Matera 2019 Volunteers Connect Cultures Across Continents

Volunteers for Matera 2019, the European Capital of Culture, have engaged in international exchanges, traveling to Plovdiv (Bulgaria) and Sibiu (Romania) to assist with local festivals. In Bulgaria, they participated in the Aylak Parade, featuring large papier-mâché puppets and costumed characters, interacting with local professionals and communities. In Romania, they contributed to the Sibiu International Theatre Festival (FITS) during a three-week summer stay. From October 12 to 30, volunteers from Matera, Plovdiv, and Novi Sad will collaborate backstage at the Tokyo Festival 2019 in Japan, specifically the outdoor theatre piece "I am a cat," which includes 27 programs themed around encounter and changing the world. The connection with Japan was strengthened by Japanese volunteers arriving in Matera through EU-Japan Fest and Matera 2019 projects. Additionally, Matera hosts nearly 50 volunteers from France, Greece, Bulgaria, Spain, Hungary, Serbia, Russia, Turkey, Portugal, Latvia, Malta, and Germany via the B-Link collaboration. Exchanges also occur with other European Capitals of Culture, including Rijeka and Galway 2020, whose volunteers have visited Matera.