From
Yemen Observer
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yobserver.com
Varieties
Franco-German troupe to
bring life to Yemen’s streets
By Zaid Al-Alaya’a
Jul 28, 2005, 00:38
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The event, called Street Art, brings together all types of artists to stage street performances such as are common in town centers across Europe, ranging from magicians, fire-eaters, mime artists, and other theatrical performances.
Hendric Selle, the Cultural Attaché of the German Embassy in Yemen and Jeremy Roeygens who is in charge of the cultural activity agreed described the project as a: “first huge step between the two countries France and Germany that used to be enemies in the World War II, but now the picture is totally different and now the two countries are close friends. This Franco-German project in Yemen is the best evidence of this friendship that will expand into other areas.’’
It is hoped that the event will spark interest in street performances and encourage people to bring their art to public areas in Yemen. Three artists from France, three from Germany and ten Yemeni students will be taking part, bringing life to public thoroughfares with their open-air displays.
The 10 Yemenis will spend two weeks in a workshop rehearsing the shows, where French and German artists will share their knowledge and skills with their Yemeni counterparts.
The event will spark into life on September 19, with a colorful street parade through Sana’a, followed the next day by a variety of performances in Al-Tahrir Square. On 24 the group will move on to Aden and perform in Carter Square.
Hendrick and Jeremy said that they hoped the event would present the public with something novel and different from the scheduled activities of the German House and the French Cultural Center.
All displays and performances will be held in the open air, in contrast to habitual performances staged indoors, limiting audience numbers. This time Yemenis of all ages and backgrounds will have the opportunity to enjoy the spectacle. “Art,” Hendrick and Jeremy said, “will be brought to the people.”
Organizers hope the project will help spread peace and goodwill through cultural exchange. “Our experience of Yemen,” they said, “is of very open-minded people who welcome new cultures. Yemen is a country of peace that condemns violence. This project will create a channel for communication between Europe and Yemen, and the Arab world in general, and may help to resolve disputes and conflicts. We are all excited and hope the project is a great success.”
The German artists taking part are : fire-eater, Marianne Manda ; juggler Clemens Rudolph, and Zauberer Mekks, a magician. The French artists are: Louis Boulon, a clown, juggler Jim la Jungle, and Gandalf Goudard who plays the saxophone and tabla.
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