Gus Moystad’s collaboration with the Murf/Murw Festival in Tilburg on September 2024 was a
standout moment, exemplifying ECHO Academies’ mission to reimagine European cultural
heritage through artistic innovation.
Moystad’s performance, rooted in the philosophical theme of the Ship of Theseus, seamlessly tied his
storytelling artistry with the Netherlands’ deep relationship with water. Reflecting on his recent
residency in Greece, Gus found natural connections between his narrative approach and the Dutch
tradition of reinvention. The concept of evolving characters within his stories mirrored the ever-
changing, yet fundamentally constant, identity of both the nation and the philosophical theme.
A key element was his collaboration with Autarkh, a music collective that enhanced the
performance with a soundscape inspired by the cantastoria tradition. As Gus noted, the musical
addition enriched his storytelling, bridging European heritage with contemporary art.
Selected to open the festival’s magazine launch, the performance at NS16 on September 28th
captivated a diverse audience. The fusion of storytelling, visuals, and music held attendees
captivated and harvested enthusiastic feedback.
This successful pilot under ECHO Academies highlights the power of cross-disciplinary
collaboration, offering fresh perspectives on cultural heritage and setting a high bar for future
projects.
