German-Namibian musical theatre in Windhoek: People of Song

Hot tip for holidaymakers in Namibia who are in Windhoek on 17 or 18 October: the musical theatre production 'People of Song' at the National Theatre. A story about identity, memory and reconciliation. Created over two and a half years of creative collaboration between Namibian and German artists.

As Namibian.org was able to ascertain at a preview concert, 'People of Song' captivates with original songs and choral pieces, movement and storytelling. The self-composed songs in Khoekhoegowab, Rukwangali, OtjiHerero, OshiWambo and German also draw on traditional elements.

The story is set in the fictional Namibian village of Oms and in a Berlin museum. It has four main characters, each of whom is on a very personal journey. Aniros, a young aspiring musician, is torn between her father's expectations and her grandmother's protective wisdom.

Ouma, the matriarch of the family, suffers from trauma from the past. The father, Tsaudago, feels torn between duty and unfulfilled dreams. The fourth character is Hermann, who has received a letter from his deceased father and thereby discovers a personal connection to Namibia.

The paths of these four cross in their search for the sacred artefact 'Sei-sab', which is to be returned to its rightful place. Their encounter forces them to acknowledge painful events from the past that they have repressed for decades: the beginning of healing.

'People of Song' ties in with the opera 'Chief Hijangua'

According to director Kim Mira Meyer ('Momentbühne'), a similar process of coming to terms with the past took place between the artists as between their characters. The Namibian Jason Kooper is co-director.

At the teaser concert, Meyer and Kooper also introduced the rest of the creative team. This includes lead actress and co-writer Natasha Kitavi, conductor and composer Osmond !Owoseb, composers Victor Ardelean and Marco Heise, and choreographer Marchell Linus.

With People of Song, the 'Momentbühne' is building on its success with 'Chief Hijangua', Namibia's first opera. Chief Hijangua premiered two years ago in Windhoek and was performed a year later in Berlin.

The partners and sponsors of 'People of Song' include the Lottostiftung Berlin, the Humboldt Forum, the Goethe Institut and the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany. More background information can be found on the Momentbühne website.

The performance of 'People of Song' on 17 October in Windhoek will also be its world premiere. Tickets for the performances on 17 and 18 October are available from Web Tickets. In November, 'Momentbühne' will also perform the musical theatre production 'People of Song' in Berlin and Bremen.

Sven-Eric Stender