SESSION 6 - Cultural exchanges: a European theatrical education?
I believe Cultural Exchanges are even more crucial today than previously. We are living in a time of cultural divisions, especially with the pervading attitude towards Refugees and a growing sense of Islamaphobia where Muslims are vilified like the Jews were at the time of Nazi Germany.
There is a huge need for understanding and empathy between cultures and countries, Cultural Youth Exchanges enable young people to learn to stand in another’s shoes, to challenge the sense of fear that exists for those who are seen as ‘other’. Cultural Exchanges are a perfect way to ‘humanise’ the ‘other’, once people are seen as ‘human’, as ‘one of us’, they are no longer feared and demonised.
Cultural Exchanges enable a sense of team, of unity, of dialogue, of working together towards a shared goal, the creation of a piece of art, of theatre. The vehicle of theatre, the choice of theme we focus on and the play we choose to create, increases dialogue and opens up a space to listen and understand.
Last year’s Rencontre was a prime example of how the theme and choice of play opened up a huge need for dialogue, initiated by the German company. The European political situation in relation to Greece and the role played by Germany became a wider debate, at the same time enabling an understanding of deep felt cultural feelings held by the young Germans.
The young people from the UK were moved and inspired by the discussion and an affinity with young people from all over Europe and the world developed. There was a shift in judgement and pre-conceptions as the young people saw things from different perspectives and were open to really hearing how different cultures felt and how their views were affected by the history and politics of the country they were part of. The dialogue was triggered by the theme and issues in the play that had been chosen ‘Fear and Misery of the Third Reich’, and also decisions on how the actors would be costumed, especially what symbols would be used and the possible effects on an audience, therefore the Cultural Exchange had definitely given rise to a theatrical education with a clear focus on Europe.
The situation today for the whole world but especially for Europe in particular in relation to those seeking asylum and Refugee status is critical. This is a time where Cultural Exchanges need to be made more central to European policy, so that young people can come together in a cultural setting and debate around the need to find ways to open up our borders, for countries to work together to welcome and provide sanctuary for desperate people. Young people are the future and being involved in dialogue around these issues gives them an opportunity to hear different perspectives and to learn acceptance and understanding of what is needed in a world where so many people are being displaced through no fault of their own, due to war and politics and the fight for land, oil and other resources between global powers.
Mandala Theatre Company’s show Night Light (which will be performed during the Rencontre in July) explores the situation for young people who seek asylum as children and what happens to them when they become adult in the UK, where is their place of ‘belonging’? Who cares about their hopes for a future? Why aren’t they offered sanctuary and a place to realise their potential? What happens to you in Europe when you are still seen as ‘other’?
For young people from the UK this theme is critical to the decisions that are being made around them imminently, the choice for the UK to remain a part of Europe or to leave and become a small Island in an ever shrinking separation from other people and places. Being part of a Cultural Exchange enables young people to see the need to reach out to others and to not become tribal, isolated and individualistic, the need to form allegiances and to work together for the greater good.
In the famous words of Martin Luther King, “If we are to have peace on earth...our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class and our nation; and this means we must develop a world perspective.”
Today more than ever European Theatre Education through Cultural Exchanges are essential and the Rencontre in particular, encourages young people to see ‘the other’ as ‘ourselves’ an essential part of creating a more democratic society.
Documents
Intervention in french : Click on this link to open this document.
Intervention in english : Click on this link to open this document.
French version
