(NC= The National Centre of aita/iata in a country, SC= The Steering Committee of NEATA)

I. Projects, suggested by the President
1. Most important NEATA project - International Amateur Theatre Director Course.

In 2003/2004 the 2nd Course finished 1 year studies at Klaipeda University.
There were 6 students from Norway and Denmark.
In 2004/2005 on the 3rd Course we had 7 students from Norway, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
It was the first time we had students from Africa. Interesting experience! Different mentality, different approach towards many things. But in the end of the studies we had possibility to see different and interesting individual projects. We hope that Africans will share professional knowledge in their own countries.
In September 2005 the 4th Course will start studies. Students from Canada, Norway, Kenya and Zimbabwe are coming.

2. During the period 2003/2005 I suggested 3 projects of theatre co-operation and they were practically realized.

2.1 THE SONG OF DANUBE
At the beginning the idea was: 4 theatre groups - 2 from Denmark and 2 from Lithuania playing the same well known play. Later together with Jakob Oschlag, Denmark we decided to use the play by Kaj Nissen, Denmark: "The Song of Danube" for the project.
There were 2 mini-festivals. September 2003 in Jonava and Kelme, Lithuania. August 2004 in Jaegerspris, Denmark.
The result: 3 theatre groups - approx. 30 people, - had an interesting theatre experience, become good friends and planned to continue their co-operation. They will play 3 different plays by B.Brecht.

2.2 MIO MY MIO
2 Children theatre groups from Norway and Lithuania played Mio My Mio by Astrid Lindgren. March 2004 20 children from Oslo came to Klaipeda and Shiauliai and showed Mio for Lithuanian audience. In April 2004 20 children from Shiauliai, Lithuania, brought Mio to Oslo.
Result: after successful theatre experience children theatre groups decided to continue co-operation. They invited children theatre group from Latvia and in August, 2005 they will have festival-workshop in Lithuania.

2.3 THE BEAR PROJECT: WE ARE DIFFERENT WE ARE SIMILAR
5 theatre groups from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Latvia and Lithuania playing The Bear by Anton Chekhov. The mini-festival were held in Finland (February 2005) and in Norway (June, 2005).
In September The Bear festivals will be in Latvia and Lithuania. Sweden will end BEAR marathon in October 2005. There will be prepared an experimental performance were different characters from different countries will play in one mixed BEAR performance!
I very much thank national Centers of Finland and Sweden and also NAR for financial support of the project.
The result: The project will continue next year. Together with Russian NC we are planning to bring all BEARs to Russia in June, 2006. All details will be mailed to the NEATA NC's in September.
I would like to ask all NC to confirm THE BEAR project as NEATA-CEC project and give financial support. From NC's and NAR.

II. Visits to NEATA countries

1. January, 2003 I was invited to Latvian National Amateur Theatre Festival. During 3 days I saw 18 performances and had good discussions about co-operation with President of the NC Inguna Gremze and the Board.
2. May 2004 I was invited to festival of Independent Theatres in Copenhagen. During the festival we had god discussions about NEATA with our Secretary General Thomas Hauger and Jakob Oshlag.
3. October 2004 I was invited to National Theatre festival in Molodechno, Byelorussia. During 4 days I saw 24 performances, had critics of the performances, and took part in a Theatre Conference.
4. June 2005 I took part in a BEAR project in Sundalsora, Norway. It was a great experience in finding beautiful places in the world and making theatre project! We had very successful discussions with the leaders of the groups about how to develop the project, how to create a mixed performance etc.
5. June 2005 I was invited to National Theatre Festival in Akureyri, Iceland. It was one more great theatre experience. I had fantastic possibility to see very good theatre, to meet very nice people, to discuss theatre projects with members of the Board of The Icelandic NC.

After all my visits to NEATA countries I become richer in my theatre experience and I hope to use these knowledge's in the developing of NEATA and my professional work. Thanks so much to the NC's of NEATA for giving me such nice possibility!

III. NEATA SC meetings.

During the period were held 3 NEATA SC meetings were I took part.

1. 15th July 2003, Halifax, Canada
2. 5th August 2004, Viljandi, Estonia
3. 12th March 2005, Torshavn, The Faroe Islands

IV. Co-operation with neighboring countries.

1. Co-operation with Byelorussia is in an active process.

Theatre group from Byelorussia participated in 2 NEATA Festivals (Lithuania and Sweden).
Theatre groups participated in different international festivals and showed very good quality in the performances.
The most active theatre persons want to found Amateur Theatre Association but political situation in Byelorussia is very complicated for nongovernmental activities. And it will take time.
For now theatre groups from Byelorussia are very interested in international co-operation and exchanges and we need to use that. I hope that NC of The Faroe Islands will find it possible to invite a Theatre group from Byelorussia to the NEATA festival in Torshavn.
2. NEATA have very good co-operation with Russia. Especially Baltic countries: we have many Russian theatre groups in our festivals.
   NEATA will have joint projects with Russian NC "THE BEAR" and "Different Approach".
   It would be nice if NEATA countries will involve in projects in Archangelsk, Murmansk and Kaliningrad. These regions are supported by EU.
3. Poland is waiting invitations to participate in NEATA festivals.

V. Baltic co-operation with the Ministry Nordic Council

I sent Official letter to Lithuanian Ministry of Culture asking about situation in co-operation of Baltic countries with The Nordic Council of Ministers. And got the answer that:

1. After 1st May 2004 when Baltic countries became members of EU, the Baltic - Nordic co-operation started a new stage were co-operation on all spheres is based on the principle of equal political partnership. It was confirmed in the end of 2004.
2. Question of the equal financial contribution is in a process of discussions. Before the decision will be made The Nordic Council of Ministers will continue financial support for joint Baltic - Nordic projects.
   Our Ministry of Culture gave me addresses of 11 Nordic Funds were we can find financial support.
   I hope we have a future!

VI. AITA/IATA EB MEETING IN KLAIPEDA

17-21 March 2005 I've organized the meeting of Executive Board of AITA/IATA in Klaipeda, Lithuania. Worldpresident of AITA/IATA Mr. Leo Tromp, Aruba and AITA/IATA Vice-President Merja Laaksovirta visited Lithuanian Minister of Culture, and had meetings with Rector of Klaipeda University and the International students.

VII. 3rd NEATA festival

Last year was held 3rd NEATA festival in Viljandi, Estonia. We saw 9 performances from 8 NEATA countries and 1 guest performance from Belgium (CEC).
The artistic quality of the Festival was really good. We had good NEATA meetings, Symposium, good discussions and good time.
Thanks to Estonian NC again.
The 4th NEATA Festival will be held in the Faroe Islands from 4th August to 11th August 2006 and I hope that Hilmar Joensen will introduce all his nice ideas of the festival.

In the end I thank all of you for serious and professional co-operation in Amateur Theatre!