15:30-19:00

Welcome Desk

15:30-16:30

ETC Board Meeting

 17:00-17:30

ETC Buddy Meeting

For new Member Theatres and designated 'Buddies’.

17:30-18:45 

Opening Reception

Join us for the kick-off of the event and opening speeches, as we set the stage for an engaging and inspiring series of sessions, discussions and performances.

With:

• Aslan Akbas, Lord Mayor of Gothenburg
• Leif Pagrotsky, Swedish MP, Vice President of Riksbank, and former Minister of Industry and Trade and Minister of Education, Research, and Culture of Sweden 
• Frida Edman, CEO Göteborgs Stadsteater (Gothenburg City Theatre, Stora Teatern, Backa Teater)
• Judith Videcoq, Head of Unit of Creative Europe, Directorate General of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture of the European Commission
• Cláudia Belchior, President of European Theatre Convention, Executive General Coordinator at the Centro Cultural de Belém 

19:00 - 21:30

Performance: The Gothenburg Riots – as if another world were possible

19:00-20:45

Performance: Hecuba

19:00-20:30

Performance: Black / Woman

09:00-19:00

Welcome Desk

09:30- 09:40

Welcome

With:

• Heidi Wiley, Executive Director of European Theatre Convention

09:40-10:00

Keynote - Equity, Leadership, and the Future of National Theatres

With:

• Josette Bushell-Mingo, Principal of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (UK) and former Artistic Director of the National Black Theatre of Sweden - a leading voice on diversity, access and institutional transformation

10:00-11:30

Panel #1: National Theatres in a Changing Political Landscape

How do national theatres navigate shifting political climates, cultural policy changes, and rising polarisation?

This opening panel brings together theatre leaders from across Europe to reflect on the evolving role of national theatres in today’s shifting political and social climate. Through shared perspectives, the discussion explores common challenges - from artistic freedom to funding - and highlights strategies for resilience, public engagement, and international cooperation.

With:

• Kjersti Horn, Director of Det Norske Teatret
• Kitte Wagner, CEO of Dramaten
• Mladen Alexiev, Head of International Affairs Department of Ivan Vazov National Theatre
• Barbara Ferrato, Head of Artistic, Planning and Development Department at Teatro Stabile di Torino, ETC Board Member
• Norbert Rakowski, General Manager and Artistic Director of JK Opole Theatre, ETC Vice President
• Judith Videcoq, Head of Unit of Creative Europe, Directorate General of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture of the European Commission
• Martin Kukučka, Artistic Director of National Theatre of Prague
• Christophe Rauck, Director of the Théâtre Nanterre-Amandiers [video intervention]

 

Moderation by:

• Frida Edman, CEO Göteborgs Stadsteater (Gothenburg City Theatre, Stora Teatern, Backa Teater)

11:35-12:00

Coffee Break

12:00-13:00

Deep-Dive Roundtables: National Theatres in a Changing Political Landscape

Following the keynote and panel, participants are invited to join one of four Deep-Dive Sessions. These facilitated small-group discussions offer the opportunity to engage directly with speakers, exchange perspectives, and explore key challenges facing national theatres today.

 

Table 1 – Artistic Freedom vs Public Mandate

With:

• Kitte Wagner, CEO of Dramaten
• Norbert Rakowski, General Manager and Artistic Director of JK Opole Theatre, ETC Vice President
• Chair: Cláudia Belchior, ETC President, Executive General Coordinator at the Centro Cultural de Belém 

How can national theatres defend artistic freedom while remaining accountable to public institutions and funding bodies? This session explores the tensions between autonomy and responsibility, inviting participants to reflect on where boundaries are drawn - and how they can be negotiated in practice.

 

Table 2 – Theatre Leadership Under Political Pressure

With:

• Kjersti Horn, Director of Det Norske Teatret
• Barbara Ferrato, Head of Artistic, Planning and Development Department at Teatro Stabile di Torino, ETC Board Member
• Chair: Marina Maleni, Theatre Development Officer at Cyprus Theatre Organisation, ETC Board Member

What skills and strategies are needed for theatre leaders working in unstable or polarised political environments? This discussion focuses on leadership challenges, decision-making under pressure, and how to balance artistic vision with institutional responsibility.

 

Table 3 - Making Theatre Relevant in a Changing Society – Nordic Insights

With:

• Frida Röhl, Artistic Director of Folkteatern Göteborg
• Klara Ejeby, Dramaturg at Folkteatern Göteborg
• Chair: Lotta Lekvall, CEO of Folkteatern Göteborg, ETC Board Member

Drawing on Nordic perspectives, this session explores how theatres can remain relevant in rapidly changing societies. Participants will engage with questions of audience connection, social responsibility, and artistic response to contemporary challenges.

 

Table 4 – Institutional Resilience & Survival Strategies

With:

• Mladen Alexiev, Head of International Affairs Department of Ivan Vazov National Theatre
• Sarah Melin, Producer at Gothenburg Dance and Theatre Festival
• Chair: Serge Rangoni, Artistic Director of Centro Cultural de Belém, ETC Treasurer

How can national theatres build resilience in the face of political instability, funding uncertainty, and cultural polarisation? This session focuses on practical strategies for sustaining institutions while adapting to shifting external pressures.

13:00-14:00

Networking Lunch

14:00-15:00

ETC General Assembly (ETC Members only, closed session)

15:00-15:30

The Road Ahead: Break the Mould - Collaboration with ETC in the Next Six Months

What is coming up at ETC over the next six months? Discover exclusive possibilities for funding, artistic innovation and new European collaborations as part of ETC's EU-funded programme, BREAK THE MOULD. Featuring the launch of new grants and training across our programmes on digital, diverse, sustainable and next generation theatre.

15:30-16:00

Coffee Break

16:00-17:00 

Split Sessions:

• ETC Theatre Green Book- How to Get Started
• Partner Up! Project Pitching, ETC Grants & Collaborations
• Accesibility

18:00-18:45

The 50%: Women in Leadership - Networking Mingle 

19:00-20:45

Performance: Hecuba

19:00-20:00

Performance: The Little Girl With Gortsa

20:30

Networking Mingle at Folkteatern Göteborg

10:00

Welcome 

With:

• Cláudia Belchior, President of European Theatre Convention, Executive General Coordinator at the Centro Cultural de Belém

10:05-10:20

Impulse

With:

• Katie Mitchell, Theatre Director [video intervention]

 10:20-11:30

Panel #2: Women Theatre Leaders in a Global Perspective & the Role of Allies

The second major panel discussion from the conference will focus on women theatre leaders across Europe. It will build on the impulse from the day’s keynote speaker, Theatre Director Katie Mitchell, to reflect on what is needed from the European Theatre community in the form of ‘allies’ to sustain and further women theatre leaders. The panel will also explore themes including mentorship development, artistic reflections, and the backlash against gender equality.

Part I: Institutional

With:

• Argyro Chioti, Artistic Director of National Theatre of Greece
• Linda Zachrison, Artistic Director of Folkteatern Göteborg
• Iris Laufenberg, Artistic Director at Deutsches Theater, ETC Secretary
• Tom Leick-Burns, Artistic Director and General Manager, Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, ETC Vice President

Part II: Artistic

With:

• Ildikó Gáspár, Theatre Director at Deutsches Theater Berlin
• Monika Wilderoth, Dramaturg

11:30-12:00

Coffee Break

12:00-13:00

Deepdive Roundtables: Women Theatre Leaders & the Role of Allies

Table 1 – Leadership & Mentorship Development

With:

• Linda Zachrison, Artistic Director of Folkteatern Göteborg
• Argyro Chioti, Artistic Director of National Theatre of Greece
• Chair: Heidi Wiley, ETC Executive Director

 

Table 2 – The Role of Allies: From Awareness to Action

With:

• Tom Leick-Burns, Artistic Director and General Manager, Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, ETC Vice President
• Lotta Lekvall, CEO of Folkteatern Göteborg
• Chair: Barbara Ferrato, Head of Artistic, Planning and Development Department at Teatro Stabile di Torino, ETC Board Member

What does effective allyship look like in theatre institutions today? This session invites participants of all genders to explore how allies can actively support women leaders - from everyday practices to structural change - and how to move from intention to impact.

 

Table 3 – Artistic Leadership & Gender

With:

• Ildikó Gáspár, Theatre Director at Deutsches Theater Berlin
• Monika Wilderoth, Dramaturg
• Chair: Irene Moundraki, Head Dramaturg, Head of Archive, Library and International Collaborations Department, National Theatre of Greece

How does gender shape artistic leadership and creative decision-making? This discussion focuses on artistic perspectives, programming choices, and the ways in which women leaders navigate expectations, risks, and opportunities in their creative work.

 

Table 4 – Backlash & Resistance: Defending Gender Equality

With:

• Iris Laufenberg, Artistic Director at Deutsches Theater, ETC Secretary
• Marina Maleni, Theatre Development Officer at Cyprus Theatre Organisation, ETC Board Member
• Chair: Cláudia Belchior, President of European Theatre Convention, Executive General Coordinator at the Centro Cultural de Belém 

How are theatre leaders responding to backlash against gender equality? This session explores current challenges, from subtle resistance to structural pushback, and reflects on strategies to sustain progress and protect inclusive practices in changing political and social contexts.

13:00-14:30

Networking Lunch

14:30-15:45

Peer-to-Peer Sessions

• Collaborative Lab: Working with EUNIC – EU National Institutes for Culture
• Practice Lab: Inside the Rehearsal Room
• Collaborative Finance Lab: Best Practices Among Member Theatres
• Inclusive Leadership Workshop: Allies in Action

16:00-16:30

Transfer to Backa Teater

16:30-17:00

Welcome at Backa Teater

17:00-17:40

Agora

ETC Member Theatres share their takeaways.

17:40-17:50

Closing of the ETC International Theatre Conference

 18:00-19:30

Performance: 1984

18:30-20:00

Performance: K

20:30 - 22:30 

Joint Dinner at Göteborgs Stadsteater

11:00-12:00

Boat Tour around Gothenburg