Thu 5/3 20:00
Fosilie: Stojíme v pohnutí (Standing in Motion)

A movement–music exploration of funeral rituals, the tradition of mourners and lamenters, viewed in both historical and contemporary contexts. After the performance, you are invited to a moderated discussion with the creators.

The profession of professional mourners dates back to antiquity and, in Europe, from the Middle Ages through the Baroque period. In some countries, their tradition still survives today, albeit in modified forms. Whether they are lamenting women and mourners, certified specialists, or funeral clowns, their role is to ensure a dignified farewell to the deceased, to maintain a smooth flow of conversation during the ceremony, to recall and praise the departed, and to evoke and intensify feelings of grief among the bereaved.

Mourners perform these tasks either free of charge or for a fee. Their main means of expression are specific vocal manifestations—crying, wailing, or sobbing—which seamlessly transition into singing and spoken word, accompanied by striking, grief-inducing gestures, expressive elements, and movement.

What are the essential prerequisites for becoming a professional mourner? What belongs to the expressive vocabulary of a lamenter? How does one balance humor and sorrow in the performances of funeral clowns?

The texts used in the performance are based on the book Vážení truchlící a ostatní hosté by Ladislav Muška, which draws on texts and linguistic turns recorded during funeral ceremonies.

Direction: Marta Trpišovská / Choreography: Jana Látalová, Marta Trpišovská, Lea Švejdová / Creation & performance: Lukáš Bouzek, Radim Klásek, Jana Látalová, Mariana Novotná, Lea Švejdová, Jana Vöröšová / Music: Jana Vöröšová / Costumes: Mariana Novotná / Lighting: Michael Vodenka / Photo: Marek Novotný / Production: Fosilie z.s.

Thanks to: Veronika Švábová, Maria Cavina, Tomáš Procházka, Hana Morávová
Supported by: Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, Studio Alta, REZI.DANCE, 4 + 4 Days in Motion

Admission: 240 CZK (students and ZTP 140 CZK)

Organized by Taje z.s. in cooperation with Divadlo 29 as part of the project Ostrovy v pohybu, implemented with financial support from the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and the Statutory City of Pardubice.