The festival started this Sunday with the work Urruna, of the Tripak group of Vitoria-Gasteiz, which is entitled Vitoria-Gasteiz. All the seats that the coronavirus case has left free were filled. It looked like the whole theater. Even though the masks had halved the expression of their faces, there was no lack of laughter or long silences. The atmosphere was delicious; the theater in front of each other, an abstract and meaningful play and all week ahead.

The fan is open. On the one hand, several performances can be seen: Far, Satiro, Resistance is a physical problem, The doll and the dance of broken dolls. Youth has given this year the meaning the festival has always had, to support and to showcase “riskier” theater projects. “As spectators we were detecting a lot of people and new work, with very interesting and powerful proposals,” says the organization team.

On the other hand, an experimental theatre course will be offered which will last for three days and which is already full of theatre. During the festival, the creator Jon Ander Urresti and the Formol group will offer artistic performances at the Bilbao Main Theatre: “They won’t because they won’t offer it, but they will share with the public what they have.” In this way, it is expected that there will be conversations and conversations between the public and the actors, as well as an exchange of views.

Finally, the programme will recall the concept of laboratories that were launched last year. This is a commission that will lead the Polaroiska Bilbaíno group. The work will revolve around a research that took place during the summer and will revolve around the dances that took place in the Alameda de Errenteria. The theme has been chosen on the occasion of the 700 anniversary of the locality and have gathered the testimonies of several neighbours. They have anticipated that this is a special action, which will be offered exclusively at the festival in San Sebastian. However, the rigor of the protocols has not allowed them to fulfill their initial purpose: physical performance. It will therefore take the form of a “luxury” radio programme. People will be asked to go with their phones and headphones and a collective hearing will take place. You will also be able to listen from home. All events are free of charge.

Cultural effort

Eztena is a scenic art network that has felt compelled to take an active attitude to the limitations that have been put in place as a result of the pandemic: “What we are seeing in the autumn is not very reassuring and we are concerned,” they explained.

For overdue reasons, this 12th edition, which is normally held in June, has been postponed to September: “The process has been a process full of surfers, contradictions and frustrations.” This year, for example, all performances will be performed in the theatre, the usual spaces of the street will not be used. However, they are pleased that they have been able to maintain the full programming they thought before the pandemic. They add that the favorable attitude of the City Hall of Errenteria has helped them to stand, and that spending the whole summer working on the reinvention of the festival: “We’ve made an effort on it.”

An unbeatable moment to start the idea that you already had in mind: to create a surveillance network. Although it does not yet have a specific form, the program will start with the needle figure for each year. This year they have changed their meaning: the idea of preserving the Basque theatre will be added to those who supported a self-managed project. “We would like to have an active and interested attitude towards the events we organize. As in other areas, we also have to invent a way to do it in culture.” They shall start with the communications network, first: “The important thing is that people come and fill the room because they are very risky projects, not very well known and we are not in an easy situation.” This year the card will be free and has been proposed as a game: If you see 5 of the 7 performances you will be given a theater book and if you see 6 you will be able to attend a surprise performance.

In turn, the situation has led them to the need to make an effort in culture: “We are now prioritizing the organization. Organizing ourselves seems incredible in the situation we are experiencing, albeit with great difficulties and difficulties. Most of all, we want to boost the classroom and not the virtual culture, because theater is that and nothing else. All that is telematic is a petita, very scarce, at least in the theater”. In that they have all the energy and humor, at least, they don't lack it.

Programme

10 September.

18:30 - Living bodies of lost marriages. Check out Jon Ander Urresti.

19:30 - Model. Formol output.

11 September.

19:00 - Satiro. Xanti Agirrezabala

20:30 - Resistance is a physical problem. Maite Aizpurua.

12 September.

17:00 - Doll. Kamikaz Kolektiboa, Erika Olaizola.

19.00 - Performance Baile de la Alameda. Group: Mrs. Polaroiska.

22:00 - Dance concert with broken dolls. Retire!