Shadow EN ROUTE
SHADOW theater EasterN ROots Uniting people
Toward Europe
RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS
Echoes of Light and Migration
The SHADOW-EN-ROUTE project’s research component delved deeply into the historical and social roots of shadow theatre, exploring its journey from Türkiye to the Arab World, Greece, and the broader European context. This comprehensive study will be captured in a monograph, offering a detailed account of techniques, storytelling practices, and the evolution of shadow theatre as a powerful tool for intercultural dialogue.
In addition, the project will produce an illustrated book that brings together the rich experiences of the workshops, the nine scenarios co-created by the participants, and vibrant photos that capture the essence of these creative exchanges and a catalogue of main European organizations and festivals on shadow theatre. Together, these publications will preserve the project’s legacy and contribute to ongoing conversations on culture, migration, and performance art.
Workshops & Performances
Shadow Theatre capacity building for artists, storytelling for children and performance workshops
The SHADOW-EN-ROUTE project offered a rich sequence of activities that bridged the roots of shadow theatre with the lived experiences of today’s communities.
We conducted six capacity-building workshops in Italy and three in Türkiye, providing in-depth training on shadow theatre techniques, dramaturgy, and the construction of puppets and sets. In addition, three more capacity-building workshops on storytelling—one in each country, Italy, Türkiye, and Greece—focused on storytelling and scenario development, linking these artistic skills with intercultural dialogue and human rights themes.
From these creative foundations, 27 shadow theatre workshops to develop the scripts—nine each in Greece, Italy, and Türkiye—were organized for children and youth from migrant and host communities. During these workshops, participants explored and staged stories rooted in their own migration journeys and encounters, co-creating narratives that were transformed into nine unique scenarios, performed in all three countries.
Final Outputs
Our media journey
The SHADOW-EN-ROUTE project culminates in a powerful set of final outputs, showcasing the creativity and voices of participants across three countries. We held final performance events in Italy, Greece, and Türkiye, where children and youth shared their stories through live shadow theatre performances, celebrating the diverse journeys and cultural encounters that inspired them.
Alongside these public events, the project produced 27 video recordings of the performances, offering a window into the rich storytelling that emerged from the workshops. A video documentary captures the making of the SHADOW-EN-ROUTE project itself, sharing insights into the collaborative process, the cultural exchanges, and the transformative impact of this journey.
Our geography
Routes overlapping
Our vision is to preserve the intangible cultural heritage of shadow theatre while giving voice to the diverse experiences of refugees, migrants, and host communities. We believe that art can bridge divides and spark meaningful conversations about identity, inclusion, and belonging.
The project’s objectives are to: • Reinvigorate the practice of shadow theatre in Europe and the Mediterranean. • Create spaces for children and youth to explore their own migration stories through art. • Foster intercultural dialogue and social cohesion across three countries. • Document and share these rich experiences with audiences across Europe and beyond.
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THE CONSORTIUM
