How can we bring high-quality performing arts to places where there are no large theaters or cultural centers? The European project SPARSE Plus has long been seeking answers to this very question. One of its most visible initiatives is the SPARSE Tour, which brings contemporary theater and the performing arts to smaller towns and villages across Europe during the summer.
In the coming weeks, audiences in the Czech Republic can look forward to three exceptional performances by the Le Cabaret Nomade ensemble:
August 22, 2026 | Malovice
Kaleido
August 23, 2026 | Komařice
Kaleido
September 5, 2026 | Jičín – Sedličky
Cabinet of Memories
The SPARSE Plus project has long supported artist mobility and access to culture outside major cities. Thanks to the collaboration of local promoters, cultural organizations, and international partners, opportunities are created for artists to connect with audiences in places where such productions rarely reach.
Inspiration from Italy: Culture as Part of Everyday Life in the Regions
Representatives of Nová síť had the opportunity to see firsthand how cultural activities can function in smaller towns and rural areas during a shadowing visit in May to the Marche region of Italy. From May 14 – 18, a five-member delegation from Nová síť visited our partner organization AMAT, which is our partner in the SPARSE Plus project.
Together with local promoters from Theatrum Kuks, REZI.DANCE Komařice, and Kulturák Chvalčov, members of Nová síť learned about how the Italian cultural support system works, how artistic projects are distributed to the regions, and methods for engaging with audiences.
During the program in Ancona, Pesaro, and San Lorenzo in Campo, participants had the opportunity to gain insight into the day-to-day work of the AMAT organization, discuss topics of accessibility and inclusion, visit the unique Museo Tattile Statale Omero, and attend the Pesaro Danza Focus Festival. Debates on how to build long-term relationships with local communities and how to keep culture alive outside major urban centers were also a significant part of the program.
The experiences from Italy reaffirmed that there is no single universal model for cultural development in the regions. Key factors include knowledge of the specific location, collaboration with local stakeholders, and long-term engagement with audiences. These are the values that also form the Czech component of the SPARSE Plus project and are reflected in this year’s SPARSE Tour.
Come experience the SPARSE Tour firsthand
The best way to discover the results of international collaboration is to become a part of it. We invite you to one of the upcoming stops on the SPARSE Tour and look forward to sharing theater, art, and community experiences with you in Malovice, Komařice, and Sedličky.
The SPARSE Plus project (Supporting & Promoting Arts in Rural Settlements of Europe) is implemented with support from the Creative Europe program and the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic.
