National yet sustainable – public debate at Green Table

For us, theater is about meeting and connecting, and this time was no different. An important topic met with art, as the discussion was part of the accompanying program of the Opera Nova festival, which will be in full swing in mid-June, and was accompanied by the music of soprano Vanda Šípová. About thirty people attended the meeting, and at the end there was also time for questions.

Tamara Čuříková was the first to speak, saying that modern theater has sustainability in its blood. In her contribution, she described three areas of theater operations in which we are gradually increasing our climate responsibility: the condition of buildings, the day-to-day running of the institution, and artistic creation. While the buildings underwent a demanding and complex energy modernization several years ago and today serve as a model for other institutions in this area, the issue of sustainability in artistic operations is, according to her, the subject of interest right now.

Martin Kukučka, who is not only one half of the artistic duo SKUTR, but also experiences a certain dichotomy in other ways, smoothly followed up with his experience of the staging process. As he pointed out with some exaggeration, he approaches sustainability differently as a responsible director and as a director with a materially unmodest vision. He therefore understands artists' concerns about the limitations that a sustainable approach may bring. At the same time, however, he has an idea of how to prevent them. His recipe is to expand the digital catalog, which already contains six thousand pieces of furniture. In the future, it could offer an overview of all reusable components from individual stage designs. The creators of new productions would thus be able to choose in advance what suits them, and these pieces would not end up in landfills after the final performance. As Kukučka pointed out, as a state-run theater, we cannot, for legislative reasons, offer unwanted property, including used scenography, to interested parties outside the institution, so disposal is often the only option.

The final part was decidedly positive, with Helena Vonková presenting NDUp theater merchandise made in the spirit of upcycling, i.e., using materials that have been given a new lease on life. The audience was particularly impressed by the backpacks and jackets sewn from various types of advertising banners, which until recently had been used to attract visitors to performances, and which you can now buy in our e-shop! The nearly two-hour meeting ended as it began—with a musical performance, complemented by Maxim Belchikov, director of the Opera Nova festival, with an invitation to an upcoming event and a glass of good wine in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere.