Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige
The vertiginous Story of Orthosia
Beirut, Paris
The lecture performance «The Vertiginous Story of Orthosia» explores memory, history and political responsibility. In the refugee camp of Nahr el-Bared in northern Lebanon, the remains of the ancient Roman city of Orthosia were unexpectedly discovered after the camp’s destruction in 2007. As this significant cultural heritage is brought to light, an urgent question emerges: must the Palestinian refugees living there once again give way to history? With poetic and documentary precision, Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige examine the political hierarchies of memory.
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The lecture performance «The Vertiginous Story of Orthosia» traces a layered narrative of memory and political responsibility. It asks which stories are preserved – and at what cost.
In northern Lebanon lies the refugee camp Nahr el-Bared, home to Palestinians displaced since 1948. When the camp was partially destroyed during fighting in 2007, traces of Orthosia were discovered beneath the rubble – an ancient Roman city, destroyed by a tsunami in 551 and never thought to exist there, despite 15 centuries of unsuccessful searches. As this significant archaeological heritage is brought to light, a humanitarian question comes into focus: must Palestinian refugees make way for the writing of history – to be displaced, ex-posed once more to uncertainty and marginalisation?
With poetry, precision and documentary clarity, Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige question the hierarchies that shape memory. Their work opens up a way of seeing history not as a closed narrative, but as a living, political space where past, present and future remain in dialogue.
Dates and Tickets
shows from today- Th 27.08. 19:00 - 20:15 CHF 40.–/20.–
- Fr 28.08. 19:00 - 20:15 CHF 40.–/20.–
- Sa 29.08. 19:00 - 20:15 CHF 40.–/20.–
Support programme
Stammtisch
Wem gehört die Vergangenheit?
Wed 26.8., 21.00
Accessibility
Easy to read
«The Vertiginous Story of Orthosia» is a lecture performance. This means that it combines a talk with an artistic performance. The artists Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige tell a story about memory, history and political responsibility. The piece is set in Lebanon, the artists’ home country. It is based on the true story of the discovery of archaeological remains from the ancient Roman city of Orthosia. The problem is that these remains were found underneath a refugee camp. This raises an important question: Should people be forced to leave their homes so that archaeologists can carry out excavations? Or should they be allowed to stay?
Artistic direction and cast
| Von & mit | Joana Hadjithomas, Khalil Joreige |
|---|---|
| Archäologe | Hadi Choueri |
| Recherche | Maissa Maatouk, Maitre Julien Ghossoub |
| Fotomaterial | Talal Khoury, Joe Saade, Khalil Joreige |
| Videoschnitt | Tina Baz, Cybele Nader |
| Animation | Laurent Brett |
| 3D-Animation | Maissa Maatouk |
| Tonbearbeitung & Mischung | Cherif Allam, Rana Eid (Studio DB) |
| Musik | Charbel Haber, The Bunny Tylers |
| Studioleitung | Tara El Khoury Mikhael |
| Übersetzung & Operator | Dòra Kapusta |
| Foto | Yutaro Yamaguchi |
Production
| Produktion | Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Brüssel |
|---|---|
| Koproduktion | Points communs – Nouvelle scène nationale de Cergy-Pontoise et du Val d’Oise |
| Dank | In Situ Gallery – Fabienne Leclerc |
| Premiere | Mai 2024, Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Brüssel |
Rote Fabrik, Fabriktheater
Lecture Performance. Remembering. History as a Political Space
Duration
75 min.
Language
French
Surtitles
German, English
Age
16 years plus
Please note
After the performance, an exhibition on the stage can be visited.