| Treasury
Viral on tiktok - Giuvlipen Theater Companyviral on tiktok
virală pe tiktok
In the performance by Giuvlipen Theater Company, we witness a deeply moving overview of the lack of sexual education affecting Romanian society, particularly the Roma communities, and its tangible societal consequences. TikTok, as the currently most popular social media platform, provides an excellent framework for the play. The production, navigating at borders of various genres, portrays the life of two teenage girls discussing the contradictions surrounding female sexuality, the abuses associated with the myth of virginity, the traps of oversexualized beauty ideals, or the sins committed by religion and forced marriages against women.
‘Unlike the situation when you walk on the street, your body becomes a weapon against you. But when you're alone with yourself, it's the only space where you feel safe. I have so many questions, and no one knows how to answer the, because we don't talk about them. Sex is a taboo.’
Creators
teaser
Background
The performance was preceded by a two-month-long research effort led by director Mihaela Dragan, in collaboration with a public health specialist and the president of an association who make sexual education materials. They conducted interviews with young Roma women from both urban and rural areas of Romania. The insights gathered from these interviews formed the foundation of the performance.
The play begins with the premise that girls from traditional Roma communities are often expected to marry by the age of 14 or even younger. Their virginity symbolises the honour of the entire family, and upon marriage, they are required to leave school and start bearing children. The practice of presenting a blood-stained sheet as evidence of virginity still persists in the daily lives of these communities.
- Márta Kovács: The word virginity gives me the shivers. I'd rather douse it with gasoline.
Focus scene
Reviews
‘The main characters are two Roma teenage girls, and the play addresses the double standard of virginity, sexist beauty ideals, forced marriages, the influence of religion, and the courage of both, their friendship, support, intention, and willingness to act so that this reality no longer remains the reality of young Roma women.’
24.HU‘‘The performances of the two actresses are captivating, delivering the stories in a gripping manner. The musical interludes (which are so prominent that the remaining parts could almost be called "prose inserts") present terrifying experiences with their discrepancy, yet they don't overwhelm the audience, allowing the hour and a half of the performance to fly by quickly.’
PRAEMaterials to read
excerpts from the playIN ENGLISH
photo credits
All rights reserved
*left -> right*
1: ©Alina Vincze_Nicoleta Ghiță
2: ©Alina Vincze_Bianca Mihai
3: ©Alina Vincze_Nicoleta Ghiță. Bianca Mihai
4: ©Alina Vincze_Bianca Mihai
5: ©Alina Vincze_Nicoleta Ghiță, Bianca Mihai
6:©Alina Vincze_Nicoleta Ghiță, Bianca Mihai