Tanja Mijatović, representing the Music Opera Theatre Organisation (MOTO) from Serbia, attended the RESEO conference “Making Noise: The Future That We Want”, held in Brussels from 15 to 17 October 2026. The conference was organised by the European network RESEO in partnership with La Monnaie / De Munt. Her participation was made possible through the RESEO Europe and Beyond grant programme, which provides financial support to organisations and professionals from selected countries to take part in RESEO activities, including its annual conference. MOTO was among this year’s grant recipients, alongside selected artists, educators and cultural professionals from Serbia, Ukraine and Türkiye.
The three-day conference brought together artists, cultural managers, educators, researchers and representatives of leading European opera and music institutions. The programme addressed key questions about the future of opera and other performing arts, including audience development, community participation, youth engagement, sustainability, new artistic formats and funding models, as well as the changing role of opera institutions in contemporary society.
Of particular interest to MOTO were discussions on developing new forms of participatory opera, involving professional musicians in educational and participatory programmes, and reimagining the future of opera houses through engagement with diverse communities. The conference also explored how opera institutions can develop ways of working that enable them to create art together with broad and diverse communities, rather than solely for traditional audiences.
For MOTO, which has spent years developing programmes that make opera and classical music more accessible, cultivate new audiences, work with children and young people, and engage different social groups, this international exchange offered a valuable opportunity to connect with organisations and professionals facing similar challenges and exploring new solutions. Participation in the RESEO conference also marked an important step in strengthening MOTO’s presence in the European cultural landscape.
Sharing experiences, discovering new approaches to artistic and educational work, and building international partnerships can contribute to new programmes and collaborations, as well as to long-term reflection on the sustainability of opera and its place in contemporary society.
MOTO thanks the RESEO network for its trust and support through the Europe and Beyond grant, and for the opportunity to join professionals from different European countries in discussions about the future of opera and the performing arts.