WERKSTATT: BARTNELKEN [HOW DID I GET HERE IF ALL MY ANCESTORS WERE GAY?]

The family tree renders many things invisible. The focus is on reproduction, marriage and biological descent. Does that tell the whole story? Even when people in heterosexual relationships have had children, they do not necessarily fit within cis-hetero norms. And who is entirely omitted from the family tree? Are queer experiences, identities and connections passed on and carried forward? And how much has been lost?

Time to mess up the straight lines. The performer explores their own family history, placing queerness at the centre. Both across the generations with whom exchange is still possible, and beyond. In doing so, the performer traces not only lines that can be verified, but also those imagined and dreamt of.

The narratives, persons and emotions that emerge are embodied – they are given space to reveal themselves and find expression through the performer’s body. One body, and within it many bodies, rebelling against silence, repression, internalised queerphobia and normalisation. They feel the full force of all these mechanisms, but also the solidarity, power and strength of counter-narratives.

From 12 years.

In German.

Content note: The subjects of anti-queer sentiment and depression are explored. Contains partial nudity.