On the sixth day of the 11th Amed International Theatre Festival, organised by Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality, plays and interactive events continued to reimagine the themes of peace, memory and confrontation through the language of art, while bringing the unifying power of theatre to audiences with the participation of artists from different geographies.
The 11th Amed International Theatre Festival, organised by Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality City Theatre (DBŞT) under the theme “Dialogue for Peace”, continues with great enthusiasm through powerful messages rising from the stage and lively interaction with audiences. Interactive reading and critical events, together with the plays staged, reframe the idea of peace through the language of art, while the Nigerian performers inviting the audience onto the stage to dance for peace together became one of the most memorable moments of the festival.
‘Wounds Remain Forever’
At the reading and critical event titled “Wounds Remain Forever”, held at the Seminar Hall of Çand Amed Culture and Congress Centre, playwright Dr Sivan Ben Yishai came together with theatre academic Dr Lazardzig Jan Hendrik. Inspired by the words of a national poet that “wounds bleed forever”, Yishai read the text in a powerful performance, emphasising that the narrative drew on their own experiences and that the character explored the psychology of both victim and perpetrator.
The unifying role of theatre
Hendrik shed light on Germany’s theatre history, recalling that hundreds of theatre buildings were destroyed after the Second World War. Drawing attention to the reconstruction of Mannheim National Theatre, Hendrik said its transparent architectural approach emerged as a strong response to the monumental aesthetics of the Nazi period. Stating that the building, constructed from glass and metal, became a symbol of confronting the past and keeping collective memory alive, Hendrik underlined the socially unifying role of theatre through language and culture. The event concluded with a question-and-answer session marked by strong audience participation.
‘An Unforgettable Night’ meets audiences
As part of the festival, “An Unforgettable Night”, staged by Khalat Nawzad Othman from Halabja, met audiences at the M. Emin Yalçınkaya Theatre Hall. Bringing to the stage the deep conflict between justice, revenge and memory through the eyes of a revolutionary woman, the play presented a striking account of the traces left by physical, psychological and sexual violence under a dictatorial regime. The work conveyed, through a powerful stage language, the lasting impact of trauma on the individual and the unending search for reckoning.
‘Connecting Bridges’ removes the boundaries between stage and audience
The two-person performance “Connecting Bridges”, staged by Nigerian director Sunday Ododo, became one of the festival’s most striking productions. Standing out with its minimalist and symbolic staging, the work placed the actor’s body, movement and voice at the centre, establishing a direct bond with the audience. Shaped by an open and fluid stage design, the performance explored the themes of dialogue, empathy and peace in depth through barriers and bridges.
At the finale of the performance, the actors invited the audience onto the stage and, together, they danced under the umbrella of peace, filling the hall with enthusiastic applause. The festival continues to amplify the rhythm of peace not only on stage, but also in the hearts of the audience.
