DFKH 2022

The programme axis of the eighth edition of the festival consisted of productions and original projects by individual artists or theatres from the Czech Republic and abroad focusing on current social issues. Among the foreign productions, the most numerous were productions from Slovenia, to which the Saturday programme was devoted. They often combined social and intimate themes. The emphasis on a compelling collective statement reminded us of the power of a common community effort and world view. A similar atmosphere and message was offered by the Slovak performance of the Odivo group, which combined elements of physical and puppet theatre. Among Czech productions, Jan Mocek's Present: Perfect, exploring iconoclastic gestures, was highly praised by foreign experts. The production Success by the local X10 Theatre proved that even in the sphere of independent theatre it is possible to make a "big drama" on a current social issue.
An important highlight of the main programme were the productions of two Russian performers, Inga Antarktinga and Yanis Povilaitis, who made a determined statement against the current Kremlin establishment and the military invasion of Ukraine. Their work inspired discussions about the nature and efficacy of such efforts, and more generally about the legitimacy and possibilities of artistic testimony by Russian exiles.
In recent years, the Y Events series, which straddles the line between visual and performing arts, has also been an integral part of the annual programme. In 2022, their creators focused on the theme of "gossiping" ("gossiping"), which they presented from a gender and mythological perspective. The event, entitled Y: Gossip, attempted to take the ethical critique off gossip and show that gossip can be emancipatory or even feminist, becoming a tool that allows listening and passing on information that is hidden or even silenced in public discourse.

Companies and performing artists

Špatné divadlo (Ó, festival premiere), Odivo (Světlonoš), Divadlo X10 (Úspěch), Janis Povilaitis (Dobrodružství zbloudilého vojáka), Lea Kukovičič (Forsale), Glej&Moment (How did we get here), Jan Mocek (Present: Perfect), Inga Antarktinga (Russian book of dead), Glej (Under construction), Jana Kozubková (Rusalka od vydří řeky), Ústav úžasu (Karlova a Jaromírova pohádka), Divadlo paní Ptákové (Pipi dlouhá punčocha)

Debates

Culture in the regions (hosted by Kryštof Koláček, Theatre X10)

Foreign guests: Nika Bezeljak (Sl), Veselin Dimov (BG), Marek Godovič (SK), Ulrike Kuner (AT), Zoran Petrovič (SI), Anna Sīle (LV), Axel Tangerding (DE)

Accompanying programme

After 5pm (Rekultur production platform project)
Y: We are not alone (DFKH Cinema, slow tv)
Václav Havel Library & Theatre X10: Play Havel (DFKH Cinema, www.playhavel.cz)
Prádelna Collective: Expressing the Desire for the Impossible (DFKH Cinema, documentary)
WWW Neurobeat (concert)