Festival of European Anglophone Theatrical Societies - FEATS

Message from Prince Laurent.
During the past 50 years we
have seen an unparalleled period
of peace and prosperity in
Europe which has become a
community of nations working
together, having happily put
aside the conflicts of the past.
Through the focusing of efforts
on economic and political co-
operation Europe's great
heritage, our cultural diversity,
has been at times neglected or
even threatened. Our society
risks being driven by values that
take little account of either the
natural or the human resources
that are the true source of all our
wealth.
The arts, particularly the
performing arts, have an
important part to play in
continuously analysing and
criticising our present values.
They can help to bring about a
will for change to a sustainable
society where people and the
environment are at the centre of
things and not just the means to
create wealth.
I am therefore very pleased to
give my patronage to this festival
bringing together as it does
creative people from all over
Europe in a spirit of friendly
competition. To transport a
production such distances
requires extraordinary team work
for, although the actors take
centre stage, the play could not
go on without the designers,
scene builders and other equally
important people. Best of all
your achievements are made not
for financial gain but in the fine
amateur tradition of love of the
art.
In the words of your great play
wright Shakespeare "The play's
the thing". May I wish you all a
happy and successful festival
here in Brussels.
Laurent of Belgium.