Boulevard puts in the light and connects

The 39e edition of Theaterfestval has been successfully completed. Hhe eleven-day festival in 's–Hertogenbosch drew about 90.000 visitors. This Boulevard was a celebration of what binds us as human beings: oour desires, our bodies, onthey emotions. This Boulevard was about radical empathy. About learning to live togethern, wearless understand, zorgans for each other and enjoy together. Notable in this was often the relation between generations subject of conversation. Both between visitors and makers and in the performances themselves.

Boulevard 2023 offered 120 different performances, concerts, installations, follow-up interviews and working sessions at het [cutting]area of theatre, dance, music and visual arts. Waar below 21 (Dutch) premieres. In the first pair days of the festival Boulevard struggled with lots of rain. That stood the interest for the performances however not in the way. In total noted the festival 40.000 visits to betaled and free performances. Beautiful weather in the second half of the festival ensured a full and sweltering Zuiderpark and Parade. Audiences appreciated both the festival and the programme with a fat 8.

For the third year, the South Park formed the green festival heart. In total, the festival counted 15 locations in and around the city, including the Parade, Lake Engel, the garden of Saint Janskathedral, BBS De Kruiskamp and the former Military Lane on Hekellaan.

Boulevard embraces sustainability al long. Any year be er new steps put. Now gaat the festival for recognition at the form from the Green Key hallmark. There is good hope that at the autumn the quality mark is received.

The catering offer was diverser than ever. Crew catering chef made 3,000 lunches and 4,000 dinners for employees and artiesten.

Via Give a Gift came a record number donations in. Thanks to these generous donations konden people who would otherwise not be part of the festival also welcomed.

Because the Light

The festival theme was 'Because t'he Light', dat glow suits Boulevard: unheard stories, hushed up dreams and new ideas in the light ze]en. In dhese edition got new creators podium chances. Dana Quibbler, director–driver: "We can see from audience reactions that they are curious about the new and unknew. At the same time, we strive for balance between established and new names."

Lots of interest was there for ONE SONG – HISTOIRE[S] DU THÉÂTRE IV By Miet Warlop [BE], The Weight of Water From Panama Pictures and Bosch Parade [NL], What Remains From Ultima Vez [BE], ODE from Schippers&VanGucht [EN], Hush of the Dancers [EN] and Artemisia All Inclusive From Theatre Artemis [EN].

Spacious were given the opportunity New names for Boulevard, including Faizah Grootens with Corpus Criolla [EN], Louis Janssens with Desire [BE], Erm... in five acts from Elias De Bruyne [BE], Karlijn Hamer with Siriana, my friend [EN]. To the dance performance SOTTOBOSCO by Chiara Bersani [IT] attended a three-day workshop in advance. Eight of the participants played in the performance. Also A True Story of 71BODIES/Daniel Mariblanca [NO] went accompanied by a three-day workshop.

Internationale cooperation

Boulevard makes part of the international network apap [advancing performing arts project] that existaat from eleven cultural organisations uit all over Europe. Vier days long offered the fes8val stage to the programme Feminist Futures. The omva]e performances, workshops, discussions, installations and movies from the collective bhours [BE], Ta8ana Julyen and Anna Gaïol [FR], Selma Selman [BA/US], Noëmi Lakmaier [GB/AT] and Chiara Bersani [IT].

Negen getakeschappen from eight European countries came together onder the banner of the project Performing Gender - Dancing In Your Shoes. For the contribution fromn Boulevard, the performance But first, We are Going to Eat, choreographer Jija Sohn worked [EN] one and a half years with people from city and surrounding areas who a have a background at former Dutch–India or the Moluccas.

On to the 40e edition!

Boulevard counting down to her 40e edition, which will take place from Thursday 1 to Sunday 11 August 2024. The countdown begins. Party? Tessa Smeulers, director–driver: "Yes, with the different generations in the audience, the team and the creators will have a clear voice. We are already having conversations about it. I can me an Herinneringscafé proposals." Dana Kibbelaar: "But I don't just want to look back 40 years. I also wants to look forty years ahead."