DFKH 2025

The eleventh edition confirmed DFKH as a distinctive Central European showcase that naturally responds to its local environment while communicating in an international context.

The 2025 edition was positioned as a showcase of productions from the international independent sector that are not commonly seen in the Czech Republic, with a focus on deepening international relationships and building an informal network of small and medium-sized European festivals. A significant part of the program was dedicated to a Polish edition, while new activities also began to emerge along the Central Europe – Southeast Asia axis. The dramaturgy explored the boundary between who we are and who we aspire to become, examining how individual and collective psyches cope with trauma, loss, and the search for balance in a crisis-driven reality. Themes of identity, trauma, and equilibrium resonated with artists and ensembles across the Central European region.

The program connected independent theatres, performers, and artists from the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, and Slovakia – including Divadlo X10, Teraz Poliź, Schaubühne Lindenfels, Aleksandra Jakubczak, Turkowski & Nowacka, Komuna Warszawa, and Karol Filu. The main program took place on the large and small stages of the Městské Tylovo Theatre and in the auditorium of the Church Gymnasium in Kutná Hora. At Breüer Gardens, Y Events created the Y: Celestial Garden – an immersive, residential installation featuring concerts, performances, and exhibitions. Around it, an open-air show by V.O.S.A. Theatre, a family program, and a student production by the OLDstars association took place. The Kutná Hora Library hosted an author reading as an outcome of a residency and part of the industry program.

DFKH 2025 placed a strong emphasis on networking and the industry program at an international level. Its goal is to create a platform for sharing experiences and best practices among creators, producers, and professionals from the Czech Republic and abroad. Networking and discussions also included members and guests of the newly established Association of Theatre Dramaturgs, further strengthening the festival’s role as a place for meeting and collectively reflecting on contemporary theatre.

Companies and performing artists

Aleksandra Jakubczak (Worst Case Scenario), V. O. S. A. Theatre (První krok), Karol Filo & Co (Dobre už bolo, Krajina medveďov), TERAZ POLIŹ (Seks, praca i marzenia), OLD stars / Sławomir Mrożek (Emigranti), Turkowski & Nowacka / Komuna Warszawa (JAWA), Schaubühne Lindenfels (120 Ochsen), Divadlo X10 (120 volů), Geisslers Hofcomoedianten / Vocaď pocaď (Příběh stromů)

Overview of all productions

Debates

Presentation of the Continental Drift project and discussion (hosted by Tereza Pašková, Kutná Hora Library)

Presentation of the activities of the Polish Institute and discussion with Katarzyna Kożuch (Kutná Hora Library)

Presentation of the project Producers as Central Figures in the Theatre and Performing Arts Ecosystem and discussion with Krystyna Mogilnicka (Kutná Hora Library)

Outcome of the residency within the long-term playwright residency program in Kutná Hora (hosted by Tereza Pašková, Kutná Hora Library)

Meeting of the Association of Theatre Dramaturgs (Café 21)

Internal meeting of the Continental Drift project participants (Kutná Hora Library)

Guests: Krystyna Mogilnicka (PL), Phuma Lagos Parra (CL/SE), Michal Rogulski (PL), Corrie Tan (SG), Evy Schubert (DE), Dragoș Alexandru Mușoiu (RO), Maija Pavlova (LV), Rusne Kregzdaite (LT), Martina Lisa (CZ/DE), Gua Khee Chong (SG), Andrzej Pakula (PL), Jana Startsev (CZ/DE), Marta Krawczyk (PL), Linda Forsell (SE), Karolina Sadlauskaitė (LT), Adrian Kautsky (SE), Yanling Ma (SG), Yusuke Hashimoto (JP/DE), Ashish Pradeep Mehta (IN), Mohit Ratnakar Takalkar (IN), Anja Pirnat (SI), Wei Meng Poon (SG/DE), Andrej Nosov (PL), Ewa Opawska (PL), Jennifer Krebs (DE), René Reinhardt (DE), Michael Schramm (DE), Janka Dold (DE), Alexandra Jakubczak (PL), Alexander Manuiloff (BG), Hannes Raetz (DE), Ewa Zembok (PL/CZ).