Now a refugee in Lyon, the KnAM Théâtre company tells us about the conflict that is tearing its country apart: the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, where it comes from. His latest play, “We are no longer…” is a call for peace in this climate of incessant war.
On February 24, Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine. It was the start of a war that disrupted thousands of lives. Among these, those of Dmitrii, Liudmila, Vladimir, Irina, German, Bleuenn and Tatiana, from La Compagnie KnAM Théâtre. The Russian comedy troupe packed up to settle in Lyon. Having left Eastern Siberia, 9,000 kilometers from Moscow, they were forced to flee under pressure because it was now impossible for them to perform their plays in this tense political climate. Making the choice to leave everything was painful, especially under the oppressive gaze of neighbors supporting Putin’s regime.
:quality(50)/2023/10/18/festival-sens-interdits-compagnie-russe-en-exil-00-00-19-11-652ffdbad59c4465572492.jpg)
In their 23 kilo suitcases (the maximum allowed by airlines), they took with them all their lives, their memories, as well as 37 years of artistic work. This is what director Tatiana Frovola reproduces through the play “We are no longer… “ where she questions the notions of memory and trace.
They interpret with the same emotion as the first time, their departure from Russia under pressure and fear. They tell the poignant story of exile and the quest for identity through the photos of their ancestors that they took with them. They tell the story of their parents and grandparents in the USSR and their own experience, now in the heart of a war.
“If we fled, it is because staying in Russia would have meant making concessions with ourselves, a terrifying prospect. Today we must salute Putin and his laws or remain silent.”
Tatiana Frovola,Director.
This is precisely why they chose to leave and express themselves through their art. The KnAM Company hopes to defend a free voice in the face of obscurantism, using theater as a means of resistance. An artistic vision shared by the “Sens Interdicts” Festival, which supports them and gives them the opportunity to go on stage. Since 2009, this festival has defined itself as “a theater of urgency”, offering a platform to committed artists who use their art to raise crucial issues of our time.
“We are no longer…” is being performed at the Théâtre des Célestins in Lyon, until Saturday October 28 at 7 p.m. (Friday 20 at 8:30 p.m. and Tuesday 25 at 8:30 p.m.).