How can art help us to make sense of the complex realities of today’s Europe? Many countries within Europe are marked by social inequality, poverty, the distortion of communities, upcoming nationalism and a feeling that injustice rules the country. A sense of loss of orientation often prevails.
Against this background we will look at the growth and popularity of engaged theatre in Eastern Europe in the last years. We will explore the necessity of artistic forms that reflect on the Europe that we are all part of. What role does engaged theatre play in presenting us stories in which pieces of Europe’s realities start to make sense? How can transition to a better future of Europe be imagined through theatre and culture? Can theatre contribute to a new sense of engagement and instigate social change?
We will start this discussion with different engaged (documentary) theatre groups from all over Europe in Bulgaria: a country that in the last 25 years of transition has visibly suffered from these social, political, and economic problems. But also a country where many documentary theatre groups newly emerged. March 23rd : Expert meeting
March 24th : Public discussion
— The Red House Center for Culture and Debate organises and presents socio-political, artistic, cultural as well as socially engaged and educational programmes that focus the attention on important political, social and cultural issues which are not sufficiently discussed in society and media. The Red House is a place for artistic experiments in the field of performing and visual arts, film, music, literature and new media. The Centre organises performances of independent groups, exhibitions of contemporary visual artists, lectures and discussions on contemporary art and culture.
This program is part of the series ‘Re:Creating Europe’
From June 1-3 2016 De Balie and DutchCulture organize a Forum on European Culture entitled “Re:Creating Europe” about the value and impact of arts and culture for Europe and its future.