The “European Theatre Forum 2020: European Performing Arts in Focus” is an international platform for vision, discourse, exchange, networking and policymaking to strategically strengthen the structurally highly fragmented European theatre and performing arts sector.
The “European Theatre Forum 2020: European Performing Arts in Focus” was organised in the frame of the German EU Council Presidency and in cooperation with the German Minister of State for Culture and the Media and the European Commission. It offered, for the first time, a European representation for the entire sector as one of Europe’s major art forms, within and outside Europe. In focus: Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the performing arts and perspectives for the sector.
During the three-day event (11 to 13 November 2020), representatives of the European theatre and performing arts scene and key cultural policy makers exchanged views on current issues. 150 people from the 27 EU countries and third countries attended the industry meeting.
Online Participation
Due to the current travel restrictions across Europe, the event took place online. However, through a specially developed online platform, participants were transported together to the host city of Dresden and were able to meet, discuss, exchange and network as well as enjoy performances and installations from the “Fast Forward – European Festival for Young Stage Directors”. The programme was also broadcast online via a livestream to offer open access to and participation in the Forum to the largest possible European professional audience.
Objectives of the European Theatre Forum
The aim of the “European Theatre Forum 2020: European Performing Arts in Focus” is to make visible and promote the outstanding importance of theatre and performing arts in Europe with its diversity of performance forms, across language barriers, both as an art form and an important public space for cultural-political dialogue. It establishes a creative dialogue process within the sector and with policymakers through partnership and international collaboration.
The first edition of the forum focused on:
strengthening the European theatre sector through international networking and policy dialogue;
addressing the issues and implications of the Covid-19 pandemic for European performing arts;
and connecting the European theatre scenes and the national theatre and performing arts scene.
Initiative Group
European Theatre Convention, Bundesverband Freie Darstellende Künste and International Theatre Institute – German Centre are the initiative group for a European Theatre Forum, in the frame of the German EU Council Presidency, in cooperation with the German Minister of State for Culture and Media and the European Commission.
Consortium Group
EAIPA is part of the European Theatre Forum’s Consortium group together with Assitej International, Bundesverband Freie Darstellende Künste (BFDK), Europe: Union of Theatre Schools and Academies (E:UTSA), International network for contemporary performing arts (IETM), European Festivals Association (EFA), European Theatre Convention (ETC), International Theatre Institute (ITI) – German Centre, mitos21, Pearle*, Live Performance Europe, PROSPERO, Union des Théâtres de l’Europe (UTE).
Funding Partners
The European Theatre Forum is funded by the European Commission, the German Minister of State for Culture and Media in the frame of the German EU Council Presidency and European Theatre Convention.
Find out more about the event by going on the European Theatre Forum’s website.
