Download PACE.V4 Touring Conference 2016 – program

PROGRAM
PACE.V4TouringConference
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TransportandInfrastructureinV4PerformingArts
4th–15thJune,2016
Budapest(HU),Topoľčany(SK),Žilina(SK),Olomouc(CZ),Ostrava(CZ),Katowice(PL),
Krakow(PL)
ThePACE.V4touringconference–TransportandInfrastructureinV4PerformingArtsoffersanontraditionalformatofaninternationalmeetingfromparticipantsinEurope,Asia,theVisegrad
RegionandtheEasternPartnershipcountries,andtherepresentativesofscenicartsinseven
locationsinHungary,Slovakia,theCzechRepublicandPoland.Thespecificfeatureofthe
Visegradregionisblendingofhistorical,politicalandculturalcontextsaswellasadense
networkcomposedoftraditionalhistoricaltheatrearchitecture,culturalfacilitiesinheritedfrom
theCommunistperiodandnewculturalcentresfoundedafter1989.Theatrehasalwaysbeenan
importantinitiatorofsocialandpoliticalprocesses.Peopleandcreativeachievementsgivethe
mainsourceofenergy,whichfuelsthevividexistenceoftherichculturalheritageand
infrastructure.Thereforethemaingoaloftheconferenceistomeetanddiscovertheirwork,
conditionsandcontextstheyworkin.
Theconferenceoffersanumberoflecturesanddiscussions,whicharefreelyaccessiblefor
professionalsandthegeneralpublic(seetheattachedinvitationandtheprogrammebelow.The
languageoftheconferenceisEnglish.
TheacronymPACE.V4(PerformingArtsCentralEurope–VisegradCountriesFocus)symbolizes
theprojectofthelong-termcooperationinthefieldofresearchandpromotionofscenicarts
fromtheCzechRepublic,Slovakia,HungaryandPoland.TheprojectPACEV4Conference–
TransportandInfrastructureinV4PerformingArtsisrealizedbythefollowinginstitutions:Arts
andTheatreInstitute(Prague,coordinator),ZbigniewRaszewskiTheatreInstitute(Warsaw),
TheatreInstitute(Bratislava),HungarianTheatreMuseumandInstitute(Budapest).The
conferenceisrealizedwiththekindsupportoftheInternationalVisegradFund.
Day½1/04June
15:00
InformalmeetandgreetatthelobbyofSissihotel.Grouptravel
totheTheatreMuseum.
16:00
Welcomereceptiongardenpartyandofficialprojectopeningat
theGiziBajorActors’Museum.Guidedtourofourtemporary
exhibitionontheanddiscussionwiththeyoungteamof
curators.
19:00
PromenadebyArtus–StereoAkt,directedbyMartinBoross,a
site(andtransport)specificperformance.
21:00
Drinksandchat(atlib.)
PromenádbyStereoAkt
STEREOAktisatheatreproductionworkshopbasedonthecontinouscollaborationofMartin
BorossdirectorandAnikóRáczproducer.Theessenceofourperformancesisborninthe-often
silent-interactionofperformersandviewers.Thecollectiveproducessitespecificprojectsand
socialactions.IntheSTEREOAktperformancesthetheatreisanevent,theviewerisa
participant,andtheessenceoftheeventistheencounteroftherealityoftheviewerandthe
imaginationofthecreator.Thereareonlyparticipants,andtheparticipationisalways
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voluntary.Andtheopportunityoftheparticipationisjustaproposal.Theshowsthatarevery
diverseinformandthemesharetheattitudeofthecreators:wealwaysstartfromthequestion
ofwhatshallhappentotheviewer.Inourthreeyearshistorywedevelopedvariousstage
performancesandsitespecificprojectsincooperationinawidevarietyofHungarianand
internationalpartners,co-producers.
PROMENÁD-UrbanFateTourism
Thereisacruisingbusinthecitythatisdifferentfromotherbuses.Therearefatetourists
travelingonboard.Fatetourists,whowatchfrombehindthewindow,hearwhatapasser-by
saysonphone,seewhathappensafterdisappearsinagate–theyknowwherethepersoncomes
from,wherethepersongoesastheyarriveeverywhereintherightmoment.Viewersfollowthe
storyinarealitysetwithintheframeworkofatheatricaljourneytakenplaceonatourbus.
Moreinfo:http://stereoakt.hu/promenad.
Day1/05June
Thecenterandtheperiphery
ArtcentresandtheatreoutsidedowntownBudapestinpost-industrial(NationalTheatre)and
post-socialistneighborhoods(KoMa).Theinterestingquestionhereisartisticandarchitectural
rehabilitationofthesespacesandthechallengesoftheiraccessandspecialpositionvis-à-visthe
citycentre(botharchitecturallyandsymbolically).Duringthedaythreeofthemostimportant
centresforindependenttheatrewillbevisitedwhicharealsoexcitingasarchitecturalprojects.
8:00-8:45
ARUNNINGGLIMPSEOFPESTANDBUDA
RunShootConnect–Workshop(optional,forthebravest)withAttila
Szabó.Bringyourrunningshoes,audiorecorders,sportscamerasand
spyglasses.TourstartsinfrontofSissiHotel
10:00-11:30
TheOLDCENTRE
Walkingtourofthe“BudapestBroadway”withÁgnesMaksai
11:30-12:30
Lunch
13:00–14:30
TheNEWCENTRE
VisitoftheNationalTheatreanditsneighborhood
16:00-17:30
THEPERIPHERYVisittoKoMaBázisinRákospalota/Újpalota(New
Palace)neighbuorhood–discussionwiththecommunitytheatre
projectleadersandcommunitytheatreparticipants
17:30-18:0518:21- THERIVER
18:55
BoardingD13CityBoatfromÚjpestMederutcatoJászaiMaritér
19:15
Dinner
20:30
THENEWBUDAOFINDEPENTENTTHEATRES
Performance:TheStoryRoombyScallaboucheCompany.Anexclusive
adaptationofthesuccessfulimprovshowfortheconference
participants.Bringyourtravelrelatedobjectsandkeywords
21:30
FestivalClubatJurányi
Walkingtourofthe“BudapestBroadway”withÁgnesMaksai
Budapestisacityfulloftheatres.Duringtherichhistoryofthecitymanytheatrebuildingshave
beenopenedandclosed,refurbished,converted,repurposedortotallydisappeared.Onemust
beanexperthistoriantobeabletokeeptrackofthisincessantchange,whichgoesonalsoinour
times.Thesearetheaspectswewillfocuson,duringourwalkthroughtheBudapestBroadway
anditsneighbourhood.Theworldofthemusichalls,GyulaKrúdy’scity,thestormsofhistory
willtakeshapeinfrontofoureyes,lookedatthroughthelensesoftheatre.Whywasthereno
cinemaopenedonMadáchSquare?WhotaughtthePestcitizenshowtoparty?Wheredidactor
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GyulaKaboslive?WhathappenedtotheoldPioneerTheatre?SuchriddlesofHungariantheatre
historywillbeansweredduringthewalk,givingtheparticipantsauniqueinsightintotheold
theatrelifeofthecity.
TheNationalTheatre
ThefirstpermanentvenueinBudapestfortheHungarianlanguagetheatrewasbuiltin1837
whereAstoriaistoday.OriginallybuiltasPestiMagyarSzínház,itwasrenamedNational
Theatrein1840,andin1908relocatedtoanexistingtheatre(Népszínház)whichstoodatLujza
BlahaSquare,andwasbuiltbythefamousFellnerandHelmerduo.Bothbuildingswere
consequentlydemolished:thefirstonein1913,theNépszínházin1965.Thelocationofafinal
homeforthenewNationalTheatrehasbeenpursuedbyproponentsofHungarianculturewith
greatintensityafterthe1965demolition.Constructionsofanewbuildingstartedatthe
downtownErzsébetsquare,basedonthedesignsofFerencBán,butagovernmentchange
stoppedtheconstructions.Acompletelydifferentprojectonadifferentsitewascommissioned
byarchitectMáriaSiklóswhohadearliermadethereconstructionofseveraltheatres(Opera
House,Vígszínház,Thália,SzolnokSzigligetiTheatre).
Theplanofthebuilding,whichappearsfromadistancetoevoketheColosseum,wasnotmade
forthissite,butforanotherplotwhichturnedouttobeunsuitableforconstruction.However,
timewaspressing,andthegovernmentchoseanareafarfromthecitycentre:thesouthern
reachesoftheDanubeembankment.Theintentionofthegovernmentatthetimewasthatthis
areaofBudapestshouldbecomeanewculturalhubforthecity.Theconstructionwascarried
outinarecordtimeof15months,openingon15March2002withtheTragedyofManbyImre
Madách.Theexternalfacadesboastacavalcadeofhistoriciststylisticelementsembroidered
withrichamountsofsculpturaladornment.Thisrichnessextendsintotheinteriordecorationof
thebuildingalso.Thegardenandthestatueparkwerelaterattachedontotheareasurrounding
thetheatre.Thetheatrehasaseatingcapacityof619,includingthegrandhallwithafixed
prosceniumarchandablackboxstudio.Themainstagehasasurfaceof24x17.90m2and28m
(external)height.A15x15mbackstageanda18x15sidestage(ontheleft)areadjacenttothe
mainstagewitha7mceilingheight.Thegroundareaofthebuildingwiththeopen-airstageis
20,844m2.Thestageofthegrandtheatrewasredesignedatalaterphase–itreceived
computer-regulatedhydraulicelevatingstagemachinerycomprisingnumerousplatform
elements.Thesquareinfrontofthemainentranceendsinaship,toweringaboveapoolof
water,inwhichthereisafragmentofastonefaçadewithatorch:theevocationofthe
demolishedNationalTheatreonLujzaBlahaSquare.Onthelawnaroundtherearescattered
sculpturesofgreatactorsfromthesecondhalfofthe20thcentury.Sincethen,thePalaceofArts,
acomplexculturalvenue,wasbuildadjacenttotheNationalTheatrein2005,basedontheplans
ofZoboki,DemeterandCo.Architects.Severallargeofficecomplexesarebeingcontinuously
builttowardsthecitycentre,projectswhichalsotrytosomewhatrethinkthepedestrianaccess
totheDanubebank.However,itisquestionableifthedesiredculturalquartierwhichthecity
plannershaddreamtof,hasbeenrealizedintheareaalready.GyörgySchwajda,TamásJordán,
RóbertAlföldiand,since2012,AttilaVidnyánszkyhavebeenthedirectorsoftheNational
Theatre,strongartisticleaderswhosedirectorshipsmarkederasofdifferentartistictendencies
anddifferentanswersontheroleofanationaltheatreinthe21stcentury.
KOMABázisinDistrict15
SinceKOMAwasestablishedin2007,ourfocushasbeenmaximizingtheimpactoftheatreon
socialandindividuallife.In2011,wechoseoneoftheouterdistricts(the15thDistrict)of
Budapestasthecentreforouractivitiessowecouldimplementtheatricalmethodsandobserve
theirlong-termimpactonaspecificcommunity.Atfirst,weworkedwithqualifiedactors;then,
besidesourclassicaltheatricalactivities,welaunchedacommunitytheatreprojectwith
fantasticresults.However,wehadtorealizethatneitherourfinancialnorourhumanresources
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aresufficientformaintainingtwodivergentdirectionsofactivities.Therefore,inJanuary2014,
wehavedecidedtocontinueasacommunitytheatre.Thelasttwoyearshaveexceededour
expectations.Localcommunitiesrespondedfavourablytothetheatricalmethods,andnew
communitieshavebeenformed.NotonlyhastheBázis(the“Base”)becomeapartoflocal
residents'lifeasatheatricalcentre–withprogramsoftenorganizedbytheparticipants
themselves–,but,besidesourunquestionablesocialandeducationalachievements,wemayalso
havehelpedthetraderecognizethatcommunitytheatreisindeed:theatre.Theseexperiences
guideusinproceedingwithourworkin2016andsettingevenmoreambitiousgoalsfor
ourselves.In2016,aplethoraofcommunityeventstakeplaceintheBázisfivedaysaweek,
generatedbytheyoungpeoplewhohavesetupbasethere.Participantsundergoradical
changes:theybecomemoremotivated,conscious,andsociallymature.Weselectnew
contributorsforeachperformancetoensurethatthepositivetakeawayfindsitswaytothe
widestpossiblecommunity.Ourprimarytargetgroupstillconsistsofyoungpeoplebetweenthe
agesof15and30.Theseyouthareopen-mindedandresponsive,buttheyarealsogoingthrough
asensitivetransitionalperiod,whentheyneedguidanceandcoherentvalues.Ourgoalisnotto
buildapermanenttheatregroupbuttosharetheexperienceofcommunitytheatrewithasmany
participantsaspossible.
TheBáziscreatesspaceforhobbies,leisuretime,andsocialactivity.KOMALabinvolves14
youngpeopleinaweeklyactivityofdramagroup.Itfocusesondevelopingindividualskills:
articulatingthoughts,verbalexpression,focus,andcreativity.AtBázisFilmClubevents,movies
areprecededandfollowedbycommunitybuildingactivities,self-awarenesstraining,improving
individualandgroupcommunication,andexpressingopinions.Zsendülés(“Burgeoning”)isan
amalgamofartformsfrommovementtofineartwiththeaimofbringingparticipantscloserto
themselvesthroughtranquillity,creation,andmeditation.Ourstudygroupprovidestutoringby
volunteerteachersforstudentswithlearningdifficultiesorpreparingthemforthehigherlevel
secondaryschoolexams.Wehavelaunchedanewgroupin2016foryouthwhoabandoned
institutionalizededucationbetweentheagesof14and16,butnownewimpulsesfromtheBázis
madethemrecognizethevalueinlearning,andtheywouldliketograduatefromsecondary
schoolattheageof20-22.Leisureactivities,suchasregulardartsandtabletenniscupsor
partiesarealsoanessentialpartofcommunitybuilding.Intheautumnof2016,weareplanning
tolaunchaSOLE(Self-OrganizingLearningEnvironment)program,whichcouldtargeteven
younger(elementary-school)childrenbyteachingthemtousetheInternetwhileprovidingnonformaleducation.Themotivationgeneratedbytheprogramcouldalsohelpchildrenmeetthe
requirementsoftheschoolsystem.
In2015,weorganizedOPEN,thefirstHungariancommunitytheatrefestival.In2016,weare
planningtoholdthesecondOPENfestivalwithanevenwiderrangeofprograms.Besides,we
hopetocontinuesharingourexperiencesandideas,andlaunchingincreasinglyambitious
projects,suchasjointworkshops,camps,andotherprograms.InMay2016,wewillparticipate
inthe3rdBürgerbühnentagung,oneofthemostprestigiousEuropeancommunitytheatre
conferencesinKarlsruhe,inpreparationforthe2017festival.Meanwhile,weareintouchwith
thecommunitytheatrefacultyoftheStaatsschauspielDresden,whichhasitsownannual
repertoireoffivecommunitytheatreperformances.Since2015,wehavebeencooperatingwith
theCzechNaCuckytheatregroupfromOlomouc:wedevelopedCitygame,apublicboardgame,
andwehaveajointprojectintheCreativeEuropeprogrammewiththeparticipationofaDutch
theatregroup.
StoryRoombyScallabouche
ScallaboucheisauniqueEnglish-speakingtheatrecompanyinBudapestfoundedandmanaged
byAlexisLatham.ThecompanyhasagreedtoproduceaspecialversionofStoryRoom,oneof
theirmostsuccessfulimproshows,toreflectonthethemesofthePACE.V4travelconference.3
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actors,75minutesandalltheyhavearejustthewordsandobjectsgiventothembyyouthe
audienceatthebeginning.It’satheatricalhi-wireactastheyswingfromstorytostory,picking
eachotherupandknockingeachotherdown,weavinganarrativeforthenight.Experiencethat
uniqueenergyoflive,spontaneous,creativity.StepinsidetheStoryRoomandembarkona
journeywithScallabouche.Cast:AndrewHefler,BenO’Brien,AlexisLatham,Directedby:Alexis
Latham
SinceScallabouchewasfoundedin2000improvisationhasbeenacorethemeofthecompanies
work.Andtruetotherulesofimprothejourneyofthecompanyhasneverbeenplannedand
nearlyalwaysaboutthemoment.Aftereverynewproduction,andtherehavebeenmorethan
15,therewasalwaysanewideaofwhattoexploreforthenextstepofthestory.Overtimeand
withthehelpoflookingbackfromourcurrentposition,cleartraitshavebecomeevident.Weare
alwayslookingtobreakboundariesandmergelines,therolebetweenaudienceandactor,
betweenactorandcharacter,betweenfantasyandreality.Mixingandmergingstoriessothatwe
keeptheaudienceguessingaswemovefromonelevelofstorytoanotherandbackagain.AndI
thinkwhatweareultimatelyalwaysstrivingtodoistocapturethatlive,spontaneous,danger
thatcomeswithimprovisationandmakeitaprevalentforceinallourshows,whethertheyare
text-based,devisedorinthemomentgameplaying.Andwhy?Becauseoncetheaudienceknow
whatthestoryis,it’snolongerastory.
AlexisLatham,founderandleaderofthecompany
Day2/06June
Outsidethecapital–ComingtoTermswiththeIndustrialandsocialutopiasofthe
previouscentury
StudytriptoTatabánya,aformerminingtownandacommunistmega-project.Howdoesthe
citytheatreworkhere?Whatrelationshipdotheyhavewiththeaudienceandthehistoricalpast
ofthecity?Whataretheaudiencesexpectingfromthecitytheatre?
9:20-10:07
TrainfromBudapestDélitoTatabánya,Alsógallastation.
10:30
JászaiMariSzínházésNépház–JászaiMariTheatreandPeople’sHouse
Theatretour,discussionwiththeartistsandmanagers
12:00
Lunch(atthetheatre)
13:30
VisitoftheMiningandIndustrialOpenAirMuseum(BányászatiésIpari
Skanzen).
Discussion:Museumsperforminghistory,asatoolofrememberingand
citybranding(withthemuseumstaffandexpertsinmuseums).
16:40
TrainbacktoBudapest,Délistation
18:00
VisitofJurányiIncubatorHouse
18:30
Paneldiscussionandpresentations:StagingtheCityandSocialSpacesof
YoungAudiences(withHungarianexpertsandpractitionersofyouth
theatreandpuppettheatre).Pitchingandpaneldiscussionhostedby
ÁgnesTakács
21:00
Festivalclub,informalnetworkingwithHungarianartists(JurányiHouse)
JászaiMariTheatreandPeople’sHouse
In1913,theHungarianGeneralCoalMiningLimitedstartedtheconstructionofthePeople’s
House,tocomplywiththeprovisionsofthemininglaw,whichpromotedtheneedtofulfilthe
culturalandentertainmentneedsoftheinhabitantsandworkersoftheminingsettlement.The
grandiosebuildingfinishedin1917hasbecomeandisstillthemostprominentculturalvenueof
thetownofTatabánya.TheMiner’sTheatrelaythegroundsofthetheatricalactivityinit,which
wasfoundedin1964.TheKomáromCountryPlayers,ledbyBélaÉlessmovedintothebuilding
in1989,whichbecameTatabánya’sfirststate-subsidized,professionaltheatre,underthename
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ofPeople’sPlayhouse(Népház-játékszín).In1994thetheatretookitspresentname,
commemoratingthegreattragedienneMariJászaiin1994,whowasbornnearby,inthevillage
ofÁszár.ZoltánZubornyákandLászlóHarsányiSulyomwerefurtherleadersofthetheatre.The
buildingenjoyedarefurbishmentbetween2007and2009,whereitreceivedarchitectural
enlargementsandmechanicaldevelopment.Duringthepastfewyearsover1200actorsplayed
onthestageoftheJászaiMariTheatreandthelocalspectatorscouldseeover180own
productions.Manycontemporaryplaywrightshadtheirsuccessfuldebutonthisstage,
acclaimedbybothprofessionalsandthegeneralpublicalike.Thetheatrewishestoworkasa
culturalestablishmentwhich,beyondqualityentertainment,alsoputsupthought-provoking,
catharticperformanceswhichreflectonourcontemporaryissues.Bytakinguseofthe
opportunitiesgivenbythedifferentplayingsites,thetheatremanagestopresentnotonlylargescaleproductionwhichappealtothelargermasses,butalsomoreexperimental,moreintimate
performances,orchildren’sshows,whicharestagedinthestudio.Therepertoryofthetheatre
thuscomprises:classicaldrama,contemporaryHungariantragi-comedy,comedy,musical,
Singspiel,operetta,fairy-taleplay,musicalpuppetshowandothergenres.
TatabányaIndustrialSkanzen,theOpen-airMiningMuseum
Withthevisittotheminingmuseum,whichisoperatedbytheCityMuseumofTatabánya,we
wouldliketoencourageadialoguebetweentheroleofmuseumsandtheatres,asthemajor
publicinstitutionsofcultureandmemoryinacity,andthinkabouttheirdifferentaudiencesand
specialrolesinperformingaspeciallocalidentityofagiventown.
TheIndustrialSkanzenofTatabánya,isauniquemuseumfurbishedonthesiteofaformermine
shaft.Shaft15wasthelastworkingcoalminingsite,thebuildingsandyardofwhichhostthe
museumtoday.Awidevarietyofminingmachinerycanbeexploredhere,withanoptional
descentintotheformershaft,seeingtheoriginaltowerwiththemachinehouse.Theoldoffices
hostvariousexhibitions,ofminerals,fossils,butthemostexcitingofallismaybethe
reconstructedminedirector’soffice.IntheoldbathinghallanexhibitionofViktorLois’s
industrialmusicinstrumentscanbefound,titledSoundBath.Theworn-offmainbuildingisalso
quitesurreal,alsofullofcurious,industrialsound-makingmachinery,whichcanbebroughtto
lifebythevisitors.Ontheyardthereareseveralindustrialsteel-madestatuesondisplay,for
instancetheprototypeofthefamousTurulfalconstatue,whichhasbecomethesymbolofthe
town.Themostpopularexhibitofthemuseumisacoupleofsix-apartmentminer’shouses,the
so-calledsixdoorhouses,inwhichwecanpeekintothelivesoftheold-timeminersofdifferent
socialclassesfromtheearly1900to1960.Thereisashoemaker’sshopherewithmanyold
shoes,atrulyretrohairdresser’ssalon,aphotoshop,agrocerystoreetc.Inoneofthehouses
youcanseeaneducationhistoryexhibit,furbishedinthestyleofthe1920sand1930s,whilethe
otherinthemuchbetterknownperiodfurnitureofthe1960s.Itisagreatexperiencetolook
aroundinthemeticulouslyreconstructedclassrooms,tositinoneofthesmallbenches.Eventhe
all-too-familiarbluenylonschoolcoatsarehangingonthewalls.
JurányiIncubatorHouse
JurányiIncubatorHousewasopenedinautumnof2012.ThebuildingwasrenovatedbyFÜGE
ProductionsandtheleaderofFÜGEProductions,ViktóriaKulcsár.Thevenueislocatedonthe
Budaside,wheretheatrescanbehardlyfound.Thebuildingusedtobeaschoolanditisrented
fromthelocalgovernment.Onnearly6500m²,on5levelsmorethan11theatreanddance
companiesandseveralotherorganizationshavefoundtheirhome.Theatrecompanieslike
ViktorBodó’sSzputnyikShippingCompany,VilmosVajdai’sTÁPTheatre,GyörgyÁrvai’s
CollectiveofNaturalArtDisaster,HoppArtCompany,Gólem,OpenCircleAssociation;ordance
companieslikeTheSymptoms,DudaÉvaDanceCompany,ZéróBalett,KatlanGroupand
WorkshopFoundationarerentingofficesand/orrehearsalspaces.Theseandothergroupscan
showtheirproductioninseveralpremises:inabigtheatrehallorinasmallerstudio.Thehouse
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includesHungary’sprobablyfirstsetdesignandcostumerentalservice,andtherewillalsowork
asetdesignworkshopandashowroom.TheJurányiIncubatorHousecontainsacoffeeshop
andanartgallery,aswell.
StagingtheCityandSocialSpacesofYoungAudiences–artisticforumandroundtableat
JurányiHouse
TheclosingroundtableoftheHungariansectionofthetravelconferencewillgiveparticipantsa
chancetomeetwithmanyindependenttheatremakersfromBudapest,whoareespecially
engagedinsite-specificperformances,cityinterventionsandyouththeatre.Differentformsof
classroomtheatre,TheatreinEducationprojects,theatreexperimentsengaginglocal
communitieshavebecomeawidespreadtrendinBudapestlately,withmanyofthe
institutionallytrainedprofessionaltheatreartistsmigratingtowardstheseprojectsinsteadof
producingtraditionaltheatreshows.OrganizedbyÁgnesTakácsfromtheTheatreInstitute,who
isanexpertofthetopic,theconferencewillhostseveralartisticcollectiveswhowilltalkabout
oneoftheirrecentprojects.Theshortpitchsessionswillleadintoaclosingroundtablewhich
wouldhopefullystimulateadialoguebetweentheinternationalparticipantsandtheHungarian
artists.BálintMattyasovszkyZsolnayfromKOMAwillpresentBlokkoló,aperformativeproject
involvingyoungstersfromtheDistrict15communistresidentialarea,playwrightanddirector
AndreaPasswillspeakaboutNewWorld,aclassroomperformancewhichoffersacomplexyet
clearanalysisofraisingfundamentalismamongyoungsters,FanniNánayfromPlaccFestivalwill
presentseveralsite-specificperformanceswhichhavesprungupinBudapestlately,while
BorossMartinwillspeakandtakequestionsaboutStereoAkt’sPromenád,thefirstperformance
youcouldseeinBudapest,thusnicelyroundingupyourstayintheHungariancapital.Cautious
drinkandchatwillfollowatthebarofJurányi,sincethetrainleavesearlythefollowingmorning
towardsSlovakia…
Day3/07June
Platform1–12/Nástupište1-12
Platform1-12Platform1-12isthemultimediaspaceforcontemporarycultureopenedinthe
underpassbeneaththebusstationinTopoľčanyinSeptember2011.Thespaceitselfoffersa
platformtopresentarts,culturalandeducativeworkshopsanddiscussionsinauniqueattempt
torecyclethepublicspace.Theactivitiesincludeartexhibitions,expertlectures,seminars,
workshops,publicradiorecordings,theatreperformances,filmscreenings,musicperformances
anddiscussions.Mostoftheartworksaresitespecificcreations,especiallyconsideringthe
surroundingthatcanserveitselfasamediumforcommunicationanddialoguebetweenart
workandthenon-traditionalviewers.Platform1-12participatedwithtwoprojectsina
collectiveexhibition"AskingArchitecture–ThePavilionofCzechandSlovakRepublic”at13th
InternationalArchitectureExhibitionoflaBiennalediVenezia,"CommonGround“.In2013,
Platform1-12hasbeenawardedtheMOSTAwardforthebestprojectbyYouthCouncilof
SlovakRepublic.ThesameyearPlatform1-12becamepartoftheteamforsite-specific
installationsforEuropeanCapitalofCulture,KošiceandforAmsterdamLightFestival,Holland.
In2015theprojectwasawardedSpecialPrizeforbestSlovakcommunityprojectbyOrange
Foundation.
15:00
ZuzanaGodálova-Novotová/IntroductionofPlatform1-12andalecture
“Interventionof(performing)artsintothepublicspace”
16:00
JuloKrištof/Platform1-12&surroundings-guidedtourofsitespecific
artinterventionsinTopoľčanycreatedduringartisticresidenciesin
Platform1-12
17:00
PetraFornayová/SitespecificartinSlovakia-danceinspace
Lúky(Meadows)-soundinstallationbyJonášGruska,combinedwith
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18:00
19:00
After20:00
livevisualizationbyZuzanaGodálova-Novotováandliveperformance
(ongoingsoundinstallationwithperformance)
PetraFornayová-ON_OFF_walkingcircle
FeroKirály&ZuzanaŽabková:BOTULUS
Dinnerandpartyinthecity
ZuzanaGodálová-Novotovástudiedcontemporaryfine-artsinEnglandatSheffieldHallam
University.ShelivedandworkedinEnglandandNewYorkforawhile.Shecreatesconceptual
installationsandinteractiveobjects;sheisfascinatedbybanalproductsandsituationsof
everydaylife.Inherwork,sheusesvariousmedia–photography,animation,video,drawings,
sculptures,orsoundandsheleanstowardstheideaofpublicspaceasacommunication
platform.SheisthefounderandchairmanofanNGOPlatform1-12,whichopenedin2011as
multi-mediaspaceforcontemporaryculture.
JuloKrištof
Afteryearsofworkingforinternationalcorporations,JuloKrištoffoundthejoyoflifeinworking
onculturalandartisticprojects.Heco-foundedPlatform1-12inhishometownTopoľčany,
becausehesharesapassionforpublicspaceandmultimediawithZuzana.Heisacodramaturge,alsoresponsibleforinternationalrelationsandcross-bordercooperationin
Platform1-12.ThankstohisambitiontobringSlovakcontemporaryarttoforeignaudience,
SlovakartistsarenowknowninUK,Austria,Germany,Poland,Norway,Denmark,andUSA.
PetraFornayovágraduatedatLawFacultyofComeniusUniversityinBratislava,studieddance
attheAcademyofPerformingArtsinBratislavaandattheEDDCDüsseldorf.Sheperformedin
manydanceandtheatreprojectsofSlovakandforeigndirectorsandchoreographers(P.
Groll/SK,F.Vogels/NL,A.Green/USA,M.Fulkerson/USA,DE,M.L.Philippsen/DE,J.Šimko/SK,
etc.)andalsocreatedmanyofherownchoreographies(HalfmoonBear,Kirin,DeepDisorderof
Epidermis,AllILove,ObjectsofResearch,Musicwithchangingparts,Opernball,etc.).She
writesforcontemporaryartmagazineVlna,isaco-founderofA4-spaceforcontemporary
cultureinBratislavaandsince2001sheisinchargeofSlovakContemporaryDanceAssociation.
In2006shefoundedtheinternationalcontemporarydancefestivalNuDanceFest.Inherwork
dominateslinkingofvariousartgenres,conceptualintention,andcontextualizationofprivate
spheresinthecurrentartisticandsocialdiscourse.
Lúky(Meadows)
Artisticperformanceandsoundinstallation“Lúky”isauthors’tributetoalmostlostpristine
meadowsaroundvariouspartsofSlovakia,wherethesoundoftraffic,chain-saws,oranyother
isnotpresentyet.SlovaksoundartistJonášGruskahasbeenexploringSlovakmeadowsinBišár,
SucháDolina,Trasľavývrch,orZáruby.Hemadebeautifulandsophisticatedfieldrecordings
usingprecise,mostlyDIYaudiodevices.Hisrecordingsandlivevisualizationsbyfineartist
ZuzanaGodálova-Novotová,areusedasabackgroundforliveperformancebysingersJana
Ambrózová,EvaBrunovská,DajanaaDominikaMargotováandBarbaraPetrgálovábasedon
Slovaktraditionalpolyphonicsongs.
ON_OFF_walkingcircle
...youknowwheretheyarenow...Topoľčanymayexistasamarketontherivernearthecenter,
thentoNitra,achariottookmaybeaday,amajortraderoutethatconnectedthenorthand
southledalsobytheriverforcenturiesbefore...inthe9thcenturynearNitra...afewyearsago
discoveredthefortBojná...relationshipwiththeByzantinemissiontoNitra,certainlybrothers
fromThessalonikididnotcomealone,butaccompanied...whentheriverwasfullofmeanders
andverymarshy,howdidallthecarriagesloadedwithpeopleandgoodsgothrough...andon...
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wecannotavoidJewishtopic,itistheplacestronglymarked,itspinsayarnaboutalot,but
thereisneverenough...andback…theareaaroundtheriverNitrawasextremelyrichin
prehistory...peopleflowedalongtheriver...stillseetheroverthere...toimaginethecountryif
wewerenotthere,theriver,forexample,fourthousandyearsagowhenthefirstfarmerscame...
thecityhasmanagedwelltocleanthemonuments,althoughNitraregionisrichinmonuments
throughoutitscourse,andthat'sjustthepartthatispreserved…
Botulus
IstheforthcomingduetbyFeroKirály&ZuzanaŽabkováfurtherdevelopingideaoftheir
previousspontaneousperformanceinGallerySoda,Bratislavain2014.Originallyasonic-kinetic
actsetinatentinthegalleryyard,theperformanceisnowsetatNástupište1-12inTopoľčany
andinthecontextofV4countriessymposiumconnotescurrenttopicsofnomadismandexodus.
ThenameBotuluscomesfromLatintranslationoftheword„Sausage“,whichhasthesamebasis
inallfourlanguagesusedinV4countries(kiełbasa,kolbász,klobása).Botuluscanbea
metaphorofinhabitantsofV4countriesandBotulusexoduscanbetheirhypotheticalproblem.
Day4/08June
StanicaŽilina-Záriečie–culturenode
StanicaCulturalCentrehasoccupiedtheoldstationbuildingofthestilloperational,ŽilinaZáriečietrainstationsince2003,combiningtherolesofindependentvenue,artisticlaboratory
andactivists’collective.Itisaculturenode-creative,educativeandcriticalthatcontinuesthe
storyofasmalltrainstation,wherepeoplestopasthey’repassingby,tosharenewsand
experiencesfromtheirtravels.Trucsphérique,non-governmentalorganizationfor
contemporaryartsandculture,whichwasfoundedin1998inŽilinarunsthespacewithgallery,
workshopandartistsresidencyspace,acafe,awaiting-room,andamultifunctionalpresentation
venuefortheatre,dance,concerts,discussionsandscreenings.In2009thevenueS2was
launched.Itisanalternativeconstructionofbeercratesandstrawbales,wheremostofthe
performancesnowtakeplace.www.performingartsV4.euStanicaisnotjustculturalcenter,buta
platformforinformation,research,andrealizationofexperimentalart,culturalandcommunity
projectsandinternationalandinter-sectorcommunicationthatleadactivitiestoother
institutionsandacrossourEuropeannetworks,includingTransEuropeHalles.
14:30
IntroductionandpresentationoftheprojectofculturalnodeStanicaŽilinaZáriečie.
14:50
IvanaRumanová/Whatsuckshere?ArtandpoliticsinSlovakia
Introductionoftheconferencetopic
15:10
IvanJurica/Thinkingwiththeeyes:Onconstantradicalizationandthe
lackofcriticaltheory
15:30
Coffeebreakplusdiscussion
16:00
MilanZvada,RadoSloboda/NOTINOURTOWN-interventionsand
culturalreflectionsoflocalpolitics
16:20
DáriaFojtíkováFehérová/PoornessinSlovakia
16:40
FedorBlaščák/Monkeybusinessofartwithpolitics
17:00
Coffeebreakanddiscussion
17:30
DepartureforSynagogue
18:00
MarekAdamov/NovaSynagogaproject
19:00
Dinnerinthecity
20:30
JaroViňarský:BUTTICULA–FOOL´SFIGURES.
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Whatsuckshere?ArtandpoliticsinSlovakia
InMarch2016aneo-fascistpartyhasbeenelectedtotheSlovakianParliament.
Theneedtodosomethingmixedwiththedoubtswhetherthecurrentsituationistheresultof
thepublic/culturalspherefailureareverypresentinthepost-electionsdiscussions.Butwhatis
tobedoneandhowtorespondcriticallytothesituationinwhichthecriticaldiscoursehasbeen
appropriatedbytheauthoritarianmovements?
InthetextLetsdonothingBorisBudenreflectsonthepossibilitiesandlimitsofthepublic
activism.By“doingnothing”hedoesnotproposetoacceptapassivestateofresignationbut
callsforanecessitytorethinktheformsofartisticengagementthatwouldn´treproducethe
dominantdichotomiesandwouldcomeupwiththenewperspectivesofseeingthingsinstead.
Sotheissueswewouldliketodiscusswiththeinvitedartpractitionersandtheoreticianscanbe
formulatedasfollows:
Howcanarttakeoverthecriticaldiscourseusurpedbytheauthoritarianmovementsandcreate
aspaceofcomplexityinsteadofthesimplisticsolutions?
Howcancontemporaryartdealwiththeabsolutevalues(Truth,Goodness,Beauty…)without
reproducingtheabsolutistpatterns?Thesevaluesevenifthey´vebeenrelativizedand
deconstructedmultipletimesseemtogaintherelevanceinthetimesofinstabilityand
precarization.
TowhichextentisthecurrentconservativeandnationalistturninCentralEuropeinfluencedby
itsperipheralpositionwithinEU?What´stheroleofself-victimizationandpost-colonialist
patternsintheseprocesses?
IvanaRumanováisculturalanthropologist.ShestudiedatCharlesUniversityinPragueand
Paris1PanthéonSorbonne.Sheisinterestedinartpracticesontheintersectionbetweenart,
anthropologyandpolitics.SherealizesprojectsatStanicaŽilina-Záriečieandwritesforthe
journalsA2and3/4.
Thinkingwiththeeyes:Onconstantradicalizationandthelackofcriticaltheory
DespitetheirpositioninthecenterofEurope,Visegrádcountries,ortheareacurrentlyassigned
assuch,alwaysplayedtheroleofamargin.BeingapartoftheDanubeMonarchytheyserveda
bufferzonebetweenOccidentandOrient,betweentheWestandRussia/SovietUnionand
reverse.WithinthecontextofWesterncivilizationtheyfindthemselvesclosetoitsCentre,but
notcloseenough.Departingfromthatposition,South-EasternEuropeanmodernculturesand
theireliteswerebornoutoftheself-consciousnessofadeficit.Thesenseofinferioritybecame
continuouslyinherenttothisarea,additionallyhighlightedandradicalizedafterthecollapseof
socialism.Butsucharadicalizationofpower-relationsdidn´ttakeplacesolelyonthelevelof
East-Westrelations,butwasre-producedinsideofthepost-socialistturbo-capitaliststructures.
Thiscontributionisanattemptofamorecomplexelaborationofthosetendenciesfocusingthe
Westerncolonialtradition,thelongracisttraditionwithintheVisegrád-area,thelackofanticapitalisttheorybeyondthebinaryreligion/nationandinthesetermsrehabilitationoffascist
andnationalsocialisthistory.Lastbutnotleastitwillposequestionsontheroleofcriticalart
andculturewithintheseprocesses.
IvanJuricaisartistandart-educator,workingonconjunctionofart/theory/politics.Inhiswork
hefocusesEast-Westrelations,post-colonialtheoryandhistorywriting.Livingandworkingin
ViennaandBratislava(Austria/Slovakia).
NOTINOURTOWN-interventionsandculturalreflectionsoflocalpolitics
ThepresentationdepictsareactionofthelocalactiviststothefirstvictoryofMarianKotlebain
regionalelectionssince2013withspecificfocusontheroleofculturalsphereinBanská
Bystrica.Ithighlightsseveralquantitativeandqualitativeindicators,andarticulatesimpactof
theorganizedactivities.Basedonthelocalexperience,amodelofcivicengagementforother
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citieswillbepresented,offeringananalysisofthemostproblematicareasofitsimplementation.
Furtherchallengesforsociallyandpoliticallyengagedartpractices/culturaleventswillbe
formulatedforthesakeofcivilsocietydevelopment.
RadoSlobodaisahumanrightsactivistandprogrammecoordinatorofanti-extremistplatform
NotInOurTown(NIOT)inBanskáBystrica.Healsoworksasatrainerandmoderatorfor
variouscivicassociations,organizingeventsonsocialandpoliticalissues.Heisalsoafellow
workerofZáhrada–culturalcentre,AmnestyInternationalSlovakia,AnimusApertus,aswellas
atrainingcompanySelf-development.HewasawardedasYouthleaderin2013,andheisapart
ofSlovakmapofsocialinnovators.
MilanZvadastudiedEnglishandPhilosophyatMatejBelUniversityinBanskáBystrica(2006),
laterhegraduatedfromErasmusMundusMAinInternationalPerformanceResearchin
TampereandAmsterdam(2010).Currently,heisdoinghisPhDinTheatreStudiesatthe
AcademyofArtsinBanskáBystrica.Since2011,hehasbeenworkingasatranslator,project
managerandartisticdirectorofZáhrada–culturalcentre.Alsoonthemapofsocialinnovators
inSlovakia.
PoornessinSlovakia
Thepedagogicroleofartisofaparticularimportancenowadays.Andthisrelatestothe
perceptionofartbutalsotothewayofdealingwiththeproblems.TheatrePôtoňhasbeenactive
asaneducationalinstitutionattheperipheryofSlovakiaforseveralyears.Theverystarting
pointoftheirartisticexpressionistheuseofthefieldresearchmaterials,personalstoriesand
communityorientedcreativeprocess.Theyhavebeeninterestedinlongterminthenotionof
poornesswhichrelatestothelackofmaterialressourcesbutalsotothesensationofmisery,
defficiencyanddeprivalingeneral.Theperformancewasfollowedbytheprojectwhoseaimwas
toconfronttheracistanddiscriminatorybehaviorofyouth.
DáriaFojtíkováFehérováobtainedherPhD.inTheatreStudiesattheFacultyofPerforming
ArtsinBratislava.SheworksattheTheatreInstituteinBratislavaandsheisamemberofthe
AICTSlovakCentre.Sheisactiveinthedomainsoftheatrecriticismandjournalismandis
aprogrammanagerofthefestivalNewDrama.
Monkeybusinessofartwithpolitics
Youneedtotransmuteculturalintopoliticalinfluence-hereaninterestingquestioncouldbe:
HOWPOWERFULISSOFTPOWER?
Ratherbeskeptic.Toexpectsolutionsfromartistsissomethingthatwillalwaysendupintears.
FedorBlaščákisphilosopherbyprofession,currentlyworkingasanindependentscholarand
activist.In2007hehasinitiatedMEMORYKONTROLasanintellectualworkshopaimedatthe
non-academicresearchanddiscourseproductiononthetopicsfrommodernhistoryof
CzechoslovakiaandCEEregion.In2011hehasco-initiatedtherestorationofthefamous
synagoguebyGermanarchitectPeterBehrensinŽilinaanditstransformationintoKunsthalle.
NovaSynagogaproject
VisitandpresentationoftheSynagogueinŽilinawhichisbeingreconstructedandturnedintoa
multi-functionalspaceforartsandculture.
MarekAdamovisfounderanddirectorofStanica.
JaroViňarský:BUTTICULA–FOOL´SFIGURES
Contemporarydanceperformance
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BessieAwardwinnerJaroViňarskýexploresinthefirstsolopartofatrilogyButicculathetheme
of„aFool(Jester,Trickster)andaKing,MadnessandPower,ExpressedandBottledup“.
Thefoolisconfined.Unsatisfiedanddeterminednottoresigntohissituation,heisrevivingin
hisstrange„prison”.ThewayoutdemandswakingupinhimselfthenatureofaFool,whois
bothcreatoranddestroyer,cheaterandcheated,Sub-manaswellasOverman.Afoolasoneof
theoldestexpressionsofman.
Story,choreography,dancing:JaroViňarský
Scene,sound:JánGašparovič
Lightdesign:KatarínaĎuricová,TomášMorávek
Costumes:HanaHudcovičováLukšů
Day5/09June
ACzecho-SlovakDay
ThisdayoffersanintensiveimmersionintoculturalandartisticcontextofSlovakandCzech
nearbythestateborders.Youwillbeofferedtotakedifferentperspectivesinthenaturalsite
SúľovandinOlomouc,boththecentreofBaroquearchitectureand
inspiringindependenttheatrescene.
9:00
DeparturetoSúľov,walktotheOpticalPyramid
10:00
Talkaboutthepartialperspectiveandthepoliticalaspectsofframingthe
picturewithJurajGábor,theauthoroftheOpticalpyramid.
11:30
LunchinSúľov
12:30
DeparturetoŽilina´strainstation,transfertoOlomouc
16:30-17:15
Townhall:officialopeningoftheCzechprogram,welcomespeechbythe
citymayordoc.Mgr.AntonínStaněk,Ph.D.,Ing.PavlaPetrová,the
directoroftheArtsandTheatreInstituteandPhDr.PavelUrbášek,the
deputymayor
17:15-19:00
TheatretourtotheMoravianTheatreandTramtarieTheatre
19:00-20:00
WalktotheNacuckyTheatre,dinnerintheyardfollowedbythe
performanceWhyaKitchen?andaparty
OlomoucislocatedintheheartoftheHanáregion.IthasbeenoneofthemostimportantCzech
citiesfromofold.PalackýUniversity,theoldestinMoraviaandsecondoldestintheCzech
Republic,wasfoundedin1573.Theuniversityplaysaveryimportantroleinthelifeofthetown:
Withover25,200students,OlomouchasthehighestdensityofuniversitystudentsinCentral
Europe.ItisacentreofBaroquearchitecture,musiclifeandaninspiringindependenttheatre
scene.
MoravianTheatreOlomouc
Owingtothreecompaniesanditsownorchestra,thestageseesthedailyalternationofclassic
andmodernballetperformances,operasoroperettas,musicalsanddramaincludingfairytales
forchildrenaudiences.TheMoravianTheatreinOlomouchasbeenthetheatrestagesince1920,
whereitcontinuedinthe90-yearhistoryofKöniglichesstädtischesTheaterattheUpper
Square.
DivadloTramtarie
TheTramtarieTheatreisanindependentprofessionaltheatrethathasbeenservingthepublic
since2005andbynowhasbecomeanintegralpartoftheculturalenvironmentofOlomoucand
thesurroundingregion.Itoffersafully-fledgedintimatesceneanddeliversaregulartheatre
programme.3-5newproductionsareintroducedeveryseasonandre-ranregularly,
contributingtothetotaloftentofifteenproductionspresentedinOlomouceverymonth.
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Additionally,approximately20othersareperformedmonthlyintherestoftheregionandthe
wholecountry.Thetheatreachievesalmost100%audienceturnoutandthemajorityofplays
gethopelesslysoldout.Theaudienceconsistsofaround70%workingpopulationand30%
students.Werarelyuseclassicaldramatictextsastheprimarysourcesforourproductionsand
tendtofocusonfilms,literatureandcomicsinstead.Weareafterpowerfulstoriesandcurrent
topics.Beinginspiredbythepoetryoffilmisnotreflectedonlyinourthemesandgenresbut
alsointheform.Someofourtypicalfeatureswouldincludetheuseoffilmscreenings,rapid
narrativestructuresorquickcuts.
Divadlonacucky
TheNaCuckyTheatreisanindependenttheatregroupwhichhasmanageditsownstagesince
2013.Withitsworksrangingbetweentheatreanddance,thegroupalwaystriestocapture
purelycontemporaryaestheticsandreflectthecurrentculturalandsocialtrends.Theensemble
isformedbyprofessionalartistsnotonlyfromtheatrespherebutalsoothercreativefields
(animation,architecture,film,graphics,music,etc).Thedramaturgyofthespaceisalsoformed
byCzechandforeigntheatreanddanceproductions,workshops,NacuckyStudio,leisure
activitiesandW7Galleryevents.Thetheatremanagesatheatrehall,foyer,afrescohalland
facilitiessuitableforartist-in-residenceprograms.TheactivitiesoftheNaCuckyTheatreare
backedbythepublicbenefitorganizationDW7whichisalsothemainorganizerofthe
internationalFloraTheatreFestival–aninternationaltheatrefestivalwithalongtradition.This
spring,Olomoucwillhostits20thedition.Aregularpartofthefestivalisalsoitsrichoff
programme–concerts,screenings,workshops,discussionsorexhibitions.Thefestivalmainly
focusesontheatreanddancefromtheCzechRepublicandabroad.
PeterHandke:WhyaKitchen?
Apoeticdramafromtheheartofeveryhousehold.Acriticalperformanceoronlynice
meditationonworldcuisines?
Scene,director:JanŽůrek
Artisticcooperation:TerezaTylová
Musicandsound:VáclavHruška
Actors:MiloslavMaršálek,PavlaDostálováaPetraŠevců
Day6/10June
ModelsversusPractice
Thepost-1989periodhasbeencharacterizedbydiversetypesoftransformations.Oneofthem
istransformationofformerstatetheatresintonewformsandevolutionofnewlegalformsfor
theatreoperation.WeproposetodiscussthisprocesswithhelpoftheexamplesoftheCity
TheatreinZlínanditsCzecho-SlovakfestivalSetkání–StretnutieandoftheDW7NGO,the
organizeroftheNacuckyTheatreinOlomoucandthefestivalDivadelníFlóra.
9:45-12:15
Tour–ArtisticcentreofthePalackýUniversityandpresentationofthe
TheatreandFilmDepartment.DiscussionTacticsof(in)dependence:
conditionsfortheatreproductioninastate-fundedorganisationand
anindependentsubject(keynotesPetrMichálek,VladimírFekarandJan
Žůrek),moderatedbyMartinaPeckováČernáandMartinBernátek.
Lunch.
12:45-14:30
TransfertoOstrava
15:45-18:15
WelcomespeechbythecitymayorIng.TomášMacura,MBA.Guidedtour
oftheNationalMoravian-SilesianTheatrebythedirectorJiříNekvasil.
VisitoftheChamberSceneAréna.
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18:30/19:00
PerformanceRussianMarmelade-ChamberSceneArénaorChaplin–
NationalMoravian-SilesianTheatreorScams,CocaineandBricolage–
PetrBerzučTheatre
Latenightmeetingpointinthebar“Ukrokodýlíhoocasu”
TheDepartmentofTheatreandFilmStudiesandtheArtCentreofPalackýUniversity
Thebasisforthetheatreandfilmstudiesaresubjectsfocusedonhistoryandtheoryoffilmand
theatre.However,greaterattentionispaidtoTVandradioastheyaremediawithanessential
culturalimportance.
TheBaroquebuildingoftheformerJesuitCollegeisoneoftheoldestpartsoftheuniversityin
Olomouc.FivefineartdepartmentsofthePhilosophicalFacultyandFacultyofEducationhave
thusgainednewlecturehalls,fineartstudios,recordingstudios,representativeconferencehalls
forinternationalvenues,androomsforitsstudentsandteachers.
ZlínMunicipalTheatre
ZlínMunicipalTheatreisarepertoireCentralEuropeantheatre.ThetheatreinZlínplaysthe
roleofthemultifunctionalculturalvenue.Thehighlightinthelistofnon-repertoireactivitiesis
thefestivalSetkání–Stretnutie,whichisashowcaseoforiginaldramaticproductionofCzech
andSlovaktheatres.IthasbeenlocatedinthebuildingsinceNovember1967.The
architectonicallygenerousbuildingwasthebiggesttheatreinCzechoslovakiawhenitopenedas
itincludedrichdecors,ahallfor800viewersandahugestagewithup-to-dateequipment.
Tacticsof(in)dependence:conditionsfortheatreproductioninastate-fundedorganisation
andanindependentsubject
PetrMichálekstudieddramaturgyattheTheatreFacultyofJAMUinBrno.Hehasworkedas
actor,directorandtranslatoroftheatreplays.Since2010hehasbeenthedirectoroftheZlín
MunicpalTheatre.
VladimírFekarisadramaturgeoftheZlínMunicipalTheatre.Hestudiedtheatredramaturgyat
theTheatreFacultyofJAMUinBrnoandhebecamethedramaturgeoftheTěšínTheatrein
ČeskýTěšínwhenhewasatuniversity.HehasworkedintheZlínMunicipalTheatresince2003.
HeteachesatthePrivateartistichighschoolinZlínandwritestheatreandradioplays.
JanŽůrekstudiedphilosophyandtheatreatthePhilosophicalFacultyofPalackýUniversityin
Olomouc.HeisthedirectorofDW7,o.p.s.HeparticipatesinCulturalandCreativeIndustries
MappingintheOlomoucdistrictandheteachesatthePedagogicalFacultyofPalackýUniversity
inOlomouc.HeisamemberoftheculturalcommissioninOlomouc,thedramaturgicboardof
theArtsandTheatreInstituteandtheadvisoryboardoftheIndependentTheatreAssociation.
MartinBernátekisatheatreresearcher,specialistattheDepartmentoftheStrategyand
MethodologyinCulture,NationalInformationandConsultingCentreforCulture(Prague),andat
theDepartmentofTheatreStudies,MasarykUniversity(Brno).Martinco-foundedandatthe
beginningrepresentedtheinitiativeCulturalBrno(2011-2012),between2010-2015was
memberoftheexecutivecommitteeoftheCzechAssociationofTheatreCritics.
MartinaPeckováČerná
Theatreresearcher,translatorandculturalmanager.Since2010employeeoftheInternational
CooperationandPRDepartmentoftheArtsandTheatreInstituteinPrague(currentlyon
parentalleave).ShegraduatedattheDepartmentofTheatreStudiesattheFacultyofPhilosophy
andArts,CharlesUniversityinPrague.Sheisfocusedoncontemporarydrama,mainlyGerman
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andSpanishspeakingtheatreandcurrentCzechperformingartsscene.Sheismaincoordinator
ofthePACE.V4network(PerformingArtsCentralEurope–VisegradCountriesFocus).
OstravaisthethirdlargestcityintheCzechRepublic.ItislocatedclosetotheSlovakandPolish
bordersonthebanksofOstraviceRiverandoffersbeautifulviewsoftheBeskydyMountains.
Thediscoveryofcoalinthesecondhalfofthe18thcenturywastobeaturningpointinthe
historyofthearea,whichwouldbecomeanimportantEuropeancentrefortheproductionof
steel.Ostravalostitsheavyindustrialappearancelongago,coalmininginthecitycametoan
endin1994.Industrialheritagepresentsthecitywithoutstandingarchitecturaljewels.In
additiontotechnologicalsitesofinterest,thecityalsooffersvisitorsanumberofother
culturallyandhistoricallyattractiveplaces,andanextremelydiversetheatreandmusicallife.
NationalMoravian-SilesianTheatre
TheNationalMoravian-SilesianTheatrewithaseatinOstravaisthebiggestandoldest
professionaltheatreintheMoravian-Silesianregionandatthesametimethebiggestcultural
institutionestablishedbythestatutorycityofOstrava.Itisanoticeablecentreofcultural,
spiritual,intellectualandsociallifeofcitizensofOstravaandofitswidesurroundings.Itisthe
onlytheatreinMoraviawhichhasfourartisticcompanies–opera,drama,operetta/musicaland
ballet,whichperformregularlyontwopermanentscenes-intheAntonínDvořákTheatreandin
theJiříMyronTheatre.
JiříNekvasil
HegraduatedinoperadirectingfromtheMusicFacultyofAMUin1989.In1988,heandstage
designerDanielDvořákfoundedOperaFurore,theexperimentaloperastudio.Twoyearslater,
theyascommissionerswereaccreditedtomanagetheChamberOperaPragueorOperaMozart
afterreorganization.Since1998hewastheartdirector,dramaturgeanddirectorintheState
OperaPrague.In2002-2006,hewasthebossoftheNationalTheatreoperainPrague.Hehas
beenthedirectoroftheNationalMoravian-SilesianTheatreinOstravasince2010.
KomorníscénaAréna
TheChamberstageArenawasfoundedin1994anditistheyoungestandthesmallestOstravian
theatre.ThefounderofChamberstageArenaistheCityofOstrava.SinceOctober2006the
theatrehashadaseatinnewlyreconstructedTownLibrary.Itswell-coordinatedcompany
performsclassicaldramaaswellastextsofacontemporarywork.Thetheatreanditsmembers
wereawardedmanyprizes,themostprestigiousofwhichisTheTheatreoftheYear2013.
LudmilaUlická:RussianJam
ChamberSceneAréna
UlickámanagedtowriteafunnyparaphraseoftheCherryOrchardinwhichthedialoguesfrom
otherChekhov’splaysresonate.Theauthorcallstheplay“Afterchekhov”toshowshe
intentionallyfollowshergreatpredecessor’sexample.Nevertheless,herheroesarerather
caricaturesofChekhov’scharacters.Aristocraticnobilitywasreducedtofondnessinexcessive
coffeeconsumption,enterprisewasreducedtobusinesspracticesandthevillagelocatedinthe
orchardisdestroyedandbecomesDisneyland.
Director:IvanRajmont
MarioSchröder:Chaplin
NationalMoravian-SilesianTheatre
ChoreographerMarioSchröderdistinguishesbetweenanartistandaperson–Chaplinandthe
TrampChaplincreatedforthefilminordertodepicthislife,dreams,visionsandfearaswellas
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toreflectthetimewithitsdesires,wishesandreality.Weshowboth:asmallmanwithahat,
stickandbigshoes–andChaplin,aperson,whotellsthestoryofhislifethroughacharacter.
Choreography:MarioSchröder
MohamedRouabhi:Scams,CocaineandBricolage
PetrBezručTheatre
hilariousgangstermovie/fivetoughguys/onesplendidburglary/lock,stock,andbarrel/I
dislikecorpses/I’vegotgoosebumps/jeez,areyougangstersormorons?
Director:EduardKudláč
Day7/11June
Ostrava:DiversityinoneCity
Ostravalostitsheavyindustrialappearance,coalmininginthecitycametoanendin
1994.Industrialheritagepresentsthecitywithoutstandingarchitecturaljewels.Inadditionto
technologicalsitesofinterest,thecityalsooffersvisitorsanumberofotherculturallyand
historicallyattractiveplaces,andanextremelydiversetheatreandmusicallife.Participantswill
meetthehighlydiverseculturalcommunityofthiscitylocatedclosetotheSlovakandPolish
border.
9:30-12:30
Theatretour(PuppetTheatre,PetrBezručTheatre,OldArénaTheatreand
Cooltour).Lunch
14:00-16:00
VisitofImpactHubOstravaanddiscussionCaseOstrava:Culturalpolicy
forperformingarts(discussion,keynotesZbyněkPražák,OndřejSlach,
AndrejHarmečko),moderatedbyMartinaPeckováČernáandDavidMírek.
16:30-18:30
TourtoformercoalmineandpresentculturalcentreHlubina.Discussion
TheCityandthefestival–Therelationoflocalcommunitiesand
performingartsfestivals
moderatedbyMartinaPeckováČerná.
18:30/21:30 PerformanceAudience–PetrBezručTheatreorFuriousMan–OldAréna
LatenightmeetingpointintheAbsinthClub“Les”
PuppetTheatreOstrava
PuppetTheatreOstravaisaprofessionalstagewithstableartisticensemble.Itwasfoundedin
1953.Therearethreeplayingareasinthetheatre–themainstagewithseatsfor176spectators,
thealternativestagefor80spectators,andtheoutsideamphitheatre.
ThecreationsofthePuppetTheatreOstravafocusmainlyonchildrenandyouth.Everywork
daythetheatreoffersperformancesandcreativeworkshopsforschools.OnSundays,thetheatre
offersperformancesforfamilies.Oneortwoeveningsinweekarededicatedtoadults.The
Theatreisanorganizeroftwointernationalfestivals.Inoddyears,theTheatreoffersthe
SpectaculoInteressefestival–aselectivecompetitiveshowofthebestpuppetperformances
fromtheentireworld.InevenyearsthereistheTheatrewithoutbarriersfestival,focusingon
establishingcommunicationbridgesbetweenpeoplewithinwideandheterogeneousspectreof
thesociety,aswellasthebridgesacrossinterpersonalbarriersofallkinds.
PetrBezručTheatre
TheBezručTheatreistryingtoreflectandtakeinspirationfromtheproblemsofacertainplace
wheretheywork–theindustrialagglomerationontheborderofthreecountries.Besides
classicaltitlesandchildren'splaysthetheatreputsonCzechorworldpremieresof
contemporaryplays,strangeandcontroversialdramatictexts,whichforotherscreatorsmight
looktoodecadent,oddortooadventurous.
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StaráAréna
TheindependentartcompanyOldArénaislocatedinthehouseNo.49ontheMasarykSquare,
whichhasalwaysbeenanimportantculturalcentrethankstoCentralCaféopenedin1894.
Cooltour
Cooltourculturalcentreisaplaceyoucanvisittoseeaperformanceorparty,youcomehereto
workinanon-formalco-workingbarcafé,youparticipateindifferentworkshopsandalso,a
placewhereyouseeksupportforyourprojects.Besidetheartisticexperiencesofvariouskinds
(theatre,music,dance)wealsoorganizemanyprojectsthathelpthecityofOstrava–Experience
Ostravadifferently,USE-ITOstrava,PianosintheCity,AdoptaFlowerPot,UrbanInterventions,
InternationalDayofDance,CityinMotion,CinemaRoyalandmanymore.Weareinterestedin
thecitycenter,itsproblemsandopportunities.WearelocatedattheBlackMeadowandwe
wanttohelpchangeittobeaculturalalivelyplacewherepeopleoftencome.
CaseOstrava:Culturalpolicyforperformingarts
ImpactHubOstrava
Thehubisaninspiringplaceofferingfullyequippedfacilitiesforeverydayworkandevents.We
supportpeoplewithbusinessideas,providementoringanddevelopanacceleratingprogram.
ZbyněkPražákgraduatedinmechanicalengineering,andthencontinuedhisstudiesatthe
FacultyofLawandtheFacultyofCivilEngineering.Since1989,hehasbeenactiveinlocal
politicsasarepresentativeofKDU-ČSLandsince1990,hewasthedeputymayorofOstravafor
fourtermsofofficeinchargeofhealthandsocialissues,education,cultureandothers.Hewas
engagedinthebirthandrealizationsofanewandmodernsystemofseniorliving,whichhas
beenappliedindozensofMoraviantowns.Aftertheelectionsin2014,hebecamethedeputy
mayorofOstravaagainandheiscurrentlyinchargeofcultureandfreetime.Hehasbeenthe
honorarychairpersonoftheDiocesanCharityBoardOstrava-Opava.
OndřejSlachistheassistantprofessorattheDepartmentofHumanGeographyandRegional
DevelopmentattheUniversityofOstrava.Hespecializesineconomicgeographywiththeaccent
onindustry,oldindustrialtownsandregions,creativebranchesandtheissuesconcerningthe
developmentofinnercities.Heguaranteedtheupdateoftheconceptforthedevelopmentof
cultureinOstrava.
AndrejHarmečko
Andrejgraduatedin2003fromatechnicaluniversityinthefieldofnuclearengineering.He
workedinresearchforawhileuntilestablishingaShakespearefestivalin2008.In2011he
foundedthefirstindependentculturalcenterinOstrava.Atthemomentheisthedirectorof
CooltourCulturalCentre,alsoamemberofartisticboardoftheEuropeanShakespeareFestivals
Network,memberofOraclenetworkofculturalmanagers,herepresentsCooltourinTrans
EuropeHallesNetworkandothernationalorinternationalorganizations.Hebelievesthat
cultureisnotonlyartsbutawidespectrumofhumanactivitiesandrelations.
DavidMírek
Theothersseemeasakickstarter–apersonwhoisatthebeginningoftheprojects.Together
withTomášSuchánekandZuzkaMildeová,wekickedoffDreamFactoryOstrava,Továrnyna
snyinKarolinafollowedbyactivitiesconcerningreactivationofHlubina.Iwasalsoengagedin
theprojectofECCOstravaandtogetherwithPetrSedláčekandothers,wekickedofftheOld
Arena(Stařena).Whentheycloseditagain,ImovedbacktoPragueforawhile,finishedmy
university(TheatreFacultyofAMU),workedforthePragueQuadrennialandwastheheadof
productionintheExperimentalSpaceROXY/NoD.WealsodevisedtheconceptofProvoz
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Hlubina.ThisisthereasonwhyIfinishedinPrague–IwanttomakemydreamsatHlubina
cometrue.
TheCityandthefestival–Therelationoflocalcommunitiesandperformingartsfestivals
ProvozHlubina
ProvozHlubinaisdevelopedintheformerblackcoalmineHlubina.Itoffersabackgroundfor
non-profitactivitiessuchascivicassociationsandotherinitiativeswhichareinterestedinthe
placetheyliveinandwanttochangeitactively.AlthoughthemainbuildingsofProvozHlubina
arejustonlycomingintolifeunderthehandsofbuilders,wecanevennowshowoffwith
colorfulhistoryofeventswhichwereheldinauthenticindustrialspaces.From2010we
organizedorsupportedhappeningsofseveralannualeventsofcreativecampDeepcamp,the
internationalfilmfestivalCameraEye(KameraOko),thetheatrefestivalDreamFactoryOstrava
anddozensmoresmallerorbiggereventsofvariousgenres.Asaservicetoourpublicspace,and
thevisitorsofMineHlubinaandColoursofOstravafestivals,werepaintedtheneighbouring
underpass.Wealsocarriedoutthebiggestmuralpaintingonthewallofnationalcultural
heritageinCZandhavecontributedwithotheractivitiestoimprovetheplacethatafterdecades
openagaintopublic.
Speakers:
DavidMírek–DreamFactoryfestival
LucieMičková –marketingandPRofthePuppetTheatreinOstrava/SpectaculoInteresse
festival
JanuszLegon–theatreresearcherandjournalist,dramaturgeofthePolishtheatreinBielskoBiala,journalistofthePolishTheatreEncyclopaediaattheTheatreInstituteinWarsaw,since
2010thedirectoroftheInternationalTheatreFestivalwithoutBorders,spokespersonofthe
regionalbranchofthecivicassociationofPolish-Czech-SlovakSolidarityinTěšín
DitaEibenováandJanNemček–coordinatorsoftheNormafestival
PetraHradilová,directoroftheCzechMusicCrossroadsFestival,festivalColoursofOstrava
VáclavHavel:Audience
PetrBezručTheatre
abrilliantplayfromthetimeswhentheplaywrightwasnotthepresident
Director:ŠtěpánPácl
FuriousMan
StaráArénaTheatre
AperformanceaboutthelifeofJakeLaMotta,theAmericanboxer,hisfame,upsanddownsand
his unsettled personal life. A tough straight guy who never went on ground to anybody…
Giacobbe"Jake"LaMotta,knownasthe"BronxBull"or"TheRagingBull"(*10thJuly1921)isa
formerboxer,theWorldMiddleweightChampion,whoselifehasbeencontroversialoutsideand
insidethering.
Director:PavelGejguš
Day8/12June
“Post-mineareas–newculturalcenters.Howtocreatespacewithalocalcommunities?”
TheSilesianMuseum,sinceitsopeninglastyear,isoneofthemostimportantculturalspacesin
Silesiadistrict,Polandandaveryinterestingexampleofartplacescreatedintheformercoal
mines.
9:00-12:00
TransfertoKatowice
13:00-14:00
LunchatSilesianMuseum
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14:00-15:30
15:30-17:30
GuidedtouratSilesianMuseumandoutsidearea.
“Post-mineareas–newculturalcenters.Howtocreatespacewithalocal
communities?”–PresentationbyMr.AdamKowalski.
Presentationsoflocalculturalinstitutionsandorganizationsworkingin
KatowiceandSilesiadistrict.
ŚląskiTheatre
KatowiceMiastoOgrodów
NaprawSobieMiasto
InicjatywaAssociation
Opendebate,finalconclusions.Moderation:AnnaGalas-Kosil
Culturaleventandlatenightmeetingpoint.
19:00
SilesianMuseumandCenterforPolishScenography
ThenewcomplexofbuildingsoftheSilesianMuseum,openedin2015andsituatedinthe
formerKatowicecoalmineiscreatingtheso-calledCulturalDistrict–thenewcenterofcultural
lifeforthecityofKatowice.Mostofthespacesforexhibitionsarelocatedinundergroundhalls.
Themainideawastominimalizetheuseoftheunderneathspace.Thehistoricallandscapeof
thecityisenrichedbyglassboxeswhichilluminatetheinteriorsofthemuseum.Inoneofthe
revitalizedpost-minebuildings,workingclothesstorage,nowthepremisesoftheCentrefor
PolishScenographyislocated.Formerwoodworkingshop,workshop,forgeandbathhouses
awaittoberevitalized.
Day9/13June
Theatreoutsidethecenter
NowaHutawasbuiltinthe1940sand1950stomakethesocialistdreamsofanidealworker’s
citycometrue.ItwastobeacounterbalanceofKrakow,imbibedwithtraditionandhistory.We
aregoingtotalkabouthistoryandarchitectureofNowaHutaandZablocieandseehowtodeal
withtheatreandculturalactivitiesoutsidethehistoricalcenterofKrakow.Forthefinalpartwe
proposeawiderdebateaboutperformingartsinVisegradCountriesafter25yearsofthe
establishmentofthegroup.Thesimilarityofhistorical,political,economicandsocialprocesses
inV4countriesformthebackgroundforthedevelopmentofdifferenttheatercultures.
9:00-11:00
TransfertoKrakow.
12:15-13:30
NowaHuta–guidedtouratNowaHutadistrictwithMarcin
Dzierwa(CentralSqueremeetingpoint).
13:30–14:30
Lunch.
14:30–16:00
LazniaNowaTheatre:
“Somethingmorethanatheatrestage.Creationofthe
culturalspaceagainstthestereotypes”
PresentationofŁazniaNowaTheatrebyBartoszSzydłowski
RevitalizationofKrakowZablociedistrict(presentationby
DawidHajok)
16:00–17:00
TheatreatV4countriesafter25years.Opendebate,final
conclusions.
19:00
Performance“Bliżej”,sztukanawynos
LazniaNowaTheatre
NowaHutawasconceivedtobeacounterbalanceforKrakow,imbibedwithtraditionand
history,inhabitedmostlybytheintelligentsiaandthebourgeoisie.NowaHutawasdesignedto
bean‘idealcity’,withastar-likestreetlayoutandacentralsquare.Theperiodofpolitical
transformationswasverypainfulfortheinhabitantsofNowaHuta.Atthattimeinhabitants
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witnessedthecrisisofthemetallurgicalconglomerate,andNowaHutaearneditsreputationas
themostdangerousarea.BartoszSzydłowski(directorofŁaźniaNowa)transformedtheformer
workshopsoftheSecondaryTechnicalSchoolofElectricalEngineeringatNowaHutaintoavivid
placewhichattractsalargeaudienceandcreatingimportantrelationswiththelocalcommunity.
Jointprojectsareoftencarriedoutoutsideofthetheatre’sbuilding:inthestreets,yardsand
amongapartmentbuildingsofNowaHuta.Throughouttheyearsitwasevenpossibletocreatea
kindoffashionforthisonceforgottenplace,wheresentimentaltripsheadtofindtracesofthe
People’sRepublicofPoland.TheprogrammeofŁaźniaNowaincludesnotonlyperformances,
butalsoconcerts,exhibitions,filmscreeningsandmultimediashows.
Day10/14June
TheatreKrakow
LastdayisachancetomeetwithexpertsworkingatnewculturalspacesatZabłociedistrictin
themorning.
10:00-14:00
GuidedtouratZabłociedistrictinKrakow
Meetingswithlocaloperatorsatthemostimportantcultural
placesinCracow:Cricoteka(guidedtour),MOCAK(guided
tour);
14:00-15:00
Lunch
15:00-17:00
Theatre-Krakow–guidedtourviathecitywithAgnieszka
Wanicka(JagiellonianUniversity)
19:00
KingUbu,dir.JanKlata,NationalStaryTheatre
(2h)
21:15
Farewelldinnerpartyfortheendoftheproject
Cricoteka
In2014,collectionsoftheCricotekaarchivesgotamodernfacetthankstotheopeningofthe
newseatinNadwiślańskastreet.Newspaces,transformedareaoftheformerPodgórzeold
PowerPlant.Inthenewbuilding,twomaincurrentsofactivitywereemphasized:permanent
exhibitionpresentingtheideasofCricot2insubsequentstagesofKantor’sartisticactivity,and
temporaryexhibitionsshowinginfluenceoftheauthorofDeadClassoncontemporaryartand
theatreintheworksofyoungartists.
MOCAK,MuseumofContemporaryArtinKrakow
TheprogrammeoftheMuseumofContemporaryArtinKrakowMOCAK,whichhasbeenactive
sinceFebruary1,2010,encompassespresentationofthelatestinternationalart,educationas
wellasresearchandpublicationprojects.MOCAK’stwomostimportantaimsarepresentingthe
artofthetwolastdecadesinthecontextofthepost-waravant-gardeandconceptualartaswell
asclarifyingtherationaleofcreatingartbyhighlightingitscognitiveandethicalvalueandits
relationshipwitheverydayreality.
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