Description
This project aims to enhance cultural dialogue and strengthen European identity by presenting a world-renowned theatre group from Iceland to Czech audience at the occasion of the 23rd International festival Theatre in Pilsen, the European Capital of Culture for of the year 2015. Icelandic and Nordic theatre culture in general is not sufficiently known in the Czech Republic because the Nordic theatre groups do not regularly attend Czech scenes. Thanks to this project the professional and general public will have the chance to see the „Brim“, the performance of the acclaimed Icelandic company Vesturport. Every opportunity to import production is a unique and exclusive occasion, which offers not only an unusual viewing experience but also the inspiration for the Czech theatre professionals. The festival will provide live confrontation of Czech professional theatre production and top productions from the northern area and will create a platform for meetings, education and exchange of good practice. A discussion with artistic creators and actors of the Brim performance with the audience will be organized followed by a meeting of Czech and foreign experts on the issue of current Nordic theatre and its traditions.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project "The International Festival THEATRE" was to provide a presentation of the top and world-renowned theatre group, which has not performed yet in the Czech Republic. In the framework of the International Theatre Festival hosted the famous Icelandic group Vesturport with award-winning productions Brim in Pilsen in 2015. The two activities were planned and prepared with the partner: the performance Brim by the renowned Icelandic group and discussion with experts on the issue of northern theatre. Both took place in the main festival program in September 2015. The project also held two creative workshops - video workshop and workshop of theatre photos. The Festival offered to the professional and general public the access to quality performing art and confronted the Czech professional theatre creation with top productions from northern regions. The audience had a chance to encounter and to confront with quality live art from the area of northern theatre. Meeting organized on the occasion of hosting the Icelandic file with the creators, actors and Czech and foreign experts in the field was a kind of platform for meetings of theatre, the possibilities of gaining new experiences and exchanging good practice. A unique opportunity to see Nordic theatre on the stage of the Festival underlined uniqueness of 2015 for the city of Pilsen, which that year became the holder of the title of The European Capital of Culture.
Summary of bilateral results
The Icelandic project partner (Vesturport Europa Fillms Ltd. - theatre group) was actively involved in the main program of the festival with the performance "Brim" which has received Gríma award for the best theatre scenario. Brim - which means Breakwater in Icelandic, is set aboard a small fishing vessel just off the coast of Iceland and revolves around the conflicted five-person community formed by the crew members. The partner also participated in the discussion with experts, artistic creators and actors with audience on the issue of northern theatre that took place after the performace of Brim. The discussion reflected both the staging of the theatre Vesturport and Nordic tradition and present in general. Exchange of experiences with different cultural traditions were mutual and both sides benefited from participation in this project. The Festival was very well received in the Czech as well as in the international press. The final beneficiary will try to use the established cooperation with Nordic partners for hosting other local groups in the coming years.