Response to the open letter of Esther Severi

In a common statement, Rosas and P.A.R.T.S react to the open letter about the future of Kaaitheater. 'There is no Plan Rosas-Kaaitheater.'

Lees hier de Nederlandse versie

The comment by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker published in De Standaard on 25 May about her contacts with the Kaaitheater Board of Directors prompted Esther Severi to publish the text From a dynamic arts centre into a museum?. In it, she speculates on a number of topics, statements and positions that have recently been circulating. If these speculations as stated in Severi’s text were true, her indignation would be entirely justified.

The central idea was and is: can Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker play a role in the further development of contemporary dance in Brussels?

However, there is no ‘Plan Rosas Kaaitheater’. Nobody is able to make a direct reference to it because it simply does not exist. Regardless, there is a thought, a concern. And this concern was generally shared with the Board of Directors at the Kaaitheater.

The central idea was and is: can Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker play a role in the further development of contemporary dance in Brussels to the benefit of future generations? What we had and have in mind is to gather together institutes that are autonomous, and will remain autonomous, and are active in a broad range of functions in the field of contemporary dance. Together, these institutes either decide to work on a cross-institutional and effective contemporary dance policy (not a ‘museum’), or they decide not to. The former scenario will lead to a Plan, the latter will not, in which case each participant will go his or her own way.

It is true that Rosas or P.A.R.T.S. did not inform Esther Severi or the Kaaitheater team about this concern regarding a Brussels action plan for contemporary dance. It would have been a peculiar and unusual course of action for an external organisation to take when the General Director has resigned. Especially during a transition such as this one, it is more appropriate to contact the Board of Directors first.

We feel that further communication with the media is inappropriate since the open letter instigating this communication contains too many falsehoods.

On 21 May, our concerns were relayed to the acting Artistic and Business Management. If, as evidently is the case, members of the Kaaitheater staff are critically disposed towards collaboration, we regret that we weren’t approached directly in this regard as we had been by others from the field. Of course we do understand the concern of any staff member to be given more information.

Reading this text, we believe that first and foremost a personal meeting with Esther Severi is necessary. To that end, we are extending an invitation to her and to anyone she believes should be made aware firsthand about our concerns. This invitation has meanwhile been sent to Esther.

We feel that further communication with the media is inappropriate since the open letter instigating this communication contains too many falsehoods.

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Read also the reaction of the board of Kaaitheater

Read the call of 275 artists and cultural workers here

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