It was incredibly moving to witness the cooperation and willingness of our global community coming in numbers, in a spirit of adventure, to be together for this key moment in the ASSITEJ calendar. I was moved by the visible friendship and care that helped people through the tough moments, the willingness to share and assist, the kindness that was shown when things didn’t go as planned and despite some big problems, people found solutions. I loved the invisible work going on behind the program- the companies and artists going into schools and communities, performing for children where they are and bringing perspectives from all over the world into their classrooms.
After the 21st ASSITEJ World Congress and Festival Voices of a New World in Havana, Cuba.
The achievement of ASSITEJ Cuba in making this festival and congress happen is a credit to a vital, energetic and dedicated National Centre. What a success! With 488 International delegates from 66 countries pouring into Havana, this congress was a real reflection of the region and of the global community. 75 professional exchange opportunities and 25 productions, the General Assembly of members, ceremonies and some pretty fantastic parties filled the event, including a glorious street parade to begin through Old Havana. Dance, music, drama for, with and by children and young people in Cuba is supported by the state, through education and classes and training throughout the free education system. There are 27 tertiary level performing arts schools and the level of skill is extraordinary.
The delegates coming from outside the region saw a different way of creating performance that was deeply grounded in community and young participants engaging in art from the beginning. For most it was an eye opener – considering the difficulties the country works with – and a reminder of what’s possible and what’s important. For some, coming from countries that suffer lack of funding or cultural structures, it was a reminder that if the arts is supported from the beginning for all, children have a place and a purpose that creates confidence and hope.
It was incredibly moving to witness the cooperation and willingness of our global community coming in numbers, in a spirit of adventure, to be together for this key moment in the ASSITEJ calendar. I was moved by the visible friendship and care that helped people through the tough moments, the willingness to share and assist, the kindness that was shown when things didn’t go as planned and despite some big problems, people found solutions. I loved the invisible work going on behind the program- the companies and artists going into schools and communities, performing for children where they are and bringing perspectives from all over the world into their classrooms.
This event was a success for many reasons that we know: seeing work from around the world, engaging in generous professional exchange; the conversations and networking, the parties and regional meetings. But for me it was the biggest success because we made it work together. We voted for and supported this Congress in this region in this country because it was exciting and it offered an inspiring adventure at a time when we all felt that the world was collapsing. ASSITEJ is an association that has theatre and performance as our super power. We know how to imagine. The deep knowledge we have of our audiences, the children and young people we work for, and with and alongside, allows us – if fact demands of us – to explore together, to take chances, to take risks and to make impossible things happen.
The Congress also marks a new beginning: the beginning of another three year term of ASSITEJ International, with a new Executive Committee elected and a working plan in place. This next three years in our association’s life will build on the spirit of the Voices of the New World and increase our connections, opportunities and visibility around the globe.
Thank you so much to everyone; in Cuba and elsewhere, including our hard working ASSITEJ Team, who joined together to create something memorable and significant; not just for the region, but for all of us. That wild dream in 2021 became real, in ways that we will never forget, and that spur us to continue to find adventure in whatever we do.
For those who couldn’t be there, recordings of some sessions, some shows and some events will be available to view online.
