Nasreddin Hodja is on Stage at the 2024 Avignon Festival! / YASAM KAYA
We chatted with French theater artist Stéphanie Slimani, who participated in the 2024 Avignon Theater Festival with Abdel Bouchama's play "Le voyage de Nasreddine", about both Nasreddin Hodja and French Theatre. This pleasant conversation is very important for the relationship between Turkish and French Theater. The fact that Turkey's cultural figure such as Nasreddin Hodja is shown at the world's most famous festival is especially of interest to theater groups in Turkey. Nasreddin Hodja is now a global asset!
1- Could you introduce yourself to us ?
I am Stéphanie Slimani, I live in Toulon in the south of France and I am currently performing in the show "Le voyage de Nasreddine" by Abdel Bouchama at the Avignon Festival.
2- What are you doing in the field of theater in France ?
I am interested in many artistic practices. I am notably an actress, director, dancer, author and puppeteer. I like to work on a very visual and physical form of theater, with collective emotion at the center of my questions.
3- How did the idea for a theater play about Nasredddin Hodja come about ? and how does it feel to play in Nasreddin Hodja’s play
It was Abdel Bouchama who asked me to join this show as a puppeteer to play the donkey. The character of Nasreddine has always had an important place in his life, since his adolescence. The idea for this show came naturally for him. After some creations with more difficult themes, his brother said to him one day "What if you now made people laugh". Nasreddin was a character he already had within him. The tales are also very current and timeless.
Playing this character is very easy for him, because he looks a lot like him. His modesty, his way of seeing the world, of taking life with humor.He likes his irony, he is capable of being subversive and taking the necessary distance to observe the world.
To me, it is a pleasure to play Nasreddin’s best friend, Aryul (“Donkey in Berber”).
4- Nasreddin is an important figure for Turks. Have you had a chance to research Nasreddin Hodja ?
Abdel Bouchama read more than 200 stories by Nasreddin before writing this piece. He also noticed links with the stories of Diogenes, which is why there are barrels in the scenography. Diogenes said "I am looking for Man", just like Nasreddin.
5- Do you follow the theater life in Turkey ?
Not yet, but I am tirelessly curious and Turkish culture interests me to the highest degree. I hope to get closer and closer.
6- There are Turkish bands coming to the Avignon Festival. have you had the opportunity to watch turkish theater ?
The Avignon festival is a great place to go and discover artists and cultures. Tomorrow I'm going to see Gomidas, a play with the actor Fehmi Karaarslan who was born in Istanbul. Created by teatrINO which wishes to revitalize French-Turkish exchanges.
7- Can you evaluate French theatre ?
It's quite difficult because there are multiple theatrical forms in France. But contemporary creation is very lively, daring, full of energy. I particularly appreciate contemporary dance and the originality of street theater creations. We are lucky to still be able, and for a long time we hope, to make a living from our profession as artists.
8- Did the French like the theater in wich you played Nasreddin Hodja ?
We sold out the entire festival ! The public greatly enjoyed discovering or rediscovering these tales and this character so joyful and full of facetious wisdom.
9- Are you planning to tour to Turkey as a group ?
I would love so !
For the moment we do not yet have enough contact on site to allow this, but who knows, thanks to this article we may come to make Nasreddin Hodja's words resonate in his native country !
As for me, I personally hope to come and discover this country because a person dear to my heart is from there. Besides, I set myself the goal of knowing how to speak Turkish in a year. So maybe an interview in Turkish and in Türkiye next year?
Anahtar Kelimeler: Stéphanie Slimani, 2024 Avignon Theater Festival, Abdel Bouchama, Le voyage de Nasreddine, Yaşam Kaya
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