The Belluard Bollwerk began its 41st edition on Thursday evening in Fribourg. It marks the departure of director Laurence Wagner, who had been at the helm of this arts festival for five years. Her leadership was a decisive transition period.
Laurence Wagner was 35 years old when she took up this position. “I tried to make room for the next generation, to bring in young artists and not just big superstars who already have 30 projects behind them. The idea was to have a space for innovation and experimentation .”
To live up to her ambitions, the departing director had to undertake “significant prospecting and mobility work” in order to be “where things are happening”.
Time-consuming fundraising
Among the pioneering works that she presented, Laurence Wagner cites the show Black card named desire, by Rébecca Chaillon. Its programming was a first in Switzerland. “It was a huge challenge, because it is a show that was created in large theaters. Welcoming it in the fortress was something very strong, but obvious, because there was this conviction of wanting to share this show with the public in Fribourg.”
As she bows out, the director speaks of being fed up with the demands on the cultural sector in Switzerland. “Around 60% of our work is devoted to fundraising. And once the festival is over, we also have to write reports, justify that these funds were used wisely. It’s a huge waste of energy.”
The programme for this new edition includes no fewer than 27 performances from around the world. It can be viewed on the festival website.
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