The debates of Sunday was all about art, soul and spirit. An intimate conversation with Yoshi Oida gave food for thought, which really characterized this last day. On the festival site the audience was invited on an entertaining picnic full of tricks and magic by Andrea Farnetani. In the evening the festival was closed in the most beautiful way by Compagnia Finzi Pasca, who amazed the audience with their incredible visual expression, talent and skills. A story who forces into the depth of human. The performance ended with standing ovation. The festival was over and Gellerup became Gellerup again – maybe a little changed. Photos: Laura Salvinelli.

Saturday afternoon contained rewarding conversations and debates in the debate tent and unbelievable nerve wrecking contemporary circus at the festival site by Circo El Grito. In the evening Eutopia Stage had the honour to host the Japanese actor and theatre legend, Yoshi Oida, and his likewise legendary performance ”Interrogations: Words of the Zen Masters”. Big, puzzling questions about life and ways of living served with a lightness, humor, and beautiful tones filled the theatre and the audience. Later, hundreds of festival guests carried torches through the streets of Gellerup as the beginning of a concert night for hope. First, the Japanese taiko drummer, Ichitaro, filled the festival site with his powerful rhythms, where after the Danish/Turkish band AySay with Luna Ersahin took over with their beautiful melodies. At last Tim Christensen gave a solo concert and united the whole audience in community singing with his famous songs. The night ended in Gellerup Church where the legendary Kiev Camber Choir gave an unforgettable concert. Photos: Laura Salvinelli.

Friday the festival’s debate tent opened. It was initiated with conversations about multiculture and the meaning of the art. It was also Friday that there was premiere on the Home Theatre play “Hamlet Short” in one of Gellerup’s homes. An intimate performance about the big questions in life and thereafter time for conversation, communal eating and presence. A clown performance by La Industrial Teatrera for old and young at the festival site, and powerful dance on a Persian carpet by Maqamat Dance Theatre and MaHa in the evening. In the Evening Tent a collage of smile, music and poetry staged by Brigitte Christensen and Nikola Diklic with several excellent artists – both national and international. Theatre of Voices ended the day in the late night with a meditation concert in Gellerup Church. Photos: Laura Salvinelli.

A folk festival began and the sun peeped through the clouds after a long, rainy summer. Communal eating and time together at the Agora. A meeting between the two Capitals of Culture 2017 with beautiful tones from Pafos and energetic dance from Gellerup’s own Jafra-Dancers. Later in the evening the locals welcomed the festival guests with ethnic dance, fascinating acrobatic and touching stories from some of the citizens in Gellerup. Photos: Laura Salvinelli.