This month in A Culture of Possibility Eugene van Erven discusses his adventures in international popular theatre: adventures that carried him on a journey that led to the founding of ICAF in Rotterdam.

EPISODE 61 | FEBRUARY 20 | 2026

Eugene van Erven | Arlene Goldbard | François Matarasso

On episode 61 of A Culture of Possibility cohosts Arlene Goldbard and François Matarasso talk with Eugene van Erven, a founder of The International Community Arts Festival (ICAF) in Rotterdam, the 10th edition of which is coming right up in March.

There’s still time to register!

Eugene talks about his long and varied adventures in international popular theater leading to the creation of ICAF, offering a fascinating and inspiring account of a life dedicated to cultural democracy.

1988 Radical People’s Theatre. Indiana University Press

1992 The Playful Revolution. Theatre and Liberation in Asia. Indiana University Press

2001 Community Theatre, Global Perspectives. Routledge

2012 Community Arts Dialogues. Treaty of Utrecht Foundation

Eugene’s blog: https://eugenevanerven.wordpress.com/