The project

In times of unprecedented massive and cultural mobility, Migration has become a trending topic in the field of social studies and an increasing interest in the practice of theatre companies all over Europe. As a creative action historically opened to mobility and integration of cultures, theatre was soon identified as a privileged tool for projects oftion both in the public and in the private sectors, easing the cooperation between authorities, theatre companies, charity organisations, banking foundations. The institutional perspective is the most visible surface of a deeper process that is leading to a renewal of dramaturgies, aesthetics, and stage practices.

Through an interdisciplinary approach, the project focuses on the varied experiences that have been taking place in areas dealing with different migratory flows and strategies of integration: the Mediterranean (Italy, Spain), Eastern, and Northern Europe (Scotland, Belgium, Poland). The dialogue between disciplines and institutions will convey into an international conference, an exhibition, a workshop, and performances.

If in the past migrations were often meant as a tool for soft power policies strengthening the hegemony of European cultures abroad, current migrations to Europe have led to more enduring phenomena of multiplicity in the performing arts that need to be studied from a comprehensive perspective.

The project is coordinated by Matteo Paoletti (University of Bologna) and it is developed by an international network of scholars from four Universities of the UNA Europa Alliance: KU Leuven, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, University of Edinburgh, Jagiellonian University Cracow (learn more about the project network). Project partners include the Fondazione Innovazione Urbana of Bologna and the theatrical company Cantieri Meticci.