Global Engagement: Arts, Exile and Refugee Integration in Europe
There are some projects that remind one deeply of why humanity in the arts is essential. This Summer I joined theater:playstation’s AERO project in Hamburg (Germany) and Camini (Italy) for our second and thrird Meeting Points. In a series of meeting points in different parts of Europe in collaboration with organisations like “Jungi Mundu”, the AERO transnational project aims to develop workshop tools and best practices for performance empowering refugee, displaced, and other artists and people facing discrimination.
AERO – Meeting Point 2 (Camini, Italy)
theater: playstation in association with Jungi Mundu
Performing Arts & the Refugee Experience
April 2026
In April, AERO partnered with Jungi Mundo in the small village of southern Italy. Over the Meeting Point we had the privilidge of meeting and working with the members of refuggee people from multiple points of origin including Afganistan, Iran, and Syria and members of the local community.
“Jungi Mundu,” means “Join the World” in the local Calabrian dialect. Jungi Mundu facilitates the reception and integration of asylum seekers and migrants, promoting a sense of community and collaboration between local residents and newcomers. Adopting a scattered hospitality approach, contrasting with traditional crowded migration centers, it provides a safe haven for families and minors, allowing them to actively participate in community life. This collaborative effort has transformed communities like Camini into symbols of internationalism and humanitarian aid.
AERO – Meeting Point 3 (Hamburg, Germany)
theater: playstation in association with AOTOLA FESTIVAL HAMBURG
Performing Arts & Exile
June 2026
In June, the project focused on the needs of artists in exile. Over the Meeting Point we had the privilidge of meeting and working with artists from Belarus, Iran, and Ukrain.
Altonale is the largest cultural street festival in Hamburg, transforming the vibrant district of Altona into a multi-disciplinary open-air arts celebration. This 10-day summer festival covers seven creative genres—including music, theatre, film, dance, literature, visual arts, and street art. Its central hub at the Platz der Republik features lively open-air stages and panel discussions, while decentralized events tuck into local galleries, cafés, and churches. A massive draw for the festival is its famous weekend finale, which features one of northern Germany’s largest flea markets alongside the STAMP International Street Art Festival, anchoring a lively celebration of tolerance and urban diversity.
Blame and fear in Lithuanian-Belarusian dance collaboration Clap&Slap by Agnietė Lisičkinaitė and Igor Shugaleev.
GALLERY
PARTNER ORGANISATIONS
AERO is spearheaded by theater:playstation e.V. (Hamburg, Germany), a platform for innovative performance with a strong focus on public and social intervention. They are collaborating with key European partners, chosen for their deep, relevant experience:
Eastern Theatre (Poland): Focused on international collaboration, youth exchanges, and nurturing new voices.
Nastro di Moebius (Italy): A center for theatrical and film production focused on social innovation and actively engaged in refugee-affected regions like Calabria, providing an essential grounding.
Jungi Munu (Italy): A Third-Sector Social Cooperative revitalizes its village’s (Camini) social and economic life through territorial redevelopment, job placement for disadvantaged people, and integrating third-country nationals.
Creadores (Spain): A collective focused on building a thriving community that connects artists to foster collaboration, innovation, and shared growth. By prioritizing human connection and strategic partnerships, the platform enables creators to build their legacies within a supportive, interdisciplinary environment.
Fabrika12 (Spain): The host venue, which supports the democratization of art and provides an inclusive, dynamic cultural ecosystem in Valencia.
We Gratefull Ackowledge the Support of:
