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Gunpowder city: Explosion
Start date: Aug 1, 2015, End date: May 31, 2016 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Gunpowder city: explosion was a project of four volunteers from Germany and Spain and it entailed work in the former gunpowder factory. The second EVS project in the Gunpowder city initiative strived to bring the abandoned spaces closer to the youth, creators and the public at large. Its original intention was the renovation of the abandoned administration building to create a place for youth and artists where they could freely create and develop their ideas. The second part of the project was to help in the youth center Kotlovnica, its events and productions such as festivals, concerts, workshops, ... After the start of the renovation and bringing life to the spaces with games and an art exhibit unforseen circumstances caused this main part to come to a halt. The spaces intended for renovation became unavaliable, so the volunteers had to adapt their project. They, in line with bringing the spaces closer to the community, decided to produce a documentary film about the factory, and the part of creating chances for youth transferred to work in the youth center. The filming of the documentary film was extremely successful as the public response was very positive. Documentation of talks with former workers in the factory and filming the derelict buildings helped broaden the industrial awareness conciousness and half forgotten history. The work itself entailed bringing together different individuals and organisations of people from different ages and profiles. As an added value the volunteers also created a scale model of the former administration building which is now in the constant exhibit of cultural heritage in the local inter-municipality museum Kamnik. Both of this year's products are parts of the museum's anthropological collection. The transfer of the creative and connective part to the youth center was seen in a greater load of work of the volunteers in this capacity - they participated in four festivals, numerous concert and poetry evenings, game nights, workshops, plays, children's days, ... A greater attendance of youth on these events testified of their connective effect. Their whole EVS experience is perfectly summed up by a short film completely of their own making. The volunteers left a lasting effect on the local community with work in the youth center. They were also an integral part of maintaining industrial heritage which in dissapearing in this environment. Their efforts were validated with a national Valvasor award and as an added effect by the time their project ended, seeing their work on the factory, the owners of the administrative building again let the use of the administration building for youth and creativity.
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