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THE ART OF STAYING MANY | Leipzig

Video still on the animated event trailer. Façade of the Leipzig cotton mill and LOFFT - DAS THEATER. In front of it a green lawn, a blue silhouette of a person with a megaphone and in dark letters "Leipzig 01.+02.06." as well as logos of LOFFT - DAS THEATER and Schauspiel Leipzig Residenz. © Roman Hagenbrock

01. and 02.06.2024 | LOFFT – DAS THEATER + Residenz Schauspiel L​​eipzig

Attacks on art (freedom) vs. the potential for good debate and resistant subcultures are the focus of the two-day discussion and performance program in Leipzig. On stage at LOFFT, WESSER | MECKERT & Band's "WIR KRIEGEN EUCH ALLE!" examined the so-called "baseball bat years," while Lina Majdalanie and Rabih Mroué's "SUNNY SUNDAY" at the Residenz Schauspiel Leipzig explored the impact of nationalist hero myths using the example of recent events in Poland.

Impressionen

One person is holding a fan with the inscription "DIE KUNST, VIELE ZU BLEIBEN" and is fanning themselves while talking to another person. © Johanna Baschke
Through a curtain of blue, red and yellow plastic strips you can see a group of people sitting on metal chairs, listening attentively. © Johanna Baschke
Dr. Christiane Schenderlein, member of the Bundestag and cultural policy spokesperson for the CDU, stands in front of a billboard with the inscription "DIE KUNST, VIELE ZU BLEIBEN" and gives a keynote speech to the audience while standing at a lectern. © Johanna Baschke
Standing side by side on the stage, Anne-Cathrin Lessel, Thomas Frank and Felizitas Stilleke open the Forum in Leipzig with a joint greeting. A section of a video projection with the words "remain many " can be seen in the background. © Johanna Baschke
The panel guests Antonie Rietzschel, Mirna Funk, Tanja Krone and Ludwig Henne sit next to each other in a semi-circle on a stage. Behind them is a large billboard with the inscription "DIE KUNST, VIELE ZU BLEIBEN". © Johanna Baschke
People sit in a semi-circle in front of a poster wall with various poster motifs and discuss with each other. © Johanna Baschke
The artist and art professor Isabel Lewis sits on the dimly lit stage and gives her lecture "On hospitality and the body". Images of performance situations from her lecture are projected in the background. © Johanna Baschke
Two people are standing to the left and right of a large screen showing a performance scene: a man in a silver metallic suit is lying on a piece of cardboard in an embryonic pose. Behind him is a picture of a crowd of people dressed in grey demonstrating in front of a colorful house. © Johanna Baschke
On the brightly lit stage, author Mirna Funk gives her keynote speech at the lectern, facing the audience. © Johanna Baschke
Somewhat from above, the picture shows the audience in rows in front of the brightly lit stage, on which Antonie Rietzschel, Mirna Funk, Tanja Krone and Ludwig Henne are engrossed in a discussion. © Johanna Baschke
Standing on the stage at a lectern, Holger Bergmann, Managing Director of the fund, opens the event facing the audience in the foreground. © Johanna Baschke
Dr. Christiane Schenderlein, member of the Bundestag and cultural policy spokesperson for the CDU, stands in front of a billboard with the inscription "DIE KUNST, VIELE ZU BLEIBEN" and gives a keynote speech to the audience while standing at a lectern. © Johanna Baschke
The audience gathers in the foyer of LOFFT - DAS THEATER Leipzig during the interval. © Johanna Baschke
Attracting the attention of the audience, artist and activist Tanja Krone speaks to them. She stands with her back to the camera, with numerous city coats of arms attached to her coat. © Johanna Baschke
Fadi El Abdallah stands at the lectern during his presentation on stage. The billboard with the inscription "DIE KUNST, VIELE ZU BLEIBEN" and his name can be seen in the background. © Johanna Baschke
Four people sit in a slight semi-circle on the stage and discuss with each other. © Johanna Baschke

Program overview

Saturday, 01.06.2024

11 a.m.

"Right-wing emotional worlds online and offline"

Opening impulse by Dr. Simon Strick (Panzerkreuzer Rotkäppchen)

Right-wing movements are reorganizing the "normal" in a nationalistic and racist way. Everything should feel different, like despotism, dictatorship, the downfall of the West. You call this metapolitics, the scientist and author Simon Strick calls it emotioneering: the production of right-wing emotional worlds. How does this work in the hypermedia present, and how can theater and literature counter it as critical schools of emotion?

The input seeks answers from research and theater practice.

  • Venue: LOFFT – DAS THEATER, Saal
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Working phase I: Workshops & discourse formats

Knowledge: Discussion with Heike Geißler and Dr. Simon Strick

Discussion with the writer Heike Geißler about "political emotions" and the associated possibilities and strategies for effective action - against the right and for a future of diverse coexistence.

  • Venue: LOFFT – DAS THEATER, Bühne ​


Alliances: THE ART OF STAYING MANY (Part1)

Discourse format on networking initiatives with artists from kompliz* from Saxony in conversation with Eva Hartmann

Alliances and solidarity are necessary to strengthen and improve democracy. In recent years, many civil society alliances have joined forces with actors from the arts and culture in order to stand up for the rights and freedoms of our democracy enshrined in the Basic Law and to fight hatred, agitation, discrimination and right-wing extremism through action, communication and exchange.
The Saxon alliance kompliz* will present its work and latest actions in this workshop, shortly before the European Parliament elections on June 9 and the Saxon state elections on September 1. Other action alliances and initiatives will be guests at this workshop (including BFDK/Programm: Demokratie fördern). The aim is to transfer knowledge and share experiences as well as practical and proven examples of how each individual can actively participate. Questions about how, where, when, with whom and in what way are very welcome.
The first part of the working round is about presenting the current work and organization of kompliz* and guests.

  • Venue: LOFFT – DAS THEATER, Studio


Practice: “Schön aufmischen! Eine Übung zu anregendem Wahlkampf” (“Mix it up! An exercise in stimulating election campaigns”) (Part1)

Activating-activist workshop by and with Tanja Krone.

This workshop provides insights and instructions on how to run a stimulating (good) election campaign. A grassroots movement with a difference. Here you learn not only to know better, but also to do better. And along the way, campaign texts are created for the program of the future, campaign songs and potential campaign teams for a world that inspires hope.

  • Venue: Theater truck, meadow/open-air grounds (in front of teh Luru-cinema) of the Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei
1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Joint lunch break

  • Venue: Theater truck, meadow/open-air grounds (in front of teh Luru-cinema) of the Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei
2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Work phase II: Workshops & discourse formats

Knowledge: "Volkstheater – Der rechte Angriff auf die Kunstfreiheit” ("The far-right attack on artistic freedom")

In his book of the same name, journalist Peter Laudenbach collects over one hundred examples of right-wing attacks on artistic freedom – a report on attacks on an open, liberal society.

  • Venue: LOFFT – DAS THEATER


Alliances: DIE KUNST, VIELE ZU BLEIBEN (Part 2)

Discourse format on networking initiatives with artists from kompliz* from Saxony in conversation with Eva Hartmann

The second part is about upcoming actions and projects, their planning, organization and participation, especially yours!

  • Venue: LOFFT – DAS THEATER, Studio


Practice: “Schön aufmischen! Eine Übung zu anregendem Wahlkampf” (“Mix it up! An exercise in stimulating election campaigns”) (Part 2)

Activating-activist workshop by and with Tanja Krone.

From getting involved to the MECKER choir, Tanja Krone explores the act of arguing as a performative-artistic and political strategy and thus awakens civic resilience forces.

  • Venue: Theater truck, meadow/open-air grounds (in front of teh Luru-cinema) of the Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei
4:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Coffee break

  • Venue: Theater truck, meadow/open-air grounds (in front of teh Luru-cinema) of the Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Greetings & Keynote speech

Greeting from Dr. Christiane Schenderlein (CDU MdB)

Impuls: “Machloket: Richtig Streiten Lernen" von Mirna Funk

Author Mirna Funk reports on how a good culture of debate works from a Jewish perspective and how we can relearn how to argue productively and withstand contradictions as a social coexistence – followed by a panel discussion with other guests.

  • Venue: LOFFT – DAS THEATER, Saal
5:30 - 7 p.m.

Consensus / dissent / culture of debate

A discussion with Mirna Funk (journalist, author), Prof. Dr. Oliver Decker (Director of the Else-Frenkel-Brunswik Institute for Democracy Research at Leipzig University), Tanja Krone (performer, musician, action artist) / Moderation: Antonie Rietzschel (Leipziger Volkszeitung)

What is a good argument? How can we wrestle productively over positions without the resulting dispute turning into violence and the exclusion of the other person's perspective? Hasn't it always been the essence of democracy to find compromises together despite contradiction and dissent? And who is actually still arguing for democracy today instead of against it? In times of general discursive disruption, even division of social structures, experts in the culture of democratic debate shed light on the possibilities and potential of debate and negotiate with each other what this currently means and, above all, how it can work: arguing with each other properly.

  • LOFFT – DAS THEATER, Saal
7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Possibility to have dinner

  • Venue: Theater truck, meadow/open-air grounds (in front of teh Luru-cinema) of the Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei
8:30 p.m. - 9:50 p.m.

„Was ist denn da im Osten los?“

A staged, participatory discourse format for the documentary punk performance "WIR KRIEGEN EUCH ALLE!" by WESSER | MECKERT

If you want to understand East Germany, you have to connect the time periods before, during and after the fall of the Wall and understand the connections. Without the stories of this chaotic and brutal time, the rise of right-wing and neo-Nazi groups and the success of the AfD cannot be understood, because these years have a far-reaching impact on the present day. With scenes from the performance, live music, participatory moments and discussion, the audience is invited on a discursive journey through time that poses relevant questions.
The documentary punk performance "WIR KRIEGEN EUCH ALLE!" will be performed on Sunday, June 2 at 6:30 pm at LOFFT.

  • Venue: LOFFT – DAS THEATER, Saal
  • Further information & tickets at: www.lofft.de
8:30 p.m. - 9:50 p.m.

"Sunny Sunday”

Performance by Lina Majdalanie & Rabih Mroué

Based on a true story, Lebanese artists Lina Majdalanie and Rabih Mroué explore the hybrid, eclectic narratives and symbols that are at work in political discourses in Poland and question their socio-political mechanisms. The story-telling performance by Mroué and Majdalanie unfolds on stage like a graphic novel based on illustrations by Lebanese artist George Khoury (JAD).

  • Venue: Residenz Schauspiel Leipzig
  • Further informatione & tickets: www.schauspiel-leipzig.de
  • Language: In English with German subtitles

Sunday, 02.06.2024

11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

keynote speeches

By Cesy Leonard (Radikale Töchter) // Ntando Cele // Janka Dold (HELLERAU)

With three impulses, Cesy Leonard (Radikale Töchter), Ntando Cele and Janka Dold (HELLERAU) will provide an introduction and kick-off to their subsequent working sessions, which will deal with questions of performance and identity politics, artistic alliances and training for a “MUT-Muskel”(courage muscle) in the face of current social crisis scenarios.

  • Venue: Residenz Schauspiel Leipzig, Saal
  • Language: English and German
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Work phase I: Workshops & discourse formats

Knowledge: "Performance vs. Embodying"

The performance artist Ntando Cele, who was born in South Africa and lives in Bern, explores the difference between a "performative" and an "embodiment" approach to figures and identities. She asks:
What is the difference between performing and embodying a character or a story? Through failure, we draw on our forms of artistic expression and examine the blind spots in our practices that prevent us from taking other perspectives beyond what we expect.

Alliances: „Queering Artistic Feedback“ ​ von Ntando Cele

Workshop and Exchange with “Reason NOW!” – Residency Artists, HELLERAU, Komuna Warszawa, Szymon Adamczak & alex blum (Part 1)

​The residency program "Reason NOW!" - a collaboratory project of HELLERAU and Komuna Warszwa - offers artists from the performing arts in Saxony and Warsaw a cooperative working process in May, August and September 2024. Mentored by Rabih Mroué the focus lies on the development of artistic projects within the framework of residencies, feedback sessions, mentoring and discussions.
​In Leipzig, the participating artists of Reason NOW! are invited for exchange and discussion with the local scene in the frame of a workshop moderated by Szymon Adamczak & alex blum. Within the workshop, they will share insights and emerging methodology from their communal, practical research on experimental & queer approach to feedback and exchange formats. Together they will explore notions of promiscuous care, aftercare, attunement and need-based, tailor-made feedback protocols.

  • Venue: Rehearsal stage Theater Studies next to Schauspiel Leipzig residence
  • Language: English

Practice: "MUT-Muskel"

Workshop with Radikale Töchter

In their workshops, the Radikale Töchter teach approaches to action art and artistic activism that are geared towards the fundamental values of democratic coexistence and the challenges of our time. With their work, they empower (not only) young adults to formulate their concerns and goals with the means of action art and to develop ways to achieve them.

  • Venue: Theater truck, meadow/open-air grounds (in front of teh Luru-cinema) of the Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Joint lunch break

  • Venue: Theater truck, meadow/open-air grounds (in front of teh Luru-cinema) of the Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei
2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Work phase II: Workshops & discourse formats

Knowledge: "Performance vs. Embodying" von Ntando Cele

The Bern-based South African artist Ntando Cele has been developing theater and performance projects since 2005, masterfully blurring the boundaries between physical theater, video installation, stand-up comedy and performance. In her workshop, she opens up a performative approach to anti-discrimination. In 2014, together with Raphael Urweider and Simon Ho, she founded the company Manaka Empowerment Prod, with which she deals with identity, racism and stereotypes in a humorous and charming way and shows different (anti-discrimination) perspectives by asking: "What is the difference between performing and embodying a character or a story? Using failure, we draw from our artistic expressions and examine the blind spots within our practices that hinder us from embracing other perspectives beyond what we expect.”

  • Venue: Residenz Schauspiel Leipzig
  • Language: English

Alliances: „Queering Artistic Feedback“

Workshop and Exchange with “Reason NOW!” – Residency Artists, HELLERAU, Komuna Warszawa and “In Pursuit of Otherwise Possibilities” - Szymon Adamczak & alex blum (Part 2)

The work session from the morning continues

  • Venue: Rehearsal stage Theater Studies next to Schauspiel Leipzig residence
  • Language: English

Practice: "MUT-Muskel!"

Workshop with Radikale Töchter

In their workshops, the Radikale Töchter teach approaches to action art and artistic activism that are geared towards the fundamental values of democratic coexistence and the challenges of our time. With their work, they empower (not only) young adults to formulate their concerns and goals with the means of action art and to develop ways to achieve them.

  • Venue: Theater truck, meadow/open-air grounds (in front of teh Luru-cinema) of the Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei
2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

„BLICKWECHSEL – Publika und Politiken der Darstellenden Künste“

a Documentary film by Janina Möbius, followed by an audience discussion (moderated by Steffen Klewar)

The relationship between audiences and artists is becoming more important than ever against the backdrop of the current social challenges and the increasing polarization caused by the pandemic. Möbius' new film, which was commissioned by the Fonds, takes a look at this connection and explores the transformative potential of the performing arts in interviews with CHICKS*, Katharina Warda, Rimini Protokoll, Sibylle Peters, Julia Wissert, Peter Laudenbach and numerous other personalities from the arts, culture and academia.

  • Venue: Cinema on the grounds of the Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei
  • Tickets: Free admission
3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Break

4:15 p.m. - 5 p.m.

„Über Gastfreundschaft und Körper” | "On hospitality and the body"

Lecture performance by Isabel Lewis (Berlin)

Isabel Lewis is an American dancer, performer, musician and visual artist with Dominican roots. She has expanded the field of contemporary art to include the format of "Occasions". Lewis creates alternative forms of sociality between human and non-human entities with a persistent love of experimentation and research methods that arise from bodily experiences. For Lewis, the classification of certain sensory perceptions is already inherent in every format. This makes the way we deal with formats a highly political question. The focus of her fundamentally collaborative practice is on affective physical experiences that appeal to all the senses. Isabel Lewis has been Professor of Performance at the HGB Leipzig since 2021. In 2022, she produced the production "Total Romance, Partial Repair" at Reisdenz.

5:15 p.m. - 6 p.m.

“Ein sonniger Sonntag. Das Märchen der populistischen Narrative, basierend auf wahren Geschichten” (“A sunny Sunday. The fairy tale of populist narratives based on true stories”)

Lina Majdalanie, Rabih Rabih Mroué und Fadi El Abdallah (Spokesman at the International Criminal Court in Den Haag). Moderation: Thomas Frank

The book "A Sunny Sunday" was created as a continuation of the debate on nationalist narratives in the production "Sunny Sunday", in which the performance text by Mroué and Majdalanie was expanded to include essays on the construction of nationalist narratives. In his keynote speech, Fadi El Abdallah discusses phenomena in art that aim to use traditions as an exclusionary and hegemonic strategy by means of pseudo-historical narratives. The subsequent discussion will also address the question of which means are suitable for demythologization.

6 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Possibility to have dinner

  • Venue: Theater truck, meadow/open-air grounds (in front of teh Luru-cinema) of the Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei
6:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.

"WIR KRIEGEN EUCH ALLE!“

Documentary East German punk performance about right-wing violence by WESSER | MECKERT

A project about the last days of the GDR and the chaotic and violent years that followed reunification: the so-called "baseball bat years". In collaboration with five former GDR punk musicians from well-known bands such as L'Attentat, IchFunktion or Herbst in Peking, among others, the performance was created in a process lasting several months, partly in public. It gets loud, it gets wild, it gets tender. The theater hall becomes a corner pub, a church, a living room, a prefab building, a punk concert - dancing is allowed!

The staged, participatory discourse format "WAS IST DENN DA IM OSTEN LOS?" to the performance "WIR KRIEGEN EUCH ALLE!" will take place on June 1 at 20:00 at LOFFT.

  • Venue: LOFFT – DAS THEATER, Saal
  • Further information & tickets at: www.lofft.de
8:30 p.m. - 9:50 p.m.

"Sunny Sunday”

Performance by Lina Majdalanie & Rabih Mroué

It was a sunny Sunday in 2016 when a very strange wedding took place in a small church in a small town in Poland. It brought together the living and the dead, combining fiction and reality, politics and fairy tales.
Based on a true story, Lebanese artists Lina Majdalanie and Rabih Mroué explore the hybrid, eclectic narratives and symbols that are at work in political discourses in Poland and question their socio-political mechanisms. The story-telling performance by Mroué and Majdalanie unfolds on stage like a graphic novel based on illustrations by Lebanese illustrator George Khoury (JAD).

  • Venue: Residenz Schauspiel Leipzig
  • Further information & tickets: www.schauspiel-leipzig.de
  • Language: In English with German subtitles