The 2011 IETM Autumn Plenary Meeting in Krakow, from 6 au 9 October, tackled the theme "Party" as an act of solidarity and engagement, participation and international cooperation. The 426 participants of the meeting came to Krakow to explore how our collective actions can make things move further in finding ways to prove the value of culture in society, in these times of socio-political uncertainty and financial instability.

About the theme of this Meeting:

PARTY = COOPERATION
A group of people who have gathered to participate in an activity. A group of people acting together in a shared activity.
Action for change. This is main aim of any network. And this is our common aim as well.

PARTY = PARTICIPATION
A person or group involved in an enterprise; a participant or an accessory. One who participates.
One can’t do much by oneself, but when we join forces, our joint energy can change a lot, and every single force in the group is necessary to get things moving .

PARTY = POLITICS
An established political group organized to promote and support its principles and candidates for public office. 
A group of individuals united in a common cause.
We wanted to talk about politics and policy, national and global politics affecting culture, and cultural policy made by ourselves. Discussions about laws and regulations, about politics influencing culture, and artists influencing politicians.

PARTY = FUN
A social gathering especially for pleasure or amusement. A large or important social gathering: affair, celebration, festivity, fête, function, gala, occasion, soirée.

It was not yet another meeting when all the same people talk about all the same issues. We made a lot of noise.

On the last day of the Meeting, after a very fruitful Working group about art and politics, IETM participants recorded a homemade video in order to send a massive European support the protests movement Occupy Wall Street. This video generated a lot of excitement in New York, where it was presented a few hours after it was recorded.

IETM Krakow was organised in partnership with the National Audiovisual Institute, Krakow Festival Office in the framework of the Krakow Theatrical Reminiscences, and in collaboration with "Theatre Confrontations" Festival in Lublin.

Image in banner: © Tommy GaKen Wan