Dear Audience! 

The Belluard Bollwerk International is Fribourg’s contemporary arts festival. Every summer since 1983, we set up an open-air stage in the medieval fortress in the Quartier d’Alt. Here, and elsewhere in town, the festival offers theatre, dance and artistic performances, concerts and parties.
This year the festival’s underlying theme is the question of the impact of art.

IMPACT

Nowadays art is expected to deliver results. It must reach certain target audiences. The numbers must be good. But isn’t the impact of Art invisible and unfathomable? By reflecting on the impact of Art, we question the constellations within which it unfolds itself. What specific social, political, economic fields can it connect? You will be able to hear different points of view on this issue at the Reality Cabinet on June 30th. 

FRIBOURG CREATIONS

This year the festival produces almost a dozen new projects. The very lively local art scene is strongly represented with pieces like A journey on moving grounds or Helen W. The festival also creates new bonds. For Aleppo, local actors and actresses collaborate on an intimate performance with a Syrian team. Surpassing the beeline gives the floor to expats living in Fribourg. Rejected, European Songs and Baqamile are created by artists from Basel, Amsterdam and Johannesburg while in residency in Fribourg.

BELLUARD YOURSELF !

The idea of participation is at the core of the festival identity. Courtesy of the Social Muscle Club, our exceptional opening ceremony inside the Belluard fortress celebrates sharing and the exchange of services. The classes offered by Abendschule Import are taught by refugees. We even have our own currency this year, the Belluard, which can be used to pay at the festival. The Suspended tickets operation is there for those who can’t afford to pay the admission price as well as for those who wish to offer one or more tickets. Last but not least, each and every one of you can take an active role in any one of the many workshops this edition has to offer.

INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE

In French and German, grammar is gendered. To make female contributions and aspects more visible, we have since last year adopted a gender-neutral language in all of our texts. In French and German, that implies changing some of our habits and even inventing words. Fortunately, in English, gender equality is much easier to achieve.

We look forward to seeing you at the Belluard !

Anja Dirks and the Belluard Festival team