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LETTER TO MY FRIENDS: Milo Rau on the Genocide in Gaza
Today, Milo Rau’s LETTER TO MY FRIENDS is being published in 13 European languages. On the occasion of the Italien premiere of Rau’s new play THE LETTER, the Artistic Director of the Vienna Festival calls on the directors of art institutions to actively oppose Israel’s actions in Gaza.
“We have no right to remain silent.” From France to Belgium, from Italy to Romania, from Portugal to the Czech Republic, from Poland to Croatia: Milo Rau’s appeal to Europe’s cultural institutions to take a united stand against the genocide in Gaza is published simultaneously in 13 languages.
With one interesting exception: “Despite all our efforts, we couldn’t find a single German-language newspaper, magazine, or platform that was willing to publish the letter. While this was not a problem in any other European country,” as Rau says in an interview, adressing the “disturbing silence of the Holocaust perpetrator nations” (English version).
The LETTER TO MY FRIENDS is being published at the start of the world tour of Rau’s eponymous play THE LETTER in Rome. Also starting its world tour is the “landmark in the art of theatre” (Le Monde) THE PELICOT TRIAL. Lisbon, Warsaw, Belgrade, Stockholm, Paris, New York – and many other cities are on the program.
With the LETTER TO MY FRIENDS, Vienna Festival’s RESISTANCE NOW TOGETHER! tour enters its second season. The campaign, which has reached 100 million people in 20 countries to date, recently caused a stir worldwide due to a court case.
The campaign book RESISTANCE HAS NO FORM, RESISTANCE IS THE FORM had to be withdrawn from sale – after the publisher lost a lawsuit against right-wing politician H. C. Strache, Austria’s former Vice Chancellor.
“What we are seeing is far-right parties using the arsenal provided by democracy in order to destroy it,” THE GUARDIAN and EL PAÍS quote Milo Rau. Also included in the book: Rau’s play THE SEER, which celebrated its German premiere last week at the Schaubühne Berlin, featuring Silver Lion winner Ursina Lardi.
“The performing arts are rightly accused of finding few answers to our war-torn times. Milo Rau’s theater is a disturbing exception,” a critic jugded. Judge for yourself: We look forward to all the upcoming debates, performances, and campaign stops all over Europe and the world — together with you!