The international project Women! Daphne, Echo, Io and the others is promoted by Astràgali teatro, with the support of the Anna Lindh Foundation, in partnership with University of Salento, Xenia-Performers Network Ensemble for Internationalization of artists (Italy), Espace Culturel Aykart, A.T.E.P. – Association Tunisienne d’Esthétique et Poïetique (Tunisia), Ares Organization (Turkey), Theatro tsi Zakynthos (Greece). It aims to enhance a range of joint activities of Euro-Mediterranean artists, promoting the values of peace, intercultural dialogue, mutual knowledge, to fight prejudices and misconceptions that are at the base of the harsh conflicts that are devastating the Mediterranean area. A main objective of the project is to foster awareness on gender issues and promote the work of women artists. A series of activities will be realized by Italian, Tunisian, Turkish theatre artists, cultural operators, scholars.
Two international artistic residences are made in Lecce (Italy) in February 2017 and Tunis (Tunisia) in June 2017, involving the international group of artists, finalized to the creation of the theatre co-production ‘Metamorphoses’ that will be played in both countries. In the performance women tell the stories of the ‘Metamorphoses’, re-adapting them to the current context, weaving songs, images and female myths of our most important traditions of the Mediterranean area, in order to deal with some contemporary most challenging issues, like multiculturalism, migrations, gender equality. The artistic programs include activities of the artists with the local communities to raise awareness, to exchange views, to listen, to favor a deeper social impact and a relational approach. Along with the multilingual performance ‘Metamorphoses’ other activities will be held like meetings on ‘theatre and conflict’, on identity and gender issues, work demonstrations.
The Mediterranean is made up of many cultures and around us grows the need to return to tell the stories that for centuries have given us the meaning of life, despite the world seems to be locked in a horizon of war. Walls rise. To separate, to hide, to lock, to generate an inside and an outside. Visible walls, that reject the stranger, the other, the many migrants fleeing from war and misery.
The Mediterranean unites us and divides us. The female presence is a strong resistance, in opposition to the dynamics of conflict, war, discrimination. Voices of women singing life and its metamorphosis, expressing the need for solidarity and proximity, voices in counterpoint, for the refusal of conflict, with the sounds of their languages, of stories that intertwine.
