"After Europe saw the collapse of a Utopia which the human race had not achieved, the term democracy resonated with hope, albeit tinged with scepticism. The present day is a time of uncertainty [...] old demons have resurfaced: racism, anti-Semitism, terrorism and, most importantly, insensitivity, indifference and an ideological void. How could theatre reflect such a landscape? Will it be able to?"
On June 1, 1990, by official decree, the theatre was given the name "Théâtre de l'Europe", thus formally endorsing its independence as a "shared home to European theatre" and focusing its mission on the life it was to bring to Europe's heritage in the dramatic arts. The separation from the Comédie Française became effective with the appointment of an administrative director and an artistic director solely for the theatre. The first artistic director was Lluis Pasqual who remained for two consecutive three-year terms. The Odéon houses the headquarters of the Union des Théâtres de l'Europe, directed by Giorgio Strehler. The period saw the development of European seasons featuring productions in foreign languages with super-titles - in Spanish and Russian, from Eastern Europe, Great Britain and Ireland. The many productions include Jean Genet's "Balcon" directed by Lluis Pasqual, "Le Temps et la Chambre" by Botho Strauss, directed by Patrice Chéreau, Bond's "Pièces de Guerre" directed by Alain Françon and Marivaux's "L'Ile des esclaves" directed by Strehler. In 1994, the Petit Odéon devised a new way of staging works, the idea being to create the spirit of a "theatre salon".
In 1995, the Odéon officially opened the Jean-Louis Barrault library where readers can find an extensive collection of books and writings on theatre from around Europe. The library has a constant supply of archives on paper, plus sound and film recordings of the stage performances. The theatre has also extended its activities to include the programming of meetings on philosophical subjects and readings of unpublished texts.
