In search of polyphony concepts of participatory theater
Bitef Polyphony, symbolically linked by its name to the music form which marks its concept, once again explores and develops its multitude of voices, multitude of sounds, variations and counterpoints. We recognize its “strangeloops”, its cyclic organization and feedbacks in structures of originating from within itself and countinuance of self-constructing.
The opening will take place at noon, on September 25th with an interactive presentation as an introduction between the participants and the audience, while introducing them also to the programme and the dialogue about the concept. Following the development of theatre practices, this year’s, 18th Bitef Polyphony, focuses on the participation of young people. Open workshops, presentations, performances and discussions, inspired by current events and their impact, are an invitation to all interested in joining the search for participatory theatre concepts.
The dialogue between the authors, the participants and the audience continues with encountering various practices and hybrid performing forms, that mostly take part out of theatre or in it, but through a different approach and a different form of presence of all the participants. What is being linked are the times, spaces and people, experiences of great literature and small personal stories, and politicality which is reflected through cooperation between performers and audience in their search for the meaning of an era - an era brimming with dramatic events, maybe even in the anticipation of a twist.
The six days of 18th Bitef Polyphony have its finale at noon on September 30th with a 24-hours event, entering thus “the day after” when Bitef Polyphony officially comes of age.
This year’s programme is created by editorial team expanded for a significant number of young people, using and developing the experiences of polyphony concept as a collective hero in an adventure of testing its own actions.