NGO "Culture workshop"

Heritage management institution, local arts initiative, urban gardening community and passionate heritage volunteers working together to change the abandoned First World War heritage site to a resilient community hub in harmony with nature and history. Largely based on voluntary effort and with limited funds, this has been a long, open co-creation process which has led to a unique place for arts and culture, biodiversity and community urban gardening with sustainability at heart.
"Kaunas Fort no. 8" is an ongoing reinvention effort within the city of Kaunas to develop Fortress No.8 based on the principles of sustainability seeking synergy among community, nature and history. Fortress No.8 is part of the city wide, circular network of fortifications where artificial reliefs and underground structures are dominant. “Resilient Fortress of Community” created inclusive cultural spaces in Fortress No. 8 and around for the inhabitants that have been slowly separated by socio-economical reasons from the city’s cultural life.
Artists’ residencies that invited international artists to reside with families from the community in the same apartment buildings were a bridge for crossing cultural boundaries, and creating exposure to diverse thoughts and cultures. Moreover, cultural performances and gatherings not only strengthened already existing culture such as community celebrations but also introduced inhabitants to less familiar contemporary art and culture.
Fortress No. 8 became a site for both climate and cultural activism. The collectivity of the neighborhood was expressed through collaboration with artists, conversations, and the growing ownership of the space. Neighbors were involved, engaged and became the artists themselves. The co-creators of the community hub continue to provide activities that educate, while weaving a historical relation to the place. Excursions and heritage caretaking builds a strong connection to the location as well as the nation’s history.