In 2016, a series of multilateral fellowship programmes enabled young Ukrainian, Georgian, German and other European theatre-makers to enter into a professional dialogue and to connect with international colleagues. In that way, they were able to exchange experiences about the public and sociopolitical role of theatre as well as about current aesthetic developments.
ETC had four diffrent scholar programmes: at the Festival d'Avignon (France), at the Gogolfest in Kiev (Ukraine), at the Georgian Showcase and Tbilisi International Festival of Theatre (Georgia) and as a residency where Ukraine artists worked at ETC member theatres and visited Fast Forward - the European festival for young stage directors at Staatstheater Braunschweig (Germany).
The program was a great opportunity for international artists to broaden their own perspective throughout networking and coworking with the Ukrainian artists and to create a valuable context for further artistic exchange.
Festival d'Avignon
5-9 July 2016
The first scholarship programme kicked-off in July as part of the ETC European Theatre Academy during the Festival d’Avignon. Five Ukrainian theatre-makers joined the various workshops with European colleagues from both public theatre institutions and the independent performing arts sector to expand their know-how and skills to help them internationalise their work environment, professionalize their international competences, and position their work in the international performing arts scene in Europe and beyond.
In conversation with our scholars...
“I hoped to use this experience in the future by creating an interesting contemporary festival and other projects in my theatre. But something even more important happened. The entire city was a theatre itself and we were part of it – this greatly deepened my understanding of the mechanism of theatre. I think it was a significant dose of inspiration!”
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“I have very rarely enjoyed an experience like this in my ten years of professional work. Time was our main material. Extended time to work and grow. This is what is precious to artists.”
Gogolfest
5-19 September 2016
In September 2016, the ETC and its Ukrainian partners from the DAKH Theatre welcomed ten European theatre-makers to Kiev to participate in a two-week residency programme as part of the multidisciplinary GOGOLFEST. With over thirty Ukrainian artists, the residency participants performed seven newly developed small-scale productions in front of an international audience during the opening weekend of the festival.
In conversation with our scholars...
“What typified the work in Kiev was the extreme freedom we had to relate to each other as individuals artists first and foremost in the creation of original work.”
“What we all agreed on is the importance of an international exchange of professionals, theatre-makers, collaborators, etc. It is significant to have this possibility. It always gives new ideas, opens up new discussions and fosters an understanding of different cultures.”
“I think the different opinions about and expectations of young women in different countries in contemporary art are all clearly visible in the piece we made. […] For me it was a very honest and inspiring encounter.”
Tbilisi
4-8 October 2016
A five-day residency programme took place in the framework of the Tbilisi International Festival of Theatre in Georgia from 4–8 October 2016. Four Ukrainian theatre-makers were invited to the Georgian Showcase to gain insights into the different festival direction areas and new perspectives in terms of theatre festival management and international touring.
In conversation with our scholars...
“The experience I had at the Georgian Showcase increased my social perspectives and, first of all, my social and professional activity not only in theatre-making but in teaching as well. […] it gave me inspiration and courage to continue my professional efforts and research.”
“The fact that I got this scholarship encouraged and inspired me a lot. This project is a great chance to broaden your professional horizons. During my stay at the festival I hoped to learn new acting techniques, see new theatrical forms and, of course, meet new people for future cooperation.”
