Promethiade
International theatre festival in UNESCO World Heritage sites Epidauros (GR), Istanbul (TR) and Essen (D)
Promethiade / Photo: Rimini Protokoll
The mythological figure of Prometheus symbolises the beginnings of a shared culture in Europe and has inspired generations of poets, musicians and artists. As an archetype, Prometheus is still alive within the national cultures of Europe, giving rise to similarities and contrasts. From 23 July to 7 August 2010, the Zollverein Foundation presented a major international theatre festival entitled "Promethiade" at the World Heritage Site in Essen.
Performing three productions, contemporary artists investigated the modern-day relevance of the classical myth of the liberator and promoter of culture. The performances were held first during the Athens Festival (7 – 15 July), then in Istanbul (18 – 28 July) and finally in Essen. The provocative play "Vergessen in 10 Schritten (Anti-Prometheus)" (Forgotten in 10 steps (anti-Prometheus)) by Turkish artist Şahika Tekand was produced by the Zollverein Foundation; Theodoros Terzopoulos' production of "Prometheus Bound", with a stunning stage set by Jannis Kounellis, was developed in conjunction with the European Capital of Culture Istanbul 2010; and the "Prometheus in Athen" (Prometheus in Athens) project by Rimini Protokoll was a production of the Athens Festival in Greece.
"Prometheus Bound" by Aeschylus (directed by Theodoros Terzopoulos; stage design by Jannis Kounellis)
5 – 7 August 2010, 9.30 p.m.
Zollverein Colliery and Coking Plant World Heritage Site, Essen, Gleisboulevard
Theodoros Terzopoulos, formerly an actor and companion of Heiner Müller and today one of Europe's most important directors, staged the Aeschylus tragedy "Prometheus Bound" using Greek, German and Turkish actors. With his unique approach, whereby language, knowledge and power emanate from physical action, Terzopoulos penetrated the spiritual depth of the ancient play. In each of the three locations, the leading role was played by a native speaker. In Essen this was Götz Argus. The stage set was developed by the internationally acclaimed artist Jannis Kounellis in Athens, Istanbul and Essen, in each case a stunning installation specific to the location.
"Vergessen in 10 Schritten (Anti-Prometheus)" (Forgotten in 10 steps (anti-Prometheus)) by Şahika Tekand
23 – 25 July 2010, 7.30 p.m.
Zollverein Colliery and Coking Plant World Heritage Site, Essen, Hall 5, Zollverein Shaft XII
An "anti-Prometheus" work under the title of "Forgotten in 10 steps" was written by Turkish author, director and actress Şahika Tekand. Using ironic texts, Tekand and her Turkish/German ensemble recounted the tragedy of modern man, whose revolutionary powers are being suffocated at source and whose only hope is the system itself in which he lives. The artist describes such a Huxleyan image of humanity as "anti-Prometheus", as this person willingly allows himself to be caught by the system and doesn't, like Prometheus, who brought fire to the people against the will of the gods, become a slave of the system by opposing it. In the bilingual play staged especially by Tekand for each location, life becomes a game with meaningless rules that must be obeyed by the actors - middle-class citizens driven by a fear of losing their social standing - in order to retain their status as "players". For this play, Tekand worked with "Studio Oyuncuları" (The Studio Players), the ensemble she founded in 1990. It has already examined other ancient material, namely "Wo ist Ödipus?" (Where is Oedipus?) (2002), "Ödipus im Exil" (Oedipus in Exile) (2004) and "Eurydikes Schrei" (Eurydice’s Scream) (2006).
"Prometheus in Athen" (Prometheus in Athens) by Rimini Protokoll with 100 citizens of Athens
31 July 2010, 7.30 p.m.
Zollverein Colliery and Coking Plant World Heritage Site, Essen, Hall 5, Zollverein Shaft XII
There is scarcely a news programme that doesn't use the word "tragic", and Greece and its capital city Athens have had their fair share of tragedy in recent weeks. But what do the people of Athens know and think about myths such as that of "Prometheus Bound"? Artist's collective Rimini Protokoll and 100 citizens of Athens examined this question. "Prometheus in Athen" could only take place in Athens, at the heart of the city and at the foot of the Acropolis (open air in the Odeon of Herodes Atticus), just a stone's throw away from the ancient ruins of the Theatre of Dionysus, which was originally built for the "Prometheus" trilogy. A film was shown in Essen about the pilot project designed to short-circuit a city from its centre via a tragedy. The project was presented by Haggard Hug and Daniel Wetzel from Rimini Protokoll together with a number of those involved in the Athens première.
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"Promethiade" is a collaborative project involving the Zollverein Foundation, Essen; RUHR.2010; Istanbul2010; Athens Festival, Athens; sponsored by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media on the basis of a resolution of the German Bundestag, sponsored by the Friends of the Zollverein; under the patronage of the Minister for the Generations, Family, Women and Integration of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.