The Balkan Express Network has been born. The forum to exchange ideas, information and projects has sprung from an identified need for better dialogue and communication for performing arts professionals in the Balkans and beyond. The network has the strong support of IETM (Informal European Theatre Meeting) and was launched at the IETM meeting in Trieste/Ljubljana in 2002 and several successful events have since occurred. An invitation from the Flemish Theatre Institute resulted in a study visit by 10 Balkan arts professionals to Flanders and numerous exchanges with Flemish colleagues at the KunstenFESTIVALdesArts in Brussels in May 2003. Jazz Fest Sarajevo in November set the standard for the kind of international event to be organised and hosted in the Balkan region. Participants came from almost every Balkan nation and provided an opportunity for the planning of future cultural activities. Coordinator of Balkan Express is Tamara Bracic who can be contacted at [email protected] For information on IETM, click here