The actors of the caravan of peace made their final bow to Namur
This weekend marked the end of the Namur stop for the MIR Caravan 2010. Within the framework of the Belgian Presidency, the city welcomed the tour of these different travelling theatre companies. For ten days, its 140 artists offered more than 50 performances: shows, large-scale outdoor extravaganzas, concerts, exhibitions and other surprises under three big tops and on stages arranged in the Citadel.
On Friday a debate-conference between performers, organisers and the public raised the question of borders – often “invisible” today but still very much present.
Saturday was the occasion to celebrate Europe, the centenary of the Théâtre de Verdure (Green Theatre) and its designer, Georges Hobé, an architect often little known to the general public. One hundred performers participated in the group show based on the myth of the Phoenician princess “Europa”, in the “green” theatre. With a nod to the question of migrations and with the objective of openness, the actress chosen to play the principal role was African. The production of this show remains, without any doubt, a memorable performance: devised and put together in a few days, starting at the beginning of last week, it was necessary to bring several producers into agreement and harmoniously direct a great many actors!
On Sunday the final shows were given, in the warmth of Mali, with “I Ko Tjokodi” by the Compagnie du Hasard and during the mixture of marionettes, masks and machines with “Yaga’s Fire” by Buchinger’s Boot Marionettes.
The caravan is now going to pack up its bags and continue toward its last destination: Moscow.
For more information on the tour of the MIR Caravan, twenty years after the first tour in 1989.
