Each experience has its own character: shaped by the people who come together and by working together across borders, languages, and art forms.

Since 2008, the ROOTS & ROUTES Experience has been inviting young artists to develop new forms of expression together. Participants from 6 to 10 countries contribute their individual backgrounds and artistic languages – from dance and music to theater and media art to transdisciplinary experiments.

RRXP takes place in three steps:

1. Preparatory meeting: The group jointly decides on a theme for the production.
2. Working phase in Heek: Over two weeks, a full-length stage play is created, accompanied by artistic direction and professional coaches.
3. Premiere in Cologne: The finished production is presented – usually twice – in the hall of the Alte Feuerwache Cologne.

RRXP26 continues this tradition – the theme is developed by the group during the preparation phase.