The Mit Wirkung event series centres on solidarity in the fight against German racism, with a focus on anti-Muslim racism and anti-Semitism. With the unique performative research by artists Anna Lublina and Samuel Hatchwell [hoyah], the sixth and final event in Mit Wirkung is dedicated to the often missing, often erased aspects of Jewish identity, roots and shared histories that can be traced back to the Jewish-Muslim world.
Rhythm travels, Rhythm migrates, Rhythm adapts, Rhythm resists. Rhythm is a vibration that synchronizes your heartbeat to the heartbeat of another. In this performance, Rhythm is the character of Jewish diaspora, reaching back in time to shared Jewish-Muslim worlds: worlds that were not defined by borders, nationalisms, or divisions that emerged with the advent of colonialism. Artist Anna Lublina and musician hoyah work with tap dance, extended vocal techniques, and live mixing to ask what the political and cultural history of diasporic Jewish rhythm (and its embodiment) can teach us in a time marked by polarization and violence.
Anna Lublina and hoyah are both artists and Jews trying to flee the confines of nationalism in the spirit of Doykeit.
The performance will be followed by an audience talk.
The performance is part of »Mit Wirkung. Eine Relaxed Veranstaltungsreihe über intensive Themen«. On Apr 26+27 there will be further performances in the regular program.
Accessibility Information
If you have any questions regarding accessibility, please contact Agnieszka Habraschka. Agnieszka will be present at the event as the Access Person and will assist you with any questions or needs related to accessibility.
All groups work on the first floor and are accessible without stairs.
General Information on Content and Sensory Cues
The event will focus on antisemitism and anti-Muslim racism in Germany.
All groups involve participant engagement through discussions or sharing the results of group work in smaller or larger settings (only if desired). There will be increased noise levels during group work in the main hall! There may also be food smell during group work. Detailed content notes, sensory cues for each group session, and allergen information for the catering are provided below.
Relaxed Event
The event will take place in a relaxed atmosphere.
Various forms of attention are welcome. There will be different seating options, sensory toys*, blankets, drinks, and food (including gluten-free and vegan alternatives). You are free to move around, participate sitting or lying down, and use sensory toys*. You can take breaks independently and come and go as needed.
Seating Options
Chairs, bean bags, cushions, carpets
Quiet Room
There is a quiet room with bean bags, lying options, blankets, and sensory toys*.
*Sensory toys are small, calming objects such as stress balls, putty, or fidget rings that particularly help neurodivergent people regulate their nervous system.
What is a Relaxed Event?
Relaxed events are based on the format of a Relaxed Performance and aim to provide accessibility, particularly for neurodivergent individuals, people with chronic illnesses/pain, and those with invisible disabilities. In these events, accessibility is not an afterthought but an integral part of the event concept. Just like in theater performances, there are often implicit behavioral expectations at events that make it difficult for neurodivergent people or those with chronic illnesses/pain to fully participate. Examples include expectations to sit still, move little, or not take breaks independently. These conventions can hinder participation for many people. The aim of the relaxed event format is to eliminate these rules/expectations. Additionally, relaxed formats offer a sensitive approach, especially for emotionally charged or trauma-related topics. At the beginning of each event, we will share various body exercises with you, designed to calm the central nervous system, which you can perform individually or as a group.
Additionally, relaxed formats offer a sensitive approach, especially for emotionally charged or trauma-related topics. At the beginning of each event, we will share various body exercises with you, designed to calm the central nervous system, which you can perform individually or as a group.
Content Notes / Sensory Stimuli / Allergens
Mehmet Arbag and Anna Sabel
Text and Audio in German, conversation in German
During the group work, a text and an audio file will be listened to together, followed by a discussion.
Text: “And what else is there to say about Antisemitism among Muslims?”
Content Notes:
-It addresses the racist claim that Muslim people are antisemitic.
-It explores how anti-Muslim racism and antisemitism are interconnected.
-The text discusses how people are treated differently based on their perceived religion or culture, using examples like circumcision and fasting.
Audio: Securitization
Content Notes:
-It focuses on racism and how certain groups are constructed as a threat.
-The contribution discusses the effects of security measures.
-People resist unjust security measures.
Sensory Stimuli:
-The audio file is approximately ten minutes long.
-Multiple voices alternate in the audio file.
Sisi Olubowale – Collage Against the Machine
Conversation in English/German.
During the group work, participants will collaboratively create a collage.
Content Notes:
-In the group work, participants reflect on personal or collective thoughts and emotions related to equality, collaboration, and the creation of an equal society in the context of anti-Muslim racism and Antisemitism in Germany.
-The activity encourages participants to work with newspapers and create collages, which may potentially include images of conflicts, wars, and violence.
Sensory Stimuli:
-Participants will work with scissors and glue.
-Possible sounds of paper being cut or torn.
Agata Lisiak
Texts in English/German, conversation in English.
During the group work, two texts will be read and discussed together.
Text 1: Ursula K. Le Guin – “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas”
Content Notes:
-Descriptions of abuse, neglect, and extreme suffering of a disabled child.
-Ableist language.
-Exploration of the moral dilemma between the collective well-being and the suffering of a single individual.
-Examination of social injustice and the ethics of sacrificing an individual’s suffering for the greater good of society.
-Reflection on society’s responsibility for the suffering of its most vulnerable members.
-Mention of intoxication and psychoactive substances
-Use of irony.
Text 2: Rosa Luxemburg – “Die Ordnung herrscht in Berlin”
Content Notes:
-Discussion of the political situation and violent events after World War I in Berlin.
-Discussion on the brutal suppression of the Spartacist uprisings and the role of the social democratic government.
-Graphic depictions of violence, murder, and brutal repression.
-Themes of war, political violence, and oppression.
-Mention of weapons.
Dr. Dörthe Engelcke
Texts in German/English, conversation in German with English translation.
During the group work, a statement and two definitions of Antisemitism will be read and discussed.
Statement on the Bundestag Motion Adopted on January 29, 2025: “Decisively Countering Antisemitism and Anti-Israel Sentiment in Schools and Universities, and Securing the Space for Free Discourse”
Content Notes:
-Critical analysis of the proposed Bundestag resolution on combating Antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment in schools and universities.
-Thematic focus on the isolation of Antisemitism and the neglect of other forms of discrimination, specifically anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian, and general racism.
-Discussion on the one-sided focus on the Jewish population in Israel and the neglect of the history of the Palestinian population.
-Criticism of the potential restriction of academic freedom and discourse due to security discourses and potential censorship of critical positions.
Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism
Content Notes:
-Definition of Antisemitism.
-Mention of discrimination, prejudice, hostility, or violence against Jewish people.
-Description of antisemitic stereotypes, such as the idea of a Jewish world conspiracy or the “invisible power” of Jewish people.
-Distinction between legitimate criticism of Israel and antisemitic statements, particularly in the context of Israel and Palestine.
IHRA Definition of Antisemitism
Content Notes:
-Definition of Antisemitism.
-Mention of hate speech, incitement, defamation, or violent acts against Jewish people.
-Special emphasis on criticism of Israel that may be classified as antisemitic.
Tabea Böker – Solidarität_en & Utopie
Writing in any language, conversation in German/English.
During the group work, both small group and large group work will be carried out. Writing, open conversations, and role-playing are possible.
Content Notes:
-Use of emotion cards, i.e., cards that visually represent emotions.
-Engagement with the concept of solidarity and its practical implementation.
-Discussion of potential conflicts of goals within solidarity movements.
-The exchange is open and dependent on what the participants wish to share. Therefore, it is not possible to provide concrete content notes for the group. Potential topics that may be addressed include:
*Experience with repression.
*Experiences with antisemitism.
*Experiences with racism, especially anti-Muslim racism.
*Experiences with insecure residency conditions and criminalization.
*Thematic exploration of oppression and marginalization.
*Reflection on (societal) exclusions.
Sensory Stimuli:
-The group work will involve working with visual emotion cards.
KÜFA
Allergens:
-There will be bread with gluten, but also a gluten-free alternative
-Milk and soy yogurt
-Broccoli
-Peas
-Garlic
-Thyme
Spaces and WC
There is continuous, step-free and level access (incl. kerb ramp) from the street to the building and to the hall with a width of at least 150 cm. The floor surface in the courtyard is slightly uneven.
The event takes place in the hall, which is at ground level. The hall is entered through a 194 cm wide double door. Then there is a second double door, which has an entrance dimension of 180 cm. The third double door, through which the audience enters the hall, is 136 cm wide. There is no elevator.
Unfortunately, the bar can only be reached via a staircase on the second floor and is therefore not accessible for wheelchair users. There are 17 steps between the first floor and the second floor.
There is space for wheelchairs or walking frames in the event hall/area and there is the option of reserving a particularly suitable seat and/or entering the hall early.
Accessible WC
There is a wheelchair-accessible toilet on the first floor of the building. Access to this toilet is via the corridor and is 198 cm wide. The entrance to the toilet is 79 cm wide.
How to reach us
The nearest stop is U-Bahnhof Eberswalderstr.
The underground station has an elevator. The subway station is located at an intersection with a lot of car and pedestrian traffic.
From there, parts of the path to Ballhaus Ost lead over cobblestones.
The entrance to the theater is through the archway in the courtyard of the building at Pappelallee 15.
Parking
In Pappelallee there are parking spaces in the public area on the roadside. The theater cannot offer its own parking spaces.
Upcoming Dates
- Apr 25, 2025, 19:00
A production by Anna Lublina in cooperation with Ballhaus Ost and Produkionhaus Naxos. Funded by Ottilie Roederstein Stipendium des Hessischen Ministeriums für Wissenschaft, Forschung, Kunst und Kultur; Kulturamt Frankfurt am Main; Kulturamt Gießen; Fonds Darstellende Künste mit Mitteln des Beauftragten der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien. Development supported by the LAB at English Theater Berlin and Ma’r’ayah Fellowship for Jewish and Muslim artists at Kunstlerhaus Bethanien.
