Theater
(Kaunas) Dance performance ''Sofija''
In the shadow of a genius
About this event
What does an ambitious woman feel when she remains forever in the shadow of her husband – a genius?
The "Lietuva" ensemble presents a premiere – the dance performance "Sofija", which will use a bold perspective to awaken what is (un)expected, and perhaps often left unsaid. The M. K. Čiurlionis year is full of attention to his most prominent achievements and the artist's impressive biography, which inspired the creators of the performance to take the opposite approach – a highly sensitive and open confession with his great muse, Sofija Kymantaitė-Čiurlionienė.
"It is time to turn to the person who best understood and most deeply felt M. K. Čiurlionis's genius in the present moment. A person who, in our opinion, undeservedly remained in her husband's shadow, her contribution undeservedly forgotten. Sofija was a woman who withstood the twists and turns of life and held many roles within herself. Her love, struggle, determination, and dedication are simply inspiring. While researching her biography, I realized that she had to experience so much; those experiences will encourage the audience to reflect and will raise provocative questions," says director and "Lietuva" ensemble chief choreographer Aušra Krasauskaitė about the birth of the idea. The new performance will highlight the multifaceted personality of S. Kymantaitė-Čiurlionienė through the language of movement and symbols, especially the less revealed sides, the most intimate breakthroughs, and transformations. What does it mean to live with a genius? How to survive a loved one's mental illness? What is the point of fighting and protecting every memory of a husband? How much can love withstand poverty and lack of recognition? How many roles can fit into one woman?
"Čiurlionis is one of the most intriguing Lithuanian artists, whose life, work, and thoughts allow us not only to delve into a unique philosophy of art regarding the eternal incompleteness of a work, to ask where the line between brilliant creation and madness lies, and to worry about lack of recognition or poverty. Alongside this, we can admire an extraordinary love story with a strong, exceptional woman – Sofija Kymantaitė. An active promoter of Lithuanian identity, a public figure, a writer, and one of the first literary and theater critics. Sofija Kymantaitė-Čiurlionienė was a genius's teacher, muse, beloved, wife, nurse, mother of his child, and the main guardian and promoter of Čiurlionis's work. After her beloved husband's death, Sofija remained a widow for the rest of her life, turning her loss into a driving force for her life, following love until the very end. The fact that we can delve into Čiurlionis's work today is only due to Sofija's persistent and consistent dedication. Čiurlionis disrupted her life like a hurricane, but at the same time, with his early death, he dictated a clear direction for it," the creators recount.
