Free Theater’s Success in Sweden
In the Swedish city of Lund a world premiere of “Eurepica.Challenge” has taken place.
The Belarus Free Theatre has created it in cooperation with the city council of Lund which can become the “Cultural capital of Europe-2014”.
Other participants of “Eurepica.Challenge” coproduction are Mantearten, responsible for technical support of the play; the European Cultural Foundation which has financed the project, and Trans Europe Halles, a network of Europe’s cultural centres…
Preparation of the 3-hour performance within an extremely short time period of time had put the stage director Uladzimir Shcherban in a difficult situation, when the day of premiere cannot be shifted considering the number of rehearsal days. “We always stage a play according to European standards, in 3-5 weeks. Our actors have been accustomed to such a regime, so we had no problems in that, even considering that the play is mostly in English...
Sharing impressions about the work done, the theatre’s art director and producer Mikalai Khalezin couldn’t contain his satisfaction: “It was a rather difficult process which lasted a year and a half, and its result has exceeded all expectations. Judging by the first comments and proposals I see that this project can have a very interesting future”…
The first shows are accompanied by a number of other events. In the same place, in Folkparken, an exhibition “Belarus today/Belarus always” is taking place. Photos made in the streets of Minsk in recent years and paintings by Belarusian artist Alyaksei Fiodarau, are exhibited there…
First shows and public discussions attract to Folkparken not only theatre goers but Swedish politicians as well. Leila Freivalds, a former Foreign Minister of Sweden, who takes an active part in discussions on Belarusian issues, has spent two days there.
The theatre’s director and “Eurepica.Challenge” producer Natallia Kalyada believes that this project can give Belarus chances for fulfilling its potential: “I think that “Eurepica.Challenge” project is unprecedented and significant for Belarus. Belarusian artistic teams haven’t taken part in co-productions of such a level, and certainly they have never presented a European city for a nomination of “Cultural Capital of Europe”. We have created an important precedent, and have opened the “window to Europe” wider. Now we are simply to turn its window into a door and enter it”.
Source: Charter 97 Press Center, March 2, 200
This article appeared in
Belarusian Review, Vol. 21, No. 1
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