Tuning in on Barents identity
Radio Barents 111 is a theatre performance which tries to explore life along the border in the north. Miles away from foreign minister’s negotiations on border regulations; the Samovarteateret wants to figure out why people live in the far north of Europe.
While the future of the Barents region is a matter for ministers and world leaders around the world, the play Radio Barents 111 try to understand why people live here and which lives they live.
“We broadcast the everyday life of people in the north, on five different languages in three different countries. It’s about people who fight for their dreams and succeed with an astonishing outcome,” says Franzisca Aarflot.
She is director of the play which has its premiere this week in Kirkenes, during the Barents Spektakel festival.
Dreams
The people you meet in the play are struggling to reach their goals and fulfilling their dreams. In the far north they find the meaning of live along the dividing border. A journey which start as a documentary and ends in surreal fiction, according to Aarflot.
Aarflot has not done any similar work in this part of Norway and is fascinated by the experiences she has gained through the work with this play.
“The will of life and the combination of courage, good spirits and self- irony which the people I have met here show, has been an inspiration to me. I hope to bring some of this into the play and maybe give inspiration to others as well, says Aarflot.
Barents citizens
Actor and long time head of Samovarteateret Bente S. Andersen is also part of Radio Barents 111 crew and is looking forward to the premiere and the response from the audience.
“We are actually becoming official Barents Citizens, and that I would never have believed when I grew up. In Radio Barents 111 we explore the similarities between people, says Andersen.
The performance will go on tour to Tromsø, Oslo, St. Petersburg, Petrozavodsk, Arkhangelsk and Murmansk.
