Final Partners’ Meeting in Thessaloniki | Theatre in Palm

After three years of tireless writing, directing, and performing (not plays, but the monumental project of Theatre in Palm) being done by a plethora of extremely dedicated people, all from different national and professional backgrounds… The project is being wrapped up with triumph.

When the plans, made for the first time back in 2022, have been made into reality and very little is left to do now in the spring of 2025, the partners gathered for a two-day meeting to celebrate this crucial checkpoint nowhere else than Thessaloniki – a city which itself is built like a theatre. We from OECON Group Bulgaria were also there, despite having witnessed just the last few months of it, continuing the work of those who have been there before us.

It was indeed a celebration. On the very first day, we came together to look back at this journey from the very beginning, the very first plans and aspirations for what would be done to promote and develop the art of theatre and the new work of its people, as well as at the results achieved – the three to five-digit numbers of events supported and people reached by the project impressed everyone deeply. We presented “the brown paper” – a poster with a timeline, checkpoints, and events thought of by each partner at the very first meeting and stuck by that paper as a simple sticker. To commemorate our success, we took those stickers off… And rewrote everything onto the paper, seeing how much has been actually fulfilled. This sweet ritual allowed us to collectively reflect on all the work and how with just enough dedication, dreams always become reality.

Then, we all presented our journey, both as partner organisations and individuals. While discussing different approaches and takeaways, it came clear that has affected everyone in their own way – one that they needed the most. It reminded us how unique, important and influential theatre really is, and how critical it is to be bold and daring in arts and essentially – in life itself.

The second day was more reflective. We sat down to discuss the challenges we faced – everything from logistics to creative roadblocks. We shared how we overcame these obstacles and brainstormed ways to continue improving. It was both a sobering and inspiring conversation, and we felt grateful to be part of a group so dedicated to pushing forward and growing together.

But the true highlight for us was a simple yet deeply meaningful activity: coloring an egg that represented our personal thoughts on the project. It was not just an artsy task – it was a way to distill everything we had experienced during TIP into something tangible. As we picked up the colors and started painting, we could not help but smile. It felt like a perfect representation of everything we had gained: creativity, collaboration, and a sense of community that we will carry with us.

In the end, this meeting was not just about reflecting on what we have done; it was about celebrating what we have learned and how far we have come. It reminded us why we are passionate about theatre and the power it has to bring people together, to challenge, and to inspire change. What an unforgettable experience to end this chapter of TIP!