The Festival Belluard Bollwerk International takes place on four main sites this year: the Belluard fortress, the Arsenal, the Ancienne Gare and the city of Fribourg. We have therefore divided our brochure into four chapters.
Our principal motives of this festival edition can be summarised in two words: economy and participation. It does not mean that we strictly imposed a thematical corsage in which we tried to squeeze the artists. Rather, the program 2009 came about intuitively and organically, inspired by events, meetings, artistic proposals and discussions. They all led to an exciting balance between artistic projects that claim their autonomy, and projects showing the fundamental connections between artists and the world around them.
On October 5th 2008, in the newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung publishes that Switzerland has the biggest concentrion of shopping centres per inhabitant in Europe. It is believed that Fribourg beats the Swiss record… Empty shop windows are spreading in Fribourg, according to La Liberté on April 28th 2009; a phenomenon also taking place in other cities.
In this context, the Belluard Festival 2009 invites three artists and two artist duo’s to open a shop in the city of Fribourg for a period of ten days. Their projects are a reflection about consumption, economical transaction and the economical position of artists.
At the Ancienne Gare, this year again our second festival centre and information office, the same questions are at the heart of several projects. Children between 6 and 12 years old present their entreprise idea’s during a real fair. Two writers ask themselves if Switzerland is an entreprise or a state. A choreographer is demonstrating us how much a dance piece costs. A reverend tries to save us from the ‘Shopocalyps’. And the unofficial Ministry of Culture is wondering if culture can save us from the crisis.
Should you, after all this, ask yourself if we can still laugh in times of crisis? A possible answer will be given to you in the shape of a performance, at the Belluard. In this medieval fortress, we will also show you two brave pieces of artists who worked with non-professionals. And of course a musical programme will not be missing at this magical venue. We will offer you concerts that are unique in terms of sound and performance.
All this you can discuss in our new festival centre KITCHAIN, in the Arsenal. In the polyvalent kitchen design you can, as usual, enjoy a wonderful meal prepared by our chefs. Furthermore, you can participate and cook yourself as well, with friends and artists.
We are looking forward to welcoming you at the 26th Belluard Festival!
