International collaboration, exchange of experience and long-term work towards institutional change in the cultural sector — this briefly describes the European initiative COMMON STORIES, in which TR Warszawa took part. The initiative brought together seven partners from six European countries — theatres, cultural institutions and festivals — as well as artists, researchers and cultural practitioners. It was initiated by the Maison de la Culture de Seine-Saint-Denis (MC93) in Bobigny, a public theatre and production centre in the Paris metropolitan area known for its international co-productions and community-oriented programmes. The collaboration unfolded over time and was based on shared learning, knowledge exchange and critical reflection on how cultural institutions can work in a sustainable and responsible way towards diversity.
More about the project: https://www.commonstories.eu/en/the-project
Good Practices Factory
This is the name of a platform that constituted one of the key components of the COMMON STORIES programme. Since 2023, six working groups have operated within its framework — in Lisbon, Bobigny, Stockholm, Cologne, Brussels and Warsaw. The teams worked in different contexts and applied diverse methods, yet were united by a shared question: “Radicality – long-term transformation towards diversity?” They remained in continuous dialogue, exchanging experiences, challenges and the solutions they developed.
More about the platform: https://www.commonstories.eu/en/the-project/good-practices-factory
TR Warszawa’s Activities
TR Warszawa took part in the Good Practices Factory, developing initiatives focused on accessibility for Deaf people, people with disabilities, and those with lived experience of mental health crises. The activities carried out by our team were presented in the project publications, issued annually — in French and English — throughout the entire duration of the initiative.
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A conversation between Helena Świegocka (TR Warszawa) and Katarzyna Parzuchowska-Tercz (eFkropka Foundation) on collaboration between the mental health and cultural sectors in the context of the project “Theatre at First Sight – (Re)coveries.”
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A conversation between Katarzyna Batarowska and Monika Frajczyk about working on the performance “EP” – TR Warszawa.
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A conversation between Helena Świegocka and Adam Stoyanov about accessibility for Deaf artists and artists with disabilities.
Final Event in Brussels
Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles
The event “Decentre the Stage” took place at Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles. It brought together the project partners, artists participating in CommonLAB between 2023 and 2025, creators connected with the Brussels art scene, cultural professionals, and members of the academic community. The programme included discussions and meetings dedicated to diversity, identity and a sense of belonging in contemporary Europe.
In 2023–2024, the project was coordinated on behalf of TR Warszawa by Agata Kołacz, and in 2024–2025 by Helena Świegocka.
