#FITS2023: Sibiu’s Main Square embraces silence once again as ANU’s outdoor performance illuminates with over 8,000 candles

For the second consecutive year, Sibiu’s Main Square was immersed in a profound silence, courtesy of the mesmerizing performance titled “In the Land of My Childhood,” brought to life by The German Theater ANU under the direction of Bille Behr and Stefan Behr.

The candle installation, as intense as the one showcased last year, continues to impress and evoke deep emotions, enveloping the Main Square in unusual tranquility as the evening descends and the actual show commences.

“This time, the labyrinth of lights unveils a world brimming with miracles, longing, and love, yet also marked by loss. A slumbering woman awakens in her bed, accompanied by two shadows. They commence a dance, ultimately converging. Video performances, shadow theater, a concert for deaf ears, a colossal kaleidoscope, or the enchanting imagery of wandering lights – it is a night of extraordinary encounters and poetic ambiance that rekindles the yearning for the land we all once inhabited: the land of our childhood,” the FITS organizers remark.

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When asked about the performance, Romanian actor Alexandru Cîrneală expressed, “Spectators will immerse themselves in this extraordinary production, which seeks to reawaken the innocence of our childhood selves. It gracefully reminds us of the precious treasures often overlooked amidst our busy lives. Through the lens of a child’s eyes, we are invited to witness the breathtaking beauty and awe-inspiring wonders that permeate our world.”

Furthermore, street theater, through its very nature, grants actors the ability to receive real-time feedback, allowing them to adapt to the audience before them and imbue their characters with newfound qualities.

“Whoever immerses themselves in these sensorial worlds can surrender to their unique atmospheres and allow themselves to be enchanted, and even transformed, by them,” explains Theater ANU creators.

Read also: Sibiu International Theatre Festival: Staging miracles since 1993

Last year, Alexandru joined the ANU team specifically for the Sibiu show, marking his first performance in Romania since completing his studies. He embarked on his academic journey in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and later pursued his acting education in Germany after crossing paths with director David Esrig during a workshop.

The official information reveals that Theater ANU has been exploring poetic theatrical forms in public spaces for over 15 years. Initially founded in Heppenheim, on the Hessian Bergstrasse, the company has been based in Berlin since 2007. Collaborating with numerous artists, ANU performs in parks, squares, and unique venues such as tunnels or industrial halls across Germany and Europe. Year after year, thousands of visitors experience the sensorial and contemplative productions delivered by Theater ANU.

Alongside Alexandru Cîrneală, the Romanian actor, the team includes Bärbel Aschenberg, Bille Behr, Stefan Emde, Jacek Klinke, Markus Moiser, Karen Rémy, and Martin Thoms.

Poetic Realms

“The labyrinth is like a clever trick. People don’t come to see the stories we tell; they come to take pictures. But as they navigate through the labyrinth, we have the opportunity to share important stories with them—stories about life’s big themes like death and love, not just everyday tales. We give them two and a half hours to feel and connect with these stories. The theme of our performance is “Wonder,” and it encourages us to believe in anything, to discover everything. In theater, we often work with miracles. Miracles draw people in, make them see, love, and be amazed. We’re amazed by this world that surprises us in so many ways because we live in a world of miracles. We also have another show where we question if miracles truly exist in the world. There are signs, concepts, and you can explore what came before, even going back to the Big Bang,” adds Stephan Behr during the press conference hosted by Octavian Saiu as part of the festival’s agenda.

The combination of installations and acting renders the productions diverse and multi-layered spaces of experience for the audience. The boundaries between spectators and the stage become blurred.

Photos: Nicolae Gligor / Dragos Dumitru (courtesy of FITS)