24.-26.4.2026
Tàbor (Czech Republic)
In the heat of activism and our attention on righting injustices in the world, we often prioritize the “movement” out there while neglecting the movement within. Our nervous systems are shaped by systemic oppression, and our strategies for liberation can inadvertently replicate the very patterns we seek to dismantle. We find ourselves steeped in overwork, self-neglect, chronic stress, communication difficulties and irreconcilable interpersonal and intracollective conflicts, which make us sometimes want to give up activism altogether.
This 3-day spring retreat offers a sanctuary for activists to regenerate and learn new skills to stay sane. Politicized somatics broadens our capacity to hold complexity and helps us build resilience and stay aligned with our values in the face of pressure from within and without. Theatre of the Oppressed gives us a creative, playful way to externalize our struggles and rehearse the revolution. We will weave these two modalities together.
Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is for FLINTA* community organizers and activists who are:
• Longing to reconnect with their bodies and manage stress
• Looking for tools to work with internal conflicts and keep hope alive in collectives
• Ready to move beyond intellectual debate and into embodied practices
• Need some rest and regeneration!
With FLINTA*, we mean Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Non-binary, Trans, and Asexual people, as well as * Everyone in between. It must be emphasized that FLINTA* does not just mean Fem and that it stands for a variety of genders and identities, which also includes the diversity of physical appearances.
Trainers
Glynis Hull-Rochelle (she/they), based in Prague, is a queer feminist somatic coach and dramatherapist, practitioner and teacher of politicized somatics and active all her life in social and climate justice movements. Over the past decade, Glynis has been dedicated to facilitating supportive, educational, social and activist spaces for vulnerable groups, including queer/trans youth, teens in the foster care system and survivors of sexualized violence. She is also involved in international projects merging contemporary circus and wellbeing. Glynis believes in the healing power of imagination and play, and weaves circus arts, movement and song into all of her work. Her aim is to contribute to a world of dignity, safety, belonging, joy and creativity for all! formnflow.org
Kiara Gezels (they/them), based in Vienna, is a participatory theatre maker and community organizer active in social justice movements. With a background in Theatre of the Oppressed, they work as a theatre educator at TO Vienna, focusing primarily on topics related to queer feminism and climate activism. In their work, Kiara emphasizes an activist approach and combines TO methods with clowning.
Location
The retreat will take place at CESTA in Tabor, an iconic alternative venue on the edge of the city bordering a lovely natural area, in shared bedrooms (or option to bring a tent) with fresh vegan food. CESTA is housed in an old mill at the edge of the beautiful scenic town of Tabor, set in a lovely green park with a stream running by. Bought by artists from the U.S. just after 1989, the founders slowly but surely integrated into the community. The space has a long history in the Czech leftist/alternative scene, hosting artists of all kinds and supporting local and international music, theater and social/climate justice projects.
Hardfacts
Arrival: 24th in the morning. Program start after lunch.
Departure: 26th after lunch.
No previous experience is necessary.
Registrations until 30th of March through this link.
This workshop is free of costs.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or OeAD-GmbH. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.