Mothers. A Song for Wartime
Marta GórnickaDescription
The rituals of war – Violence against, rape, and murder of women, along with the execution of civilians, remain unchanged. These atrocities occurred across Europe during the Thirty Years' War and have persisted in the Balkans over the last thirty years, in regions such as Chechnya, Syria, Georgia, Ukraine, Israel, and Palestine. "Whoever wins, baby, the winner is always war!"
The internationally renowned Polish director, author, and singer Marta Górnicka brings together 25 Ukrainian, Polish, and Belarusian mothers and their children on stage. They are refugees from Mariupol, Kyiv, Bucha—some fleeing the war, others escaping persecution in their home country. All find their place in the Chorus of Mothers, inspired by an opera form referencing ritual women's choruses from the seventh century BCE. During this ancient period, choral poetry held a prominent and central place in religious and social life in Ancient Greece
Marta Górnicka stands out as one of the most distinguished European directors of contemporary theatre work with choirs. Her unique approach, combining political engagement and artistic work, draws inspiration from Bertolt Brecht, emphasizing the importance of making the contradictory voices in social conflicts heard.
Supported by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage Republik of Poland from the Fund for the Promotion of Culture.
Contributors
- Konzept, Regie Marta Górnicka
- Libretto Marta Górnicka & Ensemble
- Musik Marta Górnicka, traditionelle ukrainische, belarussische und polnische Musik, ein Zitat von Mykola Leontovych's Shchedryk, Wojciech Frycz
- Choreografie Evelin Facchini
- Bühne Robert Rumas
- Dramaturgie Olga Byrska, Maria Jasińska
- Darsteller*innen Anastasiia Kulinich, Bohdana Zazhytska, Svitlana Onischak, Hanna Mykhailova, Valeriia Obodianska, Ewa Konstanciak, Liza Kozlova, Svitlana Berestovska, Darya Novik, Kateryna Taran, Sasha Cherkas, Polina Shkliar, Maria Robaszkiewicz, Kamila Michalska, Elena Zui-Voitekhovskaya, Katerina Aleinikova, Katarzyna Jaźnicka, Aleksandra Sroka, Natalia Mazur, Yuliia Ridna, Palina Dabravolskaja
- Kostüme Joanna Załęska
- Video, Videodokümentation Justyna Orłowska, Michał Rumas
- Visuals Michał Jankowski
- Licht Artur Sienicki
- Vocal Coach Joanna Piech-Sławecka
- Choreografische Assistenz Maria Bijak
- Movement Workshop Krystyna Lama Szydłowska