In a recent analysis for Apache.be, Karl van den Broeck (chief editor of apache.be) discusses several theatre productions and their intersection with politics. Our production “Persians. Triumph of Empathy” was also mentioned: ‘The most radical attempt to make the audience aware of the genocide in Gaza and the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian issue'
Excerpt from the analysis :
The most radical attempt to make the audience aware of the genocide in Gaza and the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian issue was undoubtedly Persians. Triumph of Empathy by Chokri Ben Chikha, Action Zoo Humain & NTGent. Ben Chikha draws on the oldest play in Western theatre literature: The Persians by Aeschylus from 472 BC. It recounts the Battle of Salamis from the perspective of the losers: the Persians. This is striking, because Aeschylus himself fought alongside the Athenians who defeated the Persians.
Is this a case of “empathy” or is the play a confirmation of the superiority of the Greeks?
We follow a group of theatre students at the Flemish Theatre Ghent in a society completely dominated by nationalist autocrats in 2031. The teacher is right-wing and pro-Israeli, but the actors are a mixed group that also includes Palestinians.
Ben Chikha documented herself for the play by travelling to the occupied Palestinian territories, including the festival grounds where Hamas later struck on 7 October 2023. Documentary fragments are shown during the performance.
Kunnen we empathie hebben voor zowel het Israëlische als het Palestijnse standpunt? Of wordt empathie een “excuus om zo lang mogelijk weg te kijken van de werkelijke problemen”?
The dancers are taught that the Holocaust justifies violence against the Palestinians. During a game, images of the devastated Gaza Strip are shown in the background, and it becomes very painful when the residents of the occupied territories realise that the ruins of the homes of displaced Palestinians lie hidden beneath their own homes.
The performance raises questions. Can we empathise with both the Israeli and Palestinian points of view? Or does empathy become an “excuse to look away from the real problems for as long as possible”? Food for lively discussions afterwards.
