Online discussion
Multilingualism in Theatre
How does it happen? And what potential lies there for the theatre makers and audience?
Multilingualism as a tool for creating an inclusive society in Finland was researched and financed by different bodies in various forms during the last ten years. As a result, there was an increase in the number of performances which brought multilingual storytelling to the stage. The effort is applaudable since the society is changing rapidly and the number of languages spoken in Finland has reached 160 languages. Nevertheless, one rarely hears this multitude of languages in Finnish theaters. How can multilingual storytelling and drama find its way into the stages? Without being perceived as a threat to the Finnish language? Could additional languages besides Finnish or Swedish on stage be beneficial for diversifying the narrative on stage?
Who makes multilingual theater, whose stories are told and who does it reach as a result?
In this discussion we will reflect on these thoughts together with our guests Vanja Hamidi Isacsson, Johannes Kirsten and Mohamed Moe Mustafa. The discussion will be hosted by David Kozma. We will discuss how they are using multilingualism in their work and how we have to adapt the language on the stage to the rapid changes of the society in order to diversify people on and in front of the stage.
Main language of the discussion will be English. The English content is interpreted in Finnish sign language. The audience is welcome to write their questions in chat also in other languages.
We will use Zoom for the event. To participate, simply follow the link we will send you when you register.
Registration
The discussion is part of The Satakielikuukausi / Multilingual Month, which is an annual celebration of multilingualism that falls between the International Day of the Native Language (21.2) and the World Poetry Day (21.3).
The event is organized in co-operation with Goethe-Institut Finnland and New Theatre Helsinki.
Details
Online
Language: English, interpreted in Finnish sign languae
Price: Free admission
+358 44 7222707 petra.hannus@goethe.de