The partners of the Green E.Th.I.Cs project began this journey together nearly three years ago. During this time, each of us has dedicated countless hours to imagining, writing, rehearsing, and preparing for the final presentations and games. We’ve also worked to spread the message of our project: the urgent need to combat climate change. Each artistic partner of the Green E.Th.I.Cs project is preparing a similar performance based on the same model and with the same goal: raising awareness among different groups of people about climate change through theater and a game like the “Goose Game.” Financed by the European Union, there are eighteen artistic groups from twelve European nations participating in this initiative. Over the next few months, each of these groups begins to present their final performances and games to children and adults, in both indoor and outdoor spaces, across different countries in Europe. In this edition, we’ll be sharing some of these experiences. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
“PERFORMANCE WATER”, the first premiere of Green E.Th.I.Cs project
“Performance WATER” directed by Karolina Spaic – Artistic Director of Explorez Festival and founder of ZID Theatre Amsterdam, highlights the universal power of water through mythology, facts, predictions, and conspiracy theories related to climate change.
It’s a multidisciplinary event, consisting of three parts: a performance, an installation, and an interactive section on climate change.
The first part is The Game (directed by Daan Bosch), where the audience is immersed in different aspects of climate change and can actively participate if desired. Through collective game experiences, the aim is to raise awareness about climate change and its impact on individuals, communities, societies, and the world as a whole.
This part takes place in a foyer or outside grounds close to the theatre/stage and is continuous.
The second part is the actual performance about WATER (directed by Karolina Spaic).
This performance is an organic response to the ongoing challenges of climate change and the daily stream of news about it. To truly grasp the complexity of these developments, the artists immerse the audience in the world of water—an element that plays a crucial role in environmental impacts both symbolically and literally.
It allows for deep and personal experiences with water. The performance is both physical and symbolic, taking attendees through different worlds. The text, in the form of storytelling and spoken word, highlights various perspectives through personal experiences with water. An international team of performers brings their personal experiences and relationships with water, deeply rooted in their cultural backgrounds and personal experiences.
It is important to Zid Theater that the audience leaves the performance with a sense of dedication and reflection. They said, “We don’t have all the answers, but together we can look for ways and step-by-step solutions.”
Τhe third part is the finale, where everyone is invited to “The Last Drink.”, and takes place in the foyer.
Here, the audience must answer this question, “What will you do tomorrow to slow down climate change?” (Directed by Igor Alvarez Corgut).
ASTA Performance: A Great Challenge
The ASTA Teatro team worked hard for the last two years to prepare the final performance, which they presented in front of an enthusiastic and engaged audience.
ASTA Teatro, founded in 2000, is headquartered in Covilhã, Portugal, a city with a strong environmental heritage. The group is inspired by a transdisciplinary culture with theater at its core. Throughout the rehearsals, each artist was able to express their creative thoughts and perspectives, which were then incorporated into the final show under the guidance of director António Abernú. The team paid close attention to scientific research, translating complex ideas into a language that the audience could easily understand.
António Abernú took a course on climate change at the University of Cádiz titled “Emission Impossible,” and worked to frame all the collected information according to the social reality and literacy of their city and nation. The show featured theatrical moments, video segments, and even an original song about recycling waste, created and performed live by João Gomes, one of the actors.
In the end, the team was very satisfied. When they asked some audience members for their feedback, most responded: “These topics can be boring and even moralistic, but after this show, it’s easier to learn through games and fun.”
This feedback reflects the primary goal of the project.
Pro Progressione Performance Emerges from Collective Creativity
Pro Progressione, an artistic partner of the Green E.Th.I.Cs Project, premiered their performance in July. Based in Budapest, Pro Progressione is an artistic hub that connects people, professions, and ambitions by fostering international collaborations in the field of culture. This fusion of diverse talents allows creative ideas to flourish, with artists, cultural activists, scientists, and experts from various fields coming together to address contemporary issues with innovative solutions.
Over two years, the artistic team worked diligently on the final performance. During rehearsals, the artists enjoyed absolute creative freedom, sharing their ideas openly with the team. This period of hard work and professional commitment was also a time of joyful collaboration.
Ultimately, the team decided to consolidate their ideas into a cooperative work, addressing various topics related to individual actions in combating climate change. This experience underscored the significant impact that even small actions can have in the fight against climate change.
The format of the Green E.Th.I.Cs artistic partners’ performance is consistent for all participants, resembling the game of Goose. Audience participation is crucial, and during Pro Progressione’s premiere, the audience was highly engaged and enthusiastic. Participants of all ages eagerly took part, fully immersing themselves in the experience.
FECE brings Green E.Th.I.Cs to life through an engaging theatre experience
The artistic team of FECE, composed of three talented actors—Veselin Petrov, Ivan Stanchev, and Mihail Sarvanski—has crafted a unique and engaging theatre experience inspired by the Green E.Th.I.Cs Game (GEG). With their extensive backgrounds in improvisational theatre, the team has transformed environmental education into a captivating performance titled “лЕКОЗАКЪСНЕЛИ?” (Slightly Delayed?).
This innovative theatre game follows the structure of GEG, using dice rolls to determine the scenes, each of which explores topics provided by the project’s scientific partner, the Technical University of Crete. The performance is built around five distinct storylines, presented through different game categories: Icon, Did You Know That, Quiz, Through Story, and Everyday Life. Each storyline delves into key environmental themes such as climate change, biodiversity, and overconsumption, brought to life through dynamic improvisational techniques.
An Interactive and Inclusive Experience
The audience plays a crucial role in the theatre game, which divides them into two teams. They roll dice to decide the next category, gradually uncovering the storylines while engaging in quizzes, challenges, and even generating energy to light up parts of the stage decor. The actors perform assigned roles for each of the five scenes, creating an immersive experience that highlights the complexity of environmental issues.
Actor Ivan Stanchev reflected on the show’s purpose in an interview with the Toplocentrala blog: “Nature itself sends messages every day about the emerging changes. We and the audience will explore how far our capabilities reach and to what extent we can take responsibility for what is happening.”
By encouraging active audience participation, Slightly Delayed? ensures that every performance is unique, shaped by the audience’s engagement and the location of the event.
Green Time, Creative Energy
The premiere at the Népkör Hungarian Cultural Center
In August, the Népkör Hungarian Cultural Center in Subotica came alive with energy and creativity as part of the Green E.Th.I.Cs Project.
The highlight was the debut of the “Green Time – Game Time” Live Game, premiered during the “Interetno Festival”. This interactive board game, set in a traditional farmyard, used everyday scenarios to emphasize the impact of small, mindful actions in protecting the environment.
One particularly poignant scene involved a grandfather loading groceries into plastic bags at the checkout counter. A young cashier pointed out the environmental harm caused by plastic bags, expressing frustration with older generations’ habits. In response, the grandfather explained how his generation had long practiced sustainability—reusing glass bottles, walking or cycling instead of driving, and favoring manual tools over energy-intensive machines. These anecdotes reminded the audience that sustainability isn’t just a modern trend—it has been a way of life in the past, woven into daily routines.
The Green Time – Game Time performance, alongside the game itself, encouraged audiences to think of environmental consciousness not as a fleeting topic of discussion but as a lifestyle choice that everyone can embrace to protect the planet for future generations.
The live game wasn’t the only exciting activity this season. Families and local residents joined us for five days of hands-on craft workshops tied to the “Interetno Festival”, creating functional items from recycled materials. These workshops served as a joyful celebration of creativity while also driving home the importance of an active and sustainable lifestyle.
In addition to these family-friendly events, the center hosted a movement workshop led by the Omma Studio. Designed for young artists and students from the “Novi Sad Academy of Arts”, this session used physical expression to explore environmental themes. Through movement, participants found a deeper connection to nature and themselves, showcasing the transformative power of art in addressing critical issues like climate change.
Earlier in the year, the Népkör Cultural Center launched the “Looking with Green Eyes” Ex Libris Competition. This international contest invited artists—both amateur and professional—to submit environmentally themed artwork using traditional etching techniques or modern digital methods. The stunning entries culminated in an October exhibition, celebrating creativity and highlighting the vital link between art and environmental awareness.
As we continue to foster dialogue and inspire action, we aim to remind everyone that a sustainable future starts with small steps, creativity, and a collective commitment to preserving our planet.
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