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Told by my Mother by Ali Chahrour (18/05/2025)

Τοld by my Mother

Ali Chahrour

Sunday 8 June

Theatre of the Society for Macedonian Studies


The International Forest Festival of the National Theatre of Northern Greece returns to Thessaloniki from 31 May to 13 June with an impressive programme of innovative proposals from the international theatre scene

This year, the city will host productions from England, France, Belgium, Lebanon, South Africa and Uruguay. The festival programme will be accompanied by a series of parallel activities in the form of workshops and discussions.

In the new era that is taking shape around us, it is imperative that theatre stands up to the dominant discourses and moulds new fields of visibility. It is vital that it focuses on the cracks that are opening up in the hegemonic narratives, creates new ways for and loci where minds can meet, and reinvents new possibilities of coexistence. The artists bring with them the personal experiences with which they attempt to make sense of multiple realities that are finding it hard to coexist in a world of extreme contrasts and marginalized communities.

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This performance is about intimate family hardships and tragedies faced by mothers: bodies, voices, and hidden small battles dwelling in Beirut and its suburbs. It brings together Laila Chahrour, the mother; her son Abbas, who decided at 18, to join the ranks of the fighters; and Ali Chahrour, choreographer, dancer, and Laila’s nephew. He shares with his aunt the story and journey of their cousin Fatima, who spent her lifetime looking for her lost son Hassan, that went missing in Syria, since 2013. Tagging along are the Syrian actress Hala Omran lending her whole-hearted voice to the story, accompanied by musicians Alin Hout and Abed Kobeissi. The performance’s musical approach take reference the songs of those very same families on occasions of grief and joy a cultural heritage of Arab folk songs. 
 
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Lebanese dancer and choreographer Ali Chahrour gives us the second part of a new trilogy about love, finding inspiration for his poignant stories in his own family history and in a torn-up Lebanon. At the center of it all, a mother, Leila. Next to her, her child, Abbas, whom she's trying to protect from becoming a martyr. A little further, another mother, Fatmeh, who never stopped looking for her missing child, Hassan. And on and on in infinite loops. With their stories, those ordinary heroines give voice to their tenderness and to the intensity of their maternal love. On the stage, they give birth to heartrending family portraits, so striking in the infinite beauty of filial relations. Ali Chahrour, actress Hala Omra, and the musicians of Two or The Dragon accompany those stories with a music inspired as much by Arab culture as by urban sounds. Movements, songs, words, and music give the generations the chance to come together or split apart, like the narrow and unfathomable love between a mother and her child.
 
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Credits
Told by my Mother 
a dance performance by Ali Chahrour 

Direction/Choreography: Ali Chahrour
Music: Two or The Dragon-Ali Hout & Abed Kobeissy
Choreography/Assistant director: Chadi Aoun
Stage design: Guillaume Tesson, Ali Chahrour
Light design/Technical direction: Guillaume Tesson
Light managment: Pol Seif
Sound Engineer: Benoit Rave
Communication Officer: Chadi Aoun
Copywriting: Isabelle Aoun
Production managment: Chadi Aoun and Christel Salem
Produced by Ali Chahrour

On stage: Hala Omran, Leila Chahrour, Abbas Al Mawla, Ali Hout, Abed Kobeissy, Ali Chahrour 
 
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Reservations / Tickets
Full price: 13 €
Discount Ticket (Over 65s, Group ticket for 10 people, Educators): 10 €
Student - Pupil: 8 €
 


In Coproduction with: Zoukak Theater, Arab Fund for Arts and Culture ”AFAC”, the Arab Arts Focus with the support of Stiftelsen, Studio Emad Eddin & Ford Foundation, Campania Teatro Festival, Saadallah & Lubna Khalil Foundation, Kunstfest Weimar, Zurich Theater Spektakel, Mahmoud Darwish Chair/Bozar.

Supported by: The French Institute of Beirut, Barzakh, Beit el Laffe, KED, Mezyan, T-Marbouta, Tawlet, Eid Press.
 
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