Crossing Borders will bring diverse, high quality work to rural communities with the support of local volunteers. The project aims to enhance community cohesion and give rural audiences access to high quality performances through a sustainable touring model. Research shows that the carbon footprint of rural touring is at least 50% less than that of a show in a town-based theatre with more than 50% of audiences living less than 5 km from a village venue.

This Perform Europe project is being delivered by 11 partners from eight European countries. The majority of the partners are part of SPARSE Network (Supporting and Promoting the Arts in Rural Settlements of Europe), which is committed to rural touring. By building on the experience and research findings of SPARSE, the intention is to develop cross-border touring and the presentation of the performing arts by utilising the resources of hyperlocal networks and communities, and capitalising on the benefits of rural touring for artists. For this pilot project comprising 24 presentations, the partners will be touring two companies:

– Company Zid, a Moroccan parkour company based in France, will tour Routine  to rural communities in Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Lithuania, and Estonia

– Art Fraction Foundation (Poland) will tour KUUKI,  an under 5’s dance show, to rural communities in Spain, UK, Germany, and Czech Republic

This presentation is happening with the support of Perform Europe as part of the Crossing Borders project

Read more on the Perform Europe Stories