The International Society for the Performing Arts has opened registration for the Bogotá 2014 ISPA Congress.
Usually held in June, ISPA’s organisers have moved the summer Congress to April to coincide with the Ibero-American Theater Festival, an event held every two years in the Colombian capital.
After a successful Congress in São Paulo in 2009, organisers were keen to return to Latin America, and chose Bogatá for its cultural vibrancy and use of the arts in social development projects.
‘The first word I’d use to describe the city is progressive,’ ISPA CEO David Baile told IAM. ‘Particularly over the last 10 or so years, there’s been huge investment and development in infrastructure, and in terms of promoting the city as a destination, they’ve been very effective in it.’
Speaking on the merits of the Ibero-American Theater Festival, Baile said: ‘It’s certainly on a par with Edinburgh or the Hong Kong Arts Festival in terms of the amount of activity, the quality of activity and the amount of participation.’
He continued: ‘The festival was founded in 1988, so over the course of the last 25 odd years, I think it really has worked to develop the city culturally and also provide a platform for local artists – a lot of the local community is very engaged in the festival.’
The Congress’ theme is ‘What the Arts Move’, and will have a particular focus on audience and community engagement. Speakers from the region and around the globe will be invited to contribute to the event.
The Bogotá 2014 ISPA Congress will take place from 7-12 April 2014 – interested parties can register here.
