The Jazdaa Polska! Foundation are inviting RESEO members to join them in Poznań, Poland, for a special event taking place on 19–20 November. The event includes a private performance of the opera Art of War, followed by the Forum of Dialogue, offering an opportunity to discover the collective artistic journey behind the production, which was developed in close collaboration with young people.
Jazdaa Polska! Foundation are generously offering 10 places to RESEO members, with accommodation provided.
Deadline: 5 November 2026
Programme
19 November: Private showing of The Art of War
Location: Grand Theatre in Poznan
The Art of War is a contemporary chamber opera created with and for young people, exploring their experiences of war, conflict, fear and growing social polarisation. Developed in collaboration with young participants, the work gives voice to a generation navigating a world marked by violence and uncertainty.
Music by Maciej Henel-Celis, libretto by Beniamin M. Bukowski, direction and choreography by Tobiasz Sebastian Berg.
20 November: Forum of dialogue
Location: Grand Theatre in Poznan
09:00–09:30 | Registration and welcome coffee
09:30–10:10 | Official opening: Opera as a tool for youth advocacy
Speakers: Director of the Grand Theatre in Poznań, Tobiasz Sebastian Berg, young participants and Evangelos Kosmidis (Mariupol Theater in Exile).
10:10–10:40 | Interactive lecture: The reputation of opera in an era of brutality
Speaker: Prof. Bożena Gierat-Bieroń (Jagiellonian University)
Exploring opera’s role in cultural diplomacy, easing social tensions and building international relationships in times of war, geopolitical crises and polarisation.
10:40–11:10 | Coffee break
11:10–12:30 | Keynote and panel: Community opera facing polarisation
Speakers: Vania Cauzillo, Alice Nardelli, Karen Gillingham (RESEO), others TBC
European perspectives on community opera as a response to social polarisation, conflict and displacement, including examples of artistic engagement with refugee communities and approaches to strengthening social resilience.
12:30–13:00 | Theatre in exile and the exhibition: Testimony of war vs. European perspectives
Speaker: Evangelos Kosmidis (Director, Mariupol Theater in Exile)
A reflection on sustaining artistic practice in exile, the experiences of communities affected by war and the exhibition presented in the Grand Theatre foyer.
13:00–14:00 | Break and informal networking
14:00–15:30 | The Art of Peace: A conversation lab
Introduction: Jan Talaga (Attorney-at-Law)
Facilitators: Experts, representatives of theatre in exile and young co-moderators.
An interactive workshop exploring trauma-informed artistic practice, meaningful youth participation, cultural institutions’ responses to geopolitical crises and young people’s involvement in cultural policy. Participants will develop practical recommendations through facilitated discussions
15:30–16:00 | Closing and conclusions
Speaker: Guy Coolen (Artistic Director, O. Festival and Muziektheater Transparant)
