European Conference: “Theatre moves Europe”
The European Network of (Amateur) Theatre – Structures – Cultures – Organizations
At a Glance
12th to 15th November 2009 in Lingen (Ems), Germany
Organiser: European Centre Européen of the International Amateur Theatre Association (AITA/IATA asbl)
Co-operating partner: – Town of Lingen (Ems), Germany
Bund Deutscher Amateurtheater (BDAT) /German Association of Amateur Theatre
Institute for Theatre Pedagogy of the University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück, based in Lingen
Amateur Theatre in Europe
In Europe, amateur theatre has a great influence on, and a high importance for, culture and society. There are an unknown number of associations, clubs and organisations that form the vital body of non-professional and not-for-profit theatre. On the basis of a rough estimate by the European Centre there are about 150,000 amateur theatre companies all over Europe. They not only promote arts and culture in their communities, towns and regions, but their voluntary commitment is an important social factor and it is the fundamental basis of a democratic civil society.
About a million citizens are actively involved in this special, non-professional segment of culture in Europe. These people are actively committed to civil society and they form the fundamental basis of cultural life and work in Europe. The national federations, associations and organisations, as well as the international networks act on the basis of voluntary work and commitment in the civil society. When he visited the European Centre of AITA/IATA asbl on the occasion of the European Conference: “Amateur Theatre – a Multi-Generation Model in a European Comparison”, the President of the European Parliament, Prof. Dr. Hans-Gert Pöttering stated: ”Without the voluntary commitment of its citizens, Europe would be grey and static.”
In many European countries, the organisational structures, however, have not been developed sufficiently and the necessary financial and structural conditions are often lacking. The different federations, associations, etc. have not yet been able to benefit from existing co-operations and synergies because the links between them are not satisfactory.
Objectives of the conference
The aim of the conference is to investigate this specific European theatrical landscape and to explore what possibilities exist for more efficient co-operation. The main focus of the conference will be on the following issues:
- Presentation of the European amateur and cultural networks in the field of Performing Arts – Investigation of their special objectives and content.
- European financing of culture in the not-for-profit field
- Analysis and strengthening of the European festival landscape in the field of the Performing Arts
- Approaches to develop European further education modules in the field of amateur theatre
The conference is directed to:
- Representatives of the European networks in the field of Performing Arts
- Administrators of amateur theatre associations and organisations in Europe
- People who are interested in cultural and education policy
- European theatre and dance directors
Contact Information
Project leader: Norbert Radermacher, Director European Centre
Dr. Lars Göhmann, Cultural Consultant of the BDAT
Organisation: Anneliese Hanelt, Administrator of the European Centre
European Centre of AITA/IATA
Karolinenstr. 9
D-49808 Lingen (Ems), Germany
Phone: +49-591-966 22 10
Fax: +49-591-966 22 13
Email: office@amateurtheatre.net
Website: www.amateurtheatre.net
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