Husam Abed - Dafa Puppet Theatre (Jordan-Czech Republic)

A multidisciplinary experimental performance that blends visual art, new media with documentary and object theatre. War Maker is a voyage into Karim's dreams and delusions. With the mise-en-scene as a resonance chamber, the audience will start sharing right from the beginning the artist’s mindset, that lived within an ongoing exile. How does war affect our dreams?

Since his childhood, wherever Karim and his family go, there is always a war breaking out. First, the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988); then the Gulf War in 1990 (Iraq-Kuwait); and finally, the Civil War in Yugoslavia in 1991. This touched him so much that Karim began to wonder: was he a War Maker?

War Maker raises questions related to identity, and follows his absurd unbelievable journey with cruel brutalities that ultimately put him at the crossroads between love, dreams and family connections.

War Maker is the latest creation by Palestinian-Jordanian Husam Abed. He was one of the highlights of FIMFA Lx16 with his autobiographical and intimate show The Smooth Life.

^{"Everything is raw, simple, without superfluous effects. And that's why it's emotionally impressive. We're watching a theatre that is a mark of this world. Its reverse. An impression of the lives and minds of people in war zones (...). In the suitcases they carry with them all their lives, there is war... A war they can't get rid of.” - Vladimír Hulec, Divadelni Noviny}

^{"Husam Abed magically transforms a simple, everyday item like a wooden matchstick into a puppet. His performance (...) was riveting and I was totally mesmerized. War Maker blew my mind. It is a powerful, poignant piece. Thank you for such a beautiful and challenging piece!" - John c. Wilson, Baltimore, MD}

^{"A man on the move. Passports, airports, luggages. These aren’t innocent passenger luggages, they are military luggages, intimately connecting their owner’s life to endless wars. An object theatre play that employs the art of symbolism to exhibit the absurd story of a man whose life is interrupted by wars." - Dina Baslan, Journalist, Human-rights activist, a co-founder of Sawiyan / Jordan}

BIO

Husam Abed is a Palestinian Jordanian theatre director, puppeteer, musician and producer, who lives in the Czech Republic. He is undertaking a PhD study at Bath Spa University in the UK researching objects for refugees’ visibility. He holds a Master of Directing for Alternative and Puppet Theatre at DAMU, Czech Republic. He is a co-founder of Dafa Puppet Theatre/Czech Republic. He is performing and leading theatre and puppetry projects for children and youth in many countries. He is directing theatre performances, collaborating with artists from many nations. His performances took part at international festivals in Europe, Arab world, Hong Kong and Macao. He is a co-founder of Hazaart and LIV’in festival in the city of Prague, a member of Amman Theatre Lab., a board member of Sawiyan, a curator of IDEA (International Dance Encounter Amman), a member of Karama Film Festival for Human Rights in Jordan.

Dafa - an Arabic word for “warmth”- was a project initiated in 2009 to reach refugee communities in Jordan. In 2015 two graduates of the prestigious Academy of Performing Arts (DAMU) co-founded Dafa Puppet Theatre, a multi-awarded theatre company based in Prague, Czech Republic. Dafa Puppet Theatre yearns to spread puppet art, promote theatre in education, and awareness, challenge stereotypes, and connect people through theatre. Dafa produces and creates performances and short films. Dafa is invited on a regular basis to take part at international festivals in Europe, South East Asia, the Arab world and the USA. Dafa combines principles of devised, physical theatre, puppet/object theatre, music theatre, and multimedia to build exciting productions based on both fiction and documentary. Dafa regularly collaborates with multidisciplinary international artists and also incorporate other fields in their work. Dafa focuses on theatre as a public practice, a tool for self-expression and communication. Dafa supports the establishment of amateur and professional theatre groups. Dafa organises Ya Khayal Theatre Lab. for refugees and local youth in Amman/Jordan. Dafa organises and runs the LIV'in festival in the city of Prague; an alternative cultural encounter in the living rooms of people of Prague. The festival offers a meeting point and a shared experience for the public through performances, film screenings, talks and food sharing

_CREDITS

_{Direction and performer: Husam Abed Dramaturgy: Marek Turošik Art director: Astrid Mendez Set design: Katarina Cakova, Astrid Mendez Choreography: Ryuji Yamaguchi Lighting and sound design: Matej Vejdelek Film & editing: Reka Deak, Dmitri Berzon Performer and assistant on stage: Matej Vejdelek Photography: Martin Spelda, Irina Vodakova Acknowledgements: Kristýna Břeská Support: Arab Fund for Art and Culture (AFAC/Beirut), Atelier Libusin, Capital City of Prague, Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, State Fund for Culture of the Czech Republic, City District of Prague 7 - Art District, Alfred ve Dvore, Moment Maribor}

_{www.husamabed.com}