that breath we held . . . يَوْمٌ لَمْ يَنْتَهِ
A performance directed by: Alaa Minawi
A collaboration with Vladimir Kurumilian & Ahmed Amer
Premiered in Beirut - Lebanon October 2021
A collaboration with Vladimir Kurumilian & Ahmed Amer
Premiered in Beirut - Lebanon October 2021
Photo by Bachar Khattar
Details “will you look me in the eyes?
i’ll do the same may be then we can breathe out that breath we held for far too long” Concept
For an explosion to happen, the air is first sucked into the source of the explosion and then released with total destruction. On the 4th of August 2020, the air in Beirut was sucked out. The city held its breath and till this moment many could not breath out. The shock is beyond. “That breath we held...'' is a performance about the implications of the 4th of August Beirut Explosion; an unimaginable collective trauma. The performance asks one question: “How can we breathe out again?” Process The performance is based on the spectators as they are asked to email anything relating to their personal experience during or/and after the Beirut Explosion; it can range from describing what they went through, to how they position themselves from it now, to saying whatever they feel like about the subject matter. The letter can be composed of one word to a one A4 page. The language can be in English or Arabic (formal or spoken dialect). Not the whole letter is shared with the public; it might be a word or few sentences. What do we do with the letters? On the day of the performance, Alaa goes up on stage with the letters. Vladimir is on his piano, Ahmed is on his illustration station. Alaa starts reading the letters with a very low voice through a microphone and only Vladimir and Ahmed can hear the words through their headphones. Vladimir and Ahmed have not read the letters beforehand. They do not know anything about their contents. As Alaa starts reading the stories to Vladimir and Ahmed, Vladimir transforms them into music and Ahmed transforms them into drawings. Thus both Vladimir & Ahmed improvise their music and drawings. If the spectators do not wish to send any story they are welcome to just come and watch the performance. Few months after the performance, the audience who shared their stories will receive an email from the director with a video recording of their story when performed. The steps and decisions made in the formation of this project were continuously discussed with a psychological advisor specialized in trauma to avoid triggering elements. In the process, the performance formulated a structure that serves the stories read, focussing on the concept of how and when can we transform trauma. “It is important to note that we do not assume any healing abilities. We ourselves are trying to deal with the implications of the explosion. We also firmly believe that heeling can only be achieved when justice is served.” Photo Albumphotos by: Chiara Ferilli - Tarek El Daccache - Kareem Ghorayeb
To see more photos
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Director's talk about the performanceVideo by Bachar Khattar
Teaser videoTeaser by Bachar Khattar
Press ReviewsCreditsTeam Members:
Director / Performer: Alaa Minawi Pianist / Performer: Vladimir Kurumilian illustration / Performer: Ahmed Amer Assistant director: Georges Abboud Stage Manager: Lea Bou karim Stage Manager: Naré Kurkjian Stage Manager: Mariana Rozaik Technical Director: Hagop Derghougassian Sound Enginier: Joy Moughanni Scenographer: Alaa Minawi Psychology Advisor: Karim Dakroub Video Documentation: Bashar Khattar Poster Designer: Georges Torbey Photographers: Chiara Ferilli - Karim Dakkash - Kareem Ghorayeb Producer: Josyane Boulos Technicians: Mohamad Farhat - Mohammad Assad In Collaboration with: Heinrich Böll Stiftung Supported by: WHISPERS- HAMASAT Studio Laban Special Thanks: Aline Gemayel Lina Abyad Abdelnour Abdelnour Tarek Moukaddem For booking "that breath we held" |
