today which may be obtained through teaching, practise, promotion and exchange. A publication was published in Spring 2009.
  • The outcome of the project was to reach a high level of awareness and visibility in Europe and beyond using the international network of the European Music Council (Regional Group of the International Music Council) and through the networks of the project partners, making full use of new communication technologies.

The ExTra! cooperation partners were:

 

The ExTra! project came to an end.


Read the online report here!