WHAT DOES THAT MEAN, WHAT DO WE DO, AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Awareness means being aware to not crossing people's boundaries and feelings of safety. Such boundary crossing can take place physically, verbally and non-verbally: Through unwanted touching, discriminatory statements, weird looks, derogatory gestures....
With this awareness concept, we at the Zürcher Theater Spektakel want to create an awareness that we all bear a collective responsibility as soon as we move in a space (here: a festival site).
Our society is built in a way that encourages border crossings, violations and exclusions. Patriarchal patterns are still present, colonialism with all its consequences is far from being dealt with, rejectionism and discrimination against people with disabilities are unfortunately still commonplace in many places – to name just a few examples. These mechanisms, which are deeply rooted in our society, also contribute to the fact that derogatory terms, for example, are part of an everyday vocabulary – sometimes not even in the full awareness of the people who use those terms. Therefore, it is important to be attentive to one's own privileges in order to be able to act considerately and take good care of each other. We do not tolerate any form of violence, sexism, LGBTQIA+ hostility, racism, xenophobia, ableism, ageism and any other form of discrimination. Explanation of terms in the glossary.
WHAT THE AWARENESS TEAM DOES FOR YOU
You have observed or experienced a transgressive or assaultive situation yourself? You feel uncomfortable or need help? Then here are several ways we can support you:
Awareness team
The awareness team is present on the festival grounds and recognisable by green waistcoats. They are available if you have had an unpleasant experience or if you want to ask or tell them something. They listen to you, take you seriously and support you. All information is treated confidentially.
Contact points
If you need the support of the awareness team, but there is no one in sight, go to the box office at the main entrance or to the info desk in the centre of the square. Someone there will call the awareness team for you.
Awareness team phone number
+41 (0)77 279 00 94
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 17:00 – 01:00 hrs
Wed: 16:00 – 01:00 hrs
Sat, Sun: 17:00 – 02:00 hrs
Safer Space (barrier-free)
If you need to retreat from hustle and bustle, you will find a moment of peace here. The Safer Space is located next to the ambulance unit at the main entrance The awareness team provides you with access to this safe space. Here you can also talk to the members of the team in confidence.
Digital mailbox
The digital mailbox is there for suggestions, criticism and personal experiences. All contributions are read by our awareness team. If you wish, we will get in touch with you. Feedback is also possible anonymously. Write to us in the language you feel most comfortable with: awareness@theaterspektakel.dont-want-spam.ch
Structural changes
Through the awareness offers of cultural institutions such as the Theater Spektakel, affected persons are supported and accompanied during or after the festival, depending on their needs. But it is also about «reflecting on and deconstructing power relations in the longer term and about thematically sensitising oneself». (Awarenetz, 2020)
Other help centres
Our awareness team is there for you on the spot and provide acute support in a situation. But sometimes that is not enough and you might need further support and assistance. Possible help centres are the following organisations:
Opferberatung Zürich: obzh.ch
LGBT+ Helpline: lgbt-helpline.ch
Zürcher Anlaufstelle Rassismus ZüRas: zueras.ch
Frauenhaus Zürich Violetta: frauenhaus-zhv.ch
Frauenberatung sexuelle Gewalt: frauenberatung.ch
Mannebüro Zürich: mannebuero.ch
Zürich schaut hin: zuerichschauthin.ch
We are happy to help and inform you.
YOU DON’T NEED AN AWARENESS TEAM? WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH YOU ANYWAY?
A study by Zürich schaut hin shows that a good 70 per cent of those under 36 have already experienced an assault at festivals. Boundary violations can also happen without the person carrying them out being aware of it.
Treat all people with respect, openness and understanding. Ask questions before you define other people's boundaries yourself. Keyword consensus: An action is only non-invasive if everyone involved gives their sincere consent. Don't make hasty judgements and don't assume that you know everything, but listen to your fellow human beings.
This awareness concept is a logical step on our way to a «festival for everyone». At the Zürcher Theater Spektakel, we have been working for many years to become a more inclusive and discrimination-sensitive space. We have not yet reached our goal, but we are constantly learning, and we would like to thank all those who critically support us in this process. Only if everyone helps to shape this space together and is aware of their responsibility will this festival be a festival for everyone.
More information on accessibility and on our understanding of a «festival for everyone».
THANKS
This awareness text and the following glossary are based on the awareness work of various organisations. We thank the following institutions for their preliminary work: Bla*sh, Feministisches Streikhaus Zürich, Musikfestwochen Winterthur, Clubbüro Rote Fabrik, Awareness Akademie, B Aware Berlin, Diversity Arts Culture Berlin, City of Zurich.
GLOSSARY
Discrimination means that a group of people with specific characteristics is treated unequally on the basis of those characteristics (e.g. gender identity, sexual orientation, language, religion, age, disability, body weight, education, etc.) The assignment is often made by other people and structural systems.
Racism in the narrower sense refers to an ideology that classifies and hierarchises people on the basis of their external appearance and/or their actual or ascribed ethnic, national or religious affiliation. Racist structures have established themselves in the political, economic and cultural make-up of our society due to historical power structures.
Xenophobia means an aversion to foreigners, people from different cultures, or strangers.
LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Inter. The plus stands for the fact that the list is not complete and that there are many other sexual and romantic orientations and gender identities.
Queer is a political collective term for all identities that do not conform to cisgender heteronormativity.
Homophobia refers to the negative attitude, insults, exclusion, legal inequality, making jokes, or even physical violence towards homosexual persons.
Transphobia refers to the negative attitude, insults, exclusion, legal inequality, making jokes, or even physical violence towards trans people.
Ableism (derived from ability) is a form of discrimination that exposes disabled people to prejudice, disadvantage and reservation.
Classism refers to discrimination based on social origin and/or social and financial situation.
Sexual violence is defined as a sexual act committed against a person's will.
Sexism refers to discrimination, devaluation, violation, or oppression based on gender, often against women and trans people.
Ageism is discrimination based on age/youth, often in relation to prejudices of ability.
Intersectionality describes the intersection and interaction of different forms of discrimination and takes into account that people are often disadvantaged because of several characteristics/identity features.
Marginalisation refers to the geographical, economic, social or cultural displacement of individuals or population groups to the margins of society.
FINTA is a German abbreviation which stands for women, intersex, non-binary, trans and agender people. It is often used in the context of spatial policies (e.g. safer spaces) or experiences of discrimination.
BIPoC stands for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour. Together with People of Colour (PoC), it designates people who are severely impacted by systemic racial injustices.