In Search of Democracy 3.0
A multi-year program traveling through Europe, investigating the challanges and solutions for the future of our democracy. This was one of my first projects for Company New Heroes. It started in 2019 and is still running. As researcher I was responsible for a big chunk of the content of the performance and it’s spin offs (documentary and publications). In addition I managed the tour around Europe, making sure we incorparoated local perspectives in the performance. After it’s premier at Oerol festival in The Netherlands project has travelled to Belgium, France, Germany, Poland, Serbia, Norway, and The UK.
Client
Company New Heroes in collaboration with ARSENAAL/LAZARUS, Het Zuidelijk Toneel, Emma Lesuis and Staatstheater Mainz within the European Cultural Network IN SITU.
Year
2019 and counting
During the live performance, we invite the audience on our research trip – a visual and musical show, full of stories and dialogue. From the history of democracy, through present problems, towards a possible future. A big, pleasant, theatrical investigation of the future of democracy, but also an active invitation to stand for new ideas.
We’ll have to change a lot to keep democracy real and alive. The creative people on the floor know how to stimulate people to make small and large suggestions, heartwarming and surprising. Great to experience!”
“New Heroes carefully worked out the search for a “democracy 3.0”, in terms of both content and form. They are also particularly wary that nobody is left behind because democracy can only be shaped or reinvented if everyone is with us. […] The performance also evokes thoughts like that, and in this way builds a bridge to the “real world”. The small-scale democracy that emerged here continues to reverberate in form and content.” – Pzazz
In a series of short documentaries, made by Emma Lesuis, we followed changemakers in their endeavor to reshape political decision making. Each of them in their own way, with their own expertise and practice. From very local everyday actions to transnational movements, these episodes show the variety of possibilities for democratization and the passion of citizens to get involved in it.
You can watch the episodes here.