2006-01-20 | Art studies life, life learns from the arts

Theater der Jungen Welt | Eigenbetrieb der Stadt Leipzig | Matthias Schiffner | Presse + Öffentlichkeit 22.01.2006

Art studies life, life learns from the arts

For the first time the children’s and youth theatre workshops are taking place in Leipzig October 4-8, 2006. Send in applications by January 15, 2006

In autumn of 2006, Leipzig is center stage for German and international children’s and youth theatres. National and international youth theatre makers meet at the 15th Workshop at the Theater der Jungen Welt, October 4-8, 2006.

The workshop looks ahead into the future and is, as Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schneider, president of ASSITEJ, the world association for children and youth theatre, put it at a press conference “one of the two major festivals in Germany for children’s and youth theatre”.. “Art studies life, life learns from the arts” is the topic of 10-12 productions, two of which are international guest appearances focusing on the connection between drama and other art forms such as music, images, body and space. Also performances will be invited that perform in public places.

City councilor in charge of cultural affairs, Dr. Georg Girardet, looks upon the positive aspects of choosing Leipzig as the site of such a theatre workshop: “The Assitej’s decision to choose Leipzig for the workshops is an indication of Theater der Jungen Welt’s (directed by Jürgen Zielinski) high esteem and reputation. Furthermore this decision fits Leipzig perfectly, which is a city that rates cultural education highly and fosters young families as its strategic goal.”

Dr. Giradet attributes a “high significance” to children’s and youth theatre. Hosting the festival for the first time in Saxony is a unique chance and must also have an effect on sponsors and supporters. The estimated costs of the festival run around 120.000€. Coincidentally, Theater der Jungen Welt celebrates its 60th anniversary in autumn 2006. Founded in 1946 the theater was the first professional children’s theatre in the German speaking region and is today “one of the leading children’s and youth theatres in Germany” (Prof. Schneider).

Prof. Scheider’s long term goal is to make two theatre visits per year for every child possible. General Manager Jürgen Zielinski, who comes from the Ruhr area, says that “we want to present theater of quality which does not loose its contact to the needs of the audience during the workshop.” Among the cooperation partners of this project are the MoritzBastei and other venues such as the Plagwitzer Baumwollspinnerei or other representative buildings in the city center. Under discussion is an interactive theater installation of a top-class group/ensemble “from a European island” (Prof. Schneider). Other drama groups are invited to apply to partake at the Workshop 2006 at Theater der Jungen Welt in Leipzig by January 15. A jury will select the groups by the end of March.
(See press information for application form)


Sincere regards,


Matthias Schiffner
Fon 0341/48660-20

Theater der Jungen Welt | Eigenbetrieb der Stadt Leipzig | Lindenauer Markt 21 | 04177 Leipzig | Intendant: Jürgen Zielinski | Tel. 0341/486 60-0 | www.theaterderjungenweltleipzig.de

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