The new theater play “Brave Women – A Reminder for the Present,” which premiered at the Basel Volksbühne, brings the struggles of women who have stood against oppression and repression throughout history into the present day. Created through the collective work of five theater artists, the play centers on the life experiences of women from different social backgrounds who lived in different periods. The stories draw inspiration from real-life examples, showing that overcoming fear and despair is possible through struggle and courage.
From Sara to Emma Goldman
Among the sources of inspiration for the play are leading figures of the Kurdish Women’s Movement such as Sakine Cansız (Sara), Arîn Mîrkan, Nagihan Akarsel, Hevrîn Xelef, Gurbetelli Ersöz, and Kurdish artist Ayşe Şan. The staged production is also written with inspiration from many courageous women, including the influential 20th-century anarchist writer Emma Goldman, Swiss activist Barbara Kistler who fought in the ranks of TKP/ML in Kurdistan, and socialist writer Christa Wolf.
Different periods and experiences
Directed and adapted by Anina Jendreyko, the play features performances by Carmen Dalfogo, Berfin Emektar, Ewi Saoulidou, and Clémence Gabrielidis. Dramaturgy and sound design are by Axel Nitz, choreography by Mirjam Gurtner, and stage and costume design by Martina Ehleiter and Eva Butzkies. Bringing together the experiences of women from different eras and geographies through song, dance, and words, the production takes the audience on both an emotional and a political journey.
A magnificent evening!
After the premiere held on January 31, the Volksbühne Basel team shared the following: “What a magnificent evening! The premiere is behind us, and we couldn’t be happier. In a completely full hall, we had the chance to present our new play ‘Brave Women – A Reminder for the Present’ to the public for the first time. A huge thank you to everyone who shared this special moment with us. The attentive, intense energy from the audience deeply moved us, as did the countless pieces of feedback we received.
For example, this voice: ‘This play stayed with me for a very long time; it was overwhelming, infuriating, and at the same time deeply moving. With the smell of bread being baked on stage still in my nose, I watched with admiration the familiar, choreographed actions of the women: providing food, washing laundry, talking to one another; loving, combative, creative, intelligent… The ensemble researched so many stories of brave women and masterfully wove them into an incredibly dense stage language.’
But this was just the beginning: over the next two weeks we will perform many more shows and are very much looking forward to sharing this play with new audiences.”
On stage until 14 February
The play “Mutige Frauen – Erinnern ins Jetzt,” which premiered on January 31, will continue to be staged every evening at 7:30 p.m. until February 14 at Druckereihalle, Ackermannshof Basel. After the performance, a discussion between the audience and the ensemble is also held.
Tickets are available via Eventfrog or by emailing kontakt@volksbuehne-basel.ch.
Source: Yeni Özgür Politika