The events of the XIV edition of Europe Theatre Prize and of the XII Europe Prize New Theatrical Realities, will take place in Russia, in St. Petersburg from 13th to 17th April 2011. The Prize events will take place under the support and patronage of the Russian Government with its Ministry of Culture and the Government of the City of St. Petersburg. Furthermore, the “Fund Baltic International Festival Center” commits itself to host, finance and organize the events of Europe Theatre Prize in St. Petersburg.
The Europe Theatre Prize was established in 1986 as a pilot project of the European Commission, under the presidency of Jacques Delors and with Carlo Ripa di Meana as the first Culture Commissioner. Further support fo its creation was provided at that time by Melina Mercouri, patroness of the I edition, and by Jack Lang, French Minister of Culture at the time and current President of the Prize. Since 2002, the Europe Theatre Prize has been recognised by the European Parliament and Council as a “European cultural interest organisation”, for its specific activities and its overall role.
After nine editions in Taormina, the Europe Theatre Prize took to the road, giving even greater impetus to its international aspect. Thus the X edition was held in Turin (supported and hosted by the city of Turin in collaboration with the Teatro Stabile, and presented as part of the special cultural programme for the Winter Olympics). Next, the XI and XII editions were held in Thassaloniki and the XIII edition in Wroclaw, Poland (as part of the celebration of the year declared “Grotowski Year” by UNESCO).
Continuing in this direction, the 2011 Europe Prize will once again be an important meeting place of international theatre. Given the glorious theatrical tradition of Saint Petersburg and of Russia, this XIV edition promises a wealth of prizewinners, conferences, shows, previews and other opportunities for cultural exchange. It is from this splendid city on the Baltic that any number of major artists and cultural movements emerged, their fame and influence soon spreading throughout Europe and the rest of the world. The magic of art, theatre, literature and poetry can still be felt today in the air of Saint Petersburg, with its dynamic contemporary cultural scene.
The Union of European Theatres is an associate and supporting body, a union which was sponsored by François Mitterrand and founded by Jack Lang and Giorgio Strehler, who strongly wanted to cooperate with ETP since the foundation of UTE. The International Association of Theatre Critics, the Instituto Internacional del Teatro del Mediterraneo, the International Theatre Institute UNESCO and the European Festivals Association are associate bodies.
The Jury of the XIV edition of the Europe Theatre Prize and of the XII edition of the Europe Prize New Theatrical Realities met in Rome on 4 July 2010 to assign the prizes. The Europe Theatre Prize (ETP) of 60,000 € is awarded to individuals or theatrical institutions (theatres, companies) that have contributed to the realisation of cultural events which have promoted understanding and the exchange of knowledge between peoples. The prize is awarded to the career and the winner is chosen for the whole of his artistic path among notable personalities of international theatre considered in all its different forms, articulations and expressions.
This year, the XIV edition Prize was awarded to Peter Stein, icon of contemporary European theatre. Stein ranks among the most important creators of German and European theatre of the second half of the twentieth century, particularly during the creative surge of the 70s, for his monumental projects, often performed in unexpected venues. In 1970, he founded the Schaubühne Company in Berlin, featuring extraordinary actors such as Bruno Ganz and Edith Clever. The group performed provocative, unconventional productions that revolutionised the structure of the theatrical space. In addition to “rewriting” ancient and modern classics, Stein mounted new shows that fearlessly explored languages and issues that challenged the values of the time, and to this day continues experimenting with the language of theatre in his scrupulous, prolific manner. Bold examples of this approach are the memorable nine-hour production of Orestea (1980), restaged in 1993 in a Russian version with the Red Army Company, and the monumental twenty-one-hour Faust, realised for the 2000 Expo in Hanover. Last but not least are the 2009 Demoni project with Italian actors and Maddalena Crippa in the role of Varvara Petrovna Stravogina, and Oedipus at Colonus, presented with Klaus Maria Brandauer at the Salzburg Festival in 2010.
In deciding the award of the XII edition of the Europe Prize New Theatrical Realities, the nominations put forward by the Council (made up of almost 300 experts on European theatre) and the members of the Jury in an exercise preceding the meeting were examined by the Jury.
The Jury’s choice fell upon artists who fulfill perfectly the dictates of Art. 3 of the Prize Regulations: “ r meeting and confrontation between different modes of expression of European theatre. […]”. […]Since its second edition, the Jury of EPNTR has indicated that the Prize should be an opportunity fo
The Europe Prize New Theatrical Realities (EPNTR) has been awarded alongside the Europe Theatre Prize since its third edition. The Europe Prize New Theatrical Realities is aimed at encouraging emerging trends and initiatives in European drama, considered in all its different forms, articulations and expressions. The choice should take account of the candidate’s complete work, of its innovative character and originality. The Prize may be awarded to a company, an artistic ensemble, a theatre, or a single artist.
The XII Europe Prize New Theatrical Realities was awarded to the following artists (listed here in alphabetical order):
Viliam Dočolomanský, candidate since 2008 (Slovakia/Czech Republic), Katie Mitchell, candidate since 1999 (United Kingdom), Andrey Moguchiy, candidate since 2008 (Russia), Kristian Smeds, candidate since 2001 (Finland), Teatro Meridional, candidate since 2007 (Portugal) and Vesturport Theatre, candidate since 2007 (Iceland).
The Europe Prize New Theatrical Realities was raised permanently from 20,000 to 30,000 Euros, as had been approved for the last edition. The sum shall be divided into equal parts.
After its conscientious preliminary work to familiarise itself with the candidates for the Europe Prize New Theatrical Realities, the Jury also awarded geographical areas that had never before received such recognition. With this gesture, they opened a new phase for PENRT, a breakthrough expressly encouraged by the previous Jury meeting.
Furthermore, under Art. 7 of the Prize Regulations: “[…]A Special Prize may also be awarded by European institutions, the Association Europe Theatre Prize, ETP President or ETP Board of Directors, also after suggestion of the Jury or of the hosting country, to those personalities who have distinguished themselves for their commitment in combining at the highest level their own cultural and/or political experience with the European ideals and with those ones of peace and civil coexistence among peoples (without monetary reward). […]”.
Furthermore, the Jury of the XIV edition of the Europe Theatre Prize and of the XII edition of the Europe Prize New Theatrical Realities unanimously awarded a Special Prize (awarded to Melina Mercouri in the I edition and to Vaclav Havel in the VI edition, among others) to the legendary Russian director Jurij Petrovic Ljubimov for his undisputed artistic stature and decisive role, along with the Taganka Theatre, in the delicate phase of perestroika, which marked the transition of the Soviet Union to the Russia of today.
Ljubimov has experienced a bit of everything in his life, it would seem, from magnificent, hugely popular productions to a ban on the performance of his work, from triumph around the world to political persecution in his own country. Despite the silence of the press, his theatre was overrun with crowds of eager spectators. He emigrated from the Soviet Union, only to return laden with honours. Creator of dozens of unforgettable productions with exceptional actors, Ljubimov is a true symbol of modern twentieth-century theatre to many people. Indeed, his lifetime artistic work even contributed to the definitive attainment of freedom in Russia.
Finally, we wish to communicate that a press conference was held today in Saint Petersburg announcing the winners and the preliminary programme of the XIV edition of the Europe Theatre Prize.
11 October 2010
Viliam Dočolomanský – Slovakia/Czech Republic
Born in 1975, he is a stage director. Candidate since 2008.
He focuses on the creation, development and research of human expression. His inspiration is drawn from the irregular terrain of music, the human touch, from the architecture of space and a personal statement. He speaks about those realities he considers personally and socially appealing. An integral part of Docolomansky’s work is not only creation of performances, but also educational activities, basic research of actors’ art and selected cultural minorities.
Katie Mitchell – United Kingdom
Born in 1964 she is a theatre director. Candidate since 1999.
She began her career behind the scenes at the King’s Head Theatre in London before working as assistant director at theatre companies like the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her productions have been described as « distinguished by the intensity of the emotions, the realism of the acting, and the creation of a very distinctive world ». Her process involves long and intensive rehearsal periods and use of the Stanislavsky method. She regularly involves psychiatry in looking at characters, and she has also experimented with video projections in a number of productions.
Andrey Moguchiy – Russia
Candidate since 2008, he is a stage director. He has founded the Formalny theatre.
His radical approach to the text, a daring and always unusual game with the space and the unpredictable choice of the site for each next performance, aroused bewilderment. His performances are a “territory of freedom” where any incredible experiments are possible. Moguchy’s experiments with synthesis of theater forms are inseparable from his quest of new dramaturgy, capable to indicate the “hurting points” of our time and express them in modern language.
Kristian Smeds – Finland
Born in 1970, he is a playwright and stage director. Candidate since 2001.
Smeds is at home portraying the inner worlds of his characters as in highlighting the remotest corners of society. Smeds’ plays are wild, energetic, and filled with many distinctive voices and can be interpreted in many different ways, and can take full advantage of a wide variety of theatrical techniques. His language is rich and colourful, but at the same time natural. In Smeds’ world, the personal and the political are indistinguishable, and his work is characterized by a deep concern for human beings.
Teatro Meridional – Portugal
It is a theatre company. Candidate since 2007.
Its founders were a group of actors from Italy, Spain and Portugal who aimed at touring these southern regions of Europe. Eventually the group split and the Portuguese branch, directed by Miguel Seabra with the precious collaboration of Natalía Luíza went on with their touring programme and a repertoire policy combining their high artistic standards with opening up to work with literary texts. They also explore fictional texts and oral traditions in a much sustained curiosity for anthropological attention to human life in general and affirming, above all, human dignity and claiming tolerance and acceptance of the other.
Vesturport Theatre – Iceland
Established in 2001, it is a theatre company. Candidate since 2007.
His founders, Gísli Örn Gardarsson, Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir, and Ingvar E. Sigurðsson, are three actors and Vestuport theatre has quickly established itself as one of Iceland’s most inventive theatre and film companies. Known for innovative productions that challenge traditional performance text, the Reykjavik-based ensemble has produced three films and eleven theatre works in just seven years and has been touring all over Europe and has also collaborated with famous artists such as Nick Cave.
