Irina Amstutz
↪Theatre pedagogy and Somatic Practitioner
by
Pop-Up-Mountain Company
Premiere: January 2027
Postremise Chur,
Switzerland
In 2027, I will be directing “Schällewiiber,” a piece that explores queer culture and customs in rural and urban areas:
On the one hand, there’s the valley and the village with its deeply rooted customs and traditions, such as the alpine cattle drives, the Darbienmaun, the Trer Schibettas, or the Silvesterchläuse. It's these traditions that evoke a wistful sense of belonging and security. However, the gender dichotomy is deeply ingrained in the tradition, and the queerphobic legacy of the provinces is far from being addressed.
As a result, queer lifestyles, in particular, face a choice: to leave or to stay? If they move to the city, they might, at best, find a connection to the queer community. If they stay, they are stifled by the rigid structures of the village and the narrowness of the valley.
On the one hand, there’s the valley and the village with its deeply rooted customs and traditions, such as the alpine cattle drives, the Darbienmaun, the Trer Schibettas, or the Silvesterchläuse. It's these traditions that evoke a wistful sense of belonging and security. However, the gender dichotomy is deeply ingrained in the tradition, and the queerphobic legacy of the provinces is far from being addressed.
As a result, queer lifestyles, in particular, face a choice: to leave or to stay? If they move to the city, they might, at best, find a connection to the queer community. If they stay, they are stifled by the rigid structures of the village and the narrowness of the valley.