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Organisation for understanding and education through theatre
Regional Centre of the International Amateur Theatre Association (aita/iata)
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North European Amateur Theatre Alliance
Organisation for understanding and education through theatre Regional Centre of the International Amateur Theatre Association (aita/iata) |
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By Villy Dall
Former President of NEATA
The concept of mini-festivals was introduced about eight years ago by John Ytteborg who, in 1992, after 15 years, had left the position as Secretary General of the International Amateur Theatre Association (AITA/IATA) to take up a new one as international advisor of the Danish Amateur Theatre Association (DATS).
Over the years, three mini-festivals have been held in Denmark, but the big step forward for this concept was when the Executive Board of AITA/IATA accepted John?s proposal for a global mini-festival weekend during June 1-4, 2000, as a way to celebrate the new millennium. It was called "The World's Greatest Amateur Theatre Festival".
In the end, the result was 33 different mini-festivals taking place in widely different communities in 19 countries, and yet integrated by the idea of a common global event.
Furthermore, I also know of various traditions of smaller international festivals on a bilateral or trilateral basis hosting amateur theatre groups of the same language but coming from different neighbouring countries, e.g. German, Polish, or Finnish speaking groups crossing national borders to meet in festivals.
During September 22-26, 2000, John and I attended a mini-festival - called "Avant-garde & Tradition - Lithuanian Days" - in Gatchina, approx. 50 kms south of St. Petersburg in Russia, hosting four Lithuanian and five Russian groups. This is - as far as I know - yet another concept of a mini-festival, viz. a bilateral co-operation between two neighbouring countries. Next year a new festival will take place in Lithuania. A bilateral mini-festival between two neighbouring countries is a way to keep travelling costs at a minimum.
In his proposal, John said about the mini-festivals that "small is beautiful - but it is also very practical and workable!" And then he defined the concept of mini-festivals as:
The local groups will offer and use whatever facilities they have and can make available - in terms of theatre/performing spaces, workshop rooms, meeting places etc. Invited groups must be informed of these facilities in advance - especially as regards measurements of performing spaces, lighting and sound equipment etc.
The groups from abroad should preferably be accommodated in the private homes of members of the hosting groups. Other forms of accommodation are possible.?
Obviously the 33 mini-festivals in June this year were organised in many different ways. In Nancy, France, five French groups joined hands with groups from Singapore, Trinidad & Tobago, and Tunisia - truly a global experience! In Cuba we are told that the festival took place in 14 provinces, involving some 150 theatre groups, both amateur and professional! A mini-festival? It might have qualified as a record-breaking festival of its own! Interesting also the geographical spread of the global event – from Estonia to India, from Bulgaria to the USA. - to give a general idea. In some countries there were two festivals (Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Russia, UK, USA) or even three (Estonia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Sweden).
"The event was inspired by the concept of the Global Village. The local community which has its own specific cultural identity and yet contains the world. The world which is experienced as one big community in which all people regardless of race, colour and creed co-exist and communicate freely," John writes in an article for the AITA/IATA Newsletter. He continues: "The Global Village is an electronic concept made possible by the vastly increased speed and velocity of human inter-action and communication through technological means. The Internet also made it possible for AITA/IATA to spread the global mini-festival project effectively, and for groups from all over the world to respond and find other groups to give life to their own local mini-festivals."
Compared to all other kinds of communication, the Internet and e-mail are very valuable gifts to international co-operation among amateur theatre groups and people. Not only the mini-festivals but practically all festivals this year were organised more or less through e-communication, and we all experience the flourishing of exchange of e-mail addresses among festivals participants.
The new means of communication creates more interest for international exchange because the information is spread very quickly. And it makes contact and staying in contact so easy.
Taking my own country, Denmark, as an example, we have this year experienced a fast growing interest among our amateur theatre groups to take part in international festivals and other kinds of exchange:
And in these endeavours, the concept of mini-festivals is a good choice. It is handy, workable, personal, and low budget. And it will give you experiences for a lifetime - whether you are an organiser or a participant.