In his keynote speech, Georg Haeusler, Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport at the European Commission, emphasised that culture is now higher on the political agenda than ever before. Still, there is a need for the cultural sector to raise its voice and promote its success stories. According to Haeusler, the Commission is dedicated to improving the working conditions for artists, and there is a shared understanding of the economic importance of cultural sector. He pointed out that the green agenda will remain a top priority while new policy issues such as artificial intelligence will also be high on the agenda.

Photo: Virve Sutinen

The Turin Declaration

The Turin Declaration reflects the collective wisdom and forward-thinking strategies developed over the four years of the Big Pulse Dance Alliance project, funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union. It provides recommendations for policymakers, cultural leaders and dance professionals to ensure that European contemporary dance remains a leading force in the global arts scene, enriched by sustainability, diversity, innovation and transcontinental collaboration.

Big Pulse Reflections in Turin 2024 

Big Pulse Dance Alliance and its partners gathered in Turin on 23 – 24 October, hosting a forum that underscored the crucial role of European collaboration in advancing the dance sector. This event, held at Teatro Stabile and Torinodanza Festival, provided a fertile ground for dialogue, with a mix of panel discussions, workshops and creative showcases. 

Photo: Virve Sutinen

Attendees included a diverse group of artists, curators, producers and policymakers from across Europe and beyond.

Highlights of the event included a keynote address by Georg Haeusler, Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport in the European Commission, which set the tone for two days filled with inspiring presentations and enriching performances. Evening events featured compelling dance works at Fonderie Limone, including “Monumentum DA” by Cristina Rizzo, “Lapiz Lazuli” by Euripides Laskaridis, and “City Horses” by Byström Källblad, showcasing the vibrant creativity and collaborative spirit of the contemporary dance scene.

This gathering also celebrated the launch of the Dance Festivals Network Europe (DanceFestNet), a new coalition aimed at promoting contemporary dance as a tool for sustainability, social inclusion and innovation across Europe. DanceFestNet is poised to foster cross-border collaborations that emphasise mobility, energy transition, and the unique potential of dance to connect cultures and communities.

Photo: Virve Sutinen