Summit of the European Regional Council of the International Theatre Institute ITI

The International Theatre Institute ITI was established in 1948 in the time of the Cold War and the Iron Curtain between the East and the West, on the initiative of Julian Huxley, the first director general of the UNESCO, and the playwright and novelist John Boynton Priestly. The founders’ objective was to build an organisation with goals in culture, education and art, with the aim to improve the situation of all the members in the field of performing arts. The ITI is conceived as a platform for international exchange, education in performing arts for beginners and professionals, and to establish theatre as a promoter of mutual understanding and peace. 

Over the years, the ITI has grown into one of the largest organisations in performing arts with a network of more than 90 centres on all continents, which strives for a society in which performing arts and artists successfully develop. The institute promotes the UNESCO goals such as establishing mutual understanding and peace, as well as the protection and promotion of expression in all fields of culture, regardless of age, gender, religion or nationality. To realise these goals, the institute operates on national and international levels: dedicating its activities to promoting international exchange of knowledge and good practices in all kinds of theatre to strengthen peace and friendship among people and to encourage creative cooperation within performing arts practices. 

The European Regional Council consisting of 37 national centres, including the Slovenian one, meets annually to discuss topics important to European culture and producers in culture, strengthen cooperation and promote joint cultural activity. This year, the representatives from the European centres will meet in Maribor at the Maribor Theatre Festival. During their three-day meeting they will develop new collaborative strategies, exchange the experience about good practices and suggest forms of international activities, and also see productions by Slovenian producers and attend additional festival events. 

Schedule

• 19 October / 17.00 / Mezzanine SNT Maribor / Opening Session ERC ITI
• 20 October / 10.00 / Vetrinj Mansion / ERC ITI Work Meeting part 1
• 21 Octtober / 9.00 / Vetrinj Mansion / ERC ITI Work Meeting part 2