ATINA TABÉ

ferferi. arriving and staying away

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Tuesday, November 15 | 8 p.m. | Schauspielhaus (Studio)

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Language: German
Running time: 75 minutes

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Her family called her Ferferi – it’s Persian for “curly girl”. This word evokes memories of home – the scent of saffron and jasmine, of aunt’s shop, and the sounds. But what does home mean when you must leave it as a small child and find your way in a new country? And how can you arrive in a society when you are constantly asked: “But where are you really from?”

Ferferi learns a new language and new, strange letters. She finds out about cultural differences and starts researching her own family history. Ferferi bravely faces the small and large hurdles of everyday life: the crooked look at the cash register when it takes her too long to find the money, strange compliments for her good German, and numerous appointments with the authorities for her naturalization. Emotional songs and sense of humor help her in the search for her own identity.

Inspired by personal experience, the Tehran-born actress and singer Atina Tabé wrote a piece about a daily xenophobia. She invites the audience to witness the story of Ferferi, a curly haired girl, who would not let her enthusiasm go away, despite multiple adversities.

The piece conveys elements of Oriental culture (musical compositions, animated drawings), and above all, shows how dazzling and versatile identities can be in a pluralistic society.

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Katharina Rupp – Director
Vazul Matusz Stage – Design
Olivier Truan, Atina Tabé – Music
Kiana Naghshineh – Video animation
Atina Tabé – Illustrations
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A production by TOBS Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn.
In cooperation with Kulturwochen – Der andere Blick (a project of ZBBS e.V. and Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Schleswig-Holstein e.V.).

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Photo: © joelschweizer.ch, Joel Schweizer