THEATER AS A WAY OF HEALING

23–27th of May, 2003.

The Festival and Conference “Theater as a Way of Healing” brought together international artists and theorists who deal with the issues of recovery from and transformation of difficult experiences using theatrical techniques.

These issues are extremely important for our country in this period, but modern history suggests they are not to be long forgotten internationally. The most important questions of the festival-conference are as follows: what is the role and power of theater and art in research related to healing and reconciliation? What is the power of art in dealing with crimes committed in our name? In which way can we heal the “wounds” made during the past period in our region? What are the experiences of people and artists from other countries?

Rituals and shamanistic practices are the origins of theater. Knowledge of the cosmos, stars, medicinal herbs and healing ceremonies preceded modern medicine. Art and even theater as we know it today is separated from everyday life as well as modern medicine. Our world is characterized by the separation of the functions of different fields of knowledge and art, but also the tendency to reunite or permeate them in some way. Contemporary theater is increasingly taking on the role of spiritual disciplines, and its healing power is becoming more and more obvious. In a way, we are returning to the beginning.– Jadranka Anđelić


PROGRAM

THEATER AS A WAY OF HEALING

With this Festival, we marked the beginning of the work of the DAH Theater Research Center in our new space, at Marulićeva 8, in Belgrade.

23 May, Friday

10:00-14:00, REX Cultural centre, Taiko Rhythms, Rita Superbi, Italy- Drumming Workshop

12:00, Dah Theatre Research Center (Maruliceva 8) – OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL AND OF THE SPACE + cocktails

17:00, BITEF Theatre, Peru, Argentina & U.S.A.: Theater, Memory & Resistance by Roberto Gutierrez Varea (Argentina/ USA) – Lecture and video presentation

21:05, National Theatre, Maps of Forbidden Remembrance, 7 STAGES (USA) and DAH Theatre – Performance

24 May, Saturday

10:00-14:00, REX Cultural centre Taiko Rhythms, Rita Superbi, Italy Drumming Workshop

17:00-19:00, Dah Theatre Research Centre (Maruliceva 8) KALI, Vesna Tokin, Beograd – Video

Healing Power of Theatre, Sejo Djulic, Mostar Youth Theatre, BIH – Lecture and video presentation

20:00, Bitef Theatre Mbira Song, Stella Chiweshe, Zimbabwe – Concert

25 May, Sunday

17:00, Dah Theatre Research Centre (Maruliceva 8), Psycho Drama Terapeuthic Techniques or/and Creative Form by Vladimir Miloševic, and Zoram Djuric, Serbia – Presentation

20:00, Dah Theatre Research Centre (Maruliceva 8), Inner Mandala, Dah Theatre, Beograd – Lecture /Performance

26 May, Monday

10:00-14:00, REX Cultural Centre, Taiko Rhythms, Rita Superbi, Italy – Drumming Workshop

17:00-19:00, Dah Theatre Research Center (Maruliceva 8), Colour of Time – Claudia Bernardi / Argentina Healing From Governmental Abuse- Installation

Buddhist View by Tanja Popovic, Naropa University of Buddhistic Studies, USA – Lecture

20:00, Bitef Theatre Chronics, The Song of the Goat Theatre, Poland – Performance

20:00, Museum of African Art, Meeting with Stella Chiweshe (Zimbabwe) – Meeting with artists

27 May, Tuesday

10:00-13:00, REX Cultural centre Taiko Rhythms, Drumming Workshop, Rita Superbi, Italy – Drumming Workshop

13:00, Čubura Park, TAIKO Druming workshop presentation – Outdoor Concert

17:00, Dah Theatre Research Center (Maruliceva 8) Bread Stories, KPM Ogledalo, Novi Sad – Presentation of the work with the people with special needs

20:00, REX Cultural Centre, White Women From the West, Kathy Randels, ARTSPOT Production, SAD – Performance

This Festival is dedicated to Lena Ekhem.

background art by – Caludia Bernardi

SUPPORTED BY
PRO HELVETIA BELGRADE, CITY OF BELGRADE-SECRETARIAT FOR CULTURE, MUSEUM OF AFRICAN ART, EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND

The entry of Theater 7 Stages and Kathy Randels made possible by:
The Fund for US Artists at International Festivals and Exhibitions, National Endowment for the Arts, The US Department of State, The Pew Charitable Trust and the Rockefeller Foundation.

The arrival of Robert Varea made possible by:
University of San Francisco, Performing Arts and Social Justice Program.