One thing we can all agree on: we’ve been betrayed. Who can we trust anymore? Internationally, economically, socially, politically – are we experiencing a trust crisis? We invite you and challenge you to take part in The Big Debate, which will take place over three sessions and is designed to be a stimulating conversation that will last the whole weekend. Dip in and out, or be involved from start to finish – it’s up to you. Each day will bring up new questions and topics, and will grow and develop from the day before. Two moderators will be on hand at all times to listen, contextualise, provoke and direct the proceedings. But the real meat of the discussion is what you bring to it. The Big Debate feeds the ‘multi-voices’ debate launched in 2013 by Culture Action Europe and enacted by its members across Europe. This debate is aimed at building a citizens' agenda for a sustainable and just society where culture and the arts are pillars. What place is there for culture when our societies are under strain? Do the ambitions of the network that is Europe still hold true? What are our responsibilities as cultural workers towards politics and politicians? What are our political responsibilities to our audiences? When trust has been broken between societies, between countries, what can we do to rebuild it? 

Questions, questions, questions. These are some of ours – we’re sure you have many of your own.

Moderators:
Eugene Downes (Ireland) – Performing arts producer and former CEO of Culture Ireland
Anne Bonnar (Scotland) – Consultant, developer, thinker, coach, mentor, writer and blogger in the arts, culture and creative industries - b-k.co.uk and annebonnar.wordpress.com

Provocateur:
Ida Daniel - freelance theatre maker and a founding member of ACT: Association for Independent Theatre (Bulgaria)