mfru_15/09

The International Festival of Computer Arts is slowly but persistently surpassing the frames of its formation during the past fifteen years.

Last year for the first time, the festival was executed in spring and autumn terms and thus "tested", whether the public is ready for a festival atmosphere going on for several months. This year, we made a crucial step toward connection and cooperation of all significant partakers in the field of computer arts within the Maribor Municipality.

We are glad that we succeeded to link together the University of Maribor, Maribor Art Gallery, KID Kibla and its festival Kiblix, uho;oko: Institution, son:DA Foundation and Maribor based French artists joined in La Vitrine Collective and Otto Production. Thus, we prepared the basis for developing a platform of computer artists, which we are specially proud of, since only mutual cooperation and connection ensure the festival to successfully pursue its vision.

The extension of the festival terms, strengthening of the festival team, common platform of organisations and artists, continual international collaboration etc., makes us ask why? The development of our activities is focused on Maribor being the European Capital of Culture in 2012, when the Maribor Youth Cultural Center will offer to its audience an International Festival of Computer Arts comparable to European standards. This will place Maribor on the map of cities recognised as the incubator and promotor of the development of intermedia programmes. I want to thank all people who during the past fifteen years helped us and actively participated in the creation of the festival image: all programme managers, coordinators, contributors, volunteers, everyone who helped us search for the right solutions and, of course, our financial supporters who made it possible for us to present not only each year's new Slovene projects but also a great part of the international computer art production. I would like to invite you to join us between November 12th and 14th at the locations of the 15th International Festival of Computer Arts.

Marja Guček, Acting Deputy Director of Maribor Youth Cultural Center