On the 11th of May 2019, the 4th International Festival of Independent Performing Arts Crossings began in the capital of Slovenian Styria, Maribor. This year’s festival, titled Cross Without Fear, will last until the 18th of May. The eight-day social and learning event is designed as a platform for presenting domestic and foreign independent performing production in Maribor.
Photo credit: www.visitmaribor.si/ Anti Words, Michal Hancovsky
This year’s edition presents contemporary independent theatre, which is open, creative, inclusive and uncompromising, with a special emphasis on the socio-political context in which it has been created or which is addressed by its content. The programme, consisting of performances from Palestine, the Czech Republich, Israel, Portugal and Slovenia, wants to encourage the audience towards new reflections, considerations and views.
Photo credit: www.visitmaribor.si/ Mozambik, Rui Pinheiro
The organiser of the festival, the Moment Arts and Culture Association Maribor, says: “Our mission – developing independent theatre – stems from our desire to promote an open and inclusive solidarity-based society, a society without prejudice and fear. Innovation and development (as well as greater equality) are the result of the desire for the new and unknown.”
Photo credit: www.visitmaribor.si/ And Here I Am
During the eight-day schedule, it will be possible to see ten international theatre performances in five different locations including the Slovene National Theatre Maribor, National Liberation Museum Maribor, and Maribor Puppet Theatre. Along with the usual schedule, there will be also two days (14-16 May) intended for the Trigger Showcase, a new showcase festival of independent performing arts in Slovenia, presenting a selection of the most daring theatre performances of the season. The showcase provides a unique opportunity for getting familiar with the Slovenian independent performing arts scene, talking to producers and artists and meeting other programmers.
Photo credit: www.visitmaribor.si / Taughts About Conflict
The accompanying programme of the festival consists of installations titled Spatial Configurations, residency Criticism Residency, podcast titled Intimate Podcast, a Start A Project platform, and a round table on European elections. The diversity of the programme and venues confirms Maribor’s ability to host versified events spanning from culture and arts to talking serious performative business at showcase, to political discussions like roundtables and alike. The Crossings Festival provides a business and congress guest to Maribor with an insight into all of these topics either for satisfying the curious mind or to find new inspirations and knowledge for future endeavours.
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