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By Julia Dina Heße, Member of the Executive Committee of ASSITEJ International |
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Performing Arts for Young Audiences, Children's Rights and DemocracyThere are reasons to celebrate: ASSITEJ International is turning 60! Our global community of performing arts for, with and by children and youngsters will come together in Marseille to gather people from different generations and continents to look back to 60 years of international exchange and advocacy // and to envision our future in workshops, round tables and conferences. But that’s not all: Just before we arrive in France, we celebrate the World Day of Theatre for Young Audiences with thousands of activities around the globe focusing on children’s right to participate in arts and culture with the slogan: Take a child to the theatre today. And yet…writing these lines for the opener, I can’t hide that I am not in a cheerful mood. Politics and society everywhere are facing immense challenges: Wars, climate warming, increasing social polarization and division as well as economic problems are dominating public discourse and are causing young people to look to the future with increasing uncertainty. In light of the elections that took place in Germany three weeks ago, I ask myself almost every day in conversations with friends, colleagues and family: how can this be happening? The dominant public topics are building or closing borders, saving the economy and arming for self-defense in the event of war. Social issues, ecological issues and arts and culture are being pushed further and further into the background. And this raises the question of whether and for how long our democracy, in Germany, Europe and worldwide, can and will be able to withstand the attacks from all sides. These challenges don't only affect us as adult artists and theatre makers. They affect children and young people in particular, as their present and future are threatened, and they have no opportunity to have a say. By bringing forward the elections in Germany by 7 months, 400,000 young people lost their vote as they were not yet eligible to vote in February. A study on the voting of under-18-year-olds in Germany has shown that young people attach great importance to democracy – and even more to social issues than older generations. But their votes are not counted. It is therefore clear that anyone who wants to strengthen democracy must also strengthen children's rights. The right of children and young people to access and participate in arts and culture must also include the participation of children in all matters that affect them. There needs to be broad and equitable participation of all young people, whether in the theatre on, in front of and behind the stage, in artistic projects, in aesthetic mediation practice and in children's advisory boards. It needs institutionalized and political instruments such as a local children's and youth parliament and the right to have a say and make decisions, e.g. in urban planning. Democracy forms an indispensable basis for effective solutions to social challenges that are geared towards the common good. Arts and cultural education make a significant contribution to democratic education because they help young people to flourish personally, to think critically and independently and to recognize and question prejudices. In artistic programs, young people can explore themselves, form their own opinions and learn to stand up for tolerance and justice. Values such as respect, openness and the ability to accompany social change critically and actively are conveyed. ASSITEJ International and its members have stood for young people's right to cultural participation for 60 years. As the united voice of artists and advocates for young people, ASSITEJ also stands for diversity, inclusion and human rights, which absolutely include children's rights. We aim to strengthen young people in their personal development and advocate for them to grow up in an environment that focuses on respect, peace and humanity. When I chose to become an artist in the performing arts for young audiences it was because I believed in the power of stories. Stories which tell that other and better worlds are possible. Stories that make us feel and imagine other realities we can choose to create. When I come to Marseille this week my brightest moments will be those that allow me to share and live my beliefs with others who came for the same reason. From all generations and from all continents. For our future that hopefully will be brighter than it may seem these days. |
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| News from ASSITEJ International |
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 | | | | Survey on Cultural Rights | | | ASSITEJ International and four other performing arts networks have together formed a Performing Arts Coalition (PAC). The Performing Arts Coalition will address a different topic each year. In 2025, we will address cultural rights as well as the political and social trends that impact people’s ability to engage with the performing arts freely, both as artists and audiences. The topic will be addressed through a survey, a workshop, and a concluding policy event to share the results with the sector and decision-makers in Europe. PAC and the political channels we have together give a very good opportunity to share both positive and negative trends affecting our sector and the unique conditions it has to work for and with children and young people. We ask each ASSITEJ Centre and Network in Europe to make sure we have relevant responses to the survey from your country and network. Deadline: 7 April 2025 at 23:59 CEST Fill out survey> More info> |
 | | | | World Day of Theatre for Children & Young People | | | ASSITEJ World Day of Theatre and Performance for Children and Young People is an ASSITEJ International campaign promoted and celebrated through the message ‘Take a Child to the Theatre Today’. The message ‘take a child to the theatre – today’ can be promoted as a message and as a call to action; it can promote regional activity and theatre and performance events and, by linking to other information, illustrate why it is important to take a child to the theatre or to take the theatre to the child. It can be strongly linked to access for children who are isolated because of geography, disability, and socio-economics. 🌎🌍🌏 Worldwide 🗓 20 March 2025 More info on World Day> |
 | | | | AAG 2025 Online Programme | | | We are excited to invite you to experience the ASSITEJ Artistic Gathering 2025 "Bright Generations" from the comfort of your own home or office with our Online Delegate Pass. This free pass gives you exclusive access to 10 videos of the productions selected for the festival, Recording and live-streaming of the professional exchange programme, Online-only Zoom sessions created for online delegates.
🌎🌍🌏 Marseille, France 🗓 23 - 29 March 2025 More info> |
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 | | | | Call for Applications: 30th Review of the Puppet Theatres | | | ASSITEJ Croatia We are pleased to announce that the jubilee 30th Review of the Puppet Theatres will take place from November 3rd to 11th, 2025, in Rijeka, Croatia. We invite professional theatres, artistic organizations, and theatre associations registered for theatre activities to submit their performances if they wish to be considered for the Festival's selection. Each theatre may submit one performance, and applications will be accepted until March 17th, 2025. The selection results will be announced no later than June 30th, 2025. 🌎🌍🌏 Rijeka, Croatia 🗓 3 - 11 November 2025 Deadline: 17 March 2025 More info> |
 | | | | INAF 2025 – Concept Pitching in Theatre for Young Audiences | | | ASSITEJ Norway Touring internationally with text-based theatre for young audiences is challenging due to language barriers. At INAF 2025 in Oslo, ASSITEJ Norway launches a new Concept Pitching Event, allowing companies to present their concepts rather than tourable productions. This initiative fosters international collaborations and explores new ways to support artistic exchange. 🌎🌍🌏 Oslo, Norway 🗓 7 May 2025 Deadline: 15 April 2025 More info> |
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 | | | | Call for Applications for DIRIDIRI Festival, Burundi | | | Umunyinya Theatre Company Following a first successful edition focused on environmental issues that gathered around 1000 theatre lovers, we are pleased to announce that the second edition of the festival will continue with the same theme. Over the past five years, Burundi has experienced significant climate irregularities, leading to major destruction and displacement of populations. The issue of climate change remains at the centre of discussions both in Burundi and worldwide. In this context, Umunyinya invites artists focusing on young audiences to submit their applications for the 2nd edition of the DIRIDIRI festival. 🌎🌍🌏 Bujumbura, Burundi 🗓 24 - 27 September 2025 Deadline: 2 June 2025 More info> |
 | | | | Call for Directors: Schoolyard Stories–Theatre for Adolescents | | | ATINA/ASSITEJ Argentina ATINA calls Iberoamerican directors to participate in the Directors Workshop, 2nd Stage of the Project SCHOOLYARD STORIES Theatre for Adolescents- IV Edition that will take place from May 23rd to 26th, 2025 in Resistencia, Chaco, Argentina. ‘Patios del Recreo’ is a proposal of ATINA in collaboration with the Iberoamerican Network of Performing Arts for Children and Young People of ASSITEJ. ‘Schoolyard Stories’ is an interdisciplinary project (Dramaturgy, Direction and Staging) that addresses adolescent themes based on previous field research work in middle-level schools, intending to generate new proposals appropriate to the times that are coming. 🌎🌍🌏 Resistencia, Chaco, Argentina 🗓 23 - 26 May 2025 Deadline: 30 March 2025 More info> |
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 | | | | Uniting Cultures Call: ALForum 2025 | | | Anna Lindh Foundation The ALForum 2025 is a key and one of the biggest events in the region and will bring together policymakers, media outlets, civil society practitioners, artists, cultural entities and youth to engage in meaningful dialogue. It is a platform to showcase your work on a regional stage and engage with a diverse audience to amplify your professional profile and exposure. We will be organising an info session to answer all questions and queries – no registration needed. When: 10 March, 2025 at 12 PM CET. Where: Zoom Should you have any questions or require further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out at alf.forum@alfsecretariat.org 🌎🌍🌏 Tirana, Albania 🗓 18 - 20 June 2025 Deadline: 30 March 2025 More info> |
 | | | | Open Call: The Cradle of Creativity Festival 2026 | | | ASSITEJ South Africa This is a reminder to artists who wish to bring their work to South Africa to apply for the festival before the deadline of 31 March 2025. The festival aims to ensure that our youngest citizens have quality performance experiences from as early an age as possible. It is the only international theatre festival in South Africa that is curated specifically for children and young people. See information about the previous festivals. We are looking for performances aimed at different developmental stages for young people between 0 and 20 years old. 🌎🌍🌏 Northern Cape & Johannesburg, South Africa Deadline: 31 March 2025 More info> |
 | | | | Open Call: Productions for Bibu | | | ASSITEJ Sweden Do you want to be part of bibu's next program? Nominate your production! Nominated productions should be aimed at audiences between 0-19 years and need to be available to perform during the bibu festival in Helsingborg. The international productions will be selected by the International Selection Committee consisting of four persons and the directors of bibu. The brief is to find performing arts for children and young people that inspire, provoke debate and are at the forefront of high artistic quality. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the conditions of your participation on jury@bibu.se You can find the nomination form on our website. 🌎🌍🌏 Helsingborg, Sweden 🗓 27 - 30 May 2026 Deadline: 31 July 2025 More info>
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| News from around the world |
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 | | | | Great Theatre Marathon for Children and Youth | | | ASSITEJ Mexico The 17th Gran Maratón Nacional de Teatro para Niñas, Niños y Jóvenes (Great Theatre Marathon for Children and Youth) was celebrated throughout Mexico with two days of theatrical activities in commemoration of the World Theatre Day for Children and Young People, this Saturday, March 15th and Sunday, March 16th. 🌎🌍🌏 Mexico 🗓 15-16 March 2025 More info> |
 | | | | Hurrah! Theatre Weeks: Take a Child to Theatre | | | ASSITEJ Finland Hurrah! Theatre Weeks bring to the spotlight high-quality stage art aimed at children and young people. The programme has a total of 12 different performances and 40 shows around Helsinki. The aim of the Hurrah! Theatre Weeks is to offer as many children and young people as possible an opportunity to see live performances aimed specifically at them. At the same time, we want to give the small companies and working groups a platform to show their work. 🌎🌍🌏 Helsinki, Finland 🗓 14 - 26 March 2025 More info> |
 | | | | ASSITEJ Achieves Eco-Certification | | | Sustainability Section For the second year, participating networks have worked to implement the SHIFT Culture eco-guidelines for cultural networks that were developed during the original SHIFT project. Each network has implemented the mandatory guidelines along with some optional guidelines from the framework in their organisation, participated in peer audits with their fellow participants and attended a combined development workshop online. Finally, Vector42 has audited each network, which assures the credibility and integrity of the certification process. More info>
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 | | | | SayNORWAY! – Exploring Inclusion and Engagement in Theatre for Young Audiences | | | ASSITEJ Norway Inclusion and audience engagement are key themes in contemporary Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA). At the upcoming ASSITEJ Artistic Gathering in Marseille, SayNorway will highlight how Norwegian theatre practices are creating innovative and accessible experiences for young audiences through participation, digital integration, and outreach.
🌎🌍🌏 Marseille, France 🗓 25 March 2025 More info> |
 | | | | Online Seminar About Diversity and Equal Access | | | Nordic-Baltic ASSITEJ Network The Nordic-Baltic ASSITEJ Network, together with ASSITEJ Denmark, invites you to take part in this seminar "Weren’t You Expecting Me? Exploring the Practices That Move Us Towards Change". Keynote speech by Caroline Bowditch. You can attend the seminar online via Zoom or live at KLAP festival in Kolding. 🌎🌍🌏 ZOOM & Live in Kolding Library, Denmark, Sal 1 🗓 3 April 2025 Registration More info> |
 | | | | International TYA Script Information Library | | | Write Local. Play Global After years of collective thinking, research, consideration of copyright laws, and stretching WLPG’s website software as far as possible, Write Local Play Global has finally created an “International TYA Script Information Library". This offers playwrights from all over the world the opportunity to submit the most important information (including contacts) on their scripts/texts – information which is open to directors, producers, educators, and other practitioners. Read more> |
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 | | | | Diana Kržanić Tepavac: 20 Years in the ASSITEJ Community | | | ASSITEJ Serbia Diana Kržanić Tepavac, the president of the Executive Board of ASSITEJ Serbia, has stepped down after seventeen years in that position. Her involvement with the Executive Board of ASSITEJ Serbia began in 2005, so 2025 is also a jubilee celebrating Diana's contributions to our association. Through this article, the Board members of ASSITEJ Serbia wish to express their gratitude for her remarkable work. Read more> |
 | | | | ForesTEEN Updates | | | ForesTEEN Online ForesTEEN Meeting on 18th March 2025 at 6pm (CET). Join the project's monthly digital meeting and talk to colleagues and teenagers from all over Europe.
Register here> ForesTEEN project goes to BRIGHT GENERATIONS, the ASSITEJ Artistic Gathering in Marseille. Join us here on March 26th with "ROOTS and RELATIONS" featuring Giorgio Vacchiano - Guest Professor from State University of Milan- Italy and on the 27th here for the TEEN KITCHEN TABLE AFTERTALK. Write us to segnidinfanzia@gmail.com to know more about ForesTEEN and meet ForesTEEN Teenagers in Marseille. |
 | | | | Stand Up for Creative Europe | | | IETM Creative Europe has been a vital instrument in fostering cooperation among cultural organisations across 40 countries, driving innovative projects, showcasing Europe’s cultural diversity, and influencing national cultural policies. As the EU prepares to negotiate its future budget, there is no guarantee that the programme will continue beyond 2027. Has your organisation been participating in the Creative Europe programme? Now is your chance to make your voice heard! The European Commission is gathering opinions on the future EU budget, and your input is crucial. Read more> |
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| | | ASSITEJ International | Via Giacomo Matteotti, 16, 40129 Bologna BO, Italy |
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