Contact Awareness
If you feel unwell or need to talk to someone, you can always contact the Festival or Awareness team. The Awareness Team will be present in person at the following events:
30. September +01. October – Symposium
01. October – Eröffnung: Gala + THE DEATH AT THE CODE
02. October – MAKING THE STORY
03. October – FAVORITEN Fest
03. October – Party-Retreat
09. October – Party-Retreat
10. October – Räume halten III
10. October – WE WHO DO NOT BELONG
+49(0)163 2327348
During the festival, the Awareness Hotline is available by phone and text message from one hour before the first event until one hour after the end of the last event – including parties.
You are welcome to leave a text or voice message (SMS, WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram) or send an email. The Awareness Team will get back to you.
awareness@favoriten-festival.de
How we’d like to meet up
Code of Conduct
A warm welcome to the FAVORITEN Festival!
We’re delighted you’re here.
It’s wonderful that so many different people are keen to watch theatre together and get to know one another. To ensure as many people as possible can enjoy a relaxed visit to the festival, we’ve asked ourselves: How do we want to interact with one another?
To ensure this goes well, we have set out our guiding principles here.
We look forward to having a great time with you all!
What is the FAVORITEN Festival?
The FAVORITEN Festival is a theatre, performance and dance festival organised by the independent arts scene in North Rhine-Westphalia. It was founded back in 1985 and takes place every two years in Dortmund.
What does ‘awareness’ mean to us?
Awareness fosters an attentive approach. This applies to the festival team, the artists and, in particular, our audience. Awareness supports mindful and responsible coexistence, creating a space that is sensitive to issues of discrimination for everyone. The origins of awareness work date back to the 1970s, emerging from the educational and community work of queer people and people of colour in the USA.
What is important to us?
The FAVORITEN Festival creates spaces for art, exchange and encounter. The programme thrives on diversity, openness, curiosity and mutual appreciation. Mutual respect and recognition are prerequisites for respectful encounters – regardless of appearance, worldview, religion, background, age, education, wealth, disability, sexual identity and orientation. This applies to all artists, visitors, staff and partners.
How do we want to interact with one another?
We expect everyone to treat one another with respect and to be mindful of different cultural perspectives and values: on stage, behind the scenes and in the foyer.
The FAVORITEN Festival stands for artistic freedom and a vibrant, democratic culture of debate. A respectful, constructive exchange is important to us. Freedom of expression ends where others are discriminated against, personally insulted, threatened or attacked. That is why the following applies at our events:
– No place for any form of discrimination
We recognise multiple forms of discrimination. Many people experience different forms of discrimination simultaneously.
– Celebrate and discuss without violence
Any form of violence is prohibited – whether physical or verbal (e.g. threats, intimidation, gestures or body language indicating power)
– Respect boundaries
Only a voluntary ‘yes’ means yes. A ‘no’ is always a no. Even no response is a no. Everyone is free to change their mind.
– Mistakes can happen – accountability matters
Nobody is immune to mistakes or all-knowing. If someone calls you out on hurtful behaviour, listen and take the criticism seriously. And if you observe something yourself: you can address it – respectfully, but clearly.
Look out for one another.
If you notice that someone needs support:
- Ask how the person is doing.
- Offer your help.
- If necessary, seek support from the Awareness Team.
You don’t have to resolve every situation on your own. The festival team and the Awareness Team are available to talk to and will support you.
The Awareness Team is here for you.
If you’re not feeling well, don’t feel safe, or experience something that goes against these principles, our Awareness Team is there for you – impartial, supportive and confidential. You can recognise the team by their pink vests bearing the word ‘Awareness’. You decide what you want to share and what support you accept. We’ll listen, we won’t question your experience, and we’ll treat everything in confidence.
The Awareness Team will be present in person at the following events:
30 September + 1 October – Symposium
3 October – FAVORITEN Fest
3 October – Party Retreat
9 October – Party Retreat
Telephone: +49(0)163 2327348
Email: awareness@favoriten-festival.de
Feedback
If there’s anything about the festival you’re not happy with, or if you have any questions, comments or suggestions for improvement, please get in touch with the artistic directors (Jonas and Rika).
Jonas Leifert: leifert@favoriten-festival.de
Rika Sakalak: sakalak@favoriten-festival.de
Important to know:
Anyone who breaches these principles or puts others at risk must expect consequences. Depending on the situation, measures may be taken, up to and including exclusion from the event. However, our aim is always first and foremost to resolve situations through communication, support and de-escalation.