Mostra Igualada strengthens its international presence with visits to key performing arts festivals abroad

During the last quarter of 2025, the artistic and executive direction of Mostra Igualada strengthened its international presence by visiting several key performing arts fairs and events across Europe and North America. This tour made it possible to establish new professional links, discover innovative projects, and actively participate in spaces for reflection on contemporary creation for children, young people and audiences of all ages.

One of the notable stops was EXPORT/IMPORT, in Belgium, a benchmark festival known for its high-level programme in theatre, circus, object theatre, puppetry and hybrid proposals. The event is characterised by a contemporary and daring perspective, with very blurred boundaries between youth, family and adult theatre, focusing on artistic research and the evolution of the performing arts for all audiences.

Joan Arqué, artistic director of the Mostra, who travelled to Belgium, highlights the energy and reflective capacity of the event. "It is a festival with strong attendance, a warm reception and a very lively dialogue among professionals, where the common denominator is risk-taking and research to connect with audiences and rethink the sector, especially the field of performing arts for all audiences."

The Mostra was also present at La Mèche Courte, in Quebec, a meeting point for festivals and institutions from around the world specialising in performing arts for children and young people. This year’s programme combined productions from Quebec, Canada and international contexts, as well as the presentation of social, educational and urban projects that place children and young people at the centre of creative and participatory processes. The event also provided the opportunity to discover works in progress and to observe the growing importance of co-creation with young people and children on the contemporary stage.

In this context, the excellent reception of the performance by the company Black Coral, with a presence in Catalonia, stood out. The piece, performed by professional artists and students from Montreal and previously presented at FiraTàrrega, closed the festival with a very positive response from audiences and the sector.

These visits consolidate Mostra Igualada’s commitment to artistic quality, innovation and international dialogue, and reinforce its determination to continue connecting local creation with the leading trends in contemporary performing arts.