With each new edition that has been staged over numerous years, ASSITEJ Serbia’s national festival – FAS – has paved the way for sharing ideas, strengthening togetherness, and community-building among artists and professionals in TYA, bringing us a step closer to realising our dream of gathering the ASSITEJ International community in the heart of our region. We are delighted that our wish was granted and it is the perfect time to celebrate both the 20th anniversary of ASSITEJ Serbia and the 10th anniversary of the last General Commentary of the UN Committee for Children’s Rights on the Rights to Culture (Articles 13 and 31).

Why “Turning Point”?

Considering the position in which the whole world finds itself now, and the status of theatre and performing arts for children and young people, we can be sure of one thing: we are in a liminal space – a transitional space that is a part of the change from one state to another. A space of ignorance, confusion, and uncertainty – where old truths have been abandoned, and new ideas have not yet emerged. This transitional space often begins with a sense of loss, crisis, fear, meaninglessness, and the awareness that there is no going back. In the process, we give up old meanings and enter the marginal space wherein new meanings have not yet been created.

Together, we are at a turning point where:

• New generations are taking over and becoming drivers of development;

• New technologies are being introduced to TYA as innovative ways to tell stories and engage audiences;

• New means of engaging with visual arts and design are being trialled in theatre and performing arts for children and young people in relation to space, light, sound, visual identity, puppets, and / or objects;

• It is ‘now or never’ in regards to the environmental, energy, and climate crisis, one of the defining issues of our time, as well as in regards to geo-political strife and the necessity to protect children’s rights, women’s rights, and human rights, throughout the world.

The aims of AAG 2023 in Serbia are to:

• Advocate for placing theatre and performing arts for children and young people higher on the agenda of decision-makers;

• To foster new synergies between education and culture;

• To put the artists and productions of Southeastern Europe in the spotlight, and;

• To challenge the neglect of children and young people’s right to arts and culture.