Congress Rules

PLACE AND TIME

• The Congress will be hosted in Minsk, Belarus, from July 2 to 6, 2012, by the International University Theatre Association (AITU-IUTA) and the Belarusian State University.

• Participants from outside Minsk are suggested to arrive on July 1, 2012, and depart on July 7, 2012.

• If you would like to extend your stay (at your cost), we would be pleased to offer our assistance, for example, with visa support, discount accommodation or trip suggestions.

THEME

Traditions; Research; Experimentation: the Essential Elements of Contemporary University Theatre

In the world of theatre in general and university theatre in particular, there is a marked renewal of interest in cultural, anthropological and even properly theatrical traditions. We think that this movement, which is observable in many countries around the world, goes beyond the well-known mechanisms of identity-building and resistance to the standardization of practices that promote colonialism and globalization. The very fact that this movement should arise now, and so emphatically, deserves our full attention.

In theatre, we are indeed going through an extraordinary new period characterized by:

• the massive use of sound and image reproduction technologies on stage and in the very process of theatrical creation; and

• a general trend toward hybridization in cultural and artistic practices, the borders and locations of which are becoming increasingly blurred.

Falling back on tradition in such a context may be perceived as a survival reflex, a desire for something to hold onto in a radically changing world that is viewed with concern, but it may also be understood as an instrument for transformation and change, with tradition contributing in a novel way to the renewal of the current theatre scene. In addition to redefining relationships between the present and the past, the local and the global, this growing and dynamic use of tradition provides practitioners of theatre, and of university theatre in particular, with new forms of expression, new ways of doing things, new topics and new dramatic characters. That is why, while wishing to encourage participants to examine the theme of tradition from the standpoint of collective or individual identity-building, we would like to broaden deliberations about these new forms and functions of tradition in contemporary theatre, and which can be seen to a remarkable degree in university theatre.

We plan to have three areas of focus for the scholarly work. Proposals should of course include a historical dimension; they may also be centred on the role of new technologies in this renewal:

Area of focus 1: Experimenting with traditions

This area is devoted to examining productions and creative processes that make unusual use of traditions, whether cultural or theatrical.

Area of focus 2: Representing traditions

This area concerns creative productions and processes designed for audiences who are totally or partially unaware of certain traditions. How are these representations of tradition performed and what role do new technologies play in them?

Area of focus 3: Using traditions as a form of resistance

This area explores the use of tradition as a way of identity-building and resisting threats of assimilation, such as the standardization of practices and cultures, in certain communities.

PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES

The programme of activities consists of scientific, educational and entertaining events:

guests’ presentations, thematic desks, workshops, Open Space discussions, cultural tours, Congress socializing club and the special edition of the 9th Teatralny Koufar International Student Theatre Festival in the evening.

All main Congress events are located within walking distance.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

• Official languages of the Congress are Belarusian, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

• Official ceremonies and plenary sessions will be translated simultaneously.

• To save time, there will be no translation during the paper sessions. We kindly ask you to consider preparing materials to aid in understanding and stimulate discussion, despite the language chosen (projection on a screen of main ideas, for example, might provide visual support).

CONGRESS SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

The Congress Scientific Committee is composed of leading representatives of theatrical science and pedagogy, elected by the Executive Committee of the International University Theatre Association (AITU-IUTA), and is responsible for scientific organization of the Congress activities (e.g., selection of Congress scholarly papers, publication).

The Members of the Scientific Committee of the AITU-IUTA IX World Congress:

• Jane Baldwin (English). USA, Boston Conservatory

• Maria S. Horne (Spanish). USA, University at Buffalo

• Christiane Page (French). France, Universite de Rennes

• Zinaida Pasiutsina (Russian and Belarusian). Belarus, Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts

COSTS

• Congress participants pay:

• participation fee;

• travel expenses to/from Minsk;

• visa costs (if necessary); and

• health insurance (if necessary).

• Festival participants pay (see separate infoletter):

• travel expenses to/from Minsk;

• visa costs (if necessary); and

• health insurance (if necessary).

PARTICIPATION FEE FOR THE CONGRESS

• International Participants

• All international Congress presenters and attendees must be members of the AITU-IUTA. Membership is included in the Congress fee as appropriate.

• The Congress fee is to be paid after the official invitation and until May 1, 2012, via PayPal on the Congress webpage or by international bank transfer. Payment can be also made on arrival but arrangements need to be made in advance with the organizers.

• Belarusian and Minsk Participants

• All Belarusian and Minsk Congress presenters and attendees are kindly invited to join the AITU-IUTA. Membership is not included in the Congress fee but you can buy a membership on arrival.

• The Congress fee is to be paid after the official invitation and until May 1, 2012, via PayPal on the Congress webpage or by international bank transfer. Payment can be also made on arrival but arrangements need to be made in advance with the organizers.

OPTIONAL ACCOMMODATION

On request, accommodation can be arranged at 3-, 4- or 5-star Minsk hotels that are offering discounted rates for Congress participants. This accommodation must be reserved by the organizers and paid by participants on arrival. More information will be available on the Congress webpage by December 2011.

REQUIREMENTS FOR VISITORS

Congress participants must submit no later than April 15, 2012:

• passport data in the format: Name, Surname; Sex; Date of Birth; Passport No.; Nationality;

• information about arrival and departure: date and time, mode of transportation, etc.

Participants who need a VISA to enter Belarus must make necessary enquiries, prepare all required documentation and inform the organizers well in advance and no later than April 15, 2012! The Congress will arrange visa support and use the passport data you provide to send an official letter to a corresponding Belarusian Consulate.

A Congress representative will meet participants on arrival at the airport, train station or coach station, and accompany them during the visit.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Office for Culture Affairs of Belarusian State University
Nezaliezhnasti Ave. 4-211, 220030 Minsk, BELARUS
T/f: +375 17 2095469
Websites: http://www.theatre-fest.bsu.by // www.aitu-iuta.org
Contact person: Katsiaryna Saladukha
Mob.: +375 29 6116776 / E-mail: k_saladukha@yahoo.com / Skype: katsiaryna.saladukha

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