Dear reader
Role models provide guidance, are sources of inspiration and give us courage. In this issue, we meet various personalities who serve as role models because of their stories, experiences or activities. They fulfil Laura Leupi's wish in ‘Thoughts on Theatre’: big emotions, big fears and the possibility of meaning the whole world.
In our Western society, growing older goes hand in hand with being marginalised and becoming increasingly invisible. Artists Phil Hayes, Susanne Abelein and Tina Mantel belong to one of the first generations of theatre and dance professionals to grow old in the independent scene. They describe to journalist Aleksandra Hiltmann the challenges they face and the new freedoms they have gained.
Inclusion has been an urgent issue in the arts and culture sector for several years. Existing structures are being opened up and access created for people with disabilities – unfortunately, however, this approach often stops at adapting existing systems. Because real change only comes about when people with disabilities are not just sitting in the audience, but are making decisions themselves: about programmes, aesthetics and structures. In her article, author Marah Rikli addresses the question of what a future might look like in which people with disabilities naturally occupy decision-making positions, and discusses this with experts Inga Laas, Nina Mühlemann and Noa Winter.
For many people, going their own way, taking up space, causing controversy and being loud is not a matter of course. Journalist Giulia Bernardi met with the impressive musician Rita Roof for a conversation and gives us an insight into the career of an artist who sang in the background for others for 20 years before deciding to take centre stage herself.
We are particularly pleased about our renewed cooperation with the Papierlose Zeitung. In a special section, you will find two articles from its current issue: Women's rights activist and journalist Frmesk Rezaei shares with us the story of a Kurdish woman who was tortured in a prison in occupied East Kurdistan and whose body became a ‘battlefield’. And trans activist for LGBTQIA+ rights, community worker, radio commentator, journalist, author and artist Reya Morgado explores the question of what it means to resist a world that oppresses you, wants to destroy you, wants to tell you that your identity and your love are sinful and wrong.
This issue also features our recurring formats: in her photo essay, photographer Hannah Gottschalk opens the door to the Gessnerallee wood workshop for us. Artist and musician Rada Leu presents us with a comic strip of Jo Bannon's play ‘Sleight of Hand’. Performer and choreographer Rafał Pierzyński shares fashion secrets with us in the new fashion column ‘Stars and Styles’. Last but not least, artist and actor Rhea Seleger shows us the future and explains why we should definitely buy theatre tickets and give them as gifts during the festive season.
Rahel Bains, Kathrin Veser, Miriam Walther
