European Theatre Convention: Malta 2021
Hey there everyone, you might have noticed that there’s been a not so little event going on called the European Theatre Convention which we’re currently hosting with the support of Teatru Manoel and Spazju Kreattiv. It’s great if you have noticed it’s been going on, and if you haven’t well we might need to fire our PR people.
Jokes aside, here’s a summary of what’s gone on so far just incase you need a little assistance navigating through the madness that is this stormy weekend. For the record it may have been cold outside, but it has been truly wonderful to be sharing the same space indoors with our fellow European colleagues doing what we do best: discussing theatre.
Here’s a run down of some highlights from today’s conference:
Tamás Szűcs, Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport in DG EAC
“Today theatre represents in a way fundamental EU values and is therefore key for promoting healthy open democracies. Theatre’s accessibility and freedom remain essential”
Maria Delgado, Professor and Director of Research at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
“How do we prove our work at a time of competing attention from streaming platforms? How can we articulate the role we play in nurturing the talent on these?”
Heidi Wiley, Executive Director, ETC
”we realised the importance of coming together and remaining connected in the pandemic, it showed us the strength of public theatres in Europe in comparison the rest of the world. It was something to be conscious of, be proud & see value in. We must make sure this remains.”
Bashar Murkus, Palestinian director at Khashabi Ensemble
“The problem is when censorship turns inside to you. We want to be outside of this and to take responsibility for what we do, carefully choosing our projects. It’s not just a political statement. It’s an artistic statement.”
WATCH the full conference below
Yesterday’s opening speeches and opening ceremony at Teatru Manoel, taken by Lindsey Bahia
Here are some fun photos from the opening of our Welcome Desk, taken by Lindsey Bahia:
Want to follow us live? Click here
Looking for more information? click here to find out more
Wondering what sort of events we have lined up in the coming days? click here to find out more… don’t feel like the extra click? Then just find it all below ( we get you, it’s been a tough few days):
Thursday 28th October
All times are listed as CET
12:00 – 16:30
Welcome desk is open!
– Grand Hotel Excelsior, Valletta
12:00 – 13:00
Open Rehearsal with ZfinMalta, Malta’s National Dance Company
– Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valetta
– In person event only
13:00 – 13:45
Performance: Il-Qtates ta’ Max-Xatt
– Esplora Planetarium Theatre, Kalkara
– In person event only
14:30 – 15:40
Performance: Alice in Wonderless Land
– San Ġorg Preca College Valletta Primary, Valletta
– In person event only
17:00 – 17:30
Joint bus departure.
Grand Hotel Excelsior to Malta Maritime Musum (Birgu).
17:15 – 20:00
Conference Opening & Official Reception
Speakers: Albert Marshall (Arts Council Malta Chair); Serge Rangoni (ETC President/ Théâtre de Liège)
– Malta Maritime Museum, Birgu
– In person event only
18:30 – 20:00
Dinner
– Malta Maritime Museum, Birgu
– In person event only
Friday 29 October
All times are listed as CET
-09:00 – 09:45
Welcome Desk & Welcome Coffee
– Teatru Manoel, Valletta
09:10 – 09:30
Joint departure from the hotel
– Grand Hotel Excelsior, Valletta
09:45 – 10:00
Conference Welcome
– Teatru Manoel, Valletta
– In person with an online recording available afterwards
10:00 – 10:45
Keynote “The Art of In-Betweenness” with Toni Sant
– Teatru Manoel, Valletta
– In person with an online recording available afterwards
10:45 – 13:00
Table Talks: Envisioning the Future
ETC Members collect input to be presented at the Conference on the Future of Europe (next day).
– Teatru Manoel, Valletta
– In person with an online recording available afterwards
11:30 – 11:34
Coffee Break
– Teatru Manoel, Valletta
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch
– Undercroft (Restaurant), Valetta
– In person event only
14:00 – 14:45
Speed meetings (with coffee!)
– Undercroft (Restaurant), Valetta
– In person and online via Swapcard
14:45 – 15:00
Walk Back to Teatru Manoel.
– Undercroft (Restaurant), Valetta
15:00 – 16:00
TRANSFORMATIONS: Recharging European theatres and audiences in a post-Covid world. Presentation and launch of ETC’s new 3-year network programme.
– Teatru Manoel, Valletta
16:00 – 17:00
ETC General Assembly
ETC Members and ETC Guests only
– Teatru Manoel, Valletta
17:30 – 18:40
Performance: Alice in Wonderless Land
– San Ġorg Preca College Valletta Primary, Valletta
18:30 – 19:45
Performance/Workshow: Nouveau Riche
– City Theatre, Valletta
20:00 – 21:15
Performance: O
– Teatru Manoel, Valletta
Saturday 30 October
All times are listed as CET
09:30
Joint Departure from the Hotel
– Grand Hotel Excelsior, Valletta
10:00 – 12:00
Conference on the Future of Europe. – ‘Envisioning the Future: European Theatre as a Public Space for an Open Society’ with Tamás SZŰCS, Bashar Murkus, Gianina Carbinariu (General Director Teatrul Tineretului), Heidi Wiley, Serge Rangoni and Hon. José Herrera MP (Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government).
Welcome Address: Tamás SZŰCS, European Commission, DGEAC, Director of the Culture, Creativity and Sport Directorate
Moderation: Maria Delgado, Academic and Director of Research, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
– Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch
ETC Members and ETC Guests only
– Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta
13:45 – 15:00
Project Pitching followed by Individual Networking & Joint Project Development
ETC Members and ETC Guests only
– Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta
15:00 – 15:15
Coffee Break
ETC Members and ETC Guests only
– Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta
15:15 – 16:15
Participatory Drama Talks
ETC Members and ETC Guests only
– Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta
– In person event only
16:15 – 16:30
Conclusion
ETC Members and ETC Guests only
– Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta
– In person event only
17:30 – 19:00
Performance/Workshow: Nouveau Riche
– City Theatre, Valletta
– In person event only
20:00 – 20:45
Performance: Nassaba: Song of a Bird
– Catholic Institute Theatre, Valletta
– In person event only
21:00
Drinks and joint dinner
– Nenu the Artisan Baker, 143, St Dominic Street, Valletta VLT1605
– In person event only
Sunday 31 October
All times are listed are CET
09:45 – 12:30
Ħaġar Qim & Mnajdra Temples Tour Guided Tour by the Site Curator at Ħaġar Qim Visitor Centre including the 4D experience.
– Meeting Point: Grand Hotel Excelsior
– In person event only