UM-SCENE – Unearthing The Music: Sound and Creative Experimentation in Non-democratic Europe

The main focus of UM-SCENE is to build a comprehensive online database related to experimental music in the countries subject to dictatorial regimes in (mostly, but not exclusively) Central and Eastern Europe in the second half of the 20th century, and by that helping to realize their legacy and importance to present-day music scenes across Europe. It will tackle fundamental European values such as freedom of expression and of movement (both of people and ideas / artistic works), in a time when roughly half of what is now the EU and the whole European continent was far from such basic realities, thus promoting Remembrance and putting in the spotlight shared historical experiences through the re-visitation of important artistic and cultural legacies. It will focus on cooperation among different types of cultural organizations (museums, experimental radio studios, concert organizers, research institutes, archives) and individuals throughout Europe, with the aim of exploring, documenting, disseminating, interpreting and highlighting the significance and importance of a yet under-appreciated aspect of European cultural heritage, while establishing a dialogue between that legacy and contemporary artistic and social aspects that will foster new creations and new reflections.