Heidi Wiley, Executive Director of the European Theatre Convention (ETC), the largest network of publicly-funded theatres in Europe, commented on the developments at BITEF 2025 and the blocking of Milo Rau from attending and presenting 'The Pelicot Trial':
“It is very concerning to see how quickly limits on freedom of expression are being normalised around Europe. Public theatres and festivals are places of open, critical and inspiring debate, where artists from around the world are able to shine a light on the complex realities of todays world through their performances and creative interventions. This is another case that shows us why our ongoing RESISTANCE NOW TOGETHER campaign is so important - to join up voices, performances and events around Europe, like the discussions at the upcoming ETC Conference in Riga, to fight for free expression and a European Artistic Freedom Act.”
Read the press release from the Artistic Direction team at BITEF 2025 here, the statement from Milo Rau here, and the statement from Tiago Rodrigues, Director of the Festival d'Avignon here.
