NEATA - the North European Amateur Theatre Alliance
On August 8, 1998, a new regional centre of the International Amateur Theatre Association (aita/iata) was established at Harstad in Northern Norway approx. 400 kilometres north of the Polar Circle.
The founders of the new region were the aita/iata National Centres of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden. In September, 1998, the Amateur Theatre Association of the Faroes was approbated as an affiliated National Centre of aita/iata and NEATA.
Following the decision of August 7, 1998, by the biennial General Meeting of the Nordic Amateur Theatre Council (NAR) to cease to be an aita/iata-region - however, to continue as a body of co-operation for the Nordic countries, particularly representing the Nordic centres towards Nordic authorities and sources of finance - NEATA immediately took over the responsibilities and rights of NAR as an aita/iata-region.
NEATA was founded to be a body of co-operation for the amateur theatre in the region as well as it will serve to fulfil the obligations and execute the rights of a region according to the Constitution of aita/iata. The official language of NEATA is English, however, any suitable language may be applied during working sessions.
According to its 'constitution' - the Agreement of Co-operation - NEATA has been formed for the purpose of:
- propagating and protecting dramatic art by all theatrical groups of the member countries which are devoted, without remuneration, to artistic and cultural aims
- co-ordinating and implementing activities of common interest to the amateur theatre of the region
- representing the cultural political interests of the amateur theatre of the region towards national and international authorities as well as within aita/iata
- facilitating international exchanges between amateur theatre groups
It is a well defined way of working for NEATA to be open to co-operation with neighbouring countries and areas. Since the foundation of NEATA there has been a close co-operation with the National Centre of the Russian Federation, and during the years good contacts have been establish with amateur theatre bodies and groups in Belarus, Poland, Germany, and the Kaliningrad Region of Russia.
Regional Assemblies
The assemblies of the regions of aita/iata is held in connection with the biennial general assemblies and world congresses of the world association.
The 3rd Regional Assembly of NEATA
This was held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, July 15th 2003, in connection with the World Congress of AITA/IATA. During the Regional Assembly and the following Steering Committee meeting Ms. Danute Vaigauskaite, Lithuania became elected as President, Mr. Hilmar Joensen, The Faraoes was elected Vice-President and Mr. Thomas Hauger, Denmark became Secretary General for another 2 years period. As the NEATA member for 2003 - 2007 of The Board of Representatives of AITA/IATA Mr. Hilding Lindbäck, Sweden became elected to the council.
At the following General Assembly of the world organisation AITA/IATA Ms. Merja Laaksovirta, Finland became the new Vice-President.
The 2nd Regional Assembly of NEATA
Monaco, July 28, 2001
Mr. Villy Dall, was re-elected as President for a second period and Mrs Danute Vaigauskaite, Lithuania was re-elected as Vice-president for a second period.
The 1st Regional Assembly of NEATA
was held in El Jadida, Morocco, on July 17, 1999, and the next one will be held in Monaco on July 28, 2001.
Officers and Secretariat
The Steering Committee of NEATA is composed of the Presidents of the National Centres or their official delegates, for the present:
Ms. Danute Vaigauskaite, acting president - Lithuania
Mr. Jaan Urvet - Estonia
Mr. Hilmar Joensen - Faroes
Ms. Christian Sundström - Finland
Ms. Guðrún Halla Jónsdóttir - Iceland
Ms. Inguna Gremze - Latvia
Mr. Steinar Arnesen - Norway
Mr. Hilding Lindbäck - Sweden
Ms. Line Hauger - Denmark
The Secretariat of NEATA is hosted by the Danish National Centre, and the Secretary General of same, Mr. Thomas Hauger, is also the Secretary General of NEATA.
Steering Committee meetings have been held as follows:
- Tórshavn, Faeroe Islands, 5th August 2006
- Monaco, 30th July 2005
- Tórshavn, The Faroe Island, 12th March, 2005
- Viljandi, Estonia, August 7th, 2004
- Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, July 15th, 2003
- Tallinn, Estonia, March 29th-30th, 2003
- Västerås, Sweden, August 2nd & 5th, 2002
- Monaco, July 28, 2001
- Trakai, Lithuania, July 25, 2000
- Slagelse, Denmark, on September 11, 1999
- El Jadida, Morocco, on July 17, 1999
- Riga, Latvia, on January 24, 1999
- Harstad, Norway, on August 8, 1998
Between meetings, the Steering Committee will conduct its work by telephone, fax, and e-mail.
It has been decided that officers of the National Centres may attend Steering Committee meetings as observers unless otherwise decided in a particular case.
Other Official NEATA Festivals
The Steering Committee of NEATA has decided that upon request it will grant the label of Official NEATA Festival to international festivals in member countries when it is recommended by the National Centre in question and when official invitations are sent to all NEATA National Centres to propose groups for participation. However, it is not necessary that organisers select groups from all NEATA countries when selection is made according to guidelines made known to the Steering Committee.
It goes without saying that NEATA will take no responsibility for such a festival, be it as to finances or organising.
Applications should currently be submitted to the NEATA Secretariat via National Centres.
