On 8 October 2025, the European project SPARSE+ (Supporting and Promoting Arts in Rural Settlements of Europe) held its international symposium “Culture Get-Together – European Rural Touring: The Future” in Prague, hosted by Nová síť at the Archa+ cultural centre.
The event brought together artists, cultural professionals, policymakers, and community representatives from across Europe to explore how performing arts can thrive and connect people in rural and peripheral areas.
Throughout the day, participants discussed the role of rural touring networks in building vibrant cultural infrastructures outside major cities. Keynote speakers Sylvia Amann, François Matarasso, and Justin O’Connor offered inspiring perspectives on cultural policy, community engagement, and the social value of the arts.
SPARSE+ partners shared findings from the project’s research and pilot activities, focusing on sustainability, funding models, and local co-creation processes. In the afternoon, an international panel debated how European, national, and local stakeholders can cooperate to strengthen rural cultural ecosystems.
The symposium closed with an open mic session, where artists and cultural organisers exchanged stories, reflections, and creative provocations from their communities — a moment that perfectly captured the spirit of SPARSE+: participation, collaboration, and shared imagination.
The Prague symposium marked a significant step forward in the project’s mission to promote access to the arts in rural areas, demonstrating how creativity can connect territories, empower people, and shape a more inclusive cultural landscape across Europe.
