From 22 to 25 April 2026, members of the ASSITEJ Small Countries Network gathered in Reykjavik, Iceland, for several days of meetings, networking, and performances, hosted alongside the UNGI International ASSITEJ Festival for Young Audiences, organised by ASSITEJ Iceland.
The meeting offered an important opportunity for exchange among representatives of small-country National Centres, with discussions focused on collaboration, shared challenges, and future initiatives. Participants also had the pleasure of meeting with representatives of Iceland’s Ministry of Culture and the National Theatre of Iceland.
Running in parallel was the SparksLab professional workshop, The Storyteller and the Stage. The workshop brought together artists from across the network to explore storytelling in theatre for young audiences, under the guidance of acclaimed Icelandic playwright, director, performer, and storyteller Elvar Logi Hannesson.
Through hands-on exploration of narrative performance, stand-up comedy, solo performance, and theatrical storytelling techniques, participants were invited to reimagine how stories, fairy tales, and historical narratives can come alive for young audiences.
The gathering once again highlighted the strength of international collaboration among small countries, creating space for connection, learning, and future creative partnerships in the field of performing arts for children and young people.
The ASSITEJ Small Countries Network is a network of the ASSITEJ National Centres and affiliates in the small states of Europe. Its members are ASSITEJ Cyprus, ASSITEJ Liechtenstein, ASSITEJ Luxembourg, ASSITEJ Montenegro, ASSITEJ Iceland and Bradipoteatar (San Marino).
