As part of the International Visegrad Fund's 26th Anniversary Evening, the Project of the Year 2025 award was presented to ''Sounds of Diversity'', an artistic collaboration connecting cultures through contemporary music, dance, and performance, by Creative Center Ostrava.
This year marked the 10th edition of the Project of the Year award, which recognizes outstanding Visegrad Fund-supported initiatives. One project was nominated from each of the V4 countries, and the winner was selected directly by the public.
The award was presented by the Executive Director of the International Visegrad Fund, Linda Kapustová Helbichová, to Petra Šuško, coordinator of the winning project from Creative Center Ostrava.
The 2025 edition of Sounds of Diversity focused on the theme of Wellbeing, exploring the search for inner balance in today's fast-paced world. The project brought together composers, musicians, dancers, and visual artists from across the V4 region.
Implemented by Creative Center Ostrava (Czechia), partner institutions included Nová synagóga Žilina (Slovakia), ZKP – Polish Composers' Union, Katowice Branch (Poland), UMZE Ensemble (Hungary), and MOVE Ostrava (Czechia). Across four concerts held in Ostrava and Katowice in the spring and Žilina and Budapest in the autumn, the project showcased newly commissioned works by composers from the V4 countries while creating opportunities for artistic exchange and audience participation.
Receiving the award, Petra Šuško emphasized the significance of the recognition for contemporary art:
"We are absolutely thrilled and excited to receive this prestigious award from the International Visegrad Fund, especially since this project is firmly rooted in contemporary music and dance—genres that are still not widely recognized or mainstream. For us, this award serves as a powerful example of how new art forms can be supported within society and validated by a major institution. This is exactly what funds like this should do: recognize and support new artistic forms and pioneering spirits that push boundaries."
The other nominees for the Project of the Year 2025 award were:
- Crafting Curiosity: From Classrooms to CERN (Hungary), coordinated by the Debrecen School District Centre. The project brought together physics students and teachers from across the V4 region through workshops, detector-building activities, and a joint visit to CERN, fostering curiosity and interest in science among young people.
- ERROR Festival (Slovakia), coordinated by The Homeless Theatre. Through theatre, dance, and music, the project created a platform for artists from socially excluded groups, including people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, and people with mental health challenges, highlighting their creative contributions to society.
- Summer Workshop Camp (Poland), coordinated by the House of Culture Foundation. The project strengthened intercultural dialogue and cooperation among young Roma from the V4 countries, empowering participants through artistic expression, peer learning, and cross-border exchange.
These four projects stood out for their excellence in culture, education, social inclusion, and youth empowerment—demonstrating the diversity and impact of Visegrad cooperation. While each addressed different challenges and audiences, all reflected the Fund's mission to foster mutual understanding, strengthen regional ties, and support meaningful collaboration across borders.
