Credit: Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu
On Friday 13 November 2026, Luxembourg's Theater Federatioun (Theatre Federation) celebrated its 30th anniversary at the Banannefabrik in Luxembourg-Bonnevoie with an evening of discussions, a contemporary dance performance and cultural activities, ahead of a public celebration on Saturday 14 November 2026.
The audience of around 60 people included artists, representatives of cultural institutions, federation members and partners.
The Theater Federation represents 22 member organisations, including theatres, cultural centres and performing arts companies, serving as a collective voice for the sector, connecting its members with public authorities and advocating for artistic freedom, funding and the development of performing arts in the Grand Duchy.
The anniversary programme included a round-table discussion entitled "What Kind of Performing Arts Federation for Tomorrow?", moderated by Tom Leick, director of Luxembourg's municipal theatres. It explored the future of the federation, sustainable funding, artistic freedom and the importance of representing diversity in the cultural sector.
Speaking with Chronicle.lu, Tom Leick emphasised: "We need to appreciate the level of public funding available to the cultural sector in Luxembourg," highlighting the importance of protecting this support and keeping the performing arts accessible to audiences.
He also stressed the importance of open debate, noting that Luxembourg's tendency towards "politeness" and "consensus" can sometimes lead to self-censorship, while encouraging cultural institutions to express different views respectfully.
Referring to examples of restrictions on culture in other European countries, he added: "Without artistic freedom, without the plurality of the arts on our stages, we are losing one of the pillars of our democracies."
The evening continued with a dress rehearsal of Murmures, a contemporary dance production by Giovanni Zazzera, performed by Serge Daniel Kaboré, Noa Nies, Enora Gémin and Luiza Braz Batista, with music by Michio Woirgardt.
The approximately 55-minute performance featured minimal stage decoration and almost no dialogue, focusing instead on the performers' physical capabilities and emotional expression. The dancers also interacted with metallic structures that produced sounds when touched.
Switching between enormous bursts of energy to barely noticeable movements, the dancers kept up an impressive level of energy and precision throughout, showing flexibility, synchronisation and body control.
Speaking with Chronicle.lu, Giovanni Zazzera explained that the project began three years ago as research into hypnosis and altered states of consciousness. The production explores how “the voices inside” can become visible through movement and sound.
Having worked with people with disabilities for fourteen years, he emphasised the importance of making performances accessible to different communities. He also described plans to bring the project beyond conventional theatre spaces through immersive and inclusive formats involving schools, museums and children.
The celebrations also included a Luxembourgish-language video retrospective with English subtitles, tracing the federation's 30-year history, and a photography exhibition entitled Calendar by Bohumil Kostohryz.
The evening continued with a DJ, refreshments, networking and anniversary cake in a relaxed atmosphere.
The celebrations will continue on Saturday 14 November 2026 from 13:00 at the same venue, the Banannefabrik, with workshops, face painting, performances and a costume-making masterclass, as well as another performance of Murmures at 19:00.
Further Murmures performances are scheduled for Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 November 2026 at Opderschmelz in Dudelange and Friday 22 January 2027 at ARCA in Bertrange.
EO
