CULTURESCAPES

CULTURESCAPES is a multidisciplinary Swiss festival of culture, committed to the promotion of cross-cultural dialogue, cooperation and networking. Based in Basel, it extends its influence far beyond one canton as it works with partners in Bern, Zurich, Lausanne, Chur, Bellinzona and other cities.

For more than 15 years CULTURESCAPES explores contemporary cultural landscapes of different countries, cities and regions. From 2021, CULTURESCAPES is opening a new festival series dedicated to regions that extend beyond the boundaries of nation-states. CULTURESCAPES shift in focus comes from the understanding of the severity and pressing issues facing the regions from decolonisation and climate change, to sustainable development and socio-environmental relations. These regions are hotspots where culture is at the forefront of reflecting, commenting, rising awareness and offering various scenarios of dealing with these urgent matters.

In 2021, CULTURESCAPES is dedicated to Amazonia. It is a 2-year collaborative project between numerous partners in Switzerland, Germany, France, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. It consists of a series of academic research, meetings and workshops that come together in a 2-month long festival scheduled for the fall of 2021. This edition is seen as vital; to offer CULTURESCAPES not just as a platform but as a visibility and advocacy tool for raising awareness about the urgency of climate change, the importance of indigenous cultures, and global social responsibility. The main topics that inform the fabric of this festival are water, climate change, decolonisation, and violence and peace.