Speak clearly about uncertainty – the festival «Homo Novus» / Article begins

Speak clearly about the uncertainty – with such a commitment, the international festival of the new theater “Homo Novus” started on September 8. Its organizers, the Latvian New Theater Institute, promise to enliven the imagination of spectators and give them the opportunity to meet strangers, exchange ideas, try new activities and experience another life through various forms of contemporary theater.

Two strangers meet in a dark room, separated by a glass pane and cards in the middle. Following the instructions, these people become actors and experience one of the performances of the international new theater festival “Homo Novus”. As always, the festival seeks new forms and breaks stereotypes about what theater is and its contemporary expressions.

Beck Berger, the curator of the Homo Novus festival program, says: “If we are talking about theater, it is a matter of stopping a kind of reality and another form of communication. This can happen when you sit next to each other in a traditional theater hall, it can also happen when you are only alone. It can also happen at a beautiful sunrise, or listening to music and experiencing the city.

Theater, especially contemporary, takes many different forms, and if it enlivens the imagination, creates curiosity or challenges, it is definitely theater. ”

This year the festival takes place in different places of Riga, also outside the city and even by phone, but one of the central places is Vidzeme Market.

“We return to the market, we return to the simple relationships where people meet each other, exchange goods, exchange advice, exchange words and feel each other’s presence,” explains Santa Remere, producer of the Homo Novus festival.

There is also a festival center on the market, which is also the work of the artist, set designer Liene Pavlovska “In Boots Found”.

“This space came about when I came to the market, thinking about what my personal memories of the market are here today, inspired by the very beautiful elements that have been used to create the market architecture today,” says Pavlovskaya. “People can be seen creatively using what is available to them and thinking about how to invite festival visitors inside the room, without giving strict instructions, but rather creating a platform for other expressions.”

The market environment and atmosphere are also complemented by Māra Brašmane’s photographs from various Latvian markets, which are exhibited on one of the market huts. Another hut, in turn, has become an improvised sewing workshop or “Gucci factory” by the artist Kote Hahun Suniga (Chile / Germany). She explains: “I think there is nothing more contemporary than taking something without value and giving it value. It is a task of speculation and identification, I am not thinking of a new bicycle, I am trying to add value to this fabric. Last year, when I came to the festival, I went to the Central Market and met Nina there. I bought a bag that I would turn and give to my friends, and then the idea of ​​re-evaluating things was born. ”

The festival “Homo Novus” with various activities, performances and performances will continue until September 18, moreover, some of the events – musical auditions “Tribune of Witnesses” will be able to experience not only in person, but also live on the public media portal LSM.lv. The first of them on Thursday, September 9.

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