34th european architecture students assembly 2014 veliko ... · brief overview history geographical...
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34th European Architecture Students Assembly
2014
Veliko Tarnovo Bulgaria
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34th European Architecture Students Assembly
2014 Veliko Tarnovo Bulgaria
European Architecture Students AssemblyBulgaria
2013
organizersDobrin PetkovDimitar RahovNikolay MitovElena RahovaEmilian DimovVeniyana Lemonidi
designMoirewww.moire.info
Veliko Tarnovo – Candidate for EuropeanCapital of Culture 2019
Veliko Tarnovo Municipality
Baumit
Makita
Bushmills
Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria
Union of Architects in Bulgaria
University of Architecture Civil Engineering and Geodesy
University of Structural Engineering & Architecture “Lyuben Karavelov”
One Architecture Week
České centrum
In cooperation with
support
partners
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emts
EssenceHistoryThe assemblyThe networkThe question
AimArchitecture/natureHistorical layersCultural symбиозаArts symбиозаSocial symбиозаEASA means symбиоза
Brief overviewHistoryGeographical characteristicsCultural heritageLocal traditions, arts and craftsOther events in the cityVeliko Tarnovo – candidate for European Capital of Culture 2019
Introduction
What is EASA
EASA 2014
Symбиоза
Veliko Tarnovo
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contents
Workshops
Assembly venues
Event program
Participant life
How to participate
FAQs
Bulgaria – tips and tricks
Credits
BibliographyContacts
NearbyFun factsCity problems and problematic spots The river YantraThe stair-case
AccomodationOld post officeLecturesLounge and exhibitions
WorkshopsYour NCDutiesWhat to bring
National Contacts listRequirementsDeadlinesFees & accommodation
Basic phrases
ThanksAs a conclusion
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introduction
Welcome to the world of EASA. This booklet will get you through the history and essence of the European Architecture Students Assembly. In summer 2014 EASA will be held in Ve-liko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, with the theme Symбиоза. In the pages ahead we will try to familiarize you in detail with the upcoming assembly and motivate you to apply for a workshop tutor. So make yourself comfortable, here we go.
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what is easa
EASA (European Architecture Students Assembly) is a plat-form for cultural and education exchange, connecting Architec-ture students and professionals from all European countries, and in recent years from all over the world. EASA does not exist as an international legitimate body, and has no chairman or any type of directors, but instead is build up of equal representatives spread throughout the whole continent. The assembly is organ-ized by students for students and so provides a unique platform for education where the cultural experience is life changing. EASA gives a chance to experience architecture in a way that universities are unable to provide – it brings students to a cer-tain context, defined by the location and theme of the assem-bly, where they have to raise architectural questions themselves and investigate them through the eyes of all European cultures simultaneously. Being their own educators, students then elabo-rate the answers and bring them to reality.
Essence
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wha
t is e
asa
EASA was given birth in 1981 in Liverpool, England, when ur-ban planning and social issues in the area provoked a group of students to search for the solutions in alternative ways. As a re-sult more than 200 students gathered for one week, so starting up the EASA experience. Since then the assembly has been tak-ing place every summer in different countries and in 2014 will be held in Bulgaria for the first time. Here you can see EASA throughout the years:
England, Liverpool – Starting up the EASA ExperienceNetherlands, Delft – Architecture of an Uncertain FuturePortugal, Lisboa – Social SpacesDenmark, Aarhus – Turning point in ArchitectureGreece, Athens – Interpretation and Action in the CityItaly, Torino – Architecturi LatentiFinland, Helsinki – Architecture and NatureGermany, Berlin – The Dimension BetweenFrance, Marseille – Heritage et CreativéSweden, Karlskron – ExplorationUSSR, Kolomna – RegenerationTurkey, Ürgup – Vision 2000 EnvironmentScotland, Sandwick – The IsleBelgium, Liege – Consommer l’InconsumablePoland, Zamosc – Beyond the BordersFrance, ClermontL’Herault – Dream Builders!Scandinavia, The Train – Advancing ArchitectureMalta, Valetta – Living on the EdgeGreece, Kavala – OsmosisBelgium/Netherlands, Antwerp/Rotterdam – Dis-SimilaritiesTurkey, Gokceada – SustainabilityCroatia, Vis – SensesDenmark, Friland – Sustainable LivingFrance, Roubaix – Metropolitain – MicropolitainSwitzerland, Bergun – Tran, Trans, TransitHungary, Budapest – Common PlaceGreece, Elefsina – City IndexIreland, Letterfrack – AdaptationItaly, Darfo – Superm[ARCH]etUK, Manchester – IDSpain, Cadiz – deCOASTructionFinland, Helsinki – WastelandsSlovenia, Zuzemberk – ReactionBulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo – SymбиозаMalta, Valletta – Links
History
1981 —1982 —1983 —1984 —1985 —1986 —1987 —1988 —1989 —1990 —1991 —1992 —1993 —1994 —1995 —1996 —1997 —1998 —1999 —2000 —2001 —2002 —2003 —2004 —2005 —2006 —2007 —2008 —2009 —2010 —2011 —2012 —2013 —2014 —2015 —
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what is easa
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what is easa
The assembly
The question
The network
EASAspreads in two weeks in summer, often considered by attendees as the most intensive two weeks experienced by far. During these 14 days the multitude of participants forms a uto-pian community which maintains itself – nearly 500 students and professionals work, study, rest, cook, eat, clean and live to-gether. The event focuses mostly on the workshops – taking up the majority of time,up to 30 workshops are implemented each year, all engaged with the concrete theme of the assembly. The event program is essentially packed with lectures, conducted by professionals from divergent spheres of activity, also strongly related to the theme. Exhibitions, open discussions, intuitive one-day workshops and spontaneous performances further in-vestigate the questions arising during the two weeks.
EASA is a powerful organism, whose mind is formed by the National Contacts (for short – NCs). Every European country has two NCs. It is their responsibility to keep their country well informed about EASA and to select the participants for the up-coming assemblies.All the NCs (around 100 people) gather each autumn in a differ-ent place in Europe for the INCM (Intermediate National Con-tact Meeting). At this meeting the NCs discuss questions about future EASA events, past organizers share their experience, and the future organizers raise questions regarding the next assem-bly. What is most peculiar is that in EASA discussions there is never a vote. Instead, every important decision is taken with consensus, which sometimes takes many days to reach.
“What is EASA” is certainly a tough question. It is a family in a way, with ever renewing members. The “EASA spirit” is over-whelming - from the first day of attendance you become an eas-ian. A community based on the power of equality – be it organ-izers, participants, tutors, helpers… we’re all responsible for the wellbeing of the family and the fruitful development of the as-sembly.
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easa 2014
For the first time EASA will be held in Bulgaria. From July 19th to the 3rd of August 2014 VelikoTarnovo will host the assembly in its rich and complex historical and cultural background. The theme of EASA 2014 is Symбиоза and if the reader is still with us we’ll examine it in detail in the forthcoming chapter.
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symбиоза
No thing is whole unto itself, for it is merely a part of a larger whole. Everything in this universe is connected. Every action is the result of a prior one, and is in itself the reason for all subse-quent actions. A spider web, where every vibration causes the whole structure to swing, in harmony, forever.
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Symбиоза seeks to advocate among students of architecture the feeling of oneness of all natural and social phenomena and the non-superiority of THE architect in building the world of to-morrow.
The theme aims to investigate architecture as part of a com-plex network, where every element is substantially affected by the behavior of all others. A butterfly flutters in Veliko Tarnovo, a surf-storm hits Hawaii.
Our purpose is to involve (besides Architecture students) non-architects in EASA 2014 – be it as tutors, participants or lecturers – to share their views, and to rethink architecture in symбиоза with professionals from divergent spheres of activ-ity – sculptors, painters, musicians, actors, psychologists, his-torians, philosophers, politicians, sociologists, anthropologists, writers, marketing managers, public relations, hairdressers, cooks, dancers, you.
Aim
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Let’s now articulate a few main symбиоза relations that EASA 2014 will focus on:
It is always a pleasure for the eye to see an architectural pro-ject that harmoniously fits its natural surroundings: a morpholo-gy that communicates with the relief and the use of intrinsicma-terials that correlate to the textures of the place. In other words – architecture and nature that are “bodily” connected.
Veliko Tarnovo is a wonderful expression of this symбиоза. Le Corbusier, on his visit to Veliko Tarnovo in 1901 praised the city for its organic relation to the natural relief.
Architecture/nature
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symбиоза
Historical layers EASA 2014 will focus on the symбиза between buildings and monuments from different historical periods – how they can co-exist, respect and complement one another.
Veliko Tarnovo is the perfect playground for that investiga-tion. The city shelters architecture from all the periods since 12th century BC to the present days. What is most peculiar is that all these layers exist simultaneously – they spread horizontally, cre-ating a unique time-line of visible historical layers.
For both local people and tourists, the city has gained a pre-served-type image which the municipality is eager to break. This gives us a massive potential to experiment with the architectural heritage and the most contemporary tendencies in architecture. With the maximum of respect, that is.
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Cultural symбиоза
Arts symбиоза
Social symбиоза
A vast number of different cultures inhabit our planet – from the Eskimos on the North Pole, through the many European, Eastern, African, South American and many other cultures. They have all developed strong identities, religions and traditions in the course of history, according to the climate, geological char-acteristics, ancestors and other factors at their homeland. To-day, in the globalizing world with mass-communications and fast transportation methods available, these cultures interweave more and more, often causing cultural clashes. On the one hand, it is normal to perceive “invaders” as a threat to your identity and hearth. Many cultures have tried to completely overwhelm others, exploiting them for selfish benefits. On the other hand, we find out that both sides can benefit from one another, even by adopting a simple hand-work tool.
EASA 2014 aims to investigate the means of cultural Sym-биоза: how different cultures can coexist, interweave and enrich one another, but at the same time each one preserving its strong identity.
Different arts have always influenced one another. It is a known saying that architecture is frozen music. This Symбиоза will try to investigate how architecture can communicate with different arts and crafts – painting, sculpture, music, theatre, etc.
This aspect of the theme will focus on the symбиоза between different social groups:а) How can people from different ethnic backgrounds live in harmony and freely express their cultural customs and religious views? The predominant national minorities in Bulgaria are gyp-sies and Turkish people. A serious case in the last months has
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symбиоза
EASA means symбиоза
been the penetration of Syrian refugees – a problem that has been monstrously manipulated by politicians.b) How can architecture help people from different generations come together and feel connected? Elder people face fundamen-tal difficulties in actively participating in society and the activi-ties of the city. Young people too often discriminate or just for-get about older people’s needs, causing a double-sided problem – the isolation of the elder, and the lack of social experience for the young.c) How can architecture concern the needs of homeless peo-ple and people with disabilities? How can we help the homeless children from the region feel equivalent in the city scene and actively participate in social life? How do we design public city spaces in a way that people with physical or mental difficulties can enjoy them just as the rest of the citizens?
EASA is in its nature a symbiotic structure like the forest – an ever renewing network of participants with mutually beneficial relationships. Our team wants to enforce this process by pro-viding the most suitable environment for coexistence, collec-tive thinking and collaboration. That’s what EASA is all about – bringing different individuals together to live in harmony, think as one and collaborate. We also want the symбиоза to go on the level of EASA and the city – the participants and the local com-munity to coexist and complement. The location offers great po-tential to achieve this mutual benefit.
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Veliko Tarnovo
As I watch this incredible town I can’t stop thinking it must be a dream, an apparition, and an optical illusion. – Ivan Vazov, writer
Here comes the history lesson …There is historical data for Veliko Tarnovo’s existence from
6000 BC. During the bronze era the territory was inhabited by the Thracians. At that time it was established as a centre of great value. It has kept its significance ever since. During Roman times military fortifications were built to guard the road from the Dan-ube to Constantinople. In the end of the 5th century a Byzantine fortress was formed on the remains of the Thracian village. It was demolished with the invasion of Bulgars and Slavs. The lat-ter settled here two centuries later. Shortly after the Bulgarian country was established, in 681 AD, Tarnovo became a strategic military centre. Because of its key location, built on three hills, it quickly developed its specific structure and appearance. After four hundred years under Byzantine rule, the rebellion of the brothers Asen and Peter in 1185 opened a new chapter of Bulgar-ian history.
After the glorious victory, Veliko Tarnovo became the new capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. This period of time is now referred to as the Golden Ages. The town of Tarnovo flour-ished as an administrative, military, religious, economic and cul-tural centre. Dozens of churches and a couple of monasteries, along with other public buildings enriched the life in the city. The Tsarevets fortress was transformed into the king’s castle. The other two hills in Tarnovo – Trapezitsa and Devingrad, were also fortified. “Third Rome, Second Constantinople”, Europeans called it.
Brief enough overview
History
Holy Forty Martyrs
Church
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The end of the 13th century was marked by a critical phase for the Bulgarian kingdom. Tarnovo remained capital of its region until treachery led to its fall in 1393. The Ottomans pil-laged and ravaged across the country. The people lived in fear and misery for hundreds of years before they finally stood up for their rights. After a few unsuccessful waves of rebellion, the people’s thirst for freedom escalated to the bloody massacre in April, 1876. The horrors of the April rebellion reached the ears of Europe and a year later the Russian Empire declared war to the Ottomans. On the 17th of June, 1877, Tarnovo reclaimed its freedom.
In the period between the Liberation and the wars from 1912 to 1918, Tarnovo was an important centre once again. In 1879, the first state law – The Veliko Tarnovo Constitution – was writ-ten here. The First Bulgarian Great National Assembly also took place in the old capital. In 1908 prince Ferdinand announced the Independence of the Bulgarian Kingdom on the Tzarevetz hill. Although Sofia was declared to be the new capital, Tarnovo un-derwent a construction boom which included new administra-tive, cultural, educational, commercial and industrial buildings. Under the influence of Western European countries the pluming, sewer systems, road surfaces and street lighting were significant-ly improved. Alongside the modern buildings, more ambitious projects were taken on. Such were the iron bridge of Stambolov – the first iron bridge constructed on the Balkans (1892), the rail-way station with its adjacent bridges and tunnels (1900), the modern theatre (1901), the Court of Auditors (1910), the stone bridge in Asenova Mahala (1933) and many banks, hotels and in-dustrial facilities. WWII put an end to the construction boom.
Saint Dimitar church
3000 BC – 1200 AD
1393 – 1878
1800 – 1887
1878 – 1944
1944 – 1981
1981 – 2012
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During the communist rule, Veliko Tarnovo became a district town and a developed industrial center. In the 60’s, because of the urbanization period, there was a great demand for resi-dential buildings. Some monolithic constructions were built, as well as apartment houses and panel blocks in the new neighbor-hoods. Schools, markets, villas and parks improved the lifestyle of the locals. New factories, grouped in modern industrial zones became the main source of income. The production was diverse and of great quality: fabrics, clothes, pastries and others.
After the fall of the regimen, commercial establishments and the infrastructure were partially neglected. In 1997 Veliko Tar-novo won the award for sustainable development for countries from East and Central Europe. The town continues to grow with time, while proudly preserving its glory of an old capital.Now you know more about Tarnovo’s history than most locals!
The First National Assembly
Tarnovo Constitution
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Veliko Tarnovo
Veliko Turnovo Municipality is located in the central part of north Bulgaria and is the biggest one in its region. The town it-self is in the middle of the country lands and is on fairly equal distances from the biggest Bulgarian cities. Only 7 km away lies the town of Gorna Orqhovitza with the biggest railway station in Bulgaria, as well as an airport. But we challenge you to try and come by plane.
The region is filled with caves, waterfalls and other stunning attractions. The landscape of Veliko Tarnovo varies from plains and hills to mountains suitable for rock-climbing. The average altitude is 208 meters. The three main hills are called Tzarevetz, Trapezica and Devingrad. The river running through the veins of the city structure – Yantra – is the biggest one in the region. Due to the richness of the soil up north, the land is used to cul-tivate wheat, corn and vegetables. Tarnovo has a moderate con-tinental climate that causes a cold winter (absolute minimum -28.1°C) and a hot summer (absolute maximum 41.1°C). So take your bathing suits, it’s gonna be hot!
Geographical characteristics
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Due to its many historical layers, Tarnovo has a rich and di-verse cultural heritage. You can learn all about it by visiting one of the many museums dedicated to archeology, the revival period, modern history and even something as specific as wax figures. In terms of religion, there is a bounty of monasteries, churches, mosques and temples of ancient times. The earliest cultural traces date from 6000 BC – prehistoric houses, pot-tery, jewellery and even toys. Medieval times have also left their mark – the Tzarevetz hill has become a symbol of the town with its impressive archeological remains, although the majority of what’s today is a reconstruction.
Cultural heritage
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The town has preserved many of its traditions and crafts, which can be studied best in the “Samovodska charshia” – an old commercial street in the centre of the old town. It used to be a big trading center for craftsmen from all over the country. Now you can get a glimpse of the old fashioned ways of pottery, ico-nography, vine-growing, wood-carving, shoe-making, forging, weaving, coppersmith, goldsmith, silversmith and so on, and so on. Some of the crafts don’t even have a proper translation in English. Silkworm breeding and furriery were also once local trades. In Asenova Mahala you can still find traces of the techni-cal process of silkworm breeding in some of the old houses that were used for it. By the way the secret word is “spolai”. Nowa-days Veliko Turnovo is a desirable place for artists and craftsmen who set a creative atmosphere along the streets of the town.
Local traditions, arts and crafts
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One of the emblematic events for the town is the Light and Sound Festival that is organized after sundown on special occa-sions and on request. The town is also open to 3D mapping and other light installations of massive scale. There are annual musi-cal festivals on both national and international level. Folklore and pop music, church choirs, brass bands and operas gather visitors from all over the world. The everyday nightlife includes small clubs, bars and cafes, each with its own unique atmos-phere. During the day you can enjoy rock-climbing, paraglid-ing and other extreme experiences organized by the local clubs. The town hosts many graffiti and street art festivals, alternative theater performances and exhibitions.
Other events in the city
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Veliko Tarnovo – Candidate
for European Capital of
Culture 2019
In 2019, a Bulgarian and an Italian city will be the Europe-an Capitals of Culture. Veliko Tarnovo is a proud competitent, along with Plovdiv, Sofia and Varna after successfully passing the first selection round.
The slogan of Tarnovo’s campaign – “Creating Happiness” – is an expression of the municipalities’ belief that creating, shar-ing and co-experiencing culture, science and arts can help reduce stress and increase positive emotions, that way improving the life of citizens. The concept of the event calendar from now till 2019 preferably targets people aged 12–18. In six years, they will be the ones engaged with the responsibility to undertake impor-tant decisions for the development of the city and the region.
EASA 2014 is a leading event in the cultural program of Veliko Tarnovo as a candidate for European Capital of Culture. Never-theless, EASA is completely independent and un-obliged with any concrete expectations and in terms of organization.
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In a 50 km. radius you can find over 25 protected natural terri-tories that include century old forests, karst springs, waterfalls, fossils and caves. There are over 87 caves in the region, most of which are yet to be researched. Some of them are ‘The Monas-tery holes’ near ‘the Preobrajenski Monastery’ and cave ‘Musin-ska’, which guards a Roman treasure. There are over 15 monaster-ies in a 25 km radius – a real national treasure.
However, the place of greatest historical value is the roman city built by Emperor Trajan in 101–106 AD, in honor of his victo-ry over the ‘Dacians’. That is why the town was named Nikopolis ad Istrum, or ‘The City of Victory’.
You can enjoy a hot bath in the mineral springs of the village Voneshta Voda, or a trip to the ethnical museum in Zlataritza. The region organizes many festivals and thematic gatherings, most famous of which are the national folklore festivals ‘Rojen’ and ‘Rahovche’ – for children.
Nearby
Nikopolis ad Istrum
Kilifarevo Monastery
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Fun facts The population of Veliko Tarnovo is approximately 75 000 people (150 EASAs).
There are two universities in the city, providing education for more than 20 000 students (40 EASAs).
There are two breweries in Tarnovo, producing enough beer for an event of the EASA caliber.
Veliko Tarnovo is the only city with two capital letters – V and T, and only one main street.
We have a celebrity in our midst – Veliko Tarnovo is an offi-cial member of the League of Historical Cities. Yes, there is such.
Veliko Turnovo holds the record for mass bungee jumping – from the Stambolov Bridge – with over 600 jumps (1.2 EASAs) from 1 rope in 24 hours.
Women of Veliko Tarnovo are said to be the ones with the most beautiful legs in the country (special thanks to the stair-case chapter). Maybe that’s why Tarnovo is one of four Bulgar-ian towns with a positive natural growth.
Bachkovo Monastery
Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, Arbanasi Saint George church, Arbanasi
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City problems and problematic spots
The river Yantra
The stair-case
Just like every other city, Veliko Turnovo has its larger and smaller scale problems. The need for restoration of historical buildings, reconstruction of roads and functional reorientation of run-down factories are to mention a few. Traffic is also an is-sue, as the city has no car-free zones. The result is constant noise pollution, an excessive parking space demand and no ‘pedestri-an only’ main street, except for the ‘Samovodska Charshia’. The accessibility for people with disabilities is also a topic, as the street slopes offer them a great challenge.
A bigger-scale issue is the contextual division between the old and new parts of the city. Cultural happenings are concen-trated solely in the historical neighborhoods, because of their richness. As a result the locals living in the newer parts don’t get as involved in the events.
Many public spaces like parks, schoolyards and stairs are beg-ging for an intervention. And there is always the matter of play-grounds, as well as urban furniture every here and there.
The negligence of the river – one of the greatest advantag-es of Tarnovo’s landscape, is killing us – many things could be done there right away.
Veliko Tarnovo is one of the 27 lucky settlements that enjoy the stunning panorama of the Yantra River. The waterflow be-gins its journey from the Central Balkan regions, then curves its way north through the Dobrudzha valley, to finally interweave with the Danube’s stream and reach the water of the Black Sea. In the region of Tarnovo the river forms picturesque meanders which live in symбиоза with the urban structure. Unfortunately, the riverside is neglected and fairly used, the water’s cleanliness fluctuates, and the riverbank is slippery.
The riverside is awaiting your workshop!
The steep slopes of Tarnovo’s hills led to a terraced solution for its urban structure. And then came the staircase – in differ-ent shapes and sizes; made out of stone, wood and iron; old and new; it overcomes the striking altitude between the levels of the town. Its main purpose is to be used as a pedestrian shortcut, making people quicker (and fitter) step by step. However, other applications are also possible. A new attractive use of the steps is UP to you. So when you arrive in Tarnovo after the exhilarat-ing trip, take a walk and calm DOWN …
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Bulgaria
capital
easa town
airport
mountain range
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Veliko Tarnovo
EASA Town
old part of the town
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“Varosha” – Old City
Old city partslope terrain predominating in staired streets
New central city area concen-trated with administrative buildings
“Marno Pole” Park
Ex-military school zone – future secondary city center
Green areas
Old Turkish city center
“Asenova Mahala” – residential area by the river
“Trapezitza” Castle
“Tzarevec” Castle
University zone
Turkish downtown
“Yantra” River
EASA Town
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lectures
workshops
party place
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tutors
Aleksandra Bogdanović (srb)
Stella-Maris Latinović (srb)
“A drawing should be an investiga-
tive device, a voyage of discovery,
a series of glances into the future.”
– Peter Cook. Drawing is a tool.
Repetition of process of drawing to
infinity allows individual disloca-
tion from space and time and our-
selves. By drawing we record the
flow of thoughts-cognition of the
unconscious by preoccupation of the
conscious self-knowledge. It’s about
confrontation of the man with the
place, but also a symbiotic interac-
tion... relation between a host and a
parasite. The result is a story on A4
with hundreds of drawings, found
relations, written thoughts about
yourself as a participant, a man,
catching the change of own percep-
tion during time, observing and
learning through drawing one cho-
sen cadre for 10 days in continuity.
Antiroom
tutors
Elena Chiavi (sz)
Karl Ebejer (mlt)
Matteo Goldoni (it)
We’ll think in the forest, work in
the forest and sleep in the forest.
The goal is to create a space which
stretches out into the nature and sur-
rounds the trees like a canvas. It is
an illustration of a neuron, represen-
tation of the basic existence of our
psychological and intellectual inner
mechanisms. The antiroom creates a
space where ideas can be exchanged,
where people can dance, play roles,
sing, or simply express their unity
with the primordial world. The
structure is made by repetitive sim-
ple wood element: pallets – the tran-
scription of our European communi-
ty. Simple to build and ephemeral as
ever long and lasting. After finishing
the pavilion we foresees to have one
performance day.
Бабilion
tutors
Georgia Davveta (uk)
Despoina Thomaidou (uk)
This workshop will focus on the
symбиоза between people from dif-
ferent generations. Бабilion will
be the space where elder people can
meet the young generations. This
symbiosis attempts to bring the
young spirit together with the wis-
dom and lead to a never ending
renaissance. Бабilion will shelter
this process. This is a compound
workshop. We will be constructing
a permanent pavilion, built by tim-
ber. Our purpose is to use reciprocal
frame structures. We will find and
build shapes together. The process of
the construction will be crucial.
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Workshops
Back to the roots
tutor
Hristo Dimitrov (bg)
The purpose of this workshop is
to incorporate traditional Balkan
building materials (as wood, hazel
or corneal branches, stones, lime,
soil, straw) into contemporary ur-
ban design. With this creating a link
between nature and the modern ur-
ban fabric. First we’ll get familiar
with the properties of the tradition-
al materials such as: Wood, Stone,
Wattle fence, Mud plasters and
Mortars. Afterwards we’ll explore
the site of the intervention, city of
Veliko Tarnovo itself, and its archi-
tecture. Feel the vibe of the place and
form an idea for our intervention.
In week two we’ll get the chance to
learn and try some of the traditional
building techniques of the Balkans.
While turning our design into real-
ity.
Boathouse
tutors
Rory Rankin (nir)
Colin McClelland (nir)
Our project aims to bring back the
appreciation of the Yantra River.
The river is no longer needed as a
source of trade or industrial use, but
should be appreciated for what it is -
a natural beauty. We propose to con-
struct a boathouse on the riverbank
that will provide a shelter for those
who wish to use the Yantra as a form
of leisure activity. The boathouse
will also provide a relaxation space
and a place for the storage of water-
sports equipment. It aims to use the
potential of the Yantra River and
provide the residents with a base
from which to explore and discover
its natural beauty, reviving the sym-
biosis between people and river.
cameraobscura
tutors
Kamelia Belincheva (bg)
Yordan Yordanov (bg)
Using vintage mechanical tech-
niques the workshop will recreate
a camera obscura photographic de-
vice. Incorporating it in a small tall
structure, made from timber and
polywood, which main purpose is
to observe the city. The building will
aim to create an exciting touristic
point for the historic city. The top
part will contain a camera obscura
that will cast an image of the sur-
rounding landscape on to a circle
screen. The workshop aims to reach
the emotions of the city, its citizens
and guests. It plays with inner re-
flections and often the upside-down
understandings we have of what we
see. With smaller devices the par-
ticipants will capture special places
from different points of view.
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C.L. Tangle
tutors
John Macken (irl)
Eoin McCooey (irl)
Eoin Kavanagh (irl)
Weaving, swaying, tangling, spring-
ing…. C.L.Tangle is about creating
timber structures you have never
seen before! C.L.Tangle is an ex-
perimental workshop into the capa-
bilities of Cross-Laminated Timber,
connected with rubber junctions to
create fluid forms, interweaving
with the urban and natural fabric
of Veliko Tarnovo. This junction
of steel and rubber liberates C.L.T
from its rigid form to create struc-
tures which interact with its sur-
roundings and users. Participants
will first learn how to fabricate
these junctions through mold mak-
ing and pouring. Participants will
then design a simple but adaptable
structure which reacts, interacts and
connects with its setting through a
flowing timber form.
CAT & MOUSE
tutors
Marta Vrankar (si)
Matic Kašnik (si)
Humans are unpredictable, spatial
interaction is complex, our experi-
ment is simple. Let’s hit the streets
to see what happens when two stran-
gers meet on the street?! Talk about
life’s big questions, dreams, wishes?
Try to find out the particular loca-
tion, the forgoten legend, the dark-
est street in the city. Try to research
the city, find out some secret places,
discover interesting stories, famous
locals. We will test some street
games, we’ll make some urban ex-
periments, to see, how total stran-
gers can find out their commons.
We will design secret, unknown,
unpredictable »checkpoints«. The
final product will be a race during
the night through Veliko Tarnovo’s
streets, inspired by the urban game
»Journey to the end of the night«.
Chaotium
tutors
Laura Birina (lv)
Elena Zubure (lv)
Reinis Sokolovs (lv)
Our workshop will use Chaos as a
concept to show the uniqueness of
Veliko Tarnovo. As a living organ-
ism, city and its inhabitants are al-
ways in motion, they interact with
each other and every interaction
makes it different. Since the Chaos
is something unique and unrepeata-
ble, we will use sociological research
to reveal symbiotic relationship be-
tween people and the city at this
very point. All participants will de-
cide which symbiotic quality will be
the backbone of our structure. After
all info is gained, we will use a holo-
graphic projection method to make
an actual town scale model that will
be defined by dots. The more diverse
point, the more dense cluster of dots.
And yeah – we are going to use a lot
more analogue materials to do that.
49
Workshops
City is my Playground
tutors
Andrej Zikic (srb)
Diego Garcia (es)
Neda Mojsilovic (srb)
Meet the contemporary street art
scene, with series of lectures, film
projections and practice about
“tags”, “Stencils”, “Photorealistic
Graffiti” and many others. The idea
of the workshop is to introduce dif-
ferent types of street art techniques
to the participants and then apply
that knowledge on the site or on the
creations of other workshops. The
participants will offer their services
to the tutors of other workshops in
exchange the freedom to choose the
style and the colors of what they
will paint! Only a few of the hap-
penings that may appear are: Paint-
ing of the structure or installation,
painting the participants with body-
paint, painting portraits of anyone
on anything, making a mural on a
wall, that could play with spectators
perspective.
Co.
tutors
Elina Haldzieva (bg)
Rosina Shatarova (bg)
The workshop is an experiment con-
sisting of individually designed piec-
es made of fabric formed concrete.
First we’ll familiarize the partici-
pants with the craft of molding, get
to know how concrete works and do
some guerrilla-like small interven-
tions around the EASA campus. Af-
terwards each participant will build
its own unique piece, which would
later become a symbiotical part of
an entire connected structure. .The
structure itself represents a stair-
way-like extension of the dead-end
“Tunel” street, leading towards the
alienated from the town of Veliko
Tarnovo river Yantra. After the
preparation on site and installa-
tion of the supporting structure and
formwork we’ll have enough time
for presenting it how it’s done, while
waiting for the concrete to dry.
COME SENSE US
tutors
Zsófia Paczolay (hu)
Zsófia Szőke (hu)
Dubravko Aleksic (bih)
Patrick Jaritz (at)
This is not just a workshop. With a
comprehensive theoretical founda-
tion and the practical experience of
the last years we want to provide a
multi-stage process beginning with
the focus on individual body aware-
ness developing to a collective spa-
tial experience. Participants will
have the opportunity to work on a
body centered approach to design.
By thinking about the body and
thinking through the body we sur-
pass the mere material and raw way
of understanding space. Body and
mind are a complex symbiotic sys-
tem with manifold abilities – per-
ceiving and processing are just two
basic ones.
50
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Cre8 . bit
tutors
Genc Demiraj
Mrinë Godanca
Rrita Pula
Rron Beqiri
This workshop is a tendency to im-
prove Veliko Tarnovo’s cityscape by
a visual symbiosis – a panoramic
coexistence. We’ll be working to-
gether to find the perfect frame that
has been visually attacked and turn
it into a pleasant space to hang out,
with an excellent view. While some
structures serve as parasites in the
symbiosis process of the city pano-
rama, through our intervention we
attempt to reverse this process to a
mutual symbiosis. To bring the theo-
ry to life we will be creating the illu-
sion of an urban harmony by ‘van-
ishing’ the parasite structures by
“filling up the pixels” of the facade
that is blocking the view with what’s
behind it, therefore making it visu-
ally transparent.
EASA PARK
tutors
Nanuka Zaalishvili (ge)
Rezi Kratsashvili (ge)
Dito Jobadze (ge)
Our goal is to make a park – Small,
tiny place for everyone, to enjoy and
always remember about EASA 2014.
We want to do something useful for
Veliko Tarnovo, Make another nice
place there. If we can do this, our
mission will be complete. First stage
is searching for place like a forgot-
ten spot in the city, old square, de-
stroyed park or somthing else we can
give a new life. We will be building a
bench, 2 chairs with a table, garbage
box and tiny lovely houses for the
birds. We are going to further detail
these with our participants.
EASA STATS
tutor
Arian Lehner (at)
When there are a lot of people,
there is a lot of data. The aim of
this workshop is to collect interest-
ing facts and data of EASA 2014
in order to produce an overview of
the two weeks in form of images
and numbers. We want to work in
symbiosis with other workshops,
collecting helpful information that
can be used for their work. The col-
lected information can be published
by collaborating with different oth-
er workshops such as getting them
printed in the Umbrella newspaper,
talked about at EASA fm, screened
at EASAtv or just made out of pa-
per and other materials which pop
up around the EASA sites in Veliko
Tarnovo.
51
Workshops
EASA TV
tutor
Alexandra Kononchenko (by)
EASA.TV is about EASA’s partici-
pants, tutors, helpers, organizers,
friends, family and guests. EASA.
TV is about the context, the theme
and the country. EASA TV is about
EASA. EASA TV tries to cover as
much of the assembly as possible,
the material is then edited, screened
on site at the assembly and uploaded
online. The participants will learn
how to plan episodes, write scripts,
draw storyboards, record with DSLR
cameras and edit and export the fi-
nal product. But most of all they will
get the chance to document the very
essence of EASA, the EASA spirit.
EASA FM | 14
tutors
Cansu Pelin Işbilen (nl)
Joscha Treeck (de)
Jakob Braun (at)
The live broadcasting radio at EA-
SA. Be the network between dots.
Connect them by invisible space.
Follow us on a journey. 2014 we go
mobile. We bought a bus. We will
move. Record. Discuss. Dance. For
you. You are easa.fm
eye the dot.dot the eye.
tutors
Barbara Škraba (si)
Kaja Avberšek (si)
Tamara Rijavec (si)
With this workshop, we would like
to open the eyes of Veliko Tarnovo to
the forgotten opportunities that lay
hidden on the banks of Yantra. Our
participants will be invited to estab-
lish new connections between the old
city center and the river banks. We
will delve deep into the urban tissue
of Veliko Tarnovo, observe -eye- the
city, explore its physical and mental
landscapes and find our own points
of interest – dots. Each dot will be
connected to the other, guiding the
bodies and minds towards the Yan-
tra river, where participants will
complete the new connection, by
working on their chosen interven-
tion with open eyes and free hands,
bringing the focus back to Yantra –
dotting her eye.
52
Wor
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Geodesic Geometries
tutors
CTRL+Z – GianLuca Stasi (es)
Live the exciting experience of the
practical construction of a geodesic
dome. A simple, customizable and
flexible system, which leaves plenty
of space for adaptation and experi-
mentation will be presented. The
knowledge of this lowcost and low-
tech system will strengthen the prop-
ositional attitudes of the participat-
ing students providing them with
new tools to face the social, cultural
and urban projects that they’ll be
willing to develop. We’d like that all
the students and tutors energy that
will be released during the assembly
could result in an ongoing value for
the city.
Guerilla gardening
tutors
Frank (nl)
Ilana (nl)
Mieke (nl)
The power and success of guerrilla‘s
is based on a symbiosis between peo-
ple and the site itself. Our mission
will consist of a search for inspiring
places, constructions and problem
areas where the potentials of green
are not or insufficiently used. After
choosing locations a close analysis
into local plant species, growing
methods, local climate and poten-
tial future care takers will be ready
to start. Herbs, sprouts, trees, flow-
ers, grasses, vegetables and every
other imaginable green type will
become part of the city and other
workshops. We will plant on multi-
ple locations and in different crea-
tive forms. As a whole, all the green
compositions will form the guerrilla
garden; a subtle but powerful green
network with green in forms and
places you do not expect.
handPAWER
tutors
Penelope Papadimitraki (gr)
Aleksandar Pavlović (srb)
Considering the everlasting relation-
ship between man and nature as the
archetype of the idea of Symbiosis,
handPAWER workshop intents to
zoom-in a part of it: the coexist-
ence of people and animals .In coop-
eration with local animal friendly
organizations, this workshop will
attempt to design and construct
physical models that satisfy their
needs – either for hosting animals,
or for training and recreational pur-
poses. The participants will visit the
local dog/cat hotel in order to under-
stand the conditions animals usual-
ly live in, but also think of the differ-
ence of the design for an abandoned
/ stray animal from the one for a
domestic pet. Making small 1:1 mod-
els such as dog cradles, bird houses
and diverse type of objects needed by
animals.
53
Workshops
Hard Fiber Fun
tutors
Yuliya Baranovskaya (rus)
Ansis Sinke (lva)
Glass and carbon fiber material re-
cently became extremely popular
in industries where is important to
achieve strength and lightweight,
such as aircraft, vehicles and archi-
tecture. It gives opportunity to build
thin lightweight translucent struc-
tures that can withstand loads and
forces. Chemical reaction between
fibers and applied resin (with hard-
ener) is giving high performance
spectacular results. This material
would be used for the FIRST time on
EASA. In this workshop every par-
ticipant will try out being an archi-
tect, engineer, chemist and weaver,
winding fibers around frames built
by them, watching how the glass is
born, creating big, attractive trans-
lucent lightweight structure that
will give a nice shadow in hot sum-
mer days.
Hay Design & Built (& Jump)
tutors
Alessandro Zorzetto (it)
Francesca Modolo (it)
Luciano Aldrighi (it)
Let’s start from hay in its various
forms, packaged and in bulk, and
interpret this change in status as
inspired by traditional types of hay
storage and by accumulating hay in-
to sheaves. Let’s design using a hay
bale as a basic module. Rectangular,
cylindrical, big, small: doesn’t mat-
ter. Let’s change our point of view.
Let’s be influenced by the strong
aroma of hay, and dream about ru-
rality. Let’s play! In the first part of
the workshop the participants will
approach hay design and develop
a project, individually or in team.
The second part will mainly consist
of building the resulting sculptures/
installations. The aim is to produce
a series of prototypes of landscape
furniture, to be used by everyone in
the contest of the EASA. With unpre-
dictable results!
Hidden Corners
tutors
Georgi Kazlachev (bg/de)
Julian Höll (de)
Veliko Tarnovo, with its unique
urban situations and amphitheat-
ric spatial organisation, allows the
self-emergence of various kinds of
public or private, tiny, hidden and
unexplored spots, that are full of
potential of becoming prominent
architectural marks. These spaces,
formed completely unintentionally
by the surrounding buildings, walls,
fences, etc. could become interest-
ing, better-known and activated by
the young people with their archi-
tectural vision, coming to explore,
build and improve this wonderful
historical town. Efficiency and strat-
egy-oriented design process with the
help of parametric development and
automatisation of the design tools.
With good planning strategies, right
tools and simple ideas, great objects
would be designed.
54
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Light Senses
tutors
Aaron McGrady (nir)
Cathal Quinn (nir)
Ronnie Murray (nir)
Symбиоза, one element is affected
by the behavior of others. Is this how
spaces become abandoned?
Humans are unpredictable, spa-
tial interaction is complex, our ex-
periment is simple. By suspending
a lighting grid over an abandoned
space, we seek involvement from
passers-by. Lighting transforms a
place; inviting, comfortable and
safe. In Veliko Tarnovo, a city with
rich cultural aspect this project en-
courages use of outdoor spaces previ-
ously unintended for entertainment.
The simple technology and construc-
tion methods are used. Sensor detect
a movement below and activate the
corresponding light, how the space
is used will determine how it is lit,
encouraging movement and interac-
tion with the space, previously aban-
doned.
LIGHTYPE
tutors
Loeïza & Vincent (fr)
«LighType» proposes to the partici-
pants to create a common «transcul-
tural typography» between the dif-
ferent alphabets: Latin and Cyrillic.
Outside the idea of symbiotic lan-
guages, the form of «LighType» will
put in perspective Veliko Tarnovo’s
cultural, architectural or topograph-
ic identity. Through the production
of different typographies, we will in-
vestigate the city and tend to charac-
terize it. The final result could be de-
veloped as an ephemeral projection
installation, or materialized as a re-
al painted or sculptural artwork in
specific spots. These distinguishing
figures will become landmarks for
the inhabitants the city. This work-
shop represents a symbiosis of typog-
raphy & light, day & night, two of
the European alphabets, 2D & 3D.
ONION
tutors
Justinas Jakštonis (lt)
Eglė Briliauskaitė (lt)
Vernon Cheung (au)
Any form of reaction / interaction
or the sum of those causing any kind
of human interrelation of various
levels starts from the simplest form
of coexistence – sharing a mutual
space. If we tried to imagine the
very primitive form of coexistence
of human beings, there would be no
cultural or historical backgrounds,
no language, no symbolic values and
no other means of communication
but the pure presence, or the sum of
‘presences’ being dropped together.
The idea of realising the concept is
to create enclosed spaces defining the
form of human interaction in them.
At its best, this would not only be a
field of research for the participants,
but also an opportunity for the lo-
cals to experience a seemingly un-
expected relation to spaces and sub-
jects they [think they] know.
55
Workshops
Paper Pavilion
tutors
Peter O’Brien (irl)
Jack Byrne (irl)
JP Treacy (irl)
The paper pavilion will aim to
bridge the communication gap be-
tween the EASAians and the locals
and to inform and invite the people
of Veliko Tarnovo to Symбиоза with
the EASA workshops.The workshop
will construct a pavilion from indus-
trial paper tubing that will contain
:a projection room where the people
of Veliko Tarnovo can go and visu-
ally see what EASA is all about, a
city map of the workshops and other
information for EASA. The paper
pavilion itself will also exhibit the
latent potential of industrial paper
tubing construction that is relative-
ly unknown. It’s unwavering acces-
sibility and remarkable durability
distinguishes these recyclable struc-
tures which are often used for hous-
ing shortages in times of natural
disasters.
Press Play
tutors
William Bondin (mt)
Stefanie Wuschitz (at)
The act of playing, whether consid-
ered as an art or a sport, similarly to
architecture is a socio-cultural man-
ifestation of an epoch. This work-
shop seeks to animate public spaces,
both metaphorically and literally,
through the creation of interactive
installations and architectural per-
formances which embody the spirit
of play. If games connect people,
encourage dialogue and stimulate
co-operation, then why shouldn’t
architecture? This workshop intro-
duces the world of interactive design
from a practical perspective. In or-
der to build interactive systems we
will learn physical programming
using the Arduino open-source plat-
form. After a brief introduction to
world of physical computing, we
will develop and fabricate a number
of installations which respond to
particular sites, within the scope of
EASA 2014.
SENSymбиоза - a labyrinth
tutors
Zlatina Toleva (bg)
Mihail Dimov (bg)
Desislava Petkova (bg/at)
Elena Mitrenova (bg/at)
Make a step backward from the
visual and the rational. Take the
rest: that is what turns space into a
place… Architecture is the creation
of an atmosphere – a symбиоза of
what is perceived by all the differ-
ent senses. It is the light, the smell,
the sound, the touch, the movement,
the people and their interactions –
these would be the building materi-
als of our labyrinth performance.
We propose to you a game that will
lead us to the planning, creation and
performing of a sacred spatial path
of sensorial experiences – a Sensory
Labyrinth Theatre (Iwan Brioc).
We will gather the creativity of the
participants around the site, the ar-
chitectural topics of today, and the
context of EASA, in order to create a
quite unusual performance
56
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SKYWALK
tutors
Matthieu Bordreuil (fr)
Nejc Rojc (si)
Sylvain Dupuis (fr)
Stanislas Taboureau (fr)
Olivier Desz (fr)
Skywalk has the ambition to explore
the fantasy of height and emptiness.
We tend to create an spectacular in-
tervention to respond to the mag-
nificent and unique landscape and
relief of Veliko Tarnovo: a strong
horizontal line, a big cantilever in
the steep of the city.Then we want to
reinterpret the traditional bulgari-
an arbour which is a crucial meeting
point for the inhabitants. We’ll take
advantage of the spot n°7, the urban
window, using materials such as
wood and metal, By programming a
spot full of potential we will lead the
citizen to re-experience their daily
space and enter in symbiosis with it,
admiring this incredible panorama
under the shadow of the grapevine.
Small Interventions
tutors
Lucia Brandoli (it)
Georgios Kapraras (gr)
Phoebus Panigyrakis (gr)
Small Interventions history goes
back to the very fundamentals of
EASA with the name “Fix It” and
is organized ever since 2006. Giving
back to the community. It is struc-
tured on the idea of analyzing the
site, detecting problems and places,
designing solutions and interven-
tions, and constructing them. The
participants will analyze the site
in the first place, than address the
issues that come up with their own
way by intervening in a very func-
tional way in the environment and
the assembly surroundings. Theoret-
ical work, models, and detail plans
of their intervention will conclude
their design work allowing them
to work in 1:1 scale by construct-
ing their interventions and putting
them in place.
SPACEGUIDE
tutors
Tamara Kalantajevska (lv)
Olya Trebuhina (lv)
Katrina Smirnova (lv)
VelikoTarnovo spectacular guide
book. Spaceguide is a collection of
impressions and characters. At the
same time it’s a continuous story of
discovering cityscape of Veliko Tar-
novo. We want to create an image of
the city -not as smooth and perfect
as it usually appears in guide books.
It will be a way more specific, as we
focus on questions of urbanism and
at the same time very personal – cre-
ated through perception of newcom-
ers and locals. We propose to explore
Veliko Tarnovo through different
prisms, levels of perception - to catch
the parallel worlds occupying one
city scape.
57
Workshops
STREAT
tutors
Sara Dughetti (it)
Francesco Tonnarelli (it)
Matteo Viciani (it)
Giacomo Quercia (it)
Social practices unfold in a spatial
context and contribute thus to its
production. Street food is particu-
larly interesting because it has an
highly visible, quotidian accessibil-
ity, and is a clear sign of cultural
character. We can understand the
city through street food, the intersec-
tion of the preparation of meals and
the production of space. We want to
leaf through the experience of food
consumption in Veliko Tarnovo.
We’ll try to set up a new food expe-
rience, based on the analysis of the
already existing gastronomic scene
of the town and enhancing it with
our personal contributions.
Synthesizer
tutors
Nataly Nemkova (by)
Aliaksandr Khadziakou (by)
Denis Bakunovich (by)
Artem Atrashevski (by)
We will try to accent people’s atten-
tion on things, usually unnoticeable.
They will see that the city, they live
in is unexplored, and everyone can
live in symbioza with it. We want
to explore a part of urban space and
to make it interactive. Through the
means of computational design, ar-
chitecture, programming and mu-
sic we will gather input data and
translate it into acoustic, visual and
spatial transformations in realtime
mode. We will research, program,
built and play in the urban environ-
ment.
Tarnovo cityscape as canvas
tutor
Milena Metalkova-Markova (bg)
The cityscape of Tarnovo is an am-
phitheater of houses over the rivers
meanders amidst nature. It is an
ideal setting to explore the symbio-
sis of architecture and art. The mul-
tiple layers of house facades can be-
come stage decors for the theater of
city life. In the workshop “Tarnovo
cityscape as a canvas” we want to
explore the potential of symbio-
sis between strongly subjective and
contrasting moods of the city which
Tarnovo can inspire. Along the ap-
proach of Christo we will try to re-
veal some hidden qualities of its ur-
ban space by superposition of layers
over its vernacular mosaic. Students
will be encouraged to explore any
creative approach trying to catch the
genius loci of the city.
58
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The Imaginarium *
tutors
Maya Laitinen (no/uk)
Liv Framgard (no/dk)
Want to materialize your dream?
What is the surreal? What is the
feeling of an irrational space? We
will create and transform spaces
to play with your mind, where at-
mospheres bring you closer to the
imaginary, surreal and strangely
pleasant. We will study the art of
atmosphere and natural phenom-
ena like fog, shadow, reflection and
movement. We will explore how we
can build with non- or barely- solid
building materials like fabric, light
and air, obscuring and altering the
world around us. The city is our stu-
dio and we are not afraid to experi-
ment.
Think tank _ differently
tutors
Christian Heshmatpour (at)
Ali Kolaritsch (at)
David Lukacs (at)
Objects are determined by their use,
which serves as a certain value -
practical, sentimental, both or even
more complex, but sometimes their
value change over time. With our
workshop we want to reuse or abuse
things despite their originally de-
signed purposes to create unexpect-
ed situations and objects which raise
the original value. “Think Tank_dif-
ferently” is a platform that works on
the potential of abandoned war ma-
terials by using them differently...
like the abandoned rusting tanks
along the Bulgarian-Turkish border
as relicts of the cold war era. We
want to empty the inside and refur-
bish it for a different use - a kitchen,
a chill out space, a mobile dj-wagon,
a love box... endless design possibili-
ties.
Umbrella
tutors
Pauli Rikaniemi (fi)
Eva De Bruyn (be)
Sofie Devriendt (be)
Nielsine Otto (dk)
Umbrella is the longest existing
workshop in EASA being there every
summer producing newspapers with
inspiration, experiences and insight
to the micro cosmos that is EASA.
You will get to write stories and
news, learn how to get to the point
and get peoples attention in writing.
You also learn how to work together
with others and you get to see and
report on what all the other work-
shops are doing. Most importantly,
we are there creating and maintain-
ing the EASA-spirit.
59
Workshops
Up, down and Stairs
tutors
Mariana Sarbova (bg)
Delcho Delchev (bg)
Radosveta Kirova (bg)
Valeri Gyurov (bg)
The town of Veliko Tarnovo is a
symbiotic product between a unique
landscape and history layers that
fit organically to the natural can-
vas. The steep terrain round Yan-
tra River determine the picturesque
“stepwise” townscape and its visual
perception. The target of the work-
shop is to provoke the participants’
sensitivity and analysis about Tar-
novo’s stepwise urban structure.
The workshop will focus on STAIRS
in all their meanings, applications,
features and symbolic sense, encour-
aging an attempt for going beyond
their well-known everyday role, ex-
ploring their potential in new func-
tional, archetypical and metaphoric
sense - a link between the simple es-
sence of stairs and their symbolic no-
tions.
Walden
tutors
Fran Rodriguez (es)
Marko Vukovic (srb)
Walden is an experiment on modu-
lar living in a natural context. An
essential construction that high-
lights the surroundings providing a
multiplicity of situations within a
basic distribution. Located on the
shores of the Yantra river, the work-
shop will explore new relations be-
tween the city and the water work-
ing on the interstice and providing
new landmarks to the Veliko Tar-
novo riverfront. Walden is a con-
struction but also a starting point
to new situations and multiple con-
nections, inviting locals to come and
explore. Spaces to gather and spaces
to isolate, spaces to see and spaces to
be seen reactivating an area with a
great future potential.
YANTRA यन्त्रtutors
Liva Dudareva
Eduardo Cassina
We propose a workshop that recon-
nects the Yantra River to the Rest of
Verliko Tarnovo. This workshop is
for those interested in pushing the
boundaries of traditional architec-
ture, because we want to examine ac-
tivities as opposed to physical struc-
tures. Our approach emerges from
the Sanskrit meaning of Yantra:
that of instrument, a tool of control
and liberation, that focuses on the
processes, structure and organiza-
tion, depending on the context. We
are interested in experimenting with
new forms of representing architec-
ture. Ephemeral perfomance that
will create long lasting change: the
change of perception of the Yantra,
and hopefully increase its relevance
in the contemporary urban routines
of the citizens of VT.
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assembly venues
The venues of EASA 2014 are spread throughout the city tis-sue. That way the participants will merge with the environment and feel the spirit of Veliko Tarnovo. The distance between the furthest of the locations is not more than 20 minutes walk, and most of them are situated in the old town.
All participants, tutors, organizers and helpers will be ac-commodated in “Cyril and Methodius, Saints” High School. The building is about 100 years old and is protected as cultural herit-age. The school provides a huge two-level yard with marvelous panorama vistas. It is situated just by the castle and right next to Tsar Asen Square. Sleeping – in the classrooms, on the floor.
Accommodation
“Cyril and Methodius,
Saints” High School
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asse
mbl
y ve
nues
Some of the workshops and exhibitions will be held in the old post office. The building is situated on the main street in the old town. It has been abandoned for decades, though in recent years many art festivals and exhibitions have been taking place there.
The old post office
The Old Post office
interior
The Old Post office
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assembly venues
Lectures
Lounge and exhibitions
The lectures will be held in various locations – the atrium of the National Library for the sunny days, the university hall and many others.
There will be even more spaces provided for EASA, spread throughout the city for exhibitions and lounge areas.
The Library
The University
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even
t pro
gram
8
18Friday
tutors arrival
J U LY
29Tuesday
workshop day
19Saturday
participants arrival
workshop presentations
20Sunday
walking tour
workshop selection
21Monday
workshop day
22Tuesday
workshop day
26Saturday
excursion day
27Sunday
workshop day
28Monday
workshop day
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event program
A U G U S T30Wednesday
workshop day
31Thursday
workshop day
01Friday
final presentations
02Saturday
exhibiton day
23Wednesday
workshop day
03Sunday
end of easa 2014
24Thursday
workshop day
25Friday
workshop day
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part
icip
ant l
ife
Being a participant at EASA is great. Therefore it carries great responsibilities. Here are some basic things you should know:
Your workshop is your most important endeavor. Be devoted, put your heart in to it. Never hesitate to ask your tutor about anything unclear you have regarding the work. And don’t for-get – the output of your workshop is a precious pearl for your portfolio.
If you have anything unclear regarding the assembly, organi-zational questions, or if you see some problems around during EASA – contact your NC. It is his/her responsibility to help you, or to pass on any of these issues to the organizers. And really, whenever you see something wrong around - don’t just wait for things to fix themselves – you are an active part of the whole family.
Maintaining the whole campus running and comfortable is a responsibility for every single participant. Therefore the so-called Duties rise about. During the two weeks every country has two Duties. They basically consist in:– Morning and afternoon cleanup (cleaning all the venues – ac-commodation, party place, workshop spaces, toilets…)– Serving food – breakfast, making sandwiches for lunch, cook-ing and serving dinner.A detailed schedule of these Duties will be presented on arrival.
Sleeping bag and a mat; Plate, bowl, fork, knife and a spoon;Bath towel and a swimming suit.
Workshops
Your NC
Duties
What to bring
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fees & accom
odation
68
how
to p
arti
cipa
te
10
If we have encouraged you to take part in EASA 2014 – con-tact the NC of the country where you study (yes, you participate with the team of the country where you study, not your home-lands’). The NCs will give you all the information, deadlines and means of application.
If you are from a country outside Europe – contact the In-ternational NCs. If you are from a country from Latin America – contact the CLEA NCs.
National Contacts list Albania – Fiona Mino
Armenia – Tatévik Hakobian
Armenia – Anna Aktaryan
Austria – Ana Perković
Austria – Patrick Jaritz
Azerbaijan – Parviz Polukhzada
Azerbaijan – Sabina Abbasova
Belarus – Alina Hramyka
Belarus – Anastasiya Andrukovich
Belgium – Eva De Bruyn
Belgium – Sofie Devriendt
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Maja Radmanović
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Dubravko Aleksic
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nataša Radaković
Bulgaria – Zhivka Georgieva
CLEA – Eugenia Ledo
CLEA – Oscar Zetina
Croatia – Ana Lisonek
Croatia – Maja Roić
Cyprus – Georgios Kyriazis
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how to participate
Cyprus – Neriman Ozerek
Czech Republic – Tereza Scheibová
Czech Republic – Anna Svobodova
Denmark – Thea Orderud
Denmark – Nielsine Otto
Denmark – Official
England – Adam Powell
Estonia – Kirke Päss
Estonia – Laura Linsi
Finland – Pauli Rikaniemi
Finland – Robert Hanson
France – Fabrice Wack
France – Matthieu Bordreuil
Georgia – Anuka Tavartkiladze
Georgia – Niko Kejerashvili
Germany – Jakob Kuba Ulbrych
Germany – Marcos Silva Mirra
Germany – Laura Dietsch
Greece – Ermioni Garramone
Greece – Georgios Kapraras
Hungary – Andris Szél
Hungary – Bence Máró
Hungary – Official
Iceland – lost country
International – Miné Roodt
International – Rober McKaye
Ireland – John Macken
Ireland – Hugh O’Rourke
Italy – Matteo Goldoni
Italy – Carlotta Franco
Kosovo – Bardha Meta
Kosovo – Senad Jemini
Latvia – Ansis Šinke
Latvia – Elēna Žubure
Liechtenstein – Nurgül Dörsn
Liechtenstein – Thomas Jochum
Liechtenstein – Fabian Ruppaner
Lithuania – Tomas Milkamanavičius
Lithuania – Justinas Jakštonis
Luxembourg – lost country
Macedonia – Anastasija Spasovska
Macedonia – Natalija Zafirovska
Malta – Sean Mayl
Malta – Samuel Cremona
Moldova – Inna Saraeva
Moldova – Larisa Sisoeva
Montenegro – Dragana Pantović
Montenegro – Ismar Medunjanin
The Netherlands – Ilana Ginton
The Netherlands – Frank Reitsma
Northern Ireland – Colin McClelland
Northern Ireland – Rory Rankin
Norway – Atir Khan
Norway – Martin Konieczny
Poland – Adam Myczkowski
Poland – Bartosz Pasternak
Portugal – André Malveiro
Portugal – Mónica Pacheco
Romania – Cătălin Găman
Romania – Liana Gheorghiţă
Russia – Official
Russia – Tati Leonteva
Russia – Yuliya Baranovskaya
Scotland – Corrie-Ann Rounding
Scotland – Josh Murphy
Serbia – Ana Šulkić
Serbia – Aleksandra Stepanovic
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how
to p
arti
cipa
te
Slovakia – Viktória Mravčáková
Slovakia – Tomáš Kubák
Slovenia – Matic Kašnik
Slovenia – Tadej Pavlič
Spain – Gema Florido
Spain – Miguel Angel Maure
Sweden – Anni Raasmaja
Sweden – Elias Lindhoff
Sweden – Kristin Karlsson
Switzerland – Elena Chiavi
Switzerland – Priscilla Girelli
Turkey – Dilsad Anil
Ukraine – Inesa Kovalova
Ukraine – Iryna Kharchenko
Ukraine – Iurii Kryvokhatko
Ukraine – Yelizaveta Goncharenko
Ukraine – Official
Wales – Beno Edwards
If you have been selected by your NCs to take part in EASA 2014, you will be required to:– Fill an application form (provided by your NC);– Pay your participation fee (fee groups below);– Make one sticker design on the theme “My Symбиоза in VelikoTarnovo” *Keep the original size and format of the template.Your file should be emailed to your NC along with the applica-tion form named as follows:Country_firstname_lastname.pdfExample: Alexandra Kononchenko from Belarus will name herfile like this:Belarus_Alexandra_Kononchenko.pdfExpect to see your lovely design stuck on a lovely place.
Application deadline: April 15th
Payment deadline: April 30th
Requirements
Deadlines
⁎ Use the .pdf layout with
the EASA Symбиоза logos,
available at the download
section at www.symbioza.bg
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how to participate
Fees & accommodation The fee for participants is divided in five groups, according to the financial circumstances in different countries:
300 euro — Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, International, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malta, The Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, Wales
240 euro — Cyprus, Ireland, Italy, Russia (Moscow), Spain
180 euro — Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia
120 euro — Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Turkey
60 euro — Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine
160 euro — Bulgaria (Bulgaria is in group four, but it is a practice throughout the years that participants from the host country contrib-ute a little more due to low travel expenses.)
NB: Your fee is defined by the country where you study.
The fee covers accommodation, food (breakfast, lunch and dinner from July 19th to August 2nd), workshop materials, lec-tures, and all the basic, sanitary and substantial stuff to keep the campus running.
Group one
Group two
Group three
Group four
Group five
Host country fee
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FAQ
s
11
Can I contact the EASA 2014 organizers directly to attend the event?No, you cannot. All the applications must be organized through your National Contact (or the International Contacts) and no single application through any other means will be accepted.
I am a student from a European country that is not represented in EASA. Can I still participate?Yes. There are a few ‘lost countries’ with no representation in EASA at the moment. Contact us at [email protected] and tell us about your case.
My workshop was selected and therefore I will be a tutor in EA-SA 2014. Should I still register as a participant?No, you should not.
My workshop was not selected during the workshop selection process. Can I still participate as a participant?Yes, you can.
Q
Q
Q
Q
A
A
A
A
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Bulgaria – tips &
tricks
12
Bulgaria is a country in Eastern Europe, a member of the Un-ion. The currency used is the Bulgarian Lev – BGN, and one Euro equals two Leva. Paying in euro is not possible, though wide-spread currencies can be easily exchanged. Anyway, we advise you to bring your goods in euro. Getting to Veliko Tarnovo from the major airports will cost you no more than 20 euro. Hitchhik-ing also goes well and hopefully safe.The summer of 2014 will most probably be very hot and dry. Tem-peratures might reach 40⁰C and even higher! Take the proper sun protection, drink lots of water during the assembly, bring a white hat, and don’t stay under direct sun for long – keep it shadowy.
eng I want to symбиоза with you.bg Хайде да правим симбиоза. [Hayde da pravim symbioza]
eng Which workshop did you join?bg В коя работилница се записа? [V koya rabotilnitsa se zapisa?]
eng Is this your first EASA?bg За първи път ли си на ЕАСА? [Za purvi pat li si na EASA?]
eng It is too hot brother. Let’s have a cold beer.bg Ужасна е жега брат, дай да ковнем по една студена биричка. [Uzhasna e zhega brat, day da kovnem po edna studena birichka.]
Make sure you listen to the proper pronunciation in Google Translate.
Basic phrases
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cred
its
In November 2012, at the international meeting of EASA co-ordinators /INCM/ held in Vienna, two teams bid to host the assembly of 2014: Portugal and Bulgaria. Both teams made splendid presentations of their concepts, followed by two days of intense discussions. After extensive debates about the two proposals, the national coordinators reached consensus – EASA 2014 is going to Bulgaria.
We here express our boundless appreciation of the Portu-guese presentation and their lovely team, who were beyond in-spirational. We also want to praise the Austrian team, who not only made a brilliant organization of the meeting, but shared their best of warmth and hospitality, providing a life-changing, unforgettable event. Thank you!
We would like to thank the Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo, which is supporting us devotedly and is looking forward to wel-come you. We are grateful for the priceless support from the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria, The Union of Architects in Bulgaria, the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, the University of Structural Engineering & Architec-ture “Lyuben Karavelov”. Special thanks to One Architecture Week, who not only included EASA in their events, but shared their best of experience with us, to DUPINI Art Group, “TAM” Gallery, ‘Taralej’ Gallery, ‘Projektirane’ Studio and ‘Transforma-tori’ Association.
We are much obliged to our official sponsors – Makita, Bau-mit and Bushmills, who keep this event going and spirited.
A huge THANK YOU to all the tutors and their lovely work-shop proposals.
A massive shout out goes to all the people of EASA – all eas-ians, who are lovely and keep us vigorously inspired in organiz-
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Thanks
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credits
ing EASA 2014. Much love to the Wastelands (EASA 2012 – Hel-sinki, Finland), as well as the teams of Slovenia and Spain, who we constantly keep buzzing with questions. And thank you Sa-sha!
Thanks to all the media in Bulgaria and abroad who give our efforts a strong voice.
It would be fare to mention a few spots that provide great ambiance for working or resting after harsh EASA work – Bash bar, Dada bar, bar Four Rooms, Melon bar, Ritschs’ restaurant and others.
Huge thanks to our families and friend for their understand-ing, warm support and belief.
Thank you for being with us and going through all the chap-ters carefully. Feel free to contact your NCs about any questions that you have. We are more than passionate about welcoming you to Veliko Tarnovo.
As a conclusion
A few works that have inspired us to organize EASA 2014:
Beyond Culture, Edward T. HallSad tropics, Claude Levi-StraussThe philosophy of symbiosis, Kisho KurokawaAesthetics of Modern Art, Dimitar Avramov
www.symbioza.bg [email protected]@symbioza.bgwww.facebook.com/easa.bulgaria
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Bibliography
Contacts
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