Floating EKA Foundation
Annual Report
Floating EKA Foundation was established to develop the good-neighbourliness of countries around the Baltic Sea and beyond. And despite all the horrifying events of the astonishing war that unfolded in Ukraine in 2022, we strongly decided to carry on with our projects and our mission no matter what.
It may seem that there is no place for art in such hard times. But throughout history, people have used art as a form of self-expression, reflecting on their lives and their surroundings. Art is constantly changing and evolving along with history. It can help heal the wounds and inspire "meaningful thinking". Art helps alleviate people's suffering and find strength to overcome dark times. That is why we keep on doing what we believe in and hope that peace and art will come to every house.
It may seem that there is no place for art in such hard times. But throughout history, people have used art as a form of self-expression, reflecting on their lives and their surroundings. Art is constantly changing and evolving along with history. It can help heal the wounds and inspire "meaningful thinking". Art helps alleviate people's suffering and find strength to overcome dark times. That is why we keep on doing what we believe in and hope that peace and art will come to every house.
Disclosure
2022 brought a lot of uncertainty. As a Russian citizen, I felt lost and did not know how to find the ground under my feet. As a cultural initiative, we also did not know what our next steps should be in that new reality. Floating EKA became a ground for me and for the team. We couldn't stop the war, but we could carry on working.
We thought that giving people a sense of community and the feeling that they were not alone was more important than ever. We decided to continue working on the Common Water project, a project about exploring local communities around the Baltics that we had been working on since 2020. We decided to keep doing art, stay open, and continue the dialogue as long as at least one person needed our voice. Art is a strong power that connects people and helps us stay humane despite any unfolding events.
In times of conflict, the voices of those affected, directly or indirectly, are becoming very important. Impressions and stories of soldiers, volunteers, refugees, and those who do not remain silent inspired us for Sąsiedzi.Сусіди.Суседзі.Соседи. (Neighbours), a project exploring what it means to stay neighbours when being them has become disastrous. Together with four theatre troupes from Ukraine, Poland, Belarus, and Russia, we decided to look into the multifaceted nature of neighbourhood relations through documentary theatre. Soon we will enjoy the premier of the first play.
We thought that giving people a sense of community and the feeling that they were not alone was more important than ever. We decided to continue working on the Common Water project, a project about exploring local communities around the Baltics that we had been working on since 2020. We decided to keep doing art, stay open, and continue the dialogue as long as at least one person needed our voice. Art is a strong power that connects people and helps us stay humane despite any unfolding events.
In times of conflict, the voices of those affected, directly or indirectly, are becoming very important. Impressions and stories of soldiers, volunteers, refugees, and those who do not remain silent inspired us for Sąsiedzi.Сусіди.Суседзі.Соседи. (Neighbours), a project exploring what it means to stay neighbours when being them has become disastrous. Together with four theatre troupes from Ukraine, Poland, Belarus, and Russia, we decided to look into the multifaceted nature of neighbourhood relations through documentary theatre. Soon we will enjoy the premier of the first play.
Chairperson’s
statement
I want to thank the Floating EKA team, volunteers, and partners who went through 2022 together with us. I admire you all. Today, the existence of Floating EKA is crucial.
I would also like to thank the German Federal Foreign Office and the European Cultural Foundation for supporting our projects. We wholeheartedly appreciate your contribution.
I would also like to thank the German Federal Foreign Office and the European Cultural Foundation for supporting our projects. We wholeheartedly appreciate your contribution.
Olesya Radilovа
Floating EKA's Development Director
Floating EKA's Development Director
With warm wishes and hope for peace,
Our projects
Common Water is an interdisciplinary art project connecting cultural actors and local communities of waterfront towns around the Baltic Sea. The aim of the project is to research the common cultural identity of people living around the Baltic Sea and discuss how we can address social, cultural, and environmental challenges together.
The Floating EKA team had been working on the design of the project since 2020. In 2022, it became a reality. We ran 3 art laboratories in 3 countries, connected artists, and tried to start a discussion of the things that unite us and things that make us different.
Project partners: The HUB (Berlin), Waterfront (St. Petersburg), Goyki 3 Art Incubator (Sopot), CUMY Foundation (Gdansk).
Photos by David Diwiak and Michał Szymończyk.
Photos by David Diwiak and Michał Szymończyk.
Check out the Common Water multimedia platform
The project is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office in the framework of the Eastern Partnership program.
Common
Water
Floating EKA hosted the first Common Water art laboratory in Sopot, Poland. It started with a discussion about the Baltic Sea and the current ecological situation hosted by fantastic artists Jacek Wielebski and Blanka Byrwa.
Together with the artists, people from the local community explored the coast and collected plastic waste. On the second day of the workshop the participants created amber out of pine resin and plastic pieces found on the beach. Those amber pieces became parts of an installation that is now presented at Goyki 3 Art Incubator.
Together with the artists, people from the local community explored the coast and collected plastic waste. On the second day of the workshop the participants created amber out of pine resin and plastic pieces found on the beach. Those amber pieces became parts of an installation that is now presented at Goyki 3 Art Incubator.
Common Water
in Poland:
About Baltic and plastic
Photos by Michał Szymończyk
You can find the installation here
Floating EKA hosted the first Common Water art laboratory in Sopot, Poland. It started with a discussion about the Baltic Sea and the current ecological situation hosted by fantastic artists Jacek Wielebski and Blanka Byrwa.
Together with the artists, people from the local community explored the coast and collected plastic waste. On the second day of the workshop the participants created amber out of pine resin and plastic pieces found on the beach. Those amber pieces became parts of an installation that is now presented at Goyki 3 Art Incubator.
Together with the artists, people from the local community explored the coast and collected plastic waste. On the second day of the workshop the participants created amber out of pine resin and plastic pieces found on the beach. Those amber pieces became parts of an installation that is now presented at Goyki 3 Art Incubator.
Common Water
in Poland:
About Baltic and plastic
Photos by Michał Szymończyk
You can find the installation here
Common Water
in Poland:
About Baltic and plastic
Designer from Koszalin, Poland. Blanka runs the BBAD design studio, which works with service premises, specialising in steel structures and furniture. Blanka received awards in the Architektura Murator competitions “Mieszkanie Młodego Architekta” and “The Minimum” during the Łódź Design Festival. Her recycled furniture work CHODNICZEK was awarded a prize in the 2018 ELLE Decoration competition “Młodzi na Start”. Blanka is also a co-founder and president of the CUMY foundation, initiator and organiser of the Shipyard Project and Bioplastik is Fantastik workshops, and curator of Glony at Gdynia Design Days.
Born in 1987 in Gdynia, Poland. Visual artist, graphic designer, illustrator, muralist, curator, city activist, co-founder and head designer of the Traffic Design Association since its inception. In 2010, he graduated with a degree in graphic design from the Fine Arts Academy in Gdańsk. He developed projects on the subjects of public space, signage, spatial design and revitalisation. Along with Traffic Design, he has received awards from TUP (Association of Polish Urban Planners), STGU (Association of Polish Graphic Designers), DesignAlive and KTR (Ad Creators’ Club).
Choreographer and dancer with more than 20 years of experience, focusing on folk and club dance. Soloist of the Siberian Folk Ensemble Uzorochye (2010–2014); house dance teacher at ITMO University (2019–2021). Active participant in numerous European street dance festivals.
Art historian and curator with a main focus on urban contemporary art in post-Soviet and post-industrial countries. Member of Artmosphere, an art association that manages the international street art biennial in Moscow. Works closely with Polish, Czech, German, and Russian art and culture institutions as an expert, project manager, and lecturer. Author and contributor to a series of publications about the street art scene.
Blanka Byrwa
artist
Jacek Wielebski
artist
Daria Zhmach
artist
Alexandra Krolikova
curator
Jacek Wielebski
artist
Daria Zhmach
artist
Alexandra Krolikova
curator
Blanka Byrwa
artist
The idea of a theatre project called “Sąsiedzi.Сусіди.Суседзі.Соседи." (Neighbours) was inspired by the events happening in Belarus in 2020-2021. Because of the tragic events that unfolded on the 24th of February, we made a decision to unite creative teams from four countries — Ukraine, Poland, Belarus, and Russia — and with the means of documentary theatre talk about what it means to be neighbours when the war and political repressions affect our lives.
Teams consisting of two people — a director and a playwright – chose the topics they were going to work on and started gathering the documentary material for writing their plays.
Floating EKA had monthly Zoom meetings with the teams and the anthropology experts who actively studied the topic of neighbourhoods and discussed the ideas for each of the plays, shared opinions, and helped each other find the right contacts.
A series of offline presentations of the plays are scheduled for the end of February / the beginning of March 2023. In March/April the video recordings of the plays will be available online.
Teams consisting of two people — a director and a playwright – chose the topics they were going to work on and started gathering the documentary material for writing their plays.
Floating EKA had monthly Zoom meetings with the teams and the anthropology experts who actively studied the topic of neighbourhoods and discussed the ideas for each of the plays, shared opinions, and helped each other find the right contacts.
A series of offline presentations of the plays are scheduled for the end of February / the beginning of March 2023. In March/April the video recordings of the plays will be available online.
Соседи.
Суседзі.
Сусіди.
Sąsiedzi.
What our
supporters say
I’m happy that you were able to do the Common Water project. It really makes a difference for so many people, to be able to process what they have been forced to go through in their lives. I’m happy to be able to support such great work!
Floating EKA is run by volunteers who are passionate about the cause and motivated by a desire to make a meaningful difference in the world. Floating EKA has a highly innovative and creative approach to solving problems. They employ novel approaches to tackling complex issues, and they are often nimble and responsive in the face of changing circumstances.
Mikita Makayou
Floating EKA Board Member, Portugal
Floating EKA Board Member, Portugal
Nina Karmelitow
participant of the Common Water workshops in Poland, Floating EKA Patron, Sweden
participant of the Common Water workshops in Poland, Floating EKA Patron, Sweden
In a day and age when compassion, unity, and art are sorely needed among humankind - I'm grateful and inspired to see Floating EKA grow. We live in troubled times every inkling of joy in the voices of our fellow people is an expression of greater times to come. I can't wait to see the good Floating EKA foundation continues to do in its evolution and mission.
Marty Orfila
Floating EKA Patron, USA
Floating EKA Patron, USA
I was honoured to be invited to participate in the work of Floating EKA. I have been following the progress of your work over the years since your inception and was delighted to make a small contribution in those early days. Since then Floating EKA has blossomed to become an international platform for projects and debate: often in the most difficult of circumstances.
The project focused on waterfront development is very close to my heart: the case study of Govan's Graving docks forming the heart of my own PHD study so it was hugely beneficial for me to be able to both share my own work and learn from the experiences of others.
My experience of participating was excellent: a warm, collegiate atmosphere and the opportunity to meet exceptional colleagues from other cities.
Thanks so much for including me and I look forward to following you in your next stages of growth and development.
The project focused on waterfront development is very close to my heart: the case study of Govan's Graving docks forming the heart of my own PHD study so it was hugely beneficial for me to be able to both share my own work and learn from the experiences of others.
My experience of participating was excellent: a warm, collegiate atmosphere and the opportunity to meet exceptional colleagues from other cities.
Thanks so much for including me and I look forward to following you in your next stages of growth and development.
Liz Gardiner
participant of the Common Water project, UK
participant of the Common Water project, UK
Art and culture help promote understanding and empathy between people from different backgrounds and perspectives. By facilitating interactions between artists, cultural organisations, and communities, we can promote cross-cultural dialogue and understanding, and help build bridges of communication and trust. This is what Floating EKA is doing through projects such as Sasiedzi.
Therefore, it is more than ever important to keep on working, especially in unstable times, because the communities feel more divided and less connected. Art and cultural initiatives that involve and engage communities to help bring people together, promote social cohesion, and strengthen community ties. Floating EKA , through its initiatives, provides a platform for people to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a creative and constructive way. It is especially important during times of social and political unrest, where people may feel silenced or marginalised at times.
Floating EKA, like many other cultural organisations, has faced significant challenges in those days: decreased funding, restricted mobility, and limited opportunities for collaboration. By creating productive relationships and partnerships, we can help support and strengthen the cultural sector, and ensure that it continues to thrive - this is what I wish for Floating EKA; meaningful partnerships and collaborations in the future.
Therefore, it is more than ever important to keep on working, especially in unstable times, because the communities feel more divided and less connected. Art and cultural initiatives that involve and engage communities to help bring people together, promote social cohesion, and strengthen community ties. Floating EKA , through its initiatives, provides a platform for people to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a creative and constructive way. It is especially important during times of social and political unrest, where people may feel silenced or marginalised at times.
Floating EKA, like many other cultural organisations, has faced significant challenges in those days: decreased funding, restricted mobility, and limited opportunities for collaboration. By creating productive relationships and partnerships, we can help support and strengthen the cultural sector, and ensure that it continues to thrive - this is what I wish for Floating EKA; meaningful partnerships and collaborations in the future.
Marta Bruschi
Floating EKA Board Member, Italy
Floating EKA Board Member, Italy
Budget
All amounts are in Euro.
In 2022 the core team of the project, 4 Board Directors and the Executive Director, worked for the organisation on a volunteer basis.
Income
Expenditures
Income
Expenditures
All amounts are in Euro.
In 2022 the core team of the project, 4 Board Directors and the Executive Director, worked for the organisation on a volunteer basis.
All of that
Executive Director
Inna Panchkovskaya
Communication Adviser, Board Member
Marta Bruschi
Legal Adviser, Board Member
Mikita Makayou
Development Director, Board Member
Olesya Radilova
Marketing and Communications Manager
Olga Ilicheva
Board Member
Polina Shubina
Project Manager
Sasha Artamonova
Project Manager
Yana Kronevald
would not be possible
without our team
And
without you
Alexandra Eriksson
Anna Arzamasova
Anna Badulina
Arina Korenyu
Dina Popova
Dmitriy Ioffe
Dmitry Zhelezov
Elizaveta Osmak
Georgi Obatnin
Jaana Simula
Joanna Stanisławska
Jonas Adenmark
Kessu Karu
Leonid Leontyev
Lisa Siomicheva
Anna Arzamasova
Anna Badulina
Arina Korenyu
Dina Popova
Dmitriy Ioffe
Dmitry Zhelezov
Elizaveta Osmak
Georgi Obatnin
Jaana Simula
Joanna Stanisławska
Jonas Adenmark
Kessu Karu
Leonid Leontyev
Lisa Siomicheva
Liz Gardiner
Maria Bonzanigo
Maria Yakerson
Marty Orfila
Michael Biggie
Mike Thomas
Mikhail Rybalkin
Nina Karmelitow
Oliver Simidi
Philip Shubin
Stas Vitko
Sverker Anfält
Veta Siomicheva
Viktoryia Hamalinskaya
Woodrow Wiest
Maria Bonzanigo
Maria Yakerson
Marty Orfila
Michael Biggie
Mike Thomas
Mikhail Rybalkin
Nina Karmelitow
Oliver Simidi
Philip Shubin
Stas Vitko
Sverker Anfält
Veta Siomicheva
Viktoryia Hamalinskaya
Woodrow Wiest
As a non-profit art project, we can do as much as the support we receive. At the moment we do not receive regular core funding. Your support makes an incredible difference to our work, allowing the Floating EKA team to continue developing ambitious and engaging projects.
If you want to contribute to Floating EKA development, you can make a one-off or recurring donation.
Follow the link for more information
If you want to contribute to Floating EKA development, you can make a one-off or recurring donation.
Follow the link for more information
If you want to stay tuned with the Floating EKA projects please follow our social media pages or subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
Address:
ul. Karola Libelta 1a/2
61-706 Poznan, Poland
ul. Karola Libelta 1a/2
61-706 Poznan, Poland
Floating EKA is a registered Polish non-profit foundation.
KRS 0000860488
KRS 0000860488