Well, the group is small – in size but huge in devotion! So, although full of doubts, I decided to give it a try. I wouldn’t say that the theater itself was my biggest dream nor was it fitting to my busy schedule. To be honest, it was my first time ever to step on a stage. I joined quite late in June where there was only two months left before the premiere. I was very warmly welcomed. Despite my „advanced German!“ they „ALL“ hurriedly and enthusiastically coached me and, partly through words, and partly through gestures they managed to engage me deeply with the theme of “the Conference of the Birds.”
On the one hand, I was wondering if the 20 minutes of the show would be enough explaining the general idea? On the other hand: In a time of digitalization and a rapid style of living, in which we are sometimes forced to put together a full idea in only 10 seconds, -this was going well enough and functioning!
While the whole team was explaining the technical moves, my fantasy took me to a dreamy place. Here, is how I was seeing the play from my personal perception: A group of birds, of different sizes, and of different colors were living in the same region the same land, living each in their individual „bubbles“, together yes, but isolated from each other. Till one day arrived and one of them, – „Attar“ roused himself up and started to pop up those bubbles with a big statement:
„Birds, have a look at the world! What strife can we see?“ Here, „Attar“ started a movement to lead that group of birds to „Simorg“ the divine King! He lives on a huge mountain in a far away land! Attar believes that they will find all of that which they have dreamed of: their needs, a good quality of living and Freedom. So the journey begins full of hope on some days and full of doubts on other days. They suffer most of the time from exhaustion, hunger and indecision about finding their King, being ruled over by a king, giving up their free will under delusional circumstances and serving someone else’s will. Time goes on whilst they keep trying. At the end of this journey, Attar apologizes for leading them to an illusion! Attar helps them to meet the right decision and move on looking for the Freedom in their hearts, inside each of them.
In a time Full of „Attars“, I find it so exceptional that a leader can take the responsibility to step back (!) and apologize (!!!).
Rusul Yousif
November 2019