MEDUSA – Contemporary Drama and Inclusive Identities in Europe is a European collaboration project that gives voice to complex identities, marginalized narratives, and often invisible perspectives on the contemporary theater scene. Coordinated by En Kai Pan, MEDUSA is implemented under the Creative Europe program and brings together cultural and theater organizations from Italy, Germany, and Bulgaria in a shared process of research, production, and public exchange.

Why “Medusa”

The choice of name is no accident. Medusa—one of the most famous figures in mythology—is a symbol of marginalized perspectives, complex identities, and voices that history has often rendered invisible. It is precisely from this imagery that the project builds its vision: to strengthen the circulation of contemporary European drama and to provide a space for stories that question identity in its many dimensions—gender, cultural affiliation, migration, orientation, and social inclusion.

Project Partners

MEDUSA is based on a strong and diverse transnational partnership. En Kai Pan (Italy) is the lead organization, together with Casa del Contemporaneo (Italy), Das Kombinat e.V. и Drama Panorama: Forum für Übersetzung und Theater e.V. (Germany), Organisation 36 Monkeys и EURODRAM BG foundation (Bulgaria). The University of Salerno, New Bulgarian University, and NIDS (Germany) participate as associated partners supporting research, audience development, and dissemination activities.

Observatory for Contemporary Drama

Over the course of its 18 months, MEDUSA tracks the entire journey of theatrical works—from the selection of texts to their presentation to the audience. At the heart of the project is the creation of a transnational observatory for contemporary drama, through which partners select theatrical texts that represent the diverse cultural sensibilities across Europe. The texts are then translated into the languages of the participating countries, which promotes the cultural mobility of the works and their access to new audiences.

National mini-festivals and an engaged audience

The activities are carried out through national mini-festivals in each partner country. They combine staged readings, meetings with authors and translators, critical analyses, and open discussions, with a special focus on involving university students, young cultural professionals, and local communities. The audience is not merely a recipient but an active participant—it is invited to reflect, engage in dialogue, and contribute new perspectives on contemporary identity.

Communication, Dissemination, and Multilingual Publication

MEDUSA is developing a robust communication strategy, coordinated by Casa del Contemporaneo, that utilizes digital tools and multimedia content to expand the project’s visibility on a European scale. The results are compiled into a multilingual digital publication prepared by Drama Panorama, which brings together selected texts, critical materials, and documentation in a freely accessible space, ensuring the sustainability of the project’s outcomes.

Impact and Vision

MEDUSA horizontally integrates European priorities for gender equality, social inclusion, digital transformation, and environmental sustainability. The project aims to strengthen European cultural cooperation, give visibility to marginalized voices and narratives, and build a sustainable network of creators, authors, translators, and institutions committed to contemporary, pluralistic, and deeply relevant drama.

More information about the project: www.medusa-project.eu/    

To contact the team in Bulgaria: [email protected]