Photo: www.transeuropafestival.eu
Taking place in 14 European cities, a festival of culture, arts and politics, Transeuropa comes to Warsaw and presents the friendly face of globalisation
In Amsterdam, Barcelona, Belgrade, Berlin, Bologna, Bratislava, Cluj-Napoca, London, Lublin, Paris, Prague, Rome, Sofia, and Warsaw panel discussions, performances, video screenings, living libraries, art exhibitions and debates are held with one main aim: to propose alternative visions on the economic crisis, migrations and democratic participation. A bottom-up, trans-European event promoting and implementing political and cultural exchange across Europe Transeuropa is a call for collective action. It opens on May 9th with a a walk taking place simultaneously in all Festival cities. The closing event is the Transnational Agora in Rome on June 2nd and 3rd, where representatives from all the Festivals cities come together to cement the existence of the shared transnational space opened by the Fetival.
Warsaw takes part in the European action by offering among others a screening of short films from young Maroccan, Lebanese and Palestinian directors, a debate on the integration of migrants in Poland and a unique performance staging the life, memories and bitter confrontations of emigrants seeking a better life and adapting to new realities entitled The grass is greener here. Come!
Organised by a transnational organisation promoting democracy, equality and culture beyond the nation state - European Alternatives and a horizontal network of activists from throughout Europe working together for the emergence of a new and genuinely transnational European politics, culture and society - the Transeuropa Network, Transeuropa is the result of a participative process involving more than 100 activists and volunteers, spread over 14 cities in 12 European countries.
Select elements of the programme in Warsaw:
- May 9th, 6-8 pm Transnational Walk
Held simultaneously in all the cities of the festival involving installations, mini-performances and monologues at the back of Nowy Świat street.
- May 10th, 8-11 pm Histoire(s) – Carte blanche à la Cinémathèque de Tanger
Selection of short films from young directors from Marocco, Lebanon and Palestine, screened at the History Meeting House
- May 11th, 6-7 pm Does Poland need migrants?
Debate at Nowy Świat Street 63
- May 12th, 3-6 Loesje Workshop
Creative writing workshops, on topics concerning the Festival - promoting freedom of speech, stimulating social activity, creativity and critical approach to current reality. Nowy Świat Street 63
- May 12th, 7:30-9:30 pm The grass is greener here. Come!
A performance of the Strefa WolnoSłowa inspired by F. Kafka’s America, and the personal stories of Poles and foreigners living in Warsaw.
it’s a reflection on the burdens and advantages of traveling, the hardships of leaving one's homeland and the hopes and dreams linked with settling in a new country.
- May 13th 5:30-7:30 Role play game
Participants impersonate immigrants who embark on their new lives in Poland. Taking place in Solec 44
Sources: Transeuropa Festival
Author: Marta Jazowska