8 October 2013, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Kunstquartier Bethanien, Studio 1, 
Mariannenplatz 2, 10997 Berlin.

The leading question of our conference could be framed as follows: How do European countries – especially by means of theatre – address and respond to the migration phenomenon?

Due to colonial history, economic and political changes in many parts of the world, migration has yet again become an important aspect of European countries. Correspondingly the movement of people from around the globe is leading to profound changes in all societies. As a consequence thereof questions of identity, participation, integration, empowerment and education are not only governing every day life, but as well policy and cultural institutions. Not least are they visible and tangible in theatre.

Although their presence is still rare, performances and artworks by artists of Colour and diverse ethnic/cultural backgrounds are beginning to capture the stage and either winning the heart of the audience or provoking debate. Be it that they address issues like racism, daily discrimination or ongoing exclusion, at all times their art has a political impact and is bearing in remembrance the desire for and the dream of transnational and colour-blind societies. Viewed in this light these artists are designing new perspectives for the theatre and also challenging more conservative views of the majority.

From the viewpoint of producers they have established new artistic alliances and co-operations all over Europe. By means of networking and exchange they manage to strengthen their artistic qualities and effects.

With this conference we want to follow some of these artistic movements and put them up for discussion. Artists from Germany, Great Britain, Sweden and the Netherlands will talk about their work and moot related questions of how people of Colour and with migration background are represented in European Theatre. Thus the goal of the conference is to promote post migrant perspectives by sharing experiences and artistic positions and develop a common ground for institutional approaches of representation.

Concept by Dr. Christel Weiler and Dr. Azadeh Sharifi.

A detailed program and information on the panelists are available for download.

The public symposium is an initiative of the International Research Center "Interweaving Performance Cultures" in cooperation with the International Theatre Institute Berlin and mime centrum berlin. The admission is free.