Àfora

A dialogue between contemporary art and the performing arts.

The Romea Foundation investigates artistic forms to activate terms such as fervor, passion, the sublime, beauty or inspiration that paradoxically cause discomfort. A discomfort that manifests itself when we show ourselves sensitive to the world and reveal our vulnerability. It could be said that our effort seeks to summon ghosts, as Joan Fontcuberta did with the artist Margarida Xirgu, or Eduard Márquez when he tried, in a certain way, to overcome his ghosts to advance his literary work.

The intersection wall between the theater and the street, between the stage and society.

In the theater world, the virtual wall that separates the stage from the spectators is known as the fourth wall, and for a long time the actor-spectator interaction has been called “breaking the fourth wall”.

La 5a Paret is a meeting point that will allow us to capture concepts that emerged from the stage and take them to the field of philosophy, to analyze them from different angles and formats.

With Pre|Ocupaciones, an editorial format was born to channel Focus’s reflection needs on certain topics that occupied us in internal debates. Now we are giving life to a new editorial label, Àfora Edicions, the company’s label to protect the will to permanence of ÀFORA’s activity, and the conceptual and aesthetic relevance of selected texts and creators.

Àfora Edicions will initially publish these titles:

The new installment of Pre|Ocupaciones, under the title LA MENTIDA, will also participate in the strategy of activating our sensitive part: imagination and rebellion will inspire different authors such as Leonardo Padura, Javier Cercas, Emma Riverola, Emma Vilarasau, Eloy Fernández, Antoni Puigvert, and Anna Pagès.

The collection of “Quaderns de Notes”, inspired by the tradition of books/explorations based on quotes, aphorisms and literary maxims; books where everything is said through quotes and which are creative sources for actors, actresses and playwrights of Catalan and Spanish theatre. They are notebooks to leaf through, read, wrap up and let yourself be carried away. The first “Quadern de Notes” will be made by the actor and theatre director Josep Maria Pou: a unique intellectual contribution that will lead us to enjoy the literary and aesthetic affinities of the great theatre actor.

El Paraíso Perdido, publication of the theatrical adaptation in book format by Helena Tornero of the text by John Milton with illustrations by Paula Bonet.

Within the “Escenaris” collection, a special edition inspired by the play SAFO will also be published.

Barcelona Manifesto on theatre spectators, the result of the participation of 50 spectators from 25 countries in the 1st Theatre Spectator Congress held in October 2022 at the Romea Theatre. Theatre Album, where the reader will be able to take a visual journey through great moments experienced by actors and actresses on the stages of the Focus Group theatres.

The books published by Afora Edicions have been produced and printed in Catalonia.

A connection between professionals in the theatre sector in Barcelona and Madrid.

618 are the kilometres between Barcelona and Madrid, the two theatre centres of the State. We want to take advantage of this distance to foster a closer relationship between professionals in both cities, creating a permanent circuit and channels of personal relationship, which allow for increased synergies aimed at increasing co-participation and creative and artistic exchange.

PLATEA 618 will feature meetings between artists and creators, and between managers and producers, to debate atavistic concerns and new challenges.

INTERNATIONAL THEATRE SPECTATORS CONGRESS

Held biennially, the International Theatre Spectators Congress is not just another congress about audiences.

It is the only international meeting of, by and for theatre spectators. Audiences are art and part.

It is a unique opportunity to learn first-hand about the needs, concerns and beliefs of performing arts spectators. The Congress aims to call on spectators to regain their leading role in the performing arts value chain and rethink their future role.

In the 1st edition, held in October 2022 at the Teatre Romea in Barcelona, ​​we had more than 650 registered participants and more than 50 invited international spectators from 25 countries and 5 continents.

We are already preparing the organization of the 2nd edition, which will take place from November 18 to 20, 2024

GRANSTEATRERUS

Social project of the Grup Focus that aims to contribute to combating involuntary loneliness among the elderly and promote active aging through theater and culture.

We want to recover as spectators our “Grans Teatrerus” who, for various reasons, have ceased to be theater audiences, through intergenerational links with young, with whom to share their passion and knowledge for the performing arts.

During the 2023-24 season, a pilot test will be developed with residents of the Raval neighborhood in Barcelona, linked to the Teatre Romea and the Theatre Goya.

PUBLIC ADVICE

We have launched Public Advice, made up of active spectators who will participate in the day-to-day life of our theaters, wanting to contribute ideas, visions and opinions, as ambassadors and collaborate in the dynamics of the performing spaces.

It is the transfer to our theaters of the main objective of the Congress of Spectators: giving a voice to the public and getting to know their desires closely.

The 2023-24 season has started its activity:

• Public Advice of La Villarroel
• Public Advice of Teatre Condal