This text is a record of some significant memories of the ‘Bright Generations’ Artistic Gathering, organised by Théâtre Massalia and ASSITEJ France, in March 2025. I'll use a method which will allow myself, at times, to refer to some personal experiences - both from my connection with ASSITEJ and with milestones within the AAG; after all, it was also my 60th birthday. As there were 819 delegates from different countries, I'll mention some people by their first names, so that they symbolise all of us who together made this gathering remarkable, strengthening the importance of the different threads that make up the ASSITEJ fabric. I will also do this to symbolise a phrase that was present in the speeches at the opening of the event: we are one big family.
This text is a record of some significant memories of the ‘Bright Generations’ Artistic Gathering, organised by Théâtre Massalia and ASSITEJ France, in March 2025. I’ll use a method which will allow myself, at times, to refer to some personal experiences – both from my connection with ASSITEJ and with milestones within the AAG; after all, it was also my 60th birthday. As there were 819 delegates from different countries, I’ll mention some people by their first names, so that they symbolise all of us who together made this gathering remarkable, strengthening the importance of the different threads that make up the ASSITEJ fabric (at the end of the text, you can read their names and which part of the Association they represent in this text). I will also do this to symbolise a phrase that was present in Émilie (Théâtre Massalia), Fanny (Scènes d’enfance – ASSITEJ France), and Sue’s (ASSITEJ International) speeches at the opening of the event: we are one big family. It was within this feeling of welcome that I first approached ASSITEJ, taking part in the ‘Taboo Workshops’ – a project devised by Maria Inés and Katariina in 2008 in Caracas, Venezuela – which yielded remarkable lessons for those who took part, generating friendships that remain and that make us feel like the ‘taboo family’.
In 2014, I represented Brazil at the 18th ASSITEJ World Congress in Warsaw, Poland. This was my first experience as a delegate at a congress. I was simultaneously enchanted by the power of the representativeness of that meeting and frightened by the entire organisational structure involving so many countries. From this event onwards, I got closer to the Ibero-American Network and was able to be part of strengthening this collective over the years. So I got involved, both nationally, by joining the ASSITEJ Brazil Executive Committee, and internationally, by taking part in meetings, congresses and the various networks.
Our intense week in Marseille brought us many moments of family celebration. Birthdays are also times to celebrate achievements. We were able to follow the legacy and impact of the Congress in Cuba on the country and the region. Dayana, Irene, Kenia and Rachel – with the special participation of Bebê, who stressed the importance of the Professional Exchange Programme in the programme – revealed the great impact of the 21st World Congress.
In addition to the AAG’s excellent programme of shows and professional exchanges, the artistic meeting gave us an insight into ourselves. In the three sessions of the Artistic Encounter, Jon, Julia and Theis reminded us of the importance of always being open to all forms of communication, and trying to break down the barriers of different languages. This simple message, which came as part of the French translation exercise, symbolises an important axis that will guide the association’s discussions and activities: the search for equity.
The National Centres were able to meet and establish important exchanges reinforcing our concern with strengthening the participation of current members and the accession of new members. At the meeting we had with ASSITEJ‘s International Professional Networks, Vigdís coordinated an activity in which the networks had to choose an object that represented their work; Claire and I chose thread and needle to represent ITYARN, symbolising the idea of weaving, the articulation of ideas and thoughts. But Diana contributed an even more powerful image: that of a patchwork: we are plural, made up of different prints, but which together form a beautiful and powerful whole.
All these activities within the programme remind us both of the breadth of our association and of the potential for expansion and the search for even more equal participation by the various members that make up this patchwork.
I was also able to attend the exhibition of a simple and extremely powerful idea proposed by the network Write Local. Play Global. Cleiton, Ginni and Karin presented the result of their call for proposals for a poetic experiment, combining image and text. I conclude this brief and free ranging account of our 60th birthday party, inspired by this proposal.
I was born on 1 April 1965 in Porto Alegre, in the south of Brazil. I had no idea what ASSITEJ would become. But today, at the age of 60, it gives me a kind of comfort and cosiness for this baby in the photo (myself) to think that a group of people, a few months later, would create such a strong collective, dedicated to children’s rights of access to art and culture. Since I’m also a birthday boy, as I blow out the candles on the cake, I’m entitled to one request: may our association reach more and more babies, children and young people from all over the world. Happy birthday!!!
