Stazione di Topolò is going to close

Stazione di Topolò is going to close...here you can find the petition and fundraising:

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/sos-topolo?c=home
http://www.stazioneditopolo.it/24h-2013/index.html

What is Stazione di Topolò - Postaja Topolove

 Stazione Topolò - Postaja Topolove is a laboratory for the arts and for thinking that focuses its activities in the small village of Topolò / Topolove, in the municipality of Grimacco (Udine), at the extreme border between Italy and Slovenia.

Topolò paid a high price after the second world war because of the Iron Curtain, the cost of which was the emigration of 90% of its inhabitants as a consequence of the restrictions to normal aspects of life imposed by the  post-1945 political strategies on the area. Topolò is somehow a symbol of the contradictions of the twentieth century, with its isolation, typical of the mountain villages, reinforced by its "damned border."  It is in such a wounded place that art was thought to have the opportunity to express its ethical value, detached from its entertaining and worldly aspects. Stazione di Topolò - Postaja Topolove – is not a festival and does not include traveling shows but only site-specific projects. In Topolò, experimentation is rooted in tradition and into a worn out culture that is still very rich and archaic.  It is not a show and there are no exhibition times.  Everything takes place in the squares, in the streets, in the fields, in the woods and in private homes, using what is available. In this way, Topolò is neither directly affected by the events, nor is it passive to them, but rather the driving force behind them.

The people who work in Topolò lodge in the houses around of the village, living as locals. In Topolò for many decades hospitality was forbidden. The roles of the artist and the audience are mixed; many projects have been realised through a collaboration between the artists and the guests of the village, or between artists and local children, giving everyone a leading role. Everything takes place in a very informal way.

Stazione di Topolò has drawn the attention of the international media who are fascinated by the utopian ideals of this project which combines art, thought, social life and economic revival. The organisers are gathered in the not-for-profit Association Topolò-Topoluove.

 Why help Stazione di Topolò - Postaja Topolove?

Since 2004, the Friuli Venezia Giulia region has supported Stazione Topolò - Postaja Topolove with a small grant which has guaranteed its survival. In 2011 funding was reduced by 33%. For 2013, the Regional Council has chosen to reduce drastically its cultural fundings: they are now cut by 50%. With the remaining sum it is no longer possible to support any activity, not even to cover the basic expenses. All the funds raised by this campaign will be used exclusively in the production of cultural activities taking place during the year and supported by Stazione di Topolò - Postaja Topolove.