Tanzfabrik
Berlin
Stage
Stage
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Tanznacht Forum: Feminist School Berlin

08.09. – 11.09.2022
The Tanznacht Forum: Feminist School  Berlin encompasses a series of formats in which physical and dance practices coexist with discursive and literary events and short-film screenings, all aiming to address feminist topics from an intersectional* point of view. Based on an updated idea of feminism, the Feminist School is geared towards the equal treatment of all individuals and takes a clear stance in support of anti-ableistic**, anti-racist*** and anti-discriminatory practices. The Feminist School–Part 1 will take place from 08.09.–11.09.2022.

We, the curatorial and organizational team behind the Feminist School at Tanzfabrik Berlin, working together since 2022, see ourselves as a learning organization. We are a multidisciplinary team coming from different backgrounds, cultures and with diverse abilities. Our work is currently focused on creating a more accessible program, acknowledging that barriers in Tanzfabrik Berlin’s program have contributed to the exclusion of many groups and the reproduction of historical structures of discrimination that need to be critically examined and dismantled. 

We understand the Feminist School as a place of encounter between different notions and lived experiences of feminism; as a place where a variety of expressions of how these principles can be embodied, shared, and practiced may come into dialogue, and inform and nurture one another.

The Feminist School seeks to provide space for informal exchange in a pleasant atmosphere.

We are looking forward to seeing you there!
Nara Virgens, Juan Harcha, Felicitas Zeeden, Elisabeth Leopold, Céline Rodrigues Monteiro

*Intersectionality is a term denoting the interaction of multiple mechanisms of oppression. Originally coined by American lawyer, scholar, and activist Kimberlé Crenshaw, the term has its roots in activism and the concept of "interlocking" systems of oppression, as commonly referenced by the Combahee River Collective, a Black lesbian social justice collective formed in Boston in 1974. (Source: globalcitizen.org)

**ableistic is a term derived from the English word ableism, which originates from the US-American disability movement. It denotes discrimination against people with disabilities by measuring people by certain abilities - walking, seeing, social interaction - and reducing them to their impairment. (Source: diversity-arts-culture.berlin)

***Antiracism refers to the belief that problems are rooted in the way power is distributed, and how policies are implemented – in contrast with the belief that problems are rooted in groups of people. An antiracist confronts racial inequalities rather than allowing them to endure by their action or inaction. At the center of this definition lies the key idea that there is no neutrality in the racism struggle. In this perspective, the claim to “not be racist, but neither be aggressively against racism” is itself racist, as it fails to acknowledge the subject's own responsibility and scope for intervening towards a more equal and antiracist world. (Source: How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi)





↪ Accessibility

Information about accessibility can be found at the individual events. If you have further questions about accessibility, feel free to contact Juan Harcha by email at: harcha@tanzfabrik-berlin.de or by phone: 030-200 592 70.

↪ Support 

The Feminist School - Part 1 is part of this year’s edition of Tanznacht Forum, funded by the Senate Department for Culture and Europe, multi-sector funding for festivals and series, 4 years. The Feminist School - Part 1 is part of the project apap – FEMINIST FUTURES co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.

apap is a network of eleven performing arts organizations from different European countries committed to implementing principles of feminism in their programming and day-to-day activities. Further editions of the Feminist School, supported by apap, will take place next autumn in Berlin (Feminist School Part 2), Warsaw (organized by the Institute for Performing Arts / InSzPer Warsaw) and Salzburg (organized by SZENE Salzburg). 

↪ performance in the Tanznacht Forum

Parallel to the Feminist School Berlin, the performance "This Is Still Not Normal" by Arantxa Martínez and Juan Domínguez will take place as part of the Tanznacht Forum. For further information please click here  ↪ This Is Still Not Normal.

Awareness Guidelines

We invite everyone to enjoy the Feminist School, to feel comfortable and safe in our spaces that we want to create with and for you.  It is important to us to emphasize that we cannot guarantee a space completely free of any form of harm or discrimination, but we are doing our best to work towards it.

In order to do so, we believe that every single person must contribute and keep the following in mind:
↪  Ask for consent regarding touch, physical & emotional closeness. We all have our boundaries.
↪  Don’t assume anyone’s gender, identity, sexuality, health, needs or backgrounds.
↪  We have no place for discrimination or harassment of any kind. We say NO to racism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia, fatphobia, ableism, etc.
↪  Be mindful of the language you use.
↪  We all have different experiences. Try to listen and accept. Denying people’s experiences is hurtful.
↪  Take responsibility for yourself first and for the space you create with others.
↪  Be aware of your intentions and take care of each other.
↪ For everyone's protection, we recommend wearing an FFP2 mask during discursive/literary/musical events and when distances cannot be maintained.

Have fun!

If you feel in any way molested or harassed, experience any type of discrimination or other situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, or if something doesn’t feel right to you, please approach the person responsible on site, who will introduce themselves at the beginning of each slot. You can also contact us at any time under MovingStructures@tanzfabrik-berlin.de.

As organizers we will be happy to support you. We are prepared to take measures if necessary to ensure the safety of all attendants, i.e., by asking participants who don’t follow the guidelines to leave the school space. 

We would like to point out that we as an awareness team do not have experience and knowledge with regard to all discriminatory relationships. We have the ambition to dismantle existing hierarchies in our own contexts and to dissolve discriminatory structures, but we are still in a learning process ourselves - so if you have comments and criticism, feel free to write to us! 

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