Ali Chahrour
When I Saw the Sea
Beirut
Ali Chahrour’s art uncovers beauty in the harsh realities we prefer not to see – and with it, a sense of belonging and resistance. In his latest piece, the Lebanese choreographer centres the voices of three women who embody an almost invisible struggle: against a racist system of exploitation that forced them onto the streets of Beirut in times of deep uncertainty.
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Beirut is home – and creative ground – for internationally acclaimed choreographer and director Ali Chahrour. Since the Israeli attacks on Lebanon began in September 2024, entire neighbourhoods have been destroyed, leaving thousands homeless – including a large number of migrant domestic workers, from countries such as Sierra Leone, Cameroon and Ethiopia. Many women who worked and lived in private Lebanese households under the guise of the repressive kafala system were left behind by their employers when they fled abroad to escape the bombs. Some were locked inside homes and died in the rubble. Others were abandoned and ended up on thestreets of Beirut – and, in the midst of uncertainty, seeing the sea for the very first time. Stripped of their papers and rights, they came together as a community and emerged from the invisibility of domestic labour – making themselves seen and heard within Lebanese society.
Rania Jamal, Zena Moussa and Tenei Ahmad – three activists, two of whom had come to Lebanon as domestic workers – take the stage in «When I Saw the Sea». With fearless presence, they sing, dance, and speak of their experiences and longings, and of their struggle for justice, freedom, and self-determination. They are joined on stage by outstanding musicians Lynn Adib and Abed Kobeissy.
Dates and Tickets
shows from today- Tu 19.08. 20:00 - 21:15 CHF 45.–/25.–
- We 20.08. 20:30 - 21:45 CHF 45.–/25.–
- Th 21.08. 19:00 - 20:15 CHF 45.–/25.–
Support programme
Public Talk
Wed 20.8., after the performance, with Ali Chahrour
Moderation (English): Hayat Erdogan
Stammtisch
Against Human Trafficking and Exploitation, Thr 21.8., 9 pm.
Public Warm Up
Wed 20.8., 6 pm
Accessibility
Content warning
The performance explores themes of war and structural exploitation. It contains descriptions of sexualized and psychological violence.
Sensory warning
The performance features blinding lights, heavy bass sounds, and the use of fog.
Artistic direction and cast
| Regie & Choreografie | Ali Chahrour |
|---|---|
| Produktionsleitung | Christel Salem, Chadi Aoun |
| Mit | Zena Moussa, Tenei Ahmad, Rania Jamal |
| Musik | Lynn Adib, Abed Kobeissy |
| Regieassistenz & Choreografie | Chadi Aoun |
| Licht & technische Leitung | Guillaume Tesson |
| Assistenz technische Leitung | Pol Seif |
| Tontechnik | Benoît Rave |
| Szenografie | Guilaume Tesson, Ali Chahrour |
| Operator | Chadi Aoun |
| Foto | Kassim Dabaji |
Production
| Produktion | Ali Chahrour |
|---|---|
| Koproduktion | H AU Hebbel am Ufer, Le Festival d’Avignon, Ibsen Scope, Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC), Al Mawred al Thaqafi, DeSingel Antwerpen, Domino Zagreb / Perforations Festival, Holland Festival, Zürcher Theater Spektakel, Al Madina Theater |
| Unterstützung | Bündnis der internationalen Produktionshäuser / Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien, Beryte Theater, L’Institut Français de Beyrouth, Wicked Solutions, WASL Productions, Beit el Laffé, Orient 499, Raseef, Beirut, Houna center, Zoukak Theatre |
| Premiere | Mai 2025, Beirut |