STREET ARTISTS IN EUROPE - Fondazione Fitzcarraldo

Street Artists in Europe
"… lack of money to go and see and therefore get to know international work at festivals
abroad."
4.2. The High Costs of Transport between countries
This was cited several times as being prohibitively high. It appears that larger companies from
some European countries (notably Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands) are able to access
funding to offset some part of their travel costs.
"Yes travel costs are a problem – especially for theatres from such countries as France or UK
as they hardly get any support for the transport costs"
"Yes though the support that many companies receive from their respective governments is a
great help".
Some festivals described the active work between partners in a geographical region to organise a
tour of particular artists, so the travel costs can be shared.
4.3. Language problems
These do appear to be a problem in some cases:
a) When setting up bookings: both artists and programmers described feeling inadequate and
unconfident making phone calls in other languages. Two different respondents said that apart
from having a good show, the greatest asset a company can have is foreign language
speakers! Another commented that email is a great advantage as you can read it slowly with a
dictionary if necessary.
b) Performance: shows with text can cause a problem; audiences not understanding can throw
performers off balance (when expecting a laugh, there is dead silence). Some companies
would rather not tour abroad in certain circumstances. Others either work in international
street performer lingo (a mix of their mother tongue with words picked up from the place
they are visiting) or request key words in the host language or, in some cases, translate the
whole show. This can be problematic in circumstances where very strong accents or strange
intonation cause problems with the audience’s comprehension.
It is useful to encourage companies to be imaginative about how to make their shows
understandable. This may require workshops or masterclasses (or suggest they learn a foreign
language!)
4.4. Taxes
Several countries have forms of taxes that are incurred when international performers are
invited. This can put immense strain upon an already stretched budget and may tip the balance
between inviting an international artist/company or not. . German programmers suffer from The
"Ausländersteuer" on all foreign artists. This tax is payable by the promoter.
In some cases, such as Great Britain, the Foreign Entertainers tax is payable by the artists. This
can be an immense shock if it is not explained by the promoter. However, payment may be
waived in various circumstances and in any case all EU artists are entitled to earn up to € 7 000
free of tax, although exemption still must be requested.
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PE 375.307