19 projects out of 51 were shortlisted following the Call for Proposals 2017/2018 to support the internationalization of Bolognese music, an initiative that aims not only at supporting the participation of musicians, artists and professionals in international festivals, tours and exchange programs but also at hosting artists from other UNESCO Creative Cities of Music.

The projects, to be carried out between August 2017 and December 2018, will receive a grant of a maximum amount of 3,000 euros each. The recipients include 16 associations, 2 freelance professionals and 1 educational public body.

The proposals were assessed according to the overall project quality including innovation and creativity dimensions, technical and financial feasibility, level of representativeness of the local Bolognese territory.

Thanks to this internationalization process, Bologna and its local Festivals have the opportunity to welcome artists from other UNESCO Creative Cities of Music. From the world-known pianist Krystian Zimerman from Katowice (Poland) who will attend a concert of the series “I Concerti di Musica Insieme”, to the Chamber Orchestra Pro Artibus ensemble from Hannover (Germany) that will join the Bolognaise Festival “Il Nuovo, l’Antico”; from the best Colombian performers that will attend the Appenine festival “Eco della Musica”, to other major international guests like a musician from Ghent (Belgium) who will join the Claxica Festival, entirely devoted to classic guitar, Bologna opens its festivals to the Cities of Music.