In the organizer's words:

This event is part of the new series FUTURE IS NOW, in cooperation with the Climate Alliance and Climate Action Karlsruhe. A total of 14 program items - readings, theater, dance, circus, performance - provide forward-looking impulses on current topics.

Fancy more documentary theater? On January 21, Silke Huysmans & Hannes Dereere take a look at deep-sea mining and its consequences in OUT OF THE BLUE.

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In the Pacific Ocean lies the island of Nauru, once called "Pleasant Island" by European explorers. Although its size makes it one of the smallest states in the world, its history is both large and significant. Nauru is often seen as a parable for our world today. The island has been heavily impacted by the consequences of colonialism, capitalism, migration and ecological stress - the effects of which are still being felt today.

After the exhaustive exploitation of its natural resources, the island was left economically and ecologically devastated. Today, Nauru is best known for hosting Australian refugee camps in exchange for large financial contributions from Australia. This has prompted Nauru's government to prevent most journalists and researchers from entering the island to avoid negative news reaching the outside world. At the same time, the island is in danger of being swallowed up by the ocean due to rising sea levels.

Silke and Hannes were exceptionally granted permission to visit the island for a few weeks in the summer of 2018. In this post-apocalyptic environment, they try to capture the historical, ecological and humanitarian exhaustion of the island - and thus of our entire planet. In Pleasant Island, Silke and Hannes use their personal smartphones to guide viewers through audio and images from their research on Nauru. How do you confront the limitations of a world geared towards endless growth? What idea of the future still exists on Nauru - and in the world?

Documentary theater / 60 minutes / In English with German surtitles

By & with Silke Huysmans & Hannes Dereere Dramaturgy Dries Douibi Sound Mixing Lieven Dousselaere Technology Anne Meeussen & Piet Depoortere Production CAMPO Co-production Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Spring Festival Utrecht, Beursschouwburg, Kunstenwerkplaats Pianofabriek, Veem House for Performance, Spielart & De Brakke Grond
Residencies Beursschouwburg, De Grote Post, KAAP, Kunstencentrum Buda, Kunstenwerkplaats Pianofabriek, STUK & Veem House for Performance, LOD With the support of Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie & KAAP A big thank you to all interviewees on Nauru