Bright Generations, Performing Arts Festival for Children and Young People, will take place from 23 to 29 March 2025 in Marseille and will be the occasion to celebrate the 60th anniversary of ASSITEJ International!
+ 500 professionals from all over the world – +40 professional meetings – 18 French and international shows
WELCOME, FRANCE IS WAITING FOR YOU!
From 23 to 29 March 2025, Scènes d’enfance – ASSITEJ France, in partnership with the Théâtre Massalia, is inviting all the professionals who work with young people in France and abroad to come together at the Friche la Belle de Mai and in a number of theatres in Marseille for a major event!
“Bright Generations – Générations Lumineuses” is one of the artistic events organised by ASSITEJ International, which has over 80 centres around the world. As the world’s largest gathering of creators, presenters, researchers and students for children and young people, they are incredible windows onto the diversity of international creation for young audiences.
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of ASSITEJ International, this 2025 edition is of particular importance and will be an exceptional opportunity to shine the spotlight on the new generations and all the professionals who contribute to the vitality of live performance for young audiences.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
● A week to celebrate creation for young audiences and the 60th anniversary of ASSITEJ International, in the country where it was born.
● Around twenty French and international shows illustrating the diversity and quality of performing arts dedicated to children and young people
● More than 40 professional meetings to work together to imagine the future of the sector
● Involvement of international and national networks
● A series of festive events, including the opening ceremony on 23 March, to bring people together in a joyous and convivial atmosphere
THE FOUNDING PRINCIPLES OF THIS FRENCH EDITION
“Bright Generations” is built around 7 pillars:
● Giving a voice to children and young people
● Sharing the artistic and territorial diversity of the French young audiences sector
● (Re)thinking arts education, cultural rights, stages of life, including early childhood
● Shedding light on new challenges in the global landscape of young public performing arts
● Celebrating the Francophonie and the French languages.
● Upholding strong ethical values, including accessibility and inclusivity
● Respecting ecological considerations
PROGRAMME
Artistic programme
The artistic programme for Bright Generations is the result of rigorous work by a jury of some forty national and international professionals, together with the artistic direction of the Théâtre Massalia. The programme highlights the diversity and richness of the performing arts dedicated to children and young people, with a wide range of artistic offerings from France and around the world.
Professional Exchange Programme
Bright Generations also includes around forty professional meetings, organised by Scènes d’enfance – ASSITEJ France, ASSITEJ International and French and international professional networks. The programme includes a variety of activities such as symposia, conferences, workshops, round tables, etc. For this 2025 edition, they are organised around the following themes:
● Questioning the place of children and young people
● Structuring and networking the players involved in creation for young audiences
● Artistic education and intergenerational collaboration
● Historical legacies and new challenges
● Celebrating the cultural and artistic diversity of the French-speaking world
As in previous years, the program also includes workshops and colloquia organised by the specialized thematic networks: the International Inclusive Arts Network, the International Theatre for Young Audiences Research Network, Small size Write Local Play and the Young Dance Network. Two Europe Creative programmes, ‘BABEL, The Art of Listening in TYA’ and ‘ForesTEEN’, will be joining the networks. Some fifteen young professionals from all over the world will also be present as part of the New Voices Fellowship programme.
Social Events and Networking
Alongside the professional meetings, the week’s programme includes a dozen social events. These are warm, informal spaces for exchange, designed to strengthen links within the international artistic community. Whether it’s themed evenings, aperitifs or other convivial formats, these events will provide an opportunity to deepen interactions between participants in an atmosphere of sharing and good humour.
THE EVENT PARTNERS
“Bright Generations” is the result of a collaboration between three partners.
SCÈNES D’ENFANCE – ASSITEJ FRANCE: FOR CREATION AND YOUNG AUDIENCES
Since its creation in 2015, the national association Scènes d’enfance – ASSITEJ France unites and represents professionals in the performing arts working with children and young people, as well as all those working for the recognition of this sector. It supports ambitious, diverse and high-quality artistic creation for young generations. Within the framework of a multi-year agreement signed with the Ministry of Culture: – From the local to the international level, it accompanies collaborative initiatives. – In collaboration with the local governments, it contributes to the development of imaginative and structured cultural policies. – It also proposes nationally significant events with other partners: June 1 Youth Theater Writing, Avignon Enfants à l’honneur, L’Enfance des arts. The association conceives and organizes ASSITEJ Annual Gathering Bright Generations 2025.
THÉÂTRE MASSALIA: A FRANCE’S REFERENCE HUB
The Théâtre Massalia is a national organisation dedicated to performing arts for children and young people, located at La Friche la Belle de Mai in Marseille. It is one of the key institutions supporting the production, dissemination and mediation for young audiences in France. Located in a dynamic city and in the heart of a popular neighborhood, this theater is a flagship for the creation for young audiences and a resource for artists, other professionals, and adults who accompany children or young people to performances. Its programming offers about twenty shows a year for families, teens, children and toddlers. It also organizes an autumn festival, «En Ribambelle!», which tours around the Bouches du-Rhône.
ASSITEJ INTERNATIONAL: A GLOBAL NETWORK COMMITTED TO THE ART AND RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AUDIENCES
Since 1965, ASSITEJ International (International Association of Theatre for Children and Youth) has brought together organizations and professionals throughout the world involved in the creation, dissemination, mediation and research of theatre for children and youth. This NGO unites more than one hundred countries through national centers and international thematic networks. Dedicated to promoting the artistic, cultural and educational rights of children and youth, ASSITEJ consistently advocates inclusivity as a fundamental value.
