culturescapes is a network festival, cooperating with existing arts venues in switzerland, such as the theater basel or the museum tinguely. the festival is usually supported by swiss federal agencies, e.g. pro helvetia, county authorities as well as state departments of the guest country. the festival is interdisciplinary. next to performing arts like theatre and dance the festival also presents fine arts, graphic arts, craft, literature, film and new media. in the programming section entitled „focus" the history, current affairs and popular culture of the focus region are discussed and analysed. this largely happens in cooperation with swiss education institutions such as the university of basel or the university of zurich. some of the countries and topics chosen have led to protests and debate. such topics include the armenian genocide or the conflicts in the middle east. in a public letter, culturescapes was requested by bds switzerland, a group advocating the boycott of israel, not to host the culturescapes israel 2011 festival. the bds switzerland also protested at some of the events of the festival.