Riga | Homo Novus Festival 2019 - Japan Focus

The 15th edition of the International Festival of Contemporary Theatre Homo Novus will take place on 5-13 September in Riga with the programme of Japan Focus, guest performances, scenography exhibition, festival school ‘Memory of Place’, and ‘Sonic Dawn’ – a festival within a festival that will last for 7 hours on 7 September’s night and will explore our listening skills.

The International Festival of Contemporary Theatre Homo Novus is known for promoting contemporary performing arts, humanist values and critical thinking among Latvian artists and audiences alike. “Japan Focus” is one of the central programmes of the festival in 2019, where Japanese artists/collectives are invited to collaborate with Latvian artists to codevelop new works based on Riga's historical, social and cultural contexts.

Through Mobility First!, ASEF is supporting the mobility of 5 Asian artists and theatre professionals to be involved in the International Festival of Contemporary Theatre Homo Novus 2019 from 5 to 13 September 2019 in Riga, Latvia.

New Theatre Institute of Latvia aims to develop, encourage and support the diversity and urgency in performing arts both locally and internationally. Responding to the changing practices and needs of artists and audiences, NTIL produces local and international work, organises the International Festival of Contemporary Theare Homo Novus and Latvian Theatre Showcase, provides professional training, residencies, information exchange and international collaboration with a special focus on emerging ideas, innovative work and responsible actions. NTIL support young generation of artists, explores urban context and specifics of public space. NTIL runs a public library and serves as a practical training platform and resource for artists, arts managers and NGO activists.

Image: Wooden Vandal - contact Gonzo (Osaka) in collaboration with Latvian artists