View source for EPeKa Scientific and Research Association

{{Article
| status       = NIFERTIK!
| maintainer   = Simon Zlahtic
}}

{{Infobox
| name               =EPeKa Scientific and Research Association
| local name         =Znanstveno raziskovalno združenje za umetnost, kulturno-izobraževalne programe in tehnologijo EPeKa (ZRZ EPeKa)
| logo               = EPeKa (logo).png
| image              = 
| street             = Koroška 8
| town               = SI-2000 Maribor
| region             =
| country            = 
| website            = http://www.epeka.si
| email              = epeka@epeka.si
| telephone          = 386 (0) 40 933 990
| fax                = 
| founded by         =
| organised by       =
| organised by 2     =
| organised by 3     =
| managed by         = 
| opening hours      =
| official hours     =
| frequency          =
| dates and duration = 
| duration weeks     = 
| contacts     = {{Contact
  | name        = Štefan Simončič
  | role        = President
  | street      = 
  | town        = 
  | website     = 
  | email       = stefan@epeka.si
  | telephone   = 
  | fax         = 
  }}
{{Contact
  | name        = Nina Petrič
  | role        = Secretary
  | street      = 
  | town        = 
  | website     = 
  | email       = 
  | telephone   = 
  | fax         = 
  }}
{{Contact
  | name        = Irem Ebru Kuru
  | role        = EPeKa Turkey President
  | street      = Ada Mah. Okullar Cad. 130/4
  | town        = Sinop 57000, Turkey
  | website     = http://epeka.org.tr
  | email       = epeka.tr@hotmail.com 
  | telephone   = 
  | fax         = 
  }}

| accounts            =
https://www.facebook.com/epeka.slovenia/
https://www.instagram.com/epeka_slovenia/
}}


{{Teaser|
[[EPeKa Scientific and Research Association]] was established in [[established::2008]] as a union of associations. The association was primarily founded to integrate creators in the fields of culture, art, education, science, and technology for the project [[Maribor, European Capital of Culture 2012|European Capital of Culture 2012]] in Maribor. The mission and aims are grounded in the interdisciplinary approach of art and science on a local, regional, and international level, with the focus on Slovene culture in the context of a global crossroads. The main targeted fields are: music, visual arts, ecology, education, youth programmes, and social entrepreneurship.

In 2014 a sister organisation of the EPeKa, the EPeKa Türkiye, was opened in Sinop, Turkey. 
Roma youth and cultural centre Roma station was opened in 2017. Ever since it hosts many lectures, exhibitions as well as concerts and other performances. 
}}



==Exhibitions==

The premises of the association also offer a gallery space known as [[EPEKA Gallery]]. Works by [[Jernej Forbici]] (SLO), [[Bojana Radulovič]] (MNE), [[Marko Lipuš]] (SLO), and others have been on display there. 

In 2013 a major exhibition, entitled ''Intergenerational Comics Exhibition &ndash; Together for a Better Living'', was opened and hosted 50 adult and 50 young artists. The exhibition was a part of an international EU-funded project coordinated by Info Project from Romania involving 11 organisations from various countries (Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom). 

In 2014 EPeKa was invited to co-curate ''100 years in the Balkans &ndash; The comic strip in resistance'' with Stripforum from Zagreb, an exhibition conducted in partnership with Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée and the Bosnian Cultural Center from Sarajevo and [[Stripartnica Buch]]. This most significant exhibition on comics from the region, which also features Slovene comics, is on display at the Belgian Comic Strip Center in Brussels. The exhibition features artists from former Yugoslavia: Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia (featuring artists K[[ostja Gatnik]], [[Miki Muster]], [[Tomaž Lavrič]], [[Zoran Smiljanić]], [[Iztok Sitar]], [[Jelko Peternelj]]).

Nowdays, Epeka Gallery is mostly focused on exhibiting art produced by members of vulnerable groups, which is closely connected to their educational and entrepreneurial work targeting the Roma and other marginalised groups. Exhibitions related to relevant and sometimes problematic and controversial  topics are often to be seen, which can be exhibit by foreign or local emerging artists. 

==Education==
The association is also concerned with socially engaged education, especially when it comes to marginal social groups. In the past it has organised several workshops, lectures, and projects aimed at an inclusive approach for local and international protagonists (such as English lessons for Roma, intercultural dialogue, lessons of Romani language, etc.).

The education projects are closely related with the European Volunteer Service (EVS), an organisation with which EPeKa extensively collaborates. Among others sources, EPeKa is also financed through institutions that promote European mobility and education: the [[CMEPIUS - Centre of the Republic of Slovenia for Mobility and European Educational and Training Programmes|Centre of the Republic of Slovenia for Mobility and European Educational and Training Programmes (CMEPIUS)]], [[MOVIT, Service for Promotion of Youth Mobility|MOVIT &ndash; a Service for the Promotion of Youth Mobility]], and the [[Slovene Human Resources Development and Scholarship Fund]]. 

==Social entrepreneurship== 
The most well-known EPeKa project is ''Romani kafenava'', the first Roma restaurant in Slovenia, which opened its doors in 2014. The project was supported by the EU Social Fund and the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Rights of the Republic of Slovenia.

Other projects include lectures and debates on social economy, the destigmatisation of vulnerable social groups, and other relevant themes. 

{{Vimeo|203910586}}
 
==See also==
* [[Maribor, European Capital of Culture 2012]]

==External links==

* [http://www.epeka.si/ EPeKa official website]
* [https://www.facebook.com/epeka.slovenia?fref=ts EPeKa Facebook page]
* [http://www.comicscenter.net/en/exhibitions/the-great-temporary-exhibitions/100-years-in-the-balkans Belgian Comic Strip Center official website]


[[Category:EU funding of Slovene organisations (Culture and MEDIA Programmes)]]
[[Category:EU Culture funding recipient]]