In this series, the aim is not to train people out of saying ‘um...’ – it is actively sought!
What does a safer space for uncertainty look like? Is that possible on stage?
Zurich artist Fatima Moumouni is finally continuing her series of discussions, ‘The New Uncertainty’!
In it, moments of conversation that are allowed to be thoughtful, self-critical and decidedly insecure are brought to the stage – guests and moderator are equally unsettled. And then they reflect together publicly, because when it comes to progressive discourse – almost by definition – there is still much to think about, beyond the pitiful WHAT CAN YOU EVEN SAY TODAY?
Theme of this edition: ‘Between Taking a Stand and Polarisation’
Two and a half years of live-streamed genocide in Gaza. What does that do to us? Amidst anger, grief, a drive to act, fear, despair and helplessness, polarisation has intensified and spaces for dialogue have closed.
What does it mean, as an artist, to deal responsibly with social desensitisation, crises and violence? Author and moderator Fatima Moumouni and dance and theatre artist Donya Speaks discuss what it means to incorporate one’s own stance into artistic work, the mechanisms of self-censorship, withdrawal and defence, as well as activism caught between the pressure to take a stand and the risk of being cancelled. And they talk about the role that anti-Muslim racism and anti-Semitism play in their work.
Guest in this episode: Donya Speaks
Donya Speaks is a dance and theatre artist from Bern and Tunis. In her artistic practice, she creates a vibrant dialogue between language and the body and their interconnections. In ‘Bis zum Ende des Regens / إلى آخر المطر’, she explored her uncle’s Arabic poetry and the freedom of movement between North Africa and Europe. In ‘POETIK P’, she collaborated with artists from Switzerland, Rwanda and the Congo to develop a conversation about sexuality(ies) and the ongoing sexualisation of their bodies. Her first solo performance, “Fête Finale 2.0”, will be staged at the Dampfzentrale in autumn 2026. In it, she explores language surrounding mortality. She is currently part of the Dance et Dramaturgie support programme alongside Fatima Moumouni. Together with Hannan Salamat, she is developing a lecture performance on anti-Muslim racism. She dances in the piece “Turn On” by Soraya Leila Emery (premiere at Tanzhaus ZH in 2024), directed “180° – Performing Rage” (Treibstoff Basel 2025) and appears in Tim Zulauf’s new production “Fliegende Gärten” (Fabriktheater, June 2026). Prior to this, Donya worked with, amongst others, the Catalan choreographer Andres Corchero at Les Flors in Barcelona, the theatre company Das Letzte Kleinod in Germany and South Africa, with Izidora Lethe and Isabel Lewis, and with The Grey Stories in Germany, Bosnia and Rwanda. Donya studied at the Accademia Dimitri, Justus Liebig University in Giessen and the Zurich University of the Arts.