Your festival celebrates the 10th anniversary this year. What do you consider the greatest achievement so far?The greatest achievement is the 10th anniversary itself. Considering the current situation in performing arts, it is fantastic that due to enthusiasm and commitment of all participants we can accomplish the tenth year of the festival now. Another great success is the establishment of the network DNA / Development of New Art /, the initiator of which is the organizer of the New Web festival. Because of this we can let the rest of Europe know about the current level of new theatre in the Czech Republic and get in touch with other organizations and artists. To me the biggest success is creating a network of all partners of the festival. It is due to this unique partnership that we can present the best of the new theatre to foreign promoters, who have been coming in bigger numbers every year. And this is indeed the main goal of the festival.
How are you going to celebrate this remarkable anniversary? Any surprise for spectators?
In the low-budget environment any special events, such as these anniversary celebrations, are quite a challenge. Our priority is always to cover basic costs of the festival and PR. However, with the help of one of the festival partners, Art Prometheus, we could open a new festival club Blink at the Prague Holešovice Market, hall number 8. This space is really something special and I think that what Jakub Vedral /Art Prometheus leader/ and his team have achieved will not be seen in Prague for quite some time again. Courtesy the Institute of Lighting Design there is an original light visualization in the club and local bar offers the guests Israeli specialties and refreshments. Sunday anniversary celebrations will feature Radio Wave DJ's, we will also get some amazing cakes from Café Ebel and make a toast with champagne. All fans of new theatre are heartily welcome.
What part of the festival programme would you recommend the most and why?
This year's programme is absolutely unique. Every evening one superstar of new theatre is scheduled to appear. Although the performances are nearly sold out, do not miss Lenka Bartůňková’s programme on February 27 at teatro NoD or a foreign production Wasted Land on the very last day of the festival, February 29 at the studio Alta, where thanks to the technical staff and background the performance can take place. Renowned Lithuanian choreographer Agnija Seiko will present her “dance opera”, an absolutely unique fusion of dance and opera. Spectators will be provided with libretto in Czech, too.
Josef Bartos
Thank you for your thoughts. One got stuck in my mind – that passion makes us different from AI. Just yesterday I read…I am a dance critic. I am a member of an endangered species