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GETO we are... The association of independent creators "Geto" was founded in 1998. officially registered in 1999. (Rg 2-99) in Banja Luka (RS, B&H) by a group of alternative musicians and other artists. It is a non-profit, non-government organization started and run by active and creative local youth. They recognized the problems and needs of young people after the war in B&H, especially the young artists who didn't have any chances to express themselves in their primitive surroundings. Cultural regeneration they found the most needed process which youth can contribute democratic society building through; concrete cultural activities are an effective, simple and interesting way of making people think, act and react, not only sitting and believing that politicians will soon discover the most suitable "waiting for Godot" standpoint. standing for... So, the main goal is to gather young, alternative musicians and other artists to work together and to help each other in providing essential needs for their creative work and promotion. Also Geto is working on making young people interested in art (both, young potential artists and the audience) and therefore making them active in society, getting some positive approaches to the life by not being tempted by drugs, alcohol and other destructive vices, seeking for better education, cultural reintegration and qualitative changes in people's minds and deeds. Actually, this is all about impulses and motivation on thinking how to change their environment and their minds through the positive, creative work and focus on culture. concrete activities... Even though the previous Geto's idea in running a cultural center where artists would be facilitated for their creation provided with rehearsal rooms, studios, photo lab, gallery, concert and theater hall has not been yet supported by "city chairs", it is still working on making local authorities interested in the young people needs. It came out that Sisyphus was helping us but in the meantime Geto did realize many other projects and developed the big alternative scene in the town and helped its members to promote themselves in the country and abroad. Right now there are seven local bands, a few photographers, cartoonists, graphic designers, journalists, DJs and pavement artists in the Geto. Also there are very good contacts established with around thirty like-minded organizations in B&H, Croatia, Yugoslavia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Holland, Denmark and Norway, especially through the Wired project (unlimited cultural exchange between Balkan and Scandinavia) that Geto has been a part of from the beginning and through the cooperation with Dutch-BiH NGO C.R.A.S.H. (please read the list of our cooperators below). These contacts led us to a fruitful regional and international co-operation, contributed a lot to Geto affirmation and experiences in structuring. Some of the projects we realized till now are: the first graffiti party in B&H, five Wired band exchanges, open mike nights (young musicians presentation nights), Orthodox New Year parties (that is unofficially Geto's anniversary celebration with all local bands taking part), around 100 concerts of local bands and booking bands from the rest of B&H as well as from Croatia, Yugoslavia, Slovenia, Hungary, Holland, Italy, Denmark, Austria and America. (you can find the list of all the projects realized up till now below) DJs and journalists as well as other members are running Geto program at local radio station directing their own shows, playing alternative music. The III International Jazz festival Zelenkovac 2001 and Kraut rock book publishing are the latest projects successfully implemented and ones of the great importance since we recognized our improvement and steady will in transforming our impotent society into the cultural active one. Paradoxically, we managed to realize all these activities with no working space: office, concert hall, rooms for art workshops, projections, labs, theater, performances, etc. Even though UNS Geto made youth in Banja Luka meet other cultures in concerts and tours bands from abroad, publishing and distributing literature and radio shows, presenting our city, country and our culture in former YU, Holland and Denmark and will keep on that, after all we think that it is of the same importance to mprove local activism and support the youth not to leave the city but to create and produce art and culture in their home town. By arranging different art workshops and cultural happenings, enabling them to be actively involved in many projects, actually doing projects by themselves in their own SPACE, cultural center, that is more likely to be attained.
UNS "GETO" - THE ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT CREATORS
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