Slovenia is on Fire!

Première 22 May 2017, Anton Podbevšek Theatre
Running time 2 hours 15 minutes. No interval.

Author and director Sebastijan Horvat
Dramaturg Andrej Zupanec
Set designer Barbara Kapelj
Composer Drago Ivanuša
Costume designer Belinda Radulović
Sound designer Uroš Bon
Lighting designer Simon Žižek
Video and graphic designer Gašper Brezovar
Lighting design assistan Srečko Malovič

Performers and co-authors
Nejc Cijan Garlatti • Iztok Drabik Jug • Alja Kapun • Noemi Veberič Levovnik • Aljoša Ternovšek

Based on the motives from the novel Sence ne gorijo [Shadows Don’t Burn] (published by Sanje Publishing House) written by Erik Valenčič.
The production can hardly be labelled as documentary as it presents facts and other information in a poetic manner. Their content is black and anxious, yet true. Tension and discomfort arise from machinations and the violations of human rights. What follows is the deafness of those in charge and the passing of responsibility which altogether push the individual into a Kafikan mechanism of bureaucratic mercilessness, the consequence of which is the loss of will and motivation, and the development of mental problems.
At a time in which mass media and social networks are all too busy with trivial, non-news reporting, the system is self-run as it maintains the present state; only a story that is an absolute departure from the dominant narrative can arouse genuine interest. Shock, scandal, affair and the remaining media outcry from all communication channels has long surpassed the critical point and the function of the fourth branch of power. Even the disclosed manipulations pass without any consequences; worse even, each case of the sort increasingly stabilises and normalises the actions of the state and the media, marginalising and criminalising whistle blowers and others who dare to raise their voices. The morality and the message to the frightened population are clear as daylight. Don’t speak up, don’t raise your voice, act according to your role, don’t ask inappropriate questions ...

Similar to the novel, the production features a group of people who form a terrorist cell, discuss possible targets of their actions, prepare bombs and eventually attack a few times, their actions – again similar to the novel – gradating: from blowing up the monument to the victims of all wars, where they still strive not to cause human casualties; to the blowing up of a full house in the main hall of Cankarjev dom during a celebration, which correlates with Žižek’s notorious statement that has nearly become a popular saying: "One would do the most for Slovenian culture if one would blow up Cankarjev dom!"
What follows is the "post-action" state and the focus turns towards the audience: at the end of the production the audience’s image is projected on the board with the list of names of all individuals and organisations against which one should fight – the audience is an accomplice and shares the responsibility. We are the ones who should do something.

Ana Radaljac, Delo, 29 May 2017