Aline Vervoort, Stefanie Claes's grandmother, was arrested with her parents in their home in Winksele during World War II. For a year, Aline stayed in the German women's concentration camp Ravensbrück. She survived those dark months full of cold, hunger and abuse. Her life was forever marked by the horrific events of war. Nothing was ever the same again.
As a child, Stefanie sometimes dreamt that soldiers invaded her street and she had to flee. But it was not until she was 16 that she really realised the tragedy that had taken place in her family, that she started having conversations about it with her grandmother and mother. Gradually, it became clear that her family's war past was everywhere between, in, on and under.
With Mia Kermis, Stefanie developed her special theatre language: small, artisanal, personal and expressive. This way of storytelling continues to theatricalise the story of Aline Vervoort, and its echo through the generations.
As inspiration for ravensbrück, Stefanie drew on conversations with her grandmother and her mother and snippets from personal letters, in addition to documentaries, historical reference works and interviews with trauma experts. ravensbrück is a wordless and expressive performance for adults and (their) children aged 10 and up, for a limited audience. More than about the literal meaning of war trauma, ravensbrück is about how certain events have a lifelong effect in your life. Three generations of women take centre stage, because everyone is a child of someone.
Practical
> Do. 2.05.2024 (8pm) + Fri. 3.05.2024 (8pm)
> Museum Dr. Guislain
> Click here for tickets
Concept, ontwerp & spel Stefanie Claes / Dramaturgie & feedback Sofie Van der Linden, Barbara Claes & Simon Allemeersch/ Lichtadvies Marlies Jacques / Grafische vormgeving Mario Debaene / Productie Lucinda Ra / Coproductie De Studio & VIERNULVIER / In samenwerking met De Grote Post, Museum Dr. Guislain & c o r s o / Met de steun van De Vlaamse Gemeenschap, Stad Gent & deAuteurs / Met dank aan Algemeen Rijksarchief Dienst Archief Oorlogsslachtoffers / Spreiding Vincent Company
