Towards the unknown: Confronting the present 

It is August, and the biggest event of our ASSITEJ community this year is just around the corner: ASSITEJ Artistic Gathering 2019. From the 2nd till the 7th of September, performers, directors, writers, dramaturgs, theatre pedagogues, producers, researchers, scenographers, musicians, dancers, video artists, programmers and artistic directors from all over the world will come together in Kristiansand and explore what is happening in the field of theatre for a young audience right now. 
 
This year's theme is «Confronting the present». As the theme suggests, the festival aims to take the temperature on the world of TYA today. All continents are represented with at least one performance: from Asia, Oceania and South-America to Europe and Africa. You will also have the possibility of seeing a broad spectrum of Nordic–Baltic productions. The Nordic–Baltic ASSITEJ network has curated a Nordic–Baltic Fringe, with productions from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia including Greenland and Sápmi.
 
These unique performances will be the catalyst for an exchange across borders. You will have the rare opportunity to see theatre productions from the whole world, and then to discuss it with people from all over the world. A deep dive into form, genre, trends and themes. What thoughts lie behind a certain expression? Do we think the same about form and themes and what is suitable for certain age groups?  What are the possibilities? What are the challenges? And perhaps the most interesting question: Why do you make it like that? 
 
The Gathering is a unique opportunity for the world of Theatre for a Young Audience to come together. To see theatre, to participate in workshops, in discussions and to meet each other and together, move forward. Let us meet, see, discuss, agree and disagree. 
Without you, a voice will be missing. 
I hope to see you there!