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    • 2048 - Identity in dissolution
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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 
Picture
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 Album

photos by: Chiara Ferilli - Tarek El Daccache - Kareem Ghorayeb
To see more photos 
go to photo gallery

Director's talk about the performance 

Video by Bachar Khattar

Teaser video 

Teaser by Bachar Khattar 

Press Reviews 

Article L'orient Le Jour
Article in L'orient Le Jour
Article in Al Akhbar
Article in Al Akhbar
Article in Agenda Culturel
Article in Agenda Culturel

Credits 

Team 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" 

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company: alaa minawi - KVK: 69666318 - VAT ID: NL003234808B90

  • home
  • biography
  • performances
    • piano in my pillow . . .
    • 2048 - the machine
    • 2048 - bodies borders belonging
    • 2048 - what does not make us one
    • that breath we held . . . يَوْمٌ لَمْ يَنْتَهِ
    • 2048 - Identity in dissolution
  • installations
    • beyond myself . . .
    • my light is your light . . .
    • the bride
    • sanaa . . . the careworn mother
    • waiting for it to end . . .
    • Cobie's Light
    • Figure No7
    • Figure No 7 - Miniature
    • Out of body experience
  • scenography & light design
  • publications
  • Contact