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The programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, implemented by UNESCO and funded by the European Union, has supported the translation into Spanish and English of two Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) on digital art and visual effects in cinema. Originally developed in French by the Enghien-les-Bains Arts Centre in collaboration with the Orange Foundation, 91Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·×ÔÅÄ made the courses more widely accessible to provide quality training opportunities for young cultural professionals from the Caribbean. The courses are available on the 

‘This collaboration allows us to support the promotion of digital arts among young talents in the Caribbean who do not always have easy access to digital era resources,’ explained Dominique Roland, Director of the Enghien-les-Bains Arts Centre and Coordinator of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of Digital Arts. ‘Our goal is to broaden the audience for our MOOCs and to promote the visibility and dissemination of knowledge about digital art globally,’ he added.

‘These courses, which cover highly specialized topics in digital art and special effects in cinema, provide knowledge and skills that foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the cultural field,’ stated Anne Lemaistre, Director of UNESCO's Regional Office in Havana. ‘By broadening access to these educational resources, we promote the development of a vibrant creative industry in the region, inspiring participants to explore new forms of artistic expression and address contemporary challenges with a critical and creative perspective,’ she highlighted.

Since its creation in 2002, the Enghien-les-Bains Arts Centre has been closely linked to the dissemination of Caribbean culture through Cuban festivals or partnerships between the National School of Music of Havana and the School of Music of Enghien-les-Bains. This is the second collaboration between the Enghien-les-Bains Arts Centre and the Transcultura programme, following the participation of five young audiovisual creators from the Caribbean in the PIDS Enghien Visual Effects Festival in January 2024.

• The Art of Illusion – This course offers students the opportunity to meet special effects supervisors and artistic directors in cinema. Through case studies and expert interviews, it unveils the techniques behind creating landscapes, creatures and characters on screen. It also explores the evolution of special effects from the era of silent films to the present day.

• Understanding and Dreaming the World – For decades, artists have used new technologies to create new imaginaries and question the future. Through their work, artists help us decipher reality, offering a critical view of technologies and revisiting traditional artistic forms. These artists observe changes in our environment and address current societal issues. This course presents numerous artists who use digital technologies to learn more about these new forms of art. Musicians, visual artists, choreographers and video artists explore the relationships we share with robots, algorithms, sounds, virtual universes and new imaginaries.

The UNESCO Transcultura programme promotes the Cultural and Creative Industries in the Caribbean as a driver of sustainable development through exchange and cooperation in the Caribbean and with Europe. As part of its goal to strengthen the capacities of young cultural professionals in the region, it offers both in-person and online training, including Massive Open Online Courses. In the coming weeks, new courses on sound, film editing, design and music will be available.