From 23-26 October in Konstanz-Kreuzlingen, Culture Action Europe hosted Beyond the Obvious 2019: Culture Crops. This conference served as a platform for dialogue and sharing experiences of cultural practices in non-urban territories, bringing together a diverse group of contributors and speakers from across Europe.
One of the many passionate conference contributors was Adela Bértolo of Teatr Brama, based in Goleniów, Poland. Following her presentation in one of the Culture Crops “Project Dialogues” facilitated project exchange sessions, Culture Action Europe caught up with Ms. Bértolo to learn more about this unique theatre initiative.
Through based in a town of just over 22,500 inhabitants, Teatr Brama boasts an impressive programme, staging regular performances, organizing festivals and coordinating international projects. According to Ms. Bértolo, their approach, which combines history, tradition and heritage with community art, has “changed the artist-spectator relationship, through community involvement”.
Originally hailing from Spain, Ms. Bértolo first began her work with Teatr Brama as an EVS volunteer. However, she has since then continued her work with the theatre, inspired by their closeness with the local community as well their work connecting generations, as well as urban, rural and periphery.
One of the most attention-getting Teatr Brama projects is their annual parade, which invites community members, passersby and onlookers to join a festive, music-filled romp through the town centre each spring. To see the theatre in action, take a look at the video below, from their parade at Kontrapunkt Festival in Szczecin in 2017.
Particularly relevant to the Culture Crops conference theme of challenging perspectives regarding the ‘non-urban’ is how Theatr Brama, formerly viewed as a group of ‘crazy outsiders’ now impacts its community through fostering dialogue, creating connections between people and increasing local sustainability. The group stages performances of all kinds, often inspired by the history of the town and other places in Europe, as well as folklore, legends and old Slavic songs. Ms. Bértolo firmly believes that their work has increased tolerance for people from abroad in the local community, all thanks to theatre.
Though Teatr Brama challenges stereotypes and blurs borders through art, Ms. Bértolo also notes their occasional political difficulties, especially when addressing potentially controversial topics in their performances. However, support from local government has been key to both facing these challenges and the ultimate success of the theatre.
Teatr Brama has the support of many local, regional and national institutions, and even the mayor of the city is involved in many activities that the theatre organizes. This public support has positively impacted their work toward increasing participation, representation and wellbeing. By giving citizens the tools to impact their society through theatre, cultural cooperation is leading to stronger community ties in Goleniów, a success story of how cultural practices in peripheries and other non-urban territories can impact Europe and the world – in addition to creating local change.
