Since its creation in 1994, “La Compagnie des Nouveaux Disparus” strives to give access to culture and - particularly theatre - to a socially disadvantaged public, less inclined to cultural activities. Democratisation of culture and promotion of diversity are the guiding principles of the company’s activities. These are divided in three types of projects: theatre plays creation, “Theâtres Nomades” festival and Mimouna Festival.
Every summer, the Brussels’ Park hosts more than 50 shows over 4 days for the Festival Théâtres Nomades Festival. The fountain and surrounding area are transformed into a colourful nomad village made of marquees, caravans, berber tents, and open-air stages.
The programme is diversified through various shows for children, a circus, street theatre, classical theatre, puppet shows, as well as creative workshops on the stage.
More information (FR) on: www.theatresnomades.be or www.lesnouveauxdisparus.com
WORK:
Volunteers will help on several aspects of the festival logistics, such as meals preparation for the entire team of the festival, assembling and dismantling of tents, building and putting up the decorations, stage-managing, transport and unloading of material, installation of the “village of organisations”, waste and composting toilet management, ... Volunteers will work with all people working on the festival (technicians, stage managers, facilitators, organizers, cooks...). Volunteers will also be integrated in the different teams during the festival (tickets, bar, catering, stage-managing, ...) which will take place from August 15th to August 18th 2024.
→ Please be aware that heavy physical work will be asked to volunteers at setting up and dismantling. Volunteers will also have lighter tasks like meal preparation, waste management, during the festival.
Depending on the programme schedule, volunteers may also have the possibility to actively take part in entertainment activities of the festival.
ACCOMMODATION:
Volunteers will sleep in caravans on the site of the festival. The living conditions are very rudimentary close to conditions of a “scout camp”. Volunteers will use dry toilet and a shower placed in the park. Please bring your sleeping bag and a camping mattress.
FOOD:
Meals will be taken with the diverse teams of the festival and will be prepared by the volunteers together with the kitchen team of the festival. Lunch will consist of sandwiches and a warm meal will be prepared for dinner. Vegetarian and halal food will be available.
LOCATION:
Brussels, the European capital, capital of Belgium, is populated by 1.2 million inhabitants. Very well connected to many other capitals of Europe, this city is a rich cultural center.
SPECIFIC INFORMATIONS:
✓ This workcamp requires strong physical efforts at some moments and an active participation and involvement of volunteers during 2 weeks, due to the deadlines set for the good progress of the festival. Volunteers are asked to prove a strong interest for the thematic of the festival.
✓ There will be 2 free days during the workcamp.
✓ Please bring good working shoes and clothes which can get dirty as well as a raincoat in case of rainy weather.
If you have a music instrument or juggling material, feel free to bring it!
LANGUAGE:
The language of the workcamp is French. It is not necessary to speak perfectly but it will be the main language on the workcamp.
ACCES:
The meeting point is at the Gare du Midi around noon on 12 August. From there, someone will pick up the group to the site.
→ By plane: the nearest international airports are Brussels (Zaventem) or Brussels-Charleroi (note that the
latter is in the city of Charleroi).
→ The easiest way is to arrive at Zaventem, the airport in the city of Brussels. To get to the railway station, you will have to take a public transport which takes 20 minutes.
→ It is also possible to arrive at Brussels - Charleroi (in the city of Charleroi) and take a shuttle bus (1h drive) to the capital.
→ Train information here: https://www.belgiantrain.be/fr
We encourage all our volunteers to prefer “eco friendly transportation” to come on their volunteering project. So think twice and come by bike or hitchhike until your project! Do not hesitate to have a look on bus companies, car sharing companies or trains. Train timetables on http://www.belgianrail.be/en/Default.aspx
Sustainable development goals? Here you work for sustainable cities and communities (11)! Support to the local population for the organisation of a cultural event in a rural area in Belgium. In this way, the volunteer will participate in promoting integration, social cohesion, multiculturalism and sustainable development through this festival. This is integration through culture.
SUMMARY OF THE WORKCAMP:
Join the workcamp at the Festival «Théâtres Nomades» and discover the inside of this unique theatre festival in the heart of Europe! Volunteers will help on several aspects of the festival logistics at all the stages of the festival organisation.