A Network of Variety and Character
Many of the TEH members have been pioneers in challenging the common cultural policy and providing opportunities for young people to utilise and develop their artistic skills.
If you were to look at the range of the artists who have performed or worked in Trans Europe Halles centres over the past twenty years, you would find that they are the creative forces that have shaped much of the music, visual and performing arts of the late 21st century. The network aims to support alternative modes of artistic expression and provide a stage for artistic work that cannot be experienced elsewhere.
Variety of buildings
Most Trans Europe Halles centres are established in buildings from industrial heritage; from factories and warehouses to dairies and army barracks. Trans Europe Halles’ members have been forerunners in converting former industrial sites into multifunctional centres and creating a new European post-industrial trend.
The unique buildings all have their own, distinct characters and have been renovated in innovative ways with respect to the industrial heritage. For example, in Röda Sten (Gothenburg,Sweden) the audience is reminded of the building’s history by the enormous container silos that were used to store coal during the days it was still needed to warm up the factory.
In one of the toilets at Kaapelitehdas (Helsinki,Finland) you will see a large, electronic control panel that used to be an advanced regulating system in the old cable factory. The system is not in use anymore, but the buttons and lights that cover half of the wall still arouse curiosity.
The buildings with their industrial flavour form a perfect setting for any cultural event. In some centres the industrial heritage is not only something from the past; Proekt_Fabrika (Moscow, Russia) organises cultural events ranging from modern dance to exhibitions and conferences, but it also still functions as a factory that produces technical paper!
Variety of age, size and organisational structure
Many Trans Europe Halles centres have a long history of activity, but the network also gathers centres that have just been born. The newcomers often appreciate the sharing of experiences and know-how from the more established centres, while the enthusiasm of the ones that have just set up a new centre rub off on the more established ones.
The Trans Europe Halles centres vary both in size and in organisational structure. On the one hand you’ve got Melkweg (Amsterdam, The Netherlands), which is currently employing more than 250 people, puts on more than 1 000 events per year and has an annual audience of 400 000 people. On the other hand you’ve got Buenaventura (Castelfranco Veneto,Italy), which for a long time has been run by dedicated volunteers that organise cultural events in an old office after their regular nine-to-five jobs.