«Movements»
Monika Truong + Accomplices

Many of the rights and achievements that are taken for granted today were fought for by social movements.

Are you ready?
Absolutely, it's time.

Through the lives of three cultural pioneers and internationally renowned activists, ‘Movements’ explores, celebrates and questions these social changes in all their complexity – in an evening of celebratory and thoughtful ‘shout-outs’. Musician Zainab Lascandri, a pioneer of the female rap scene in Zurich, and feminist artist and activist Salma Said, who was part of the Egyptian revolution in 2011, are accompanied by performer Steven Schoch, whose heritage is closely linked to queer and apartheid struggles in South Africa.

‘Movements’ invites us to trace the lived experiences and worldviews of these individuals and to bear witness to their struggles and journeys. Through a ritualised act of honouring or ‘shout-outs’, Monika Truong + Accomplices acknowledge those from whom they have learned, with whom they have built something, or who have shaped them. Together with the audience, they honour the often overlooked yet so important work of family, friends, neighbours or casual acquaintances through ‘shout-outs’. This practice emerged during the Great Migration movement in the USA, has its origins in African-American churches and later became popular in the hip-hop community.

Information on accessibility and language

• Accessibility: The venue (Kulturhaus Helferei) is step-free, but is located in Zurich's old town and may therefore be difficult for wheelchair users to access. There is a barrier-free toilet with grab rails.

• Language: The performance will be in spoken English with short passages in Swiss German or Arabic languages.

• Relaxed Performance: The event will be a relaxed performance. Visitors are free to move around the room and sing along.

• Audience situation: There is a selection of different seating options such as chairs, beanbags and wheelchair spaces.

• Content notes: Themes include war, police violence, sexualised violence against children, torture, hunger strikes and experiences of discrimination, in particular transphobia and repeated racism.

• Sound: The room (chapel) produces a strong echo. The performers speak through microphones. Music and spoken text are played through loudspeakers. In one scene, there is live singing over recorded music.

• Audience and interaction: In one scene, the performers walk through the audience, but without touching or interacting with the visitors.

• Lighting: During the event, the lighting in the entire audience area is dimmed.

• Resting space: A low-stimulus resting space with stim toys and noise protection is available on floor 1. The entrance to the space has a 10cm doorstep. If you need assistance, the front-of-house staff will be happy to assist you.

• Further information on accessibility will be added on an ongoing basis and may change until the day of the premiere, as the performance is currently being developed.