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.
Already at the age of 21, Sofija was involved in political activities and actively participated in the Lithuanian women's movement. She was the first scout leader and the only woman to be a Lithuanian representative at the League of Nations. She contributed to the development of the Lithuanian language and taught this language to Čiurlionis. For saving Jews, she was awarded the Righteous Among the Nations medal, and in 1999, the Life Saving Cross. Interestingly, she always wrote her husband's surname first and only then her maiden name: S. Čiurlionienė-Kymantaitė.
Another relevant topic is developed in the plot: burnout from tension and insufficient recognition, such a great feeling of pressure to prove one's worth that it becomes psychologically unbearable. More and more people and health professionals are raising urgent psychological and mental health issues, especially in today's context, feeling increasing anxiety, stress, and a sense of insecurity, often facing depression, a complicated work-life balance, perfectionism, established social norms, and dilemmas of self-expression and self-worth. As is known, in the last years of his life, Čiurlionis faced a nervous breakdown and was treated at the Pustelnik sanatorium near Warsaw. It is likely that this was a severe form of depression or schizophrenia, although the exact diagnosis remains a subject of debate to this day. This illness cut off his creative work just when he was close to his most mature works. His beloved Sofija said that Čiurlionis often painted or wrote music at night, as if in a creative ecstasy – sometimes working for several days in a row without rest. This further exhausted his health.
The dance performance will rely exclusively on M. K. Čiurlionis's musical and artistic legacy. Čiurlionis's works are characterized by a unique synthesis between music and visual art, deep symbolism, and spiritual and natural motifs. Biographical facts are also important, through which the main characters of our performance will be revealed. Čiurlionis's biography tells of a brilliant person who combined music, painting, literature, and philosophy. We are invited to get to know Čiurlionis not only as a great creator but also as a human being – a down-to-earth personality that resonates with us, with all the dramatic facts of life, experienced internal difficulties, and the relationship created with the environment, people, and the dialogue with his work. In parallel, the line of femininity will also open up – the bright personality and merits of Sofija, her life story, and her relationship with her beloved. According to director A. Krasauskaitė, a sensitively deep relationship with Lithuania, the love between a man and a woman, conflicts, or even the manifested schizophrenia will be highlighted here.
Classical, neoclassical, and contemporary dance will dominate the choreography; dynamic mass scenes will be replaced by duets and solo compositions. Contemporary choreography, intertwined with ethnic motifs and supplemented by Lithuanian folk customs, will strengthen the created images. The scenography will draw inspiration from M. K. Čiurlionis's paintings. The performance will feature modernly arranged music by M. K. Čiurlionis, motifs of his most recognizable works, and electronic embellishments. Music by composer Mindaugas Urbaitis and the group "Happyendless" will be used.
Director and choreographer A. Krasauskaitė is a laureate of the Golden Stage Cross and the Gratitude Mask, creating in various Lithuanian theaters. She has created choreography for such "Lietuva" ensemble projects as the musical drama "Emilija", the collage opera "Mažvydas", the musical drama "Sakmė apie dovanotą širdį", or the dance performance "Šokio simfonija iš Šiaurės Jeruzalės" based on music by Jievaras Jasinskis. The creator was also inspired for the new project by dance performances – "Žemaitė N.18(0)" dedicated to the year of writer Žemaitė and "Dėdės ir dėdienės" based on Juozas Tumas-Vaižgantas.
We are invited to unite by: the project is partially funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, information partner LRT.
CREATIVE TEAM:
Director and choreographer: Aušra Krasauskaitė
Dramaturg: Giedrė Kriaučionytė-Vosylienė
Music arranger and composer: Martynas Bialobžeskis
Costume designer: Elvita Brazdylytė
Scenographer: Modestas Jančiulis
Lighting designer: Pijus Vasiliauskas
Soloists:
Sofija: Paulina Čistovaitė / Goda Mikuckytė
Čiurlionis: Marius Pinigis / Robertas Vinik
Performers:
Dance troupe of the State Ensemble "Lietuva"