Community Intergenerational Perforamance for Challenging Age Prejudices

Abstract

The region of Alentejo, in Portugal, is considered a European rural region, with more than 23% of its population over 65 years old (Eurostat 2020 – Aging Europe 2020). The majority of them are in danger of isolation, which has an impact on the older population’s mental health. Therefore, engaging in a creative process of community intergenerational performance strengthens solidarity, especially between young people and seniors, avoiding loneliness. The Centre of Art History and Artistic Research (U Évora), located in Alentejo province, will engage with a community intergenerational performative-based research involving active social participation, active ageing and well-being, intergenerational learning and experience sharing with senior residents of Evora municipality. This research will involve the participation of 40 senior residents and University students from visual arts and performance studies. We will run a 6-month artistic research process with the community, during which participants will have talks, presentations, team building and creative sessions/workshops. We will work with memories, embodied experiences, embodied knowledge, and image-building about the urban-rural landscape. Sharing and participatory creative dialogue will involve creative processes aiming at two interactive performances in public spaces in the city of Évora. With this presentation we will discuss the ongoing results of this intergenerational community performative research, which belongs to a broader international project, “Age Against the Machine”, European Network of CERV Cities project, funded by the European CERV programme, with a network of six partners: (Red Cross of Serbia (Serbia), Trupa Drž ne daj (Serbia), Teatr Brama (Poland), Nordisk Teaterlaboratorium Odin Teatret (Denmark), University of Évora (Portugal) and Comppagnia Il Melrancio (Italy). Five Festivals are planned to exchange experiences, process implementation, and different and diverse approaches for reflecting on intergenerational performance. Through intergenerational community collaboration in a performative way, the project aims to challenge existing European policies concerning older populations, promoting equality and human rights as fundamental EU values.