Bitef

THREE-PART INVENTIONS OF BITEF POLYPHONY Bitef Polyphony inherited its name from a project focused on multiculturalism (Polyphony/Centre for New Theatre and Dance CENPI). The name is symbolically bound to a very complex music form, which became and remained its logo, and its program is like a complex composing game assembled through strength and potentials of a choir, many voices and counterpoint. This is how “three-part inventions" were discovered, and have become a metaphor of Polyphony programs as they represent the complex three-fold structure of three different realms: of drama, education and social activity. Always a new, and magnificently uniquely, all concepts are being explored through these three levels, taking forms of workshops and gatherings of youth, or education and experience exchange of teachers and artists and through open plays, presentations and feedback from the audience. On the other hand, Bitef Polyphony has become one of three realms of acting in the region, one of the strength which is the part of one new »three - part invention«, where a new harmony has been formed during the years of crises, war and transitions. Three organizations: Center for Drama Education BiH in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Center for Drama Education in Croatia - HCDO and Center for Drama in Education and Art in Serbia, have independently, unaware of the other, persistently promoted drama/theatre in education and art in their regions. One kind of simultaneous, although divided acting in the realm of drama/theatre has been created. Regardless of unfavorable political and social circumstances all three organizations have accomplished different projects which held the existing bonds and made space for new frontiers. And what has started to happen? Therefore, although, existing in physically separate and remote areas, a new mutual world of drama has been formed; its messages discover new dimensions for valuable artistic and life experiences, and create new symbols. These symbols lead towards new insights of ourselves and of the world in which we should peacefully live. Such a new world inspires new situations and new bonds...and the language and power of art make them visible, recognizable. Not because of the eternity that represents, but because of the pressing today.hidden plots and because of the revealing of causes and consequences which are created by tense relations, even today.

HISTORY - SIX YEARS OF BITEF POLYPHONY Bitef Polyphony was held in 2000 for the first time, during the 34th Bitef Festival titled Theatre And Evil, whereas Bitef Polyphony dealt with violence through presentation and evaluation of a project named Art for Social Change - Play Against Violence funded by European Culture Foundation from Amsterdam and the net of Open Society Foundation in seven South Eastern-European Countries. Theatre artists lead 27 pilot-projects with young people. All projects were aimed at artistic influence which could strengthen the youth during the time of crisis, war and conflicts. The aim was to re-establish importance of co-operation and exchange in the regions, especially in Western Balkans. Among others, CENPI - Centerfor New Theatre and Play, ANET - Association of Independent Theatres and CEDEUM Center for Drama in Education and Art, have been presented through a project named Play for Life. From 2001 Bitef Polyphony is organized by Bitef Festival, CEDEUM and IDEA. The topic of second Bitef Festival was Eros&Ethos. Bitef Polyphony New Harmonies through a training project-workshop based on authors' approach to work and its evaluation named 1 create@therefore.l exist. From the theme of 36th Bitef New (world) theatre order ensued the name Make your Voice Heard of the 3rd Polyphony. It reflected global issues, innovative techniques of artists in diverse aspects of artistic, educational and social work. Bitef Polyphony presented different methods and strategies of instruction through drama and inter-active theater. Bitef in 2003, on its 37th year was named The Future of Theatre Lies Within Philosophy (Bertolt Brecht), and the fourth Bitef Polyphony dealt with its subtitle This is the Real World - Why Theatre?; focused on questions which arise when youth is faced with interdisciplinary and multicultural work in drama and theatre. On questions which arise when a formal educational curriculum is faced with the introduction of drama, a worldwide movement, officially known as drama/theater in education. New Tendencies and other passions the theme of 38th Bitef Festival in 2004, was echoed by New enchantments...and other passions in the sth Bitef Polyphony, and dealt with reforming changes and developmental projects which helped placing theatrical work with young people into formal and informal aspects of education, social and health aid, especially when touching issues were at hand. A manifold title of 39th Bitef Festival in 2005: Towards the Fairytale and Back inspired the 6th Bitef Polyphony into Towards the Fairytale...but towards theatre through small and big personal stories in Theatre; which was dedicated to the great artist Hans Christian Andersen. Program entities were named after his books, and thus the themes explored the universal and always burning questions that one wants to talk about, and search for answers both in reality and in the fiction world filled with enchanted unreal beings and appearances .