It is named "Traits d’Union" and it is the initiative by the current presidency of the EU Council "to let the people discover the diversity and the richness of European contemporary theatre literature". Twenty-seven texts of contemporary authors, "known in their respective countries, but still unknown in France", were translated into French and published in the shape of a slipcase. Texts are now read or acted on three different occasions: at the Avignon Festival (12th to 21st July), where there has been a large public; at the La Mousson d’Été Festival (Abbaye des Prémontrés, Pont-à-Mousson; 22nd to 28th August); at Odéon – Théâtre de l’Europe (1st to 29th November). "Apart from the scheduled readings in France said the promoters, – the foreign cultural network will also be involved; French culture institutes and centres which will take part in the project". A radio arrangement of some works will be presented by France Culture. Furthermore, the Louvre Museum in Paris will place an order to six authors among the ones read at the Odéon Theatre for writing a short text inspired by the Museum’s works". The programme and the necessary information on the initiative can be viewed at the site of the current European Union presidency (www.eu2008.fr).
