What does Europe mean, what do we understand by this community of states today? Is Europe just a huge institution controlled from Brussels and Strasbourg, or much more? For years, the political situation in Europe has been coming to a head: populists are winning elections, occupying squares and streets, but also narratives and discussions by railing against "Europe". Does Europe need a plan B?

From 14 - 21 May 2018, HELLERAU – Europäisches Zentrum der Künste Dresden is organising a festival about Europe. Various theatre and dance productions by artists from Europe and the Middle East are invited to present unusual perspectives on current social, political and artistic developments in Europe. The festival will tell stories about Europe that are rarely heard and paint a complex picture of this community of states and its history. The festival wants to pose questions, point out utopias and, above all, convey a sustainable image of Europe.

The performative programme will be accompanied by a comprehensive discourse programme with lectures and debates in which various European political actors will have their say. This will include a panel discussion on the question Für wen sind die Städte Europas? with Dr. Noa Ha, which will take place in the run-up to the festival together with Stefan Schönfelder from Weiterdenken - Heinrich Böll Foundation Saxony. Further information can be found here.

We are looking forward to a festival that will be a framework for debate and exchange, about perceptions and different facets of Europe.

For the Festival B-Europe, the student special is the ticket promotion High Five: for students, each ticket costs only five euros. These can be purchased at the Festspielhaus Visitor Centre as well as at the weekly university stand in the Mensa Zeltschlösschen (Tuesdays, 10:30 am - 2:00 pm).