ELEVEN ‘international changemakers’ from Coventry have been chosen to strengthen the city’s creative global links digitally in a new City of Culture project.
Digital projects range from an interactive game exploring the River Sherbourne in Coventry and the Atuel River in Argentina to a radio story-telling project linking Jewish communities in Coventry and Uzbekistan.
Another ambitious scheme aims to link creatives in Coventry’s 27 twin cities via an online platform.
Coventry City of Culture Trust has teamed up with the British Council to choose 11 individuals from the city to create and develop these projects as part of the International Changemakers Digital Collaboration Bursary.
They are: Ben Cook, Dr Seyedeh Naseriniaki, Melissandre Varin, Jennifer Verson, Tarla Patel, Lou Sarabadzic, Nor Aziz, Rozeann Navab, Chaitrali Chitre, Lucy Tomlins and Dom Breadmore, at the Ludic Rooms.
Coventry City of Culture Trust’s creative director Chenine Bhathena said: “The International Changemakers Digital Collaboration Bursary was inspired by the city’s pioneering activism after World War Two, which resulted in the creation of the twin city movement.
“This initiative strengthens our longstanding role as city of collaboration and friendship.
“We wanted projects that built on the city’s international identity. So, we are really excited by the 11 local changemakers we have chosen and their plans to create new global creative connections for the city.
“The past year has been difficult for everyone and we have all, undoubtedly, missed having human contact but what this project underlines, is how we can use digital technology to bring people from all over the world together.”
Bursaries of up to £4,000 were made available for new or existing projects demonstrating how the changemakers could bring global communities together digitally for a shared international goal.
Ideas needed to be based around Coventry City of Culture Trust’s 12 themes: Welcome; Sanctuary; Harmony; Freedom; Peace; Utopia; Coventry in the World; Light; Being Human; Hope; Amazing Women; and Green Futures.
Ellen Berry, the British Council’s director for England and Cities, said: “The bursary will support established and emerging changemakers from across Coventry build lasting connections around the world through the lens of arts, culture and digital collaboration.
“We look forward to seeing these projects realised, supporting Coventry’s international ambitions and showcasing the city’s cultural offer on a global stage.”
