Iranian ensemble cannot travel: opening piece of the Ruhr Festival canceled

There should be no substitute for production. “Their absence should remain visible. The resulting gap will deliberately not be closed,” said the Ruhr Festival.

However, the invitation remains, emphasized Ruhrfestspiele director Olaf Kröck (photo): “We will invite this production again next year, as a sign of solidarity and as a binding promise that their voices will be heard on our stage.” According to the festival, the purchase price of the numerous tickets that have already been sold for the performances will be refunded.

No replacement idea

The drama “The Child” by the Iranian author Naghmeh Samini is about three women who are stopped at a European border with a child. When questioned by a border officer, all three denied their motherhood in order not to reduce the child’s chances of entry.

“In these days of darkness and war, a part of our lives has become like the story of ‘The Child’ – left behind, stranded beyond the borders,” said a statement from the theater group led by director Afsaneh Mahian. After more than 1,300 hours in darkness and without the Internet, it is not even known whether this message from “restless, exhausted and wounded Iran” will reach its destination.

The Ruhr Festival is a theater, dance and music festival in the Ruhr area that is co-sponsored by the DGB. It traditionally begins with a cultural festival on May 1st, Labor Day, and lasts until June 13th. This year’s motto is “Frighten and Amaze”.