In residence in Moscow since 2016, the Quebec collective The 7 fingers of the hand finds itself jostled by the war which is raging in Ukraine. While they had started working on a new show for the Russian public, the Montreal circus artists finally resigned themselves, after much thought, to suspending the creation of the piece.
“We strongly believe in cultural diplomacy. The arts must always serve as a link between peoples. But then there is the timing “, puts into perspective the general manager of the 7 fingers, Nassib El-Husseini.
The latter is careful to point out that his decision is not part of the boycott movement that has been taking place for a week around the world against Russian culture. On the contrary, he takes pride in having several Russian artists in his troupe who advocate peace.
That being said, Mr. El-Husseini did not see himself asking his staff to travel to Moscow to put on a new show. Guaranteeing their safety was impossible, as international sanctions mount and relations between the Kremlin and the West are increasingly acrimonious.
COVID, then war
The conception of this project had already been delayed many times over the past two years because of the pandemic, but it is ultimately the geopolitical situation that pushes The 7 Fingers to give up on Russia for the moment, however one of the largest markets in the world for circus art. “We are confused. We hoped, after the COVID, to find a smile and start circulating the works again, but now we are faced with such a tragedy, ”summarizes with a low expression the one who actively campaigned against the Gulf War and who saddened today to see that history is repeating itself 30 years later in Eastern Europe.
In interview at Homework, Mr. El-Husseini refused to quantify the losses that the abandonment of this show will cause, considering that it would be out of place to talk about money at a time when Ukrainians are dying under the bombs. On the other hand, we know that the representations of circus princesswhich The 7 Fingers worked on, will however resume at the Moscow Musical Theater from Saturday. prime timeanother musical that was created by the Montreal company, will take over in April in this room.
We hoped, after the COVID, to find a smile and start circulating the works again, but here we are in front of such a tragedy
The situation for these two productions is not at all the same as that for the show which was being created, explains Nassib El-Husseini. No employee affiliated with 7 Fingers is currently in Russia for these shows, performed by local artists. The decision to cancel or not therefore rests with the theater which presents them, continues the general manager of the company.
The 7 fingers of the hand are now focusing their energy on repatriating the three Ukrainian artists who are supposed to be part of their show Duel Realitywhich will be presented from June on cruises organized by the Virgin group.
Ukrainian and Russian artists rub shoulders in several of the productions of the 7 fingers, which does not pose any problem, assures Nassib El-Husseini. “There are no tensions. Everyone is for love and for peace. We all live on the same roof, hand in hand”, he observes, dreaming that it would also be the same on the ground.