On the occasion of the annual meeting of Onda's partners, the Avignon Festival, the Edinburgh Festival, the Institut français and Onda are organising a time of exchange bringing together international festivals from different continents and on different scales, to reflect together on the conditions for the development and transformation of these international events, in the face of current and future challenges. This exchange will launch a series of meetings between the 4 partner organisations, which will continue in the summer of 2025 in Avignon and Edinburgh.
International performing arts festivals are facing increasing challenges today, be it ecological transition and sustainability, or societal responsibilities towards diversity, gender-equality in a time of wars, misinformation, political crisis and threatened democracies. From European historic festivals founded right after World War II, to younger global South festivals, we are altogether facing the same issue : should there still be live arts festivals nowadays ? This meeting co-organized by Festival d’Avignon, Edinburgh international Festival, ONDA and Institut Français seeks to gather artistic directors and/or curators from several international festivals of different contexts and various scales to discuss this provocative yet urging question. We wish to unveil common reflections and maybe practical answers to ensure the survival of this very particular form of art celebration.
Pannel discussion #1 (14h30-16h10)
Weaving past and present: festivals as a reflection of their time?
Weaving past and present: festivals as a reflection of their time? Tracing the roots of several performing arts international festivals established after World War II or several decades ago, we will examine how this long history manifests in festivals today and what is currently shaping their identity and singularities. How has the role and responsibility of these festivals evolved? How do today's issues impact international festivals? Is the longevity of festivals an asset or a barrier when transformations are necessary? This round table is designed as a moment for reflection, looking back and envisioning the current times amidst challenges and possibilities.
Facilitated by Carolina Bianchi
With Emily Ansenk (Holland Festival Theatre and Dance), Roy Luxford (Edinburgh international Festival), Nayse López (Festival Panorama).
Pannel discussion #2 (16h15-17h30)
Imagining desirable performing arts festivals for the future
Imagining desirable performing arts festivals for the future As we face multiple crises, we will look at how festivals in various contexts approach the climate crisis and ecological transition, the interdependence between humans and non-humans, and issues of representativity, equity, and diversity. How are these profound transformations taken into account? How do they influence festival programming, working practices, economy, encounters between artists and the audience? Envisioned as a collaborative space, this roundtable will present inspirational initiatives that wish to encourage speculative imagination and envision a desirable future for arts festivals.
Facilitated by Carole Karemera
With Kyu Choi (Seoul Performing Arts Festival), Jessie Mill (Festival TransAmeriques), Tiago Rodrigues (Festival d’Avignon), Bochra Triki (Festival Chouftouhonna)
The round tables will be held in English, with simultaneous translation in French.
Each roundtable will include Q&A.
Distribution
Facilitated by Carolina Bianchi et Carole Karemera
With Emily Ansenk (Holland Festival Theatre and Dance), Roy Luxford (Edinburgh international Festival), Nayse López (Festival Panorama), Kyu Choi (Seoul Performing Arts Festival), Jessie Mill (Festival TransAmeriques), Tiago Rodrigues (Festival d’Avignon), Bochra Triki (Festival Chouftouhonna)
Organised by Festival d'Avignon, Onda, Edinburgh International Festival, Institut français