Sfruttando il paradigma “noi contro loro”: il teatro come strumento sociologico per la coesione interculturale
Introduzione Contemporary European societies are increasingly characterized by “super-diversity,” yet simple multicultural coexistence does not automatically lead to social integration. Often, local communities and young people with migratory backgrounds live in parallel spheres, fueling invisible barriers and mutual prejudices. Within the ECHO project, Work Package 2 (Theatre of Inclusion) serves as a direct sociological intervention. It utilizes theatrical practice not merely as an artistic expression, but as a pedagogical device to deconstruct social divisions and promote genuine intercultural cohesion through shared action.
Social Identity Theory and In-Group/Out-Group Dynamics To understand the impact of participatory theatre, it is essential to consider the Social Identity Theory formulated by Tajfel and Turner (1979). According to this framework, individuals naturally categorize the world into “us” (in-group) and “them” (out-group), favoring their own group while developing prejudices toward the “other.” For young migrants, daily life is frequently marked by being perceived as part of an out-group.
The ECHO theatre workshop intervenes by dismantling these pre-existing categories. When young migrants and local community members meet in a scenic space, external social labels are momentarily suspended. Through ensemble exercises, improvisation, and physical problem-solving, participants must collaborate toward a common goal. This process creates a new, inclusive, and temporary collective identity: the theatre group. Within this shared identity, prejudice loses its defensive function, making room for mutual trust.
From Multiculturalism to Interculturalism through Action While multicultural paradigms often limit themselves to recognizing and tolerating diversity, interculturalism (Cantle, 2012) requires active interaction and exchange. Theatre is inherently intercultural because it demands the meeting of bodies and narratives.
Applying the principles of Contact Theory (Allport, 1954), ECHO’s WP2 creates the optimal conditions to reduce intergroup prejudice: participants hold equal status within the rehearsal room, collaborate on common goals (creating a scene or performance), and operate in an environment supported by the authority of facilitators (the “Safe Space”). The theatrical language, which is often non-verbal, allows participants to bypass linguistic misunderstandings, transforming diversity from an obstacle into a creative resource.
Conclusione Participatory theatre proves to be much more than a recreational activity; it is a micro-society where new forms of coexistence are practiced. The ECHO project demonstrates that breaking the “us vs. them” paradigm requires more than just declarations of principle; it requires a physical and emotional space where people can literally “put themselves into play” together. Through this practice, WP2 does not just include young migrants into an existing structure but transforms the structure itself, building the foundations for a more cohesive European citizenship.
Riferimenti
- Allport, G. W. (1954). The Nature of Prejudice. Addison-Wesley.
- Cantle, T. (2012). Interculturalism: The New Era of Cohesion and Diversity. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In W. G. Austin & S. Worchel (Eds.), The Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations (pp. 33-47). Brooks/Cole.
Con licenza CC BY-SA 4.0 — © ECHO Project, Co-finanziato dall’Unione Europea.
Il finanziamento proviene dall’Unione Europea. Tuttavia, i punti di vista e le opinioni espresse sono esclusivamente di chi li ha espressi e non riflettono necessariamente quelli dell’Unione Europea o dell’Agenzia esecutiva per l’istruzione e la cultura (EACEA). L’Unione Europea e l’EACEA non possono essere ritenuti responsabili di tali opinioni. Progetto n. 2025-1-IE01-KA220-YOU-000359221.
