One of the key challenges of today in Europe is how to integrate and include migrants and refugees in
the European societies. Coming from a diverse range of backgrounds, they experience difficulties to
adjust to European customs and habits. Moreover, building up a life and a career in European
countries is hampered by lack of a network and a social safety net. As a result, many migrants seek
contact with the communities they are acquainted with and do not get in contact with European
citizens. This also works the other way around: many European citizens know about migrants and
refugees only via the media, and not necessarily in a positive way.
Without wanting to violate the complexity of this issue, ZID Theatre believes that theatre and art could
and should play a vital role in stimulating intercultural dialogue and creating a greater understanding
and solidarity between ‘native Europeans’, refugees and migrants – especially in the arts sector.