Raising environmental awareness through performing arts
This collaborative project supported by the European Union's CREATIVE EUROPE program brought together artists and researchers from seven countries: Germany, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Spain, the Netherlands and Serbia with the common goal of raising environmental awareness and activating citizens to protect trees and combat climate change [2023-2026].
The partners, united in a project that creatively responds to the need for society to mobilize in the protection of the natural environment, are: PROTAGON aV [Germany], ACTION SYNERGY [Greece], AEROPLIO Theater [Greece], SMASHING TIMES [Ireland], GRENLAND FRITEATER [Norway], ATALAYA/TNT [Spain], ZID TEATAR [Netherlands] and DAH Theater.
Training meeting of partners, Belgrade, April 24-28, 2024.
"How to promote environmental awareness through theater"
The meeting brought together all the partners and included: the performance of the play DRVEĆE PLEŠE, DAH Teatra, workshops on methodology, guest speakers-experts and exchange between partners and discussions on the development of the project.
Guest speakers: Antonela Diana – Art & Nature LAB, Bio artist, head of the Scenography Laboratory at the OM Theater [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, expert in climate change [Faculty of Physics - Meteorology, University of Belgrade].
Photo: Nata Korsky
FESTIVAL
Three festivals in 2025 present works resulting from the project. Besides The trees are dancing. DAH Theatre, these are:
Spain's TNT-Centro Internacional presents Arboreal resistance, a physical and musical journey rooted in flamenco. The play evokes the strength and vulnerability of forests, while at the same time emphasizing their determination to survive in the midst of destruction.
The German collective Protagon/Antagon brings Among the trees an authentic mix of physical theater and live music. Trees are depicted as ancient presences that are becoming increasingly fragile due to climate change, reminding us of what we risk losing.
Sa Oxygen, ZID theater (Netherlands) transforms open spaces into impressive scenes. Symbolic imagery, soundscapes and participatory movement create a living metaphor for the urgency of breathing, survival and environmental awareness.
Irish company Smashing Times sets up Tree art , a multidisciplinary celebration of biodiversity and nature. Drawing inspiration from Celtic traditions, it connects trees with identity, healing and environmental justice. from Norway,
Greenland Freeteater presents Whispering trees a site-specific performance that invites the audience to walk among the tall trees and listen to their whispered stories of endurance and human interconnectedness.
Production Earth Daye the Topos Alu theater is devoted to ancient myths and folk music. Through lyrical soundscapes and storytelling, he 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 the topic.
"A less obvious emotional and impulsive way of processing scientific information might still be the most effective. So 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 the environmental awareness of the public and to stimulate its active attitude with questions related to climate change.
● To transfer to the European level the successful approach of DAH Theater from Serbia on how theater can be used in the fight against climate change.
● To promote cross-cultural awareness and exchange on issues related to climate change.
CONCEPT
The development of the project takes place through:
● Organization of 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 theater performances based on original methodology in 6 European countries and presenting them at least 10 times in front of local audiences in each country. (2024)
● Organizing three international festivals (Spain, Germany and Greece) where all performances will take place. (2025)
● Organization of live and online conferences and courses to transfer expertise to theater organizations and artists outside 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 tree and ecosystem research and analysis. Written studies and interviews will be an important background to the project concept and its results.
• Performing artists are as involved in the process of researching and learning about climate change and the ecosystem as they are in creating the final artistic product.
• Composers will create outdoor performance music specifically inspired by tree life.
• Visual artists will create performance-projected videos inspired by the effects of climate change.
• Film artists will be involved in filming a documentary about the project.
• Environmental organizations and climate activists will also be involved in networking and exchanging ideas on 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 alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the Creative Europe program. Neither the European Union nor the funding authority can be held responsible for them.
With the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Serbia at the Contest for co-financing projects in the field of culture and art that are supported through international funds.
