Día de los Muertos, Journey to Mictlán - Performance
© Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss, Foto: Frank Sperling
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Día de los Muertos, Journey to Mictlán - Performance
© Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss, Foto: Frank Sperling
Past events
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According to pre-Hispanic beliefs, every human being undertakes a difficult journey after death, which ultimately leads them to Mictlán – a place of peace. On this journey, the soul is accompanied by a dog, who supports them and helps them overcome nine stages, where the forces of nature challenge the traveler, but where human weaknesses and misconduct are also put to the test.

The performance draws on prehistoric objects and body language.

Direction: Mario Vázquez

Actress: Tanja Watoro

Music: Mario Vázquez, Carlos Sandoval

Masks: Mario Vázquez

Body Painting: Daisy Watkiss, Tanja Watoro

Costumes: Mario Vázquez

Painting: César Nuñez Guerra

Photographie: Jeanette Betancourt Díaz

Video: Irene Rojas Erlenbach

Light: Marie-Louise Stille

Trailer
Excerpt from the dance performance Journey to Mictlan / Viaje a Mictlan during Día de Muertos at the Humboldt Forum 2023, landscape format
© Irene Rojas Erlenbach

Participants

She gained her first theater experience at the age of 15 at the Stadttheater Bremerhaven. In 1999, she completed her training in acting, dance, and singing at the Berlin School of Performing Arts and continues her development in dance at institutions such as the Tanzfabrik in Berlin.

From 2006–2013, she worked with the renowned international theater group Teatro de los Andes in Bolivia. With the ensemble, she played, among others, the role of Penelope in The Odyssey at various well-known international theater festivals in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Ecuador, and New Zealand – festivals that also attract directors such as Robert Wilson, Frank Castorf, and Peter Brook.

After her engagement in Bolivia, she performed with the Ton und Kirschen Wandertheater from Werder, among others.

She is currently a member of the ensemble at ATZE Musiktheater in Berlin and also works at the Deutsches Theater, Theaterdiscounter, and in Italy with director César Brie at Isola del Teatro. Since 2000, she has been a member of Calaca e.V.

Born in Mexico, Mario Vázquez has lived in Berlin for over 30 years, working as an actor, visual artist, and photographer. He is the initiator of the Mexican Day of the Dead Festival in Berlin, a founding member of Calaca e.V., and served for many years as the festival’s artistic director.

He trained as an actor at the Escuela Nacional Mascarones in Mexico, where he was a member of the ensemble for 13 years. As an actor, he has taken part in all productions by Calaca e.V. As a director, he has staged, among others, the music and shadow theater piece Franziska und der Tod (Franziska and Death) as well as The Journey to Mictlán.

part of

In the Humboldt Forum's foyer there is a 17 meter high media tower, called "cosmograph". It gives visitors comprehensive information about their visit and can transform into an art and light installation.
© SHF / David von Becker

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