Impressions and review
We look back on very eventful days in the Swiss tour of the Tibetan play "Pah-Lak" from 24.06.2023/29.06.2023/XNUMX to XNUMX/XNUMX/XNUMX.
The tour can be booked as a complete success, with well-booked theaters and a deeply touched, enthusiastic audience. The actors and the entire theater crew did an excellent job and conveyed the very difficult topic in a very sensitive and impressive way.
All performances were followed by a panel discussion where viewers could ask questions of directors Harry Fuhrmann and Lhakpa Tsering, actors and former political prisoner Golog Jigme. The questions revolved around the current situation in Tibet, the situation of Tibetans in exile, the play itself and the theater tour and production. Golog Jigme described the torture suffered on the "tiger chair", a central prop on the stage. In addition, a traveling exhibition on Nonviolence accompanied the play in the theater forums.
The Swiss theater premiere of the play on June 24.06.2023th, XNUMX in the Nuithonie Theater in Villars-sur-Glâne was introduced by a Tibet Day, organized by the GSTF Romandie section. The day was filled with a panel discussion on the topic "From political oppression to the extermination of a people and a culture - understanding what is currently happening in Tibet" with National Councilor Nicolas Walder, Fanny Iona Morel, Kelsang Pawotsang and moderated by René Longet (co-section leader GSTF Romandie section). Followed by a Tibetan cultural program with dances and songs by the Friborg Tibetan community, a food truck with delicious momos was ready for dinner.
Afterwards, the theatrical performance of «Pah-Lak» impressed the audience and ended with a panel discussion. On the podium after the performance, Harry Fuhrmann and Lhakpa Tsering, Nyima Dhondup, Golog Jigme and the presenter and translator Tenzin Wangmo (Co-Head of Section GSTF Romandie Section) answered questions from the audience.
I saw your play Pah-Lak in Villars-sur-Glâne. The memory of it still touches me and hits me right in the heart. What a great achievement!
I was mute, sad and exhausted after this performance, so I would like to catch up: Bravo for actors, musicians, authors, directors, stage and costume designers! Bravo! Pah-Lak is so hot on the subject of Tibet and so meaningful in general about violence/non-violence. Lots of people should see this! – Pia, Visitor Nuithonie
The tour then continued at the Theater Winterthur on June 28 & 29.06.203, XNUMX.
A vernissage with an aperitif and Tibetan snacks kicked off at the Theater Winterthur, which was attended by many invited and spontaneous guests. Thomas Guglielmetti and Bettina Durrer from Theater Winterthur opened the programme. Then GSTF President Thomas Büchli and NR Nik Gugger had their say and finally Tenzyn Zöchbauer from the Tibet Initiative Germany found introductory words about the exhibition. The guests lingered in lively conversations with cool drinks and momos until they were admitted to the theater, which was filled with almost 400 spectators.
In Winterthur, too, a deeply touched audience, including numerous particularly moved Tibetans, followed what was happening on stage. "The best-attended performance after Corona," commented a visibly impressed theater director Thomas Guglielmetti on the almost full hall on Wednesday. Over 690 tickets were sold for both performances in Winterthur!
The panel discussion following the performances was moderated on both evenings by Tenzyn Zöchbauer and accompanied by Lobsang Zatul as a Tibetan translator. Panel guests were Harry Fuhrmann, Lhakpa Tsering, Tsering Dorjee (Bawa), Youngkyar Dolma (the youngest crew member at 12), Kalsang Dolma and Golog Jigme.
The GSTF was also represented with an information and sales stand on all demonstration evenings.
On behalf of the GSTF we would like to thank all supporters and helpers without whose great commitment the tour would not have been possible!
We would also like to thank the entire crew of the theater team, Harry Fuhrmann, the Tibet Theater, the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts TIPA from Dharamsala/India and the Tibet Initiative Germany for the excellent cooperation!
And last but not least - many thanks to our photographers Katharina Wernli (28.06.2023/29.06.2023/XNUMX) and Tselhamo Büchli (XNUMX/XNUMX/XNUMX)!
The Theater Pah-Lak, the direction, the production and the fantastic actors touched me very deeply. It is timeless, differentiated and exemplary for the bleak world politics. The differentiation from the political system and the representatives of the Tibetan people and the Chinese people has been worked out with great sensitivity. ...and of course the Tibetan language, which, thanks to modern translation technology, comes across to the audience without barriers. I'm still overwhelmed. – Michaela, visitor in Winterthur
The The piece "Pah-Lak" tells of the non-violent resistance of the Tibetans against the Chinese occupation, from self-immolation as a last resort. Since 2009, at least 161 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in Tibet in protest. The ensemble of Tibetan actors brought the Tibetan fight for freedom to Germany and Switzerland.
Through the story of Deshar, a self-confident young Tibetan woman who has decided to become a Buddhist nun, the audience experiences how the nuns resist ordered re-education measures and as a result the monastery is closed by order of the Chinese police officer Deng. Deshar loses her last shred of freedom and a sense of powerlessness in the face of permanent oppression leads her to set herself on fire. "Pah-Lak" vividly describes the hopeless situation of Tibetans in their homeland of Tibet, which is occupied by the People's Republic of China.
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Impressive performance, very well staged with super good (amateur) actors. I was overwhelmed. I really hope that we will see more of this in the near future. Many thanks to everyone involved behind and on stage and to the spectators. Tashi Delek—10cin