The annual ExploreZ Festival stands for diversity, inclusion, international cooperation and surprising crossovers between disciplines and local communities. From 28 May to 7 June 2026, Amsterdam will transform into a vibrant stage full of performances, workshops, and interactive activities.
The theme Need as Compass is the thread running through the festival programme. It is an invitation to explore together the social, cultural, ecological and technological urgency we face as a society and individual.
Opening of the festival on 28 May at Podium Mozaïek: Best of ExploreZ & Premiere IN BRAND
The first part of the evening consists of short previews of performances to be seen at various locations around the city over the next 10 days. The second part will feature the premiere of IN FIRE, to be seen: an explosive, interdisciplinary and immersive performance by ZID Theatre directed by Karolina Spaić. Five performers try to hold their own in a world that seems to be spinning madly. Looking for a way out, for hope, something to keep believing in. With rousing music, text and dynamic movement theatre based on the question: is fantasy and artists‘ creativity an escape from reality or an indispensable and necessary weapon in times of crisis? Inspired by Albert Camus and his thoughts on ’creating dangerously'.
A performance for anyone who feels things need to be different, and who wants to experience what happens when we keep moving together, even when the world seems to be on fire.
Location: Podium Mozaïek, Amsterdam
Time: 20:00
Besides ZID's own performance, there are many other programmes to experience! Until 7 June, various performances are playing at different locations around the city. For instance, we are showing the premiere of the dance performance Fade Out from Issam Zemmouri, on the poignant story of his sight loss, an invitation to a different way of experiencing suitable for both sighted and non- or partially sighted people. furthermore, the Serbian DAH Teatar the performanceHeritage, about the invisible legacies of generations of women, preceded by a tasteful participatory performance by No-Mads Collective around the iconic Balkan dish Ajvar. In addition, you can join our two Explodium events, at the Taste of Identitywith a new generation of creators at Tolhuistuin, and during the Family Dayin Erasmus Park. Explodium offers young creators the chance to develop their work and present short solos and duets. This year, two open-air editions will take place, each with its own theme and programme.
Finally, the Italian dance collective brings Perypezye Urbane from Milan an interactive presentation on the boundaries between body, technology and imagination, and artificial intelligence as a creative partner: AI as a Brainstorming Partner, AI as a Muse - Perypezye Urbane, Italy - ExploreZ Festival
Details of the programme can be found at our ExploreZ festival website.
About ZID Theatre
ZID Theatre is a cultural organisation, producer and stage in Amsterdam that connects art, culture and society.
ZID produces multidisciplinary performances and the recurring international ExploreZ Festival, as well as providing training for makers and performers. Talent development and creating opportunities for up-and-coming talent with a migration background and refugee past are essential to ZID's work.
ZID consists of an international company of theatre-makers, actors, dancers, musicians and visual artists working together on performances, workshops and cultural projects. With a strong focus on inclusivity, topicality and co-creation, ZID Theatre has in recent years positioned itself as a theatre company focused on fostering cultural dialogues and connecting communities of diverse backgrounds. ZID's work is deeply rooted in metropolitan dynamics and issues. The performances are created through co-creation, are associative and consist of authentic concepts by the creators. The book Theatre for the here and now was recently published, in which founders and artistic core members Karolina Spaić and Sebo Bakker describe ZID's approach and working methods.
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