&Fest – Focus Gent
International Performing Arts Festival &Fest – Focus Gent 5–28 March 2024.
Four weeks of wonderful festival buzz, six groundbreaking performances, heartfelt encounters, standing ovations, opposing opinions, thoughtful discussions, speech karaoke and parties. Thank you so much to everyone who was involved, you made the festival!
Opening day
5.3.2024 Kupla
Out of the Bubble Seminar"If you have an office, close your office. If you have a beautiful venue, close your venue or lend it to another organization. If you have an income, share you wages. Go and work in a place you know nothing about, and where you don’t feel at home. Do this without having a clear plan before-hand, or without knowing what the outcome will be. Do so, and then you are participating."Simon Allemeersch
Click pictures and videos for higher resolution
One Song & Opening party
5.-6.3.2024 Dance House Helsinki
Miet Warlop: One Song”Ferocity. Madness. Performance at the edge on human capabilities. This is what I love about modern theatre.” <3 Audience
Click pictures and videos for higher resolution
Antigone in the Amazon
&Louhi 7.–9.3.
Milo Rau: Antigone in the Amazon”Standing ovation tonight. That lasted. And lasted. Felt like the whole audience was holding its breath. And in the end, not just a few tears.”<3 Audience
Click pictures and videos for higher resolution
Mother's Rebellion and Activism Discussion
Espoon Cultural Centre 9.3.
Discussion in Finnish: Art and activism in the era for ecocrisis"I want to be as proud of Finland's climate policy as I am of my children."Mother's Rebellion
Click pictures and videos for higher resolution
S 62° 58’, W 60° 39’
&Louhi 14.–16.3.
Peeping Tom: S 62° 58’, W 60° 39’"Updated, relevant, cool and daring!"<3 Audience
Click pictures and videos for higher resolution
Theatre and Politics
&Revontuli 15.3.
Seminar programme"The time cries for theatre makers to take a stand.
But the field stays strangely silent.” Erik Söderblom
Click pictures and videos for higher resolution
Cuckoo and Speech Karaoke
&Revontuli 15.–16.3.
Jaha Koo: Cuckoo"I love their program and the facilities. It is a really cool space, and after great shows you can always stay for a drink."<3 Audience
Click pictures and videos for higher resolution
Funeral
&Louhi 22.–23.3.
Ontroerend Goed: Funeral"Very emotional, feelings of togethernes with people you have not met before."<3 Audience
Click pictures and videos for higher resolution
Memorial Service of our Dreams
Espoo Cultural Centre 23.3.
About the performance in Finnish: Unelmien hautajaiskahvit"Det rådde ett lugn och en beslutsamhet i rummet: här ska vi minnas, här ska vi dricka kaffe i svarta kläder. Men också en frihet: minns, sakna den eller de du vill. Kan vara en fågel som inte mera finns, eller en kompis, eller en hund. Alla har vi förlorat någon. Föreställningen fick mig att inse att på min egen begravning vill jag att gästerna ska dansa!"<3 Publik
Click pictures and videos for higher resolution
Swing
Espoo Cultural Centre 26.–28.3.
Circus Ronaldo: Swing
Click pictures and videos for higher resolution
Would you like to give us feedback?
Did you participate in the festival? What did you think about the performances and the events? Do you have any comments, questions or concerns? Please tell us!
Send feedbackDank je wel Gent!
&Fest – Focus Gent was brought to you with the support of The City of Gent, Flanders State of Art and Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation <3
"Many thanks for organizing the Ghent Festival – a great cultural achievement! Keep up the good work!"<3 Audience
Click pictures and videos for higher resolution
Photos Darina Rodionova
