Raising ecological awareness through performing arts
This collaborative project, supported by the European Union’s CREATIVE EUROPE program, has brought together artists and researchers from seven countries: Germany, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Spain, the Netherlands, and Serbia, with the common goal of raising ecological awareness
and activating citizens in the protection of trees and against climate change [2023-2026].
The partners, united in a project that creatively responds to the need to mobilize society in protecting the natural environment, are: PROTAGON a.V [Germany], ACTION SYNERGY [Greece], AEROPLIO Theatre [Greece], SMASHING TIMES [Ireland], GRENLAND FRITEATER
[Norway], ATALAYA/TNT [Spain], ZID TEATAR [Netherlands] and DAH Teatar.
Partners’ training meeting, Belgrade, April 24 – 28, 2024.
“How to promote ecological awareness through theatre”
The meeting brought together all partners and included: a performance of DANCING TREES by DAH Theatre, methodology workshops, guest expert speakers, and partner exchange and discussions on project development.
Guest speakers: Antonela Diana – Art & Nature LAB, Bio artist, head of the Scenography Laboratory at the OM Theatre [Italy/Denmark]; Iva Čukić, architect, urban ecologist [Ministry of Space, Serbia]; Jovana Bila Dubaić, expert
in bee ecology [Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade] and Vladimir Đurđević, climate change expert [Faculty of Physics – Meteorology, University of Belgrade].
Photo: Nata Korsky
FESTIVALS
Three festivals in 2025 will present works that are the result of the project. In addition to
Dancing Trees by DAH Theatre, are:
The Spanish TNT-Centro Internacional presents
Arboreal Resistance, a physical and musical journey rooted in flamenco. The performance evokes the strength and vulnerability of forests, while emphasizing their determination to survive amidst destruction.
The German collective Protagon/Antagon brings
Among the Trees a poetic mixture of physical theatre and live music. Trees are depicted as ancient presences that are becoming increasingly fragile due to climate change, reminding us of what we risk
to lose.
With
Oxygen, ZID Theater (Netherlands) transforms open spaces into immersive scenes. Symbolic images, soundscapes and participatory movement create a vivid metaphor for the urgency of breathing, survival and ecological
awareness.
The Irish company Smashing Times presents
The Art of Trees , a multidisciplinary celebration of biodiversity and nature. Drawing inspiration from Celtic traditions, it connects trees with identity, healing and ecological
justice. From Norway,
Grenland Friteater presents
Whispering Trees, a site-specific performance that invites the audience to walk among tall trees and listen to their whispered stories of resilience and interconnectedness with humans.
The production
Breathing Earth by Topos Alu Theatre relies on ancient myths and folk music. Through lyrical soundscapes and storytelling, it transforms trees into symbols of warning and hope, reminding us that
even in destruction, the earth continues to breathe.
In addition to outdoor performances, the festivals also include workshops, talks with the audience and artists, round tables on the topic of environmental protection and how art can contribute to raising awareness of the importance of this topic.
“A less obvious emotional and impulsive way of processing scientific information could still be the most effective. Thus, we begin to see how art, creative and cultural practices can potentially play a role in the issue at hand
”. – Ganga Shreedhar, Assistant Professor of Behavioral Science at the London School of Economics.
PROJECT GOALS
● To increase public ecological awareness and stimulate its active attitude on issues related to climate change.
● To transfer to the European level the successful approach of DAH Teatar from Serbia on how theatre can be used in the fight against climate change.
● To promote intercultural awareness and exchange on issues related to climate change.
CONCEPT
The project is developed through:
● Organizing a five-day workshop in Belgrade for artists from 7 European countries, meeting with local artists, experts and professors in the field of ecology. (2024)
● Creating new theatre performances based on original methodology in 6 European countries and presenting them at least 10 times to a domestic audience in each country. (2024)
● Organizing three international festivals (Spain, Germany and Greece) where all the performances will be played. (2025)
● Organizing live and online conferences and courses to transfer expertise to theatre organizations and artists outside the project partners and countries. (2025)
● Production of a documentary film about the Project.
The project encompasses various disciplines such as ecology, science, performing arts, visual arts, music, video, social activism, digital technology and activism.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH
• Climate change experts are involved in the process of researching trees and ecosystems and their analyses. Written studies and interviews will be an important background to the project concept and its results.
• Performing artists are involved in the process of researching and learning about climate change and the ecosystem as much as in creating the final artistic product.
• Composers will create music for outdoor performance specifically inspired by the life of trees.
• Visual artists will create video recordings projected in the performance, inspired by the effects of climate change.
• Film artists will be involved in shooting a documentary about the project.
• Environmental organizations and climate activists will also be involved in networking and exchanging ideas about project activities.
• Scientists as well as representatives of green movements will be involved in the research process, as well as in discussions with local communities.
Funded by the European Union, however, the views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Creative Europe Programme. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them
.
Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Serbia in the Competition for co-financing projects in the field of culture and art that are supported through international funds.
