Age Against The Machine

In observance of World Elder Abuse Day, Nordisk Teaterlaboratorium – Odin Teatret is proud to announce their latest initiative, “Age Against The Machine,” supported by the European Commission under the CERV - Network of Towns program. The project officially began on Thursday, April 11th, in Novi Sad, Serbia, with an inaugural meeting of representatives from all six partner countries.

“Age Against The Machine” is an intergenerational project aimed at addressing the causes and consequences of ageism, and confronting discrimination and violence against older persons. The initiative seeks to create an international solidarity network among six cities to publicly advocate against ageism using various participatory theatre methodologies. The project will explore, present, and reassess existing discriminatory practices directed towards older citizens, with a particular focus on older women.

The overall objective of “Age Against The Machine” is to increase awareness, knowledge, and interest among European citizens and decision-makers regarding aging and the position of the older population through artistic theatrical expression, with a particular focus on community theatre.

The project is spearheaded by Novi Sad – European Capital of Culture Foundation (Serbia), with partners Nordisk Teaterlaboratorium (Holstebro, Denmark), Teatr Brama (Goleniów, Poland), University of Evora (Portugal), Red Cross Serbia, Compagnia Il Melarancio Cooperativa Sociale Ets (Cuneo, Italy), and Trupa Drz Ne Daj (Novi Sad, Serbia). The East Netherlands Development Agency is an associated partner.

Following the initial Kick-off training, the project will feature several planned activities, including six premieres of theatre performances with intergenerational communities in the project partner countries (Poland, Serbia, Portugal, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands), and five “Age Against The Machine” festivals in the project partner cities (Holstebro, Cuneo, Evora, Goleniów, Novi Sad). The final conference in Belgrade (Serbia) will see the Red Cross Serbia presenting a Written set of recommendations intended for decision-makers, media, and the expert public at both national and European levels. The University of Evora will monitor the partners’ process work in terms of methodological efficiency and innovations, which will be presented in a scientific paper outlining an innovative sustainable hybrid methodology.

As the Danish partner, NTL-OT is researching Ageism at a national level, focusing on the loneliness and dependency relationships experienced by both young and elderly people. The NTL-OT team, represented by Simon Beyer-Pedersen (Project Manager), Karin Ahlström (Artistic Director), and Paulina Marín (Expert Psychologist), will conduct workshops leading to a theatrical production on these themes. The work will emphasize co-creation, integration of experiences, and community engagement with participants of various ages.
The project kicks off in August, with a premiere in October, and culminates in November with the first of five festivals hosted by each project partner.